IMPROVEMENTS IN TRUSSES.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Pieper, Civil Engineer, Dresden, Saxony, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRUSSES.' A communication from Carl
Seidel, residing at Hanover, Prussia.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Pieper at the Office of
the Cominissioners of Patents on the 20th April 1870.
CARL PIEPER, Civil Engineer, Dresden, Saxony.
A communication.
"
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRUSSES."
The hernia trusses now in use are of such a stiff and inelastic construction that
their repeated displacement is inevitable and frequently endangers seriously the
persons wearing them..
My Invention relates to a truss composed of springs connected like links forming
a chain, which by means of their elasticity can follow any extraordinary motion of
the human body and will always bring the truss back into the original position
previously adapted to the peculiar condition of the wearer by the arrangement of
the said springs. These springs or links of the so-called chain are jointed by
pins. Between their surfaces is introduced a ring of well greased leather to
diminish friction. An auxiliary spring is fixed on each link, serving to act against
any displacement of the links and to bring them back into the original position
when it should be pushed aside by a strong motion of the wearer of the truss.
The above-described truss follows easily any motion of the abdominal muscles
and the thighs, and a displacement can only occur in such a way that the cushion
of the truss will not slip from its place and will be brought back to it by the action
of the springs.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Carl Pieper in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th October 1876.
CARL PIEPER, Civil Engineer, Dresden, Saxony. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRUSSES."
A communication from Carl Seidel, residing at Hanover, Prussia.
The hernia trusses now in use are relatively of such a stiff and inelastic construc-
tion that their repeated displacement is inevitable and consequently endangers
seriously the diseased.

page_text: The accompanying Drawing represents a truss composed of springs connected
together like links, forming a chain, which by means of their elasticity can follow
any extraordinary motion of the human body, and will always bring the truss back
into the original position previously adapted to the peculiar complaint of the
diseased by the arrangement of the said springs. These springs a or links of the so-
"called chain are jointed by pins b. Between their surfaces is introduced a ring of
well greased leather c to diminish friction. An auxiliary spring d is fixed on each
link serving to act against any displacement of the links and to bring them back
into the original position, when they should be pushed aside by a strong motion of
the truss carrying person. The upper edges e and f of the links a are straightened
near the fulcrum so that the auxiliary spring & will act either on the edge e to the
right side of the fulcrum or on the edge f to the left of the fulcrum, according to an
upward or downward bend of the truss, thereby bringing the truss always back into
the original position.
The herein-before described truss follows easily any motion of the abdominal
muscles and the thighs, and a displacement can only occur in such a feeble way as
to push the cushion of the truss but slightly from its place, and if so to lead it back
again by the action of the springs.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner to use the
same or carry it into effect, I would observe in conclusion that I consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as my Invention the construction of a truss
by means of springs adapted to the shape of the human body held in or brought
into their original position by the action of auxiliary springs in such a way that the
cushion is secured in the right position without any readjustment being necessary.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Pieper, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
CARL PIEPER. (L.S.)