Improvements in Mattresses.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
Improvements in Mattresses.
I HARRIETTE JEANNETTE WEBB of 184 Locust Street, Lockport, in the
County of Niagara and State of New York, United States of America do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its objects (a) to so construct a mattress that a section
thereof may be entirely removed and an opening thereby created for the reception
of a bed pan or similar article; and (b) to provide a hinged section adjoining the
detachable section, whereby the pan may be removed without inconveniencing the
patient and the detached section replaced.
In one side of the mattress between its ends there is a recess, and to one side
wall of said recess, near its outer side a section of the mattress is hinged at its
upper face. The section which for convenience I will hereinafter denominate the
hinged section, is of a length sufficient to extend from one side wall of the recess
to the other, and the outer side of the hinged section is preferably flush with the
outer side of the main body of the mattress. The hinged section is of less width
than the superficial depth of the recess, being made to terminate at its inner side,
preferably at or near the centre of said recess, whereby an opening is formed
between the inner wall of the recess and the inner wall of the hinged section.
The opening thus created is normally filled. by a mattress section.
This section together with the hinged section entirely fills the recess, and the
former section is not in any manner attached to the hinged section or the walls of
the recess. This detachable section is preferably of a shape corresponding
essentially with the shape of the bed pan to be employed.
The hinged section is held in place at its unattached end by means of a strap
passing through loops formed upon one side wall of the recess and through loops
upon the opposed or free end of the hinged section, and one end of the strap of
this hinged section is passed through an opening or aperture formed in the other
end, whereby the two extremities are carried in opposite directions, one being
buttoned or otherwise attached to the outer edge of the mattress, and the other to
the outer edge of the hinged section.
The detachable section is removed when the pan is to be inserted and when it is
desired to remove the pan, this is accomplished without disturbing the patient by
detaching the extremities of the straps and swinging the hinged section upward,
thus permitting the pan to be drawn laterally outward. The recess is also very
advantageous in the dressing of wounds, burns, etc., as the portion of the body
injured may be brought over the recess, and the hinged section thrown upward
while the removable section is removed, thereby enabling the nurse to gain more
convenient access to the injured portion of the body.
I desire it to be distinctly understood that if the mattress is a double one, there
may be a recess in each side edge, and that the mattress may be used in connection
with a couch, chair, or equivalent article of furniture.
Doted this 20th dox of July 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mattresses.
I, HARRIETTE JEANNETTE WEBB, of 184, Locust Street, Lockport, in the
County of Niagara and State of New York, United States of America, 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:-
My invention relates to an improvement in mattresses, and has for its object to
so construct a mattress that a section thereof may be entirely removed and an
opening thereby created for the reception of a bed-pan or similar article and a
further object of the invention is to provide a hinged section adjoining the
detachable section whereby the pan may be removed without inconveniencing the
patient and the detached section replaced.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of the mattress.
Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section through that portion of the mattress
containing the hinged section.
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of that portion of the mattress containing
the hinged and removable sections, and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the removable section detached.
Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
In one side of the mattress between its ends a recess 11 is formed and to one
side wall of said recess near its outer side a mattress-section 12 is hinged at its
upper face in any suitable or approved manner a lacing being usually employed.
The mattress section 12, which for convenience 1 will hereinafter denominate the
hinged section, is of a length sufficient to extend from one side wall of the recess 11
to the other and the outer side of the hinged section 12 is preferably flush with
the outer side of the main body of the mattress, as best shewn in Figure 1. The
hinged section 12 is of less width that the superficial depth of the recess 11, being
made to terminate at its inner side preferably at or near the centre of said recess,
as shewn in Figures 1 and 3, whereby an opening is formed between the inner wall
of the recess 11 and the inner wall of the hinged section. The opening thus
created is normally filled by a mattress section 13, which section may partake of
any desired shape, the inner wall of the hinged section being made to conform to
the contour of the approaching wall of the section 13. This section 13, together
with the section 12, entirely fills the recess 11 and the former section is not in any
manner attached to the hinged section or the walls of the recess. This detachable
section 13 is preferably of a shape corresponding essentially with the shape of the
bed pan to be employed. The hinged section 12 is held in place at its unattached
end by means of a strap 14 which 'strap is passed through loops 15 formed upon
one side wall of the recess 11 and through loops 16 formed upon the opposed or
free end of the hinged section, as best shewn in Figure 3, and one end of the
strap 14 is passed through an opening or aperture 17 formed in the other end
whereby the two extremities are carried in opposite directions, one being buttoned
or otherwise attached to the outer edge of the mattress and the other to the outer
edge of the hinged section.
In operation, the detachable section 13 is removed and the pan inserted in the
opening disclosed thereby. When it is desired to remove the pan, it is
accomplished, without disturbing the patient, by detaching the extremities of the
straps 14 and swinging the hinged section 12 upward, thus permitting the pan to
be drawn laterally outward. The recess 11 is also very advantageous in the

page_text: dressing of wounds, burns, etc., as the portion of the body injured may be brought
over the recess and the section 12 thrown upward while the section 13 is removed,
thereby enabling the nurse to gain more convenient access to the injured portion of
the body.
1 desire it to be distinctly understood that if the mattress is a double one, a
recess 11 may be produced in each side edge and that the mattress may be used in
connection with a couch, chair, or equivalent article of furniture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. As an improved article of manufacture, a mattress provided with a recess in
its edge and a removable section and a hinged section fitted to the said recess,
substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
2. The combination, with a mattress having a recess produced in one edge, of a
removable section contacting with the inner wall of said recess and a hinged
section attached to one side wall of the recess, the said sections essentially filling
the said recess when in place, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
3. The combination, with a mattress provided with a recess in one edge, of a
section hinged to one side wall of the recess near its outer end a detachable section
contacting with the inner wall of the hinged section and the rear or inner wall of
the recess loops attached to one side wall of the recess and the opposed free end
of the hinged section and a strap passed through said loops and through an
aperture produced in one of its ends, said strap being adapted for attachment to
the hinged section and the mattress, substantially as shewn and described.
Jated the 24th day of April 1891
Dated the 24th day of Anri 1891.
H. J. WEBB.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.