Year: 1888

page_text: I, HELEN GIBSON MONKHOUSE, Widow, 32 Tulse Hill Brixton London S.W.
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows :-
:-
It consists of a metal framework of size proportioned to the Bedstead, fitted with
moveable straps from side to side, and having strong Bands secured to each of its
corners. These Bands play over Rollers fixed in iron Supports of a proper height,
which Supports are fastoned firmly to the frame of the Bedstead on each side, at the
bead and foot. The Bands then pass under the Bedstead and are secured to a Pole
supported by, and playing in, Sockets, fixed beneath its centre (from head to foot).
The handle of this Pole is fitted with a Safety-stop, and, by turning it, the Bands are
wound round the Pole, and the Frame, on which the Patient lios, is lifted to the
-requisite height in a perfectly horizontal position, and can be kept there, in perfect
security, as long as desired. The Straps of this Frame, or Lift, being moveable,
singly and at pleasure, it is obvious that Bed-sores may be obviated by its use, and
every necessary office be performed without_movement or distress on the part of the
Patient. This apparatus is worked by One Person only.

page_text: I, HELEN GIBSON MONKHOUSE Widow of 32 Tulse Hill Brixton London S.W. 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 :-
The improved bed lift consists of a rectangular-framework with moveablo straps-
which may be passed one at a time beneath the patient lying upon the bed and then
secured to the sides of the frame. Near the corners of the frame four strong bands
are attached and there are uprights fixed to the bedstead with pulleys over which these
bands pass. There is also a longitudinal axis beneath the bed and the bands are
brought down and made fast to this axis so that when the axis is turned the frame
with the patient upon it, is raised in an horizontal position. A stop or pawl prevents
unwinding and the patient is safely supported whilst the bed is made or other
necessary office performed. The apparatus requires but one person to work it.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 Sheet 1 is an end elevation, one half in section of a bedstead with the bed
lift applied.
Figure 1 Sheet 2 is a side elevation with the lift raised.
Figure 2, Sheet 2 is a plan.
Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 1 show a method of connecting the bands with the frame
near its corners.
Figures 4 and 5 show a method of connecting the cross straps.
Figures 6 and 7 show mechanism for turning the longitudinal axis.
Figures 8 and 9 show a method of connecting the bands with the axis.
Figures 10 and 11 show a method of adjusting the length of the axis to suit the
bedstead.
Figures 12 show a method of adjusting the end rail of the frame to the width of
the bed.
Figure 13 shows an alternative arrangement for turning the axis.
Figure 14 shows the end of one of the straps, together with a tool which may be
employed in connection therewith.
fare the straps which are passed from side to side over the bed but beneath the
patient. To facilitate this operation the strap may be made with a pocket at its end
as is shown in Figure 14, to receive a pointed wooden blade. The blade is readily
thrust under the patient and then withdrawn leaving the strap in place. The ends of

page_text: the straps are attached to the side bars of the rectangular frame in the manner shown
in Figures 4 and 5. There are as will be seen staples upon the outer sides of the
bars and the ends of the straps are provided with keys of sheet brass. The end of the
strap with the key in it is passed obliquely through the staple and then being drawn
back becomes secured as is seen in Figures 4 and 5. The end of the strap is double
and a transverse passage for the key is formed between the thicknesses as is indicated
by dotted lines in Figure 5. The key can readily be removed from the strap and
replaced whenever required. The end bars of the frame are made telescopic in two
parts o o as seen in Figures 12, and these parts slide the one on the other. q is a iron
or brass ring fixed at the end of each part and embracing the other part so as to bind
the two together.-Or as is shown in Figure 1 Sheet 1 one part o may have a tube
attached to it which the other part o enters. When the parts are in position with the
straps distended between the side bars a pin is inserted which fixes them in place.
The uprights a are of iron and they are attached to the side rail of the bedstead
each by the aid of two bracket pieces a¹ a¹ which rest on the top rail and project out
from it. The upright fits on over the projecting parts of these bracket pieces and
extends below them. Clipping screws pass through the bracket pieces and the
upright beneath the side rail of the bedstead and so fasten the parts in place. The
uprights carry pulleys both at their upper and their lower ends. Bands gg are
attached to the rectangular frame in the manner shown by the figures 2 and 3 Sheet 1.
A ring is passed on to the band, the end of the band is then passed around the side
bar of the frame and inserted again into the ring then a peg his put through into
a transverse passage made for it by doubling the fabric at the end of the band and
sewing the thicknesses together.
The longitudinal axis m is carried in bearings which are clipped on to the end rails
of the bedstead in the manner shown by Figures 6 and 7. The rail is nipped between
parts on either side of it which are drawn together by screw bolts. The axis m
is squared at the end to receive a handle for turning it; it also carries a wheel 7 and
a frictional pawl & bearing against this wheel prevents the axis turning to unwind the
bands. The pawl however can be lifted and turned out of the way when required.
Or as is shown in Figure 1 Sheet 1 the axis may carry a ratchet wheel at its end with
the teeth of which a pawl engages. Or as is shown in Figure 13 there may be a
gear wheel at the end of the axis and a pinion engaged with it. The pinion in this
case is turned by the handle. A stop pin may be provided as shewn to slide in a
socket so that when pushed forward between the teeth of the wheel and pinion
it prevents them turning in a direction to unwind.
The axis m has eyes upon it as shown by the Figures 8 and 9 and to these the
bands 9 are secured.
If desired the straps at the head and foot of the bed may be made wider
than the others as is shown in Figure 1. Sheet 2.
Sometimes I make the telescopic end bars of the rectangular frame to work with
a screw within a tube as telescopic rods are commonly made so that the width
of the frame may be altered whilst the patient is supported upon it. With such
an arrangement a bath may be used. The patient is first lifted as already described
then the bed is removed and the bath is placed beneath the frame, then the width
of the frame is decreased until with the straps it forms a sort of cradle and in
this cradle the patient is lowered into the bath. Afterwards the patient is raised
again by elongating the end rails of the frame.
This lift can be easily and noiselessly fixed to an ordinary iron bedstead, without
disturbing the patient. By its use beds can be made and aired, wounds dressed
and all necessary offices performed with ease to both nurse and patient.
It may often be convenient to make use of the uprights for the attachment. of
brackets to support books and other articles required for the use of the patient.
I do not confine myself to the details of the arrangement above described, it
is obvious that these will admit of considerable variation without departing from
the spirit of my invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
--
1. A bed lift consisting of a rectangular frame and straps passing from side to
side of the frame beneath the patient lying upon the bed and uprights fixed to
the bedstead and a longitudinal axis beneath the bed, and bands passing from the
frame over pulleys upon the uprights to the axis upon which they are wound in
order to raise the patient from the bed substantially as described...
2. A bed lift consisting of a rectangular frame and straps which may be passed
beneath the patient lying upon the bed and then secured across the frame and
lifting apparatus by the aid of which the frame with the patient upon it may
then be raised and supported as substantially described.
3. A bed lift substantially as described and represented by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 31st day of January 1889.
HELEN G. MONKHOUSE.