Improvements in Buoyant Safety Garments for use at Sea, or under similar conditions.

摘要

126,967. Sims, A. V. May 14, 1919. Body attachments, buoyant.-A buoyant garment for use at sea comprises a rubber or like suit in one piece, Figs. 2 and 4, open from the top down to the legs and provided with a bellows front portion and with a watertight closing- means. The wearer passes his legs through the trouser part and draws up the body portion by means of loops fixed to the inside. He then puts his arms through the sleeves and secures the garment around his neck by means of a pin 27, Fig. 7, on a plate 28 attached to the end of a wire, bent to form parallel limbs 29, 30 and forming a stiffener for one edge 5, engaging a slotted plate 26 on the end of a similar stiffener 23, 24 for the other edge 4. The garment is now in the position shown in Fig. 2. The bellows front portion 10 is next folded and secured. This is done by coiled wire edge-stiffeners 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, Fig. 7, and slotted plates 34, 35, the slotted plates engaging the same stud 27 and being held in position by a nut 36. The stiffeners 32, 33 thereby seat themselves within the spaces 25, 31 between the parallel limbs of the wire stiffeners 23, 24 and 29, 30, whereby a close joint is formed. If greater stiffness is required, a core may be placed within each coil stiffener. A double bellows front may be substituted for the single one shown. Buoyant padding, as 15, 16, is provided at the upper part of the garment. This padding may be secured outside the garment instead of inside, to prevent it from absorbing perspiration from the body. The borders of the collar 11 and the edges of the material, wherever a watertight joint is required, may have a sponge rubber padding. A slight leakage of water, however, at the bottom of the trousers is not injurious and may be permitted. Leggings 12 are provided having pockets to secure weights for the purpose of maintaining the wearer in the upright position, and are supported by suspenders 53, Fig. 4, passing over the shoulders. The sleeves, legs, and gloves may be split and have a flexible connecting web or gusset 65, Fig. 18, and a strap 66 so as to form a watertight joint. To prevent damage in putting the garment on, the lower end of the trousers may have an internal protecting-sleeve 67, Fig. 17. Pockets 55 and a belt 71 complete the outfit.