Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1887
Complete Left, 2nd May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 8th June, 1888
I JOHN COURT, Sanitary and Hot Water Engineer, 136 Brompton Road,
London, S.W. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I form a Miniature Battery by the combination of metal plates, & spirals. The
spirals form springs which I place between the metal plates, these being pressed
together by the heel in walking, cause a friction of the metals, and a galvanic action
is set up, I also place cotton shreds connecting the metals with the heel of the foot,
conveying the moisture of the foot to the metals, and thus further exciting to galvanic
action. I also bring the terminals of the spirals through the top of the Battery, to
conduct the current to the heel.

page_text: I, JOHN COURT of 136 Brompton Road, London, S.W. Sanitary and Hot Water
Engineer 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 object of my invention is to produce a miniature battery or voltaic pile of such
suitable size and form as to allow of its being fitted into the heel of a boot or shoe, the
current generated by which battery tending to strengthen the muscles and nerves of
the wearer of the boot or shoe to which the device is applied.
In order that my invention may be the better understood and carried into effect I
have appended the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevational
view of the plates and spirals forming the subject of my invention. Figure 2 is a
view of the external face of one of the plates showing the end of a spiral passed
through a hole formed in the centre thereof. Figure 3 is the reverse side of the plate
showing the spiral in position; and Figure 4 illustrates the exterior sheath or casing
of the battery or voltaic pile aforesaid.
In carrying out my invention I stamp, cut or otherwise produce from a sheet of
copper, zine or other suitable metal, discs or plates A of the desired size and form,
in the centre of which a small hole a is formed for the purpose hereinafter described.
Upon said disc or plate A is placed a spiral B of zinc, copper or other suitable metal
which shall be electro-negative to the disc or plate A aforesaid, the ends b thereof
passing through the holes a above mentioned in the plates A; said spiral-B serving
also as a spring whereby, according to the pressure brought to bear upon the device,
the internal resistance and current energy of the battery is varied. A suitable non-
conducting absorbent material may, if desired be employed to insulate the elements
from each other. A tuft of any suitable filamentous material C such for instance as
cotton, silk, wool or the like is passed through the centre of the elements extending
to the exterior of the sheath or case D, within which latter is enclosed any desired
number of sets of elements, and serves as a channel for conducting the moisture of
the foot to the elements forming the battery or voltaic pile, whereby a current of
electricity is generated and conducted by the naked ends 6 of the electrodes to the heel
of the foot, which, acting upon the nerves, muscles and tissues of the feet, ancles and
legs, tends to impart thereto renewed strength and vigor. It has the additional
advantage of being a very effective remedy in cases of rheumatism, gout and like
ailments.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First
The improved galvanic battery for medical purposes comprising plates and
spirals of dissimilar metals substantially as herein described and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
Second-The employment in boots and shoes and adaptation to the heels thereof
of a miniature battery or voltaic pile substantially as and for the purposes herein set
forth.
Third-In the improved galvanic battery for medical purposes herein described
the employment of a spiral wire to serve the twofold functions of one of the elements
of the battery and as a spring to vary the internal resistance and current energy sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
Dated this First day of May 1888..
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.