GB156891A - Improvements in artificial hands - Google Patents

Abstract

156,891. VassiviÞre, J. D. Oct. 11, 1919. Limbs, artificial.-In an arti. ficial hand of the type having a fixed thumb and movable fingers, the pull from the body harness is transmitted to a steel tape p which depresses one arm n of a bell-crank lever pivoted to a cross-bar j. The other arm r is pivoted to a link t which is pivoted at u to the lower end of a lever v, which is supported on pivots w on the side members k of the frame. A lug 15 at the upper end of the lever v is pivoted to a pair of links 17 connected to lugs 19 extending downwardly from the inner sides of the fingers e, f, which together with the forefinger d and the finger g are connected at their bases by short tubes and are pivoted on a rod 20. The upper part of each finger has a cross-pin 23 connected by a link 24 to a lug 26 projecting inwardly through a slot 27 from a sliding plate 28 pivoted at 29. Springs y acting on the lever v and springs 21 at the base of each ringer tend to keep the fingers closed. When in consequence of the pull on the tape p the parts assume the position indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 3, the fingers slide relatively to the plates 28 so that the lugs 26 move upwards and straighten the fingers, the gripping portions of which are formed of leather or similar material. A screw 12 limits the movement of the lever v and consequently of the fingers. A spring-pressed bolt may be provided to abut against a plate in the bottom of the forefinger so as to hold it against the thumb.