US144561A

US144561A - Improvement in life-preserving capes

Info

Publication number: US144561A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1873-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1890-11-11

Description

G.`& C. PALMER. Life-Preserving Capes.

144,561. Pmnmdvm."11,1823.`

Wi nesses'.

Per

l Attorneys.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEEIcE.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIFE-PRESERVENG CAPES.

Specification. forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,561, dated November 11,1873; application led June 17, 1873.

` Buoy; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this speciiication.

The invention will first be fully described, and then clearly pointed out in the claim.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cape when inflated. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the pipe by which the cape is iniiated and its stopper. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of bellows and pipe; and Figs. 4 and 5 are side elevations, showin g the cape inflated and not inflated.

In the drawing, A Al A2 represent a hollow circular cape, made of, or lined on the inside with, water-tight material, and provided with buckles and straps to fasten the same after being placed about the neck. B is a bellows, connecting with the chamber inside of cape by a rubber pipe, D, whereby the cape can be iniiated. The cape A is made in three compartments, so as to allow openings a a to receive the shoulders. C G1 G2 are broad pieces, attached, respectively, to the compartments A A1 A2, and provided with buckles and straps, by which they are fastened under the arms. This has thel effect to bring the strain beneath the arms, instead of allowingitatobe brought to bear upon the neck or head.

This cape, as soon as collapsed, falls upon the shoulders, and may be ordinarily worn by sailors or others, aEording a water-proof vprotector in bad weather, as well as a life-pro tector in case of accident.

The parts d d of pipe D are made of brass, and threaded to form nut and screw. E is a pin, having a ratchet-head, F, held by a pawl, H, and attached to one end of a piece of catgut, whose other end is fastened to a rubber stopper, G.

As soon. as the buoy is full, three turns of the ratchet-pin E will draw the stopper into the pipe sufficiently tight to prevent the air from escaping, while a pawl, H, will hold it. When it is to be emptied, the ratchet-pin is to be turned back the same number of times,

and that part between the brass and the buoy Y pressed with the finger and thumb. This will force the stopper from its place, and cause it to hang inside, as shown in the drawing.

This buoy can be got Aready for use within two minutes, filled before or after it is put on,

and put on in the same manner as a vest. It l will it almost any size of person` by altering the back and side straps, when the only straps then to be used are the front straps. We have tested it, and have tried al1 means to force onrselves under water, but :failed to do so, and feel sure of its capability of keeping any person afloat. The bellows for filling it with `air can be detached. Vhen it is full, three turns of ``the screw will drawthe stopper into its place. `The bellows then can be taken off and put flation into a life-preserver, in which the point of suspension is by thearms, substantially as described.

GEORGE PALMER. CHARLES PALMER.

Witnesses JOHN BROWN, W. J. DAvIs.