Stretching and Straightening Apparatus for the Treatment of Curvature and other similar Deformities.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1899-Accepted, 19th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Stretching and Straightening Apparatus for the Treatment of
Curvature and other similar Deformities.
We, ERNST REPKE, Engineer, and KATHARINA WEGNER, both of 66, Potsdamer
Strasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: -
The object of this invention is a new, practical and polygonal combined
stretching and straightening apparatus for curing in a simple manner and by
mechanical means hunchbacks, protuberant chests and other deformities of the
human body and limbs such as narrow or pigeon breasts and weakness of the
muscles.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate our improved surgical appli-
ance Fig. 1 is a perspective view, Fig. 2 a side view and Fig. 3 a rear view of
the same.
This new stretching and straightening appliance consists essentially of an
upright a and of an inclined plane badjustable on the latter and comprising a
ladder b and a board 62 laid on the same and capable of being adjusted at any
suitable angle or inclination, so as to allow of its position being selected accord-
ing to the particular case under treatment. To these two main parts of the
apparatus i.e. the upright a and the inclined plane bare secured all the prin-
cipal instruments and appliances used for orthopedic treatment in such a manner
as to enable them to be used under the most varied circumstances. By way of
example a bar or board e may be secured to the upright upon which the patient
would be laid in a suitable position and hold himself by means of a handle not
shown in the drawings for the purpose of being straightened. The inclined
plane b carries by means of straps secured to one of the ladder rungs a belt d
provided with a suspender for the head to support the patient otherwise held
by an elastic breast band e and resting during the treatment on the board 63,
so that he may be free to move his head in the suspender and his body in the
elastic or rigid band for the purpose of exercising his muscles in this position
by means of an elastic or fixed rope or cord f which is made to carry a weight h
at one end in order to increase the resistance according to the position of such
weight. Instead of the belt d provided with the head rest being suspended by
a strap to the inclined plane, the same may be fastened by means of a fixed or
elastic rope g carrying at its closed end an adjustable weight h, thus allowing
the exercise of the muscles to be carried on by overcoming an adjustable resist-
The patient may also be suspended to the inclined plane b by means of
two shoulder straps, loops or rings i. The board of the inclined plane is sus-
pended to the same by means of hooks or the like so that it can be removed and
used as a massage plank as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the
fixed or elastic band can be used for straightening or reducing purposes by
arranging it differently on the apparatus. This apparatus can be erected within
a very small space.
ance.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
An apparatus for stretching or strengthening purposes for the treatment of
curvatures and other similar deformities such as narrow chests and weak muscles
characterised by the arrangement of several orthopedic appliances and devices
such as head straps with rests, elastic or rigid ropes or cords with adjustable
weights for exercising the muscles, breasts or head straps, shoulder straps or
rings and the like upon an apparatus consisting of an upright a and an inclined
plane secured thereto and adjustable thereon and comprising a ladder b¹ and
à board or plank 62 laid on the same.
יות ויד
1911
JT.1. 1000
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agents,
2, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents for the Applicants.