IMPROVEMENTS IN INVALID BEDS OR COUCHES AND APPLIANCES THEREFOR
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Newham, of No. 49, Welbeck Street, Cavendish
Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
INVALID BEDS OR COUCHES AND APPLIANCES THEREFOR."
Sealed the 20th April 1877, and dated the 23rd February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jaines Newham at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd February 1877.
JAMES NEWHAM; of No. 49, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INVALID BEDS OR COUCHES AND APPLIANCES.
THEREFOR."
According to my present Invention I construct and arrange invalid beds or
couches in the following mannor:-Upon a wood or metal framing is placed a spring
or other mattress divided transversely into two separate halves. That portion of
the upper half which is next the lower half is fixed to the framing, but the other
portion thereof, being hinged to the fixed part, can be raised so as to assume any
desired angle thereto, and thus keep the invalid in a more or less raised position,
the hinged part being moved by segment racks and pinions, or by other known
means.
The head of the mattress and framing are by preference formed round it, as the
corners of the usual square form are always in the way of the attendant. The lower
half of the mattress is arranged to slide a certain distance away from the upper half,
so as to leave a space between them for purposes to be presently described, the sides
of the mattress being made to fit with fillets in longitudinal grooves formed in the
framing or stand of the bed, in which grooves are small rollers supporting the mat-
tress, so as to facilitate the sliding out or in thereof. Such motion may be given to
the mattress either by a rack fixed on its under side, in which gears a pinion carried
by the framing and rotated by a crank handle, or the mattress may be moved
directly by hand, for which purpose handles are provided at its end. This part of
the mattress may also be formed of two parts hinged together, and capable of being
actuated by a screw spindle or other mechanism for the purpose of raising the mat-
tress to an inverted V shape, in a similar manner to some invalid beds now used,
and the end part may be again divided longitudinally, so that while the one part is
raised, as described, the other part remains in line with the main portion.

page_text: On the under side the frame, at the point where the two halves of the mattress
meet, are provided transverse guides, into which can be slid a board, so that when
the two halves of the mattress are moved apart the space between them is closed at
bottom by the board, thus forming a recess in the middle of the bed, into which
when required a commode or bed pan can be placed, such bed pan being made by
preference of rectangular shape, fitting into the said space so as not to be liable to
be overturned. The bed pan being slid in from the one end of the said space, it can
be introduced without disturbing the patient.
In place of a plain board being slid in below, as described, a board may be used
having a receptacle fitted at its middle projecting downwards, so that should the
helpless state of the patient require it, a waterproof sheet may be placed over the
middle of the bed, into which is fitted a tube passing down between the joint of the
two halves of mattress and into the said receptacle, so as to drain off any fluid that
may pass from the patient..
Round the framing of the bed are fitted metal sockets at distances apart, into
which can be fitted standards carrying curtains, which can be placed at any part of
the bed to keep off the light.
In one of the sockets at the head of the bed may be fitted an upright carrying at
its upper end a lever, the long end of which can be raised or lowered by hand, while
to the short end are attached cords or straps terminating in two loops, by preference
formed of two curved pieces of metal hinged together, so that the loops can be
opened out and placed round the arms of the patient, inflated india-rubber tubing
or other cushions being placed inside the metal loops, so that these may not hurt the
patient. The loops being placed round the arms of the patient, it will be seen that
by drawing down the long end of the lever the patient can readily be drawn
upwards towards the head of the bed if he requires to be adjusted in position; or in
place of a lever a small windlass with ratchet may be attached to the post for
winding up the cords or straps.
A convenient support for the head may be provided by the above contrivance by
placing a pillow upon the straps when these are pulled taut by the lever or
windlass.
.
The pillows of the bed are provided with eyes or hooks at their upper side, into.
which fit hooks or eyes on straps that pass over the head of the mattress, and are
attached to buckles or studs at the back; thus whatever raised position the head of
the mattress may be made to assume, the pillows will be prevented from slipping
down and inconveniencing the patient.
