Improved Apparatus for Maintaining the Eyelids Closed after Death.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left. 19th Apr.. 1892-Accepted: 21st May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Maintaining the Eyelids Closed after Death.
I, JAMES MILTON SPEAR, of Cumberland, Maryland, U.S.A. Inventor, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to an improved apparatus for retaining the eyes. closed
after death.
My said invention consists of a ring-shaped piece of metal which is shaped to fit
the ball of the eye, and which has small teeth projections arranged around its
periphery, in such manner as to catch in the underside of the eyelid, and thereby
hold it closed.
of T... 1901
W. H. MUNNS,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Maintaining the Eyelids Closed after Death.
I, JAMES MILTON SPEAR, of' Cumberland, Maryland, U.S.A. Inventor, 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:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in means for
adjusting and closing the eyelids of persons after death; and it consists, substantially,
in such features of improvement as will hereinafter be more particularly described
and claimed.
Great difficulty has been heretofore experienced by undertakers and others
having charge of the dead in effectually adjusting and closing the eyelids of
corpses in such a manner as to impart thereto an undisturbed or natural
appearance.
The object of my invention therefore is, first, to provide means whereby the
eyelids may be adjusted and kept closed without the use or employment of weights,
bandages, or the like for such purpose; second, to provide means for adjusting and
closing the eyelids which when applied shall be entirely invisible or concealed from
outward view or inspection, and, third, to provide means for the purpose described,
which can be applied immediately after death or at any subsequent period and serve
equally effectual for the purpose intended, all as will more fully appear úpon
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is an enlarged or plan view of a device embodying my improvements,
the same representing the form preferably employed in practice.
Fig. 2 is a view taken from the under side thereof, and Fig. 3 is a transverse
sectional view taken on the lines xx.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, wherein' a
modification of the invention is shown.
Fig. 7 represents a still further modification.
In carrying my invention into effect I provide a thin piece of metal or other
suitable material so shaped on its under side or surface as to conform to the
external shape of the ball of the eye, and this device is placed under or beneath the
eyelids and the latter drawn down over the same as evenly as is possible.
The upper surface of the device or "closer" is formed of a number of small sharp
teeth or projections, which are turned up from the edge of the material from which

page_text: the said closer may bo made, and these small teeth or projections are designed to
take into the flesh of the eyelid on the under side, and thereby securely and evenly
maintain such lid in place.
Al
Various forms of the device may be employed, as will appear on referring to the
accompanying drawings by the letters marked thereon, in which―
A represents a device or "eyelid-closer" constructed in accordance with my
invention, the same being ciroular in outline, as shown, and concaved on its under
side to conform to the external shape of the eyeball: This device is preferably
formed ring-shaped or with its central portion cut out, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,
so as to permit the eyeball to be received thereby in such manner as to prevent as
much as possible any unnatural bulge of the lid when brought over, and it will be
seen that small teeth or projections a are formed on the edge of the device, which are
designed to take into the flesh of the eyelids on the under side. Instead of employing
the forms shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, however, I may resort to the form shown
in Figs. 4, 5, and 6; wherein the device is constructed of two curved members bb,
crossing each other centrally at right angles, and also shaped in like manner on
their undersides to conform to the eyeball. Still further, I might employ a simple
circular disc-shaped piece, such as is shown in Fig. 7.
Many other forms of the device might be resorted to without departing from the
scope of my invention, which is intended generically to cover any form whatever
designed to be located under the lids of the eye, for instance, in lieu of what is
shown, a gum or gelatinized disc or wad might in some instances be employed
with good results.
The device can be easily made from a stamp or die, and is both inexpensive,
simple, and useful. In applying the same it is fitted over the ball of the eye in
such manner as to permit the lids to be naturally placed or drawn over it, when it
automatically engages the under side of the lids, and in this way it is prevented
from slipping out.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
=
1. A device for maintaining the eyelids closed after death, the same being shaped
to fit the ball of the eye and provided with means for engaging the under side of
the eyelid, substantially as described.
2. A device for maintaining the eyelids closed after death, the said device being
shaped to conform to the shape of the eyeball and having small teeth or
projections adapted to take into the under side of the eyelid, substantially as
described.
3. A device for maintaining the eyelids closed after death, the said device being
ring-shaped and adapted to fit the ball of the eye, and also having small teeth or
projections designed to take into the under side of the eyelid, substantially as
described.
Dated this 15th day of Anvil 1800