Improvements in Straightening and Supporting Devices for the Extremities and other Portions of the Human Body.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1900-Accepted, 30th June, 1900
Improvements in Straightening and Supporting Devices for the
Extremities and other Portions of the Human Body.
I, CARL BOEGLE, of 40/2, Kanal Strasse, Munich, in the Empire of Germany,
Dr. of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In place of the strong lateral iron bars at present employed in leg supports
and which have only a hinge movement, in the arrangement which forms the
object of the present invention a number (which may be suitably increased
according to the support desired) of steel band strips, similar to those employed
for making corsets, are used.
A short foot band of steel plate which may be fixed in the boot is provided at
both ends which lie in the neighbourhood of the ankles with short screw pics
which receive one side of the lower ends of five bars, which ends are provided
with a hole, and said bars are then fixed by means of a screw nut in position in
such a way that a hinge movement of the bars may still take place.
From these two points, corresponding to the foot joint, the bars diverge out-
side and inside fan shape unwards to the periphery of a band ring of sheet
steel located, if preferred, adjustably under the knee joint, where said bars
are fixed by means of set screws.
The knee band has on both sides short tongue shaped and, if desired, adjust-
able, continuations each of which again carries a screw pin which receive the
lower ends of the 9 outer and 6 inner bars of the upper or thigh part which latter
bars similarly to the lower part radially expand on to a band ring situated on
the upper part of the thigh piece, which ring may if desired be extensible and
on which they are fixed by set screws.
The steel bands may be opened in front and again closed by set screws so that
the apparatus may be more conveniently fitted on.
The bars receive their suspensory power by their displacement in consequence
of flexion being prevented. This takes place internally by the resistance on
the part of the surface of the extremity which if desired may be increased by
a casing or sheath of suitable material, outside by a wrapping of flannel, gauze,
linen, stockinet, hose or the like or also by a sheath which covers the fan shaped
expansion of the bars.
As it is only a question with the binding or sheath of easily preventing the
bending of the bars, there is nowhere necessary a tight clasping of the extremity
of the limb as in the ordinary machines, and the circulation of the blood and
change of tissue as well as the action of the muscles, nerves and other parts
are in no way affected.
For increasing the friction the bars are covered with some suitable material,
such as leather and the like, so that a major part of the action of the weight is
distributed on the surface of the extremity so that this itself shares in the function
of the device to an extent corresponding to its actual effectiveness.
Owing to the supporting power being distributed over numerous unconnected

page_text: but independently movable parts, in addition to the hinged or joint movement,
there is also a torsion possible on the longitudinal axis of the extremity to an
extent in which it normally combines with the joint movement of the limbs,
so that the muscular action can come thoroughly into force according to the
construction of the joint surfaces, and walking is not rendered unnatural and
troublesome by any rotary movement being prevented.
In consequence of the apparatus fitting in all its parts thoroughly closely to
the extremity, accessory apparatuses may be adapted to it to have a constant
thorough contact whereby they can only carry out their purpose. For instance
a spring may be arranged on the upper thigh band on which the pelvis bone
socket, even during walking and standing, can rest, that is to say, can bear
thereon in such a way as to carry a large part of the weight of the body, and
thus the weakened mechanism of the hip, knee or ankle joint, caused by being
born so, or by acquired defects, can perform the rest of their duty. The pelvis
bone socket when the person is walking or standing erect, is so buried or con-
cealed that only a supporting spring (which itself in turn rests upon a supporting
apparatus which can follow all the movements of the limb and in all phases of
the same always fits closely to the latter) can remain in permanent contact with it.
The apparatus may be employed both as a supporting and also as a protective-
apparatus in the case of broken bones, sprains, contusions, inflammations of the
joint, neurosis of the joint, conditions of weakness and the like.
According to the same principle, it may be extended upwards and may be
employed in the case of various pathological conditions of the spinal column
and the adjacent parts with the more advantage, as owing to its simplicity and
light weight it may be worn on both sides, so that it receives the easier the
weight of the posterior parts which are to be relieved.
In carrying out the apparatus with adjustable bars, it is possible to obtain an
immediate fitting of the same, by a suitable selection in the length of the bars
and the width of the hand rings, and it is therefore not necessary to make first
a model for their construction. If the mass is found suitable. by testing, the
apparatus may be made still lighter in weight by replacing the set screws by
means of a simpler connection. It may be also employed with advantage as
a supporting apparatus for the upper extremities.
