IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPLINTS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Emma Louisa Duncan, of Inverness Road, Bays-
water, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPLINTS."
Sealed the 3rd March 1868, and dated the 6th September 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Emma Louisa Duncan
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with her Petition, on the
6th September 1862.
I, EMMA LOUISA DUNCAN, of Inverness Road, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPLINTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of certain improvements in the manufacture of of
splints, whereby a lighter and cheaper splint can be produced than those
ordinarily in use.
I propose to form the splint of a strong cotton fabric padded with wool or
cotton wadding, or with layers of any soft fabric, and to apply and fasten to
the back thereof, in order to maintain its position and strength, any kind of
cane, such as ratan, bamboo, or jungle cane, either split or entire, and in
longitudinal rows or layers, the cane being sewn in under the material forming
the back of the pad, which then presents a fluted or grooved surface.
In making cradles or slings for the arm, I apply cane at the backs thereof
instead of leather, gutta percha, and india-rubber, the seating of the elbow

page_text: only to be made in the ordinary manner with metal. The splints may be
made of any size and form to suit the various applications for which they
are required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Emma Louisa Duncan in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th March 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EMMA
LOUISA DUNCAN, of Inverness Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Emma Louisa Duncan, Her special licence that I, the said Emma
Louisa Duncan, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Emma Louisa Duncan, executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPLINTS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Emma Louisa Duncan, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Emma Louisa Duncan, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This Invention consists of certain improvements in the manufacture of
splints, whereby a lighter and cheaper splint can be produced than those
ordinarily in use.
I propose to form splints of a strong fabric padded with wool or cotton
wadding, or with layers of any soft fabric, or the padding may in some

page_text: instances be dispensed with. I also apply and fasten to the back of these
splints (in order to maintain their position and strength) any kind of cane,
such as ratan, bamboo, or jungle cane, either split or entire, and in longitudinal
rows or layers, the cane being sewn in under the material forming the back of
the pad, which then presents a fluted or grooved surface; or the cane may be
wound or interlaced so as to unite their series in a parallel position, and thus
obviate the necessity of padding.
In making cradles or slings for the arm, I apply cane at the back thereof
instead of leather, gutta percha, and india-rubber, the seating of the elbow
only to be made in the ordinary manner with metal; or it may be formed of
blocked leather, gutta percha, or other plastic material which will become firm
or solid after the process of manufacture. These splints may be made of any
size or shape to suit the various applications for which they are required,
whether for the arm, leg, or thigh, or other portion of the body.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I would remark in conclusion that I do
not limit myself to the exact details herein expressed, as the same may
obviously be varied or modified without departing from the principle of the
Invention; but what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the horein
in part recited Letters Patent is, the application of cane to the manufacture
of splints, substantially in the manner described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Emma Louisa Duncan, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
ALEX. PRINCE,
Office for Patents,
4, Trafalgar Square,
Charing Cross.
EMMA LOUISA DUNCAN. (LS.)