improved Apparatus Applicable as mattress, Hammock, iтavening Bag, and for Saving Life at Sea.
Year: 1885

page_text: improved Apparatus Applicable as mattress, Hammock, iтavening
Bag, and for Saving Life at Sea.
JOHN NUGENT COSBEY 40 Cheapside London England Commission Merchant, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for EXPANDING LIFE SAVING MATTRESS
HAMMOCK AND TRAVELLING BAG, to be as follows:-
To produce a Mattress Hammock and Travelling Bag for use on Ships Steam-
boats etc and to combine in it a life saving apparatus which by the simplicity and
efficiency of its construction can be utilized and made available of at any moment,
so that however sudden the call of danger, the most simple person may have within
their reach when at sea a means of saving themselves from drowning.
The expanding effects &c I describe herein prove I am able to produce what
I have aimed at.
The novelty of construction consists first in its being made into two seperate
parts as shown in Fig. I. the two parts A and B being really two thin mattresses
secured together at point C-from the point C to D the two mattresses are secured
together by a wedged shaped piece of material like the sides of a bellows, so that
the two seperate parts can expand at sides sufficiently to allow the body of an
adult to get easily bettween by entering at point D. When not expanded the two
parts laying flat on each other form an ordinary size mattress.
At the point D is secured as shown in Fig. 2 a head portion which forms as it
were a bolster to the mattress & herein lies sufficient buoyant or floating power to
quite prevent any one from sinking below the surface of the water when the body
is once secured inside.
The whole of the outside of the mattress & head piece is well & securely covered
with a strong waterproof material & the inside having also a waterproof lining
made in the form of a bag, should the outer covering become damaged the inner
lining of waterproof gives a double protection from the water, and if by any chance
the inside waterproof becomes also damaged there is as will be shown later on
more than sufficient buoyancy in the upper portion or head piece to keep the
occupent from sinking.
This head piece (E) opens like an ordinary travelling bag at point F, and when
quite open appears as shown in Fig. 3, the two hinges at points G are made with
a small slide bolt in centre (as shown in Fig. 4) which by moving accross centre of
hinge keeps the head portion in an open position as long as necessary, when open

page_text: the two sides of the mattress expand from each other at points H to the full
extent of wedged shaped piece before mentioned.
The ports marked I in head piece are formed with cork well secured and fitted
round just like a life buoy cut in two and fitted with a pair of hinges—the whole
secured within a frame to support the mattress &c when floating in the water, it
then has the appearance of a Life Buoy supporting a wedged shaped waterproof
bag hanging from it; below and bebind the cork portions I is packed cork shavings
with a layer of horse hair wool or other material next to the outer covering to form
a good bolster for the head when used as a mattress and the whole together is of
sufficient buoyancy to support easily two or more adults when the mattress is fully
expanded in the water. To the inner rim of the portions I is secured a piece of
waterproof cloth gathered on to an elastic ring or band (J) there being sufficient
elasticity in ring or band to allow it to expand to admit the body of an adult to
easily pass down or through between the two portions of the mattress, and when
the ring or band is again closed it fits snug round the neck of occupent. At the
neck portion can be also attached a hood made of waterproof cloth to further
protect the head neck &c of occupent (see Fig. 10.)
At point K (Fig. 3) on each side is a circular hole through which the arms can
come but protected by a waterproof cloth sleeve & glove all in one piece (see
Fig. 5) attached securely to the orifice like a sleeve to a coat, it can be drawn
inside when not in use. At the bottom side of mattress near the centre there can
also be two oval orifices to enable the legs and feet of occupent to emerge when in
the water, the same being protected by a strong waterproof covering like a pair of
waterproof fishing stockings (see Fig. 6,) and thus the arms and legs can be both
used for propelling the occupent through the water in any direction with ease
& safty with having the slightest knowledge of swimming.
A water bottle made wedged shape to fit bottom of inside of mattress at point L
(Fig. 3.) can be fixed having two indiarubber pipes or tubes attached-one on each
side running to top of mattress, one fitted with a plug for use in filling water
bottle, the other with a mouth piece attached same form as used in a baby's
feeding bottle (Fig. 7.)
The mattress forms a hammock as shown in Fig. 8 by the following simple
additions.