Its weight amounts to about 500 grammes. Instead of making the bars of
sheet steel, other suitable material may be employed.
In order to protect it against being attacked by secretions and the like. it is
preferably nickel plated in which case the lining may be omitted. By tighten-
ing the hinge screws, the hinge connections may be fixed in any suitable position.
The bars may be easily replaced and alterations and repairs may be at once
executed by anyone. It can be separated into its constituent parts and reduced
to a small volume, and thus conveniently carried on journeys. The necessary
bands or binders for it can be removed and used for strapping up any travelling
package.
The possibility of the easy taking apart and putting together and of flat
packing in a comparatively small space, is of course an essential advantage for
its actual use in war. Spread out flat, it may be easily introduced under the
extremities whilst the person is reclining and forms in combination with a
so-called many headed binder" a good fitting firm bandage which may be
opened without lifting the leg. so that the latter is everywhere accessible to
inspection and for the application of curatives, dressings, ice or the like, as
well as for the putting in of stitches and other surgical operations.
The application of the principle of dispensing with the rigid side-bar rods
and replacing them by a number of thin springy flat bars or strips may also be
modified by the latter being drawn parallel all round the member instead of
radially as herein before described, and held or drawn tight from one hand
ring to the other. They are not in such case fixed with set screws on the band
rings but are riveted in such a way as to be movable.

page_text: Such an arrangement of bars grouped in a cylindrical or conical form and
revoluble on the pin which connects them with the bands or binders may also
be wound round a longitudinal axis.
The band rings are movable against one another at the joints or points of
attachment, that is to say, at the outer and inner side, by means of simple or
adjustable tongue-shaped projections connected with one another by means of
hinges.
100
J
J
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co..
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant,
Improvements in Straightening and Supporting Devices for the
Extremities and other Portions of the Human Body.
I, CARL BOEGLE, of 40/2, Kanal Strasse, Munich, in the Empire of Germany,
Dr. of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
In place of the strong lateral iron bars at present employed in leg supports
and which have only a hinge movement, in the arrangement which forms the
object of the present invention a number (which may be suitably increased
according to the support desired) of steel band strips, similar to those employed
for making corsets, are used.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is an elevation of the whole device;
Figure 2 a detail view of the hip ring;
Figure 3 is an elevation of a modification of the arrangement.
A short foot band of steel plate which may be fixed in the boot is provided
at both ends which lie in the neighbourhood of the ankles with short screw
pins which receive one side of the lower ends of five bars e, which ends are
provided with a hole and said bars are then fixed by means of a screw nut in
position in such a way that a hinge movement of the bars may still take place.
From these two points, corresponding to the foot joint, the bars diverge out-
side and inside in fan shape upwards to the periphery of a band ring of sheet
steel located, if preferred, adjustably under the knee joint, where said bars are
fixed by means of set screws.
The knee band has on both sides short tongue shaped and. if desired, adjust-
able continuations e each of which again carries a screw pin f which receive
the lower ends of the 9 outer and 6 inner bars of the upper or thigh part, which
latter bars similarly to the lower part radially expand on to a band ring h
situated on the upper part of the thigh piece which ring may if desired be
extensible and on which they are fixed by set screws.
The steel bands may be opened in front and again closed by set screws i so
that the apparatus may be more conveniently fitted on.
The bars receive their supensory power by their displacement in consequence
of flexion being prevented. This takes place internally by the resistance on
the part of the surface of the extremity which if desired may be increased by
a casing or sheath of suitable material, outside by a wrapping of flannel, gauze,
linen, stockinet, hose or the like or also by a sheath which covers the fan shaped
expansion of the bars.

page_text: As it is only a question with the binding or sheath of easily preventing the
bending of the bars, there is nowhere necessary a tight clasping of the extremity
of the limb as in the ordinary machines and the circulation of the blood and
change of tissue as well as the action of the muscles, nerves and other parts
are in no way affected.
For increasing the friction the bars are covered with some suitable material,
such as leather and the like, so that a major part of the action of the weight is
distributed on the surface of the extremity so that this itself shares in the function
of the device to an extent corresponding to its actual effectiveness.
Owing to the supporting power being distributed over numerous unconnected
but independently movable parts, in addition to the hinged or joint movements,
there is also a torsion possible on the longitudinal axis of the extremity to an
extent in which it normally combines with the joint movement of the limbs,
so that the muscular action can come thoroughly into force according to the
construction of the joint surfaces, and walking is not rendered unnatural and
troublesome by any rotary movement being prevented.
