Improvements in Artificial Ear-drums.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 21st June, 1887.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by FREEMAN HIiscox, of Newark, New Jersey, United
States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Artificial Ear-drums.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
The invention relates to improvements in artificial car drums, and has for its object
the production of a device which may be readily and successfully manufactured, which
may be casily inseried in and withdrawn from the car, which is so constructed that it
is not likely in any instance to cause irritation and which possesses other advantages,
as hereinafter more particularly described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the improvement.
Figure 2 is a top or plan view of the same, and
Figure 3 is a detached view of the stem or handle.
A is the artificial tympanum, which is made of elastic material, and preferably of
that class of rubber used in the manufacture of bandages for surgical purposes. The
tympanum A consists of a plate or dise of suitable size and shape and a grooved
post or stem a which is punctured, as indicated in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, for
purposes of ventilation.
Its
The distinguishing characteristics of the post a are that it is punctured to permit
ventilation and provided with a groove or collar, or similar expedient for the purpose
of accomplishing the attachment of the stem or handle as hereinafter described.
shape and size are matters of judgment which will depend upon circumstances.
have, however, indicated in the drawings the shape which I prefer to make use of,
which I believe to be the most advantageous. The tympanum A with its grooved post
is formed in a single piece; as has been stated, it will be, by preference, formed of a
fine quality of rubber, but any material or compound which has the necessary elasticity
may be made use of.
B is the stem or handle by means of which the tympanum is introduced into and
withdrawn from the ear. It is of appropriate size and length and is provided at its

page_text: lower end with a ribbon or band C, adapted in size and shape to the post A of the
tympanum, so that it may be used to accomplish the suitable attachment of the handle
or stem, as indicated in Figure 1. To ensure a nice adjustment, a notch may be cut
in the upper part of the post a, to receive the wire, as indicated in the Figure last
aforesaid. By constructing the tympanum and stein or handle in the manner herein-
before described, important results are effected. All the advantages pertaining to
the use of the devices heretofore produced are preserved, the proper ventilation of the
service below the tympanum is accomplished, and a means provided whereby tho
tympanum can be conveniently detached from the stem or handle and when worn out
or injured, discarded and a new and clean tympanum substituted.
While these desirable objects are accomplished, a very useful elasticity is given to
the tympanum without sacrificing very important considerations.
I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction
herein before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
:-
First. An artificial ear drum, consisting of a tympanum and a detachable handle
secured to one side thereof, substantially as set forth.
Second. An artificial ear drum consisting of a tympanum having a post secured to
or formed on one side thereof, and a handle having a flattened end to fit around said
post, substantially as set forth.
Third. An artificial ear drum constructed with a tympanum having formed or
secured on one side thereof a hollow post for the attachment of a handle, substantially
as described.
Fourth. An artificial car drum constructed with a tympanum, a hollow post formed
on or secured to one side of the latter, and having a groove formed in it for the
reception of one end of the handle detachably secured thereto, substantially as
described.
Fifth. An artificial ear drum consisting of a punctured tympanum, a hollow post
formed on or secured thereto and over said puncture, said post having a groove forined
around the same and a vertical slot leading from said groove to the outer end thereof,
and a handle fitting in said slot in the post and the lower flattened end in said groove,
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The tympanum A, consisting of a disc shaped portion and a post a punctured
and provided with a groove or collar, for the uses and purposes, substantially as
described.
Seventh. An artificial ear drum consisting of the tympanum A having the post a
and the stem or handle B provided with the ribbon C, the parts being connected to
form an instrument substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 10th day of March 1887
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.