GB110668A - Improvements in Automatic Marine Life Saving Apparatus, in Means for Supporting Flying Machines on Water and in Floating Buoys Discharged from Guns. - Google Patents

Abstract

110,668. Muller, J. P. Jan 16, 1917, Floats for aerial machines.-An apparatus for automatically inflating, described in connexion with life-saving collars. may also be used for inflating floats for supporting flying-machines on water, and comprises a spring-actuated striker F adapted to pierce a compressed-gas container, but normally held inoperative by a projection H there. on engaging with a notch M in a spindle J carry.. ing an external lever N which is maintained in position before immersion in the water by a ring of absorbent or soluble material P passing around a pin on the lever and a pin P<1> on the casing of the device. In the form shown, when the ring yields, the striker F actuates one or more pivoted hammers E and thus depresses devices U with perforated or grooved ends which puncture the reservoirs Q and allow the compressed air &c. contained therein to pass thrcugh the tubes W to the inflatable devices. The reservoirs Q are held against rubber sleeves R by screwed or bayonetjointed caps T. A ring ccnnected by wire or silk P<2> to the soluble device allows of this being ruptured by hand. For protection against rain and spray, the device is carried in a leather, cloth, &c., cover which is attachable to the clothing, has a number of holes for the entrance of water, and is provided with a flap furnished with a pressbutton for detachably securing the ring attached to the wire &c. P<2>. In a modification, the striker F is pressed downwards by its spring, and a lateral extension on it actuates the perforating-device of one or two reservoirs. In another form, comprised in a single tube and for inflating collars, a downwardly-pressed striker acts directly on the perforating-device, a hook or clip is provided for securing the device on the clothing, and the absorbent is protected by a hinged cover carrying a valve at its upper end, and, at its lower end, a half tube which allows water to enter. The double-acting valve, Fig. 7, is connected to the inflating-device by a tube 2, and comprises a valve 5 with leather disk 7 and a hole 6 for inflating by the mouth, and a tube 8 perforated at 11 and covered with a rubber tube 10 which operates during automatic inflation, the air or gas passing through a tube 9 to the inflatable device. Three or four layers of paper known as " hydroplyle," of which the last layer is fixed by heat with rubber, are preferably employed for the absorbent ring P. Or the lever N may be retained by sugar, &c. which operates more slowly and allows of the use of the apparatas by persons diving to save others from drowning. When applied to flying-machines, a number of these devices are attached to the fuselage, the inflatable chambers being enclosed in a wire or cord network.