IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN CASE OF INJURY TO, OR OF DISEASE OR WEAKNESS OF, THE SPINE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James William Guilmette of Manchester in the County
of Lancaster for an Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING
THE BODY IN CASE OF INJURY TO, OR OF DISEASE OR WEAKNESS OF, THE
SPINE
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James William Guilmette
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th March 1883.
JAMES WILLIAM GUILMETTE of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN CASE OF INJURY TO, OR
OF DISEASE OR WEAKNESS OF, THE SPINE
"
In the treatment of all cases of injury to the spine or of disease or weakness
thereof whether causing curvature or otherwise it is necessary absolutely to
prevent all vertical pressure on the spinal column, for which purpose the patients
are kept always in a recumbent position, which is not only exceedingly irksome,
but is also injurious to the general health.
The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which shall prevent any
vertical pressure whatever on the spinal column, but at the same time allow the
patient to remain in a sitting position for several hours, and also allow a limited
freedom of movement without injury or inconvenience.
The invention consists of a particular construction of axilla rests or crutches
which support the patient under the armpits, with their lower ends resting upon
the chair, couch or bed.
The axilla rests or crutches consist principally of a stem or support (either made
to measure or adjustable in length) having at the upper end a crutch-head or rest
of suitable form to fit under the armpit and mounted on a pin or pivot so as to
allow of a certain amount of easy lateral or turning movement of the body.
The lower end of the rest or crutch is fitted with a rocker (or a curved pad or
ball) which rests upon the chair couch or bed upon which the patient sits thus

page_text: allowing of a free forward or backward movement of the body, at the same time
that the whole weight of the body is borne by the armpits and there is no pressure
whatever upon the spinal column.
The lower side of the rocker, pad or ball is covered with india rubber, leather or
other suitable substance to prevent slipping.
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When these "axilla rests or crutches are made to measure the length of the
shafts must be such that they will just support the whole weight of the body
without allowing any portion thereof to rest upon the spine, but I prefer to make
them adjustable, either by a screw or a slide, so as to be able to adjust their length
exactly to suit the circumstances of the case. They may also be used with
advantage in a Bath chair or other carriage,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James William Guilmette in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th September 1883.
"
!
JAMES WILLIAM GUILMETTE of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN CASE OF INJURY TO, OR
OF DISEASE OR WEAKNESS OF, THE SPINE".
In the treatment of all cases of injury to the spine or of disease or weakness
thereof whether causing curvature or otherwise it is necessary absolutely to
prevent all vertical pressure on the spinal column or cartilages of the vertebræ for
which purpose the patients are kept in a recumbent position, which is not only
exceedingly irksome but is also injurious to the general health. The object of my
Invention is to provide simple and portable apparatus which relieve the cartilages
of the vertebræ from pressure and at the same time allow the patient to remain
in a sitting position for several hours whilst allowing a limited freedom of
movement without injury or inconvenience. The invention consists of a particular
construction of axilla rests or crutches which support the patient under the arm
pits with their lower ends resting upon the chair, couch or bed. Each axilla rest
or crutch consists principally of a stem or support having at the upper end a
crutch-head or rest of suitable form to fit under the arm pit. The lower end of
the rest or crutch is fitted with a rocker (or a curved pad or ball) which rests upon
the chair, couch or bed upon which the patient sits thus allowing of a free forward
or backward movement of the body, at the same time that the whole weight of
the body is borne by the arm pits and there is no pressure whatever upon the
spinal column. The lower side of the rocker, pad or ball is or may be covered
with india rubber, leather or other suitable substance to prevent slipping. When
these axilla rests or crutches are made to measure the length of the shafts must
be such that they will just support the whole weight of the body without
allowing any portion thereof to rest upon the spine, but I prefer to make them
adjustable either by a screw or a slide, so as to be able to adjust their length
exactly to suit the circumstances of the case. They may also be used with
advantage in a bath-chair, or other carriage.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood I have attached hereto a
sheet of drawings wherein Fig 1 illustrates the method of using the rests the
other Figs showing some of the forms in which the rests may be made.
Fig 2
shows a simple form of rest which must be of a size to suit the user as there are
no means for adjustment. In all the examples a is the curved crutch head or
support for the shoulder and b is the rocker which rests upon the chair or seat.
Fig 3 illustrates a modification in which the stem c is of a more simple form. In
this example either the head a or the rocker b may be connected to the stem by
means of a pivot as indicated by the dotted lines so as to give more freedom of
movement to the user. Fig. 4 illustrates another modification wherein the head a
is provided with a screw which works in a nut formed or fixed in the stem c.
This screw enables the length of the rest to be increased or decreased to suit the
user and also permits the head to turn so as to give greater freedom of movement.
The curved rocker b enables the user to move to some extent in forward and
backward directions. In Figs 2 to 4 the soft padding or covering with which the
crutch head is preferably provided does not appear but it is indicated in Fig 1. I
do not confine myself to the precise forms so long as the useful features are
retained. In some cases the rocker or balls or joints at the lower ends of the rests
may be temporarily or permanently connected with the seat so as to prevent
accidental displacement whilst permitting the described movements.

page_text: Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my invention and the
manner in which I carry the same into practical effect I would have it to be
understood that I claim:
First. The rests, supports or appliances substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and indicated herein before and in and by the accompanying drawings.
And secondly. The rests for supporting the trunk of the human body when in
or nearly in a sitting position in the manner indicated in Fig 1 of the drawings
suitably formed at their lower ends to rest upon and to rock or tilt upon a seat or
a part taking the place of a seat substantially as set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof I the said James William Guilmette have hereunto set my
hand and seal this seventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and
eighty-three
Signed, sealed, and, delivered,
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON
-41 John Dalton St, Manchester.
(Agent for the Patentee)
J. W. GUILMETTE (L.S.)