(No Model.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.,

A. M. EDWARDS.
SPHYGMOGRAPH.

No. 286,795.

Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

mulmlmq

my

w _

(No Model.)

2 SheetsSheet 2. '

A. M. EDWARDS.
SPHYGMOGRAPH...

No. 286,795.

040C656:

Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

'

4/, W6,

Inventor:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUSTEN M. EDXVARDS, OF BUFFALO, NEVT YORK.

SP'HYGMOGRAPH.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,795, dated October 16, 1883.
Application ?led April 5,1881. (No model.)

upon the wrist or some part of the body of the

Be it known that I, AUSTEN M. EDWARDS, person of whose pulse a record is to be made,
of Buffalo, Erie county, State of New York, and it is intended that the apparatus shall be
have invented certain new and useful Improve held thereon in proper position by the hand
ments in Sphygmographs; and I do hereby de~ of the operator while the record is made.
The base of the apparatus consists of a cy~
clare that the following is a full, clear, and ex
act description of the same, reference being lindrical standard, A A, which is formed with
a ?aring bottom, K, open and in the form
had to the drawings hereunto attached.
My invention relates to sphygmographs of shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The bottom and top
1"0 all whom it may concern:

IO

that class in which the moti on of the pulse is of this cylinder are provided with holes, pref
e ably central, in which a slender rod of pol~
recorded on a moving slip of paper.
.

The object of the invention is, first, to se ished steel (marked 0) plays freely. Its lower
cure great lightness and delicacy of movement end is provided with a disk, (7, adapted to bear
in the parts which are operated by the pulsa upon the wrist or other part of the body when

tions; and, second, to make provision, not in

ready to be acted upon by the pulse. Through

this rod the pulsations are transmitted to the

ment, against lost motion in the working parts, recording apparatus. The rod acts immedi
so that the feeblest pulsation and every part ately upon balancing- disks is it, which are hung
of any pulsation may be accurately recorded. eccentrica-lly upon the shaft 1, which has its

consistent with lightness and delicacy of move

A third object is to provide adjustability in hearings in a frame, 0 0, supported adjustably

the operating parts, whereby the throw of the upon a standard or post, f, as shown in Figs.
recording pen or tracer may be varied, accord
ing to the strength or feebleness of the pulse
which is to be recorded, and, fourth, in con
nection with the vibrating tracer, I have pro
vided a variable feeding device for the paper
strip upon which the record is to be made,
whereby the feed of the paper may be regulated
to correspond to the amount of vibration of
30 the tracer, and a symmetrical and intelligible
record be produced. Fifth, my invention is
designed to increase the effect or action of fee
ble pulses by compression of the part to which

1 and 2.

In the disk L is set a slender steel

arm, Z, being fixed, as shown more clearly in

Fig. 1, in the upper edge of said disk. The
arm Z carries the tracing-pen p, which is piv

oted to said arm at the upper end thereof.

The-small shaft '5 is made to rock by means

of the rod 0 striking against a pin, f, located 80

in the disk 75 a littleto the right of the rock
shaft '1', as shown in Fig. 1. It will be evi
dent from an inspection of said figure that
when the slender rod 0 rises it must strike

against the pin j and rock the shaft 117, towhich 35

this instrument is applied, and it includes an the disk L is fixed, thereby throwing the upper
O) UT adjustable band adapted to encircle the wrist, end of the rod Z to the left and causing the pen
and to act in connection with the said instru 1) to move in that direction. The rod Z is so
set in the disk 7.: that the weight of the disks
ment.
,
I have described hereinafter the construc L k will return it to the position shown when
tion in which I have embodied my invention, ever the rod 0 drops, so that repeated upward
40 and have particularly indicated the points movement of the red G will cause repeated
which I deem to be new and claim as my in oscillations of the arm and the pen. It is
' vention, all of which are illustrated in the ac convenient to ?x the arm Z rigidly in the disk

companying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus,
giving an end view of the paper~feed. Fig. 2
represents the same apparatus, one-quarter
turn, with the cylinder, hereinafter fully de-'

7;, and the backward throw of the arm, by 95

means of the weight of the disks, may bead
justed by the disk 7r, which is held upon the

shaft 6 by means of a set-screw, 0, so that the

disk 7; may be thrown farther to the right, as
scribed, in central longitudinal section. Fig. shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The back
3 is a detached view of the clock-work; and ward movement of the arm Z is limited by the
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 represent details and modifi step c, which is set at a proper position by
means of a set-screw on the upper end of the
cations, all as set forth hereinafter.

