Improvements in and relating to Electric Belts and similar Appliances.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 890-Accepted, 24th Jan., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electric Belts and similar
Appliances.
I, CORNELIUS BENNETT HARNESS, of The Medical Battery Company, Limited,
52 Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex, Medical 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 electric belts and similar appliances for the administration
of electricity, and is designed to improve the construction and increase the efficiency
of such appliances.
My said invention comprises an improved method of arranging the plates or
generators and electrically connecting the same, and an improved method of securing
the said plates or generators to the belt or similar appliance. My said invention also
comprises an improved terminal for facilitating the connection of the belt or similar
appliance with the conductors from a battery.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown one form of my improved electric
belt.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the inner side of the belt, showing the said belt
extended.
Figure is a section on the line a, x, Figure 1, drawn to an enlarged scale, and
Figure 3 is a side elevation of one of the terminals, also drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
a is a belt or band of cloth, flannel or other suitable material b, & are the plates or
generators, the plates being of copper or other suitable metal, and the plates 6' of
zinc or other suitable metal.
These plates or generators are arranged in one or more pairs of parallel rows, the
generators in one row of each pair being positive, and those in the other row thereof
being negative, and the positive and negative plates being arranged alternately. The
said plates or generators are connected up in a manner similar to that known as
multiple arc,
that is to say, the copper plates are connected to one wire c, and the zinc
plates to another wire c¹ in such a manner that, when the belt is worn, the circuit will
be completed through the body of the wearer at a great many places, viz. :-between
each copper plate and the corresponding zine plate.
Each of the plates b, b' is formed with a clip 62 adapted to engage with the edge of
a web or tape d and with the corresponding wire or conductor c or c¹, so that, when
the said web or tape and the wire are inserted in the said clip, the latter can be com-
pressed and thus caused to securely clamp and retain them therein. The said plates
are, moreover, tacked to the said web or tape if desired. The said web or tape with
the plates secured thereto is attached to the belt a by means of eyelets or rivets e or
in any other convenient manner. The wires C,
care respectively connected at both
ends with suitable terminals f, f¹ secured in the belt in any convenient manner, SO
that connection with a battery can readily be made.
I find it advantageous to make the terminals and to secure them to the belt in
the following manner, that is to say:-I make each terminal with an eylet, and
with a ring or annular piece f2 fitted and secured thereon. The head of the said
eylet is formed with holes for the reception of the ends of the wire c or c¹, which
are inserted between the said ring or annular piece f and the head of the eyelet. The
main portion of the eyelet being then passed through a hole in the belt, the other
part or washer of the eyelet is applied and the clinching of the eyelet effected. By
the operation of clinching, the ends of the wire are tightly gripped or clamped
between the said ring and the head of the eyelet, so that they are very efficiently

page_text: g
secured to the terminal. The holes through the eyelets of the terminals are adapted
for the reception of taper pins or plugs 9 which are connected respectively with the
conductors from a battery, and whereby the generators of the belt are included in the
battery-circuit when desired. My improved terminal has the further advantage that
it occupies but a very small space.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
'that I claim
First. An electric belt or similar appliance wherein the plates or generators are
arranged as above described and are connected alternately with either of two wires
or conductors in the manner set forth, for the purpose specified.
Second. In or for an electric belt or similar appliance, a plate or generator formed
with a clip whereby it may be secured to a suitable web or tape for attachment to the
belt or the like, and whereby the wire or conductor will be held in place and retained
in contact with the said plate or generator, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. The improved method of securing the plates or generators to the belt or
similar appliance by means of a web or tape to which the said plates or generators
are secured and which is attached to the said belt or the like by eyelets or otherwise,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The improved terminal comprising the eyelet adapted to receive the taper
pin, and the ring or annular piece between which and the head of the eyelet the ends
of the wire or conductor are clamped, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. The improved electric belt provided with the plates or generators arranged,
connected and attached to the belt or band in the manner above set forth, and with
the improved terminals, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawing.
Dated this 3rd day of Decembar 1840
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.