Apparatus for the Production of Vibrations in the Human Body.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for the Production of Vibrations in the Human Body.
I, JOHANN EICHHOLZ, of 89 Kommandanten Strasse, Berlin, Germany,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
he same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by.
he following statement :-
This invention consists of an apparatus for the production of vibrations in the.
human body and has for its object to develop active or quivering motions in the
tissue below the skin in the inner organs as well as in the whole organism by
means of a constant rolling, rubbing or massage action on the outer skin in a wet
or in a dry state this rolling being effected to and fro before or behind, with long or
short strokes, in order to invigorate, revivify and refresh the human body whereby
general weakness nervous debility, rheumatism disorders in the circulation of the
blood etc. can be cured by promoting changes of tissue and changes in the
organism, while on the other hand the healthy body is rendered capable of
withstanding injurious influence in consequence of such quivering or vibrating
motions.
'The invention is shown in Figure 1, wherein it assumes the form of an elastic
flexible band of open chain like or lattice work, which can be applied readily to the
body its different parts turning in the direction of its length that is rolling to and fro.
This band consists of chains cords etc. a of hemp wool, silk, india-rubber, or of
several parts of different metals and material, which may or may not be conductors
of electricity; these chains cords etc. being placed longitudinally at a suitable
distance apart and provided with transverse rods or axes arranged uniformly also
at suitable intervals apart. Upon the transverse rods or axes are arranged at
suitable intervals the various rotating elements c, d, e, f, g, i, l, turning upon the
said axes which are attached to the cords a and are made of suitable material, such
as metal and the like, either solid, or formed of wire or small tubes.
These rotating elements, turning on the axes b, and producing the vibrations,
consists of wood, indiarubber, gutta percha, horn, natural or artificial ivory, and
other similar material, or of fabrics, tissues, or masses which conduct or do not
conduct electricity, these elements being used in their bare or nude state or being
covered with fabrics spun around them or not. They consist of solid or hollow
balls c, spiral rollers d, cubes or dice ef with sharp or truncated edges, ball like
notched pieces g, hollow or solid rollers, square boxes i, polygonal bars smooth,
notched or suitably indented discs l, whereby different effects can be produced.
These turning or rotating elements are arranged in such a manner, that the whole,
apparatus, for instance, may only consist of balls c, of spiral rollers d, or of cubes
or dice ef, and the like, or of the above mentioned rotating elements namely
balls c, spirals d, or cubes or dice ef suitably intermixed, so that one apparatus
Imay contain several varieties of rotating elements such as spirals, balls, dice and
the like (Fig. 1).. The rotating elements c, e, f, and I may be placed on bent or
curved 'axes b, so that the-rounded parts of the body, the arms, the legs, etc., 'may be
entirely surrounded by these rotating elements and properly rubbed therewith
(Fig. 8). The number and kind of rotating elements mounted on the axes ŉ may be
varied according to circumstances. At their ends the bands, chains, cords or ribbon a
5 are secured together by means of wooden or other plates 'm so as to form handlės n
(Figs. 1 and 3.). The axes 6 together with the rotating elements c, d, e, f, g, i, l,
are fixed to the chains, strips or banda a in such a manner that these axes clasp
the same, or are fixed thereto by rivetting or otherwise. In some cases the
rotating elements are tightly fixed to the axes b, the latter turning with these

page_text: In the intervals between the rotating elements are placed the frictional piece o,
consisting of fabric, sponge, fibres and the like which are capable of absorbing
liquids and are intended to moisten the skin, so that the apparatus may be used in
a wet as well as in a dry state. The apparatus may also be heated in order to
impart dry or damp heat to the body, whereby a kind of physical and mechanical
heat is produced, the action of which has a physiological effect.
By stretching the whole flexible apparatus on a rigid frame p (Figs. 3 and 4)
and fixing thereon the chains, strips or bands a by means of suitable screws, hooks,
eyelets and the like, this apparatus assumes a rigid form. By rubbing the body
with this apparatus corresponding vibrations are communicated. In cases where
the body is to be subjected to electrical as well as to mechanical vibrations there
are placed between the chains, bands or strips a and the rotating elements,
insulated pieces S, so that the insulated half of the apparatus may be connected to
the circuit of an electric induction apparatus. This arrangement is illustrated in
Fig. 3. The whole arrangement and the modifications of the apparatus are shown
in the drawings, Fig. 1 being a front view, Fig. 2 a side view, and Figs. 3, 4,
5 to 8 being a front view and longitudinal and transverse sections respectively.
This apparatus is used in such a manner as to be grasped by its ends n or by
those of the rigid frame p, whereby it is rubbed to and fro over the parts of the
body requiring treatment, (Figs. 9 and 10), the necessary vibrations or oscillations
being thus produced.
The arrangement of the axes 61 containing the balls c or other rotating elements
and having trapezoidal portions are shown in section in Figs. 11 and 12, in general
views in Figs. 14 and 15, and in perspective in Fig. 16. The arrangements of
rectangular axes.6 2. whereon are mounted the rotating elements such as the balls c,
is shown in Figs. 12 and 15.
The connection of the rigid axes 61 and 62 fixed to the chains, bands or strips a
is carried out in the same manner as for the straight axes b. Frictional pieces o
corresponding in shape to the axes 61 62 and of material similar to the rotating
elements may be fixed to the chains bands or strips in the intervals between the
bent axes 61 and 62 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
The flexible apparatus provided with bent axes 61 and 62 may also be stretched
on a frame similar to that shown in Fig. 3 (see Figs. 12 124 13 and 14) and used
in a stiff form, with or without insulating middle pieces S similar those shown in
Fig. so that the whole apparatus containing the bent axes 61 and 62 may be
arranged in exactly the same manner as that having the straight axes b.
This last modification of the apparatus can be used for rounded or recessed parts
of the body and parts which would offer too small a hold to the apparatus with the
straight axes. The parts of the body are surrounded therewith in such a manner
that the bent axes prevent the apparatus from slipping.
The number of rotating elements mounted on the axes 61 and 62 depends upon
their size and the shape and number of bent axes 6 1 and 6 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
An apparatus for producing vibrations in the human body consisting of rotating
elements mounted on axes connected transversely with longitudinal chains, or
strips substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
daw at Wantaoham 10NE
September
J. EICHHOLZ,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.