Child Straigtener & Other Edwardian Cyborg Bits: Patent Reports

JF Ptak Science Books   Post 1549

(The following images are taken from the U.K. Intellectual Property Office Espacenet patent search page, here. The quotations following the illustrations for the patents are from that page.)

Close Straightening Encounters for Children of the Reading Kind

Here's an interesting implement that no doubt brought secondary thoughts about reading to any child made to wear this thing--the unhappy child is at left, and the skull-cap, at right.

 

Abstract of  GB 190421618  (A)

"Lorenz, H.. For indicating when wearer deviates from an upright position; caps.-A cap I is made in the form of an inverted bottomless saucer with holes 3 in the side for lightness and ventilation. It is intended to be worn by school children to prevent stooping, inasmuch as it only remains on the head so long as the wearer remains in an erect posture..."

 

Hand Guard for Cutting Things

 

Francis John Crell: GB190402703 (a) "A Hand Guard for use in Cutting Bread and for Other Like Purposes".  I'm not sure how this works as a glove-protective unit  given the spaces in-between the springy fingers--mostly it seemed to increase the cutter's grip rather than protect them for accidental cutting.

 

 Walking and Running Anti-Deformation Appliance

Abstract of  GB 190414477  (A)

"Skorzewski, Comte V. Walking and running, appliances for aiding.-A n appliance for aiding walking and running is adapted to store up, and to give up at the required moment, the energy resulting from the alteration in height of the centre of gravity of the body. The user sits on a saddle 2 adjustably attached to a tube 1 provided with handle - bars. The tube 1 branches into two tubes 5, which are connected by joints 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17 to other tubes of narrower crosssection, conforming in shape to the legs of the wearer, who is strapped to the appliance. The joints 16, 17 are connected by means of stirrups 18, 19 to soles 20, 21, or to straps by means of which soles may be attached to the appliance. The tubes are filled with compressed air through a suitable cock or valve. The joints are preferably formed of armoured rubber tubes, coated or not with para rubber."

 

Hand Enhancer for Anti-Deformation in Writing

Abstract of  GB 190422928  (A)

"Young, F. C. Writing, teaching.-Relates to a device for holding the fingers and pen in the correct position for writing. Fig. 1 shows the device separately and Fig. 4 shows it in position on the hand. A piece of wire or other material is bent into a loop A and twisted into the rest B-C. From C, one end is continued to form the ring D, the slide E, and the loop F, ending at G, this end being supported on the rest B-C. A wire ring H, attached to the slide E by the ring I, is able to slide round the ring D, and to be removed when desired. From C, the other end of the wire is bent into the shapes J, K, L, M, N, 0, this end meeting the rest B-C at P, round which it is turned twice and then continued to form the recess R. The thumb is inserted through the loop A and rests on the support F, while the first finger is placed through the loop 0, the middle finger over the loop M and through the ring D, the third finger under the loops M, J, and the little finger over the loops L, K. The pen is held by the ring H and the spring recess R, the ring H being adjusted to suit the fingers, and is clutched by the fingers in the usual way. A simpler contrivance may be used, in which the pen-holding device is absent, the loops L, M, N, O being also omitted."

Flying Human Envelope

Abstract of  GB 190415798  (A)

"Thompson, W. P., [Reynolds, A. L., and Seward, H. 1.].In a flying- machine, an operator with a belt E buckled round his body, a yoke A round his chest, and straps Q resting on his shoulders, operates the wings B by grasping the hand-staples L and by working the stirrups I with his feet. To make a start, the man stoops over, and runs forward, operating the wings. The cords K of the stirrups pass over antifriction pulleys J and are attached to a frame M guyed to the frame of the wings by the wires N. An aÙroplane P is secured to the spine plato D. The wings, pivoted to the yoke, comprise longitudinal and cross braces covered by silk or like material, springs C being provided to keep them normally in an open position."

Anti-Double-Chin Device, for the Prevention of Ill-Posture Leading to Same

 

Abstract of  GB 190419381  (A)

"Turner, A. S. An appliance, to be worn at night, for curing " double chin " consists of a frame D of pliant material, which carries a piece of non-elastic ventilating - material E. The appliance is fastened to the wearer by ribbons A, B, C."

  "Improved Bustle and Hip Form"

When hips and butt just weren't enough, Charles Henry Scott (of Chicago) brought to the world this shape-exemplifier, increasing butt-bump by 50%, accentuating a tight wasit by extending the fall line of the dress (or something). 

Abstract of  GB 190303127  (A)

"Scott, C. H. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the bustle, Fig. 3 a cross-section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a cross-section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2, showing the bustle in place on the wearer and also the hang of the skirt S. The bustle is of the shape shown, is made of two thicknesses of fabric 22, 23, is padded with curled hair or other material 21, and has an enlarged central part 30. Ventilators 28 are fitted in the bustle, and several different constructions of suitable ventilators are described..."

Adelaide Sophia Turner--the Improved Anti-Deformation Ear Cap for Children

Abstract of  GB 190300944  (A) 

"Deformity appliances; ear appliances.-Relates to appliances for keeping children's ears close to the head. A piece of openwork material B is held against each ear by means of tapes A and ribbons D, as shown. The tapes A may be fitted with elastic insertions C."