Improvements in Lifebuoys.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
Improvements in Lifebuoys.
We, FREDERICK VICTOR BEATON, of Floating Bridge Road, Southampton, Yacht
Sail Maker, and FRANK HEBDEN WILSON, of Abbotsham Road, Bideford, Lifebuoy
Patentee, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in lifebuoys and has reference mainly to
improvements in the construction of the same, the object of such improvements
being to provide a life-buoy that is much smaller and neater in appearance than the
ordinary article, that can be folded and stowed away with greater ease on small
crafts, such as small yachts, where other buoys would be too cumbersome, that can
be thrown easier and farther, and also by means of this improved life-buoy there is
less danger of a person slipping through if exhausted, as in the regulation buoys.
This improved buoy has also the advantage of extreme lightness, and can be used
if required as a deck seat.
In order to carry out this invention we provide a lifebuoy made of specially pre-
pared waterproof canvas, which is sewn or otherwise fastened around the outer or
inner edge as may be convenient, the said canvas covering and shape being filled
with reindeer hair or cork. The essential part of this invention however consists.
in making the buoy in two halves, the division being made across the circumference
of the buoy, thus forming two segments. Each segment is made completely water-
proof by making the two ends of said segments of the same material and in the same
manner as the main body of the buoy, each end being stiffened and made rigid by
inserting two circular blocks of wood inside the covering. These said segments
are held together by hinges made of canvas or any suitable material, and in any
suitable manner, so that the two halves of the buoy may fold back upon each other.
When open and in use to form the circular or annular shape of an ordinary life-buoy,
the ends are fixed together and fastened by means of a hook and eye or other
convenient fastening.
In order that our invention may be readily understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 represents a life-buoy in position ready for
use, with the ends fastened together in the manner hereinbefore described, Fig. 2
shews the buoy partially folded back disclosing the ends hinged in the manner
described, and Fig. 3 shews the buoy with the two halves folded back one against
the other. In these several drawings, A is the main body of the life-buoy, B, B the
ends made waterproof, with the wood blocks shown by dotted lines, C C the hinges,
and D D the hook and eye.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The provision of a life buoy, made of two halves, jointed together by hinges,
han bring conable

page_text: into an annular shape ready for use, fastened by hook and eye or other convenient
fastening, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings."
REGINALD W. BARKER,
Applicants' Agent, Monument Chambers, London, E.C.