US736692A

US736692A - Body-indicating buoy.

Info

Publication number: US736692A
Application number: US15694503A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh Condren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1903-05-13
Filing date: 1903-05-13
Publication date: 1903-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1920-08-18

Description

PATENTED AUG. 18, 1903.

H. GONDREN. BODY INDIGATING BUOY. APPLICATION FILED an 1a. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

11v VENTOH Hugh 6072 dren NiThn STATES Patented August 18, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

BODY-INDICATING BUOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,692, dated August 18, 1903. Application filed May 13,1903. Serial No. 156,945. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH OoNnRnN, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at the city of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Body-Indicating Buoys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an indicating and life-saving buoy which being worn or carried by a person exposed to a risk of drowning and attached by a stout light line to the clothing or person of the wearer is designed to float on the surface of the water when the body is submerged, and thus afford a means of effecting a rescue, or if aid arrives too late for that purpose enables the body to be lo cated and recovered without recourse to the comparatively slow and tedious process of diving or dragging.

My device is fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings which accompany it, Figure 1 of which is a general View of the buoy, showing the line attachment to a belt. Fig. 2 is a section through the buoy and cap, and Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the device to a yachting or boating cap.

The buoy itself consists of an inflated india-rubber ball 2 of suitable size, to which a light strong line 3 of any desired length is secured, the other end of such line being connected to an eye in the back of an ordinary belt 4:, designed to be buckled around the waist of the wearer.

In its application for bathers or skaters the inflated ball 2 is inclosed in a network of twine, by means of which it is secured in an opening in the crown of a cap 5, of any suitable fabric, the outer or exposed side of the ball being covered with red cloth to make it a conspicuous object when in the water.

The cap 5 may be furnished around the rim with an elastic band 6, designed to hold it on the head of the wearer, but not so tightly as to prevent it coming readily off when the head is submerged.

The application may be made to a yachting-cap 7, as illustrated in Fig. 3, by simply securing the ball to the body of the cap, or the ball may be dispensed with by forming the upper part of the cap in double thickness out of the way.

of air-tight material, between which an airspace is preserved.

My device is worn in the following manner by a person exposed to any risk of drowning, whether boating, bathing, or skating: The belt 4, to which the buoy'line is attached, is buckled around the waist, and the line 3 being coiled in the inside the cap is worn on the head with the line connection to the waist-belt falling down the back, so as to be It through any mischance the wearer is in danger of drowning and sinks, the cap at once comes off and floats on the surface of the water, thus enabling a res cuer to aidmore quickly than h could otherwise do, as the position of the drowning person is indicated at once by the buoy, and the line is strong enough to allow the wearer to be pulled in by .it. Similarly, assuming the drowning person to have sunk for the last time before the rescuer reaches the spot where last seen, the position is at once located, and the body being rapidly recovered there is a much more favorable prospect of resuscitation.

In the case of skaters who fall through the ice the buoy will not be drawn under unless the current beneath is very strong, but will remain floating in the hole and aiford a ready means for rendering prompt assistance. If, however, aid is not forthcoming and the person drowns, the location of the body is indicated, and it may be at once recovered instead of having to drag for it or wait until decomposition causes it to float-alternatives which frequently subject relatives of the deceased to'such long-sustained and trying anxiety.

Having now particularly described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new, and desire to be protected in by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a body-indicating device, the combination with a cap of an inflated buoyant chamberin the same, a body-belt, and a light strong line connecting them.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a head-covering or cap of an inflated buoyant ball secured thereto, a light line adapted to be coiled within the cap, one end of which is secured to the cap, and means for securing the other end of the line to the body of the wearer.

[ Q redeem 3. In a body-indicating device, the combiname to this specification in the presence of nation of an inflated buoyant ball secured by two subscribing witnesses. a, light line to the back of a Waist-belt, a headcovering or cap secured to the-ball, having in U OONDREN' 5 the rim a band of flexible material adapted Iu presence ofto hold it on the head of the wearer. ROWLAND BRITTAIN,

In testimony whereof I have signed my 1 ELLIGE W EBBER.