IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC CELLULAR ARTICLES, AND IN THE ADAPTATION, OF SUCH ARTICLES TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE AT SEA
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthias Edward Bowra, of Upper Norwood, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF ELASTIC CELLULAR ARTICLES, AND IN THE ADAPTATION, OF SUCH ARTICLES
TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE AT SEA."
Sealed the 27th December 1879, and dated the 30th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthins Edward Bowra at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th June 1879.
MATTHIAS EDWARD BOWRA, of Upper Norwood, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC CELLULAR ARTICLES, AND IN
THE ADAPTATION OF SUCH ARTICLES TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE AT SEA."
This Invention relates, firstly, to the mannfacture of mattrasses, cushions, and
elastic coverings for chairs, stools, and other like articles by the employment of
closed tubes as an elastic packing for such articles, either alone or in combination
with woollen, cotton, or other fibrous material.
Supposing a mattrass to be made according to this Invention, I provide a number
of tubes composed of elastic materials, which tubes will be equal in length to the
desired width of the mattrass. These tubes I insert in receptacles made for them by
sewing together two sheets of tick or other suitable material by means of transverse
parallel lines of stitches. Intermediate of these receptacles in which the elastic
tubes are inserted I provide others for the reception of woollen, cotton, or other
fibres constituting rolls of stuffing. The tubes I prefer to construct of strips of an
elastic knitted fabric coated on both sides with vulcanized india rubber, or an
equivalent elastic compound of sufficient thickness to ensure the tube recovering its
shape after compression by a weight placed upon it, and when relieved from the
pressure of such weight. The ends of these tubes I propose to close permanently,
fitting a small air pipe into one end thereof, which must be closed when the tubes
are in use; the opening of these pipes permits of the tubes collapsing. Matrasses
made with this kind of stuffing will possess great elasticity, and will permit of being
rolled up into a small space. By substituting india rubber tubes for the woollen or
other fibrous stuffing a ground mattrass impervious to moisture may be formed.
This mattrass would also serve, by its buoyancy, to protect life at sea.
In like manner I propose to construct cushions which will require no inflation to
ensure their elasticity, but in such cases the tubes are formed with closed ends, in"

page_text: "
which is a central hole to admit of the free passage of air to from the tubes. I
also propose to fit the folding seats or camp stools used on ship board with a stuffing
of tubes such as those used for the matrass or cushion, forming receptacles for such
tubes between two layers of carpet or canvas, which will constitute the flexible
portion of the seat; the tubes in this case will be hermotically closed up at their
ends. By thus fitting up the folding seats or camp stools used on ship board I
provide buoyant portable articles which, when thrown overboard, will serve as life
preservers to persons struggling in the water. Elastic cellular fabrics constructed
as above described will serve as a stuffing or covering for the seats and backs of
chairs, couches, and settees, their shape being made to conform to the surface intended
to be covered.
The Invention relates, secondly, to the adaptation to hand bags, portmantenus,
and similar articles of a cellular fabric which will, when brought into use, either
give buoyancy to the same or form an elastic pillow for the head of a traveller. The
bag I propose to fit with a loose lining which will open at the bottom in n line
parallel with the mouth of the bag, and when drawn upwards or out of the bag will
permit of the contents of the bag dropping through the lining; to the back or
underside of this lining I fix a cellular air tight vessel, to which is attached a mouth
piece for inflating it.
When the vessel is drawn out of the bag, and the bag closed, its inflation will
convert the vessel into an air pillow, and if the bag is then thrown into the water
the air cushion will give buoyancy to the same, and serve also as a life buoy.
I propose also to provide portmantaus with a similar arrangement of cellular
fabric which will be exposed on the opening of the portmanteau, and will then
admit of being inflated for the purpose of giving buoyancy to that article and its
contents.
This cellular fabric, when uninflated, will serve as a flap or covering for either
the top or bottom division of the portmantau.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Matthias Edward Bowra in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th December 1879.
MATTHIAS Edward Bowna, of Upper Norwood, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC CELLULAR ARTICLES, AND IN
THE ADAPTATION OF SUCH ARTICLES TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE AT SEA"
This Invention relates, firstly, to the manufacture of mattresses, cushions, and
elastic coverings for chairs, stools, and other like articles by the employment of
closed tubes as an elastic packing for such articles, either alone or in combination
with woollen, cotton, or other fibrous material.
