An Improved Apparatus for Stretching the Vertebral Col mn.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 30th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Stretching the Vertebral Col mn.
A communication to me from abroad by CHARLES SCHMID, of Seeburg, in the
Empire of Germany, Physician.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for stretching or straightening
the vertebral column and generally for exercising and strengthening the muscles of
the neck and upper part of the body. The said apparatus has the shape of a
trapezium or trapezoid formed by a rope or strap, which passes over rollers or
pulleys secured to the ceiling or other suitable frame or support, the said rope or
strap carrying attached to its centre part a cap to grasp or support the head of the
person using the apparatus whilst to the ends of the said rope or cord handles are
attached by which the operator may lift himself by the head, and lower himself
again, for the purpose of straightening or stretching the vertebral column, and
generally for exercising and strengthening the muscles of the upper part of the
body.
The cap
of the apparatus consists of a frame of iron or other suitable material,
the said frame being constructed with four horizontal arms bending downward, and.
carrying a pulley at its centre. To cach of the four arms a strap or band is
attached adjustable in length by suitable buckles the lower end of the said straps
being enlarged and padded or otherwise trimmed. One strap passes below the
chin and another strap supports the occiput or back of the head, both straps being
connected at the sides by straps adjustable in length by buckles or equivalent
means.
.
To the ceiling of the chamber or to any other suitable support or frame two
rollers or sheaves are secured, over which sheaves passes a rope or cord or strap
the central part of which passes under the pulley of the cap. To the free ends of
the said strap or rope handles are secured which are grasped by the person who
has put his head into the cap and secured the same, as described, by the straps or
bands. By pulling the handles the person may lift himself (or herself) by the
head, and lower himself again, for the purpose of stretching or straightening his
vetebral column, and also generally to strengthen the muscles of the neck and
upper part of the body.
Dated this 30th day of July 1890
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Stretching the Vertebral Column.
A communication to me from CHARLES SCHMID, of Seeburg, in the Empire of
Germany, Physician:
... "
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
Di 11

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for stretching or straightening
the vertebral column and generally for exercising and strengthening the muscles of
the neck and upper part of the body. The said apparatus has the shape of a
trapezium or trapezoid formed by a rope or strap, which passes over rollers or
pulleys secured to the ceiling or other suitable frame or support, the said rope or
strap carrying attached to its centre part a cap to grasp or support the head of the
person using the apparatus, whilst to the ends of the said rope or cord handles are
attached by which the operator may lift himself by the head, and lower himself
again, for the purpose of straightening or stretching the vertebral column, and
generally for exercising and strengthening the muscles of the upper part of the
body.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of the invention,
Figures 1 and 2 represent the apparatus in use, shewing its application,
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, are respectively a front view, a side view, an end view,
and a plan of the apparatus, upon an enlarged scale.
The cap of the apparatus consists of a frame of iron or other suitable material,
the said frame A. being constructed with four horizontal arms bending downward,
and carrying a pulley B at its centre. To each of the four arms a strap or band is
attached adjustable in length by suitable buckles, the lower end of the said straps'
being enlarged and padded or otherwise trimmed.
One strap D passes below the chin, and another strap C supports the occiput or
back of the head, both straps C and D being connected at the sides by straps E
adjustable in length by buckles or equivalent means.
To the ceiling of the chamber, or to any other suitable support or frame two pulleys
or sheaves Fare secured, over which pulleys passes a rope, cord, or strap, G, the
central part of which passes under the pulley B of the cap A. To the free ends of
the said strap or rope G, handles H are secured which are grasped by the person
who has put his head into the cap and secured the same, as described and shewn,
by the straps or bands C and D.
By pulling the handles the person may lift himself (or herself) by the head, and
lower himself again, for the purpose of stretching or straightening the vertebral
column, and also generally of strengthening the muscles of the neck and upper part
of the body.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
An apparatus for stretching or straightening the. vertebral column, and for
exercising the muscles, the said apparatus consisting of a cap A, having four arms,
a chin strap and an occiput-supporting strap secured to the said arms, a sheave or
pulley B, carried by the said cap, and a rope or strap passing below the pulley B
and guided by supporting sheaves or pulleys F for the purpose of lifting and
lowering oneself by pulling the handles H of the strap or rope whilst the head is
held in the cap, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 30th day of April 1891.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.