A New Marching Machine.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 19th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th July, 1890-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Marching Machine.
I JOSEPH LIONEL NAISH B.A. of Cambridge of 43 Twelfth Street in the City,
County and State of New York, United States of America, Professor of Mathematics
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:-
The physical training of a soldier, as distinguished from that which is strictly
technical or military, may be regarded as having two distinct branches, ono consisting
of exercises for the limbs and trunk, and which are performed in a stationary position,
the other consisting of exercises for teaching him to march, and of course involving
locomotion. The former is commonly called "setting-up" drill, being designed to
develope the muscular system and give to the soldier a good military shape.
To attain this object various kinds of muscular movements are prescribed in the
drill book, others being sometimes used in addition, yet all methods duly employed
lead to success; but the marching drill is a widely different matter, its essential object
being to give the body perfect equilibrium, not merely when stationary on one leg,
but when in motion thereon between successivo paces, and, further, to transfor it
smoothly and without shock to the other leg, at the same time preserving an unim-
paired equilibrium; and it is plain that in this case there can be little scope for
variety in fact, without the practice of balancing no perfect balance can be acquired;
hence it is that for imparting to the march an elegant and symmetrical equipoise in
all positions of the pace, whether quick or slow, one method and only one is ever
employed. This is known as the "balance" step; but it must be practiced persistently
until proficiency is attained. The following quotation from the British Infantry Drill
Book will indicate the importance of this exercise: "The object of the balance step is
to teach the soldier the free use of his legs, preserving at the same time perfect
squareness of the shoulders and steadiness of body. No labor must be spared to attain
this object, which forms the very foundation of correct marching." And to insure
extra care with recruits in this exercise it is specially enjoined to instructors in the
army of the United States that not more than four men shall be drilled together in
the balance-step at one time. (See Upton's Tactics.) Yet with all its usefulness this
exercise has one serious drawback. It is usually regarded by recruits as the most
tedious task in their drill. Consequently the "goose-step," as it is vulgarly called, is
very unpopular.
"
Marching, or, as it might be called, "good deportment," is widely appreciated.
Even outside of the army, not to mention the National Guard, the military marching
drill is inuch in request and has been so for generations, not only for the benefit of the
youth in schools, but often even by their civilian elders individually; but in most
cases of private drill the tendency is to cominence
"marching without sufficient
training in the balance-step, or it is omitted altogether. There are, indeed, some to
whom this omission may be less important; but to the majority, who mostly need the
training in question, this sort of instruction practically teaches nothing more than the
power to "keep step," which alone does not constitute marching; nor does it remove

page_text: any of the abnormal peculiarities of a bad walk. The cause of this neglect of so
important a preparation is of course the large expenditure of time- and patience
required to make it really effective.
The orthopedic marching-machine has been designed as a solution of this difficulty,
for when this is used the balance-step is unnecessary, and in a very short time a well-
balanced and correct military march may be acquired without any unpleasantness
whatever and with absolute certainty.
In constructing the machine the directions of the drill-book have been necessarily
observed in reference to the "position of the soldier at the halt" and "position of the
soldier in marching."
The machine is stationary, and the person using it having placed himself therein
his shoulders are held back firmly to a back-board and " square to the front," or at
right angles to the track in which his feet move. The feet are placed upon two small
cars and fastened thereon.
The cars move in tracks, allowing motion back and forth to a distance limited to
the extent of the prescribed pace, which motion is communicated by the feet alternately
in the ordinary manner of walking. The operator's hips are also held in a guide
which controls their motions and his body is made to incline forward at the angle
suited to the quickness and length of the pace. The action of the feet causes the
shoulders and hips to move alternately right and left to certain small distances which
are prescribed for each person..
The small cars to which the feet are attached also communicate to the latter at the
toe and heel an orthopedic action, which restrains those parts of the foot from incorrect
movements. Thus the body, though not advancing, but for convenience, occupying a
fixed position, except laterally, is by the action of the feet made to perform virtually
all the movements which it would execute in the actual march, but with this difference,
that its movements in alternate (or the right and left) paces are absolutely symmetrical
—that is, accurately equal and similar in direction for any two corresponding points
on opposite sides of the body.
