Body-brace.

(Application filed Aug. 28, 1901.)

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INVENTOR

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ATTORNEYS ™,co. _PM0T0._UW0, _{WASH1NOTON D c}

Patented Sept. 16, 1902.

No. 709,055.

(No Model.)

P. B. SHELDON. BODY BRACE. (Application filed Aug. 28, 1901.)

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INVENTOR

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ATTORNEYS

THENORRlS PETERS CO., PHOTO-OTHO-. WASHINGTON, 0. C.

United States Patent Office.

PHILO B. SHELDON·, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE PHILO BURT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

BODY-BRACE.

SPECIFICATION· forming· part of Letters Patent No. 709,055, dated September 16, 1902.

Application filed August 28,1901. Serial No. 73(585. (No model)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that Ϊ, Philo B. Sheldon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Penn5 sylvania, have invented a new and Improved Body-Brace, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an apparatus for relieving the spine of the weight of the shoulio ders and for otherwise assisting in the support of the trunk of a deformed or ill-developed person.

This specification is a specific description of one form of the invention, while the claims t5 define the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both views.

so Figure 1 is a front view of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

a represents two bars which are laced together by the cords a' and which are adapted to extend parallel with each other upward 25 along the spine of a person. At their lower portions these bars a are provided with arms b, curved to fit snugly around the hips of a person, so as to support the bars a on the hips. At their upper ends the bars a are 30 curved downwardly, forwardly, and upwardly, as indicated at c, so as to pass behind the shoulder-blades and under the armpits of the wearer. The parts being properly secured in place, the weight of the shoulders 35 will be borne by the parts c and a and will be transmitted by these elements to the arms b and finally to the hips of the person. It is by these means that the weight of the trunk is placed in a large measure.on the hips and 40 the weighton thespineis materially reduced.

d represents two straps which are fastened to the upper ends of the bars a and are arranged to pass over the shoulders and forward downwardly through rings c', carried at 45 the ends of the arms c, and thence through rings V, carried at the ends of the arms b, after which the straps d are brought together and joined by a knot or by a fastening de vice, if desired. These straps serve to sustain the appliance in proper position on the 50 body of the wearer.

e represents a belt which is attached to the bars a and passes around the trunk of the wearer just above the waist.

/indicates a stomach-pad,which is held in 55 place by straps g. These straps are branched, as indicated at g', one ramification passing upward and joined to the bars a at approximately the small of the back and the other passing downward and being joined to the 60 lower extremity of the bars. Now it will be seen that by this arrangement the entire trunk of the person wearing the appliance is firmly braced and the weight sustained principally on the hips. The appliance is there- 65 fore of great value to persons having a deformed or improperly-developed spine.

Various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of my invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit 70 and scope of my invention. Hence I consider myself entitled to all such variations as may lie within the scope of my claims.