Improvements in Trusses.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1893
CUMI DUTE DI MUIFICATION.
Improvements in Trusses.
I, BERNHARD LINDMAN, residing at the Hess Building, in Williamsport,
Lycoming, County and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Gentleman, 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 will first be described in connection with the drawing, and then
pointed out in the claims.
Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the truss :
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the hernia pad:
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line x-, Figure 2.
Like letters and numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the
Specification and drawing.
The invention consists of a flat plate spring A which carries the broad back
pads b, the contact surfaces of which are slightly convexed. Each of the back
pads 6 is provided with a screw which passes through any one of a series of holes
made in the flat plate spring A in order that the back pad may be adjusted to suit
different persons. The flat plate spring A partially encompasses the body and to
the end of the flat plate spring is hinged a round spring C bent substantially into
the form shewn in Figure 1 of the drawing, so that it will adapt itself to the
curvatures of the body and form seats for the pad holders hereinafter described.
The round spring C carries the hernia pad d, the back of which is fitted with a
metallic plate e, provided with semi-circular slots el closed at each end by a stop ell.
A screw passes through each of the slots e¹, and enters the back of the hernia
pad d. The screws are arranged diametrically opposite each other, and hold the
plate e to the back of the hernia pad d, the heads of the said screws overlapping
the edges of the slots, and preventing the separation of the said plate and pad.
Owing to the arrangement of the slots the screws are permitted to work from
end to end therein, and allow of the pad being turned to any required angle. The
back of the plate e is provided with a clamp 2 by means of which the pad dis
secured to the spring C, this arrangement permitting the hernia pad being moved
along the said spring. By this construction the hernia pad can be adjusted to any
position on the spring C and to any desired inclination, in order that the said pad
will fit snugly into place and properly hold the hernia. The peculiar construction
of the pad is an essential feature of the invention and it will be noticed by reference
to the drawing, that the hernia holding portion of the pad is composed of a raised
surface which tapers rapidly away at its lower extremity and forms a slight ridge
to fit on the pelvic bone which assists in retaining the pad in position. F, G are
two plates pivotted together at H, the plate F being grooved to receive the end of
the flat spring A and plate G. The plate F has also a hole F¹ in which the end
of the round spring is retained. The flat spring is preferably rivetted to the
plate G.
In order to regulate the distance to which the springs may be spread apart, I use
a screw / and travelling nut H¹. The screw is pivotted at h¹ to the plate F and
passes through a hole in a lug i on the plate G. The screw h is moved in one or
the other direction as the nut H' is operated so as to oause the free ends of the
springs A and C to be more or less widely separated.
By my mode of hinging and connecting the set-screw I avoid injury to the clothes
of the wearer.
Although I have only referred to one hernia pad it will be obvious that two or
more hernia pads can be mounted on the spring C, the inwardly curved shape of

page_text: the said spring forming seats for the pad-holders which are slid along the spring
until the pads are properly located to fit the hernias, the number of the seats on the
spring and of the pad-holders corresponding with that of the pade.
As any required number of pads can be secured. on the spring C, the truss can be
adapted to either a single or double hernia, whereas without this provision a separate
spring would be required for each hernia."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The truss herein described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.
2. The truss pad herein described and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the
drawings.
3. The truss herein described, consisting of a flat spring carrying the back pad,
and a round spring carrying the hernia pad, the said springs being adjustable in
pressure at the hinge joint, and the front spring inwardly curved to form seats
for the pad-holders, as shewn and described.
Dated the 9th day of August 1893.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.