Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Receiving Payment and Administering Electricity for Medical or other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1889-Accepted, 20th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Receiving Payment
and Administering Electricity for Medical or other Purposes.
I, WILLIAM JOHN WOODWARD, of Judson's & Co. Limited, Ewer Street,
Southwark Street, in the County of Surrey, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for automatically administering electricity, and
more especially to apparatus of that kind or class intended to administer medical
electricity to the human frame.
The main object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which
upon inserting a coin or coins of the proper value into the said apparatus a primary
or secondary current of electricity can be applied to the human body, for medical
purposes, the regulation of the strength of said current being entirely under the
control of the person operating the apparatus.
My said invention comprises moreover various other improvements hereinafter set
forth.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide an enclosing case or box
of suitable dimensions, the front and top thereof being preferably hinged for
facilitating access to the interior, Within said case or box is arranged one or more
cells of an electric battery, of any suitable type.
Upon one side of the interior of the case or box is attached an induction coil, or
in certain cases I may employ a primary coil, suspended upon a suitable pivot so
that it may be free to move laterally. Two handles of suitable size and form are
attached to the exterior front of the said case or box, one of which is fixed, and the
other arranged to allow of its being turned to the right or to the left as may be
desired. A double crank, fitted upon the spindle of a movable handle within the
case or box allows of the rotation thereof against the tension of a spiral or other
spring for the purpose of causing an iron coil, to slide in and out of the coil in order
that the strength or intensity of the current of electricity may be regulated according
to requirements.
A contact cam is fixed upon the spindle of the movable handle, in such a manner
that it makes electrical contact with a metal spring or brush upon a slight rotary
movement of the said movable handle and spindle and thereby completes the electrical
circuit, the spring or brush being electrically connected to one pole of the battery
above mentioned. The opposite pole of said battery is connected through a suitable
contact breaker and coil to the movable handle. A metal catch is pivotted to the
case, the lower end of this catch engages with a cam piece upon the spindle of said
movable handle. A flap attached to, or forming part of the said cam piece closes or
partly closes the lower opening of a suitable trough or. chute the position of the
aperture corresponding with a slit in the lid of the containing case or box. A coin
of predetermined weight, size and value, being inserted in said slit, will fall by gravity
down the said trough or chute, and strike the pivoted balanced flap which becomes
displaced, and thus removes the catch from its engagement with the cam piece. The
movable handle may now be turned and electrical contact is thus established between
the contact breaker (which is connected to the battery) and the said movable
handle.
The secondary wires are also coupled to the two handles respectively, or, in the
case of a primary coil, the primary wires are suitably branched to serve the purpose
of conveying the current to the handles. The movable handle is locked by the
hereinbefore described catch and cam piece until a coin of sufficient weight to
balance the said catch is dropped through the orifice or slit in the box or case, and
until this operation is performed the electrical contact is not established

page_text: The current strength is, of course, regulated by the amount the iron core is inserted
into the coil, this is effected by the double crank before mentioned. An index, fixed
to the movable handle indicates the strength or degree of intensity of the current
upon a graduated quadrant. This may if necessary be fitted with ratchet teeth so as
to secure the handle to any desired strength of current.
I sometimes provide a single lever or arm upon the spindle of the movable handle,
the end of this lever or arm is attached to the iron core, in this case the locking
arrangement comprising the cam piece catch and flap hereinbefore described are
replaced by a flap and catch acting direct upon the lever. The oscillatory movement
of the coil upon the pivot allow of the reciprocatory motion of the iron core in both
cases, without causing undue friction or straining.
In combination with the above described apparatus, I sometimes moreover provide
a floor plate; or a chair, arranged as a conductor in electrical communication with
one pole of the apparatus, or I may apply the poles to a bath, or arrange screws,
clips or equivalent devices in connection with flexible conductors for transmitting the
induced or primary current to any required distance from the apparatus.
In a modification of my invention I provide one or more cells of an ordinary
galvanic battery of any suitable type in conjunction with a coil or helix of wire,
which may be either a primary wire for administering a direct intermittent
primary current, or, a secondary coil may be wound upon the primary coil, in order
to utilize an induced current of higher potential. The battery and coil with an
automatic make and break contact of any ordinary type are enclosed in a case of
suitable shape and design.
In order to prevent the wasting of the energy of the battery by maintenance of a
closed circuit when a current is not required, and further to obviate the liability to
probable damage to, and consequent exhaustion of the battery by meddlesome people,
arrange a slide piece preferably rectangular in transverse section of other suitable
conducting material. The said slide piece terminates in a handle which serves as one
of the conducting poles of the apparatus. The said handle and slide piece upon being
drawn out are so arranged as to vary the strength of the current according to the
degree to which said handle and slider piece may be drawn out, the current strength
being determined by a graduated scale marked upon one of the surfaces of the said
rectangular slide piece above described. The said slide piece is moreover arranged
to slide freely within horizontal guides and is kept in its normal position by the
tension of a suitable spring. The said slide piece may be made to operate either by
pushing in or by pulling out against the spring according to the particular apparatus
adopted.
