Improvements in Leg Rests, Supports or Splints.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 10th July, 1899-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Leg Rests, Supports or Splints.
I, ELIZABETH RICHARDS, of No. 25, Highfield Street, Leicester, in the County
of Leicester, Married Person, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in leg rests, supports or splints in
the form of appliances to be worn by patients suffering from paralysis of the leg,
or for persons with amputated legs; below the knee, or hip disease.
The principal object of this invention is to provide means or contrivances for
strapping the cap of the knee to a preferably aluminium or other metal frame, and
holding the foot thereto by strapping it to the bottom of the frame, and close up
with the breast of the heel of the boot, shoe or other foot covering so that the
leg shall gradually gain strength, stretch the ligament, and so improving and
steadily lengthening the leg and giving it renewed life and strength.
To carry out this invention I cause a brass, iron or aluminium rectangular
telescopic hollow or solid tube frame to me made slightly curved back towards.
the top so as to readily admit the underside of the knee between the sides of the
frame, in the centre of the top of the frame is an angular extension to which is
attached or made therewith, two curved bands made of the same or any other
suitable material and carrying leg straps, also waist supporting strap, and so lined
or padded that the leg will lie comfortably therein when strapped thereto, at each
side of the top of the frame are studs upon which are placed the ends of a strap
and leather padded knee cap, which is tightened or otherwise as circumstances
may require. At the bottom of the sides of the frame are similar studs carrying
the ankle straps, and from the bottom of the frame projects a conical shaped foot
with leather or rubber, or similar concussion pads attached to the bottom thereof.
For amputated limbs a foot in imitation of the human foot and ankle may be
fitted to the bottom of the frame and made of a light material suitable for pressing
upon the ground, and the side supports carried up and secured to the body by
straps. And for broken legs two extra straps are used one round the calf and
the other round the top of the ankle, the frame supported the limb and so óbviat-
ing the use of plaster moulds or casts. In constructing the appliance for hip
diseases the splint is made of steel tubing with crutch at top, fitted to the body
by curved bars of a suitable size and thickness, the upper one fitting below the
nipple of the breast, the next one below the navle or just above the hip bone,
the lower one above the knee and all padded with felt, or pads covered with leather
coming next the skin with the other fastenings and knee cap as hereinbefore
described, so keeping the hip bone from working, and allowing the patient to
move about instead of lying up.
The splint is formed with, or attached to the sides of the frame, and each
appliance is made to the size, age or weight of the patient...
•
Dated this 7th day of October 1898:
W. BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Applicant's
Agent.

page_text: Improvements in Leg. Rests, Supports or Splints.
I, ELIZABETH RICHARDS, of No. 25, Highfield Street, Leicester, in the County
of Leicester, Married Person, 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 improvements in leg rests, supports or splints in the
form of appliances to be worn by patients or persons suffering from paralysis of
the leg or by persons with amputated legs below the knee, also applicable in cases
of hip disease.
The principal object of this invention is to provide means or contrivances for
strapping the cap of the knee to, a preferably aluminium or other light metal
frame formed in two parts A, A¹, the latter part holding the foot by it being
strapped to the bottom of the frame, close up with the breast of the heel of the
boot, shoe or other foot covering in order that the leg shall by being secured in
the above manner gradually gain strength the ligament being stretched so improv-
ing and steadily lengthening the leg and giving to it renewed life and strength.
That this invention may be clearly understood drawings accompany this specifica-
tion in which Figures 1 and 2 are side and back views respectively of one form of
appliance arranged in accordance with this invention and Figures 3 and 4 are side
and back views of another form of the appliance to be applied in cases of hip.
disease.
Like letters represent like parts in all the figures. To carry out this invention
I cause a brass, iron or aluminium rectangular telescopic hollow and partly solid
tube frame A, A preferably of D section and slightly curved back towards the top
at a so as to more readily admit the leg, (and better conform to the bend or
underside of the knee) between the sides of the frame. The centre of the top of
the frame is provided with an angular extension a¹ to which is attached by
rivetting thereto two curved bands B2 made of metal, cane, wood or other suitable
material, said bands are padded and covered on their inner sides with wash
leather or the like 6 and on the outside by leather strips 61 the outer free ends
carrying leg straps C sewn through holes C₁ so making the upper part of the
leg to lie comfortably therein when strapped thereto. At each side of the top
of the frame A are studs D to receive the outer ends of the tightening straps e,tel,
arranged to buckle on to the leather padded knee cap E so as to press the knee
back well within the frame A as circumstances may require. At the bottom of
the frame A¹ are similar studs D₁ carrying the ankle straps D2, and from the
bottom of the frame "see Figures 3 and 4" may project a conical shaped foot F
with leather, rubber or similar concussion pad f attached to the bottom thereof.
In constructing the appliance as seen in Figures 3 and 4 for persons suffering
from hip disease a splint H is employed made of D section tubing and covered
with wash leather or other soft material h, and provided with crutch h¹, at top,
the splint is held to the side of the body by the curved metal, cane, wood or other
like curved bands G padded and covered in the same manner as B Figures 1
and 2, said bands are made of a suitable size and thickness the upper one fitting
below the nipples of the breast, the lower one below the navel or middle of the
abdomen, just above the hip bone, the same or similar fastenings are employed as
in Figures 1 and 2 and the knee cap E with its supporting straps è and e¹, as
herein before described.
By the above mentioned devices the hip bone is kept from working, and when
the apparatus is strapped and properly fitted to the patient it will allow of the

page_text: said person to move about instead of being compelled to lie up as is very frequently
the case through having no satisfactory splint or leg support. The splint H is
formed with or fitted on to an extension of the frame A, and the said frame
adjusted by the clips I to lengthen or shorten the foot rest as may from time to
time be required and according to the circumstance of the case.
For amputated limbs a foot in imitation of the human foot and ankle may be
fitted to the bottom of the frame and made of any suitable light material suitable
for fitting thereon a boot or shoe for pressing upon the ground. And the fasten-
ings for the upper part of the leg and body as shown in the accompanying draw-
ings. In applying the herein before mentioned devices to broken limbs after
setting two extra straps may be employed for fastening round the calf and top
of the ankle, the frame supporting the limb and so obviating the use of plaster
casts or moulds.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: →
1. A leg rest or support for use by persons suffering from paralysis of the leg
consisting of a solid portion A telescoping into a hollow portion A¹ of a rect-
angular frame or leg support carrying a knee cap E, adjusting straps e, e¹, a
vertical angular extension a¹ of the frame to which are secured metal, cane or
wood padded curved bands B3, the various fastening straps arranged in the manner
and with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. A leg rest, support or splint for use by persons suffering from hip disease,
or from an amputated leg; consisting of a splint H of hollow D tubing, its greater
portion covered with wash leather or other suitable soft material, a crutch top;
in combination with a portion A telescoping into a hollow portion A¹ of a rect-
angular frame or leg support carrying a knee cap E, adjusting straps e and e¹;
a vertical angular extension a¹ of the frame to which are secured metal, cane, or
wood padded curved bands B2, and G the latter secured to splint H, body, leg and
foot fastening straps, foot F, f, all arranged in the manner and with reference to
Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Ath dor of T..1.. 1000
W. BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Registered Patent Agent,
34, Belvoir Street and Regent House, Regent Street, Leicester,
Applicant's Agent.