US382306A - Life-saving garment - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Shee t 1.

(No Model.)

G. A. HILER; LIFE SAVING GARMENT,

No. 382306., Patented May 8, 1888.

J72 7672 for.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.

G. A. HILER LIFE SAVING GARMENT.

No. 382,306. Patented May 8, 1888.

N. PETERS. Pholo-Lilhogmphzr, Washington, D. C.

NHED

GEORGE A. HILER, OF GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN.

LIFE-SAVING GAEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 382,306, dated May 8, 1888.

Application filed August 4,1887. Serial No. 246,107. (No model.)

To ail whom it' may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. HILEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Haven, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and use-' ful Improvements in Life-Saving Garments;

and I do declare thefollowing to be a full, clear,

'on vessels and in marine service.

The invention consists of a two-part waterproof garment-viz., a body portion and a hood or head-protector, which are so constructed and adapted as to inclose the body of the wearer within an impervious covering, ex-

cluding water therefrom and preventing eX- posure of the body to the cold, while the lifepreserver attached thereto aids in keeping the The lower extremities or foot portions of the body of the garment are pro vided with suitable weights, which serve to keep the body balanced in an upright position within the water, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and the essential features of the invention pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, Figure l is a side elevation of the complete suit as it appears when attached to the body, showing also the position of same when in the water, W representing the water-line. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the garment and life-preserver, showing the position of the body within the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the body portion of the garment detached from the head-protector. Fig. 4. is a like view of the head-protector or hood detached. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the hood or head-protector, showing relative position of the parts when attached to the body portion of the suit.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, A represents the head-protector of the suit, which consists of a hood constructed from any suitable waterproof material, and is provided with a cord or shirr-string, c, which passes through loops 6 around the opening of said hood for the purpose of securely girdling or closing the same about the neck of the occupant. (See Fig. 4.)

D represents a glass or transparent plate secured in the upper central portion of said hood for the purpose of affording the occupant thereof a range of vision, while 0 shows a series of perforated plates which are secured in panels a slight distance below the transparent plate D, and are for the admission of air to the occupant of the suit, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and at.

F shows an apron of flexible impervious ma terial, which is located directly back of the series of perforated plates, being attached atits lower edge to the hood A at a slight distance below the perforations and extending some distance above said perforations, the upper end or edge of said apron remaining free, whereby said apron forms a gate or cut-off, preventing the surf or water from splashing through the perforations into the face of the occupant, but allowing the air to freely pass within the perforations and over the upper edge of the apron. (See Figs. 2 and 5.)

B represents the body portion of the garment, which is also constructed from waterproof or impervious material, having formed integral therewith the sleeves B B and leg portions B B, for the reception of the arms and legs of the occupant.

The opening or neck portion Z, through which the body of the operator passes in applying. the garment, is provided around its mouth with a series of loops, 6, through which passes a cord or shirr-string, c, for girdling or drawing said opening close about the neck of the occupant ,of the garment. (See Fig. 2.) The free end of the gathered-in portion Z encircles the lower portion of the head of the wearer, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

It will be observed that the hand portions of the sleeves of the garment are provided with thumbs 15, so as'to enable the operator to readily handle the shirr-strings in applying the garment, and to handle or grasp objects while in the water.

In Fig. 2, K represents a weight of suitable proportions, one of which is placedorsecured in each of the foot portions of the garment, which act as ballast to hold the body in an u pright or erect position while floating in the water.

E shows an ordinary 1ife-preserver,which is secured about the waist of the occupant of the suit for the purpose of aiding thesame tokeep afloat until rescue or assistance is rendered.

The manipulation required in applying the garment in case of accident or when desired is as follows: Theoperator, after first precuring the garment, steps within the opening Z, and draws the garment up sufficiently (at the same time passing a leg into each leg of the garment) to allow his arms to enter the sleeves of said garment, when it will be in position to grasp the shirr-string and draw the opening close about the neck, securing the same in such position. The hood or head-protector is then readily placed over the head of the operator and its shirr-string secured in a like manner about the neck, but overlapping the neck portion Z of the body of the garment. The lifepreserver is then secured to the waist of the operator over the garment by means of the string provided therefor, when the outfit will be completed.

It will be observed that when equipped with the foregoing devices the occupant will be enabled, it cast into the water, to survive a much longer period than would be possible were the body exposed to the cold and water, asis the case where only the ordinary lifepreserver is employed.

The advantages of this garment over others patented of this class are, first, simplicity of construction; second, the body part of the garment extends from the feet to the neck of the what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

A lifesaving garment consisting of the body portion made of impervious material, and having legs, arms, and neckband formed integral therewith, and a gathering-cord for saidneckband, in combination with the head part or protector having the transparent plate D, the

series of perforated plates, the apron F, located back of said perforated plates, having its lower edge only attached to said protector, and the gathering-cord 0, located at the lower end of said protector, wherebythe lower end of the protector is bound to the upper end of the body portion, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE A. HILER.

Witnesses:

JACOB BAAR, HENRY BAAR.

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