IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING AND SWIMMING APPARATUS
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Anton Graf at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 9th April 1880.
ANTON GRAF, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVEMENTS IN
DIVING AND SWIMMING APPARATUS."
This Invention has principally for its object improvements in diving apparatus,
which does not require to be fed with air from shore or from any extraneous aid
whatsoever, being so arranged as to be independant thereof.
This improved diving apparatus is provided with an air sucking or pumping
apparatus, which enables the diver to be in great depths without having the air
pumped to him. Should he desire to get to the surface of the water he has simply
to use a small air pump which is fastened to the front of his diving apparatus in
order to fill the air cushions with air, which form part of the apparatus, and which
will keep him on the surface and enable him to swim about in all directions by
means of a propeller set in motion by hand.
The air pumping or sucking apparatus has further the advantage that the diver
never feels any oppressiveness whatever.
"
The pressure of the water is removed from the chest of the diver by a double
breastplate, which facilitates his breathing. This breastplate is made in the shape
of a bottle, and contains carbonic acid, which in case of accident provides the diver
with fresh air for several hours.
This improved diving apparatus can also be used at the very greatest depths
with advantage, as sufficient air can easily be pumped to the diver. The bad air is
conducted to the surface of the water by means of a thin tube fixed inside the air
supply tube, so that neither diver nor apparatus are in any way effected by the
water.
By means of a speaking tube attached to the diving apparatus the diver can
converse and communicate with the shore and fellow divers and co-workers without
telephone or extraneous aid whatsoever.
The air cushions are attached in front and back, so that the diver can descend to
the ground and raise himself again and move in every direction, and swim below
or on the surface of the water without extraneous aid.
By the aid of a propeller the diver can swim in any direction, and a safety
ventilator enables him to remain on the surface of the water for a considerable.
time.

page_text: This improved independent diving and swimming apparatus differs from the
usual diving and swimming apparatus in the following particulars:-
The diver can move about in the water with the greatest ease without the least
assistance, and may swim or walk on the bottom of the sea or river, and closely
approach ships without being observed by any one, leaving in fact no other trace
of himself than the buoy or beacon which connects the outside surface with the
diver.
In the middle of the buoy is arranged the pipe or passage which receives the
pipe and storm tube, and serves at the same time as a speaking tube.
From the buoy the pipe leads to the speaking tube on the helmet, and connects
an air pump with the apparatus.
On the cross-head of the speaking tube apparatus is attached which enables the
diver to breathe freely without pumping at a depth of many feet, thus-onabling-
the diver to work freely or swim.
The propeller connected with the apparatus can be used by the diver at will,
and if not immediately wanted he can hang it on the buoy, so as not to be
inconvenienced by it in his work.
If the diver wants to come to the surface he has only to shut a tap, and to pump
the cushions full of air, and a considerable weight can be raised without causing
hin the least inconvenience.
Upon the helmet of the diver a safety valve is applied which serves to convey
air to the diver when he has to swim a long time on the surface of the water.
This improved diving apparatus if used for heavy work at a very great depth
the diver unscrows the air pump, and allows the air to be pumped to him, by which
the apparatus has the advantage that the diver does not feel the least inconvenience-
in breathing, as the surplus or exhausted air does not expend itself into the water,
but ascends by a small service tube into the open air again. The diver is not
compelled to return by the ladder, but can move and raise himself by the air
cushions at his own convenience in every direction.
The apparatus may be modified, such, for instance, as the filling of the air
cushions with carbonic acid gas, or the covering of the safety buoy with steel plates
or other suitable material. The weight connected with the apparatus may be
varied.
From the previous description it will be seen that the chief features of this
improved diving and swimming apparatus consists in fitting it with air breathing
apparatus and a speaking tube; also with air cushions to enable the diver to swim
nt any time, either on the surface or under the water, the swimming being
facilitated by means of a. propeller attached to the diving apparatus.