US1488978A - Device for preventing thumb sucking - Google Patents

Description

April 1 1924.

- w. R. FARls 'nEvics FOR PREVENTING THUMB sucxme Filed Oct. 11 1922 Patented Apr. 1, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. rams, or eno'ron, Vermont; ASS IGNOB. on ONE-FOURTH T0 LESLIE H.

'rnonnrron, or .wnsranner, vERMo-n'r.

' DEVICE FOR PREVENTING- THUMBSUCKINGi.

Application filed October 11, 1922. Serial no. 593,787.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVIL IAM R. F ARIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Groton, in the county of Caledonia and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful In'iprovements in Devices for Preventing Thumb Sucking, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for discouraging or preventing thumb sucking by infants.

The general object of the invention is to provide a device designed for application about the upper arm of the infant and so constructed that when in place it will prevent bending of the elbow to: such an extent as to prohibit the infant from placing i thumb in its mouth.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that while it will serve the purpose stated, it will not cause annoyance by reason of its presence or be liable to result in any injury to the arm.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that it will permit of maximum freedom of movement of the arm without, however, permitting of movement to such position as would render the device ineffective.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the present invent-ion applied, the view illustrating the manner of its use;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the device;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device in flat form and prior to application to the arm;

.Fig. at is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 4=4 of Fig. 2. v

The device embodying the invention may be made from aluminum or any other light metal or from celluloid, or in fact any similar sheet material found suitable for the purpose, and itis in thenature of a sleeve which normally may be flat and which is adapted for application to and to be closed about the upper arm and of such structure.

as to serve the purpose for which designed. The device may therefore be said to consist of an open sleeve which is indicated in general in the drawings by the numeral 1, and this sleeve is preferably formed from an integral sheet or blank of the selected ma-" terial and along one margin is rolled or beaded, as at 2, to avoid a sharp edge which might cause inconvenience or injury to the the points of'location of the studs 5 with relation to the said portion 3. It will now be evident that by applying the device to theupper arm and fitting it about the arm, the portion 4 may be brought into overlap ping relation to the portion 3 and the studs 5 may be engaged through the slots 6 when, after relieving the device of the pressure required to cause it to encompass the arm, the tendency of the device to open, through its inherent resiliency, will result in the shanks of the studs 5 being drawn into the narrower portions of the slots 6 thus locking the device in closed form. The edge 2 will at this time be uppermost and located near the shoulder, and preferably a safety pin 7 is pivotally or otherwise mounted in or upon.

the beaded edge 2 and is attachable to the infants shirt substantially within the arm pit, thus insuring of support of the device against dropping down too far upon the arm and causing inconvenience when the elbow is bent.

In order that a certain freedom of movement of the elbow may be permitted and at the same time preventing. the forearm being bent at" such angle with relation to the upper arm as to enable the child to place its thumb in its mouth, the end of the sleeve opposite its beaded end 2 is outwardly flared or rolled along a more or less gradual curve to provide a curved guard indicated by the numeral 8, the edge of which is preferably overturned 01' beaded as at 9 so as to prevent inconvenience or injury to the infant. At the ends of the guard portion 8, the edge of the sheet from which the sleeve is formed is cut in preferably along curved lines as indicated by the numeral 10, so that the end of the sleeve will recede as indicated at 11 in Fig. 2, from the guard portion 8.

It will be understood from the foregoing description of the invention and by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, that the flared portion 8 of the sleeve will act as a barrier outstanding at the lower end of the sleeve at the front thereof and preventing the forearm being bent up to such an extent as to permit the infant to bring its thumb within reach of its mouth. At the same time no inconvenience is caused due to the curved form of the said portion and the provision of the bead along its edge. By providing the recess 11 at the rear side of the sleeve at the lower end thereof, a certain desirable freedom of the elbow is permitted, without, however, interfering with the effectiveness of the flared portion 8 as a guard or barrier for the forearm.

It will be understood, of course. that some fastening means other than the studs 5 and the key-hole slots 6 and the safety pin '7, may be employed in their respective places of location and for the same purposes, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also it will he understood that,

as this would be a common expedient, some closed about the arm and thus adapting a standard size of the device for application to infants of various ages.

It will be understood that not only does the device constitute a means for preventing sucking of the thumb but it also inhibits nail biting and scratching of the face, While in no way interfering with perfect freedom of movement of the hand.

Having thus described the what is claimed as new is:v

1. A device for limiting limb movement comprising a sleeve for application to the upper arm and provided with an outwardly curved portion at one end having its edge rounded, the said portion constituting an abutment for the forearm when the elbow is bent, the said sleeve at the opposite side of its said end being cut back whereby to provide for freedom of movement of the elbow.

2. A device for limiting limb movement comprising a sleeve for application to the upper arm and provided at its forward side with an abutment portion integral therewith and curving outwardly and forwardly whereby to extend circumferentially of the forward side of the upper arm and to constitute an abutment for the lower arm.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

\VILLIAM R. PARIS. [1 s.]

invention,

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