US885918A - Life-belt apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

N 885 91s. PATENTED vA113128 1908;-

LFOCKETYN.

LIFE BELT APPARATUS. APPLIQATIoNI-ILED JUNE 1! 1907.

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NvENx-SR, JACK Foc-KETYN,

1 PATENTED M1128, 1908.

s 18. No --8 59 J POGKETYN L'LPE BELT APPARATUS.

APPLICATIONy 1ILE`11 JUNE 1. 1907.

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' simplify the construction while retaining the JACK FOCKETYN, OF ANTWERP, BELGIUM.

LIFE-BELT APPARATUS.

Spece'ation of Letters Patent.

Patented April 28, 1908.

. Application filed .Tune 1, 1907. Serial No. 376,860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACK FooxETYN, architect, a subject of the Belgian King, and residing at Antwerp, Belgium, `haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Life-Belt Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates tolife belt ap aratus of the type havingfront and back E members connected by shoulder straps. Such a paratus has hitherto been constructed with t e body belts or fastening members attached to and passing around the floating members. It has been pro osed to adapt such apparatus to serve as a i low whendesired.

.Thegenera 'obj/ect of this invention is to supporting properties of the apparatus when in use in the water and also to make it lighter and more readily applicable and adjustable than hitherto.

The improved arrangement of the' body belt is anim ortant feature of the present invention, suc belt being secured to and depending below the floating members as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the carrying out of the invention in one convenient manner: Figure 1 showsV a front view of the complete apparatus. Fig. 2 a side view. Fig. 3 a plan view of the cushions and shoulder straps. Fig. 4 a view of the body belt extended which is attached to the rear cushion, and Fig. 5 a view of the front cushion with the attachedv part carrying the fastening hooks. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of apparatus serving as a cushion when not in use. Fig. 7 isl a side view thereof. Figs. 8 and 9 show plan views of the apparatus ready for use as life buoy. Fig. 10 1s a side view thereof.

Referring particularly to Figs. l'to 5, the

front and back floating members a and b consist sir'n ly of two cushion-shaped bags with the thicker part at the top made of canvas or like material although, .as hereinafter d'escribed, they need not be constructed of a water roof-material. These bags are connecte by two shoulder straps c adjustable by means of buckles or the like d, and they are preferably worn close up to the chin of the wearer in front and at about the same height at the back. The lower part ofeach iioating member has depending therefrom a fairly wide body band, e and respectively oating extending partially around each side of the body, the ends of the back band, e, overlapping the ends of the front band, f, at or near the front of the body. The ends of the back band are provided with hooks or loopsh g, attached in any suitable manner and adapted to engage eyes or lugs h, secured to the middle part of the front band. A strap or tightening member, Z, is also rovided at the rear of the back band for a justing the body band to suit different sized persons.

By means of the body band and shoulder straps the floating members, a and b, are held securely in position upon the wearer. The canvas or like bags, a and b, are filled or partially filled witha substance which will not absorb water and is at the same time buoyant such as soot or the like. The bags used need not therefore be waterproof and if accidentally cut open would still serve. their purpose. A further advantage in using a soft substance such as this, is that the rear bag, b, may be used as a pillow. Thus people at sea in times of unusual peril could wear the apparatus at night while sleeping and utilize it as aforesaid. Furthermore owing 4to its lightness and simplicity no great amount of inconvenience would be caused thereby.

The center of buoyancy of the apparatus is very high up and consequently is certain to bring the head of the wearer above water on immersion even though the person be rendered unconscious from any cause. Rings or hooks may also be provided upon the front bag for the attachment or support of food receptacles o r other articles, whereby a person will be enabled to remain in the water for a great length of time without assistance. The apparatus may be worn by sailors or the like during the ordinary performance of their duties with very little inconvenience. I preferably also attach an apparatus carrying a beacon light, m, to the rear cushion, b, such apparatus forming a helmet or head covering and containing electric accumulators or other apparatus for supplying the light.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 4

used on' benches, thwarts, or other seats of ships, boats and the like. In time of peril, the cushions n, n are brought apart from each other, and then the apparatus may be readily j fitted upon the shoulders of a person.

Having now fully described my invention,v what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A life-belt or buoy consisting of two ioatable-cushion-shaped members each having a straight upper plane and a swelled lower plane for increasing the surface to be acted upon by waiter, straps connected with said members for firmly fitting the same upon tho shoulders and upper part of the body of a 15 wearer, and lateral connecting supports for passing under the arms oi" a wearer, the whole arranged to maintain a person in a vertical position in the water.

In testimony whereof, l have signed my 2o name to this speciiieation in the presence ol' two subscribing witnesses.

JACK FOCKETYN.

Witnesses G. DE LERsY, A. L. ADAMs.

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