A NEW OR IMPROVED DRESS, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, FOR PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE AND HEATED OR VITIATED ATMOSPHERES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Osmond Yeadon Rhodes, of Leeds, in the County of
York, for an invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED DRESS, AND APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH, FOR PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE AND HEATED OR
VITIATED ATMOSPHERES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Osmond Yeadon Rhodes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th March 1882.
OSMOND YEADON RHODES of Leeds in the county of York "A NEW OR
IMPROVED DRESS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST FIRE AND HEATED OR VITIATED ATMOSPHERES
"
This Invention relates to a new or improved dress and appliances relating thereto
for protecting the wearer against fire and the action of heated or vitiated gases
such dress and appliances being specially adapted for the use of members of fire
brigades and persons engaged in colliery explorations.
The dress or clothing is composed of asbestos two layers or thicknesses of this
material woven into a cloth or fabric being employed with a packing of asbestos,
wool, or slag wool, between them which is kept in position by a quilting of the
same material.
When used by firemen or persons occupied in extinguishing fires such dress may
consist of overalls and vest or jacket combined with boots and gloves, the head and
shoulders being covered with a helmet and shield of the form hereinafter described.
It is also proposed to manufacture loosely fitting gowns or sacks of the same
material so that a person protected as above described may carry one or more of
such sacks for the use of the inmates of burning dwellings collieries or other
places.
The head dress and body shield to be worn in conjunction with the dress above
referred to is designed for the purpose of enabling the wearer to remain for a
considerable length of time in a highly heated or stifling atmosphere and with
this view provision is made for storing a supply of pure air and keeping the same
at a low temperature by enclosing the chambers in a non conducting medium.

page_text: The helmet is constructed of two thicknesses of metal having an annular space
between them the inner surface being lined with asbestos felt or quilted asbestos
fabric for the comfort of the wearer and protection against heat, the outer surface
being likewise protected if desired.
The lower portion or body shield is also constructed of metal having air chambers
back and front which may be divided into any number of compartments according
to the strength required; or for the storage of different gases. It will probably
be found advantageous to construct a single chamber extending across the shoulders
and down to the waist in which to store compressed atmospheric air whilst the
breast or front compartments may be made separate for containing oxygen
hydrogen or other gases. These chambers are provided with valves and tubes
which render them inter-communicative and also connects them with the mouth-
piece of the helmet so that the wearer can draw upon them at pleasure for a
supply of the particular gas he finds to be necessary for respiration.
In the hollow portion of the helmet I may place material for the absorption of
carbonic acid and moisture and in the top thereof a safety valve for relief of
pressure and a valve for the expulsion of air unfit for respiration.
The helmet is also provided with a syphon or other appliance for carrying off the
water produced by the decomposition of gases.
For cases in which protection is requisite against the stifling effects of smoke or
choke-damp, I construct a mask of wire gauze india-rubber sheet metal or a
combination of these materials as may be found most convenient the mouth piece
thereof being provided with an air filter which may also be made to contain
chemical absorbents of carbonic acid or other gases of poisonous character.
The respiration valves and tubes are arranged so as to enable the wearer to
inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nostrils or vice versa, the
breathing portion of this mask being also applicable to the helmet hereinbefore
described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Osmond Yeadon Rhodes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th September 1882.
OSMOND YEADON RHODES of Leeds in the County of York "A NEW OR
IMPROVED DRESS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST FIRE AND HEATED OR VITIATED ATMOSPHERES "
This Invention relates to a new or improved dress and appliances relating thereto
for protecting the wearer against fire and the action of heated or vitiated gases,
Buch dress and appliances being specially adapted for the use of members of fire
brigades and persons engaged in colliery explorations.
The dress or clothing is composed of asbestos, two layers or thicknesses of this
material woven into a cloth or fabric being employed with a packing of asbestos
wool or slag wool between them which is kept in position by a quilting of the
same material.
When used by firemen or persons occupied in extinguishing fires such dress may
consist of overalls and vest or jacket combined with boots and gloves the head and
shoulders being covered with a helmet and shield of the form hereinafter described.