When the machine is used in very slow time, with shoulders and hips thus
under constraint, the balance-step becomes a continuous slow march, in which the
muscles of the trunk, hips, legs, and feet are all subjected to their appropriate
training and speedily attain a power of mutual adaptation to one another. Again,
for the purpose of testing progress the trunk can be at any time released from its
compulsory movements and permitted to move freely, but, of course, in lateral direc-
tion only. Under such circumstances the march can be practised as an ordinary
exercise in walking or for recreation while at the same time all inaccurate movements
of the shoulders and hips will be detected and pointed out by the resulting con-
verse motions imparted by shoulders and hips to the corresponding parts of the
machine. The machine regulates the movements of the feot with similar precision,
accurately guiding the heel and toe throughout the action of the pace until by
frequent repetition the legitimate motion of each becomes familiar to the individual
and can be imitated without hesitation in his ordinary walk or march. In the
common marching drill in the army a frequent use of the pace-stick is necessary
in order to test not only the length of the pace, but, what is even more important,
the equality of the right and left paces. Even when these are equal it often
happens that one foot is carried farther to the front than the other in commencing
a pace or thrust farther back at its completion.
This asymmetrical habit either tends to produce or is the result of obliquity of
the pelvis. In using the machine these defective movements are prevented, and a
short period of practice will entirely eliminate them from the person's walk or march.
Though the military march is in many respects widely different from that which
is called the natural walk (of which in fact there exists no uniform standard) yet it is,
of course, equally subject to the laws of human locomotion.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding
parts in all the views.

page_text: Figure is an isometrical view of my orthopedic marching-machine, parts being
removed therefrom.
Figure 2 is a similar detail view of the shoulder-supporting plate and back
hoard.
Figure 3 is a detail view of the hip-moving attachment.
Figure 4 is a side view of the hip-moving attachment.
Figure 5 is a detail view of the front of the case in which the back-board
rides.
Figure 6 is an isometrical view taken from a point to the rear of the machine.
Figure 7 is a detail view of the back of the case in which the back-board
rides.
Figure 8 is a detail view of the back of the back-plate.
Figure 9 is a detail view of one of the main-shaft attachments.
Figure 10 is a detail view of the lower crossbar.
Figure 11 is a plan view of the body-supporting apparatus and its connections.
Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating a modified arrangement for imparting a
reciprocating motion to the crossbars.
Figure 13 is a detail view illustrating the gearing employed in connection with the
main shaft and the racks.
Figure 14 is a plan view of the carriages and their connections.
Figure 15 is a side view of the parts shown in Figure 14.
Figure 16 is a detail view of the tension device.
Figure 17 is a detail view illustrating the arrangement of the anterior set of pulleys
and the friction-wheel arranged in connection therewith.
Figure 18 is a detail view of a modified controlling mechanism.
Figure 19 is a view of the fan employed in connection with the arrangement shown
in Figure 18.
Figure 20 is an edge view of the fan.
Figure 21 is a side view of the foot car or carriage, the parts being represented as
they appear when the grips are freed from the belt.
Figure 22 is a similar view, the parts, however, being represented as they appear
when the grips are forced down upon the belt.
Figure 23 is a detail view of the hinged plate to which the foot sandal is
secured.
Figure 24 is a view of the heel-guide.
Figure 25 is an isometrical view of the foot car or carriage, the sandal, hinged
plate, and the heel-guide being removed.
Figure 26 is an end view of the carriage.
Figure 27 is a view of the carriage or car platform, the sandal, hinged plate, and
the heel-guide, the parts being represented as they appear when the heel is raised.
Figure 28 is a rear view of the machine-standards and parts carried thereby, this
view being given to illustrate a modified arrangement for imparting a reciprocating
motion to the body-support.
Figure 29 is a plan view of the racks when arranged to operate in connection with
the construction shown in Figure 28.
Figure 30 is a detail view of the main slide employed in the construction illustrated
in Figures 28 and 29.
Figure 31 is a view of the standard and parts carried thereby, illustrating
further modification.
a still
Figure 32 is a view of the operating mechanism employed in connection with the
construction shown in Figure 31, and
Figure 33 is a view of the heel-grip and its keeper.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, A A represent a
platform upon which the entire machine rests and B B two standards between which
the body supporting attachment F F is held. The standards are in the same plane
and about thirty inches (more or less) apart, the inner edges being parallel, and
the standards being firmly bound together and held by a strong cross-piece B'.

page_text: In practice the standards should be braced so that they will be held in a rigid
vertical position.
They may be also affixed directly to the floor.
