Improvements in Artificial Limbs.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
Improvements in Artificial Limbs.
I, JABEZ AMBROSE PACKER, of 54 Lambton Quay, in the City of Wellington, in the
Colony of New Zealand, Artificial-Limb Manufacturer, 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:-
T'his invention relates to artificial limbs used by persons who have lost a limb by
amputation or are deficient in that respect from other causes, and the object of the
invention is to provide an artificial limb which shall be adjustable in length to suit
a growing person, and which shall have the action of the ankle in an artificial leg
so constructed that it will not be liable to get out of repair.
To the present time.it has been the custom to discard an artificial limb after the
wearer has grown too big for the same, or to have it lengthened by a skilled person,
and the action of an ankle has been controlled by steel springs which frequently
snapped in wear especially in cold weather. By the present invention an artificial
limb may be readily lengthened or shortened in a short space of time and by an
unskilled person.
The object of the invention is carried into effect by constructing the limb with an
outside appearance closely resembling existing manufactures. To the knee or elbow
joint, however, is fixed a socket to receive a slide attached to the leather bucket
which forms the upper part of the limb. This socket and slide are furnished with
equidistant holes to receive screws for adjusting the length of this part of the
limb.
The lower part of the limb is adjusted by means of a strong screw and steady
pins which are fixed into a plate secured upon a block above the ankle or wrist
joint, and pass through a corresponding plate secured to the bottom of the lower
part of the bucket, through the bottom of the bucket, and through another plate
above the bottom. By releasing the nut inside the bucket may be separated from
the block and foot, a thickness of material inserted as required to lengthen this
part of the limb, and the whole screwed rigidly together.
In dispensing with steel springs for the ankle action, a tongue is formed upon the
beforementioned block and extends downwards into the heel. Cavities are formed
within the heel to receive a block of india rubber at the back and front of the
tongue. These rubber blocks form the springs, act as leaders or tendons, and are
kept in position by a loose sole piece, which is screwed to the foot.
In order that the invention may be most easily understood reference will be made
to the accompanying drawing whilst giving a detailed description.
Figure 1 is a side view of an artificial leg fitted with my improvements.
Figure 2 is a section on line A-B Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section on line C-D Figure 1.
Figure 4 shews another method of forming the lower adjustment.
Similar letters refer to corresponding parts.
For the purposes of illustration an artificial leg constructed for a growing person
is shewn, it being obvious that a skilled person may readily adapt the principle to

page_text: Upon the drawings, the upper bucket (a) is constructed somewhat like existing
forms and is provided with lace holes (a) whereby it may be let out as the limb
grows thicker. The slide (6) is securely attached to the Bucket (a) and fits within
a socket (b) which is attached to part of joint (c). The holes (62) are made in the
socket (6) and slide (b) and threaded to take the screws (63) and being equidistant
they provide for the slide being secured in the socket as required within the range
of the said holes.
To adjust the lower part of the limb a plate (d) is fixed upon the block (d), and
is provided with a strong screw (2) and steady pins (d³). In securing the screw to
the plate I prefer to make the end (d) square in section, fit it into a square hole in
the thickened portion of the plate and rivet it into the countersink; but it is
obvious that the screw may be screwed into the plate (d¹) and prevented from
turning by riveting or brazing, or the pin may be secured by brazing alone, or other
ordinary method. The screw and pins pass through the plate (f), the bottom (el)
of the bucket (c), and the upper plate (9). The plates (f & g) are fixed to the
bottom (el) by ordinary screws and are riveted together by rivets (g¹) with a
thickness of the sides of the bucket between the said plates. To screw up the
nut (d') a box spanner or the like is passed down the hollow interior of the
bucket (e), the cap (e²) being removeable for this purpose.
To lengthen this lower part of the limb, the nut (d) is unscrewed to remove the
block (d) and foot (j). A thickness of wood, pierced to pass on to the screw (d')
and pins (d) and shaped to correspond with the contour of the upper surface of
block (d), is then placed upon the block, the parts replaced and the nut screwed up
until the whole is rigidly secured. Blocks of different thicknesses and pierced and
cut to shape are supplied with the limb. In order to provide a sufficient bearing
surface for the screw (d) and prevent the same from being worn by the edges of
plates (d' & g) a tube (92) is fitted to extend from one plate to the other and the
screw passed through the same.
In forming the ankle action, the block (d) has a tongue (a) which is provided
with rubber springs (h & h¹) enclosed in cavities formed in the foot (j), and retained
in position by the sole piece (¹). Nuts (j) are let into the foot from the outside to
receive screws (j³).
When the stump of the wearer is too long to allow sufficient room for an internal
screw, the method shewn on Figure 4 is adopted where the exterior screws (k & k¹)
replace the screw (d2) and pins (d³) of Figures 1 & 2, the nuts being adjustable
from the outside. The screws (& k¹) may be placed at the sides of the limb or
at the back and front as shewn and may be spaced farther apart and the bucket
hollowed out to allow for a longer stump.
The limb is covered with leather to strengthen and bind the parts together and
provide a finish to the whole.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details
herein before set forth as these may be modified by a skilled person without
departing from the spirit of the same. It is obvious that I may use slides and
sockets on the lower bucket in place of the screw and steady pins in cases where
the leg has been amputated near the ankle bone.
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,―
1. In an artificial limb a slide fitting and adjustable within a socket whereby the
length of the limb may be altered, substantially as and for the purposes set forth
herein.
2. In an artificial limb the screw and steady pins for securing together the lower
part of the limb and block provided for the admission of lengthening blocks to
adjust the length of the limb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
3. In an artificial limb, in combination, a slide fitting within a socket and a
screw and steady pins, whereby the length of the limb may be adjusted and the

page_text: parts rigidly secured together, substantially as and for the purposes set forth
herein.
4. In an artificial limb exterior screws having nuts adjustable from the outside,
whereby the length of the limb may be altered as required, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth herein.
5. In an artificial limb a block having a tongue operating against rubber blocks
encased within the foot to act as tendons or leaders, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth herein.
6. In an artificial limb, in combination, a slide fitting within a socket a screw and
steady pins whereby the length of the limb may be adjusted and the parts rigidly
secured together, and a block having a tongue to operate against rubber blocks
encased within the foot to act as tendons or leaders, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth herein.
7. The improvements in artificial limbs, consisting of parts constructed arranged
and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
Dated this 18th day of June 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.