GB123614A - Improvements in or relating to Devices for use in Saving Life at Sea. - Google Patents

Abstract

123,614. Salaman, G. March 13, 1918. Body attachments, buoyant.-A buoyant appliance for containing and preserving the kit or clothing of the user, for use after rescue, consists of a tubular bag a, of flexible, waterproof material, adapted to contain the kit or clothing, with or without food, and to be worn encircling the body just below the arms. The ends of the bag are fixed to metal collars a', a<2> adapted to be connected together by, preferably three, togglelever fastenings b<1>, b<2>, b, a packing-washer c being interposed to ensure a tight joint between the collars. One end of the bag is permanently sealed by a metal diaphragm a<3>, the other end, through which the kit &c. can be inserted and removed, being provided with a flexible tubular appendage a<4> adapted to be closed by a rubber ring a<5>. The remote ends of the collars a<1>, a<2> are made thinner than the abutting parts, and the ends of the bag a and the appendage a<4> are fixed within the thinner ends by internal thin metal rings d, the joints being corrugated, &c., to make them secure. A chamber to contain drinking- water may be formed between the diaphragm a' and a second diaphragm j, the chamber being provided with a draw-off cock k having a rubber tube k', and with a filling-nozzle m and air-inlet l, Fig. 1. The bag is provided with a shoulder-flap e, having an aperture e<1> to pass over the head. This flap may be secured at both ends; or the front end may be detachable and secured by spring snap-hooks f. A strap h provided with a spring snap-hook h<1> can be passed through the ring i<1> of a second strap i and connected to the hook of a second person, or to another article or object in the water. When two persons are so connected, the straps can be used to support a third person. According to the Provisional Specification, the collars may be secured together by bayonet-joint or spring fastenings; the free end of the bag, after it has been closed by the rubber ring, is passed through a lateral aperture in the adjacent collar, and the mouth is closed by a pulltape; the mouth is provided with a loop for engagement with the top button of the wearer's dress; the portion of the bag between the collars and the mouth may be utilized for the storage of food; when the bag is empty it may be stowed within the engaged collars, and metal covers placed over the open sides; spring clips for the attachment of the shoulder-straps are provided at their lower ends with flexible loops through which a waist-belt may be passed, and the waist-belt has a ring for connexion with the hook h<1> of another person; and, in some cases, the bag or container may be endless, and provided with a lateral aperture for insertion of the clothing, &c.