Improvements relating to Electric Belts and to Apparatus for use in connection therewith.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1891-Accepted, 6th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Belts and to Apparatus for use
in connection therewith.
I, CORNELIUS BENNETT HARNESS, of 52 Oxford Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Medical Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to electric belts of the kind or class described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 13th October
A.D. 1883, No. 4881.
One feature of my present invention is the combination, with several series of
electrodes, of suitable Haps or covering pieces of any suitable insulating material, or
material which is a bad conductor of electricity, whereby the said series of
electrodes can be separately covered or uncovered so that any desired number of
the electrodes can be kept out of contact or allowed to be in contact with the body,
as may be desired. The intensity of the electric current administered to the person
using the belt can thus be increased or diminished as required, or the action of the
electric belt can be localised if desired. Suitable straps and buckles or other
fastenings are provided for securing the said flaps or coverings. The flaps or coverings
are preferably attached to the upper edge of the belt and so arranged that they can
be folded over either the interior or the exterior of the belt, and can be fastened in
either of these positions.
Another feature of my said invention is the provision of a suitable galvanoscope
for indicating the existence, and measuring the intensity, of the electric current.
This apparatus is preferably constructed as follows, that is to say, it comprises an
induction-coil and a magnetised bar or needle which is acted upon thereby and one
extremity of which moves over a graduated scale. These parts are enclosed in a
box or case constructed with a window of glass or other suitable transparent
material, through which the movements of the needle over the graduated scale can
be clearly seen. The induction-coil may be wound upon a bobbin composed of
wood, cardboard, compressed felt, or other suitable material. The said coil is
connected with the electrodes of the belt by suitable wires or by terminal pins fitting
in sockets from which they can be readily withdrawn to permit the removal of the
galvanoscope from the belt.
The box or case is preferably made of sheet metal, stamped to the required
shape, and folded to form the sides and bottom of the box or case, the front with
the window therein being secured in place, in any convenient manner. The said
box or case may, however, be otherwise suitably constructed.
Dated this 27th day of August 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Belts and to Apparatus for use
in connection therewith.
I, CORNELIUS BENNETT HARNESS, of 52, Oxford Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Medical Electrician, 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 electric belts of the kind or class described in the
D

page_text: plates or electrodes or series or groups of contact plates or electrodes, of suitable
flaps or covering pieces of any suitable insulating material, or material which is a
bad conductor of electricity, whereby the said electrodes or series or groups of
electrodes can be separately covered or uncovered, so that any desired number of
the electrodes can be kept out of contact, or allowed to be in contact with the
body of the wearer as may be desired. The intensity of the electric current
administered to the person using the belt can thus be increased or diminished as
required, or the action of the electric belt can be localised if desired.
Another feature of my said invention is the provision of a suitable galvanoscope
or electrometer for indicating the existence and measuring the intensity of the
electric current.
In the accompanying drawing, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan illustrating my improved belt.
Figure 2 is a front elevation.
Figure 3 is a similar view with the front plate removed, and
Figure 4 a vertical section on the line a, a, Figures 2 and 3, showing my
improved galvanoscope or electrometer.
Figures 5 and 6 are plans, both drawn to a reduced scale, showing details of
construction.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing,
A is the belt which preferably consists of two, three or more parts connected
together by strips A' of elastic material; B, B are the electrodes, which are
connected by conductors in any convenient manner. C, C are flaps or covering
pieces formed of any suitable insulating material, or material which is a bad
conductor of electricity. Each of the flaps or covering pieces C is connected at
one end to the corresponding edge of the belt A, and is provided at the other
end with a strap D to engage with a buckle D' on the said belt; or other fastenings
are provided for securing the said flaps or covering pieces. The flaps or covering
pieces C, moreover, are preferably so attached to the edge of the belt A, and are
so arranged that they can be folded over either the interior or the exterior of the
said belt, and can be fastened in either of these positions.
In Figures 2 to 6, I have illustrated my improved galvanoscope or electrometer.
This apparatus is constructed as follows, that is to say, E is a box or casing; F is
an induction-coil; and G is a magnetised bar or needle which is acted upon by the
current in the said coil, and one extremity of which moves over a graduated
scale E secured in the box or case E. The said box or case is constructed with a
window E² in which is fitted a piece of glass or other suitable transparent material,
through which the movements of the bar or needle G over the graduated scale E¹
can be clearly seen. The induction-coil F is wound upon a bobbin F' composed of
wood, cardboard, compressed felt, or other suitable material, and is supported upon
partitions E³ in the box or casing E. H, H are sockets electrically connected with
the said coil. I, I are terminal pins fitting into the sockets 'H' and intended to be
connected with the electrodes of the belt by suitable wires or conductors, so that
they can be readily withdrawn to permit the removal of the galvanoscope or
electrometer from the belt.
The magnetised bar or needle G is preferably mounted as follows, that is to say,
G¹ is a pivot or spindle firmly secured at right angles to the said bar or needle G,
and having pointed or conical extremities adapted to engage in corresponding
recesses in small bearings J formed of glass or other nonconducting material. The
bearings are secured by means of gum or lacquer to small plates, sheets or
discs K also of glass or other non-conducting material, which latter are attached in
any convenient manner to the inner surface of the bobbin F. The bar or needle G

page_text: is thus enabled to move or pivot freely under the influence of the magnetic current
whether natural or modified by induction.
The box or case E is preferably made of sheet-metal, and constructed in the
following manner, viz. :-A piece of sheet metal is first stamped to the required
shape, as shown in Figure 5, and is folded to form the sides and bottom of the box
or case; the front of the box or case with the aperture forming the window and
with any suitable inscription in relief or otherwise, is likewise stamped out as
shown in Figure 6. E, E are teeth or projections left upon the parts forming
the bottom and sides of the box or casing E, which are adapted to engage in
notches or grooves E' in the edges of the part forming the front or cover, and
which, when the front is in place, are bent or turned over so as to firmly connect
the parts together. The box or case E is preferably constructed of sheet brass
and electroplated or otherwise suitably treated to protect it against oxidation.
The said box or case E may, however, be otherwise suitably constructed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. In an electric belt, the provision of suitable means whereby the electrodes
or series or groups thereof can be separately covered or uncovered, for the purpose
above specified.
Second. The improved electric belt constructed with the flaps or covering pieces
substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.
Third. The combination, with an electric belt, of a galvanoscope or electrometer
adapted to be readily connected therewith and disconnected therefrom, substantially
as described.
Fourth. The improved galvanoscope or electrometer constructed substantially as
described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawing, for the
purpose above specified.
άμπι 1001.
C. B. HARNESS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.