Improved Swimming Dress, chiefly for Life Saving Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
Improved Swimming Dress, chiefly for Life Saving Purposes.
A communication from abroad by EDWARD FRANKENBERG, of Hanover, German
Empire, Manufacturer.
I, EDWARD WILLIAM FRANKENBERG of 235 Old Street in the City of London
Manufacturer, 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 has for its object an improved swimming dress chiefly for life
saving purposes and its principal object is to avoid loss of life in case of shipwreck
and under similar circumstances.
Life-boats can very often not be manned quickly enough in case of sudden
emergencies and are often lost in launching when the weather is severe; buoys and
life-belts are useful in keeping individuals afloat but nevertheless fail to save life
as the effects of the water and cold induce exhaustion leading to death in a few
hours.
Now this invention relates to means whereby shipwrecked individuals may be
kept alive for a considerable time and protected against the effects of cold
and wet.
Substantially the means employed consists in a covering or suit of clothing
enclosing the body entirely, it is made of suitable waterproof material stiffened
interually so that an air space is formed that causes the whole to float, it being in
addition fitted with floats or floating pads. The foot portions are weighted so as to
ensure upright position of the body in the water, the person being immersed only
to about breast-high. To ensure free breathing the interior of the whole remains
connected with the atmosphere menus being provided to prevent the entrance of
water by the air supplying channel even if a heavy wave were momentarily to
submerge the whole. The numbness that is soon felt when life-belts are used
cannot occur as the air retained between the body and its covering is a non-
conductor of heat.
a
This invention may be carried into effect in various ways, provided the
characteristic features above referred to are maintained and in any case
special form of paddle or foot-float is provided to assist the propulsion of the
whole.
The entire apparatus is cheap. When not in use it occupies but little space, and
consequently can readily be obtained and stowed for use.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 & 2 show the invention as in practice for saving a person (front view and
side view).
Fig. 3 shows the head piece of this apparatus or dress.
Fig. 4 sectional elevation of a detail.
Fig. 5 & 6 side and front elevations of the shoe with paddle or foot float
combined therewith.
The apparatus or dress shown in Fig. 1 & 2 is made of waterproof material as
already stated and in such a manner as to fit pretty closely to the legs and thighs
whilst the part surrounding the body contains or forms the air space that imparts
buoyancy. To prevent compression of this air space by the water, suitable
stiffening is provided, say hoops of cane or the like. Floats a a are provided at

page_text: the level of the breast. These may be made or filled with cork or the like, these
not only add huoyancy but also serve, in conjunction with the soles bb weighed by
lend, iron or the like, to ensure upright position in the water. The sleeves cc are
connected with gloves so as to be waterproof, and the sleeves are so made that the
arms may be drawn into the interior space as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.
The whole of this dress formes one piece and can readily and quickly be put on,
the straps d d facilitating this. To close the whole and protect the head, 'n head
piece or helmet a is provided which is hermetically united with the rest of the dress
by a clamping ring. In front the helmet is fitted with a window of that can be
opened or closed from within. At the top a pipe g passes outward upon which is
slipped a tube g' preferably metal lined and curved downwards.
A cord passes through two holes in the helmet, the cuds of the cord being
connected with the sleeves.
In some cases, where the pads a a have sufficient buoyancy the stiffening of the
dress may be dispensed with but in all cases the dress inust be roomy enough to
permit the wearer to draw his arins out of the sleeves into the interior either for
opening the window e' or to partake of food or drink stored in suitable pockets
inside the dress. In this case the sleeves are pulled upwards by the cord has
indicated in Fig. 1.
In case of danger the dress can rapidly be put on and a shipwrecked person will
always stand upright when in the water. Breathing is easy as the downwardly
bent pipe 9 g' does not admit water even in very boisterous weather.
Propulsion is facilitated by paddles or foot floats ii attached to the feet, similar
oues may be attached to the knees also. These paddles, see Fig. 5 and 6, consist
of a frame covered with stout canvas or the like attached by straps or bands and
BO arranged that they resist the water when the foot is trending downwards but
will fold up, or lay close, when the foot is raised and in the latter case readily cut
the water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be carried into practice, I declare
that what I claim is :-
A dress or apparatus for swimming, particularly for life saving purposes,
constructed, arranged and operating as set forth and shown in the accompanying
drawing.
Dated this 29th February 1896.
BERNHARD DUKES,
226 High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.