In the first place it is supported by two strong pieces of webbing or other.
material crossing each other at bottom of mattress as shown in Fig. 8, the webbing
passing through loops or rings at each corner (points M) and the two at each end
of mattress coming together & secured to ring N (Fig. 8) the rings N being secured
to smaller rings O on which the whole swings from roof.
Secondly to each side of mattress from the points P to Q is attached and well
secured a piece of strong waterproof cloth or duck shaped as R (Fig. 8) each having
three holes fitted with strong studs or eyes for lacing with cord up to end loops N
when hammock is hanging for use, these side pieces thus forming a good security
& protection in rough weather. The cords &c are useful for packing the whole
when not wanted for sleeping purposes, and in wet or damp foggy weather the bed
clothes &c can be folded and snugly packed away inside the mattress, & thus
often be the means of preventing illness from rhumatism.
The hammock might be more & steadily supported when hanging by a strong
cord secured from S to N (Fig. 8.)
In order for an occupent the better to propel themselves through the water at a
greater speed (which might be most necessary and important in naval warfare &c)
I have arranged for an expanding propeller to be secured to bottom end of mattress
as shown in Fig. 1. It is of a most novel and simple construction, the frame being
made of basket work or other material secured at points T by hinges & having a
wedged shape piece of strong waterproof canvas (U) on each side to allow it to
expand downwards from point V to the full extent of indiarubber springs (one on
each side) see Fig. 11 points W. by simply using pressure from the feet and legs,
somewhat like a man swimming on his back, and to make the movement more easy

page_text: it is arranged as shown in Fig. 11 points X that the heels can fit down into two
sockets and thus secure a better hold for forcing the propeller downwards, a
small strap of webbing brought accross over each foot is also of some assistance
(see Y. Fig. 11).
When the mattresses are fitted with the expanding propeller, a doublo hood
covered with waterproof cloth same shape as used in carriages, perambulators &tc
can be easily fitted to top of head piece and so arranged that one or both can be
used as a further protection for the head &c when necessary.
When used as a life saving travelling bag &c it is made in a similar manner to
the mattress but without the lower part being stuffed The orifices for legs to be
at bottom of bag and here it is made like a waterproof wading trowsers.
Improved Apparatus Applicable as Mattress, Hammock, Travelling
Bag, and for Saving Life at Sea.
JOHN NUGENT COSBEY Commission Merchant 40 Cheapside London do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for SAVING LIFE AT SEA &c and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
To produce a mattress hammock travelling bag &c for use of ships steam-
boats &te and to combine in it a life saving apparatus which by the simplicity &
efficiency of its construction can be made avaliable of at any moment so that
however sudden the call of danger the most simple person may have within their
reach when at sea a means of saving themselfes from drowning.
The novelty of construction consists first in its being made into two seperate
parts as shown in F. L the two parts A & B being really two thin mattresses
secured together at point C. From the point C to D the two mattresses are
secured together by a wedged shaped piece of material like the sides of a bellows,
so that the two seperate parts can expand at sides sufficiently to allow the body of
an adult to get easily between by entering at point D.
When not expanded the two parts laying flat on each other, form an ordinary
sized mattress, & can be laced at the sides with elastic cord to keep both portions
nicely together.
At the point D is secured as shown in Fig. 2. a head portion which forms a
bolster to the mattress & herein lies sufficient buoyant or floating power to quite

page_text: prevent any one from sinking below the surface of the water when the body is
once secured inside.
The outside of the mattress & head piece is well & securely covered with
a waterproof material, & the inside having also a waterproof lining made in the
form of a bag; should the outer covering become damaged the inner lining of
waterproof gives a double protection from the water & if by any chance the
inside waterproof becomes also damaged, there is as will be shown later on more
than sufficient buoyancy in the upper portion or head piece to keep the occupant
from sinking; even if it were possible for the water to get quite inside & surround
the body of occupant.
This head piece E opens like an ordinary travelling bag at the point F. & when
quite open appears as shown in Fig. 3.
The two binges at point G are made with a small slide bolt in centre as shown
in Fig. 4 which by moving accross centre of hinge keeps the head piece in an open
position as long as necessary.
When open the two sides of the mattress expand from each other at point H to
the full extent of the wedged shaped piece before mentioned.