At the sides of the upper part of the bed metal wings or guards may be fitted into
the before-mentioned sockets to support side pillows, the sides of the upper part of
the mattress being provided with looped bars through which the guards pass, so as
to be supported thereby when the mattress is raised.
Into the before-mentioned sockets round the bed may also be fitted the uprights
of a moveable table and guards passing over the foot of the bed, so as to protect the
legs of the patient from the pressure of the bed-clothes.
In order to enable the bed to be readily moved to any place I provide the same
with large wheel castors, which I provide with means, such as pins passed through
the plate of the castor and into holes in the circumference of the wheel, for pre-
venting the bed from being shifted readily by persons pushing against it when once
placed in position.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Newham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st 5
August 1877.
JAMES NEWHAM, of No. 49, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, in the County
of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INVALID BEDS OR COUCHES AND APPLIANCES
:
THEREFOR."

page_text: According to my present Invention I construct and arrange invalid beds or
'couches in the following manner:-Upon a wood or metal framing is placed a spring
or other mattress divided transversely into two separate halves. That portion of
the upper half which is next the lower half is fixed to the framing, but the other
portion thereof, being hinged to the fixed part, can be raised so as to assume any
desired angle thereto, and thus keeps the invalid in a more or less raised position,
the hinged part being moved by segment racks and pinions, or by other known
means.
The lower half of the mattress is arranged to slide a certain distance away from
the upper half, so as to leave a space between them for purposes to be presently
described, the sides of the mattress being made to fit with fillets in longitudinal
grooves formed in the framing or stand of the bed. Such motion may be given to
the mattress either by a rack fixed on its under side, in which gears a pinion carried
by the framing and rotated by a crank handle, or the mattress may be moved
directly by hand, for which purpose handles are provided at its sides. This part of
the mattress may also be formed of two parts hinged together, and capable of being
actuated by a screw spindle or other mechanism for the purpose of raising the mat-
tress to an inverted V shape, in a similar manner to some invalid beds now used,
and the end part may be again divided longitudinally, so that while the one part is
raised, as described, the other part remains in line with the main portion.
On the under side of the frame, at the point where the two halves of the mattress
meet, are provided transverse guides, into which can be slid a board, so that when
the two halves of the mattress are moved apart the space between them is closed at
bottom by the board, thus forming a recess in the middle of the bed, into which
when required a commode or bed pan can be placed, such bed pan being made by
preference of rectangular shape, fitting into the said space and lying flush with the
top of the bed, so as not to be liable to be overturned. The bed pan being slid in
from the one end of the said space, it can be introduced without disturbing the
patient.
In place of a plain board being slid in below, as described, a board may be used
having a receptacle fitted at its middle projecting downwards, so that should the
helpless state of the patient require it, a waterproof sheet may be placed over the
middle of the bed, into which is fitted a tube passing down between the joint of
the two halves of the mattress and into the said receptacle, so as to drain off any
fluid that may pass from the patient.
Round the framing of the bed are fitted metal sockets at distances apart, into
which can be fitted standards carrying curtains, which can be placed at any part of
the bed to keep off the light.
In one of the sockets at the head of the bed may be fitted an upright carrying at.
its upper end a lever, the long end of which can be raised or lowered by hand, while
to the short end are attached cords or straps terminating in two loops, by preference
formed of two curved pieces of metal hinged together, so that the loops can be
opened out and placed round the arms of the patient, inflated india-rubber tubing
or other cushions being placed inside the metal loops, so that these may not burt the
patient. The loops being placed round the arms of the patient, it will be seen that
by drawing down the long end of the lever the patient can readily be drawn
upwards towards the head of the bed if he requires to be adjusted in position; or in
place of a lever a small, windlass with ratchet may be attached to the post for
winding up the cords or straps.
A convenient support for the head may be provided by the above contrivance
by placing a pillow upon the straps when these are pulled taut by the lever or.
windlass.
The pillows of the bed are provided with eyes or hooks at their upper side, into
which fit hooks or eyes on straps that pass over the head of the mattress, and are
attached to buckles or studs at the back; thus whatever raised position the head of
the mattress may be made to assume, the pillows will be prevented from slipping
down and inconveniencing the patient.