A contact block, spring, brush or equivalent makes contact with the said slide
piece by means of an arm or pin and completes the primary electrical circuit when
the handle is slightly drawn forwards or pressed inwards as the case may be.
At the end of the said slide piece is attached a magnetic core of the coil, so that
the power of said coil, whether used as a primary or induction coil, may be regulated
by the proportion of the core inserted within or withdrawn from the helices.
Upon, or in combination with the slide piece hereinbefore referred to, is pivoted or
hinged a pawl, catch or equivalent device, which lock the said slide piece in its
normal position between the guides, and by means of a key or equivalent device the
said pawl may be removed from its locking position, thus enabling the slide piece to
be drawn out or pushed in as the case may be and the apparatus brought into action.
This arrrangement limits the use of the apparatus to those in possession of the key,
and thus prevents any irregular tampering with the said apparatus.
In some instances I provide for unlocking the mechanism by counterbalancing the
herein before mentioned pawl by attaching thereto a flap or shield. The said flap or
shield may moreover form part of the pawl and is intended for the purpose of closing
or partially closing a shoot or channel arranged in such a manner that upon the
dropping therein through a suitable slot in the lid or cover of the case or box a coin
of the proper size and weight the said coin falls upon and bears down the said flap
or shield sufficiently to allow of the said pawl disengaging from the catch upon the

page_text: slide piece and thus allowing of the withdrawal or pressing in of said slide pieces. In
the act of withdrawal the slide the said catch bears upon the curved part of said pawl
and raises it to a greater extent, by which the coin is released and falls into a
receptacle provided for the purpose in the bottom of the box.
Although I have hereinbefore described convenient and advantageous methods of
carrying my said invention into practice, it is obvious that I can somewhat further
modify the construction of my apparatus without however in any way departing
from the nature of my said invention. For instance, instead of employing the slide
piece herein before described for closing the electrical circuit I sometimes substitute
therefor a pivoted lever having at its pivoted end a cranked extension or branch
arm perforated at its extremity with an elongated slot. The said cranked extension
engages with the forked end of the magnetic regulating core, the are described by
the said crank upon the pulling forward of the lever is compensated for by means
of the said elongated slot..
nated th: 5th of I-1. 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Receiving Payment
and Administering Electricity for Medical or other Purposes.
I WILLIAM JOHN WOODWARD, Messieurs Judson & Co., Limited, Ewer Street,
Southwark Street, in the County of Surrey, Electrician, 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 apparatus whereby the administration of electricity to
the body for medical or other purposes may be effected upon the insertion of a coin
or coins into the said apparatus.
The main object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind or class
which is so constructed that the person using it may, at pleasure vary the strength of
the current received, and the strength of the current will be indicated by the motion
of an index needle or otherwise as hereinafter described, so that a person may know
the exact strength of current passing and may on two or more separate occasions,
adjust the apparatus so that he will receive currents of the same strength.
Provision is, moreover, made in my improved apparatus for automatically breaking
the circuit of the exciting primary battery which is employed for generating the
electricity thereby greatly economising the energy of the said battery and increasing
largely its period of usefulness.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figures 1, 3 and 7 are vertical longitudinal sections showing different forms or
modifications of my improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line y, y Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views illustrating details of construction and modifications
of my invention hereinafter referred to.
Figure 8 is a transverse section on the line z, z, Figure 7.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
"
A is the box or case of the apparatus. One or more cells B of a galvanic battery
of any suitable type are arranged in the said box or case in conjunction with a wire
coil or helix C of the class usually termed "shock coils, "intensity" coils or
induction" coils which may be such as to administer either an intermittent primary
current, or an induced current of high potential. The battery B and coil C with an
automatic circuit interruptor D of any suitable type are enclosed in the case A which
may be of any convenient form and design, and the top and side or end of which are
preferably hinged to allow of their being easily opened for inspection and for other
purposes.

page_text: To prevent waste of the energy of the battery by the maintenance of a closed
circuit when a current is not required, and further to obviate the liability to probable
injury to the apparatus by meddlesome persons, I arrange a contact piece F or
equivalent device to make contact with an arm or pin b carried on a slide-bar E
preferably rectangular in transverse section and constructed of brass or other
suitable conducting material. In the operation of the apparatus, when, but not until,
the slide-bar E is drawn outward the pin or arm 6 thereon comes in contact with the
piece F and so completes the battery circuit. The said slide-bar terminates in a
handle e which serves as one of the conducting poles or terminals of the apparatus.
To the other end of the said slide-bar E is attached a core M of magnetic
material and of such shape that it can be easily inserted into the coil C so that the
power of the said coil, may be regulated by varying the extent to which the core
is inserted within the same. A graduated scale d is marked on the slide-bar E
as shown in Figure 4 for the purpose of indicating the extent to which the same
has been withdrawn.
