US822385A

US822385A - Artificial leg.

Info

Publication number: US822385A
Application number: US28613205A
Authority: US
Inventors: John A Peer
Original assignee: PEER ARTIFICIAL LEG Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: PEER ARTIFICIAL LEG Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1905-02-08
Filing date: 1905-02-08
Publication date: 1906-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1923-06-05

Description

PATBNTBD JUNE 5, 1906.

J. A. PEER. ARTIFICIAL LEG. APPLIGATION FILED FEB.8,1905. RENEWED NOV.6, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.4

No. 822,385. PATBNTED JUNE 5, 1906.

J. A. PEER.

ARTIFICIAL LEG.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8. 1905. RENEWED NOV. 6, 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

No. 822,385. PATENTBD JUNE 5, 1906.

J. A. PEER.

ARTIFICIAL LEG.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB.8. 1905. RENEWED NOV.6, 1906. r

3 SHEETSSHE ET 3.

W1T E 0/ NVENTOR 6' -r- Jaw BY 2 I, WWW/M1109 UN ITED STATES JOHN A. PEER, OF WASHINGTON, I)

PEER ARTIFICIAL LEG MANUFACTURING TRIOT OF COLUMBIA, OORPOB-A [STRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO TIO ARTIFICIAL LEG- No. 822,385. Specification o f Letters Patent. ratented. June 5, 1906.

A li ati fil d February 8, 1905. Renewed November 6, 1905. Serial I10. 286,132.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. PEER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Legs; and I do here by 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.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate.

the best form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete leg embody- 2o ing my invention, showing it in a vertical position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing it in the position which it occupies when the wearer is seated. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the calf or lower sec-- 25 tion of the leg, showing a sprin -spreader for use in amputations above the 'nee. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of one set of the lateral stiffening-bars and connected parts and illustrating the 1011 thereof. F'g. 5 is an edge view of the same, partly in section. Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating the spring-lock for the hip-joint. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the thigh-section ofthe leg, showing the manner of attaching the lateral stiffening-bars ml of linin the section. Fig. 8 is a vertica sectiona view of one of the knee-joints for con necting the lateral stiffening-bars. Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are dctal side elevations of the same with cover-plate removed and showing the parts in different positions. Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal sectional vi w of the foot-section. Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of the same through the anklejoint. Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view of the ankle-joint detached. Fig. 15 is a detail perspective of the joint connecting the toesection to the foot-section; Fig. 16 is a detail perspective view of a cru Referring to the drawings, 1 will first describe thefoot-section, which is best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13.

gitudinal adjustment tchattachment.

and is provided on its upper face with a recess a to receive an ankle-section B, the bottom of said recess being formed by two flat faces a 03, disposed at an angle to each other, as shown, and each provided with a circular pocket or recess (1 The foot-section A is provided with a bearing-plate a, extendin substantially the full width of the same, sai plate having a curved central bearing portion and lateral strai ht flanges fitting upon or recessed into the faces a a and secured thereto by screws, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 12.

The ankle-section B is provided on its lower face with a similar plate I) and with circular recesses b 6 corresponding with the recesses a a above described. The parts A and B are held together by means of hinge members consisting of a yoke a having a threaded stem passing through the body of the foot-section A and terminatingin a recess a", formed in the bottom of the foot-section, said stem being provided with an elastic washer a, and nut a The other hinge member is secured to the ankle-section B and con- .sists of a shouldered perforated ear I), having a threaded stem 5 terminatin in a recess 6 provided with an elastic washer If and nut b".

The bearing-plates a and I) are cut away to accommodate the hinge members a and b, and the hinge members are united by a transverse bolt O, which passes horizontally through them and through two hardened rollers c. c, interposed between the said bearin -plates, as clearly shown in Fig. 13'. This boTt O has a cylindrical shouldered portion of larger diameter than the bolt, whcih passes through a steel attachin -bar D on one side of the foot, and a similar bar Dis' provided on the other side, which is engaged by a similar shoulder on the nut c, which is screwed upon the threaded end of the bolt C. I also provide two safety retaining-rings E E, (see outer ends of the-cylindrical fportions ofthe bearing-plates a and b, whic are extended for the purpose, the wood being cut awa around these ortions of the plates at eac side to allow is ie rings to be slipped on in as- A represents the main footsection, which, is preferably formed of wood or papier-mfich 00., OF WASHINGTON, DIS'-' N OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

in the upper face of the ankTe-section and Figs. 13 and 14,) which are slipped over the 1 overmovement.

sembling the parts, said rings being held in place by the attaching-bars D D. It will be seen that even if the central hinge-bolt C should loosen and fall out the safety-rings would still hold the parts of the hinge-joint together, and thus avert a possible accident to the wearer of the leg. I

The foot and ankle sections A and B are provided with the springs b I), having their ends seated in the recesses a c 1) b as shown in Fig. 12, said springs normally maintaining the foot-section A in normal position with respect to the ankle-section B, while permitting the forward-andbackward rocking of the ankle-section, corresponding to the natural movements of the ankle-joint. The foot-section A is covered, preferably, with leather or other suitable material, as shown at a", and the ankle-section is also covered with leather or other material, as shown at b, which covering is preferably extended upward above the wood portion, as shownin Figs. 12 and 13, so as to extend within the thigh-section of the leg and allow for a certain amount of longitudinal adjustment in connection therewith. The anklesection B is also provided with areinforcing or bracing ring I)", of metal, which is preferably fitted onto the upper part thereof and is connected to the lateral attaching-bars D D by screws (1 d, as shown in Fig. 13, wh' ch pass through the metal parts and also enter the wood 'to strengthen the construction. The footpiece A is also provided with a movable spring-actuated toe-piece F, attachedto the forward end of the foot-piece by a spring hinge connection. The front end of the foot piece A is cut away angularly, as shown, to provide an inclined overhanging face 0 provided with a spring-holding recess a, and a nearly vertical face a". The rear end of the toe-piece F is provided with a cut-away portion to receive the overhanging part of the foot-piece A and having a substantially horizontal face and a substantially-vertical face f, adapte to engage the face a" when the toe-piece is in normal position to The horizontal face f has secured to it, by

screws or otherwise, a hinge-plate f which at its rear end is bent into substantially cylindrical form, asshown at to receive a hinge-pint which also passes through a perforated hinge member f, fitted in a central recess in said cylindrical portion f and provided with a threaded stem extending into the foot-section A and terminating in a recess a therein, where it is provided with an elastic washer a and nut a. A spring f 5 is seated in the recess a). and bears on the hinge-plate f 2 to hold the toe-piece in normal position, but permitting the required movemerit of the toe-piece with respect to, thefootsection in walking.

The: lower leg or calf-section Gof my-imei or more straps G, extending prevent proved leg formed of flexible material, preferably leather, divided at front and rear, and the two side pieces thus formed adjustably secured together by lacings g, as shown' The upper part of the ankle-section B is inserted in the lower part of the calf-section, and the lateral attaching-bars D D are inserted within the guiding-flanges g g of thestiffening-bars g, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The attaching-bars D D are each provided with a series of apertures d d, which may be brought into registration with a .single aperture in each of the stiffeningbars 9 g, and the parts are secured in any position to which they may be adjusted longitudinally byscrews d The upper end of each stiffening-bar g fits upon a shank h of a hinge-piece H,- forming part of the knee-joint, said shank fitting into the guiding-flanges g g, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and secured thereto, preferably with out adjustment, by rivets g 9 It will be seen that by adjusting the attaching-bars D with respect to the stiffening-bars g g the and the center of the ankle-joint shall be substantially the same as it is in the natural member. y

The lower section of the leg is also provided near the top of the same with one, two, around the same (two'being shown. herein) for better enablingthe flexible portions of the lower section to be firmly held around the part of the natural leg when the amputation is below the knee.

