IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A MAN TO SAFELY GO INTO AND WORK IN DENSE SMOKE, SEWER GAS OR OTHER POISONOUS OR DELETERIOUS GASES OR BAD AIR
Year: 1884

page_text: I FRANCIS BYRNES of Water Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster
Warehouse Keeper do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
" IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A MAN TO SAFELY GO INTO AND
WORK IN DENSE SMOKE, SEWER GAS OR OTHER POISONOUS OR DELETERIOUS
GASES OR BAD AIR" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in a simple apparatus by which a man can go into
the thickest of smoke, sewer gas, choke damp or other gases with perfect
impunity.
It consists in forming a light helmet of an india rubber or waterproof elastic
bag, fitting tight round the neck and drawn over the head like a stocking is over
the foot, but having a small chamber in front of the mouth to which pipes are
taken from air supplying apparatus, preferably a pump, but a compressed air
apparatus and pressure regulator valves carried on the back could be used. I also
place lenses like opera glasses in front of the eyes to more easily see with.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1884.

page_text: I, FRANCIS BYRNES, of Water Street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster,
Warehouse Keeper do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A MAN TO SAFELY GO INTO AND
WORK IN DENSE SMOKE, SEWER GAS, OR OTHER POISONOUS OR DELETERIOUS
GASES, OR BAD AIR" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention consists in a simple apparatus by which a man can go into
the thickest of smoke, sewer gas, choke damp, or other gases with perfect
impunity.
It is best described by aid of the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is
a side view, Fig. 2 front view, Fig. 3 vertical section.
In these A is a light helimet formed of a waterproof elastic bag fitting tight
round the neck and drawn over the head in the same manner that a stocking is
drawn over the foot. B is a small chamber in front of the mouth of any suitable
material sufficiently hard and firm to keep its shape, preferably vulcanized india-
rubber. Ca pipe leading from this chamber to an air supplying mechanism, or
to an oxygen restorer, or to a compressed air chamber strapped to the back of the
person using the apparatus. I. prefer for most purposes to use an air pump at a
distance, and accumulator or air receiver to regulate and equalize the pressure.
The operator then carries his tube with him in a coil and lays it as he goes on his
way. D second tube with valve for escape of bad air. E lenses made adjustable
like opera glasses.
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:-
1st. A helmet, for venturing with into poisonous atmospheres, formed with a
waterproof elastic india rubber neck fitting tight to the wearer's neck whereby it
can be slipped on and off like a stocking and yet be water tight.
2nd. A helmet for venturing into poisonous atmospheres formed mainly of
india rubber and having elastic rubber neck substantially as and for the purposes
described.
3rd. In conjunction with an india rubber helmet, a chamber B of stiff material
projecting in front of the mouth sufficiently for the attachment of pipes thereto.
4th. In combination with a helmet for use in poisonous atmospheres, a pair
of lenses adjustable simultaneously by the same mechanism like an opera glass;
Dated this 20th day of June 1884.
WH. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant..