An Improved Galvanic Belt.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1891-Accepted, 24th Oct.,..1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Galvanic Belt.
CHARLES ANDREWS, 175 Wardour Street, London, W. Manufacturer of
Galvanic Electric Belts and other Appliances (trading as Bell & .Co.) do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My invention is an improved construction of a galvanic belt intended for the
better treatment and cure of various diseases, and whereby a more constant and
uniform galvanic current is obtained than by the use of other belts.
#
I propose to arrange along the internal surface of the belt a series of, zinc and
copper plates or discs, one of copper on, two of zinc consecutively, but between each
galvanic couple" thus formed, I adjust a layer of thin cloth, felt, or other textile
fabric of an absorbent nature, the whole being rivetted or secured to the belt so as
to present overlapping surfaces; the fabric dividing. the respective "couples" of
plates from metallic contact; the plates forming each "couple" being also secured
together at their free borders. The terminals are then connected to flexible metal
chains, to which the final copper and zinc plates or convex discs are attached clear
from the belt, for contact with those parts of the body requiring to be treated.
The belt being held in position by a band of fabric attached to the belt proper.
In this construction and arrangement of galvanic belt no acids or other exciting
liquids are required to generate the galvanic current, because the layers of thin
cloth or similar material act as absorbents of the moisture emanating from the skin,
which consequently necessitates a constant and unvarying degree of electricity
among the plates of copper and zinc.
There is, therefore, no occasion for the patient to remove the belt for. the purpose
of applying excitants to the plates, and thus comfort and convenience are ensured.
In this new arrangement of galvanic belt the distinctive features are:-
That the series, or galvanic pile is made up in the following manner.
I propose to use two plates of zinc in place of one, in each galvanic couple, to
one of copper, thus obtaining double the superficial area of zinc to that of copper,
the former being the metal which is subject to decomposition; also to interlock the
plates forming each galvanic "couple" at their free borders, in order to prevent a
possible separation of the plates.
By these means I ensure a more powerful and permanent current than hitherto
obtained. 1 also propose to use flexible metal chains as connectors between the
galvanic pile and the terminal plates in contact with the. body. These chains
forming a more convenient. method of conveying the current to the parts of the
body desired, being more flexible and adapting themselves with greater ease to the
various movements of the body. than is the case with spiral wires or other forms of
connection, and at the same time being less liable to break during use.
Dated this 22nd day of January. 1891.
CHARLES. ANDREWS,
Trading as Bell.&.Co.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Galvanic Belt.
CHARLES ANDREWS 175 Wardour Street London W. Electric Belt & Appliance
Manufacturer 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:-
My invention is an improved construction of galvanic belt intended for the
treatment and cure of various diseases and whereby a more constant and uniform
galvanic circuit is effected thian by the use of the ordinary belts.
I propose to arrange along the internal surface of the belt a series of copper
and zinc plates or discs, one of copper on two of zinc consecutively, but between
each galvanic couple" I adjust a layer of thin cloth, felt, or other textile fabric
of an absorbent nature. The whole being rivetted or secured to the belt so as to
present overlapping surfaces: the fabric dividing the respective couples of plates
from metallic contact. The plates forming each "couple "being also secured at
their free horders. The terminals are then connected to the flexible metal chains,
to which the final copper and zinc plates or convex discs are attached, clear from
the belt, for contact with those parts of the body required to be treated. The belt
being held in position by a band of fabric attached to the belt proper.
In this construction and arrangement of galvanic belt, no acids or other exciting
liquids are required to generate the galvanic current, because the layers of thin
cloth or similar material act as absorbents of the moisture emanating from the skin;
and consequently necessitate a constant and unvarying degree of electricity among
the plates of copper & zinc.
There is, therefore, no occasion for the patient to remove the belt for the purpose
of applying excitants to the plates, and thus comfort and convenience are ensured.
In this new arrangement of galvanic belt the distinctive features are:-
I propose to use two plates of zinc, in place of one, in each galvanic "couple,"
to one of copper thus obtaining double the superficial area of zinc to that of
copper, the zinc being the metal which is subject to decomposition; and also to
interlock the plates at their free borders in order to prevent a possible separation
of the plates. By these means I ensure a more powerful and permanent current
than hitherto obtained. I also propose to use flexible metal chains as connectors
between the galvanic pile and the terminal plates or convex discs in contact with
the body. These chains forming a more convenient method of conveying the
current to the parts of the body desired, being more flexible and adapting
themselves with greater ease to the various movements of the body, than is the case
with spiral wires or other forms of connections, and at the same time being less
liable to break during use. In this galvanic belt the arrangement of the plates is
one giving much greater superficial metallic contact in each galvanic "couple
thereby improving the current of electricity. The chain connectors moreover,
reduce the possibility of the current being interrupted, through breakage, during
use, to the minimum and the metal loops formerly used to connect the belt proper
with the band of fabric, which holds it in position, have been eliminated, these
metal loops having been in many cases a source of discomfort to the wearer.
""
The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention, similar letters denoting
corresponding parts.
Figs. 1 and 2 show views of the two sides of belt complete as developed or laid
out flat; Fig. 1 representing the side to be worn externally, that is, away from the
body, and which I term the "front" of the belt; and Fig. 2, the side to be worn
next the body, and which I term the "back" the remaining figures are drawn
full size.
Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, show respectively detached views of one of each of the copper
plates, the zinc plates, and the cloth layers, above referred to; the corresponding

page_text: reference numbers 7, 8, 9, 10 in Fig. 2 denote the corresponding parts. Fig. 3
represents the plate of copper, pierced with two holes to receive the rivets which
fix it to the foundation, and furnished with a tang. Figs. 4 and 5 represent the
two plates of zinc pierced with two holes for the rivets, as in the copper plate, and
also pierced with single holes towards their opposite borders. Through these latter
perforations the tang of the copper plate, above described, passes and is bent over
previous to the rivets being passed through the three superimposed plates of metal
in order to fix them to the foundation.
C
In the figures generally is the foundation of the middle portion of the belt
consisting of leather, or webbing, or other convenient material, or combination of
materials such as leather externally and silk internally. To this foundation the
"couples" of plates 3, 4, 5 and the cloth 6, separating each couple" from the
next couple of plates are secured by rivets or otherwise, the fastening
represented being cyclet rivets, and the arrangement being such that the several
sets of parts 3, 4, 5. 6 may overlap the adjoining sets, the terminals are marked e,
and f, are of copper and zinc respectively and are united by the flexible metal
chains or conductors g, to the final copper and zinc plates or convex discs h, and i,
respectively. The foundation and the galvanic pile carried thereby, is united to
bands or straps m, m, of woollen cloth, or flannel, or other convenient fabric or
material to complete the girt of the body, and which are provided, or formed as
shown, with button, button hole and buckle and tab, for holding the belt upon the
body, when applied thereto, by being curved or bent around the body, the curving
or bending of the galvanic portion being provided for by the manner in which the
sets of parts 3, 4, 5, 6, are united to the foundation b, as above described. A piece
of clastic webbing, is inserted, (for the convenience of the wearer) in one of the
bands m.
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. The employment of two plates of zinc, in place of one as formerly used, to
one of copper in each galvanic "couple."
2. The arrangement of locking the said "couples" of plates at their free borders
by means of the short "tang" of copper projecting as shown in Fig. 3, at its edge,
passing through the holes in the zinc plates Figs. 4, 5, near their free borders.
3. The substitution of flexible metal chains as conductors in place of spiral wires
and the like as formerly used for this purpose.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1891.