Improvements in the Construction of Artificial Legs.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1890-Accepted, 21st June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Artificial Legs.
1, JAMES STUBBS 189 Pearl Street, Sheffield, in the County of York, Artificial
Limb Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to dispense with the usual complicated mechanisin
connecting the foot to the upper part of an artificial leg, thereby reducing the number
of component parts, and causing its action to more nearly resemble that of the natural
human foot.
It consists broadly in the combination with the upper parts of an artificial leg, of
an indiarubber foot shaped to resemble the outer configuration of a human foot,
except that the toes need not be made separately.
I propose to make the upper part of the leg of leather, or other like material, in any
manner to suit the requirements of the patient; and I attach the rubber foot to or
upon a solid block of wood somewhat resembling or conforming to the outline or
shape of the foot, but much smaller.
I prefer to use one or more spring bars secured to and projecting from the solid
block of wood, towards the toe; the spring is embedded in the rubber, and is to
strengthen and give firm support to the foot, while it leaves the surrounding parts of
the rubber flexible, and free to give in all directions when treading on inequalities,
without mechanical joints or any mechanism whatever.
The upper portion that fits upon the thigh is jointed to the lower portion by means
of a strong steel side-plate secured to each side of the two parts.
Dh call C1000
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Artificial Legs.
I, JAMES STUBBS 189 Pearl Street, Sheffield, in the County of York, Artificial Limb
Maker 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:
This invention has for its object to dispense with the usual complicated mechanism
connecting the foot to the upper portion of an artificial leg, thereby reducing the
number of component parts, and the liability to disarrangement, and to cause the
action to more nearly resemble that of the human foot.
The annexed sheet of drawings illustrates the method of carrying the invention into
practice;
Fig. 1, represents the foot attached to the leg.
Fig. 2, the upper portion of the foot.
Fig. 3, the lower portion of the foot.
It consists broadly in the construction of a foot having a solid indiarubber lower
portion comprising the toe, the sole, and the heel, attached to the upper portion of the
foot, comprising the instep and the ancle, which are rigid.
I propose to make the upper part of the leg A, (which however does not form part
of my invention) of leather or other like material, and in any manner or form to suit
the various requirements of the patient.
I make the upper part of the foot marked B, preferably of wood, as being light and
strong, and therefore especially suited for the purpose; and I form in its under face
a dovetailed or undercut recess B¹, indicated by the dotted lines, but I do not bind

page_text: myself to using one long recess as shown, as several sborter recesses may be
substituted.
The lower part of the foot shown in Fig. 3, and marked C, I make of rubber, shaped
to resemble the human foot, but the toe portion need not be divided into separate
toes.
Upon the upper face of the rubber I form a dovetailed projection C₁ which is forced
into the recess B' before mentioned as being made in the upper portion B, the
elasticity of the rubber enables it to be forced into, and to expand and fill the
undercut recess, holding the two parts firmly and securely together.
In some cases I use (to give additional strength to the rubber) a strap of woven
material, or of steel, or other material, which I secure to the underside of the part B,
and embed it in the rubber, carrying it forwards towards the toe.
A foot so constructed is free to give in any direction when treading on unlevel
ground or other inequalities returning to its normal form without any mechanical
joints or other mechanism.
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 1
claim is
1-In the construction of artificial legs, or parts of such legs, making the lower
part of the foot, (constituting the toe, the sole and the heel.) of rubber, and securing
it to the upper part, (constituting the instep and ancle) substantially as herein before
described and as illustrated.
2 An artificial foot in which the upper part marked B in the drawings, is made of
wood or equivalent material; and the lower part marked C in the drawings, is made
of solid rubber, the two parts being secured together by any suitable means.
Dated the 6th day of May 1890.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.