The apparatus shown isdesigned to be seated postf. This post may be conveniently held

'2

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286,795

in the cylindrical standard A by means of a looseness and consequent loss of motionin this
/
,
joint, I have devised a peculiar construction of
It is clear from an inspection of Fig. 1 that bearing. (Shown. at 10 10, Fig. 4.) These
the amount of throw imparted to the pen 1) bearings are made in V shape, the left-hand
will depend upon the vertical movement of bearing showing the journal of the shaft inpo
the slender rod 0, and that the movement sition._ As the balanced pen is exceedingly
will not begin until the said rod strikes the light, as well as the shaft n, in whichit is ?xed,
set-screw, g.

pin j. The'amount of throw, therefore, what

ever the scope of the pulsation, will depend

partly upon the normal position of the upper
end of the rod 0 with respect to the pin j. If
this said upper end is at the beginning of the
stroke in contact with the pinj, then the pen
will receive the greatest amount of throw pos
sible from any given pulsation; but the dis
tance between said pen and the upper end of

20

the friction of its journals in the wedge-shape 75

bearings is inappreciable, and is not felt in
the long leverage of the arm; but these bear
ings effect a very important result, since they
keep the journal always in contact, so that
there can be no looseness or loss of motion 80

by reason of such looseness,>and the amount

of movement imparted to the point of the pen

corresponds exactly and in every respect to

rod 0 will be the measure of lost motion of the the amount of movement imparted to the up
pulsation. For feeble pulses, therefore, it is per end of the arm Z, to which it is jointed. 35
desirable that the position of these two parts
It will also be observed that the left-hand
should be adjustable. This adjustability is v end. 0 of the small shaft n, as shown in Fig. 4,
accomplished by the special construction of is turned down into the shape of a double re

the cylindrical standards A A. This cylinder versed cone. This is lodged in the V-shaped
is made in two parts, of which the upper, A, bearing adapted to receive it, and serves to

is connected to a sleeve, B, by means of a ring,

25 a, which is capable only of rotary motion upon

the cylinder A. The sleeve B is attached to
it, and is provided at its lower end with an
internal thread, which ?ts accurately an ex

prevent endwise movement of the said shaft.

This is notof so much importance as the V

shaped bearings before described, but is use

ful and convenient to secure perfect closeness

of ?t and accuracy of working.
95
ternal thread on the upper end of the cylinder
It will be observed that the upper end of
A. The sleeve is provided with milled ridges, the arm I is very nearly upon a level with the
as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by means of which surface of the platform over which the paper
it may be conveniently turned, thus extend is fed, and that the recording end of the pen

ing or shortening the length of the cylinder. is bent downward slightly, (at-about an angle

I00

Contraction of the cylinder, the upper end of of forty-?ve degrees,) so as to bear upon the
35 which carries the frame and balancing-disks, - paper. The amount of its pressure upon the
will of course bring the pin j nearer-to the paper is regulated bya counterpoise, q,which
upper end of the rod 0. In order to keep the may be adjusted according to the require
cylindrical standard extended and prevent ments of the case. This arrangement of the
any unequality of motion resulting from a parts gives the easiest movement of the point 105
4o looseness of the joints, I'place within it a coil of the pen over the paper, the pen itself mov
spring, 10, which is constantly under tension. ing in nearly horizontal plane. Small pins
The disk (I may bear directly upon the person, may be set above the V-shaped hearings to
in which case there should be put upon it, hold the journals of the shaft in place and IlO
preferably above the lower end, but in any prevent them from being thrown out in move
45 convenient place, a stop to prevent it from ment of the apparatus.
7
dropping out. . Instead of this, a delicate rub
It will be readily understood that pulsations
.ber diaphragm may be stretched acrossv the differing in frequency and force transmitted
mouth of the base K, and the disk d may rest to the plunger-rod O, and thence through the
I15
upon that.
intermediate mechanism to the tracing-pen,
5o In order to give steadiness to the parts, the will require a different amount of feed for the
reduced end of the upper cylinder, A, is made paper strip onwhich the record is made. Un
to telescope within the lower cylinder, A.
less the paper move faster when the pen is
~ A very important feature of the invention, making a series of rapid strokes, (from one I20
and indispensable for the perfect operation of hundred and twenty to one hundred and sixty
the apparatus, is the device for preventing per minute,) the lines will be made so'close to.
any lost motion between the rod, which rests each other as to be indistinct, and, on the other
directlyupon the person, and the point of the hand, the same speed in the paper strip adapt
pen which effects the record on the paper. ed to a rapid stroke of the tracing-pen will,
This paper slip. it. will be understood, travels when the pen has only an unfrequent stroke, I25 .
60

55

upon the table Y, moving longitudinally there

' on, while the needle moves transversely over

(from sixty to eighty per minute,) protract the

record. In order to give just proportions to

the same table. Since it is necessary to have the two movements, and to produce a symmet
the lightest and freest possible movement with rical and intelligible record, I have made the
the least amount of friction of the pen upon feed variable at the will'of the operator. This .130

65 the paper, it is necessary that the pen should

_ be balanced and hinged upon the upper end

of the slender arm I.

is accomplished 'by means of clock - work.

