IMPROVEMENTS IN EYE CUPS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN EYE CUPS."-A communication from abroad by Philetus
J. Stephens, of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 23rd June 1876, and dated the 4th January 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th January 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN EYE CUPS."-A communi-
cation.
The object of this Invention is to produce a beneficial action on the eye or eyes
of any person with impaired sight. This action is produced by suction, which may
be regulated at will either on one of the eyes or both at the same time, as may be
required.
According to the said Invention I construct cups of any desirable material to fit
closely over and around the eye or eyes. These cups are provided on their backs
with hollow necks, over which are placed india-rubber balls, also having hollow
necks, which are placed over the hollow necks of the eye cups. By placing the
cup or cups over the eye or eyes, and making their edges to fit closely around
the eye, a vacuum is produced by compressing the india-rubber balls, and when
these expand owing to their elasticity, a suction is produced on the eye or eyes.
In order to control this suction at any moment an air relief valve, arranged in the
neck of the cup and operated by a button or spring, may with excellent effect be
applied to each cup. And in order to produce a uniform suction on both eyes when
a pair of eye cups is used, a connection may with very good results be established
between the interior of both cups and balls by the aid of a tube of any desirable
material fastened to the cups or to the balls, as may be found most convenient,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th June
1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN EYE CUPS." A communi-
cation from abroad by Philetus J. Stephens, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America.
The object of this Invention is to produce a beneficial action on the eye or eyes
of any person with impaired sight. This action is produced by suction, which may
be regulated at will either on one of the eyes or both at the same time, as may be
required.
According to the said Invention I construct cups of any desirable material to fit
closely over and around the eye or eyes. These cups are provided on their backs
with hollow necks, over which are placed india-rubber balls, also having hollow
necks or tubes, which are placed over the hollow necks of the eye cups. By placing
the cup or cups over the eye or eyes, and making their edges to fit closely around
the eye, a vacuum is produced by compressing the india-rubber balls, and when
these expand, owing to their elasticity, a suction is produced on the eye or eyes.
In order to control this suction at any moment an air relief valve arranged in the
neck of the cup and operated by a button or spring may with excellent effect be
applied to each cup. And in order to produce a uniform suction or both eyes when
a pair of eye cups is used a connection may with very good results be established
between the interior of both cups and balls by the aid of a tube of any desirable
material fastened to the cups or to the balls, as may be found most convenient.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a side view of an eye cup made according to this Invention; Figure 2
is a sectional view of the same; Figure 3 is a plan of the neck of the same detached;
Figure 4 is a plan of a pair of the said eye cups with their connection tube.
A represents the eye cup; D is the neck, with hole e and valve seat f; g is the
valve, with stem h and button i; j is the spiral spring encircling the stem k, and
pressing against the valve at 7 and against the neck at m; N is the rubber ball
attached to the neck at o; P is the connecting tube between the cups A, A, Figure 4.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. An eye cup provided with a valve and a compressible ball, as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Second. The pair of eye cups provided with valves and connected by a tube, as
above described and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
TITH DADT
Witness,
LEWIS SANDERSON,
8, Southampton Bdg.,
London.
DT TAR
ROBT MARE.
(1.6.)