I preferably provide the lower leg-section G with a spring spreading device G (Shown in Fig. 3.) This consists, preferably, of a bow spring having its ends rlveted or otherwise secured to the lateral stifiening-bars and constructed to press them apart. The-lowerlegv section will then be laced and held by the straps G G in the required position to hold the knee-joints of the leg, hereinafter described, at the desired distance apart to suit the comfort of the thigh portion of the natural leg of the wearer, and the spreadin device; Wlll prevent the lacings or straps om drawing the parts too closely around the lower part of the amputated member, may even in some cases extend down into the lower section of the artificial le which I It will. .beseen that after the parts are a justedto hold the natural member firmly in :the artificial leg this spring spreadingdevice Will-continually tend to relieve it of unnecessary or unintended ressure and add greatly to the comfort of tlie leg.

Theconstruction of the knee-joint is shown I in detail in Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11. There are 'two of these joints or hinges, one connected to each of the stiffening-bars g ,and a description of one will therefore suflice for both. The knee-joint comprises two hinge memhere. The upper hinge member 1 consists of an attaching-shank provided'with a series of adjusting-holes t and having at its lower end a counterbored boss 6 on each side and a central aperture for a coupling screw or bolt, as r 5 shown in The shank of the part I is also provided with a flange "i on each side, having its inner edge curved concentrically with the bosses t t. The lower hinge member consists of the hinge-plate H, reviously referred to, the shank h of whic extends into and is connected to one of the stiffening bars of the thigh-section of the leg, and a covering or closing plate H. The plate H is provided with a substantially circular upper 2 5 portion 72/, having a concentric bearing-aperture engaging one of the bosses t. The portion of the plate H between the portion h and the shank h is provided with a lateral flange h, projecting from one side and forming an inclosing recess in the lower part of which is a circular boss or stud h having a central threaded aperture therethrough, said boss being of the same height as the flange 72, H represents a closing-plate which fits 3 5 upon the flange h as shown in Fig. 8, and has at its upper end a substantially circular portion having a concentric aperture fitting over one of the bosses i, of. the upper hinge member, and the lower part of said plate is with the threaded hole in the lower boss h for the reception of a screw it, which secures the plates H and H together. The hinge member I is therefore held between the 5 plates H and H, which pivotally engage its bosses t. The central portion of the hinge member I is cut away on its front side concentrically with the bosses t, as shown at i Fig. 11, terminating in a shoulder 21. On its rear side this central portion of the hinge member is also cut away to the boss forming a shoulder i and a curved recess t, as shown best in Fig. 9.

Within the recess formed between the plates and H is a stop-bar 72?, having its lower end-provided with an aperture to fit overthe boss k and its upper end curved to engage the reduced concentric portion i of .the upper hinge member, the extreme upper endof the stop-bar beingconstructed to engage the shoulder??? when thi leg is in truth eal or extended position, and thus. revent lithe. hinge fmm =:ope1ning backwar, This constructionenables-the wearer of the leg to' stand perfectly securely on the leg when t is 'ing it without taking the joint apart.

