Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 7th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
I LUDWIG SCHAFFER, of III Rennweg 17, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria,
Surgeon-Major in the Austrian Army do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
The object of this invention is to provide a simple means for reducing corpulency
by the use of which the superabundant flesh of the abdomen is supported and the
operation of the digestive organs and bowels is assisted.
The invention consists in an abdominal belt, which by suitably arranged weights
operates like a systematic massage of the abdomen on the muscles of the walls of the
stomach.
The improved abdominal belt is suitably provided at the front part with one or
more rows of metal plates which are advantageously made of an oval form and of a
concavo-convex section so that they shall fit the part of the body to which the belt
is applied.
These plates which are advantageously made of galvanized iron and of different
weights from one hundred to three hundred grammes are arranged on the belt or
band and are provided for this purpose with slots so that the band can be weighted
more or less according to requirement and it is advisable to arrange the weights in
such a manner that the heaviest shall be in the middle; to prevent the band from
slipping over the hips it is preferred to provide it with an elastic portion or band
which is placed over the upper part of the abdomen. In cases of very great
corpulency, besides the herein before described weighted belt or band, another band is
provided which passes under the lower part of the abdomen and is also provided with
weights which press against the groins.
The number of bands and consequently the rows of plates as well as the number
and weight of such plates can be varied according to requirements.
Thin 1141 JM 1207
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: 1, LUDWIG SCHAFFER, of 111, Rennweg 17, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria,
Surgeon-Major, in the Austrian Army, 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 object of this invention is to provide a simple means for reducing corpulency
by the use of which the superabundant flesh of the abdomen is supported and the
operation of the digestive organs and bowels is assisted.
Chronic over-nutrition and accumulation of fat owing thereto constitute a more
serious and dangerous ailment than usually supposed, although the morbid phenomena
may only appear gradually and after a series of years. In all cases, corpulency
exerts a checking influence on the activity and duration of life, and often becomes the
cause of serious diseases, which, apparently, break out suddenly.
It is true that for a long time, the organism appears to tolerate the increasing
obstructions, but as soon as the limits within which the functions of all organs are in
harmony, are overstepped, the morbid disturbances become clearly perceptible.
Few persons know how narrow the limits are, within which the weight of the
human body can vary, with a given stature and age, without producing some disorder.
It has been ascertained however, that the weight of full-grown persons, who have
always been in good health, have lived an active life and have reached a great age
has invariably been between about 65 and 85 kilogrammes.
Several remedies have been devised and employed for counteracting the accumula-
tion of fat caused by unfavorable conditions of life; many however of these remedies
are not accessible to persons affected by corpulency, and moreover, the effects of these
remedies are not in all cases favorable to a healthy condition in later years.
Among these remedies only those can be regarded as harmless and proper, which
will bring a corpulent person back to his or her former condition gradually, without
any forcible interference with the normal functions of the organism, and of this nature
is the remedy afforded by the use of my invention.
The invention consists in an abdominal belt, which by suitably arranged weights,
operates like a systematic massage of the abdomen on the muscles of the walls of the
abdominal cavity, and which, on account of its small cost will be practically within
the means of everybody.
The improved abdominal belt is suitably provided at the front part with one or
more rows of metal weights of from about two hundred to four hundred grammes
each and consisting of plates which are advantageously made of an oval form and of
a concavo-convex section so that they shall fit the part of the body to which the bolt
is applied.
The belt is worn loosely round the waist, and the weights at every movement of the
body and more especially while the person is walking and respiring, exert upon

page_text: the abdomen, in consequenco of their inertia, a continuous and gentle mechanical
action which does not in the least incommode the wearer.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can
be carried into practico by reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an abdominal belt made according to my invention
and composed of several bands, the weights however not being shown.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate two different ways in which the belt with the weights can
be worn.
Figure 4 is a full sized elevation and sections of one of the metal weights.
Similar letters in all the figures indicate similar parts.
The belt is composed of a main band or belt proper a, which is loosely girded
round the waist and made, by preference, of leather and of two secondary bands c
and d. By means of rings b, sowed to each end of the loin portion of the main
band a the elastic band c is connected to the belt. This band is adapted to be applied
on the surface of the upper part of the abdomen, which projects in a more or less
rounded form. In this manner, the band e without exerting any annoying pressuro
upon the abdomen, prevents the belt from slipping downward off the hips. To the
rings b, bare also connected the two bands d, d adapted to be buckled together and
intended to carry the weights, which act upon the lower portion of the abdomen near
the groins.
The oval disc-shaped weights are by preference made of soft and galvanized cast
iron, of a concavo-convex section, and in order to enable them to be readily fastened
to the bands a and d, they are provided with longitudinal slots, and transverse
slots The discs are threaded upon the bands a and d of the belt in such
number as to give a total weight of about 14 kilogrammes. As shown in figures 2
and 3, the main band a is by preference passed through the longer slots, of the
weights, in order that the plates shall be in an upright position, as there is sufficient
space therefor, and as it is desirable to arrange a great number of weights along the
said band a. The weights connected to the band d on the other hand have this
band passed through the transverse slots ", as they are intended to act near
the boundaries of the walls of the abdomen. As a rule it is advantageous to arrange
a heavier weight in front of the central portion of the abdomen, as shown in figure 3.
In certain cases, when the abdomen is very protuberant the band d with a number
of weights threaded thereon can be placed across the upper part of the abdomen as
shown in figure 3, instead of arranging it along the groins.
The weights should generally have their concave surfaces in contact with the body,
but after the belt has been in uso a certain time it may be advantageous io reverso
the position of the weights.
It will be readily understood that the weights f will, on account of their inertia and
the belt being loose, lag behind when the body is moved in any direction. The
weights will therefore be continually exerting a gentle pressure upon the abdomen,
and afterwards sinking back into their normal position again.
A similar effect could be produced by a loose belt made of an elastic fabric and
having the weights sewn to it, but for the purpose of easy adjustment it is preferable
to employ a belt composed of several bands, upon which the weights are threaded as
herein before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a belt adapted to loosely surround the waist portion of the
human body, of a number of flat weights, connected to the said belt, substantially
as and for the purpose seiforth.
2. The combination with a band adapted to loosely surround the waist portion of
the human body, of a number of slotted metal plates threaded upon the said band,
and of an elastic band running from one hip to the other over the top portion of the
abdomen, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 3. The combination with a band adapted to loosely surround the waist portion of
the human body, of a number of slotted metal plates threaded upon the said band,
of an elastic band running from one hip to the other over the top portion of the
abdomen, and of a third band, running from one hip to the other over the lower
portion of the abdomen and also having slotted metal plates threaded upon it,
substantially as and for the purpose setforth.
Datod tho 7th day of Ducowbar 1887
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South, Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.