INITIATION APPARATUS
John Milton Seibert
Patented May 8,1906
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, John Milton Seibert, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pekin, in the county of Tazewell and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Initiation Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.
This invention relates to that type of theatrical appliances known as "initiation apparatus," designed for use in lodges and secret societies for initiating a candidate into the secrets and forms of the order.
To this end the invention contemplates a simple and practical form of apparatus entirely harmless in its action and results, while at the same time producing an amusing and entertaining effect.
With these and other objects in view, which will readily appear to those familiar with this line of inventions, the same consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.
The essential features of the invention involved in carrying out the objects above indicated are necessarily susceptible to modification without departing from the scope thereof; but a practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a general view of the complete apparatus, illustrating its mode of use. Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view of one of the walking electrodes constituting a part of the apparatus worn by the subject.
Like references designate corresponding parts in the separate figures of the drawings.
In carrying out the invention the same essentially consists of a pair of guiding-conductors 1 and a pail of walking electrodes 2. The latter are worn by the subject and designed to be carried over and in contact with said conductors. The guiding-conductors are in the form of metallic rails or bands arranged in spaced parallel relation to constitute, in effect, a track and designed to be secured to the floor or other surface a suitable distance apart to permit the subject or candidate to easily walk upon the same. The said metallic rails or bands constituting the guiding - conductors are usually about an inch wide to form a substantial walking surface, and the same may be of any length desired, according to the extent of walk which may be planned for the subject or candidate.
The guiding - conductors 1 are including in an electrical generator - circuit. This essentially consists of the circuit - wires a and b, connected at one end, respectively, with the separate conductors and also suitable connected with the electrical generator or battery 3 and an electrical magnetic vibrator or induction - coil 4 to secure the necessary electrical action for shocking the subject when the electrical circuit is closed be the contact of both electrodes 2 with the said guiding - conductors. Any equivalent electrical generating apparatus for securing this result may obviously be associated with the spaced guiding - conductors.
The walking electrodes 2 are preferably in the form of shoes or slippers, each consisting of the wooden body 5, provided on the exterior thereof with metallic sole and heel contact - plate 6 and 7, respectively. These sole and heel contact-plates each have a metallic pin or equivalent connection 8 with an inside foot electrode or plate 9, which is arranged within the shoe-body and is designed to form a contact member for the foot of the wearer.
From the construction described it will be obvious that when the subject or candidate wearing upon his feet the electrodes 2 is guided along and upon the conductors 1 the act of walking will of necessity open and close the electrical circuit, thereby causing the shocking of the subject.
From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and operation of the herein - described apparatus will be readily understood without further description.
Having described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-
An apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of spaced metallic rails included in an electrical shocking - circuit, and a pair of shiftable electrodes, each electrode consisting of an insulated walking - shoe provided with exterior sole and heel plates for contact with said rails, and with an interior foot - plate metallically connected with said sole and heel plates.
In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.
JOHN MILTON SEIBERT.
Witnesses:
C. L. Conder
J. M. Rahn