Improvements in Abdominal Trusses or Belts.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Abdominal Trusses or Belts.
A communication from ERNST THEODOR MISS BACH, of Radeberg, Saxony, in the
German Empire, Truss Maker.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is mainly intended for the use of women, especially in the enceinte
condition the improved truss being so arranged as to effectually support and fit
In the
the shape of the abdomen in the various stages of pregnancy or disease.
former condition especially it is a well known fact that the abdomen not only
increases in size but also varies in shape as gestation progresses and that the
variations are by no means alike in every individual case, and in this respect the
deficiency of the abdominal belts and trusses hitherto offered has been frequently
complained of, as a truss which fits one person exactly will often prove perfectly
unserviceable to another, or the same person who felt very comfortable with a
truss at one time will be seriously incommoded by it at a subsequent period on
account of the alteration which has taken place in the meantime in the form of the
body. The relief which a belt or truss of this description is intended to afford by
supporting the abdomen was thus rendered futile and many attempts have been
made to remedy the drawback. For instance trusses have been made of elastic
material. But while these trusses fitted the temporary shape of the part of the
body to which they were applied they proved unsatisfactory if regarded as supports.
On the other hand whalebone was sometimes resorted to but had to be rejected on
serious hygienic grounds. Thus all previous attempts to improve abdominal trusses
may be said to have failed.
The ready adaptability of the improved abdominal truss now to be described is
due to the fact that it is provided with slits or open spaces at its edges which by
means of belts or bands placed over or across them enable the truss to be contracted
or expanded, tightened or loosened so as to fit the existing configuration of the
body. Each edge being capable of contraction or expansion independently of the
other the truss may be made comparatively flat or more or less convex either
throughout or in parts according to circumstances for instance by tightening the
lower edge alone the lower part may be caused to swell into a kind of bag or
pocket while the upper portion is left flat and even, or vice versa the wearer being
able to make the different alterations without assistance.
Unlike those hitherto used this truss if viewed in section will be found to be
limited by a straight line at the top the front portion being wide and the back
parts narrower. The truss is made of a suitable strong fabric and is stiffened by
vertical or diagonal belts or straps stitched onto it. The adjustable loops are
passed between the thighs so as to reliably secure the truss in position.
Both the upper and the lower edges of the truss are provided with wedge-shaped
slits or cuts across which and parallel to the edges are placed horizontal belts or
straps attached to the centre of the truss and held in position by passing through
guide-loops or flaps formed by the previously described vertical or diagonal straps
which are left loose upon the truss to the extent of the width of the horizontal
straps. These belts may be fastened at the ends by means of buckles which permit
of their being tightened or loosened at will.
If it is desired to flatten the truss it is only necessary to loosen the horizontal
straps so as to enable the openings or slits to expand entirely, when on the contrary
a greater convexity is desirable the straps are pulled tight so as to contract the slits
and it should be borne in mind that this can take place according to requirements

page_text: either at both edges alike or at one edge to a less extent than at the other
or not at all. Besides as the straps are only secured in the centre such an
adjustment of form may be effected if necessary on one side only, so that whatever
the shape of the body may be at the time the truss if properly adjusted will fit it
exactly.
Elastic straps are provided at the ends and in order that both strap ends may be
retained on the same level one strap-end is passed through a slit provided in the
other. The tightening of the truss is thus equalized all around the body being
effected by pulling the straps in opposite directions and fastening them when
sufficiently tight by means of buttons."
It will be understood however that the details may vary considerably in shape
and arrangement without departure from the leading spirit of the invention.
Dated this 10th day of Manah 1001
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Abdominal Trusses or Belts.
