US502578A

US502578A - osborne

Info

Publication number: US502578A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1893-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1910-08-01

Description

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J W OSBORNE MOVEMENT CURB. APPARATUS.

No.5ozsvs.

(.No Model.) s Sheets-Sheet 2. J'. W. OSBORNE.

MOVEMENT CURB APPARATUS: No;502,578. Patented Aug. 1, 1893.

-(No Model.) A V 3 Sheets-Sheet? J. W'. OSBORNE.

MOVEMENT CURE APPARATUS.

No. 502,578. Patented Aug. 1, 1893 ff-Z UNITED. STATES PATENT OFF CE.

JOHN W. OSBORNE, OF WVASHINGTON,-DISTRIOT OF COLUMBIA.

MOVEMENT-CORE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,578, dated August 1, 1893.

Application filed July 9, 1387. Serial No. 24334 3. (N0 model.) i

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN ,W. OSBORNE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vibrators for the Mechanical Treatment of Invalids; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is related to many contrivances used in the application of passive gymnastics. Its special object is to impart vibrations varying in kind, rapidity, and intensity, to all parts of the body in 'a simple, convenient, and effective manner.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1, represents the vibrator in elevation as seen from the right side, Fig. 2, is a similar view from the left. elevation from the back, and Fig. 4,'is a plan of the base, showing the main upright in section, its upper part and attachments being removed. Fig. 5, is a combined section and elevation representing the two revolving heads in position. Figs. 6, and 7, are front eleva tions of the same removed from the instru-'' ment. Fig. 8, is a side elevation of the adjusting disk. Fig. 9, is a section through the arm-clamping device. Fig. 10, is one of the pitman heads employed. Fig. 11, is a section showing the clamping device for the casters. Figs. 12, and 13, are attachments used for imparting the vibratory movement. Fig. 14, is a long interpolating spring for the pitmanhead.

This vibrator is designed to accommodate itself in location and form, to the position of the patient to be operated upon, whether standing, sitting, or lying. Its frame consists of an upright 10, on a triangular-base 11", which stands itself on three casters 12. The vertical position of the upright 10, is maintained and its great stiffness and firmness secured, by the triangular piece 13, which crosses the base and is made fast at right angles to it and to the upright 10. The upper part of 10, is semi circular and stands nearly four feet from the floor. To it the arm 14, is attached, in such a way that it can swing in the same plane, from its lowest position,

Fig. 3, is an.

. shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, to the highest, seen in Figs. 2, and 3, and even over farther toward the back if desired. In any position given the arm 14, it can be clamped fast. This is an important feature of the instrument, because of the very great steadfastness and rigidity which is indispensable in an instrument of this kind. The Wayin which the clamping is effected will be best understood by consulting Fig. 9, which shows the parts in vertical section. The upright 10, and arm 14, are here shown only in part.

The heavy cast iron bolt 15, has a large flange 16, by which it is screwed firmly to the swinging arm. The cylindrical part of the bolt passes through the upright 10, turning freely in the round opening made for it, the screwed portion extending beyond the wood. The nuts 17, bears against the large washer 1S, and when the lever 19, is depressed, the flange 16, and the washer 18, are drawn forcibly together and the arm and upright clamped strongly between them. To make the swinging motion of the arm easy and smooth, the counterpoise 20, is attached, in virtue of which the arm 14,with all its attachments will stay passively in any position in which it may be placed. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the -upright and arm, have large disks opposed to each other, one of sheet metal and one of woolen cloth [indicated at 21, Fig. 9,] which establishes a soft contact and uniform friction between them, and does not interfere with, but rather aids, the firm clamping of the two surfaces together, by means of the lever 19.

The arm 14, carries on its outerand smaller end the reciprocating apparatus which originates the .vibratory movement, which forms the more essential part of myinvention. This consists of two heads of metal 22, provided with crank-pins 23, attached to the ends of the short shaft24, and driven by the

pulleys

25, or 26 as desired. With these pulleys the small fiy-wheel 27, may be connected, either by the flat belt 28, or the round one 29, according to the speed required. The fly-wheel is rotated by the handle 30. It turns upon the taper bolt 31, which screws firmly into bolt 15.

