Year: 1885

page_text: I BENJAMIN FREDERICK ATKINSON of 3 Hemming's Row, Charing Cross in the
County of Middlesex, Surgical Mechanician do hereby declare the nature of the
said invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that class of truss in which the pad is adjustably fixed
to the retaining spring by a joint consisting of a ball and socket in combination
with a screw,
In such description of joint as heretofore constructed the ball is rigidly fixed to
the end of the retaining spring and the socket is formed in two parts one of which
is formed in the foundation plate of the pad whilst the other part is adjustably
connected to such plate by means of a screw formed with a comparatively long
lever handle and placed between the ball and the fulcrum of the adjustable part of
the socket.
By the above construction of parts it was difficult to hold the ball with sufficient
force to secure the pad at the required angle in relation to the retaining spring
without constructing the parts larger and heavier than is desirable.
According to my invention I form the fulcrum of the adjustable part of the
socket of two screws passing through the same into the foundation plate of the pad
and placed one on each side of the ball and socket and I place the power screw at
the extreme end of the said adjustable part.
By these means I am enabled to place the fulcrum so near the centre of the ball
as to gain such a leverage that comparatively small power screw will apply
sufficient force to hold the adjustable pad quite securely at the requisite angle in
addition to which I obtain neatness and lightness of parts.

page_text: Improvements in Trusses.
I BENJAMIN FREDERICK ATKINSON of 3 Hemming's Row, Charing Cross in the
County of Middlesex, Surgical Mechanician 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 :-
My invention relates to that class of truss in which the pad is adjustably fixed
to the retaining spring by a joint consisting of a ball and socket in combination
with a binding screw.
In one description of such joint as heretofore constructed, the ball is rigidly
fixed to the end of the retaining spring and the socket is formed in two parts, one
of which is formed in the foundation plate of the pad whilst the other part is
adjustably connected to such plate by means of a screw formed with a comparatively
long lever handle and placed between the ball and the fulcrum of the adjustable
part of the socket such parts being all placed on the same central line.
In another description of such joint the fulcrum of the adjustable part of the
Bocket is placed between the power screw and the ball, all such parts being also on
the same central line.
By the above constructions of parts it was difficult to hold the ball with sufficient
force to secure the pad at the required angle in relation to the retaining spring
without constructing the parts larger and heavier than is desirable.
According to my invention I form the fulcrum of the adjustable part of the
socket of two screws passing through the same into the foundation plate of the pad
and placed one on each side of the ball and socket and I place the power screw at
the extreme end of the said adjustable part.
By these means I am enabled to place the fulcrum so near to a cross line running
through the centre of the ball as to gain such a leverage that a comparatively small
power screw will apply sufficient force to hold the adjustable pad quite securely at
the requisite angle in addition to which I obtain neatness and lightness of parts.
My invention is represented in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is
a view of the back of the pad and part of the retaining spring Figure 2 is an
edge view and Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the same Figure 4 is a face
view of the same showing the body of the pad removed, Figures 5, 6 and 7 are
views of parts of the socket and Figures 8 and 9 are an edge view and a plan of
the ball and its carrying plate.
Figure 10 is a back view and Figure 11 is a longitudinal section shewing a slight
modification.
a represents a part of the retaining spring, b is the ball which is formed at the
end of a plate b¹ fixed to the spring a
c is the body of the pad with its covering. d is the foundation plate to
which the body o of the pad is fixed and which carries the parts e e¹ of the socket
and the power screw f. In the construction shown at Figures 1 to 7 the
parte of the socket is rigidly fixed to the foundation plate d but in that shown at
Figures 10 and 11 the reverse arrangement is adopted." The adjustable part e or e

page_text: is according to my invention fixed to the foundation plate by two screws g placed
one on each side of the ball b which screws form the fulcrum of such adjustable
part e or e¹.
By this arrangement I am enabled to place the fulcrum of the adjustable part e
or el so near to a cross line running through the centre of the ball b that with a
comparatively short lever and small power screw fI am enabled to obtain great
power to hold the ball b within its socket e e¹ sufficiently firmly to secure the pad o
at the requisite angle to the retaining spring a
The power screw f is provided with a pivotted loop handle f¹ by which it can be
readily rotated.
In the construction shown at Figures 1 to 7 the centre of the ball b is placed
between the fulcrum screws g. 9. and the power screw fin which case the power
screw acts to draw the outer end of the adjustable part e' down to the foundation
plate d in the act of binding the socket on the ball but in the arrangement
represented at Figures 10 and 11 the fulcrum screws g. g. are placed between the
centre of the ball 6 and the power screw fin which case the adjustable part e is
forced away from the foundation plated by the end of the power screw facting
thereon in the act of binding the socket on the ball.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The peculiar construction and arrangement of parts for adjustably fixing the
pad of a truss to its retaining spring substantially as herein shown and described
and for the purpose stated.
2. Forming the fulcrum of the adjustable part e or e¹ of the socket of screws g g
placed one on each side of the centre of the ball b and applying the power screw f
to the outer end of the adjustable part e or e¹ substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purpose stated.