US340334A - Invalid bed-rest - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (No Model.)

O. F. LILLEY.

INVALID BED REST. No. 340,334. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

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= ATTORNEY N. PETERS PholoLhhognphur. Wishingtnm D C.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

0. F. LILLEY.

INVALID BED REST.

No. 340,334. Patented Apr, 20, 1886.

ATTORNEY N PETERS Fiuolo-Lilhcgmpher. Wlihingivn. D Q

UNTTEE STATES PATENT @EEie CHARLES F. LILLEY, OF TROY, PENNSYLVANIA.

INVALID BED-REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,334, dated April 20, 1886.

Application filed May 12, 1885.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. LILLEY, of Troy, in the county of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Invalid Bed-Rests; and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawings furnished and forming a part there of, is a clear, true, and complete description of my invention.

My said improvements relate to that class of portable devices which can be applied to use on any bed or lounge for conveniently affording to invalids a variety of restful positions and otherwise contributing to their comfort, as well as to the convenience of attendants.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, light, and comparativelyinexpensive bed-rest susceptible of a wide range of adj ust ment, not only for enabling a great varietyof positions, but for adapting the rest for use by individuals ofall sizesand in beds or on lounges of different lengths.

After fully describing the bed-rest illustrated in the drawings, the features deemed novel will be specified in the several claims hereunto annexed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l illustrates in top and edge views the frame-work of one of my rests as when folded and out of use or for transportation. Fig. 2 in similar views illustrates the same with the several main parts distended. Fig. 3 illustrates the same in edge or side view in one of its positions of adjustment on a mattress and bedstead. Figs. 4 and 5 in similar views illustrate other positions of adjustment of the rest on the bed. Fig. 6 in two views illustrates a commode attachment. Fig. 7 in two views illustrates a table attachment. View and central crosssectiou illustrates a detached friction-bar used on the base of the bedrest.

It is to be understood that my bed-rest is so upholstered as to afford comfort to its user, and that the character of the upholstering can be indefinitely varied without in any manner affecting my invention.

The frame-work or skeleton of a bed-rest embodying my invention essentially includes a central or base section, A, an auxiliary base- Fig. 8 in side Serial N 0. 165,215. (No model.)

section, B, and a back-supporting section, 0, all hinged together longitudinally, and so that the auxiliary'base section and theback-supporting section will fold toward and upon each other over or upon the base-section. The basesection A performs no other function than that of a base for the other sections, and it is composed of apair of bars, a, and provided with a downwardly-curved and projecting crossbar, 72, which I will term a friction-bar, because its function is to seat itself so firmly into a mattress as to prevent any undue slipping action thereon.

Bed-rests as heretofore constructed have embodied cross-bars operating as ties or braces for coupling the side bars of the frame-work, and said cross-bars of necessity served to hold the device more firmly on a bed than would be the case if they were not used. My friction-bar, being downwardly curved and projected materially below the plane occupied by the side bars of the framing, is effectually embedded in a bed or mattress, instead of merely resting thereon, as would be the case if said bar, like said prior cross-bars, occupied substantially the same plane as the side bars. This transverse friction-bar is preferably composed of metal, and has one or two sharp or well-defined edges, which enable it to properly engage with a sheet or mattress without liability of injury thereto, as distinguished from the use of card-teeth, as heretofore proposed for a like purpose. The auxiliary base-section B is not only at times an actual prolongation of the base A, but it also serves as a means for the longitudinal adjustment of the base upon a bed, and when so serving it also serves as a portion of the means by which the inclination of the back-supporting section can be adjusted; and, still further, it serves at times as the sole means for adj usting said backsection.

As essential featurcs in construction, the

auxiliary base at its outer end is provided with one or more beveled faces, 0, and a notched rack-bar, d. Otherwise it may be variously constructed, although, as here shown, it embodies two side bars, e, and two crossbars, 6'.

