US1295715A - Life-preserver. - Google Patents

Description

S. 'P. EDMONDS.

LIFE PRESERVER.

APRL|CATION FILED JAN. 11, 1919.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

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LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. 1919.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

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SAMUEL P. EDMONDS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Feb.,25, 1919.

. Application filed January 17, 1919. Serial No. 271.632.

Be it known that I, SAMUEL P. Burro-Nos, a citizen of the United States. residing at Brooklyn. in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life preservers of the type which is composed of a plurality of blocks of buoyant material such as wood or cork flexibly united into a girdle and which may be quickly adjusted about the waist.

This type of life preserver comprising a series of blocks without an external covering is exceedingly simple and cheap to manufacture which is an important consideration for steamboat companies requiring thousands for the equipment of each vessel. While life preservers constructed in this manner are cflicient as far as their buoyant qualities are concerned, they are more or less liable to injure the wearer when tossed about by the waves and in a rough sea are positively dangerous as the blocks are thrown about since a blow upon the head or face by one of these blocks is very liable v to not only stun the person but cause greater injury. ne of the objects of my invention is to provide a life preserver of this uncovered block type combined with a collar member which will thoroughly protect the face and head of the wearer, thereby overcoming the objections and dangerous features which have heretofore attended the use of any and all of this type.

In the accompanying drawings, is a perspective view showing a life preserver embodying my invention and its normal position when in position on the wearer; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the collar portion receives the blows of the blocks when tossed about by the waves so as to completely protect the head and face of the wearer; Fig. 3* is a perspective view ofthe.;-lifepreselyer. with the parts separated to show the con struction; and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged detail views o f.certainparts, Fig. 5'being taken on the line 5',5= and'Fig. 6 on the" line 6-6 of Fig. 3. Themain portion of the life preserver consists of a series of' blocks 2 such as cork orsuitable light buoyant wood' such asz-bail sawoody which are.

united into a girdle by means of cords or Figure 1 ropes 3 passing through holes bored adjacent the ends, the holes through the end blocks being bored diagonally in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, to bring the free ends of the ropes 3 near the outer sides of the blocks to facilitate tying. The blocks are preferably rectangular with the edges rounded or beveled, those upon either slde of the arms being cut away upon adjacent upper corners as indicated at 2 to permit the wearer to have freeunimpeded movement of his arms.

. The collar part 10 is constructed with an outer cover or envelop filled with kapok 12 or other suitable buoyant material. It is of sutlicient length to permit the ends to meet or lap and is provided with straps or tapes 11 by which it maybe secured in position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The forward portions of the collar upon either side are connected by straps 14 with the upper girdle cords 3 at the front, and serve to unite the parts and to position the collar. The straps 14 are either continued or else separate straps 15 are employed to form suspenders 15,0rossing at the back and connected to the upper cord 3 upon either side of the middle block, serving to support the girdle at the back and also to maintain the collar in position. I may fill the upper triangular space between i the collar and the suspender straps with a fabric 16. which serves not only as a reinforcement but prevents the straps from entanglement and also to prevent the wearer from inadvertently Iinsertin his arm in through this part in the confusion and eX- citement of a disaster.

'- In some cases I may dispensewith the rear straps 15 and the reinforcement 16., securing the collar part to the girdle cords only by the straps 14. Instead of employing an equal number of blocks upon either side, I may arrange more on one side than on the other and inthis manner bring the ends of the cords or ropes 3 at one side.

Naval engineers and seamen who have had experience with the present types of life preser'v'ers and those of the-uncovered girdle type having a series of blocks strung together by means of ropes, will appreciate the advantages of the present invention which onables this type to be used without subjecting.

the wearer to the constant menace of receiving a blow upon the face or head from the blocks whenever he is tossed about by the waves. The buoyant collar supports the head and cooperates with the girdle mem bers to mainta n the body inthe proper position to maintain the face uppermost; but it also performs the very important function of receiving the blows and absorbing the shocks of the blocks as they are thrown up ward toward the head by the impact of the waves.

I have described in detail the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of disclosing one embodiment of my invention but it-will be evident that various changes ma be made. therein without departing from t e invention. The buoyant blocks may take other forms and may be secured together into a girdle by means of webbing of fabric of any suitable character.

I claim 1. A life preserver havin a main girdle portion com rising a plura ity of buoyant blocks unitec'l loosely by means of a plurality of connecting cords or ropes thereby permitwith means to secure it around the base of the head in position to receive impacts from the blocks as they are thrown upward by the waves.

2. A life preserver havin a main girdle portion comprising a plura ity of buoyant blocks united loosel by means Ofa plurality of connecting cor s or ropes thereby permitting independent movement of the blocks, and a yieldable collar part provided with means to secure it about the base of the head with the forward ends brought together, and connecting means extending between the collar part and the girdle portion.

3. A life preserver comprising a body portion consisting of a plurality of buoyant blocks bound together to form a girdle memher, and a soft buoyant collar provided with means to secure it about the base of the head, and connecting means securing the collar to the girdle member at the back and at the front thereof.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

SAMUEL P. EDMONDS.

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