(Shown more clearly in detail in Fig. 3.) It

In order to prevent any is inclosed in a case, D, which is mounted onv

286,795
2. The combination of the standard and its
a standard, L. The standard L is adjustable
vertically on the cylindrical standard A by plunger-rod, adapted to bear upon the pul
means of a set-screw. (Shown at 11 in Fig. 2.) sating surface, the arm I, and devices, sub
Within this case is a barrel containing a spring, stantially as described, whereby the arm Zis
as shown at r, connected by an ordinary train caused to oscillate by the direct reciprocation
of gearing to a wheel, 3/, on the same shaft

of the plunger-rod, and a balanced pen or

with the last pinion y. This shaft projects tracer pivoted to the upper end of the oscil
IO

through the case, and outside of the case bears lating rod or arml, substantially as described.
a drum, E, located within the two-part table
8. The combination, with the standard and
12 12, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1. Two plunger-rod, of the oscillating shaft Ii, carry~

light wheels, 14: 14, on a shaft, 15, bear upon ing counterpoisepin j, and the arm I, with
the upper surface of the drum E and hold the the balanced pen, as set forth.
paper strip thereto. I They are pressed down
11. The combination, in a sphygmograph,

slightly by a spring, 13, bearing upon the of the standard, the adjustable frame 0, the
A spring, z, attached within the case, post], the shaft 1', the counterpoises, and arm
is prolonged over the periphery of the pulley I, the whole being adapted to operate as and

15 shaft.

y, and is pressed at its free end by an eccen

tric, I,whichmay be turned bya thumb-piece,

for the lmrposes set forth.

5. The combination, in a sphygmograph, '

11. Amount of pressure can be applied at will, of the sections A A, sleeve B, and inclosed
and regulates the speed of the pulley y, and spring, substantially as described.
Pd in
consequently the drum E, over which the pa
6. The combination, in a sphygmograph,
~ per is fed, it being understood that the paper of the standard provided with a reciprocating
passes over the table 12 12 between and over plunger-rod, both adapted to bear upon the
the feed-roll E. The operator can determine pulsating surface, the plunger-rod receiving
10 Ln the amount of pressure to be applied for any movement therefrom, intermediate mechan~ 90
desired rate of speed, or some mark may be

ism, substantially as described, for communi

used to indicate the point to which the thumb

cating the motion of the rod to the pen or

piece thereon should be turned for any given tracer, and means, substantially as described,
rate of speed required. A stop-pawl, H, Fig. for adjustingthe length of the standard,where~
3, bears against the last pinion 9/, and stops by the greater or less movement is imparted to
the clock-work whenever it is desired so to do.
In Fi
5 and 6 is shown a device for increas

the pen or tracer, as set forth.

7. The combination, in a sphygmograph,

in g the effect of a feeble pulse upon the instru of the reciprocating pen' or tracer adapted to
ment. 1 have discovered that by tightly coin move over the surface of the strip of paper,
pressing the wrist by means of a suitable band. and a variable feed mechanism for said paper,

100

placed over the pulsating part nearly double whereby different rates of speed may be givtn
the usual motion may be imparted to the work to the said strip at the will. of the operator, as
7.
v
ing parts of the instrument when properly set set forth.
thereon. The device consists of a thin plate, M,
S. The combination of the oscillating arm 7,
40 of sheet metal, hard rubber, or any suitable the V-shaped bearings carried at its upper
material capable of a]_)proximately encircling end, and the shaft: 11., resting thereon and car
half the wrist, and provided at each end with rying the pen or tracer, substantially as de

clamping-rolls l, eccentrieally hung in. cars.

A rubber band, J, is held to the plate m by
means of the clamping~rolls, and the band may
be stretched tightly around the wrist and held
securely in place. \Vhcn thus stretched over
the proper part, the rubber diaphragm. is taken
off from the'foot of the instrument, which is
then set on the said band, the disk on the lower

scribed.

fl. The combination, with the oscillating

arm 7, of a balanced pen. or tracer adapted to
move in an approximately-horizontal plane,

and having its tracing end bent downward to

bear upon the paper, as set forth.

10. The combi nation of the instrument and

a band adapted to encircle the wrist and to

end of the plunger-rod resting directly on the transmit pulsations to the plunger-rod, sub
band. The band may be composed wholly of stantially as described.
11. The described method of indicating
rubber, if ln'eferred, with any suitableitasteir
ing devices.
movements of the pulse, consisting in first

Having thus described my invention, what tightly stretching an elastic band nponthe pul
I claim is
sating part and then placing the instrument
1. In a sphygmograph, the combination ofa upon said band, whereby increased motion is
standard adapted to be placed upon the pul~ obtained, as set forth.
In witness whereof I have hereunto signed
sating surface, a reciprocating plunger-rod,
60 also adapted to bear on such surface, a hori my name in the presence of two subscribing
zontally~balanced tracer or pen adapted to witnesses.
bear upon moving paper, and intermediate
A. M. EDXVARDS.
mechanism,whereby motion ofthe plunger im
ll'i tnesses:
parts horizontal motion to said pen or tracer,
J. R. DRAKE,
substantially as described.
H. 11. HOPKlNS.

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