IMPROVEMENTS IN HOSPITAL BEDS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the "International Patent
Office," Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HOSPITAL BEDS."A communication from abroad
by Isabella Waller, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Henry Fowler, of
hath in the United States of Amoxica
Sealed the 7th March 1873, and dated the 8th January 1873.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Haseltine at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 8th January 1873, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office," Southampton Buildings,
London, Doctor of Laws, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HOSPITAL BEDS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent
for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that it has been com-

page_text: municated to me from abroad by Isabella Waller, of Cleveland, Ohio,
and Henry Fowler, of Detroit, Michigan, both in the United States of
America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Haseltine, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing forming a
part of this Specification:-
This Invention relates to a hospital bed with an elevating frame so
arranged that the patient may be lifted clear of the mattrass and sheets
without displacing his limbs or otherwise disturbing him, whereby the
mattrass and sheets may be changed without annoyance.
The said Invention consists in the novel and peculiar construction of
the various parts as herein-after set forth.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the said improved bedstead with the
invalid frame partly raised.
Figure 2 is a plan of one of the webs and its hook detached.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in the several Figures.
A represents a bedstead with four corner posts a; B, B, are two
windlasses, one is journaled in the tops of the head posts, and the other
in the tops of the foot posts, and each is provided with a crank b, by
which it may be rotated.
Both windlasses are detachable from the bedstead when not required.
On each winch or windlass is a ratchet c, with which engages a spring
pawl d on the post to secure the windlass at any point; C is a frame which
just fits within the frame of the bedstead, and by two slings D at each
end is connected or suspended from the windlasses, so that when the
latter are rotated in the proper direction the frame can be lifted bodily
from the plane of the bed; E, E, are cloth webs. with a metallic rod e
sewed across one end to engage with pairs of hooks on the inner edge of
the frame at one side; e¹, e¹, are similar rods in the other end of the web
engaging with hooks g, which pass through holes in the other side of
the frame, they are threaded on their outer projecting ends to receive
nuts h, by which the webs may be stretched.

page_text: In using my Invention a mattrass and sheet are laid on the bedstead,
and on the top is placed the web frame which is then connected by its
slings to the windlasses, the bed is then ready for the reception of the
patient who lies on the webs.
When it is desired to change the under bedding or to introduce a
vessel under him for stooling, the attendants rotate the windlasses and
elevate him with the frame without changing his position or disturbing
him in any degree. By disengaging the pawls from their ratchets the
frame may be as readily lowered again to the bed. By slackening the
nuts on the screw hooks the webs may be removed one by one without
materially disturbing the patient, and in like manner may be replaced
when required.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,—
First. A hospital bed so arranged that the patient may be lifted clear
of the mattrass without displacing his limbs or otherwise disturbing
him, as herein set forth.
Second. The combination with the posts of a bedstead of the wind-
lasses B, cranks b, pawls d, ratchets c, slings D, and frame C, provided
with the adjustable, detachable, transverse webs E, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Haseltine, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of January, in the year.
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
W. ROB. LAKE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
GEORGE HASELTINE. (L.S.)