GB122906A - Improvements in and relating to Life Saving Rafts. - Google Patents

Abstract

122,906. Hooper, D. Feb. 7, 1918. Pontoon rafts.-Relates to reversible rafts of the type comprising a number of collapsible air-tight compartments enclosed in a casing supporting a flexible guard-rail extending around the raft and carried by detachable stanchions. The raft comprises in combination an inflatable bag 1, Figs. 2 and 3, divided by partitions 2 into a number of air-tight compartments 3, each having an inflating valve 4, reinforcing strips 12 of canvas or the like extending along the sides of the raft, a flexible guard-rail 15 carried by stanchions 14 fitting into sockets 13 secured to the strips 12 and open at both ends, and a buoyant stern 6 of cork or similar material connected to the main body 1 and having a bearing opening 9, Fig. 4, for an invertible rudder 7. The detachable stanchions are formed with stop shoulders 16, and are held in position in their sockets by pins 17 passed through the stanchions and attached to chains 18. A cork band 5 extends round the forward portion of the body 1, and is stitched or riveted thereto. The flaring for the rudder 7 comprises fixed plates 10 and a hinged plate 11. which in one position allows the rudder to be inserted in or withdrawn from the opening 9. and in the other position retains the rudder in the opening. Paddles 22 are held by strips 21 on the sides.