US111741A - Improvement in artificial legs - Google Patents

Description

J. E; HANGER.

ARTIFICIAL LEG.

Patented Feb. 14, 1871.

inventar:

-intml gieten JAMES-EDWABD HANGER, OF S'IAUNTON, VIRGINIA.

Letters Patent No. 111,741, datedFebruary 14, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARTIFICIAL LEGS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the lax-.1.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES EDWARD HANGER,

of Staunton, in the county of,Auguste and State ot' Virginia, haveinventd a new and improved Armicial Leg; vand I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact-description thereof,.which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use thel same, reference being had to the acconil'yanying drawing forming part of this speciication.`

. This invention relates to improvements iu the construction of artiticial legs; and

It consists in the arrangements of the knee, ankle,-

B, and isprovided with an India-ruhher cushion, l),

which acts on the 'pad'E of part B, for arresting the forward mor-ion of B, and softening the shock whenever the said 'parts come in contact.

The foot F is provided with a strong curved piece of wood, HG, mortis-ed in at the top from the front of the heel, and rising upward into the leg for bearing against the rearpart H when the leg swings forward on the foot as far as required, which part is provided with the India-rubber spring I, to soften the shock.

This piece is also Insed, in connection with the lifting-spring K, the` cords L, and Athe detiecting-bar M, for swinging the toes as the leg is raised in walking, previous to stepping forward, the said cord being extended np into 4thepartud/ in front ot' the knee pivotbolvt, and out through side holes` N, for fastening by tying aroundthe leg, where it may he conveniently reached for adjustment from time to time, and rthe dei'lecting-bar being notched int-o the inner wall of the front; of the leg, as shown at l, and e-xtcnding backwardand downward-to near the rear side, as shown, for-detlecting the spring K, to cause itto draw the piece G, so as not to interfere with its bearing against the cushion I when required, and so that the spring K will operate both the knee and ankle-joints.

The'ankle-joint bolt O is attachedatl the ends in the bars P, which are iirmly riveted .to the walls ,ot' the leg, and the foot is suspended from .it by the. hook- 'headed bolt Q, having an adjusting-nut, and arranged for clamping the foot, which is provided with a transverse groove in the upper side against the bolt, so that th groove forms a sent for it to turn in, which seat may be closely confined against the bolt to prevent auylooseness by the zuljusting-nut and screw.

This furnishes avery pernlanent and reliable joint.

The toe R is provided behind the pivot S .with an angular point, T, which projects into a. V-groove in the front-end ofthe the foot F, for hearing in the bottom ot' said groove, as a' point of' vibration to lessen the friction as much as possible,.ti|e holt or rod V, by which the 'pivot S is held.; being allowed to spring up and down slightly.

" Having thus described rnyinvention, y

I claim as new and desire to secure by' Letters Patentl. The pivot C, inrear of the center rubber cushion D, pad E, and ieg B, combined as described wit-h thigh A ,haring solid knee protruding within the leg-piece, all for the purpose of forming an improved knee-joint.

2. The curved wooden piece G applied to an artili'- cial leg, in combination with the spring on back part ot' leg, the lifting spring, the-deiecting-bar, and the mechanism ofthe foot, as specitied.

' 3. The combination, with .the toog, the leg, thigh,

and the bent wood-piece G, of' the spring K, oord L,

and deileeting-bar M, substantially as speci'iied.

J'AMES E. HANGER.

Witnesses:

JNO. HANGER, HENRY A. WALKER.

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