Improvements in Cradle Splints.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cradle Splints.
I, EDWARD STANMORE BISHOP, of Albany Chambers, 68ª Market Street,
Manchester Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Upon a metal or other stand, is swung a cradle splint, by means of pivots attached
to the cradle ends.
This cradle splint is constructed so as to be formed of three parts carried by two
metal rods or tubes, or other substitutes therefor, which pass underneath.
These rods
or side framings are preferably firmly attached to the first and third parts, and are
bent downwards by preference in the form of a U to admit of free access to the
second or central part. At each end of these rods is a metal arc, or suitable end
frame, which connects the two laterally, and to the centre of each of these ares or
frames is fixed one of the pivots before mentioned, on which the cradle swings, and
may be secured in position by rack, screw, or other device at any angle desired.
The first part at one end, is formed as a chest trough, to receive the body of the
patient; to the floor of which trough is attached a number of flexible metal or other
bands, one row on each side of the trough. The other end part consists of two
narrower troughs one for each leg which are attached to the metal rods aforesaid,
and are provided with slots for the passage of a bolt and thumbscrew or equivalent
device for the purpose of securing a block, or foot piece, working along the trough.
The central part consists of two pairs of trap-doors, hinged at the one end to the chest
trough, and at the other to each of the leg troughs and capable of being held in line
with the base by means of a catch or bolt or otherwise.
By which meaus, when these doors are open, they permit of free access to the parts
between the chest and leg troughs. The leg troughs may lie parallel to one another;
and are by preference, in such case fastened together by metal bands passing between
the metal rods and tubes beneath; or the leg troughs and trap doors may be capable
of divergence from one another, by means of hinged joints permitting of lateral
movement and capable of being held at any angle by means of a screw, or by analagous
mechanical appliances.
Also the leg troughs together with the chest trough may be made capable of
extension or collapse, by screw or otherwise, for purposes of length adjustment.
The
foot end arc or frame and pivot are by preference, made removable, so as to allow of
the cradle being removed from the stand and placed in an upright position against the
wall or other support.
Dated this 6th day of November 1800.
WILLIAM GADD, C.D.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cradle Splints.
1 EDWARD STANMORE BISHOP of Albany Chambers 68ª Market Street Manchester,
Surgeon 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 relates to improvements in cradle splints swung upon pivots at each
end, and have for object the providing of an apparatus for a patient during certain
operations, more especially such as relate to the hip or hip joints of the body.

page_text: I attain these objects by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
in which :-
Fig. 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 a plan; while Fig. 3 is a side view of the
cradle and Fig. 4 a reverse plan with portions removed, and the cradle detached from
the stand.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the views.
Upon a metal or other stand, a. a. is swung a cradle splint, b. b by means of
pivots c. c attached to the cradle ends. This cradle splint is constructed so as to be
formed of the three parts 1. 2. and 3 carried by two metal rods or tubes, d. d or
other substitutes therefor which pass underneath. These rods or side framings are
preferably firmly attached to the first and third parts and are bent downwards by
preference in the form of a U to admit of free access to the second or central part.
At each end of those rods is a metal arc e. e. or suitable end frame which connects
the two laterally, and to the centre of each of these arcs or frames is fixed one of the
pivots before mentioned, on which the cradle swings, and may be secured in position
by rack, screw, or other device, at any angle desired.
The first part, at one end is formed as a chest trough to receive the body of the
patient, to the floor of which trough is attached a number of flexible metal or other
bands, f. f. one row on each side of the trough.
The other end part consists of two narrower troughs 3' 3' one for each leg, which
are attached to the metal rods aforesaid, and are provided with slots for the passage
of a bolt and thumbscrew or equivalent device, for the purpose of securing a block
or foot piece g, g working along the trough. The central part 2, consists of two pairs
of trap-doors, 122 hinged at the one end to the chest. trough, and at the other to
each of the leg troughs, and capable of being held in line with the base by means of
a catch or bolt or otherwise. By which means when these doors are open, they
permit of free access to the parts of the patients body between the chest and leg
troughs.
The leg troughs may lie parallel to one another, as shewn, and are, by preference,
in such case fastened together by metal bands h. h. passing between the metal rods
and tubes beneath; or the leg troughs and trap doors may be capable of divergence
from one another by means of hinged joints permitting of lateral movement, and
capable of being held at any angle by means of a screw or by analagous mechanical
appliances.
Also the leg troughs together with the chest trough may be made capable of
extension or collapse, by screw or otherwise, for purposes of length adjustment.
The foot end are or frame and pivot by preference are made removable, so as
to allow of the cradle being removed from the stand and placed, in an upright position
gainst the wall or other support as shown by Figs. 3 and 4.
In the example shewn the cradle is held in position when rocked to certain desired
angles by means of pegs or pins passing through the holes j. j drilled in the
pivots c. c. and the frames in which they rest; but this same result may be effected
by any known mechanical equivalent such as pinch screws, a ratcheted arc with a
click or paul or the like.
These and other variations may be made in the detail of the apparatus without
departing from the peculiar character of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In cradle splints for surgical purposes, the combination of the chest trough 1,
with the leg troughs 3, and the trap doors 2', 23, held together by framing, all
substantially as set forth.
2. In cradle splints for surgical purposes, the combination of the trap-doors 2' 2'
with the gap or U shaped rods forming the side framing, all substantially as set
forth.
3. In cradle splints for surgical purposes, the combination of the gap or Ɑ shaped

page_text: rods, forming the side framing with the chest trough 1, and the log-troughs 31 3ª all
substantially as set forth.
4. In cradle splints for surgical purposes, the combination of the chest trough 1.
the leg troughs 31 33, the trap doors 21 23 and the gap or U shaped rods forming
the framing, with the arcs or end framings and pivots all substantially as set forth.
Dated this 18th day of February 189
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.