In consequence of the apparatus fitting in all its parts thoroughly closely to
the extremity, accessory apparatuses may be adapted to it to have a constant
thorough contact whereby they can only carry out their purpose. For instance
in Figure 2, a spring may be arranged on the upper thigh band on which the
pelvis bone socket, even during walking and standing can rest, that is to say,
can bear thereon in such a way as to carry a large part of the weight of the
body, and thus the weakened mechanism of the hip, knee or ankle joint, caused
by being born so, or by acquired defects, can perform the rest of their duty.
The pelvis bone socket when the person is walking or standing erect, is so buried
or concealed that only a supporting spring (which itself in turn rests upon a
supporting apparatus which can follow all the movements of the limb and in
all phases of the same always fits closely to the latter) can remain in permanent
contact with it.
The apparatus may be employed both as a supporting and also as a protective-
apparatus in the case of broken bones, sprains, contusions, inflammations of the
joint, neurosis of the joint, conditions of weakness and the like.
According to the same principle, it may be extended upwards and may be
employed in the case of various pathological conditions of the spinal column
and the adjacent parts with the more advantage, as owing to its simplicity and
light weight it may be worn on both sides, so that it receives easier the
weight of the posterior parts which are to be relieved.
In carrying out the apparatus with adjustable bars, it is possible to obtain an
immediate fitting of the same, by a suitable selection in the length of the bars
and the width of the band rings, and it is therefore not necessary to make first
a model for their construction. If the mass is found suitable, by testing, the
apparatus may be made still lighter in weight by replacing the set screws by
means of a simpler connection." It may be also employed with advantage as
a supporting apparatus for the upper extremities.
The weight amounts to about 500 grammes. Instead of making the bars of
sheet steel, other suitable material may be employed.
In order to protect it against being attacked by secretions and the like, it is
preferably nickel plated in which case the lining may be omitted. By tighten-
ing the hinge screws, the hinge connections may be fixed in any suitable position.
The bars may be easily replaced and alterations and repairs may be at once
executed by anyone. It can be separated into its constituent parts and reduced
to a small volume, and thus conveniently carried on journeys. The necessary
bands or binders for it can be removed and used for strapping up any travelling
package.
The possibility of the easy taking apart and putting together and of flat
packing in a comparatively small space, is of course an essential advantage for
ite actual use in war. Spread out flat, it may be easily introduced under the

page_text: extremities whilst the person is reclining and forms in combination with a
so-called many headed binder" a good fitting firm bandage which may be
opened without lifting the leg, so that the latter is everywhere accessibile to
inspection and for the application of curatives, dressings, ice or the like, as
well as for the putting in of stitches and other surgical operations.
The application of the principle of dispensing with the rigid side-bar rods
and replacing them by a number of thin springy flat bars or strips e and y may
also be modified by the latter being drawn parallel all round the member instead
of radially as herein before described, and held or drawn tight from one band
ring to the other as shown in Fig. 3. They are in such case attached by set
screws to the band rings in such a way as to be movable.
Such an arrangement of bars grouped in a cylindrical or conical form and
revoluble on the pin which connects them with the bands or binders may also
be wound round a longitudinal axis.
The band rings a d h are movable against one another at the joints or points
of attachment, that is to say, at the outer and inner side, by means of simple or
adjustable tongue-shaped projections m connected with one another by means of
hinges.
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. A device for straightening and supporting broken, sprained, dislocated,
chafed and otherwise useless limbs or parts of the body and adapted to allow
the member to retain its simple joint movement and to turn on its longitudinal
axis, consisting of steel bands (a d h) to enclose the joints of the limbs, and
spring strips or flat bars (c g) pivotally attached to said bands and capable of
being turned or twisted on their longitudinal axis, which strips or flat bars are
arranged to meet at the lower band rings and separate fan wise towards the
upper bands where they are adjustably attached by means of slots and screws,
substantially as described.
2. In a straightening and supporting device for limbs or parts of the body such
as described, the parallel arrangement of the spring strips or bars ( and y)
around the member so as to extend between the band rings (a dh) with which
they are movably connected the said band rings being movably connected at
the joints on the inner and outer sides by means of simple or adjustable tongue
shaped projections (m) connected with one another by means of hinges, sub-
stantially as described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.