The back-supporting section 0 embodies two side bars, f, which at their rear sides are notched to serve as rack-bars, a curved crossbar, f, near its hinged end, and a lateral or cross bar, 9, at its outer end. It is essentially provided with a brace, h, hinged at its rear side and near its outer end, and for economy and lightness I have attached this brace rigidly to the cross-bar g and hinged this latter to the side bars, f. The brace h, at its outer end, is beveled, so as to enableit to engage with the notches of the rack-bar d on the auxiliary base-section.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be assumed that an invalid wishes to sit nearly upright and as near the head of the bed'i as possible. In this case the auxiliary base B serves purely as a brace, its beveled faces occupying such of the notches f at the rear of the side bars, f, of the section 0 as will afford the desired inclination for the invalid. The auxiliary base-section, at its junction with the basesection, is in abutting contact with the headboard, and therefore a firm, unyielding support for the invalid is afforded. The upholstering between the side bars, f, enables the body to cushion itself comfortably, there being no crossbars except the two mentioned, and one of theseis above the position occupied by the head of the invalid, and the other bar,

' (1, enables a corresponding variation in the inf, is curved so far rearwardly as to afford no discomfort. When thus adjusted, the brace h overlies, or it may underlie, the auxiliary section, and is out of service.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be assumed that aninvalid wishes to be in a slightly-inclined position and well down in the bed i. In this case the base, and also the auxiliary base-section, lies flatly on the mattress, and the brace 71, at its outer end, engages with the rack-bar d at the notch nearest its outer end. When thus arranged, the invalid is firmly supported. His feet may be pressed against a foot-board, itdesired, and various inclinations can obviously be provided for by varying the position of the brace h on'the rack-bar.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be assumed that the wishes of the invalid, or his condition as to size and weight, render it desirable that the back-section 0 be located at some point on the bed between the two extreme positions of adjustment therein already described. As here shown, the auxiliary base is inclined, and at its outer or upper end it lies against the head-board of the bedstead, thus obviously enabling the base-section to be located at various points in the bed, according to the degree of inclination of the auxiliary base. The brace h, by its variedenga-gement with the notches of the now inclined rack-bar clination of the back-supporting section.

It is not deemed necessary to specially indicate the various circumstances under which these several capacities for adjustment will be found of value, as it is believed that they will be readily appreciated by invalids and experienced nurses.

The importance of a commode attachment to a bedrest will be obvious, and I have provided a commode, D, so constructed that it can be readily coupled to the back-section near the base, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, by means of the springarms k, having inwardly-bent ends, as shown in Fig. 6, thus forming hooks, so that by springing said arms apart they will embrace the two side bars and engage therewith suflicient-ly to hold the commode from slipping forward. It is to be understood that these hooks are mere coupling devices, and that any other well-known forms of coupling straps and hooks can be employed so long as the commode is thereby prevented from sliding away from its proper position and unduly tilting. The pendent front end, 1, of the commode is nearly the height of an ordinary vessel, so that the latter will be pressed into the mattress and firmly held thereon by the weight of the invalid, but without liability of being upset or unduly subjected to pressure.

For enabling-the commode to occupy minimum space when not in use, the pendent front Z may be hinged so as to fold backward, and be also provided with a hook or bolt for firmly securing it'in posit-ion for service without departure from my invention. In some cases I also provide the commode with a pendent rear end, as indicated in dotted lines.

The desirability ofa firm, reliable, and readily-applied table or book-stand to a bed-rest will beobvious, and I have devised the table E, (shown in Fig. 7,) which embodies a frame composed of a light fiat bar, wt, preferably of 'iron, and a similar bar, m, at right angles thereto, and a light board, n, thinner than the width of said bars, and secured thereto centrally, so that said bars at their two edges serve as lips or ledges for the two faces or sides of the table-board. The side bar, m, near its foot, has a lateral hole, m. At one or both edges of the auxiliary base-section, near its hinged joint, there are hooks 0, and similarly located on the back-section there are rectangular hooks, serving as brackets p. The table is placed in position for use by engaging one of the hooks 0 by the side bar, m,

at its hole on", andv locating the bar in one of the brackets 19, as clearly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As thus constructed the table can be applied and used at either side of the bed-rest and either side up, andin either case there will be free and unobstructed space at one side of the table, thus obviating the sense of constraint generally so objectionable base-section, the auxiliary base-section provided with a rack-bar and hinged to the basesection, and the back-section, also hinged to said base-section, and provided with a hinged brace for engaging with the rackbar on the auxiliary base-section.

2. The combination of the base-section, the auxiliary base section hinged thereto and pro vided at its outer end with beveled tips, and

justed at various inclinations and in various locations on a bed, as set forth.

4. The combination, with the three bedrest sections, of the table provided with a bar adapted to engage with the edges of the auxiliary base and the back section, and thus be mounted for service,substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the bed-rest, of the commode provided with coupling-hooks for detachablyconnecting it with the back-section near its base, and projecting forwardly therefrom and having a pendent front end, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with abedrest basesection, of the downwardly-curved transverse sharp-edged friction-bar, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

CHARLES F. LILLEY.

Witnesses:

E. F. LILLEY, L. O. COLE.

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