In combination with the slide-bar E is arranged a pivoted pawl or catch G or
equivalent device, more clearly shown in Figure 5, which engages with a projection f
on the said slide-bar E when the latter is in its normal position and so arranged that
by means of a key or in any other suitable manner, the said pawl may be removed
from its locking position, thus enabling the slide bar to be drawn out, and the
apparatus brought into action. This arrangement limits the use of the apparatus to
those in possession of the key, and thus prevents any irregular tampering with the
said apparatus.
I prefer however to provide for unlocking the mechanism by attaching a flap
or shield c to the pawl G. The said flap or shield c may, if desired, form part of
the pawl G and is intended for the purpose of closing or partially closing a chute or
channel H arranged in such a manner that upon dropping therein, through a suitable
slot k in the lid or cover of the case A, a coin of the proper predetermined size and
weight the said coin will fall upon and bear down the said flap or shield c
sufficiently to cause the disengagement of the said pawl G from the projection or
shoulder upon the slide-bar E, thus permitting the drawing outward of the said
slide-bar. In the drawing outward of the slide-bar E the said projection or
shoulder acts upon the curved under surface of the pawl G thus raising it to a
greater extent, so that the coin is released and falls into a receptacle provided for
the purpose in the bottom of the box.
The mode of operating the apparatus and the course followed by the current
are as follows riz.-The slide-bar E having been unlocked by the raising of the
pawl G either by a key or by a coin inserted in the chute H, is slowly pulled
outward; in this movement, the primary circuit is closed by contact of the pin b
with the spring F, the current Howing say from the battery terminal Z through
the coil of the vibrating contact device D and thence from the pillar to the
spring or contact-piece F and through this spring to the arm or pin b, and through
the primary wire of the helix or coil C to the other terminal c¹ of the battery.
One end of the secondary coil is connected to the slide-bar E and the induced
current flows thence by way of the handle e through the body of the person
holding the same to the other handle D¹ to which is attached the other end of
the secondary coil, thus completing the secondary circuit.
I have herein before described more particularly my improvements in relation to
apparatus in which the coils or helices C are arranged to deliver an induced or
secondary current of high potential. Other suitable coils may however be employed
as for instance those which yield an intermittent primary current the only
modification of the apparatus herein before described being that the connections
must be suitably altered so that the current from the said coils may be conveyed
to the handles e, D¹ in the same manner as in the construction above described.
In some instances, instead of employing the slide-bar herein before described for
closing the electrical circuit and moving or adjusting the magnetic core, I provide
a lever Figures 3 and 6 the short arm J of which is formed with an elongated slot j.

page_text: The said arm J is coupled by means of a pin h working in the said slot, with
the forked end of the magnetic core M.
The said lever E is provided with a contact-pin or stud 6 arranged to operate in
conjunction with a contact-piece F, Figure 6, in a similar manner to the parts b
and F in Figures 1 and 2. A catch and flap, not shown in the drawing, similar to
those shown in Figures 1 and 5 are provided for locking and liberating the said lever
and an index is arranged to show the number of degrees through which the lever E
is moved.
A further modification of my improved apparatus is shown in Figures 7, 8, 9
and 10, in which the rod E passes transversely through the case A and is supported
by suitable bearings or pivots in or attached to the sides of the said case so as to be
easily rotated about its axis by the handle e provided at one end thereof, instead of
being arranged to slide in and out. An arm J coupled at its extremity to the core M
of the coil C is fixed on the said rod E and turns therewith. In this case the coil
or helix is not rigidly fixed but is constructed to swivel on a pivot p so as to
accommodate itself to the motion of the core when the latter is being inserted into
or withdrawn from the said coil by the rotation of the bar E. The action of the
catch G and of the flap c attached thereto is analogous to that of the same parts in
Figures 1 and 5. The graduated scale p' and the needle e¹ shown in Figure 10
indicate the amount of angular movement of the rod E and consequently the degree
to which the core is inserted in the helix. The operation of the remaining parts of
the mechanism are the same as those of their counterparts in the other Figures
of the drawing and the operation of the apparatus and course of the current therein,
are substantially the same. I can also by transposing the position of the parts
shown in Figure 1 arrange to insert the core M by pushing in the handle e instead
of by withdrawing it, such arrangement being obvious and requiring no detailed
description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that I do
not claim generally or irrespectively of my improvements herein described the use,
in an apparatus for the administration of electricity, of a slide-bar or the like which
will be released when a coin is inserted in the apparatus, nor do I claim generally the
use of an induction coil the core of which is connected with the slide-bar or operating
handle; but I claim :-
First. The combination, with an induction or other coil, an electric battery and a
circuit interruptor, of the improved means hereinbefore described whereby the release
of the operating handle, slide-bar or lever will be effected by the weight of a coin
inserted in the apparatus, as and for the purpose, above specified.
Second. The combination, in an apparatus for the administration of electricity to
the human frame, of an induction coil C, a slide-bar or lever attached to the core
of the said induction-coil and provided with a contact pin or stud b, a circuit
interruptor D. and a contact piece F, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Third. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with reference
to either of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying drawing and
operating as, and for the purpose, above specified.
قييم
י
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.