Improvements in Curative Electric Belts and other Articles of Wearing Apparel.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 27th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Curative Electric Belts and other Articles of
Wearing Apparel.
I, WILLIAM RUSSELL of Nash Street, Gympie, Queensland Australia, Dentist
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to a metallic belt to be worn on the body for generating
and imparting electricity to the human body. It consists of as many sectional
bands as may be necessary for the required length. The sectional bands are of
solid silver or inferior metal, electro silver plated; they are thin and pliable. The
edges are perforated and stitched with cotton twist to form a border. Each section
is surmounted with 3 or more small round metal plates, perforated with three holes.
These plates or dies are of an electrical opposite nature to the bands such as zinc
or aluminium. An absorption pad lies under each die or round plate which is
secured to the sectional band with one rivet through its centre. The length of each
sectional band is according to requirements one end being simply bent round to
carry a wire link of the same or similar metal which serves to couple the adjoining
section, but the opposite end of each section is folded back to about 1 inch and is
perforated with two inch holes to allow moisture to enter which is given off from
the body. This fold back serves to keep in position a piece of zinc, which is
insulated with an absorption pad such as thin felt or flannel, and placed between
the fold out of sight. The end of each fold is held down by a little flat die
rivetted to the band and having a circular movement it will hold fast or release the
flap as required, for removing the zinc to clean when necessary.
Each of these
fold back ends form a separate battery in itself and holds a wire link to attach it
to its adjoining section. These sectional bands are coupled in regular order and
when a sufficient number are linked together to form a belt of the required length,
by keeping the belt in contact with the body or making it wet with water or
glycerine or vinegar positive electricity is given off can be conducted to any part
of the body from the end negative electricity is given off from each of the round
plates and positive electricity from the silver sectional bands. Hence each belt
consisting of six sections is provided with several local and independent batteries
which are effected in the little round plates as soon as they come in contact with
the body, as the body forms the circuit while giving off sufficient moisture to
generate the electricity; and six conductive batteries are effected at the alternate
ends of the sectional bands. The belt completed is insulated in a silk case and tied
on round the body with a ribbon in front, attached to links at the ends. The
instrument may be worn dry that is, without being charged with vinegar or other
exciting agents, the moisture given off from the body being sufficient to generate
ample electricity for the treatment of all ordinary complaints, and if a strong
current of electricity is required to allay acute pain, the belt may be charged with
water or vinegar. Hence it is a wet and dry battery, combined. I employ the
principle of this electric belt for other parts of the body such as single sections for
head, neck, arm, and leg bands; it is also necessary that I adapt the same principle
to prepare foot batteries by taking a broad band and shaping it to be worn in the
boot or slipper, this band is also surmounted with the same round plates and
absorption pads as the belts and is insulated with red flannel on the foot side and
black holland on the opposite side. I adapt the same principle in teething.
necklets also by taking a thin narrow silver band and surmounting it with zinc; it
is insulated with a blue silk ribbon. Each of these instruments is on the same

page_text: principle, and used for the same purpose viz., for generating and imparting
electricity to the human body in the treatment of disease.
Dated this 28th day of July 1891.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Curative Electric Belts and other Articles of
Wearing Apparel.
I WILLIAM RUSSELL of Nash Street, Gympie Queensland Australia Dentist
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 :-
A belt, according to this invention will be more readily understood by describing
the same with aid of the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a view of section of a belt made according to this invention.
Fig. 2 a section on line a. y.
Fig. 3 and 4. sections on lines ¹, y, x², y³, respectively.
Fig. 5 perspective view of entire belt.
Fig. 6 a throat or teething belt.
Fig. 7 a boot sock.
a
The belt is composed of a sufficient number of sections A as at Fig. 1 to make up
the required length. The foundation of these sections is thin pliable silver B, or
silver plated metal, the edges C of which are perforated for sewing to form a
border. Upon the silver is attached zinc or aluminium plates D with an absorption
pad E between. The sections A are connected together by wire links F, one end G
of the foundation plate B being turned round to secure the link and the.com-
mencement of the next section has a portion J turned back to connect the link F ;
this turned back portion is secured by a turned stop K. The links F being of
conductive metals places the whole of the sections A in electrical connection.
Under this part is piece of zinc J which is insulated from the silver part B.
by a piece of thin felt or flannel J. Each of these fold over parts J form a single
cell battery in itself. In this part J a hole L, is punched to allow moisture from
body to enter to set up electrical action for the production of a usual amount of
electricity, but if an extra amount is required to allay acute pain then the belt may
be moistened by water, glycerine and vinegar, or other suitable exciting liquid. .A
belt constructed as described may correctly be termed both a dry and wet battery.
It gives off positive electricity from one end from practically twenty four cells
when the whole of the small plates D are in contact with the body.: negative
electricity is given off from each of the plates D. The negative part may be
spirally wound round the silver part with a suitable insulating material between.
A belt constructed as described is preferred to be covered with a silken oase the
ends of the belt being fastened by the ribbon H. Referring to Figure 6 B is the
silver foundation plate D the zinc plates these are insulated from the silverras
before described. In place of the zinc plates the zinc may be spirally wound round
the silver part.
Referring to Figure 7 B is the silver foundation made in the shape of inside.of
boot D the zinc plates arranged as before described it is insulated with red flannel
on the foot side and covered with black holland on the opposite side.
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 manner of constructing curative electric belts and other wearing electrical

page_text: apparel substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of April 1892.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
1, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for Applicant.