Apparatus for Facilitating Walking and Running.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Facilitating Walking and Running.
I, NICHOLAS YAGN of 25 Basseinaja, St. Petersburg, Russia Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
My invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating walking and running, of a
somewhat similar kind to those described in the Specifications to my applications
No. 15978 and No. 97728" that is to say, wherein the weight or momentum of the
descending body in walking or running is caused to compress or distend springs,
thereby storing up the force of the momentum which is afterwards given out in
rising.
My present invention relates to a simple construction of such apparatus which I
will proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1
shews a side view of the apparatus attached to the leg of a person, Fig. 2 a back view
of the same, Fig. 3 a plan, and Fig. 4 a side view of the apparatus with the springs
put in tension by the momentum of the descending weight of the body in walking or
running.
The apparatus consists of two vertical rods A A, the upper ends of which can slide
in tubes or guide-sleeves a a attached by a band or strap B to the leg, below
the knee.
The lower ends of the rods A are formed with spherical knobs bbwhich fit in
spherical sockets fixed to the sole plate Û of wood.or other suitable material.
The under surface of the plate C is rounded and covered with leather, caoutchouc or
sheet metal &c.
The rods A each carry a crosshead D securely fixed thereto and serving for the
attachment of a series of helical springs E. The lower ends of these springs are
attached to a metal plate G serving for the support of the foot. For preventing the
foot from shifting on the plate G this is provided with leather g and gl at the toe and
hecl. The plate G is guided upon the rods A. by means of two eyes h h formed
on the ends of an axis i, Fig. 3 fixed to the plate G by rivetted loops k k or
otherwise.
For limiting the extent of motion of the plate G on the rods A, it is connected to
the fixed sole plate C by means of cords chains &c.
From the above construction it will be seen that in walking or running the weight
or momentum of the body being born alternately by each leg, a corresponding tension
will be put alternately upon each of the sets of springs E, and the power thus stored
up will afterwards be usefully expended in raising the leg when the weight of the
body is being thrown on the other leg, thus enabling the pedestrian to advance a
much greater distance at each step than in ordinary walking or running.
Dated this 31st day of October 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Facilitating Walking and Running.
I, NICHOLAS YAGN of 25 Basseinaja, St. Petersburg, Russia, 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
My invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating walking and running, of a
somewhat similar kind to those described in the Specifications to my applications

page_text: '
No. 15978 and 97728" that is to say, wherein the weight or momentum of the
descending body in walking or running is caused to compress or distend
springs, thereby storing up the force of the momentum, which is afterwards given
out in rising.
My present invention, relates to a simple construction of such apparatus which I
will proceed to describe with reference to the drawings accompanying my Provisional
Specification in which Fig. 1 shews a side view of the apparatus attached to the leg
of a person, Fig. 2 a back view of the same, Fig. 3 a plan, and Fig. 4 a side view of
the apparatus with the springs put in tension by the momentum of the descending
weight of the body in walking or running.
The apparatus consists of two vertical rods A A, the upper ends of which can
slide in tubes or guide sleeves a a attached by a band or strap B to the leg,
below the knee.
The lower ends of the rods A are formed with spherical knobs bbwhich fit in
spherical sockets fixed to the sole plate C of wood or other suitable material.
The under surface of the plate C is rounded and covered with leather, caoutchouc
or sheet metal &c.
The rods A each carry a crosshead D securely fixed thereto and serving for the
attachment of a series of helical springs E. The lower ends of these springs are
attached to a metal plate G serving for the support of the foot. For preventing the
foot from shifting on the plate G, this is provided with leather caps g and gl at the
toe and heel. The plate & is guided upon the rods A by means of two eyes h
formed on the ends of an axis i, Figure 3, fixed to the plate G by rivetted loops k k,
or otherwise.
For limiting the extent of motion of the plate G on the rods A, it is connected to
the fixed sole plate C by means of cords, chains &c.
From the above construction it will be seen that in walking or running the weight
or momentum of the body being borne alternately by each leg, a corresponding
tension will be put alternately upon each of the sets of springs E, and the power thus
stored up will afterwards be usefully expended in raising the leg when the weight of
the body is being thrown on the other leg, thus enabling the pedestrian to advance a
much greater distance' at each step than in ordinary walking or running.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The herein described apparatus for facilitating walking and running wherein
springs connected directly to the foot-rests are arranged in combination with guide
rods attached at their lower ends to the sole plates and sliding with their upper ends
in tubes or sleeves attached to the leg, so that the foot-rests carried by the springs
can slide up and down upon the guide rods according as they are depressed by the
weight of the person or are relieved of such weight.
Dated this 30th day of July 1900
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.