A New or Improved Apparatus for the Relief of Asthmatical or similar Suffering Patients.
Year: 1897

page_text: •
Date of Application, 18th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus for the Relief of Asthmatical or similar
Suffering Patients.
We, THOMAS WILLIAM LENCH, of Tregaron, Hagley, Worcestershire, Manu-
facturer; and EDWARD HERBERT MAULE, of 199, Coventry Road, Small Heath,
Birmingham, Professional Brewer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved apparatus for the relief of asth-
matical or similar suffering patients and consists as follows:-
It is found with those who suffer from these complaints that, if the weight of
the shoulders and the adjacent part of the body is suspended after the following
manner, the pressure upon the bronchial tubes and the chest in general is con-
siderably relieved to the surprising comfort and repose of the patient.
In carrying out this our invention we provide above the bed of the patient a
hook, eye or other suitable fastening, to which a cord pulley or pulleys may be
attached. A belt, strap or band is now placed around the patient at the armpits,
and upon this are provided loops or the like, to which the cords beforementioned
may be attached, or instead of being thus directly attached, there may be a separate
intervening swivel like strap or band, to which the cords may be attached. Hence
the height, or amount of suspension of the patient may be adjustably secured at
any desirable position. The patient may also thus be able to accommodate
himself as to a sideway reclining position. The details of this our invention may
be considerably varied without departure from its nature, as for instance, a port-
able means of suspension may be employed, such as a bracket from the bedstead
head, or a bracket attached to the side of the bed or couch, or an independent
stand. Also wheel winding mechanism may be employed so that the raising or
lowering may be readily accomplished by the patient or an attendant.
Dated this 17th day of May 1807
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.

page_text: Birmingham, Professional Brewer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a new or improved apparatus for the relief of asth-
matical or similar suffering patients and consists as hereinafter described.
In order to more clearly describe this our invention we have appended hereunto
an illustrative drawing upon which are figures and numbers of reference, in which
similar numbers refer throughout to the same thing or part.
Fig. 1 gives a general view of the invention as in use.
Fig. 2 is a plan view so to speak of the apparatus as seen when stretched out
in a straight line.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the rear side of the back &c. support.
It is found with those who suffer from asthmatical and similar complaints,
that, if the weight of the shoulders and the adjacent part of the body is suspended
after the following manner, the pressure upon the bronchial tubes and the chest
in general is considerably relieved to the surprising comfort and repose of the
patient.
In carrying out our invention we provide above the bed of the patient hooks 5, 5",
or their equivalents. These hooks &c. may be fixed in the ceiling and the wall
if desired or otherwise supports 6, may be attached to the bedstead, with or with-
out the cross piece 7, and to these the said hooks may be fastened as desired.
8, is a deep belt or band whose sides from A to A are made of stout stiff padding,
while from B to B it is made thinner and flexible. This latter part is also made
adjustable as to length by means of the straps 9, and buckles 10. To this band
are connected the webbing straps 11, 11, which are adjustable as to length by
means of the usual buckle like device 12, another view of which may be seen at
the other end of the apparatus. These straps are connected at their one end
to each other and then to the spring 13, which latter is for attachment to the
hook 5 aforesaid. At the front ends of the band 8, are also connected the webbing
straps 14, 14, which are kept conveniently apart by stretcher 15, and thence are
joined to each other at 16, and jointly attached to spring 17. The adjustable
strap 18, is now connected thereto, and its other end to the hook 5 aforesaid.
The application of the invention may now be readily seen from the illustration
in Fig. 1, in which it will be seen that the band is placed around the patient
coming forward under the armpits, while at the back may be placed a pillow 19.
Thus the patient is supported freely in the most comfortable position giving the
greatest possible freedom to the chest, and yet affording every opportunity or
convenience to turn or twist sideways as may be desired. It will be also readily
seen that if desired, instead of the hooks 5, 5º, pulleys may be substituted, and
the straps 11 and 14 be substituted or supplemented by cords to pass over such
pulleys and within reach of the patient, so that at will he may raise and lower
himself, but the apparatus shown we find to answer all apparent necessities; or
the cords may be connected to wheel winding mechanism by which an attendant
may quietly lower down the patient or raise him as he may see fit.
The straps 14, 14, and stretcher 15, also afford ready means to furnish a support
for book &c. to amuse or otherwise interest the patient.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In surgical apparatus for the purposes herein named the combination with
suspension straps 11, and 14, of the support or band 8, substantially as set forth
and shown.
In uncinal annovative the malomment at houd о
11
14

page_text: suspended from points 5, 5*, and with or without the cord winding mechanism,
all substantially as set forth and illustrated.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham.