IMPROVE- MENTS IN ORTHOPEDIC APPARATUS FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SPINAL DISEASES
Year: 1867

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Melville Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th December 1867.-A communication from abroad by Mademoiselle
Victorine Leneveu, Corset Maker, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ORTHOPEDIC APPARATUS FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SPINAL
DISEASES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in orthopedic apparatus for facili-
tating the natural developement of the vertebrac of the neck and spine in
children of tender age. The apparatus is also applicable for use by persons
of more advanced age for the purpose of restoring to these parts their natural
form in cases where they may have become deformed. It is well known that
in young childen, and especially infants, the head is disproportionately. larger
than the rest of the body. The vertebrae of the neck and spine are at first
incapable of supporting the head, causing a shortness of neck in those
children where the weakness manifests itself in the vertebrae of the neck, or
:
they become deformed when the spine proves the weaker part.
The apparatus of this Invention is intended as a remedy for the above.. It
consists of a kind of chair mounted on castors, in which a child inay either
sit or stand and move in any direction. The shoulders are supported by arms so
as to keep them raised without inconvenience, while the head is also supported
by a ring and elastic network, which without preventing any natural movements

page_text: at same time relieves the weak parts. The apparatus is arranged in such
manner as to be suited to all ages, the parts being readily adjusted by means
of cords. The apparatus may be employed both for promenade and house
purposes, being made in parts which are readily adjustable, as shown in the
Drawings. The apparatus is to be used as a remedy for all deformities of
the spine and neck, as it does not develop one member to the detriment of
another, it being, as will be herein-after explained, capable by tightening or
slackening certain cords of being adapted for use by a child in the several
stages of its growth.
The Invention thus consists in the employment of the berein-described
apparatus, more especially for curing spinal deformities of all kinds, two
examples being shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 shows a side view of the first arrangement, and Figure 2 a front
view of same.
a, framing of the apparatus, the foot being provided with rollers or castors b
for moving the apparatus in any direction. The two uprights a, a, are con-
nected by hooked arms c to the fore carriage d which is steered by the leverf.
9, seat, jointed at h, falling down in the red line position when the apparatus
is to be used for walking purposes; i, back rest sliding on the upright rods a;
the arm rests of part i are supported and raised or lowered by means of pull-
cords k for supporting the person under the arms; elastic ring and net-
work enclosing the head and supporting same while permitting of its free
movement.
Figure 3 shows a side view and Figure 4 a front view of a modified
arrangement of the apparatus. In these two Figures the apparatus is so
arranged that the patient may set it in motion and guide it in any direction.
The motion of the vehicle is obtained by the aid of toothed gearing set in
action by a crank handle which is turned by hand. Instead of toothed
wheels another arrangement may be adopted (such as cranks) for setting the
apparatus in motion in the manner of a velocipede. Further, instead of
using a steering rod, as shown, I may connect the foot plate to the fore
wheel by means of metal rods, so as to steer with the feet in any direction.
By this means the patient has free use of the hands for holding a book or
otherwise. I may also render the apparatus elastic by the aid of springs, as
in ordinary vehicles, or by elastic, india-rubber, or other straps for example.
a, supporting frame of the apparatus mounted on a carriage, consisting of two
hind wheels b and a fore wheel c, the latter being mounted so as to turn by the
hand lever d for steering the vehicle, or it may be used for drawing it; f, foot
plates provided on frame a as before mentioned; these foot plates may be

page_text: connected by rods with the fore wheel c for guiding the apparatus with the
feet. On the hinder axle g is keyed a toothed wheel h gearing with a bevil
pinion i, the shaft of which carries a crank handle k at its upper end for
driving the vehicle. 1, upper framing; m, back fixed to part by screws n,
เ
said back being readily raised or lowered, as also arms o; p, seat supported
by elastic or other straps; q, elastic net for enveloping the head of a child or
patient suspended by a strap r.