In the oblong frame E E, Figures 14 and 15, c c c c are the sides, consisting of
strong bars placed parallel, united by cross-pieces near each end, and supported by
four or more bearings a a a a two only of which are visible in the figure. These are
sufficiently high to prevent all contact between the belts and objects beneath when in
normal position, Figure 1. The frame is rectangular, and when in position must be
placed centrally between the standards B B, its sides being strictly at right angles to
the plane of said standards.
bbbbbb are three flat bars or rails fastened longitudinally upon the upper
side of the frame and serving as tracks on which the two foot cars d d travel
back and forth as well as for guides to the same. One of these tracks extends
along the frame centrally, each of the others lying equally distant and parallel to it.
I prefer that the central rail have on each of its sides a flange upon which may run
the inside wheels of the respective foot-cars, which are flanged or grooved (see
Figure 26). The length of the tracks is not less than one pace and a half added to the
length of one foot-car. For an ordinary adult this will be found to be from forty to
forty-five inches in addition to twelve inches for the foot-car. For ladies and the
young of either sex of course less than this would be sufficient; but a full-sized
machine can be utilized by persons of less stature. If the oblong frame be made to
shift in direction of its length, it may be constructed of less extent than if fixed. The
oblong frame is so placed between the vertical standards B B that the commom plane in
which the latter stand shall divide the tracks bbbbb into two parts, of which the
part behind said plane shall be the greater by six inches, more or less, the plat-
form A A being of course apportioned in accordance therewith. This presumes that
the standards are not attached to the floor of a room, (which in many cases would be
preferable).
The width of the central track regulates the distance at which the foot-cars, and
therefore the feet, pass one another; but the central track may, if desired, be replaced
by two single tracks, thereby permitting this distance to be varied.
dd are the foot-cars, one of which is seen enlarged in an isometrical view,
Figure 25. This car is for the right foot, and Figure 26 is a front view of the
same.
e e are the grooved wheels, which run on the central or flanged rail, gg being the
ungrooved wheels to run on the flat or outer rail, while are guide-wheels to run
below the tracks, so as to keep the upper wheels close down on the tracks.
Moreover, the outer wheels gg are carried by a species of outriggers beyond the
outer edge of the car, in order to give the car greater stability against the side thrust
of the foot. It will be seen that the foot car in shape resembles an oblong and very
shallow box, but with the ends uninclosed, as at K, (see also K Figure 26,) the upper
surface being pierced with a broad aperture near each end for the passage of two
grips. The breadth of the foot-car proper is about that of a full-sized boot-sole, in
length about twelve inches, as before seen.
Figure 27 shows, in combination, the working connections which unite the boot of
the operator to the foot-car, and consist of the sandal m m, the hinged plate n, (see
also Figure 23,) the heel guide 0 0, (see also Fig. 24), and the upper surface of the
foot-car d, (supposed to be removed from the car).
The sandal is a sole of any suitable material shaped like a boot-sole, but longer than
the boot of the person by about an inch or more, said extra length lying beyond the
toe. It is rigid in all its length, except the part beneath the fore part of the foot,
where it is pliant. The sandal may be applied to the boot in the manner usual with
skates viz., by a strap buckled across the instep and a flange on the heel pinned to
the boot-heel (see Figures 21 and 22).
The hinged plate n Figure 23 is of hard material, in breadth equal to the upper
surface of the foot-car, but shorter.
It is hinged to the upper surface of the foot-car in the points p p (see Figure 27)

page_text: and is jointed to the toe of the sandal at r. The slot S at its anterior end plays
vertically upon the vertical guide-rod t at the front of the foot-car, Figure 25 (see
also Figures 21 and 22).
and u,
that are
The heel-guide 00, Figure 24, is formed from two sections
united by a hinge-joint. The section 9 is hinged to the foot-car, and is preferably of
the form shown in Figure 24, and the section, which is preferably triangular, is
hinged to the sandal. Figure 21 is a side view of the boot and foot-car united by the
above working-connections, V being the boot; m, the sandal; n, the hinged plate;
00, the heel-guide, and d the foot-car as when mounted on the track bb, the dotted
curve showing the path of the heel in rising.
The anterior end of the hinged plate is raised by the lifting of the foot, guided in
a vertical direction by the rod t, working in the slot S, and limited in said rise by the
knob t'.
to wo are two grips for binding by pressure the foot-car to the belt, which passes
longitudinally through it. The anterior grip w is attached to and vertically beneath
the hinged plate n, and the posterior grip is fixed to and beneath the heel of the
sandal, so that when the foot is raised both grips run clear of the belt. This condition
is shown in Figure 21; but when the foot is resting on the car both grips are
pressed down on the belt and bind it, with all the weight of the body, against the
upper surface of the bottom of the foot-car or against small friction-rollers over
which it runs, as in Figure 22. The grip w¹ is formed with a catch, Figure 33,
that is engaged by a keeper 3 when the operator's heel is depressed, and the heel will
be held so depressed until the lower end of the lever 4, upon which the keeper 3 is
formed, strikes against the rack projection ³, Figures 6 and 15. By the mechanism
of the beel-guide 00, the heel of the person is constrained to rise in a plane which
is vertical and also parallel to the central track. Moreover, by means of the slot S
and vertical rod t the toe is retained at such angle from the front as the drill-book
directs, and as before seen, hindered from rising too high by the knob t¹; but by
means of a set screw the heel guide can be so fixed as to guide the heel in a plane
divergent from the front, if so desired.
Returning to Figure 14, the oblong frame cc cc extends longitudinally beyond
the ends of the tracks bbbbbb in both directions. Near its anterior end are two
belt-wheels running in bearings, and near its posterior end two similar and
equal wheels y y, also running in bearings. The former pair are fixed on a common
axle and therefore run together.
The latter pair are on separate axles, each of which is mounted in a separate
sliding frame Z Z, said sliding frame being moved longitudinally by its appropriate
hand-screw a a. The four belt-wheels have a diameter of about six or seven
inches; but this can of course vary. From each anterior belt-wheel a to the
corresponding posterior belt-wheel y y an endless belt 6 is stretched parallel to the
sides of the oblong frame and passing above and beneath them. Each belt can be
kept at the proper degree of tension independently of the other by means of the
hand-screws a² a². The upper half of each belt passes through the corresponding
foot-car from end to end, as before mentioned, between the upper and lower inclosures
of the same.
To insure this arrangement with accuracy each pair of belt-wheels is
so mounted in the bearings that the highest point in the circumference of each shall
be in the same horizontal plane with the upper surface of the bottom of the foot-car.
Figure 21 shows in what manner the belt passes through the car when left free to
do so by the lifting of the grips to to¹.
How it is prevented from passing through when said grips are pressed down by
the superincumbent weight of the body is shown by Figure 22.
The former case happens when the foot is being carried to the frout during the
swing of the leg, the latter when it is being thrust backward, bearing the weight of
the body.
In natural walking or marching the pressure of the foot on the ground both
supports the body and propels it forward. The propulsion is rendered possible only

page_text: by the friction engendered between the foot and the ground due to the weight of
the body.
If the entire pressure at any moment be supposed to be resolved into two forces-
one upon the plane of the ground and the other perpendicular to it-the latter may
be disregarded, and the former alone will represent the force of propulsion which
carries the body forward and will vary with the quickness of the pace. Among a
given number of persons it will also vary with their weight severally.
In this machine the reactive force of propulsion is represented by a retarding force
against which the feet act in a backward direction.
The retarding force must be capable of being varied for the respective weights of
light and heavy persons and according to the quickness of the pace.
I will first describe a method for obtaining a suitable force from friction.
Returning to Figure 14, between the belt-wheels and on the same axle with
them is fixed a friction-wheel. It therefore revolves at the same rate as the belt-
wheels.
Figure 16 is a side view of said friction-wheel separate from the belt-wheels.
Above and below it is a friction-brake c² 2, which by a single turn of the hand-
screw whose threads run in opposite directions, is made to press with greater or
less force upon the friction-wheel, and thus either retard or render more free the
rotation of the belt-wheels, and consequently the motion of the belts. The brakes
are affixed to the cross-piece at the end of the frame cc cc. It has been seen that
when the foot is pressed down on the car, Figure 22, the belt is held firmly by the
grips, and when lifted, Figuro 21, the belt runs free of said grips. The former case
happens when the foot is urged backwards, (corresponding to the forward movement
of the body in natural walking). Thus when the backward motion of the foot-car
is too free an increase of the friction will restrain and retard it. Another retarding
force can be obtained by atmospheric pressure acting against a revolving fan.
Figure 18 is an anterior portion of the oblong frame cccc, Figure 14, con-
taining the belt-wheels but with the friction wheel left out, instead of which on
the end of the same axle with aa is a toothed wheel e², which is geared with the
pinion of the fan f, Figure 19, such fan being suitably mounted in bearings upon
the cross-piece at the anterior end of the oblong frame.
Figure 20 is a section of the fan at right angles to the axle. The fan and
friction-wheel, Figures 19 and 16, may both be attached to the end of the oblong
frame, provision being made for disconnecting one while the other is in use.
In Figure 1, F is the mechanism for controlling and guiding the bips and shoulders
correctly in their appropriate and respective lateral motions during the march. It
is affixed to the standards B B at such altitude above the level of the foot-cars as
shall permit the shoulders of the operator when standing on said cars to be placed in
the shoulder-rings 12, allowance being made for the natural sinking and rising of
the trunk of the body during the march. The parts of this mechanism are shown
separately in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
same.
Figure 2 is the front of the back-board, and Figure 8 the back surface of the
It is rectangular, about as long vertically as the human back of an adult of
ordinary stature, but of width sufficient to allow of the lateral alternate play of the
pelvis-guide or hip-moving attachments, to be hereinafter described. It should be
strong and rigid, but of light substance.
Figures 5 and 7 are the front and back views, respectively, of the back-board
holder or ease in which the back-board slides vertically to the extent of two inches
or more.
In Figure 2, m² m² are strong thin bars passing horizontally across the back-
board and projecting beyond its vertical edges. When the back-board is in normal
position, these projecting ends m² m² pass through the vertical slots m m³ in the
Hanges of the back-board holder, Figure 5. While sliding in said slots the back-
board is held in horizontal position by the pinions n² Figure 5, which gear. with the
racks n³ no, Figure 8, on the back surface of the back-board, the pinions being fixed

page_text: on a common axle. Moreover, to prevent all lateral play between the back-board
and the back-board holder during the vertical slide of the former, the projecting
tongue of metal 0%, Figure 5 slides between flanges 0, that are secured to the back-
board. (See Figure 8.)
In Figure 2, are the shoulder rings by which the shoulders of the operator
are encompassed when standing on the foot-cars. They are curved to the ordinary
contour of the human shoulder and padded. The yoke K* in which they are fixed
permits them to be moved to equal distances from a vertical line through its centre,
and is itself attached to the back-board horizontally. The shoulders are thus held
continually on a horizontal level with each other and kept back "square to the front"
during the march.
Figure 3 shows the mechanism for controlling and guiding the pelvis and hips, and
consists of three chief pieces.
Figure 4 shows the form of two of these, which I call "pendants." They
resemble two ordinary rectangular brackets, but with the horizontal arm below
instead of above the vertical arm, and they should be as light as possible consistent
with firmness. The rectangular flat plate, Figure 3, is the pelvis-guide, and
may be of wood or any light and firm material, the vacant rectangular space S² being
intended to span the pelvis from side to side. The horizontal arms of the
pendants 2 q are jointed to the pelvis-guide by hinge-joints along lines which are
parallel to its opposite sides, and the parallel bars u² ² within the rectangular space S
are designed to gauge the pelvis with greater accuracy by suitably adjusting them
with the hand-screws t t. The slot at the back of the pelvis-guide is designed to
receive and serve as guide for the tongue to³, Figure 10, that is attached to tho cross-
bar, which when in normal position, gives the pelvis-guide alternating lateral
motion. The upper ends of the vertical arms of the pendants are loosely pivoted to
the back-board, Figure 2, at the round apertures 9° 7°, which are in a horizontal
line and at the same distance apart as the hinges of the pendants, while the hooks y³,
Figure 4, pass up behind the back-board. The vertical arms are therefore always
retained close to the back-board and remain parallel because they are equal. Hence
the lateral oscillation of the pendants is always accompanied by a horizontal position
of the pelvis guide. The hooks y y slide upon the curved bearings y y³
Figure 8, at the back of the back-board.
Figure 6, being a back view of the machine, as before mentioned, shows a back
view of the back-board holder with its attachments.
Figure 7 is the back of the same apart from the machine. The cross-bar ²² is
firmly attached to the back of the holder near the upper edge and passes between the
guide-pulleys a³, which are fixed to the standards B B on either side and at the same
horizontal level. As the cross-bar is made to travel alternately to either side, the
whole mechanisin F is carried with it. The cross-bar 2 also passes horizontally
between guide-pulleys &³, attached to the standards B B; but it is not fastened to the
back-board holder, instead of which it is held loosely against it by the cleats c c³
Figure 7, which allow it to slide below them and in contact with said holder. The
mechanisin F is thus retained upright and continually in the same position relative to
the standards B B, except in regard to its alternate lateral motion between them.