The parts marked I in head piece are formed with cork well secured & fitted
round just like a life buoy cut in two & fitted with a pair of hinges the whole
secured within a frame to support the mattress etc, when floating in the water,
& then has the appearance of a life buoy supporting a wedged shaped waterproof
bag hanging from it.
Below & behind the cork portion is packed cork shavings with a layer of horse
hair wool, or other material next to the outer covering to form a comfortable
bolster for the head when used as a mattress, & the whole together is of sufficient
buoyancy to support easily two or more adults if necessary when the mattress is
fully expanded in the water.
To the inner rim of the point I is secured a piece of waterproof cloth gathered
on to an elastic ring or band J. there being sufficient elasticity in ring or band to
allow it to expand to admit the body of an adult to easily pass down or through
between the two portions of the mattress, & when the ring or band is again closed
to fit snug to the neck of occupant-(see Fig. 3.
At the neck portion can be also attached a hood made of waterproof cloth to
further protect the head neck etc of occupant.-(see Fig. 5.)
At point K. Fig. 3 on each side is a circular hole through which the arms can
come but protected by a waterproof cloth sleeve & glove all in one piece (see Fig. 6)
attached securely to the orifice like a sleeve to a coat, it can be drawn inside when
not in use. At the bottom side of mattress near the centre there can also be two
oval orifices to enable the legs & feet of occupant to emerge when in the water the
same being protected by a waterproof covering like a pair of waterproof fishing
stockings, (see Fig. 7, & thus the arms & legs can both be used for propelling the
occupant through the water in any direction with ease & safety with having the
slightest knowledge of swimming.
A water bottle made & shaped to fit bottom of inside of mattress at point L can
be fixed having two indiarubber pipes or tubes attached same form as used in
a baby's feeding bottle, one coming up on each side to top of mattress.
Thus in an expanding or double mattress as herein described any one once
secure inside cannot possibly sink below the surface of the water & the body is at
the same time in every way protected from cold & exposure.
The fresh water bottle or tank at bottom of mattress is useful both for drinking
purposes & for ballast in bringing down the lower end of mattress so that one
stands almost perpendicular in the water. But the expanding principle can be still
carried out in a much more simple & inexpensive form to suit the requirements of
the million, by making the bolster or head piece in a much more simple &
inexpensive way, & by doing without the water bottle. or tank at bottom, the
mattress can be divided up the centre sufficiently far to enable the occupant when
once secured inside to promenade about, this division up centre of bottom of

page_text: mattress will not be noticeable when mattress is laying flat for aleeping on & by
having no waterproof covering on the outside of the mattress, as the water soaks
into the mattress the lower part would naturally settle down below the surface of
the water & the position of the occupant when floating in the water would be just
as shown in Fig. 8.
The bolster or head portion is simply made into two seperate parts, these half
bolsters forming the life saving belt, by one half crossing the chest, & the other
crossing back of neck & shoulders both being connected together strongly at the
sides where an orifice is made for the arms to emerge through a waterpoof sleeve
& glove as before described.
These two half bolsters are constructed in the following manner; some unbleached
calicoe or other material is formed into a case for filling with cork shavings or
cork dust, & in order to give it a good form of regularity as a bolster & yet fit
well & snug to the movements of the body, the case is divided into chambers or
flutings, from four inches to two inches in diameter, & when stuffed well with cork
shavings appear as shown in Fig. 9. these with a layer of horse hair on each side,
together form a good bolster for the head & makes a perfect life belt by preventing
an occupant from sinking below the surface of the water.
The whole of the outside of the half bolsters being securely covered with a strong
waterproof material which extends down below the feet so as to encase the whole
body, the two side pieces of the same waterproof material being made wedged
shaped as before described.
Where the body enters at the orifice between the two half mattresses a piece of
waterproof attached to each side is arranged to draw into the neck of occupant &
forms with a hood as before described a secure covering for the head.
Fig. 10 shows the head portion with its waterproof covering continued so as to
completely enclose the body of occupant as fitted inside the expanding mattress
Fig. 8. The mattress is fixed & attached to the life saving apparatus by being
secured at points M, which are simply loops strongly fixed so as to secure both
portions together by a piece of webbing attached to inside part of mattress facing
the waterproof covering inside, but secured in such a manner that one portion can
be easily detached from the other, so that it is quite optional to the intending
occupant to use one or both portions, but the great advantage in using both in
rough sea is the greater protection to the body in being enclosed in the mattress
should one be struck by a piece of wreck or thrown on a rocky shore etc.
