Specification of William Robert Lake : artificial breasts.

  • Lake, William Robert.
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Robert Lake : artificial breasts. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Specification. A.D. 1868.—N° 616. 3 Lake's Improvements in Artificial Breasts. fillet down into the groove, the whole by this means is made per¬ manently secure and air-tight as shown in Figure 4; B is a lining made of silk or other soft material, and is attached to the forms by being sewed on to the projecting edge of the tape or fillet as shown in 5 Figure 2. This lining when the form is worn is in contact with the tegument of the breast, a circular opening being made in the centre of the same for the admission of the nipple. D is a mouth piece for the purpose of inflating the form, and is made by gathering together the loose teguments of the elastic covering and tying them by a small 10 cord around a tube a2, Figure 3 ; this tube is connected to a button as which forms the top of a small circular chamber opening into the space between the disc A and elastic covering. In the tube referred to is a stem h to the lower end of which is attached a valve c, the face of which is kept closely pressed against the inner face of the button which 15 forms the valve seat by the spring H. In the space between the covering G and diaphragm A is placed a certain quantity of sponge J, Figure 2, or other similar material. G is an elastic ligament connecting the two forms together passing from one to the other in front of the sternum, and B1 are straps by which the said forms are secured to 20 the person. The manner of inflating the forms is as follows :—The mouth is applied to the nipple, when on blowing into the tube therein the valve is forced back from its seat and the air passes into the chamber, thence into the form, inflating the sponge and expanding the covering; the pressure of the air from within closes the valve and 25 thereby prevents its escape from the form. The inflated sponge gives strength to the expanded covering and consistency to the form, so that it will readily yield to the pressure of the clothing and still retains its fullness of figure and resiliency, and being constructed of light material it can be worn without discomfort to the person. The 30 concave depression shown at the point x, Figure 2, is for the purpose of receiving the chamber when the elastic covering is first laid on the diaphragm, so that the covering may be flatter upon the disc before being expanded by inflation, and thereby produce greater tension in the covering. This form is susceptible of various modifications without 35 changing the principle upon which it is constructed as seen in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. A, Figure 6, represents the frame or diaphragm, which is a concave disc made of thin vulcanized rubber, wood, papier machd, thin metal, or other suitable material. The border or margin is provided with