US519503A - Artificial leg - Google Patents

Description

W. Rl. HoNsUoLE. 'I

ARTIFICIAL LEG.

Patented May 8, 1894.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT Fries.

WILLIAM R. HoNSUoLE, on Bo's'roN, MASSACHUSETTS.

ART-IFICIAL LEG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,503, dated lVIay 8, 1894.v

Application tiled January 5, 1894. Serial No. 495.741. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

. any person skilled in the art or science to which said invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in Which- Figurel is a side elevation of myimproved leg. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken through the ankle-joint; Fig. 4. an elevation of onev of the leg connections; and Fig. 5 a sectional view enlarged taken on line, ma, in Fig. 2.

Like letters and gures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different iigures of the drawings. l

My invention Arelates especially to means for obviating the objectionable features attendant the construction of many artificial legs, the object being particularly to form joints at the ankle and toe which do not need Klubricating and whichappreciably'lighten the,

general structure. I

The nature and operation of .the improvement will be readily understood vby all conversant with such matters from the following explanation.

In the drawings, A represents the leg socket which is hollow and its upper portion fitted to receive the stump. An opening, b, is formed at the rear for ventilation. constructed with a solid vbast-3B, its hollow' portion beingv formed of veneers or strips of willow, d, d2, the grains of which run at right angles, that is, alternate layers are wound around the leg and alternate layers extend vertically of the leg. These veneers are very thin, but when glued together form an ezttremely rigid structure. The calf and other projections necessary are formed by cork wood, C, cemented 'to the structure described which may be readily carved into the desiredl shape. The whole is then covered with a facing of sheepskin, f,and eyes, g,` are secured at the top of the socket to receive the sup tached thereto.v

The leg socket is faced with chamois skin, 28.

ortin0F harness ora hi iece ma 1 be at- The base, B, is provided with two vertical sockets, h,in which 'rubber cushions, t', are disposed. From the bottom of one socket,h, a flaring opening, j, is formed in the heel portion. From the bottom ofy the companion socket a diagonally arranged opening, k, is ex-j or chamois skin, a', and the ange or lip, m, of

the leg working in an opening between said segments. Projecting vertically from the segments there are two flat springs,w, which enter suitable openings in the base'of the leg,

land hold said leg in position on the segments.

The chamber, t, is of size suitable to receive the leg base and said leg, at the ankle is projected at, 15, to overlap the edge of the foot. Eye-bolts, 16, pass through the bottom of the footinto the chamber, and are connected by cords, 17, with the fcushion, t', said cords running through said cushion and beingfheld bythe cross piece, 18, 'of wood.v ,The tension vof the leg connections is adjusted by nuts,19,

turned onto the lower endsof the eye-bolts. The cords, 17, are `non-elastic and the rubber cushions, e', return the leg to its normal position as it rocks on the segment, t,

The toe, H, is formed of woodand cork, 20, is letin, to lighten it. the foot, D, at, l25, anden its undery side is rubber cushion, 27, isiinterposed between the toe and foot above the hinge. The hinge is In the use of my improvement, the legv is attached by the ordinary means to the person of the wearer. The leg, A,`rocks freely on the segments and isheld bythe connections imparting a movement at the ankle closely resemblin'g. that of v the `human leg. vvThel toe-l jointw-ith'its elastic connectionv gives sufficient spring .to returnV the foot 'lsovslthat the Said toe is hinged to t 9 connected therewith by anelastic tape, 26. yA y Ico wearer can Walk without any appreciable stiffness and closely imitate the natural movements of the human leg. Moreover, by constructing the parts in the manner described, I am enabled to produce aleg far lighter than many of ordinary construction, and one which does not need oilingat the joints. By facing the segments with Wash leather the creaking which attends the use of metallic joints isl avoided.

Having thus explained my invention,what I claim is- 1. In an articial leg, achambered foot portion provided with the two segments in combination with the hollow leg mounted to rock on said segments; devieesforholding the leg in engagement with the segments and a projection on the leg entering between said segments.

2. In an artificial leg, the leg, A, in combination with the foot, D, having the segments, fu; the flange, fm, on said leg projecting between said segments; the springs, w, connecting the segments and leg and the flexible connections, 17,' all being arranged substantially as specified.

WILLIAM R. HONSUCLE. Witnesses:

K.DURFEE, O. M. SHAW.

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