This lateral motion is imparted by the upper cross-bar exclusively, as before mentioned,
the lower cross-bar having the special objects of keeping the mechanism F vertical
and moving the pelvis-holder, which moves simultaneously in the same direction,
but generally at a slightly different rate. This result is effected as follows: The
lower cross-baris shown separate in Figure 10, from which descends the tongue to³,
of metal, which again, when in normal position, passes through the slot ² at the back
of the pelvis-guide (see Fig. 3).
As the body of the operator rises in marching, the pelvis guide (being attached to
the back-board and in close contact with the pelvis) rises also; but the cross-bar
does not rise, so that the pelvis guide slides vertically upon the descending tongue wo
and is effectually controlled by it as to lateral motion. The cross-bars are actuated by

page_text: the disks d³, which are fixed on the vertical shaft H H. The lower end of said
shaft carries a toothed wheel e³, which receives its reciprocating motion from the
wheel and pinion f³, situated between and below the racks G G. The communication
of motion from 3 to e³, and therefore to the cross-bars, is made by the intervening
wheel g³, which may be of any convenient diameter, its object being to span the space
between the pinions f³ and e³, the diameters of which are in a given ratio to one
another.
These
Figure 13 is a side view of the last-mentioned gear-wheels with section of racks.
gears are rotated by the racks G G, which gear with the upper wheel of the
pair Figure 13. The racks again are forced backward alternately by the pressure
of the foot-cars against the vertical flanges h³ ³, which are attached to the posterior
extremities of said racks. This is not effected by the direct contact of the foot-cars
with the said flanges, but by the interposition of an appendage to the hind extremity
of each. Figure 33 shows this arrangement.
The lever 4, Figure 33, is such a foot-car appendage as that above mentioned, and
when used in connection with the grip w¹ the required contact against the flange h³ is
effected by the lower end of said lever or by some other obstacle suitably placed in
its path; but when at any time the grip w¹ is not required to be held down the lever 4
can be fastened back to the car and still perform its other office of impinging against
the flange of the rack, Figure 6.
It will be seen that the racks G G move forward a much less distance than the foot-
cars, and hence the said racks will not be acted on by the cars during the first part of
the backward movement of the latter. Consequently the keepers will engage the
grips w¹ from the moment the foot is brought to a horizontal position until the keepers
strike the flanges ³, the position of the keepers normally being such as to engage the
grips w when the foot is brought to the horizontal position. As seen in Figure 26,
the grip wand the horizontal member or catch, that is formed on its lower
end, extend over the side of the belt 6, and the said catch will thus be engaged by the
hook 3 of the keeper 4.
The disks d d and respective cross-bars are connected by means of links, which
are arranged according to the following plan: Figure 11 is a view of the mechanism F
from a point vertically above it. 13 m³ is a link fixed at one end in the disk d³ and at
the other end in a block p³ which is permitted a longitudinal motion in the back of the
cross-bar x².
At n³, the middle point of said link is loosely pivoted one end of a shorter link half
the length of the other, its opposite end being loosely pivoted in the cross-bar at 0³.
The result of this combination of links is that if were a fixed point the only
direction in which the point m³ could move would be a straight line passing through
the point O perpendicular to the cross-bar. The other end of the link would have
a slight motion along the cross-bar. The point m³ lies in this perpendicular, and the
link mechanism forms a parallel motion, illustrating the theorem that the angle in a
semicircle is a right angle; but since the point m³ is fixed in the disk d³ which has a
reciprocal rotation, and the point 08 is free to move laterally, together with the cross-
bar to which it is pivoted, the straight line passing through the respective ends 0³ m³
of the said links will move in the same manner as a slot perpendicular to the cross-bar,
and which should be moved by a pin projecting from the disk. In Figure 12, q³ is
such a slotted projection connected with a similar bar to that of Figure 11, and
which is moved alternately right and left by the peg or crank within the slot. If
the rotation of the disk be at a uniform rate, the corresponding lateral motion of
the bar will be variable being quickest at the straight line, which is perpendicular
to the cross-bar, slowest at the angular distance of ninety degrees therefrom on either
side, (which are dead-points) and precisely equal at other equal distances. The motion
produced on the cross-bar, Figure 11, by the links being variable at the same rate as
that from the slot and pin, Figure 12, is symmetrical, and I prefer to use the former.
The extent to which the cross-bar is moved right and left evidently depends on the
distance from the center of the disk at which the end m³ of the link is pivoted and to

page_text: allow for changes of this kind I make additional pivot holes in the disk, all lying in
a radial line from the center but instead of disks and separate holes the following
contrivance can be substituted: Figure 9 is an appendage to be fixed on the vertical
shaft H H in place of each disk by ineans of the collar and set-screw S. The wide
slot in the body of the appendage incloses a perforated block adjustable by the set-
screw t³, so that when in normal position the perforation may be brought to any
desirable distance from the centre of the shaft. Thus the end m³ of the longer link,
Figure 11, may be shifted to or from the center of the shaft without breaking its
connections. I prefer that the rotation of the shaft should be limited to the angular
measure of about one hundred and sixty degrees eighty on each side of the per-
pendicnlar line-in order to avoid the dead-points at ninety degrees distance
therefrom.
Figures 28, 29 and 30 show another method of communicating the action of the
feet to the shoulders and pelvis, all other parts of the machine remaining
unchanged. Instead of the vertical shaft H H and disks d³ d³, Figure 6, I use
here either one or two upright levers ct ct, pivoted to the standards B B at
points near the upper ends of said levers, at the extreme ends of which are
slots ee above and below. The upper slots play upon pins (with friction
slides if necessary) in the wide cross-bar 9, and the lower upon pins (equally
distant apart with the two above) in the slotted cross-bar 1, lying on the
platform A A, so that the levers with the upper and lower cross-bars respectively
form a parallelogram when two levers are used which is not necessary. The upper
cross-bar passes between friction guiding pulleys affixed to the standards B B of
the framework and is attached to the back-board holder K K. The lower cross-bar,
properly kept in place by guiding-bands, is moved alternately right and left by means
of the toothed wheel and crank-pin m', the latter of which works in the slot nt.
The toothed wheel m₁ is rotated reciprocally by the racks G G, precisely in the
same manner as in Figure 6; but in this case rotation is limited to one hundred
and seventy degrees, or thereabout, and the lower crossbar being thus moved, the
upper cross bar with the back-board attached, is simultaneously put in lateral
motion, the extent of which can be varied either by shifting in a vertical direction
the pivot-pins d d or the crank-pin in the toothed wheel m*. Instead of slots in
the levers and corresponding pins, I prefer to use the combined link-motion shown
in Figure 11. In this method of giving lateral motion to the trunk the pelvis-guide
is moved by the small lever p, which is pivoted to the back of the back-board holder
at a point q, the position of which can be varied. At the upper and lower ends,
respectively, is a slot, the former playing upon a pin r, fixed in the cross-beam of
the frame-work and above the symmetrical centre of the machine, the latter slot
playing upon a pin in the tongue w³ (see Figure 10) which moves the pelvis-guide.
Thus the pelvis-guide moves in the same direction as the cross-bar and back-board,
and the extent of its motion is also dependent upon that of the latter, being
increased by fixing the pin q' at a higher point and diminished by placing it lower.
In Figures 31 and 32 I illustrate a still further modification, wherein the bars (** C*,
Fig. 28, are dispensed with, the upper cross-bar of the body-support in this case being
formed with a slot 8, in which there rides a stud or pin, that is carried by one arm of
a bell-crank lever 9. To the other arm of the lever 9 I pivotally secure a connecting-
rod 10, that is in turn connected to a crank-disk 11, which said disk is formed with
teeth 12, that engage teeth 13, formed at the end of the cross-bar 1, such cross-bar
having a central series of teeth 14, that engage the gear f³, the arrangement being
such that as the racks G G are reciprocated, the bar will also be reciprocated, and
the motion of such bar will be imparted to the body-supporting devices. Independent
motion of the pelvis-supports is imparted in this construction, in the same manner as
in the construction illustrated in Fig. 28. Although I have described the wheel x. x.
and y. y. as being mounted on horizontal shafts, I desire it to be understood that with
slight modifications the said wheels might be mounted upon vertical shafts, and I also
desire it to be understood that, although I have herein before described specific con-
structions, any equivalents of such constructions might be employed.
D

page_text: 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. In an orthopedic marching machine, the combination, with a pair of foot cars or
carriages that are mounted to run on ways, of a body support and connections
between the foot cars, and such support, whereby when the foot-cars are reciprocated
a corresponding motion will be imparted to the body support.
2. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a pair of foot cars
mounted to run on ways, of a body support, a pelvis-support carried thereby a means
for reciprocating the body support, and a means for imparting an independent motion
to the pelvis-support, substantially as described.
3. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a pair of foot cars or
carriages mounted to run on ways, of a vertically-adjustable body support and con-
nections between the foot-cars, and the body-support, whereby when the foot-cars are
reciprocated a corresponding motion, will be imparted to the body-support, substan-
tially as described.
4. In an orthopedic marching machine, the combination, with a pair of foot-cars or
carriages mounted to run on ways of a vertically-adjustable body support, a hip or
pelvis-support, and connections, substantially as described, between the foot-cars, and
the body and pelvis supports, whereby when the foot-cars are reciprocated a corre-
sponding motion will be imparted to the body-support, and to the pelvis support,
substantially as described.
5. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a pair of foot-cars
or carriages mounted to run on ways, of a body support, racks and pinions arranged,
in connection with such support, whereby both ends of the support will be
raised or lowered in using, and connections between the foot-cars and body support,
whereby when the foot-cars are reciprocated a corresponding motion will be imparted
to the body-support, substantially as described.
6. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a pair of foot-cars
mounted to run on ways and formed with downwardly extending projections, of
racks formed with upwardly-extending projections, a gear that is engaged by the
racks a vertical shaft, gearing arranged in connection with such shaft and the
gear that is driven by the racks, a body-support, a cross-bar carried thereby, a
crank-disk carried by the shaft, and a connection between the disk and cross-bar
substantially as described.
7. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a pair of foot-cars,
mounted to run on ways and formed with downwardly-extending projections, of
racks formed with upwardly extending projections a gear that is engaged by the
racks, a vertical shaft, gearing arranged in connection with such shaft and the gear
that is driven by the racks, a body support, a pelvis-support arranged in connection
therewith a cross-bar connected to the body support a second cross-bar arranged
in connection with the pelvis-support, crank-disks carried by the shaft, and con-
nections between the cross-bars and said disks, substantially as described.
8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a bar, of a
block mounted to slide in a groove formed therein, a link pivotally connected to
the block, and to a crank disk, and a second link pivotally connected to the centre
of the first link and also pivotally connected to the bar, and means for operating the
crank-disk, substantially as described.
9. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with a bar formed
with a slot, of a block mounted to slide within said slot, a link pivotally connected
to the block and adjustably connected to a crank-disk, and a second link pivotally
connected to the centre of the first link and to the bar, the second link being one
half the length of the first link, and means for operating the crank disk, substan-
tially as described.
10. In an orthopedic marching machine, the combination, with a foot car or
carriage, of a plate n, hinged thereto, a sandal connected to the plate by a flexible
section, and a heel guide hinged to the sandal and to the foot-oar, substantially as
described.

page_text: 11. In an orthopedic marching machine, the combination, with a foot-car or
carriage arranged to receive a belt, of a plate hinged thereto and formed with a
slotted end, a headed stud that rides within said slot, a sandal connected to the
plate and capable of flexing, a heel-guide hinged to the sandal and to the car, a
grip carried by the plate, and a second grip carried by the sandal, substantially as
described.
12. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with a foot car or
carriage arranged to receive a belt, of a grip for engaging the belt, and a keeper
for engaging the grip substantially as described.
13. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with belts and belt-
supporting devices, of a friction regulating attachment arranged in connection with
the belts, foot cars mounted to slide on ways, and a means, substantially as
described, for binding said cars to the belts, as and for the purpose stated.
14. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination with belts and belt-
supporting wheels, of a friction-disk arranged in connection with one set of the
belt-supporting wheels, spring friction arms C, which bear upon the friction disk,
and a means for adjusting said arms, substantially as described.
15. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a pair of belts,
of belt supporting wheels mounted at one end of the machine upon a single shaft,
a second set of belt-supporting wheels independently mounted at the opposite end
of the machine, and a means for adjusting the independently-mounted wheels,
substantially as described.
16. In an orthopedic marching-machine, the combination, with a hip or pelvis.
support, of strips or bars u³, carried thereby, and a means for adjusting said strips
or bars, substantially as described.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.