US1029955A - Abdominal supporter. - Google Patents

Description

K. L. STORM.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER. APPLICATION FILED MAR.22,1911.

1,029,955, Patented June 18 1912.

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ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.22,1911.

1,029,955, Patented June 18, 1912.

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K. L. STORM.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB..22,1911.

Patented June 18, 1912.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1912.

Application filed March 22, 1911. Serial No. 616,247.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, KATHERINE L. STORM, citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Abdominal Supporters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement upon Letters Patent No. 825561 granted to me July 10, 1906. The supporter shown and described in said Letters Patent has proved wonderfully effective in practical use, but experience has shown me some desirable improvements. My patented invention comprises an elastic body band and an auxiliary or reinforcing elastic band with a non-elastic portion secured to the body band and in connection with the auxiliary band which is utilized to apply pressure thereto, and in the present improvements I aim to enlarge the scope of the invent-ion and its sphere of usefulness.

In the present construction I have provided a supporter in which I may reinforce the compression along the same line exerted by the body band, or if desired can exert a pressure in a line at variance with that of the body beltthat is-instead of directly horizontal, the pressure of the auxiliary belt maybe upwardly or downwardly and this added to the direct pressure of the body belt around the body adds greatly to the efficiency of the supporter.

In my former patent the free ends of the auxiliary band and the ends of the body belt were independently engaged in the back, while in the present construction the free ends of the auxiliary or reinforcing band are secured to the body belt or its attached ends by suitable means with the effect that the reinforcing band is prevented from being misplaced as it is prone to be in patients with relatively small waist measurements, and further it enables me to maintain in a fixed position the line of direction of the force of compression desired by this auxiliary band. The greatest efliciency of th auxiliary band under the varying cond. tions and configurations of patients can best be obtained by changing the line of direction of the force of this compression to suit the needs of patients, as for example, in inguinal hernia the reinforcing band is placed very low in front and should also be kept low in the back. On a pendulous abdomen the reinforcing is most efficient if low in front and high in the back. Further,

this construction facilitates the ease and minimizes the labor and time of adjustment of the supporter with its auxiliary or reinforcing band, as independent adjustment of the auxiliary or reinforcing band is not required in the ordinary removals and adjustment of the abdominal supporter, but only occasionally as special needs may demand, as for example in the changes of form which the abdomen undergoes in pregnancy. The single connection across the back avoids the heat and compression over the spine which follows when the auxiliary band is superimposed upon the body belt with independent connections. Thus by this arrangement of attaching the free ends of the auxiliary band to either side of the back of the supporting belt an eficiency of two supporting belts is maintained in front and the compression of but one is made over the spine. This is a practical advantage of great value in saving time and labor; in promoting efficiency, and in case of a patient with a tender spine it lessens the dis agreeable compression.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a rear view of my improved belt. Fig. 2 a view showing it on the body. Fig. 3 is a front View showing also means for the support of a ,kidney. Fig. 4c is a modification showing a special form of belt for high operations. Fig. 5 is a front view of the belt showing means to support a hernia. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the same.

, In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the body belt A is of elastic material and carries the substantially non-elastic section B shown in Fig. 3. This is secured to the elastic body portion, and, connected to the ends of the nonelastic portion 13 is the auxiliary band C also of elastic material. As shown and described in my patent referred to the body portion is fastened at the back by laces, and the auxiliary supporter has its ends passing across the back of the patient where they are secured by a buckle or the like. As hereinbefore stated I aim to render unnecessary this double connection, and its disadvantages as enumerated, by securing the ends of the auxiliary band to the rear edges of the main or body portion. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the body portion is fastened together at the rear by lacings a, the eyelets being carried in the vertical strips 6, a protecting strip 0, in the nature of a flap protect-ing the back of the patient'from the pressure of the eyelets and lacings. Ex-

tensions 6 having eyelets are also provided as shown and the ends of the auxiliary bands are secured by lacings, or other suitable fastenings, to these extensions. As has been stated, this renders unnecessary the crossing of the back by a double row of fastening devices, and yet gives all the advantages of an independent connection, as any desired adjustment in the way of pressure of the auxiliary band may be secured by the construction shown. Furthermore, it will be observed that while in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the pressure of the auxiliary band is coincident with that of the body, namely, directly around the body, this pressure may be varied by connecting the ends of the auxiliary band at a point above or below the central line of the non-elastic portion B, that is, when an upward pressure is desired the ends of the auxiliary band may be connected with the strips 5 of the body belt at its center or upper end instead of at its lower end according to the pressure required. It will be understood that in such a case the extension 6' will be located according to the requirements as these belts are usually made to order to meet the peculiar conditions existing. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I utilize a second layer of elastic material D, this being secured to the body of the belt at its front and simply constitutes a double section of the body belt throughout its upper portion.

I have shown in Fig. 3, in dotted lines, a kidney pad at E, this being secured to the inside of the body belt and is adapted to be utilized where there is a case of floating kidney.

I11 Fig. t. I have shown instead of the lower section of non-elastic material extending only a portion of the height of the body belt a non-elastic center extending nearly the entire height of the belt as at G, and in this case the non-elastic port-ion is supported by two auxiliary bands C and C the ends being secured as heretofore described. This form of supporter with the enlarged and elongated non-elastic portion is intended for a case of gall bladder operation. In

such a case as this I may use two or more auxiliary bands or utilize two or more of the comparatively non-elastic front portions secured together to form the high center, and this non-elastic center may extend throughout the height of the belt as shown in Fig. 4, or two auxiliary bands may be utilized with an interval between not only the bands but the non-elastic centers as well.

In Fig. 5 I have shown my improved belt utilized to support a hernia in the location indicated. In this case I add a practically triangular piece to the bottom of the nonelastic center as at m, and then secure a is secured to the extension at and thus aids to furnish the necessary pressure to support a hernia in this region.

It will be understood that in the use of the word non-elastic this is relative and means that the center is nonelastic as compared with the body band and auxiliary band which is made of soft elastic material.

It will beunderstood that while I have shown the hernia pad only in Figs. 5 and 6 this pad may be used in connection with the forms of belt shown in the other figures being employed in the same relation substantially to the main body, the non-elastic section or its extension and the thigh strap as illustrated in these Figs. 5 and 6.

lVhat I claim is: a

1. An abdominal supporter comprising a body portion of elastic material substantially encircling the body, means for securing the ends of the body portion together detachably, a non-elastic section located in the front of the supporter and secured to the body portion, and an auxiliary supporter connected with the non-elastic section having its ends passing to the rear of the body, and adjustably secured to the means for securing. the ends of the body portion, substantially as described.

2. An abdominal supporter comprising a body portion of elastic material passing around the body, said body portion having end portions; fastening means between the end portions of the body; a non-elastic front section, an auxiliary supporter connected with the non-elastic front section and extending to the rear, and an adjustable connection between the ends of the auxiliary supporter and the end portion of the body portion, substantially as described.

3. An abdominal supporter comprising a body portion extending to the rear, terminals therefor with connections between, a non-elastic front portion, an auxiliary elastic supporter connected with the nonelastic section and extending to the rear, connections between the rear ends of said elastic auxiliary supporter and the terminals of the body portion, and a second layer of elastic material extending between the non-elastic front section and the rear of the body belt, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KATHERINE L. STORM.

Vit-nesses WILLIAM J. SADLEIR, JNo. SADLEIR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

Washington, D. C.

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