provided with a countersunk hole registering vcated between the lower ends of said retractin the extended position. The front face of the upper or curved portion of the stop-bar is flush with the curved edges of the plates H and H, and when the knee-joint is operated to bend the leg, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, these edges of the plates H and H will prevent the clothing from being caught between the shoulder i and stop-bar h it represents a retracting-lever, pivoted at its lower end on the boss k and having its upper end connected by a link it tov the reduced portion i of the upper hinge member, as at The point i is substantially in line with and below the bosses i i when the leg is extended as shown in Fig. 9. 8o H represents a V shaped mainspring which is fitted into a recess 1n the upper end of the retracting-lever and has its ends compressed between the said lever and the stopbar k The retracting-lever h is also provided with an adjusting-screw h for engaging oneend of the spring to adjust the same, the end of the screw being accessible through a hole in the flange 7L2, as shown, for adjust- When the knee is bent, the link k will draw the retracting-bar to the right, Figs. 9, 10, and 11, and compress the spring H As the movement. of theknee is substantially through ninety de rees, the point of connection a between tie link It and the upper hinge member after moving through the first forty-five degrees begins to move vertically faster than it moves laterally. To render the pressure of the spring uniform on the hinge members throughout the whole movement, the recess t in the hinge member I is so constructed that when the point i has moved through about forty-five degrees the curved wall of saidrecess i" will engage the upper end of the retracting arm or lever h and push the same while the remaining forty-five degrees of movement is made and until the shoulder 1' comes into contact with the rear face of the retracting-arm, as shown in Fig. 11, and checks the movement.

It will be observed that while the upper end. of the retracting-arm travels a considerable distance the arms of the spring are lo- I15 ing-arm and the stop-arm, and the actual movement of the spring H is comparatively small, thus lengthening greatly the lift of the spring.

The knee-joint is held together by the screw and nut i 4, in a well-known manner. It is to be noted that in this entire knee-joint or hinge construction no strainwhatev'er is permitted to come upon either of the screws which hold the parts together. The weight of the body of the wearer is transmittedto the shank of theupper hin e member I and thence through the integra bosses i 'i' and flanges i i to the substantially circular portions of the plates H H, forming the lower 1 c hinge member. The retracting-bar and i I stop-bar within the' plates H H- are also material, as shown at Z.

I belt at front and rear.

wise pivotally secured a similar plate m to I mounted on a boss, and therefore they will remain in place even if the attaching-screw h should work loose. I

The thigh or upperleg-section is also formed of flexible material, such as leather, and in two parts L L, as shown in Fig. 7, and these parts are provided with a corrugated lining Z, so as to ventilate the natural member to which it is attached and prevent overheating. I prefer to provide the interiorly-projecting parts of thislining with ribs of cork or similar The parts L L are also provided with an inner and an outer stiffening-bar 1 1 which are of the same form as the stiffening bars g of the lower leg-section and have the bent-over lateral guiding and strengthening flanges Z 1 as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The shanks of the upper hinge members I I of the knee-joints are inserted in the lower ends of these stiffening-bars Z l, as shown in these figures, and are secured in their adjusted positions by means of screws 1 v The two parts L L of the upper or thigh section may be laced together at front and back, if desired, like the parts of the lower leg-section but this lacing may be dispensed with, and I have shown it dispensed with in the drawings. The lower part of the thighsection'is provided with one or more straps L, surrounding the same for securing it to the remaining part of the amputated member, and-a'similar strap L is provided at the upperend of the section. I

M represents a belt which is to be worn around the waist and is provided at one side with an attaching-bar m, riveted or otherwise secured to and depending from the belt and preferably provided with stays orstraps 'm m, extending from its lower end up tothe The bar m is rovided at its lower end with a substantially circular plate m to which is bolted or otherwhich is connected a shank m The shank m is provided with aseries of adjusting-holes.

'm will lie directly over the hipoint and will form the hip-joint of the 'artlficial leg. By adjusting the shank m and the shank of the up er hinge member Iwith respect to the sti ening-bar of the thigh-section the distance between the centers of the hip-joint at m .and the knee-joint can be made to corre-.,

' spond exactly to the distance between the hip and knee joints of the natural member. In Fig. 2 I have shown how natural is the position of the various parts of the leg when the 'l wearer is in sitting position, and it is found 1 the use of all shoulder-straps, hip-straps, and

other clumsy and uncomfortable attaching devices is avoided.

In some cases it is desirable to lock the hipjoint to prevent it from turning, and I preferably provide a locking bolt or stud a, carried on the end of a spring N, the other end of which spring is secured to the inner face of the shank m", as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The bolt or stud n extends through a hole in the circular part m and a registering hole in the part m, thus locking the hip-joint out of operation.