The advantage of using only the life saving waterproof inside portion without
the mattress, is to facilitate one's movements in walking or propelling one-self the
more quickly in smooth water.
Fig. 11. shows the mattress or outer portions detached from the life saving or
inner portion.
The portions marked N (Fig. 11) which covers over bolster is enclosed in a
waterproof cover so that when in the water all the upper portion of head piece is
enclosed in waterproof material. From the details already given it is easily seen
that I am able to produce an apparatus for saving life at sea which is to be found
close at hand at the most critical moment, so that in case of fire or collision at
night each passenger has beneath him his life saving apparatus, & within a few
minutes can secure inside his mattress any valuables & papers he may have with
him, & then by fixing himself inside almost as easily as in a pair of trowsers he is
ready for any emergency.
The Hammock & Travelling Bag or "hold all " as shown in Fig. 12, 13, 14, 15,
& 16 & a continuation of the same principle & is a most unique combination most
useful for the Army & Navy or for Tourists by land, river or sea, it is made same
as shown in Fig. 12, in the first place it is supported by two strong pieces of
webbing, or other material crossing each other at bottom as shown in Fig. 13. The
webbing for supporting the same passing through the loops O & through loops
also at each corner as shown at points O X, the two pieces of webbing at each end
having swivel rings attached then coming together are secured by rings P Fig. 12

page_text: from which the whole swings. A double canoe paddle which is made into two
parts & screwed together at centre as shown in Fig. 17 when unscrewed the two
half pieces form the necessary spreaders at each end of hammock as shown in
Fig. 12.
To each side of the hammock from the parts Q to R is attached & well secured a
piece of waterproof canvass or other material shaped as in Fig. 12. each having
three holes fitted with strong studs or eyes for lacing with cord up to rings P, these
side pieces thus forming a good security in rough weather, the cords etc being also
useful for packing the whole when not wanted for sleeping purposes.
In wet or foggy weather the bed clothes etc can be folded & snugly packed away
inside & thus often be the means of preventing a great deal of illness from
rhumatism. As shown in figure 12 the lower expanding portion for enclosing legs
& feet can be shaped better to fit closely to the legs & feet. As seen in Fig. 13 a
piece of the same waterproof material as hammock is made of, is secured accross
the centre, at bottom side at points S being loose & detached from the leg portions
the latter laying on the surface when fixed as a hammock-see Fig. 12.
At the point T which forms the bottom end of the aforesaid piece (which is
secured across the centre) a large pocket is made in the form of a knapsack for
placing cloths etc in, & being so made that when packed it will be almost the
exact size of the bolster at head portion, the whole when packed for travelling thus
becomes easily folded in a neat & compact manner as shown in Fig. 14. 15. the side
pieces also now coming well into use, but the perfection & greatest utility of this
combination is seen when put into use for crossing water etc as shown in Fig. 16.
It is here seen that on placing the body securely inside the waterproof aparatus,
the bag or knapsack at lower end (which is attached to the piece of canvas secured
to the back) can be brought up & fixed in a most simple manner in a natural
position, that is, well up at back of the shoulders. The webbing for hanging the
hammock with assistance of the swivel rings attached to them are now utilized
for securing the knapsack to the shoulders by simply crossing each other in front
of chest & being then secured under the arms on each side as shown in Fig. 16.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same may be performed or constructed, I desire it to be under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the use of any particular fabric or materials or
to the precise shapes shown in accompanying drawings, as such may be varied to
suit particular circumstances without departing from the peculiar character and
principle of my Invention but what I do claim is
The construction of an improved life saving apparatus in the form of a mattress
hammock travelling bag etc which is not only almost perfect for saving from
drowning but I have also managed to combine in it a means for protecting the
body of an occupant in almost every way possible from cold & exposure, the latter
a matter of most serious importance & yet one which seems to have been over
looked by previous Inventors, I think I may justly say never has such a com-
bination being produced hitherto, & certainly nothing with any thing like the same
simplicity durability & utility for the purpose in view.