US1893714A - Artificial body member - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1933.

A. H. OWEN ARTIFICIAL BODY MEMBER Filed July 17, 1931 Patented Jan. 10, 193-3;

ARTHUR H. OWEN, OF IHOIBEELY, MISSOURI ARTIFICIAL BQDY MEMBER Application filed July 17,

My invention relates to artificial body members and has particular reference to an artificial hand portion which comprises mainly a series of finger elements.

The hand portion constructed according to my invention is particularly adapted to be secured to the hand of a person to replace a hand extremity that has been severed along a line transversely through the metacarpal bones and adjacent the outer ends thereof.

I provide, in my novel combination, an artificial thumb portion adapted to replace a thumb portion which has been severed at a point between the two joints thereof.

The main object of my invention is to provide an artificial hand portion comprising a rigid finger portion having means for attachment to the hand of the user.

Another object is to pr vide an artificial 2o thumb portion having means for attachment to a thumb stub including means for attachment to the main finger portion.

Another object is to pr vide a novel socket member in an artificial hand portion having adjustable means for firmly securing the portion of the wrist of a user.

Another object is to provide a hand member having a maximum of strength and a minimum of weight.

A further object is to provide a hand member that and arranged as to afiord to the user the ability to perform many acts and tasks usually done by means of a normal hand.

Other objects will appear from the detailed description which follows when considered with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 shows a front or palm view;

2 shows a rear view;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly cut away to show details; and

Fig. A is a view in cross-section of my improved artificial member.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the 45 hand member comprises three main elements,

a finger portion 1, a thumb portion 2 and a palm socket member 3. The finger portion 1 is formed as an aluminum casting to reduce weight and the four finger members are 50 rigidly connected to a short base portion A has the elements thereof so shaped 1931. Serial No. 551,512.

which is hollowed out as at 5 to provide a socket which terminates in reduced edge portions 6. The fingers may be made hollow, as shown by dotted lines, near their enlarged inner ends to reduce weight. One side of the casting is extended inwardly asat- 7 for a purpose to be described. Each finger member is formed with a permanent bend to facilitate use of the hand. v

The palm socket member 3 is formed preferably of leather and is attached to the por tion 1 by means of a series of rivets 8 which are passed through the reduced edge portions The inner, open, free end of the socket 3 is reduced in width and is provided with a wrist strap 9 which is sewed at one end to the socket member and which isadapted to adjustablyengage a buckle 10 attached to the opposite side of the socket 3. A leather tab 11 is sewed to the edge of the socket 3 in position to underlie the strap 9 to prevent cutting of the wrist of the user by the strap 9.

A tension brace or strap 12 is riveted at 13 to the portion 1 and adjustably engages a buckle 14 which is attached to a short tab 15 sewed to the inner or wrist edge of the socket member 3. v By taking up the strap 12, the finger portion 1 may be pulled tightly inwardly towards the wrist strap 9 and any undue strain or pull outwardly on the bent finger elements is transmitted directly to the wrist strap 9.

A soft'fibre padding or stufiing 16 is pro vided in the hollow 5 and a soft lining 17 of chamois or the like is arranged on the inner surface of the leather socket portion 3 and attached thereto by stitches along the edge of the socket.

The thumb member 2 is attached to the tab 11 preferably by means of an electric strap 18. The thumb member 2 comprises an outer portion 19 formed from cork or similar light material. The portion 19 is attached to a socket formed from leather which, in turn, is attached to an end of the strap 18. The 95 elastic strap or tape 18 is effective to yieldably retain the thumb member in place upon the stub thumb of the user and, at the same time. allow for movement of the member relative to the finger portion 1.

contemplated such as may fall Within the w 125 flexible palm portion shaped to receive the 9 In the operation and use of my device, the yieldingly connecting said thumb member to stub end of the hand of the user is inserted Said P m p r i n djacent to the free end Within the socket member 3 and the stub theFeOfthumb is inserted Within the thumb socket 20. II1 testlmony whereof I affiX my gn re- 5 The strap 9 is then buckled and pulled tight- ARTHUR OVVEN- 70 1y around the Wrist of the user. The curved or hook shaped finger elements are adapted to engage objects to be handled and any load or strain applied to the finger elements is 10 transmitted directly to a point adjacent the 75 Wrist of the user. The thumb portion 2 is eliective to engage objects and hold them a 'ainst the finger elements It has been fdund that a pencil or pen may be retained in this manner and manipulated in Writing 0 with facility.

Vhile I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention for the purpose of its illustration. modifications thereof are scope of the claims which follow.

hat I claim is:

1. An artificial hand comprising a base portion having integral finger elements, a

stub palm of a user, said palm portion being connected to the base portion to form an eX- .tension thereof, an adjustable tension member. said member being connected at one end to said base portion and at its opposite end to said palm portion.

2. An artificial hand comprising integrally connected finger elements, a socket member connected to said finger elements and adapted to receive the stub palm of a user, an adjustable strap connected to the free end of said socket member for securing said member to the wrist of a user. a flexible and adjust-able tension member, said member being connected to the finger elements at one end and at its w opposite end to the socket member adjacent said ad ustable strap.

3. An artificial hand comprising a base portion having integral finger elements, a flexible palm portion shaped to receive the I stub palm of a user, said palm portion being connected to the base portion to form an extension thereof, an adjustable tension mem- 5 her, said member being connected at one end 115 to said base portion and at its opposite end adjacent to the free end of said palm portion, a thumb member and means for yieldably connecting said thumb member to said palm portion.

l. An artificial hand comprising a base portion having integral finger elements. a flexible palm portion shaped to receive the stub palm of a user, said palm portion being connected to the base portion to form an ex- 125 tension thereof, an adjustable tension memher, said member being connected at one end to said base portion and at its opposite end adjacent to the free end of said palm portion, a thumb member and elastic means for 130

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