Improvements in Life-saving Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1894
COMPLETED DUITICATION.
Improvements in Life-saving Apparatus.
I, ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER, of Cobden Buildings, Corporation Street
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick Enrolled Patent Agent (a communication
from Henry Alexander Stevens, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. America) 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 principal objects of my invention are first, to provide a strong, durable,
efficient, seaworthy and practically unsinkable hollow life-car or boat within which
ten or more passengers may be comfortably transported and an apparatus which
may be safely and advantageously used during severe storms or hurricanes for
ferrying persons from a stranded or disabled ship or craft to the shore, or as a
means of escape from a ship or craft sinking in the open seas; second, to provide
means for permitting the passengers to safely disembark from a sinking or stranded
ship or craft and to embark in the life-car or boat; third, to provide such a life-car
or boat with appliances for maintaining it in normal position; fourth, to provide
means for admitting air to the interior of the life-car or boat while the same is in
normal position and for automatically excluding any possible ingress of water
through air supply channels when the car or hoat is buffeted or otherwise shifted
by the waves out of its normal position; fifth, to afford the exterior shell of the
car or boat a range of movement independent of the portion thereof that accom-
modates the passengers, whereby the latter are protected from accidental injury;
sixth, to provide means for automatically closing the hatch-way in order to prevent
accidental admission of water and for opening the saine in order to permit of
the ingress and egress of passengers; seventh, to provide devices for propelling,
steering and otherwise navigating the life-car or boat; and eighth, to provide
the life-boat or car with attachments to enable it to be drawn onto the shore or
beach.
My invention consists of a life-boat or car having lateral wings, an internal
swinging car, propelling appliances and mechanism, meaus for permitting of the
ingress of air in its normal position and for preventing ingress of water in its
abnormal position-and-spring-controlled means for affording access to the internal
swinging car, the construction being such that water is prevented-from-entering the
internal portions while at the same time sufficient light is afforded the pilot to
enable him to discern at all times external surroundings for the guidance and
direction of the car or boat with respect to its position in the water and its
proximity to the sinking ship or craft.
My invention further consists of a life-boat or car comprising a hollow shell or
skin tapering to a point or made conical at each extremity and having buoyant
projecting wings, a passenger basket suspended within the shell or skin, and
automatic means for permitting of the ingress of air when the boat or car is in
normal position; and
My invention further consists of the improvements in life saving apparatus
bereinafter described and claimed.
The nature, scope and general features of my invention will be more fully under-
stood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings forming part hereof; and in which
Figure 1, is a view illustrating a central section of a life-boat or car embodying
features of my invention.

page_text: Fig. 2, is a perspective view showing the external construction and arrangement
of a life saving boat or car of my invention.
Fig. 3, is a transverse sectional view showing the supported swinging internal
passenger basket or cradle and one of the perforated partitions of the conical ends
of the boat or car.
Fig. 4, is a vertical central section through the automatic valve appliance and its
actuating devices for permitting of the ingress of air into the interior of the shell
or skin in the normal position of the boat or car and also for preventing the ingress
of water in its abnormal position; and
Fig. 5, is a diagrammatic view illustrating one way in which my life saving
apparatus may be employed.
In the drawings a, is an exterior shell or skin tapering to a point at each of its
extremities. This shell is provided with sidewise projecting wings a', of buoyant
material as cork, that serves to cause the shell a to float upon the water like a duck
and to prevent the boat or car rolling out of normal position. b, is a keel applied
to the lower portion of the shell or skin a, and provided with a counter-weight b³,
for righting the boat or car, and with wheels or rollers 62, to facilitate the opera-
tion of drawing the same onto shore or over a plank on to the beach. c, is a
hatchway provided with a pivotal hatch c', and with a yoke c. c³, are devices for
normally closing the hatch c', and for maintaining it water-tight. c, is a cord
passing through a suitable pulley or eye in the yoke c, and adapted to afford
means for opening the hatch c¹, in the manner to be hereinafter more fully
explained. d, is a valve adapted to admit air into the interior of the shell or skin a,
when the same is in normal position, and constructed in such manner that it is
automatically closed to prevent the admission of water when the shell or skin is
shifted out of its normal position. In the present instance this valve d, comprises
a hollow spider-frame d', provided with air-inlets d', a sleeve d³ for opening and
closing the air-inlets d' and balls d', afforded a range of movement within the
spider-frame d, and acting by gravity to shift the sleeve d³, out of its normal
position into position for closing the air inlets whenever the shell or skin a, is
inverted or is caused to assume an abnormal position. When the valve is open as
it is in Figures 1 and 4, the air passes into the shell a through the air-inlets and
the hollow legs d' as shewn by the arrows. e, is a pump with its complemental
connections for permitting of the removal of water that may incidentally accumulate
within the shell or skin a. f, are life lines detachably or otherwise secured to
standards or posts f', applied to the skin or shell a. 9, is a window of canvas or
other preferred material inserted in the hatch c'. The life-lines f, and window g
are availed of in the ordinary working of the life-boat or car. h, is a spar or rod
that extends longitudinally of the shell or skin a, and projects from the respective
extremities of the conical ends thereof. h', are eyes attached to the projecting
ends of the spar or rod h, for a purpose to be presently explained. i, are trans-
versely ranging perforated partitions that serve to enhance the strength of the
shell or skin a, at or about the conical extremities of the boat or car; and moreover,
serves as air chambers or compartiments at the extremities of the same. ;, is a
swinging basket or cradle provided with seats or platforms j¹, arranged around the
same as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, for the accommodation of passengers and this
basket or cradle is suspended from the longitudinal spar or rod h, in such manner
that it remains in upright position even when the exterior shell or skin a, may by a
storm or the waves be caused to roll around and around or to assume an abnormal
position. k, is a screw-propeller carried by a suitable frame-work k', secured to the
exterior of the shell or skin a. This screw propeller k, may be rotated through
the instrumentality of gearing h², either by means of an electric motor and its com-
plemental storage-battery or as in the present instance by a hand operation in
the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. 1, is a rudder provided with suitable steering
mechanism connected with the frame-work k', of the shell or skin a, and adapted to
permit of the course of the life-boat or car being directed in use.
The hereinbefore described life-boat or car may be employed to ferry passengers

page_text: from a stranded or disabled snip, craft or vessel to the shore of land in the
manner :-
Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, a life-line is shot or otherwise propelled
from the shore m, to the stranded or disabled vessel n, and the block or pulley o, is
drawn on board the ship by means of the life line. This block or pulley carries a
rope q, the respective extremities of which are made fast to the rings or eyes h', of
the life-boat or car, so that by connecting the block o, with the ship, craft or vessel,
and by employing a suitable winch p, it is possible to tow the life car or boat back
and forth between the vessel and the shore and to transfer persons safely from the
former to the latter. In order to enable the passengers to descend safely from the
stranded craft or vessel n, to the life-car or boat, use may be made of a canvas
chute or ladder r, one end of which is secured to the side of the hatchway c, and
the other end of which may be drawn on board the ship, craft or vessel n by means
of a hand line and then secured thereto. When not in use the chute or ladder may
be stowed inside or lashed outside of the life-boat or car. The passengers slide,
walk, creep or otherwise traverse the chute or ladder from the vessel or ship to the
life-boat or car. In such case the hatch c', may be opened from the ship, craft or
vessel by means of the cord e, in order to permit of the ingress of passengers from
the ladder or canvas r. When the life-boat or car is intended to be towed, for
example, in the manner above explained, the screw-propeller k, rudder l, and their
accessories may be omitted.
The life-boat or car of my invention may also be advantageously employed as a
means of escape from a vessel or ship that is sinking in mid-ocean or upon the open
sea. In such case the passengers may be placed
on board the life-boat or car and
the hatch c', closed before the boat or car is lowered into the water. After the
life-boat or car has been launched and cast adrift, the screw-propeller k, rudder /
and their accessories afford the means, whereby the same may be navigated.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains
that modifications may be made in details thereof without departing from the spirit
of my invention, hence I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement of the
parts or appliances hereinbefore explained and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Having thus particularly ascertained the nature and objects of my invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin tapering to a point at
each extremity and having buoyant projecting wings and a passenger cradle or
basket suspended within said shell or skin, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
2. A life-boat or car, comprising-a-hollow cylindrical shell or skin tapering to a
point at each extremity and having projecting buoyant wings, a central spar or
rod, and a passenger cradle or basket suspended from said rod or spar and located
within the shell or skin, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin tapering to a point at
each extremity and having buoyant sidewise projecting wings, a weighted keel, and
a passenger cradle or basket suspended within said shell or skin, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
4. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin having buoyant
projecting wings, and automatic means for permitting of the admision of air
and preventing the entrance of water, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
5. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin tapering to a point at
each extremity, buoyant projecting wings, automatic means consisting of an air
inlet, a sleeve, a spider-frame and a weight working within the spider-frame and
adapted to operate the sleeve, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin having buoyant
projecting wings, a keel provided with wheels or rollers, a basket or cradle

page_text: suspended within the shell or skin, and means for permitting of the ingress of air
and excluding the entrance of water, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
7. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin having buoyant
projecting wings, a keel, a normally closed hatchway, a basket or cradle suspended
within the shell or skin, and automatic means for permitting of the ingress of air
and excluding the entrance of water, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
8. A life-boat or car, comprising a hollow shell or skin having buoyant
projecting wings, an automatic valve for permitting of the ingress of air and
excluding water, a rudder and propeller, and means for actuating said rudder and
propeller, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. A life saving apparatus, comprising a hollow shell or skin tapering to a point
at each extremity and having buoyant projecting wings,.means for admitting air to
and excluding water from the interior thereof, a spar or rod ranging longitudinally
of said shell or skin and provided with eyes or rings, and a rope and its complemental
connections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. A life saving boat or car provided with buoyant wings, an internally swinging
cradle or car, automatic means for permitting of the admission of air and the
exclusion of water, and a controlled hatch, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
11. A life-boat or car having a hollow shell or skin tapering to a point at each
extremity and provided with buoyant projecting wings, a pivotally supported
passenger basket or cradle mounted therein, automatic means for admitting air to
and excluding water from the interior of the car, a spar or rod ranging longitudinally
of said shell or skin and forming the support for said car or cradle and provided
with eyes or rings, and a rope and its complemental connections, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
12. A life saving apparatus, comprising a hollow shell or skin tapering to a point
at each extremity and having buoyant projecting wings and a normally closed hatch
provided with a flexible ladder or chute, and a cord and means for opening said
hatch, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1893.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER.