US55459A - Improvement in artificial legs - Google Patents

Description

' Philadelphia, in the county Vtoe-joint.

IUNITED STATES PATENT OEEICEo JESSE BRINGHURST, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT |N Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,459, dated June l2, 1866; antedated June ARTIFICIAL LEGS.

To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, JEssE BRINGEUEsT, of of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a I new and useful Improvement in Artificial l Legs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side View. Fig. 2 is a transverse section, Fig. 3 showing bolts, and Fig. 4 showing the ankle-joint. Fig. 5 represents the My present invention has for its object the production ot' an artificial leg constructed on such principles that it will give more strength and durability to the limb, and also ease and comfort to the wearer. The improvements consist in a more perfect construction of the ankle, knee, and toe joints. Y

To enable others skilled in the art to makel and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

In said drawings, A represents a wooden limb (it may, however, be metal) ofthe proper form, being flexible at the joints B B B.

My first and greatfobject is to construct in such a manner as to secure a long and solid bearing for the steel or metallic bolts in wood. I then construct the bolts C of the proper length and diameter to suit the joints B B', I carefully turned, the smallest diameter being' at the end of the bolt, upon which a screwthread is cut to fit one ofthe side straps upon the leg. A greater diameter is then allowed for the bearing in wood, and then the greatest diameter nearest the head of the bolt for the second screw-thread, which is to it the re- *naining side stra The bolt is also drilled anltapped at the small end with an opposite C. Between thread to that on the outside, and a small screw, D, placed therein. It will be readily be seen that the side straps will be securely held at a positive distance from each other, and thereby prevent the friction occasioned by shrinkage and warping ofthe wood. The smallscrewD will prevent the bolts from working out while in use. At the ankle-joint B', I place a metallic swivel-box, E, securely held to the foot by two metallic bearin gs, F, hushed with wood. The metallic box E is bored, hushed with wood, and rebored to tit the bolt the box just described and the foot I place a piece ot' india-rubber, H, or its equivalent, and by so doing give the foot a y flexibility so necessary while walking over uneven surfaces.

At the toe-join t, marked B, I make a rulejoint tapering toward Athe outside of the foot. On both sides of the toe-piece I firmly fasten two metallic plates, G, by means of the wires I, passing through the toe-piece and riveted thereto. I likewise put an additional wire through the joint and rivet it firmly, making a durable joint the whole width of the foot.

The leg may be finished by any of the many appliances adapted to represent the natural cords or tendons.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. TheV bolt C, as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The swivel-box E, in combination with the bolt C and rubber packing H, as specified, and for the purpose set forth.

JESSE BRINGHUBST.

therebyv

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