Improvements in Life Buoys.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 13th Mar.,
1900
Improvements in Life Buoys.
I, KATHARIN ELIZA LANDAU, of 122, East 41st Street, New York, United States
of America, Landlord, 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:-
:-
This invention relates to life buoys, and more especially to life buoys adapted
to be inflated and fastened below the arms of the wearer.
The object of this invention is to furnish a life buoy comparatively cheap,
simple to operate, and having additional features and functions which capacitates
it for extended use in the case of ship wreck or similar exposure.
Reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification, in which like letters of reference denote like parts, and in which:-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved life buoy;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 2-2;
Fig: a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 3-3;
Fig. 4 a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 4-4; and,
Fig. 5 a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 5-5;
Referring to the drawings in detail, A is the life buoy which is tubular in cross.
section and preferably composed of rubber, rubber and canvass, or other water-
proof material, and is circular in form, providing a circular interior space B,
centrally. The life buoy is passed about the body of the wearer approximately
below the arms and tied or buckled snugly against the body by the ends C¹, of
the tapes or straps Cattached to the life buoy and surrounding the circular
interior space B. Bellows D are mounted on the exterior curve of the life buoy
approximately on the diametrical line passing through the centre of the circular
space B, by means of tacked and stitched or otherwise fastened strips D¹, the
nozzle D of the bellows projecting into the interior of the tubular life buoy A.
These bellows are of any suitable form, but preferably of the ordinary two-faced
compressible pattern, having a flap valve and vent 13 in the upper face and
operating lever arms D' at the outer end. These bellows are designed to inflate
the life buoy and are so arranged that the wearer can operate one at either side.
Between the bellows D and on the same side of the diametrical line in which.
the bellows are mounted as the ends C¹ of the tapes or straps C is mounted an
clastic waterproof receptacle E, being stitched, tacked or otherwise.fastened at
the lower portion to the upper curve of the tubular life buoy A as at E¹. The
receptacle E may extend beyond the periphery of the life buoy A and be adapted
to rest upon the water and is preferably ovally rounded in form to avoid splash-
ing of contacting water. Resting on the water thus the receptacle E may
be kept cool by the water. In the upper side of the receptacle is an upwardly
extending purse-shaped mouth 2 preferably lined with an elastic strip which
tends to keep the mouth E2 closed. This receptacle is adapted to receive food,
valuables or other substances, and the purse-shaped elastic mouth prevents the
entrance of water normally and during insertion of the hand into the receptacle.

page_text: Between the receptacle E and the farthest adjacent bellows D, that it may be
conveniently placed with respect to the hands of the life buoy wearer is another
receptacle or pair of receptacles F, similar in construction and method of attach-
ment to the life buoy A excepting that the body is approximately bottle-shaped
and the mouth or opening. F at the outer end has a hollow plug F threaded
exteriorly and fitted with a screw cap F. The receptacle F is designed to hold
milk, water, whiskey or other stimulant or beverage.
Two of these receptacles F are shown in Fig. 1.
Between the receptacles E and F, arranged with respect to the face of the
wearer of the life buoy, is a wave deflector G, comprising two parts or sides G¹,
G hinged at top and bottom G3, and fitting at their centre portions which are
concavely, cut away for the purpose, about the exterior curve of the life buoy as
at G. These deffector sides G¹, G², bear exteriorly eyes H, which are adapted
to receive hooks H¹ secured to the upper and lower curve of the life buoy A.
Any suitable fastening means may, however, be substituted for the above.
Fixed to the exterior curve of the life buoy between the sides G and G2 of the
deflector is a socket J into which a mast K may be stepped, and said mast K
preferably is joined at or near its middle portion as at K¹ and bears a triangular
sail L which may be folded and placed with the disjointed mast between the
sides of the deflector G. The sail I may have eyes L' and cords or slicets L²,
which may be fastened to eyes I secured to the life buoy A. This sail L may
be used for moderate propulsion or for steadying the life buoy and wearer.
A lantern M is removably secured to the upper curve of the life buoy by means
of cleats or a socket M, and acts as a guide to searching parties when the life
buoy is used in shipwrecks.
It is preferably made as water-proof as possible.
It is evident that many changes may be made in the details of construction of
this device without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I reserve the
right to make all such alterations in said construction as fairly come within the
scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body and
means for inflating the same attached thereto, substantially as shown and
described.
2. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body,
means for inflating the same attached thereto, and means for fastening the same
about the body of the wearer, substantially as shown and described.
3. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body,
means for inflating the same attached thereto and a receptacle attached to the
upper portion thereof, substantially as shown and described.
4. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body,
means for inflating the same attached thereto and means consisting of vertical
wings or plates for deflecting the waves from the said life buoy, substantially
as shown and described.
5. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body,
bellows approximately diametrically opposite, connected with said body and
communicating with the interior thereof, a line connecting them dividing the
said body into approximately two equal segmental parts, means for securing
said life buoy about the body, consisting of tapes terminating on one side of
said diametrically connecting line, and on the same side of said line, a food
receptacle, a liquid receptacle and means for deflecting the waves from the
face and body of the wearer of the life buoy, substantially as shown and
described.
6. The combination with a life buoy constructed as described, of a purse-

page_text: shaped mouthed food receptacle secured to the upper portion thereof, substantially
as shown and described.
7. The combination with a life buoy, constructed as herein described; of ver-
tically projecting wings arranged to deflect the waves, substantially as shown
and described.
8. The combination with a life buoy, constructed as described, of a liquid
receptacle secured to the upper portion thereof, and removable means for closing
suid receptacle, substantially as shown and described.
9. The combination with a life buoy, constructed as described, of a receptacle
secured to the upper portion thereof and adapted to rest on the surface of the
surrounding water, whereby the contents of said receptacle are maintained at a
low temperature, substantially as shown and described.
10. The combination with a pneumatic life buoy, of bellows secured thereto
for the inflation thereof and resting upon the surface of the water, and com-
prising two hinged faces, an extendible body portion, a vent in the upper hinged
face, a flap valve beneath said vent, and lever arms for operating said faces and
said bellows, substantially as shown and described.
11. The combination with a life buoy, constructed as described, of a receptacle
secured to the upper portion thereof and having a purse-shaped mouth with
outwardly extending lips, said lips being elastically lined, substantially as
shown and described.
i
12. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body,
means for inflating the same attached thereto, and means consisting of vertical
hinged wings extending below and above said life buoy for deflecting the waves
from the said life buoy, substantially as shown and described.
13. A pneumatic life buoy, comprising an annular tubular water-proof body,
means for inflating the same attached thereto, a removable mast and a removable
sail adapted to be secured thereto, substantially as shown and described.
14. The combination with a life buoy constructed as described, of a mast and
sail secured thereto, substantially as shown and described.
15. The combination with a life buoy constructed as described, of means for
inflating the same attached thereto, a food receptacle, a liquid receptacle, a
wave deflector, a mast a sail and a lantern secured thereto, substantially as
shown and described.
16. The combination with a life buoy constructed as described of a removable
lantern adapted to be secured thereto, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 13th day of March 1899.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.