I may also manufacture loosely fitting gowns or wrappers of the same material so
that a person protected as above described may carry one or more of such sacks for
the use of the inmates of burning dwellings collieries or other places. The head
dress and body shield to be worn in conjunction with the dress above referred to is
designed for the purpose of enabling the wearer to remain for a considerable length
of time in a highly heated or stifling atmosphere and with this view provision is
made for enclosing a supply of pure air and keeping the same at a low temperature
by enclosing the chambers in a non-conducting medium.
The helmet or mask is constructed of two thicknesses of metal having an annular
space between them the inner surface being lined with asbestos felt or quilted
asbestos fabric for the comfort of the wearer and protection against heat the outer
surface being similarly protected. The storage apparatus which also acts as a body
shield is also constructed of metal or vulcanite and is divided into any number of
compartments according to the strength required or for the storage of different
gases.
In order that my Invention may be more readily understood I hereto annex two
sheets of drawings of such portions thereof as require illustration. Figs. 1, 2, and 3
represent front elevation partly in section and also views of both ends of a box
or chamber constructed for the purpose of containing a supply of oxygen and also
a quantity of absorbent and detergent chemicals for the purification of air which
has passed through the lungs of the wearer. The box is constructed in two halves A
and B fastened together by screws a. The sides are hollow or annular so as to
allow the necessary space for the air pipes and also to prevent the conduction of
heat to the inner chamber which requires to be kept cool. The box is divided
longitudinally by two partitions C and D and in the upper compartiment is placed
a bag composed of india rubber E for containing atmospheric air. In the lower
compartment is a vessel F constructed of metal and capable of resisting great
pressure in which is stored a quantity of oxygen in a highly compressed state.
The lower portion of the box is divided by a series of midfeathers G and contains
chemicals of an absorbent and detergent nature which rest upon a perforated
bottom H. The entire vessel is slung upon the shoulders of the wearer after the
manner of a knapsack as shewn in Fig. 5. The construction of the mask or head
gear is shewn in Figs. 4 and 5, the former of which is in section. The mask is

page_text: formed of two thicknesses of metal J. K. fastened together at the edges and having
a space between them. This mask may extend from the forehead of the wearer
to underneath the chin and is secured by straps L. It is coated internally with
asbestos which increases the comfort and affords protection against heat.
A mouthpiece M is formed in the plate J which the wearer can insert into his
mouth by pressing the exterior of the mask and so exclude all air except that which
is admitted into the mask as hereinafter described. Both plates are provided with
talc eyepieces N. When secured to the head of the wearer the mask is covered
with a hood of asbestos which likewise protects the head and shoulders fitting
underneath the vest or jacket which is drawn tight round the neck so as to exclude
all heated air. The head may be further protected against falling matter by a
helmet O. The mask is connected with the storage vessel by pipes P. P¹. the former
communicating with the air bag E and the latter with the purification chamber.
The wearer inhales through the pipe P and the air when exhaled passes through
the pipes P¹ and c through the chemicals contained in the vessel which deprive it
of its carbonic acid and moisture the remainder passing through the pipe d into the
air bag. When the air in the bag has become too poor in oxygen to be fit for
breathing the wearer can reoxygenate the same by turning the tap R when a small
quantity of oxygen will travel through the pipe e, and mix with the poor air in
the pipe d and thus render the same fit for reinhalation. In order to control the
supply of oxygen the vessel F is divided by a partition f leaving a small chamber
at one end. By means of the plug valve g a definite quantity of oxygen may be
allowed to pass into the small compartment and then by closing the valve g the
same quantity will pass into the air bag. The mask is also provided with a
ventilator S which may be opened in ordinary atmosphere thus enabling the
operator to breathe without drawing from his storage vessel. The pipes P. P¹. are
provided with valves to prevent the air from travelling in the wrong direction.
Any water produced by condensation will pass off through the tap T.
When in
use the whole of the storage vessel and also the pipes and straps will be protected
by a covering of asbestos. I claim―
Firstly. The use of a dress composed of asbestos as and for the purpose herein
described.
Secondly. The construction of a mask or respirator in manner substantially as
herein shewn and described.
Thirdly. The general construction of the storage and purifying apparatus herein
shewn and described.
Fourthly. The method of and apparatus for controlling the supply of oxygen as
herein shewn and described.
Fifthly. The combination of the storage apparatus with the mask and asbestos
dress in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof I the said Osmond Yeadon Rhodes have hereunto set my
hand and seal this eighth day of September in the year of Our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
DITADO