Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1892 — A UNIVERSAL TRUNK, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A UNIVERSAL TRUNK,

Can B. Used for Carrying Lu**a*e *7 land or Wat*r. This trunk, which has just been Invented, does riot differ in appearance from any other ordinary trunk. It is covered with good strong canvas,

has an inside tray and is built within dimensions prescribed by steamer regulation. The edges are made waterproof by an excellent layer of rubber filling. The top and bottom of the trunk hqve a round opening, which is closed by means or slides easily removed in time of danger. Otherwise the trunk is arranged in the usual way for holding the wardrobe and valuables of the tourist. In time of shipwreck it can in less than a minute be converted into a excellent lifeboat which braves even a heavy sea. In that catee the trunk is opened, the inside tray removed and the contents which it is necessary to save squeezed into the side compartments of the trunk. A caoutchouc covering folded around the bottom ring is drawn up and passed into the slide around the top circle. Thus the trupk becomes perfectly waterproof. The person then steps with

both feet into the center hole and draws the trunk up to the hips by means of the outside handles. He is now ready to jump into the water; to brave its dangers without difficulty. The tests which have been made with this ingenious life-saving apparatus have yielded the most satisfactory results. When leaping even from high surfaces the body does not become entirely submerged by water, head and shoulders remaining steadily above. The trunk, when in use as such, carries easily 300 pounds, and when in the act of serving as a life-pre-server the two compartments, which are made perfectly waterproof by the caoutchouc mantle, caii still hold several changes and all the valuables the shipwrecked tourist carries with him.

PUTTING THE TRUNK ON.

THE TRUNK AS A LIFE-FLOAT.