US348158A - Julius fischer - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

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J. FISCHER.

EXPANSIBLE LIFE BOAT.

Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

J. FISCHER. BXPANSIBLE LIFE BOAT.

Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS FISCHER, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

EXPANS IBLE Ll FE- BOAT.

ZBPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,158, dated August 24, 1886.

Application filed April 16, 1885. Serial No. 162,471. (No model.) Patented in Belgium December 31, 1884.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ULIUs'FIsoHEa, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Life-Boats; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figu res of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure lot the drawings is a representation ofthisinvention,and is a vertical section. Fig. 2 is a side view as hung on the davits. Fig. 3 is also a side view, and shows the boat in an upright position. Fig. 4 is a detail view to show the joint of the elbow.

This invention has. relation to life-saving boats; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices, all as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, theletter A designates the bottom of the boat or tloat. B is the top plate,which is connected to the bottom by the elbows (1, which are jointed at D, this 3' oint being astop-joint, preventing thearm from closing in so far as to prevent them from readily bending outward when necessary. The bottom is also connected to the top plate by the flexible covering E, which forms the wall of the vessel. The upper ends of the upper arms, a, of the elbow are pivoted to the top plate at its marginal portion, and the lower ends of the lower arms, b, of said elbows are pivoted to the bottom at or near its margin. These elbows are radially arranged if the vessel is circular, and if oblong they are arranged to conform with such shape. The bottom of the boat is usually constructed with independent compartments, 0, in which air isinclosed. The arms a I) are usually made hollow between the ends, so that they will possess buoyancy and can be used to serve as floats for saving life in case the boat should be broken up. The rudders or rudder, indicated at F, are geared to the bottom, their shafts passing through the same, and they are operated by a handle inside the main chamber G. There is also usually provided a propeller, H, which may be geared to be operated bya crank, K, or other common device for such purpose. Amast, L, may also be provided, and so stepped in the base that it may pass through an opening in the top plate. A suitable sail canbe arranged in connection with the mast. It is designed to provideaboat having a top and bottom connected by flexible side walls supported by elbows or elbow-ribs, said side walls capable of expansion when the ribs are bent outward, and of elongation when the ribs are drawn endwise into position approximating straight lines, said ribs being, however, held, when in elongated position, a little bent outwardly by the stop-joint constrnction heretofore referred to.

Secured to the base or bottom A is a strong post, P, usually consisting of four or more guides, N, which are connected at their upper ends by the collar m in a strong and secure manner. Upon this collar the top plate rests when the boat-bod y is in expanded form. Through this collar and through an opening, (Z, of similar form, in the plate B, extends the slide-frame or sliding entrance V, having lateral openings, 0, and a top, g, provided with a valve, h, closing an opening, is, in said top. At the lower end of this slide are provided pulleys l for the ropes r, said ropes being fastened by one end each to the top plate and ex tending downward around the pulleys and upward on the inside of the frame through the top thereof to the out-side, where they are .secured together and provided with a ring or block for attachment to one of the davits of the ship. The bottom of the boat is provided with a rope or chain connection to be attached to the other davit, so that when the boat is elongated it can be swung between the davits in horizontal position, and there will occupy but little' room comparatively.

In order to use the boat, it is detached at the bottom end from the davit and swung downward, so that it hangs by the ropes r from the other davit. The body will expand, the top plate sliding downward'on the guides N of the slide-frame until it rests on the collar of the post P. The entrance-opening of the slideframe will now be exposed, and the passengers can enter,either climbing through the entrance and down a ladder, s, in the interior of the boat, or, ifnecessary, passed into the entrance by means of a canvas chute. Then the pas sengers are in, the boat is to be detached from the davit from which it hangs,and,resting upon the water, the slide will descend into the interior until its top portion engages the top plate of the boat, closing the opening therein. The slide can then be secured in position by an inside fastening. After this, other passengers can enter through the opening in the top of the slideway. A trap-valve, z, is provided in the top for the admission ofair. It is bell-shaped, and has a guard-trough, 15, designed to catch any water or spray which may enter and dis charge the same through openings in the bottom of said trough. The position of the hell or dome shaped protector a is maintained by its stem, which is provided with a handle and spring, so that when it is found necessary to close the valve in very rough water, the bellguard can be pulled down in close contact with the trough-guard. Openings for air are indicated at v. To admit a greater quantity of air, the valve or lid It can be raised from the inside. In smoother water the slide can be raised for greater ventilation and for lookout purposes. The bottom A is usually provided with compartment A, for provisions and water. To the lower arms of the ribs are attached by hinges or pivots the seats, which preferably consist of hinged arms, B, adapted to fold upward, and seat-webbing provided with pockets to receive said arms. Loops, of leather or canvas, D, are also attached to the elbows, and serve to enable the passengers to steady themselves.

This boat may have a convex, oval, polygonal, or other shape, as may be found desirable. It is ballasted by the construction of the bottom and cannot become upset. It is buoyshaped, and will always right itself. It can be expanded and closed in elongated form, after the manner of an umbrella, as hereinbefore indicated. The flexible covering of the body portion should be made with a strong network and water-proof cloth and with inside and outside covering of india-rubber or gutta-percha.

In the boat-shaped form illustrated plates may be used in the sides, and these plates may be provided with glazed sights, as at E. in other forms of this boat the sights may be made in the upper portion of the slide.

The great rapidity and ease with which the boat can be launched and the entire security from surroundings will be readily appreciated. It is apparent that it is partially launched automatically, or by the weight of the boat itscl f when its bottom is detached from the davit.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A life-boat consisting of a bottom, a top plate, and jointed ribs connecting the bottom and top plate, substantially as specified.

2. An automaticallyexpanding and self-closing life-boat having a top plate connected to its bottom by jointed ribs and covered with flexible material to form an inclosu re, substantially as specified.

3. A life-boat having hollow ribs,which are adapted to serve the additional function of life-preservers in case of destruction to the boat, as set forth.

4. A life-boat consisting of a base, a top plate, jointed ribs connecting the same, a flexible covering, and a tubular slide passing through the said top, substantially as speci fied.

5. A life-boat having an expanding body, a top plate provided with an entrance, a slide, and ropes connecting the slide with the top plate, substantially as specified.

6. A life-boat having its top plate provided with an aperture, an entrance slide arranged therein, and a trap-ventilator arranged on the said slide, substantially as specified.

7. A life-boat having expanding sides, a top plate, a base provided with a propeller, and

driving mechanism, and joint-ed ribs connect- JULIUS FISCHER.

\Vitnesses:

ERNST FISCHER, PHILIP O. llIASI.

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