Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
I, PAUL ALEXANDER HABERL, Gentleman, of 1118 17th Street, Denver, in the
County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, United States of America, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascortained in and by the following statement:
My invention relates to an improved Artificial Foot, and my object is to provide
a device of this class which shall be simple in construction, economical in cost,
reliable, durable and efficient in use. To these ends, the invention consists of the
features hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by
reference to the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment
thereof.
In this drawing
Fig. 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken through my improved artificial foot.
Fig. 2 is an underneath view of the foot, the hinged, movable parts being exposed.
Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line x-x, Fig. 2.
Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in these views, let the
numeral 5 designate the frame-work or body of the foot, preferably composed of
some suitable wood. This frame is provided with a central, depending projection 5",
and is transversely bored to receive the cylindrical extremity 6 of the movable
heel piece 6. This cylindrical recess is provided with a rearward opening through
which the heel piece projects, the latter being formed sufficiently narrow at this
opening to allow the necessary movement of the heel piece when the foot is in use.
The central part 5" of the frame is provided with a central longitudinal mortise 7
communicating with the transverse cylindrical recess, and adapted to receive a
tenon 8 formed on the rear extremity of the toe-piece 8. The part 6 of the heel
piece is centrally recessed to receive the rear extremity of the tenon 8ª. The part 6ª
is provided with a central aperture registering with an aperture in the rear
extremity of the tenon 8ª.
The heel and toe pieces are connected by a hinge pin 9 passing through the said
registering apertures.
Between the heel and toe pieces and the body part 5 are placed layers 11 and 10
respectively of sponge rubber, or some other suitable yielding or elastic material.
Below the heel and toe pieces, and also on each side of the latter is placed sponge
rubber 12 or other suitable, similar or desirable material. The sponge rubber may
be secured in place in any suitable manner, as by gluing it to the adjacent parts.
A rubber sheath (not shown) should be drawn tightly over the entire foot.
Hence, there is little or no liability for the sponge rubber to become disarranged or
displaced.
The parts 6 and 8 being hinged together and reinforced by the elastic material,
allow the artificial foot as nearly as may be, all the movements of a natural member,
thus affording the wearer the greatest possible comfort. The foot may be
fastened to the stump in any suitable manner. It may also be fastened to any
construction of artificial limb.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what I claim is :-
1. An artificial foot comprising the body part and the independent heel and toe
pieces movably attached to the body part, and reinforced by some yielding substance
placed between said pieces and the body part, substantially as described.
2. An artificial foot comprising the body part and the independent heel and toe
parts movably attached to the body part, and reinforced by independent yielding
substances placed both above and below the said movable part, substantially as
described.
3. In an artificial foot, the combination of the body part and the independent
heel and toe pieces movably hinged to the body part at a common point,
substantially as described.
4. In an artificial foot, the combination of the body part having a depending
central part 5*, and the parts 6 and 8 hinged to the body part in such a manner as
to be capable of movement independently of each other and projecting respectively
to the front and rear of the part 5º.