When the flat belt is used, the guide-pulleys 32, are desirable, so as to change the direction thereof, and grasp the little pulley 25,

well. These guide pulleys are mounted on the swinging arm14, by means of pins or bolts which are removably inserted in any one of the holes 60, provided for this purpose. The guide pulleys may, therefore be shifted to different places on the swinging arm 14, and are thus conveniently used as belt tighteners. To originate vibratory impulses, itis only necessary to place the crank-pins 23, eccentrically with reference to the center of motion, and in doing this, one or both of the heads 22, may be called into action in away tobe hereinafter explained. Both heads are constructed alike, except that in one case the scale counts from right to left, and in the other from left to right; and I now proceed to describe the way in which the stroke of the crankpin in either of them can be changed from zero, to about two and one-half inches which is usually more than enough, even when the most violent vibrations are desired. In Fig. 6, a front elevation of one of the heads is shown; the diameter of which over all is about four inches. Within the raised ring 33, the fiat adjusting disk 34, may be turned. This disk is shown in elevation in Fig. 8. It is made with slightly tapering sides corresponding in angle with those inside the raised ring 33; into which it fits exactly, without lying on the bottom; and it carries eccentrically on its face the crank-pin 23. In the middle of this disk the shouldered part of the locking screw 35, is fitted, the screwed end of which enters the tapped opening 36, in the center of the raised ring 33, shown in Fig. 7. When the adjusting disk 34, is in its place and is made to turn through one revolution, the axis of the crankpin 23, is so placed that it will be found to pass exactly overthe center of the shaft 24, the screwed end of which appears through the tapped opening 37, Fig. 7, flush with the bottom of the cavity formed by the raised ring If the adjusting disk be locked in that position by means of the screw 35, the crank-pin will be practically an elongation of the shaft, and therefore if the latterbe driven there will be no stroke. But every other place in which the crank-pin can be fixed will give a stroke the length of which will be double the distance of the axis of the crank-pin from the axis of the shaft. If therefore, the diameter of the circle described by the crankpin when it is carried once round by the disk 34, be one and one-fourth inches the maximum stroke of the instrument will be two and one-half inches.

In the drawings Fig. 6, shows the adjusting disk in place. The stroke in this case is zero as indicated by the pointer, and the scale on the edge of the raised ring. This scale, though consisting apparently of gradually increasing divisions, gives in reality lengths of stroke which increase from zero by aconstant increment'namely, one-tenth of an inch. To construct a scale of this sort, the distances from the zero point, [fixed upon anywhere at the junction of the raised ring 33, and disk 34, when the crank-pin is central over the end of the shaft 1,] are laid. off by a series of chords, emanating therefrom, and having a constant increment of increase. In Fig. 7, such chords for even numbersonly,areshown as dotted lines. When it is wished to adjust the instrument for a particular stroke, the locking screw 35, is slacked, the disk 34, then turned till the arrow upon it points to the number of tenths desired, and then screw 35, screwed up again firmly.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that each of the two crank or wrist pins can be adjusted to any desired length of stroke, independently of the other. Consequently the adjustment may be such that the reciprocations produced by one pin will be synchronous'with the reciprocations produced by the other pin, that is to say, that the reciprocations of the two pins may begin and terminate at the same moment. The adjustment may, however, be so that the beginning of the stroke of one pin does not coincide in time with the beginning of the stroke of the other, so that there will be a diiference in the phases of the strokes of the two pins. In this manner a great variety of novel effects upon the patient can be produced.

As will be afterward explained, the strain upon the crank-pin tending to make it change its position is at times very considerable; hence it is necessary the friction produced by tightening up the screw 35, should be very considerable. For this reason the outside edge of the adj usting disk, and theinside of the raised ring which receives it are made, as before explained, slightly conical, so that the screw 35, forces the disk into the cavity as if it were a wedge, which accordingly bears hard upon the sides. This manner of locking the crankpin in position, is most effectual, quick and simple, requiring but one movement; but, as described, there is some dangerthatthe disk may become too thoroughly jammed into the cavity, and revolve therein with great diiliculty. I prevent the occurrence of such an evil, by placing under the adjusting disk, a circular piece of woolen cloth, which may be supplemented with paper or other thin material until exactly of the proper thickness. When the screw 35, is tightened the woolen cloth is compressed till the conical sides of the disk jam in the cavity, but subsequently, when the screw is released, the woolen cloth acting as an exceedingly strong spring for an exceedingly short distance throws the disk up and out of the conical cavity and frees it. The cloth acts against the Whole of the under surface of the disk much as if it were an elastic fluid.

The little shaft or spindle 24, is of hardened steel and runs in conical bearings 38, which can be brought together after any wear has taken place, so as to prevent a shake. The two heads are screwed on the projecting ends of this spindle and are kept from working off by the insertion of a little screw 39, seenin IIO Figs. 7, and 5. The disks are placed so that the projecting ring and disk of one, balances the other, and the scales are so divided and numbered that if at one side the crank-pin is moved to the right, on the other head it will have to be moved to the left to reach thesame number, which insures the important condition, that a line from the axis of one crank-pin to the other, will pass through the axis of the shaft.