N represents a button, which is attached to the spring N in such a manner that it may be turned, and has an oblong part 11/, extending through a similarly-shaped slot in the shank m. By pushing on the button N the sprin N will be pressed in and the bolt n release from the plate m thus permitting the hip-'oint to operate. If it is desired to hold the focking-stud out of operative relation, the button N will be turned after it is pressed in, thus throwing the oblong part at across the slot in the shank m and holding the bolt n out of engagement with the-plate m. This. lockin device for the hip-joint'above described is moreparticularly adapted for use when a crutch is applied to the attachingbar on: The attaching-bar m is provided with a vertical series of adjusting threaded apertures m and I provide a crutch P (shown in detail in Fig. 16) which has a ver-.

tical part p, consisting of a metal bar having its edge portions turned over on one side to form guiding-flanges, similarly to the stiffening-bars already described. This part 19 of the crutch is slipped over the attachin -bar m of the hip portion'and is secured y .a screw p, passing through the required hole m to give the desired adjustment of the crutch.

It will be observed that the cru tch P actsdirectly to the hip-joint and that no part of the thighsection extends above the hip joint. By looking the'hip-joint as above de scribed the crutch can be used to assist the wearer in walking on the leg, Where thisis desirable, and by pressing in the button N the wearer can sit down without in any way 1 knee-piece is preferably formed of wood, hollowed out to decrease the weight and covered with leather or other suitable material.

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

1. I11 an artificial leg, the combination with the body-belt, provided with a vertically-disposed attaching-bar secured thereto and depending therefrom, of the thigh-section comprising the flexible side portions, and lateral stiffening-bars, the outer of said bars being pivotally connected to said attachingbar, forming an artificial hip-j oint, at a point directly over the hip-joint of the wearer, a

' as described,

calf-section pivotally connected to the thighsection by artificial l nee-joints,'and provided with a foot-section and a locking device for the hip-joint, constructed to hold said attaching-bar, and the outer stiffening-bar rigidly in alinemen't, substantially as described.

2; In an artificial leg, the combination with the body-belt, provided with a vertically-disposed attaching-bar secured thereto and depending therefrom, of the thigh-section comprising the flexible sideportions, and lateral stiffening-bars, the outer oisaid bars being pivotally connected to said attachingbar, forming an artificial hip-joint, at a point directly over the hip-joint of the wearer, a calf-section pivotally connected to the thighsection by artificial knee-j oints, and provided with a foot-section, a locking device for said hip-joint, for rigidly holding said attachingbar, and said outer stiffening-bar in alinement, and a device for disengaging said lockin device and holding it out of operation,

' su stantially as described.

3. In an artificial leg, the combination with the body-belt, provided with a vertically-disposed attaching-bar secured thereto and depending therefrom, of the thighsection comprising the flexible side portions, and lateral stiflening-bars, the outer of said bars being pivotally connected to said attaching-bar, forming an artificial hip-joint, at apoint directly over the hip-joint oi the wearer, a calf-section pivotally connected to the thighsection by artificial knee-j oints, and provided with a foot-section, a spring-actuated locking device adapted to pass through registering apertures in the .attachin -bar,. and outer stiffening-bar, to lock them rlgidly in alinement, a pushbutton for disengaging said locking device, and meansfor securing said button in its inner position to hold the locking device-out of operation, substantially In an artificial leg, the combination with the body-belt, provided with a vertically-disposed attaching-barsecured thereto and depending therefrom, of the thighsection comprising the flexible side portions, and lateral stiffening-bars, the outer of said bars being pivotallyconnected to said attaching-bar, forming an artificial hip-joint,-.

