An Improved Inflatable Life Belt.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th July, 1896-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1896
An Improved Inflatable Life Belt.
I, CARL EUGEN HAEGE, of No. 34, Glockenbach, Munich, Bavaria, in the
German Empire, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The subject of this invention, hereinafter to be described, is an improved life
saving apparatus adapted for use in case of shipwreck and inflatable by means of
expanding gas.
The device consists of a hollow belt, made in the shape of hose, of waterproof
material and of comparatively great width. It is intended to be placed round the
body in case of emergency, while, under normal conditions, when folded up and
put away it is very compact and occupies very little space; which compactness
enables it to be conveniently worn under the upper garments, without its presence
being noticeable. Within the belt in front, is fitted a metal case, its method of
attachment being immaterial, and its situation being such as to be within easy
reach of the wearer's hand. This cap is filled with compressed gas, which is
conducted into the interior of the belt by means of a device, such as a valve, a
cock, or the like, controllable by hand, from outside. The gas thus admitted
expands and inflates the belt in such a manner that it acts in the water similarly
to a swimming bladder or buoy.
The case comprises two connecting channels or ports one of which is directed
outwardly and serves to fill the case, while the other, leading into the intérior,
serves to admit the gas into the belt. In modifications of the invention the
compressed gas is adinitted into the case from the receiver or holder through a
short branch pipe or nozzle. From this nozzle the compressed gas passes through
a port to a three way cock, and through the latter when the position of the parts
is such as to allow the compressed gases to continue their way into the interior
of the case. Upon the completion of this filling process, the inlet is closed in any
suitable manner, say, by having a cap or plug screwed to it. The three way cock
may be moved to a suitable position which does not permit of communication with
either the interior of the case or the nozzle. Where it is desired to conduct the
compressed gas into the hollow belt for the purpose of inflating the same, the
position of the three way cock is so adjusted, that the channel or port comes into
communication with the interior of the cap or case and with that of the belt at the
same time. The belt, in consequence, becomes inflated and in this condition may
serve as a swimming bladder.
In a further modification of the same apparatus the gas under pressure is
admitted into the case through a cock provided with a longitudinal and a transverse
bore or port; whilst the discharge takes place by opening a damper. This
damper is controlled by a spring in such a manner that it keeps the discharge port
closed. By pressing the finger down in the opposite direction, the damper is
opened and gas is enabled to enter the inner chamber of the belt and to act in the
manner stated above.
Dated this 00:11.
1005
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Inflatable Life Belt.
I, CARL EUGEN HAEGE of 23 Fraunhoferstrasse München, Kingdom of
Bavaria, German Empire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The apparatus consists of a hose-like belt a, Fig. 14, 5-made of water-tight
material and which is worn on the body. In the inside of the belt, at the front, is
fastened a metal capsule b which is easily accessible to the hand. This capsule b
is filled with compressed gas which, by means of a device such as a cock or valve,
can be conducted into the inside of the belt where it expands and so inflates the
belt that the said belt swims in the water and supports the wearer.
The capsule 6 has two passages, one outwards through which the capsule is filled
and the other inwards to allow the gas to flow in the inside of the belt.
Fig. 1 shows the belt as worn.
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the capsule.
Fig. 3 a top-view of the same.
Fig. 4 a transverse section of a part of the belt, shewing where the capsule is
placed, and
Fig. 5 shows a modification of the device for causing the compressed gas to pass
from the capsule to the belt.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 2 & 3 the capsule is provided with a
chamber c of conical form, communicating by a pipe d with a second and similar
chamber d'. In each of these chambers, a valve or tap c¹, e operates to establish
or interrupt the communication between the gas reservoir, the capsule and the
belt.
The valve shewn in section in Fig. 5 is composed of a conical body,
terminating exteriorily in a cylindrical extension screw-threaded on the outside,
on which is screwed the joint of the compressed gas reservoir, or of the pump.
The body and the extension of the valve c¹ have a longitudinal pipe ³ passing
through them, which communicates with the pipe d, in the method of arrangement
shewn in Figs. 2 & 3, or directly with the interior of the capsule b, as shewn in
Fig. 5.
The valve e, Fig. 2 & 3, is furnished with a transverse pipe e', which passes
through the body of the valve from one side to the other, and it is also furnished
with a pipe e, perpendicular to the other one, starting from its centre and
finishing at the periphery of the valve.
In the position shewn in Fig. 2 the pipe e¹ of the valve e communicates at one
end with the pipe d and is closed at the other end by the wall of the chamber d¹
whilst the pipe e communicates with the capsule by the pipe f³.
The valve being in the position shewn in Fig. 3, the gas, introduced through
the pipe of the valve c¹ passes into the pipe d, and thence into the pipes e
and of the valve e, to penetrate into the capsule 6 through the pipe f".
When the capsule is filled, the valve c¹ is turned in such a manner as to cut off
the communication between the pipes c³ and d; the valve e is also to be turned so
as to give the pipes e¹ and the position shewn by dotted lines.
When it is desired to inflate the belt, the valve e is turned in such a manner that
the pipe will communicate at one end with fand at the other end with f, the
latter communicating with the interior of the belt.
In the modification represented in Fig. 5, the pipe c³ of the valve c¹ conveys the
gas directly into the capsule through the pipe c', which is bored in the wall of
the capsule. The pipe is stopped- by a plate e passing through the wall of the
capsule and provided in its upper part with a button e. The lower part of the

page_text: plate rests on a spiral spring g, lodged in a chamber which is constructed under
the pipe f¹. In the plate e, an opening e is formed, which, when the button * is
pressed, communicates with the pipe and allows the gas contained in the
capsule b to pass into the belt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
An improved inflatable life belt characterised by a capsule b, for compressed gas,
secured at the front inside of the belt, which is in the forin of a hose, and means
for allowing the compressed gas to pass into the belt as described and for the
purpose specified.
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant.