Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1900
1, WILHELM OSTERTAG, Doctor of Medicine, of 64, Kampstrasse, Barmen, in
the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
The abdominal belts hitherto used for the treatment of the relaxed muscles of
the epigastrium cause inconvenience, without effecting the desired result, as they
are either deficient in elasticity or, when made of india-rubber, press too tightly
against the abdomen. A further serious disadvantage is that, when in use, such
belts shift with the movements of the body, slipping either up or down and thus
after being worn a very short time, become useless for the purpose intended,
unless the wearer be frequently put to the trouble of replacing the belt in its proper
position.
This invention relates to an abdominal belt, which entirely obviates the dis-
advantages referred to and is constructed so as to exactly fit the form of the
wearer and to meet every requirement of the physician.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,
Fig. 1 is a general view of the abdominal belt as opened out fully, and
Fig. 2 a view of the same as in use.
The new abdominal belt. is constructed as follows:-
The abdominal part a consists of a piece of elastic hosiery cut out so that,
when the belt is put on, this part fits closely and evenly to the abdomen.
In the part a are sewed two flexible stiffening rods, b. These prevent the
piece of hosiery from rucking.
The back and side parts c which consist of one or more pieces are joined to the
abdominal part a. They are made of some stout non-elastic fabric, wide enough
to extend from the curve of the ribs to the hip-bones,, being thus fully sup-
ported by the osseous system, and prevented from pressing into the fleshy parts.
Flexible stiffening rods d are sewed into the part and prevent it from rucking.
The part a is joined to the part e by buckles e and bands f, by which method
of joining the wearer is enabled to adjust the belt tighter or looser in particular
places as required. This method of joining has the considerable advantage over
the lacing contrivances already known that the whole abdomen is not entirely
pressed in.
In order to prevent the belt from slipping, shoulder straps g gl are attached to
the part a.
These are placed cross-wise over the shoulders and fastened by
means of buttons h, thus preventing the belt from slipping down.
For preventing the belt from slipping up, highly elastic thin india-rubber
tubes are attached to the part a, to the free ends of which small straps k are
fastened in any suitable manner, by means of which the tubes after being placed
around the thigh, are suspended by the hooks l, which are fastened to the part c.
By the employment of the elastic india-rubber tube it has been made possible,
for the first time, to secure the abdominal belt against slipping up, without chafing
the highly sensitive skin covering the thigh.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. Elastic non-slipping abdominal belt for application to the relaxed muscles
of the epigastrium, the distinguishing feature of which is an abdominal part con-
sisting of an elastic piece of hosiery a, in combination with a non-elastic piece of
some textile material c, extending from the curve of the ribs to the hip-bones and
forming the back and sides, and which belt is prevented from slipping whilst
in wear, by means of two shoulder straps and thigh bands.
2. The improved abdominal belt substantially as described with reference to
the drawing.
Dated this 30th day of December 1899.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents.