Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Jan., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 21st Oct., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
I, EVELYN PIERREPONT, of Bank Chambers, 2, Cockspur Street, S.W., in the County
of London, Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved shield or protector for bunions, corns, and
other similar affections of the human body. It has long been known that bunions
and the like may be advantageously treated and in some cases partially cured by.
relieving the affected part of the pressure of the boot or other article of clothing
compressing it, but this remedy in the form hitherto applied, consisting essentially of
a ring of felt or similar inaterial having a hole at the centre corresponding to the core
of the corn or the centre of the bunion, has afforded very partial relief, principally for
the reason that the parts are kept dry and a certain amount of irritation and con-
sequent inflammation is induced by the means adopted to relieve the same.
My invention is designed to obviate three drawbacks and to supply an improved
shield or protective device which will exercise the requisite amount of pressure upon
the bunion and at the right position upon the same, whilst retaining the natural
moisture of the body and consequently inducing the skin of the affected part to
remain soft and thus assist the absorption of the swelling.
In the case of corns the hard core gradually becomes softened and easily removable
and the pressure being relieved it does not return, and the skin gradually resumes its
natural condition.
Where requisite I assist the action of the device by certain medicated applications,
embrocations ointments or the like inserted in the hollow space under the centre
thereof.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a flexible unperforated shield,
having a series of concentric or other rings or rows of projections of soft vulcanized
rubber, of such depth and stiffness as to graduate the pressure on and around the corn
or bunion in the desired manner to effect the end in view. The shape of the
protector may vary according to the part to which it is to be applied. In the case
of large and painful bunions or enlarged joints, it is advisable to take a casting or
mould of the part and to construct a shield fitted accurately thereto. In the case of
smaller bunions the protector may be constructed in stock sizes, one of which will be
applicable without special fitting. By the use of my improved shield, the most
inveterate and painful bunion, enlarged joints and the like, may be subjected to a
gentle pressure, decreasing at the middle to a very slight pressure. Moreover, the
impervious shield retains the whole of the natural moisture of the parts, and keeps
the same in the most favourable condition for the gradual absorption of the morbid
growth, and the restoration of the natural condition of the part.
In this case specially fitted
My invention is also applicable for the relief of corns.
shields are not usually required but the relief of pressure on the core of the corn, and
the keeping moist of its surface soon render it removable and allows the skin to
resume its natural condition. It is sometimes advisable however, to fix a loop to two

page_text: edges of the protector or shield by which it may he maintained in proper position on
the foot or toe.
Although I have found the best results hitherto from the use of vulcanised rubber
such as is applied to moulded articles in other industries, yet I may use any suitable
substance which is flexible and impervious to moisture such as skin, prepared leather,
or the like for the purpose.
Dunions, and the like.
I, EVELYN PIERREPONT, of Bank Chambers, 2, Cockspur Street, S.W., in the County
of London, Dentist, 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:-
-
My invention relates to an improved shield or protector for bunions, corns, enlarged
joints and other similar affections of the human body. It has long been known that
bunions and the like may be advantageously treated and in some cases partially cured
by relieving the affected part of the pressure of the boot or other article of clothing
compressing it, but this remedy in the form hitherto applied, consisting essentially
of a ring of felt or similar material having a hole at the centre corresponding to the
core of the corn or the centre of the bunion, has afforded very partial relief, principally
for the reason that the parts are kept dry, and a certain amount of irritation and
consequent inflammation is induced by the means adopted to relieve the same.
My invention is designed to obviate these drawbacks and to supply an improved
shield or protective device which will exercise the requisite amount of pressure upon
the bunion and at the right position upon the same, whilst retaining the natural
moisture of the body and consequently inducing the skin of the affected part to
remain soft and thus assist the absorption of the swelling.
In the case of corns the hard core gradually becomes softened and easily removable
and the pressure being relieved it does not return, and the skin gradually resumes its
natural condition.
Where requisite I assist the action of the device by certain medicated applications,
embrocations, ointments or the like inserted in the hollow space under the centre
thereof.
In carrying my invention into effect I provide a flexible unperforated shield having
an annular cushion secured thereto in such a manner that when placed in position on
the corn or bunion pressure from the boot or outer covering of the part affected is
applied in a ring around the centre of the said part, the pressure being arranged to
diminish towards the centre of the shield so that a very gentle pressure will be
applied at the point of the corn or centre of the bunion, although at the same time
the part is completely enclosed by the shield. The cushion consists of a series of
concentric or other rings or rows of projections of soft vulcanized rubber of such
depth and stiffness as to graduate the pressure on and around the corn or bunion in
the desired manner to effect the end in view. The shape of the protector may vary 4
according to the part to which it is applied. In the case of large and painful bunions
or enlarged joints, it is advisable to take a casting or mould of the part, and to con-
struct a shield fitted accurately thereto, in the case of smaller bunions the protector
may be constructed in stock sizes one of which will be applicable to the same without
special fitting.

page_text: By the use of my improved shield the most inveterate and painful bunion, enlarged
joints and the like may be subjected to a gentle pressure decreasing at the middle to
a very much reduced pressure and the impervious shield retains the whole of the
natural moisture of the parts and keeps the same in a condition most favourable for
the gradual absorption of the morbid growth and the restoration of the natural
condition of the part.
My invention is also applicable for the relief of corns. In this case specially fitted
shields are not usually required but the relief of pressure on the core of the corn, and
the keeping moist of its surface soon render it removable and allow the skin to
resume its natural condition. It is sometimes advisable however, to fix a loop to two
edges of the protector or shield by which it may be maintained in proper position on
the foot or toe, (Figure 4).
Although I have found the best results hitherto from the use of vulcanized rubber
such as is applied to moulded articles in other industries, yet I may use any suitable
substance which is flexible and impervious to moisture such as skin, prepared leather,
or the like for the purpose.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
=;
Figure 1 is a section of my improved shield.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is a section of a modification of cellular form.
Figure 4 is a diagram of a shield fitted with loop to hold it in place.
In these drawings, A indicates the imperforate surface of the shield; B (Figure 3)
indicates in dotted lines the position of the affected part when the shield is in place;
C (Figure 3) indicates the upper surface of the cellular pad, illustrated in that figure,
whilst the concentric rings are indicated by the letter D, Figures 1 and 2. E shews
the method in which the moistened or medicated pad may be interposed between the
affected part, and the centre of the shield if found desirable. F (Figure 4) indicates
the strap or holding device for retaining the shield in place where required.
The surface of the shield is so moulded that it is closely applied to the skin except
at the centre of the bunion or point of the corn upon which a very slight pressure
may be exerted, or a space may be left between the point of the swelling and the
surface of the shield.
The concentric ridges shewn in Figures 1 and 2 may be replaced by a series of
points or fingers or the like which will have a similar effect, or by a cellular pad of
equivalent shape (Fig. 3).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved corn or bunion shield consisting of an imperforate flexible
shield of impermeable material and an annular graduated cushion substantially as
described.
2. The improved corn or banion shield constructed and operating substantially as
described and shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the anth Jan
1000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.