An Improved Surgical Splint.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 9th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1396
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Surgical Splint.
I, HILAND AUGUSTUS WEED, of 47 North. Springbrook Avenue, Adrian,
Michigan, U.S.A., Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a splint to be used in setting broken
limbs, by which I am enabled to produce a constant tension upon the limb for the
purpose of drawing it uniformly so that the tension will be uniform irrespective of
the condition of the bands which hold the limb to the splint.
My invention comprises a strip of metal or the like of convenient length, and
capable of being adjusted to any length by an extension-piece held thereon by
set-screws. At the lower end of the metal strip is a foot-piece, to rest the foot
upon, which also forms a bracket through which projects a screw-threaded stem.
This stem engages a nut forming part of a sliding piece upon and parallel to the
strip of metal afore-mentioned. The sliding piece is attached at its upper end to
a spiral spring secured to the strip of metal.
By rotating the screw-threaded stem, the splint is elongated against the tension
of the spring, and the amount of tension upon the limb (which is bound to the foot
rest of the splint and its extension piece) may be ascertained by reference to a
scale imprinted upon the lower part of the splints; the sliding nut thereon serving
as a pointer.
Dated this 6th day of March 1895.
W. H. MUNNS,
Agent for Applicant.
An Improved Surgical Splint.
I, HILAND AUGUSTUS WEED, of 47 North Springbrook Avenue, Adrian,
Michigan, U.S.A., Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to splints for surgical purposes.
My object is to produce a splint to be used in setting broken limbs by which
I am enabled to produce a constant tension upon the limb for the purpose of
drawing it uniformly, so that the tension will be uniform, irrespective of the
condition of the bands which hold the limb to the splint, and to that end my
invention consists in the several new and novel features and combination of parts
which are hereinafter described, and specifically set forth in the claims hereunto
annexed. It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, in which.―
Figure 1 shows a bottom or outside view thereof.
Fig. 2 shows an edge view thereof.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the spring producing the tension, and means for
onerating it detached

page_text: Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the foot rest showing means for securing the
straps, which enclose the foot in position to bind the foot against the rest.
Fig. 5 is a detached view of one of the sliding spurs which hold the straps within
the slot-ways.
Similar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A is the body of the splint, provided at one end with thumb-screws a,
and b is an extended portion of the body A provided with a slot-way in which
the thumb-screws a are adapted to travel so that the body may be adjusted
to any length desired, and is provided at its ends with rings c to which the counter
extended bands may be secured. The opposite end of the body A is provided
with a slot-way d in which is mounted a rod B having one end secured to the foot-
piece which is slidingly mounted in said slot way and passes through a bracket D
which is slidingly mounted in said slot, way and upon the opposite end of the said
rod B and surrounding it is a coiled spring E secured at its opposite end within the
body A.
e is a threaded shank mounted at one end within the shoulder f upon the end of
the body A, having its opposite end pass into a threaded opening 9, in the
bracket D as shown in Fig. 3, and h is a scale secured at its outer end to the
foot piece C for the purpose of determining the amount of strain which is
produced upon the limb. Near its end the foot piece C is provided with
transverse slot ways 1 through which the straps or extended bands by which
the foot is secured to said foot-piece pass. Said straps are held in any desired
position and prevented from slipping through the slots, 1, in the footpiece, when
the apparatus is in use, by spurs 2 which are connected to, the body of the foot
piece by a thumb screw, 3, which extends through suitable slots in the body of
said spurs. The spurs can thus be readily adjusted longitudinally to engage the
straps extending through the slots, 1, or to release them.
My invention is operated as follows: In case a leg is broken, it is bandaged
upon the body A and the extending portion 6 thereof, the foot resting upon the
foot piece C. If it is then desired to obtain a longitudinal or extending strain
upon the leg, the tension is produced by rotating the shank e by the thumb nut 4
until the spring E is drawn out so as to produce any tension desired, and is
indicated by the bracket D upon the scale h which may be indicated in ounces or
pounds as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The hereindescribed splint comprising the parts A and b, means for securing
them adjustably together, a foot piece slidingly mounted within the, body, a rod
secured to said foot piece and its opposite end to a coil spring, said spring being
secured at one end within the body A, and means for extending the spring, bar
and foot-piece.
(2.) The hereindescribed splint comprising the parts A and 6 means for securing
them adjustably together, a foot piece slidingly mounted within the body, a rod
secured to said foot piece and its opposite end to a coil spring, said spring being
secured at one end within the body A, a bracket D secured to the free end of the
spring, and a threaded rod e engaging with said bracket and having its opposite
end confined as set forth.