Each of the crank-pins carries as shown on a large scale in Fig. 5, the pitman heads 40. Fig. 10 makes intelligible the manner in which these are constructed. This is a mat ter of some importance because it is impossible to prevent their being subjected to careless usage. The material best adapted for this part of the instrument is hard wood, but were this used alone, it would be frequently broken, in consequence of the leverage which may be exerted upon it; but this I prevent by interpolating the strong spiral spring 41, which terminates in the screw 42, to which all the attachments used in conveying the vibrations are made fast. The spring 41, performs in this place a double function. Acting as a peculiar kind of universal joint it hinders the evil effects of careless movements imparted to the attachments, which will be presently described; but also, being interposed between the reciprocation of the crank-pin and the body of the person acted on, it softens and modifies the blow or rubbing contact and this to an extent which depends upon its stiffness and length.

Fig. 14, represents a long spring which may be made to take the place of spring 41, or may be used with it according as it is attached at 43, or 42.

In communicating vibrations, this instrument should be rolledup on its casters to a suitable position near the patient; the arm 14, should then be placed at a proper eleva tion, and. the proper attachment screwed on by means of which connection is established between one or both of the pitman heads and that part of the body which is to be affected. The character of the vibrations imparted may differ very materially; that is, first,- they may be percussive; consisting of a number of short perpendicular blows given with great rapidity. This would be the case if the light ball 47, and thin steel rod 48, shown in Fig. 13, were employed in such away that the rod stood perpendicularly from the part reached by the ball; or, second, they may be frictional; which is their generalcharacter when the terminal, of whatever shape it may be, is allowed to rub in a direction parallel to the surface; with, at the same time, more or less perpendicular pressure applied thereto. This would be the case if the ball 4?, taken upward from the arm 14, in the dotted position given it in Fig. 1, were pressed against the abdomen orback of a patient standing; or, third, the vibrations may be essentially tractional in their nature. This is the method generally followedby those who use my invention when large and heavy portions of the body have to be thrown into rapid motion. If a strap for instance be buckled around the thorax of a person in a sitting posture, and then attached to. one of the movable hooks 49, as shown in Fig. 10; or into the hook-of the long spring shown in Fig. 14, the agitation of the whole of the upper part of the body, including the internal organs, will be effected; lastly, the vibrations may havev a positively reciprocating character; that is, the part of the body involved, may be either pulled or pushed alternately in opposite directions. In this case less dependence is placed upon the natural tendency of the tissues of the body to recover their normal position when displaced, and as far as possible impulses are given in both directions. Thus, two rods with balls or analogous terminals may be used, one from each crankpin, at the same time; or, a sling as shown, hanging from the two crank-pins in Fig. 1, may be caused to encircle some part of the body. Each end will then be alternately pulled, as the result of the eccentricity given to the crank-pin; in a manner that will be readily understood. If for instance, the calf of the leg be placed horizontally in the sling, hanging-as shown, and a stroke of one inch be given to the crank-pins, the heavy muscles,

resting on the flexible leather or webbing will be pulled first to the right and then to the left, to that extent; a treatment which will inevitably give rise to very distinct physiological effects in the parts acted on. Or a similar but longer sling, [see Fig. 12, in which two views of such a device are shown] may be placed horizontally about the loins; or across the abdomen, whereby the soft parts so grasped will be obliged to make more orless rapid reciprocations, with an amplitude varying from nothing to upward of two inches, according to the wish of the operator.

Of course a great variety of attachments, differing in size and form, but subject all of them to the principles herein set forth, may be interposed between the heads 22, or one of them, and the patient. In this specification only such typical forms have been described and shown, as were necessary to render clear the application of this invention, to the purposes for which it is intended, and to make comprehensible the function of the included spring 41, which acting as a universal joint with a constant tendency to recover its position, obviates the necessity for absolute precision in placing the patient, and saves the several parts of the apparatus from the injury which would follow careless lateral movementsof such an attachment as that shown in Fig. 13.

In using this vibrator the-operator should in most cases stand upon the base 11, the same being especially designed for that purpose. By doing this-he adds his own weight to that of the machine, and steadies it most thoroughly. From such a position the handle 30, can be easily and conveniently reached, as can also the brake-lever 19; while the operator steadies himself besides by grasping the handle 44, at the back, which is put there for that purpose, and for moving the vibrator about. It frequently happens however, that two operators are required to use the machine; one to supply the motive force, and the other to take charge of the attachment and its application to the patient. In such case it is common to free the arml4, altogether, and then holding the same by the grip located at 45, with the one hand, and directing the ball on the end of the rod [or its equivalent] with the other, a number of places on the body can be subjected to vibratory treatment successively and in a certain sequence. By the accommodation thus provided, namely, by letting the arm 14, swing upon its axis at the same time that the pitman does the same upon the crankpin, a vibratory movement can, for instance, be communicated to the whole length of the spine up and down; without stopping or shifting the position of the machine.