at a point directly over the hip-joint of the wearer, a calf-section pivotally connect ed to the thigl1-section by artificial knee-joints, and provided with a foot-section, said outer stiffening-bar being adjustable longitudinally, to regulate the distance between the centers of the artificial hip and knee joints to correspond with the natural'limb of the wearer, and a locking device for locking said attaching-bar and said outer stifienin -bar in alinement, substantially as describe I 5. In an artificial leg, the combination with the body-belt, provided with a down wardly-extending attaching-bar, of the thighsection comprisin the flexible side portions, and lateral stifiemng-bars, the outer bar being pivotally connected to said attaching-bar by an artificial hip-joint adapted to lie di rectly over the hi -joint of the wearer, a callsection connected to the thigh-section by artificial knee-joints, a foot-section connected to the calf-section by an ankle-joint, the outer lateral stillenin -bar of the thigh-see tion, being ad "ustable longitudinally to re ulate the distance between the artificial ip and knee joints to correspond with the nat ural leg of the wearer, and said calf-section being longitudinally adjustable to regulate the distance between the artificial knee and ankle joints to correspond with the natural o5 provided with lateral stiffening-bars, having edge portions bent over on one side to form guiding-flanges, a foot-section provided with attaching-bars adapted to fit within sa d guiding-flanges and means for securing said attachln -bars and stiffening-bars together, substantlally as described.

7. In an artificial leg, the combination with the lower leg-section of flexible material provided with lateral stiffening-bars, having edge portions bent over on one side to form gulding-flanges, a foot-section provided with attachin -bars adapted to fit within said guiding-fianges, one set of said bars being provided with a series of adjusting-apertures, and the other set being provided with an aperture adapted to register with one of the said series, andscrews for engaging said apertures and securing said attaching-bars and said stiffening-bars together and permitting the ion itudlnal adjustment thereof, substantially as described.

8. In an artificial leg, the combination with a lower leg portion of flexible material,

a thigh-section of flexible material, said sections being each provided with lateral stiflening-bars composed of fiat metal bars having edge portions bent over on one side thereof to form guiding-flanges, hinge devices forming knee-joints, each rovided with two shanks for fitting within t e guidin -fianges' of the stiileningrbars of said thigh-section and are moved by the lower leg-section means for securing said shanks in engagement with said bars, and a foot-section secured to said lower leg-section, substantially as described.

9. In an artificial leg, the combination with the thigh-section and lower leg-section, of a hinge connection forming the knee-joint and comprising two hinge members pivotally connected, one of said hinge members being provided with a' retracting-lever pivoted at a distance from said pivotal connection of the hinge members, a link connecting said lever wit the otherhinge member, at a point eccentric to its pivotal connection, a spring engaging said retracting-lever, and a stop on one of said members for engaging the other member and limiting the movement of the hinge members in the direction in which they spring, substantially as described.

' 10. In an artificial leg, the combination with the thigh-section and the lower leg-section, of a hinge connection for said members forming a knee-jointand comprising among its members, a hinge member rovided on opposite sides with integral bearing-bosses, a second hinge member comprising two connected plates having bearing-apertures engaging said bosses, a retracting-lever between said plates pivoted at'a distance from saidbosses, a link connecting the freeend of said le'ver with said first-mentioned hinge member at a point eccentric to said'bosses, a 'V-shaped spring having one of its arms engaging said lever adjacent to its point of pivoting, and a stop for limiting the movement of said hinge members under the influence of said spring, substantially as described.

11. In an artificial leg, the combination with the thigh-section and lower leg-section, of a hinge connection forming a kneejoint, and comprising among its members, a hin e member provided on opposite sides wit bearing-bosses, and having a central portion provided on the front side with a sto -engaging shoulder, and on its rear side wit a art to engage a retracting-lever, a second inge member consistingof two connected plates having bearing-apertures engaging said bosses, a stop-bar located be: tween said plates'and having a part to engage said stop-engaging shoulder, a retracting-lever pivotally mounted between said plates, a link connecting said lever with the'other hinge member, in advance of the lever-engaging portion thereof, a V-sha ed spring located between said plates and iia'ving one ofits arms engaging the retractinglever adjacent to its point of ivoting, the construction being such that w en the hinge members are moved in a direction to compress the spring,. the said link will draw the retractinglever into position to be engaged by the said lever-engaging shoulder of the first-mentioned hinge member, substantially as described.

