A NEW OR IMPROVED AIR CUSHION FOR BED PANS, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR THE TOP OF INVALIDS GENERALLY
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Thomas Wackrill, of 71, Portland Street,
Leamington, in the County of Warwick, for the Invention of "A
NEW OR IMPROVED AIR CUSHION FOR BED PANS, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR THE
TOP OF INVALIDS GENERALLY
"
Sealed the 19th February 1875, and dated the 16th December 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Thomas
Wackrill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 16th December 1874.
I, SAMUEL THOMAS WACKRILL, of 71, Portland Street, Leamington,
in the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED AIR CUSHION FOR BED PANS, ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR THE USE OF INVALIDS GENERALLY," to be as follows:-
This Invention of a new or improved bed pan cushion is applicable
more especially to the bed pans known as the slipper pans, and consists
of a wedge air cushion with place for a pan, and which can be used
with or without it. It is made of macintosh, and has an air vent, as in

page_text: ordinary air cushions. In some cases I so arrange the air vent that a
longer tube can be used, so as to put wind in by a bellows whilst it is
under the patient. This cushion is so constructed that when filled with
air it fits the shape of the "slipper pan," one end being about six inches
in depth, while the other tapers down to a thin end similar to a wedge.
is inserted in the thick part of the cushion, the front part of
the pan sliding in the thin part of the cushion, which forms the rest
for the patient.
The
pan
This Invention is chiefly intended for invalids, male or female, and
can be used in or out of bed. When used with a bed pan it forms an
easy rest for the patient, either in a reclining or sitting position; without
causing distress, although long use of the pan may be necessary, as in
cases of cholera and other similar complaints.
The pan can be placed and removed without the knowledge of the
patient, and the cushion forms a rest after removal during the nurse's 1
pleasure, and until she lessens the buoyancy by liberating the air.
I may extend the macintosh each side about nine inches to give lifting
power if necessary.
With slight variations in pattern it can be used during and sub-
sequently to certain operations.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Samuel Thomas Wackrill in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th June 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
THOMAS WACKRILL, of 71, Portland Street, Leamington, in the County
of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Samuel Thomas Wackrill,
Her special licence that I, the said Samuel Thomas Wackrill, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said

page_text: Samuel Thomas Wackrill, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED AIR CUSHION FOR BED PANS, ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR THE USE OF INVALIDS GENERALLY," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Samuel Thomas Wackrill, my executors or admini-
strators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Thomas Wackrill, do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 of a new or improved bed pan cushion is applicable
for a certain kind of bed pan, which in itself is a deviation from and a
suitable improvement upon one known as the slipper pan. The shape
corresponds with that of a wedge, being, when inflated from four to six
inches high in front, and tapers down to the back. It is open in front,
and fits the shape of the improved bed pan, which also partakes of the
design of a wedge. It is constructed for filling with air or water, the
material being of macintosh or air-tight cloth of different appearances.
There is a vent, to which a tube is affixed, with which it can be more
easily filled.
The cushion when under the patient can be inflated without difficulty,
either by blowing with the mouth or by means of a small elastic air
pump. It admits the shallow end of the pan first, and it can be placed
and removed without the knowledge of the patient.
The patient comfortably rests upon the expanded wedgo cushion
without being distressed, although continued use of the pan may be
requisite, as in cases of cholera and other similar complaints, and it
almost entirely prevents bed sores. It is designed to obviate the risk
which often accompanies lifting the weak and helpless, and greatly
economises the strength of nurses and attendants.

page_text: it can be made with side naps for raising the patient when necessary,
as shewn in Fig. 3.
This Invention is chiefly intended for invalids, male or female, and it
can be used in and out of bed, and with slight variations may be made
serviceable during and subsequent to certain operations.
And in order that this my Invention may be more readily understood,
I have annexed to this my Specification a Sheet of Drawings, wherein,--
Fig. 1 shews the wedge-shaped cushion ready for use with the pan and
tube attached.
Fig. 2 shews the cushion without the pan.
Fig. 3 shews another view of the said cushion with the flap herein-
before referred to for providing lifting power.
And Figs. 4 and 5 shew my pans suitable for use with this Invention.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, I
declare that what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein- 1
before in part recited Letters Patent is, the new or improved air cushion
for bed pans, which can be used with or without such pans for the use
of invalids generally, substantially as before described and shewn on
Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Thomas Wackrill, have 2
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Fifteenth day of June,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.