The vibrator I have invented may obviously be used without casters, though great convenience is sacrificed thereby. On the other hand, when casters are employed, provision has to be made to keep the instrument from rolling forward or backward when required to be fixed and motionless. This I accomplish as follows: Above each of the two casters under the back part of the base 11, I place in the thickness of the wood, two little rods or plungersylti, which have at one end a projecting collar, and at the other, lower, end an inserted piece of thick leather. Under the collar and resting upon the wood a strong spiral spring 50,is placed,which lifts and maintains the leather oif the casters. The wooden flap 51, hinged at 52, extends over the rods 46, and rests upon them, while the flap is kept from rising by the wood-screw 53, which passes loosely through the same and is screwed into the base 11. It will be seen that this arrangement does not affect in any way the easy 10- comotion of the vibrator, but when the operator stands upon the flap 51, he brings down with considerable leverage the leather-tipped rods on the casters and effectually hinders their revolution as long as he remains standing thereon, converting the same for the time being into projecting feet.

In addition to the several ways in which the vibratory impulses may be imparted to the patient, and the amplitude which may be given to the same, theelement of speed has to be taken into account. In this regard a good deal can be done by turning the fly-wheel fast or slow, but very desirable provision is made for much greater differences, as hereinbefore stated. This consists in running the flat belt 28, over the little pulley 25, or the round belt 29, over the large pulley 26. These alternative ways of driving .the heads give a great range of speed, varying from 8, to 12, reciprocations per second, with the slow speed to 40, 50, or even in the same time when the fiat belt is used. Very different physiological eltects are the result of such differences in speed, but they cannot be discussed here.

In the foregoing an approximately triangular base has been described for the support of my vibrator. This is not of course an essential condition, but a very desirable one, because by supporting the instrument on three points, it is always steady however bad the floor may be, and because that form makes it possible to push the vibrator into places near the patient which could not otherwise be easily reached.

Having thus described my invention and the manner of practically making and applying the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the specific details of construction, well knowing that the same may be varied indefinitely without affecting the principles involved.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a vibrator, the combination of a rigidly supported upright, with an arm pivoted thereon movable in a vertical plane, and looking mechanism for securing it in any adjusted position, and with reciprocating mechanism mounted on the end of said arm, and a fly-wheel or pulley for actuating said mechanism; substantially as described.

2. In a vibrator, the combination of a flat base adapted to carry the operator standing thereon, and sustaining an upright, rigidly connected thereto; with an arm swinging on said upright, and bearing driving and reciprocating mechanism; substantially as described.

3. In a vibrator, an arm pivoted upon asupport and carrying reciprocating mechanism;

in combination with clamping mechanism for holding the swinging arm rigirll y against said support in any desired position; substantially as described.

4. In a locomotive vibrator, the combination of a platform carrying the vibrating mechanism and provided with casters; with brake plungers for the caster wheels and a lever flap folding over the platform and actuating the brake plungers by the weight of the body of the operator, substantially as described.

5. In a locomotive vibrator, the combination of a platform carrying the vibrating mechanism and provided with casters; with spring mounted brake plungers for the caster wheels, and a lever flap folding over the platform and actuating the plungers by the weight of the body of the operator, substantially as described.

6. In the reciprocating mechanism of a vibrator, a rotary head with a circular disk eccentrically journaled in the same, a wrist pin projecting eccentrically from the disk, and a IIO single clamping screw for fixing the disk in its bearing in any adjusted position, substantially as described.

7. In the reciprocating mechanism of a vibrator a revolving head provided with a conical adjusting disk, fitted into a conical cavity placed eccentrically on the face of the disk, as described; said disk bearing an eccentrically placed crank-pin, and a central clamping screw; as set forth. I

8. In the reciprocating mechanism of a vibrator, the combination of a rotary head,and an eccentrically mounted rotatable disk carrying a wrist pin eccentrically mounted thereon, whereby the length of stroke of the pin can be adjusted; with a scale on the head representing rectilinear difierences of stroke, substantially as described.

9. The reciprocating mechanism of a therapeutical vibrator comprising a revolving head formed with a conical cavity eccentr'ically disposed in the head, a conical disk journaled in said cavity and having a crank-pin eccentrically mounted thereon, an elastic cushion interposed between the end of the disk and the bottom of the cavity, and a clamp for forcing the disk against its seat, substantially as described.

10. In a vibrator, a driven shaft carrying two wrist pins each independently adjustable with reference to the axis of the shaft so as to vibrate with a difference of phase, substantially as described.

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

J. W. OSBORNE.

WVitnesses:

AMos W. HART, P. B. TURPIN.