12. An artificial leg comprising among its members, a leg-section formed of flexible material divided longitudinally and provided with lateral stiffening-bars, adjustable securing devices for drawing the said flexible portions together and, an elastic spreading device interposed between said stiffening-bars, substantially as described.

13. An artificial leg comprising among its members, a leg-section formed of flexible material divided longitudinally and provided with lateral stiffening-bars, adjustable securing devices for drawing said flexible portions together and a bow-spring within said section having its ends secured to the said stiffeningbars, for spreading them apart, substantially as described.

14-. An artificial leg comprisin among its members, a foot-section provide with parts movable with respect to each other, and a joint connecting said parts including two plates having substantiall semicylindrical end portions and securinganges adapted to be attached to the parts of the foot-sections, bearing devices between said plates, and safety-rings engaging said semicylindrical end portions of said plates, substantially as described.

15. An artificial leg comprisin among its members, a foot-section provide with parts movable with respect to each other, and a joint connecting said parts including two plates having substantially semicylindrical end portions and securing-flanges adapted to be attached to the parts of the foot-sections,

rollers interposed between said plates, a bolt passing through said rollers transversely of the foot-section connections between said bolt and each of the said parts of the footsection, and safet -rings engaging the end portions of said p ates, substantially as described.

16. An artificial leg comprising among'its members, an ankle section, and a main footsection, a joint connecting said sections and including a plate secured to each section having a substantially semicylindrioal bearing portion and attaching iian es connected therewith of less width than said bearing portion, bearing-rollers interposed between the bearing portions of said plates, a bolt extending'through said rollers transversely of the foot and ankle sections, hinge members pivotally connectcdto said bolt, and connected to said foot and ankle sections respectively and safety-rings engaging the end portions of the substantially semicylindrical bearing portions of said plates, substantially as described. I

17. Inan artificial leg, the combination withv the body-belt, provided with a vertically-disposed attaching-bar secured thereto crutch detachably connected to said attaching-bar and extending upward therefrom,

substantially as described.

18. In an artificial leg, the combination with the body-belt, provided with a verti- (ally-disposed attaching-bar secured thereto and depending therefrom, of the thigh-section c omprising the flexible side portions,-

and lateral stiffening-bars, the outer of said bars being pivotally connected to said attaching-bar forming an artificial hip-joint, at a point directly over the hip-joint of the wearer, a calf-section pivotally connected to the thigh-section by artificial knee-joints, and provided with a foot-section, a crutch detachably connected to said attaching-bar, and extending upward therefrom, and means for adjusting said crutch vertically with respect to said attaching-bar, substantially as described.

19. In an artificial log, the combination with the bod -belt, provided with a vertically-dispose attaching-bar secured thereto bars being pivotally connected to said attaching-bar, forming an artificial hip-joint at a point directly over the hip-joint of the wearer, a calf-section pivotally connected to the thigh-section by artificial knee joints, and provided with a foot-section, a crutch rigidly connected to said attachin -bar, and a lock for said artificial hip-joint for rigidly connecting said attaching-bar, and said outer stifiening-bar and holding them in alinement, substantially as described.

20. In an artificial leg, the combination with the thigh-section, a lower leg-section and foot-section, of a vertically-disposed attaching-bar pivotally connected at its lower end to the thigh-section at a point adapted to correspond to the hip-joint of the natural member, aidetachable crutch secured to said attaching bar, means for adjusting said crutch and bar, longitudinally with respect to. each other, and a belt secured to said at taching-bar, substantially as described.

In testnnony whereotl alfix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN A. PEER.

Witnesses:

L. P. WHITAKER, J. K. Moons.