IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOF DRESSES FOR LIFE SAVING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Morriss White, of Ramsey, Isle of Man, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOF DRESSES FOR LIFE SAVING AND
OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 6th July 1877, and dated the 9th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Morriss White at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th January 1877.
. IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-
RICHARD MORRISS WHITE, of Ramsey, Ise of Man.
PROOF DRESSES FOR LIFE SAVING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
The object of my improvements is to so construct the waterproof jacket or dress
that it shall be more reliable as a means of saving life at sea, and at the same time
be useful for other purposes during travel either on sea or land, and it refers to
that kind of life-saving apparatus which depends for its buoyant power. on the
inflation of a waterproof material.
Life jackets or dresses of this description are usually constructed with an internal
space for inflation composed of one or more chambers or compartments, and fitted
with a tube or tubes by means of which the inflation is accomplished.
In cases where only one internal space or chamber is used, or where the various
chambers have free communication one with another, a great evil is apparent, viz.,
that when any damage or leakage takes place the utility of the apparatus as a life-
saving dress is lost; and, on the other hand, where the compartments are isolated,
an inconvenient number of tubes for inflating the same are requisite, and the com-
partments can only be filled one at a time, thus causing loss of time, and if the
water has to be taken to before inflation considerable danger accrues.
To remedy these evils, and to effect my improvements, I construct my life-saving
apparatus or dress of two or more compartments, selecting such number as is
found most convenient, and of any suitable size, shape, or design. I connect the
whole or part of the compartments together (by preference the whole) by means of
tubes, which are fixed in any convenient manner, and which form communications
for the passage of air from one compartment to another. 'In or upon each of these
connecting tubes, or in or upon as many of such tubes as shall be found necessary,
I affix suitable stop valves or substitutes therefor, whereby the air can be confined
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page_text: in any one or more of the compartments, or any one or more of the compartments
may be wholly or partially emptied of air at the will of the operator. The whole
of the compartments being in communication, they can be inflated by means of
an external tube attached to the compartments, and in a position most convenient
for operation by the wearer, and by means of the stop valves the air in each com-
partment can be confined or isolated from the rest. These stop valves may be
constructed in various ways, but I use by preference one suitable to elastic tubing,
and which operates externally as a clamp; it is composed of a frame, which spans
or surrounds the elastic tube, and has flat internal surfaces, top and bottom; it is
fitted with a screw and a sliding plate by means of which the elastic tube is
pressed together at that point as tightly as may be necessary to ensure a perfect
stoppage of air. By this means, in case of any leakage or accident occurring to
any one or more compartments, the continued inflation of the remaining ones will
keep the person afloat; also the apparatus can be regulated to the convenience of
the operator by allowing some of the compartments to be fully inflated, and others
partially so.
By forming the apparatus as a waterproof coat with compartments in the laps or
coat tails these can be inflated without inflating the rest part of the coat, so as to
form a cushion for the wearer to sit upon when travelling by sea or land, or when-
ever required.
Many modifications of design can be made in consequence of the application of
stop valves at the communication between the various compartments of the dress
or apparatus for life saving and other purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Richard Morriss White in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th July 1877.
RICHARD MORRISS WHITE, of Ramsey, Isle of Man.
PROOF DRESSES FOR LIFE SAVING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-
The object of my improvements is to so construct the waterproof jacket or dress
that it shall be more reliable as a means of saving life at sea, and at the same time
be useful for other purposes during travel either on sea or land, and it refers to that
kind of life-saving apparatus which depends for its buoyant power on the inflation
of a waterproof material.
A
"
Life jackets or dresses of this description are usually constructed with an internal
space for inflation composed of one or more chambers or compartments, and fitted
with a tube or tubes by means of which the inflation is accomplished."
ד
In cases where only one internal space or chamber is used, or where the various
chambers have free communication one with another, a great evil is apparent, viz.,
that when any damage or leakage takes place the utility of the apparatus as a life-
saving dress is lost; and, on the other hand, where the compartments are isolated,
an inconvenient number of tubes for inflating the same are requisite, and the com-
partments can only be filled one at a time, thus causing loss of time, and if the
water has to be taken to before inflation considerable danger accrues.
To remedy these evils, and to effect my improvements, I construct my life-saving
apparatus or dress of two or more compartments, selecting such number as found.
most convenient, and of any suitable size, shape, or design. I connect the whole
or part of the compartments (by preference the whole) by means of tubes, which
are fixed in any convenient manner, and which form communications for the passage of
air from one compartment to another. In or upon each of these connecting tubes,
or in or upon as many of such tubes as shall be found necessary, I affix suitable
stop valves or substitutes therefor, whereby the air can be confined in any one or
more of the compartments, or any one or more of the compartments may be wholly
4
1:

page_text: or partially emptied of air at the will of the operator. The whole of the compart-
ments being in communication they can be inflated by means of an external tube
attached to the compartments, and in a position most convenient for operation by
the wearer, and by means of the stop valves the air in each compartment can be
confined or isolated from the rest. These stop valves may be constructed in various
ways, but I use by preference one suitable to elastic tubing and which operates
externally as a clamp; it is composed of a frame, which spans or surrounds the
elastic tube, and has flat internal surfaces, top and bottom; it is fitted with a
screw and a sliding plate, by means of which the elastic tube is pressed together
at that point as tightly as may be necessary to ensure a perfect stoppage of
air. By this means, in case of any leakage or accident occurring to any one or
more of the compartments, the continued inflation of the remaining ones will
keep the person afloat. Also the apparatus can be regulated to the convenience
of the operator by allowing some of the compartments to be fully inflated, and others
partially so.
By forming the apparatus as a waterproof coat, with compartments in the laps or
coat tails, these can be inflated without inflating the other part of the coat, so as to
form a cushion for the wearer to sit upon when travelling by sea or land, or when-
ever required.
Many modifications of design can be made in consequence of the application of
stop valves at the communications between the various compartments of the dress or
apparatus for life-saving and other purposes.
Having now described my improvements and means which I adopt in carrying
the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
exact details herein described, as variations may be made in them without departing
from the peculiar character of my Invention; but what I do claim is, the construc-
tion of life-saving dresses or apparatus in separate air-tight compartments, and
combined with stop valves applied to a portion or all of such compartments (whereby
the continued inflation of the compartments is more under the control of the
operator), substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Morriss White, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
RICHARD MORRISS WHITE. (LS.)
5 Witness,
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade,
Manchester,
Agent to the Patentee.