A communication from ERNST THEODOR MISSBACH, of Radeberg, Saxony, in the
German Empire, Truss Maker.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 is mainly intended for the use of women especially in the enceinte
condition the improved truss being so arranged as to support and fit the shape of
the abdomen in the various stages of pregnancy or disease. In the former
condition especially it is a well-known fact that the abdomen not only increases in
size but also varies in shape as gestation progresses and that the variations are by
no means alike in every individual case, and in this respect the deficiency of the
abdominal belts and trusses hitherto offered has been frequently complained of as a
truss which fits one person exactly will often prove perfectly unserviceable to
another; or the same person who felt very comfortable with a truss at one time
will be seriously incommoded by it at a subsequent period on account of the alteration
which has taken place in the mean time in the form of the body. The relief which
a belt or truss of this description is intended to afford by supporting the abdomen
was thus rendered futile and many attempts have been made to remedy the draw-
back. For instance trusses have been made of elastic material. But while these
trusses fitted the temporary shape of the part of the body to which they were
applied, they proved unsatisfactory if regarded as supports. On the other hand
whale-bone was sometimes resorted to but had to be rejected on serious hygienic
grounds. Thus all previous attempts to improve abdominal trusses may be said
to have failed. The ready adaptability of the improved abdominal truss now to be
described is due to the fact that it is provided with slits or open spaces at its edges
which by means of belts or bands placed over or across them enable the truss to
be contracted or expanded, tightened or loosened so as to fit the existing con-
figuration of the body. Each edge being capable of contraction or expansion
independently of the other, the truss may be made comparatively flat or more or
less convex either throughout or in parts according to circumstances; for instance
by tightening the lower edge alone the lower part may be caused to swell
into a kind of bag or pocket while the upper portion is left flat and even
or vice versa, the wearer being able to make the different alterations without
assistance.
One form of the improved abdominal truss is represented in the accompanying
drawings in which

page_text: Fig. 1 is a view of the outside of the truss in its fully expanded condition.
Fig. 2 shows the same when in use.
Fig. 3 is a partial view of the truss as seen from the back.
Unlike those hitherto used this truss if viewed in section will be found to be
limited by a straight line at the top. a is the wide front portion and 6 the narrower
back parts. The truss is made of a suitable strong fabric and is stiffened by vertical
or diagonal belts or straps e stitched on to it. The adjustable loops d are passed
between the thighs so as to reliably secure the truss in position.
Both the upper and the lower edges of the truss are provided with wedge-shaped
slits or cuts e which are herein referred to as gores across which and parallel to
the edges are placed horizontal belts or straps attached to the centre of the truss
and held in position by passing through guide-loops or flaps formed by the
previously described vertical or diagonal straps c which are left loose upon the
truss to the extent of the width of the horizontal straps f. These belts may be
fastened at the ends by means of buckles g which permit of their being tightened
or loosened at will.
Fig. 2 shows the truss when in use the dotted lines indicating some of the forms
it may assume to fit various changes in the shape of the abdomen. If it is desired
to flatten the truss it is only necessary to loosen the horizontal straps so as to
enable the slits or gores e to expand entirely; when on the contrary a greater
convexity is desirable the straps are pulled tight so as to contract the slits or
gores e and it should be borne in mind that this can take place according to require-
ments either at both edges alike or at one edge to a less extent than at the other
or not at all. Besides as the straps are only secured in the centre such an
adjustment of form may be effected if necessary on one side only; so that
whatever the shape of the body at the time the truss if properly adjusted will
fit it exactly.
If the form of truss here exemplified be adopted the method of fastening
illustrated is the one to be preferred, the object being to prevent the overlapping
of the back ends b so as to ensure greater elasticity and a more uniform and better
fit. For this purpose elastic straps are provided at the ends and in order that
both strap ends may be retained on the same level, one strap-end his passed through
a slit provided in the other. The tightening of the truss is thus equalized all
around the body being effected by pulling the straps h in opposite directions and
fastening them when sufficiently tight by means of buttons k.
It will be understood however that the details may vary considerably in shape
and arrangement without departure from the leading spirit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An abdominal truss or belt adapted to fit the body of a patient throughout
the various alterations of shape it may undergo it being provided for the purpose
with slotted or gored edges which enable it to be contracted or widened according
to requirements by means of straps substantially as described.
2. A truss or belt adapted to be attached to the body by pulling in opposite
directions on the front side elastic straps secured to each end of the truss and
adapted to be fastened by means of buttons or hooks one of the straps passing
through a slot provided for the purpose in the other end of the truss whereby the
truss may be readily brought to and retained at the desired level of the body while
a uniform and easy fit is ensured.
Dated this 8th day of December 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.