In manufacturing a mattress according to this Invention. I provide a number of
tubes composed of elastic materials in the manner to be presently described, which
tubes will be equal in length to the desired width of the mattress. These tubes I
insert in receptacles made for them by attaching together two sheets of tick or other
suitable material by means of transverse parallel lines of stitches, or by any equiva-
lent means of attachment, or the tick fabric may be double woven, so as to form
suitable receptacles for the tubes within the fabric by the action of the loom.
Intermediate of the transverse receptacles in which the elastic tubes are inserted I
fill others with woollen, cotton, or other fibres, or cork cuttings, forming therewith
parallel lines of stuffing.
The tubes I construct of strips of an elastic knitted fabric produced in the warp
machine, which fabric is coated on both sides with vulcanized india rubber, or an
equivalent elastic compound, of sufficient thickness to ensure the tube recovering its
shape after compression by a weight placed upon it, and when relieved from the
pressure of such weight. The object of forming the tubes so that they can recover
their normal form is to render it unnecessary to inflate them, as they will, by the
resilient action which they possess, be self inflating tubes. The ends of these tubes
I close permanently, fitting a small air pipe into one end thereof having a suitable
tap or valve for closing the same, The opening of these pipes permits of the tubes
collapsing under pressure, but when the taps or valves are closed the tubes will be
enabled to sustain any required load. Mattresses made with this kind of stuffing
will possess great elasticity, and will permit of being rolled up into a comparatively
small space. By substituting india-rubber tubes for the woollen or other fibrous
stuffing a ground mattress impervions to moisture, and one that will roll up into a
very small space, may be formed. This mattress would also serve, by its buoyancy,
to protect life at sea, it being capable of supporting four or more persons.
I also construct cushions with a stuffing of elastic tubes after the fashion of the
mattress, which tubes will require no inflation to ensure their elasticity. When these
cushions are not required to be used on board ship the ends of the tubes are closed,
a small central hole being formed in their ends to admit of the free passage of air to
and from the tubes. I also fit the folding seats or camp-stools used on ship board
with a stuffing of tubes such as those used for the mattress, forming receptacles for
Buch tubes between two layers of carpet or canvas, which will constitute the flexible
portion of the seat; the tubes in this case will be hermetically closed at their ends.
By thus fitting up the folding seats or camp stools used on ship board I provide
buoyant portable articles which, when thrown overboard, will serve as life preservers
to persons struggling in the water. Elastic cellular fabrics constructed as above
described will serve as a stuffing or covering for the seats and backs of chairs,
couches, and settees, their shape being made to conform to the surface intended to
be covered.
The Invention relates, secondly, to the adaptation to hand-bags, portmanteaus,
and similar articles of a cellular fabric, which will, when brought into use, either
give buoyancy to the same or form an elastic pillow for the hoad of a traveller,

page_text: The bag I propose to fit with a loose lining which will open at the bottom in a line
parallel with the mouth of the bag, and when drawn upwards or out of the bag will
permit of the contents of the bag dropping through the lining. To the back or
underside of this lining I fit a cellular air tight vessel to which is attached a mouth
piece for inflating it.
When the air vessel is drawn out of the bag and the bag closed its inflation will
convert the vessel into an air pillow, and if the bag is then thrown into the water
the air cushion will give buoyancy to the same, and serve as a life buoy. I
propose also to provide portmanteaus and trunks with a similar application of
cellular fabric, which will be exposed on the opening of the portmanteau or trunk,
and will then admit of being inflated for the purpose of giving buoyancy to that
article and its contents. This cellular fabric, when uninflated, will serve as a flap
or covering for either the top or bottom division of the portmanteau or trunk, and
will then occupy little appreciable space, but when expanded like an ordinary air
cushion it will not only sustain in the water the article to which it is attached, but
will serve the purposes of a life buoy.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Manufacture of Elastic Cellular Articles, and in the Adaptation of such Articles to
the Preservation of Life at Sea," and explained the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters
Patent I claim,—
First. Constructing mattresses and cushions in the manner above described.
Secondly. The application of closed air tubes as a stuffing for chairs, seats, settees,
and similar pieces of furniture.
Thirdly. The application to travelling bags, portmanteaus, and equivalent articles
of cellular flaps and linings as and for the purposes above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Matthias Edward Bowra, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty ninth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
M. E. BOWRA. (L.B.)