page_text: At the blues of the upper part of the bed metal wings of gas may be
the before-mentioned sockets to support side pillows, the sides of the upper part of
the mattress being provided with looped bars through which the guards pass, so as
to be supported thereby when the mattress is raised.
Into the before-mentioned sockets round the bed may also be fitted the uprights
of a moveable table and guards passing over the foot of the bed, so as to protect the
legs of the patient from the pressure of the bed-clothes.
In order to enable the bed to be readily moved to any place I provide the same
with large wheel castors, which I provide with means, such as pins passed through
the plate of the castor and into holes in the circumference of the wheels for pre-
venting the bed from being shifted readily by persons pushing against it when once
placed in position.
The accompanying Drawings shew an invalid bed with my before-described
improvements applied thereto.
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation, Fig. 2 shews a longitudinal section, Fig. 3 shews a
plan; Fig. 4shews an end view, Fig. 5 shews a cross section, and Fig. 6 shews the
suspending loops.
On the bedstead A, which may be of wood or metal, is a spring mattress B, B¹,
divided transversely at b into two parts. The part B₁ is carried by a sliding
frame C carrying the foot board of the bed, and capable of being slid from the
position shewn at Fig. 1 into that shewn at Fig. 2, so that a space is formed between
the parts B and B of the mattress, into which is inserted a bed pan D of rectan-
gular form, the top of which is level with the top of the upper mattress E, which is
also divided in a similar manner to B, B¹.
The forward motion of the sliding frame C¹ may be effected either by hand or
by any suitable gearing, as at F.
The part B¹ of the mattress may also be divided longitudinally into two parts,
each part being capable of being raised into the inclined position shewn in dotted
lines at Fig. 1 for raising the one or the other leg of the patient when required.
The part B of the mattress is formed with a hinge joint at b¹, having a V shaped
groove formed in it at that point, as shewn at 62, Fig. 1, so that the head part is
capable of being raised by any suitable gearing, such as that shewn at G, into the
inclined position shewn at Fig. 2. By thus raising the mattress B the patient is
raised more or less into a sitting position, while at the same time, owing to
the V groove in the mattress, the patient is pushed forward so as to bring him into
proper position over the pan D.
The spring mattress B being open at the under side, the air will be free to pass
through it when in the raised position, thus keeping the bed cool; and preventing.
accumulation of moisture from perspiration.
•
At the under side of the bed A is provided a slide H having a pan I, and when
the two parts of the mattress are closed up together, as at Fig. 1, a length of tubing
is passed from a caoutchouc sheet over the mattress E, through the said mattress
and between the joint of the mattress B, B¹, into the pan I, so as to drain off any
liquid matter that may pass from the patient.
At the head of the bed is an upright K having pullies L, L, over which is passed
a strap M, one end of which is connected to a lever N pivotted to the back of the
bed, as shewn at Fig. 4, while the other is connected to two other straps O, O, that
pass round grooves in the outer surfaces of the metal loops P. These loops are passed
under the arms of the patient, as shewn at Fig. 2, so that when the lever N is
depressed by hand, the pull on the straps will cause the patient to be hauled with
ease towards the head of the bed again when the mattress B has been lowered.
The loops P may be connected at the back by a band Q, and a small cushion R
may be placed across the straps O so as to act as a support for the head of the
patient.
Guards S are attached at the sides of the mattress to support pillows placed under
the elbows of the patient; who is thus effectually prevented from falling over

page_text: Sockets T are provided at the sides of the bedstead, into which may be fitted the
uprights of a removeable table or standards carrying curtains, which may be placed
at any part of the bed to keep off the light.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, I claim,―
First. Constructing the mattress of invalid beds or couches of two separate parts,
the part at the foot being capable of being slid away from the other part for the
purpose of introducing a bed pan into the space thus formed between the two parts,
substantially as herein described.
Second. Constructing the head part of the said divided mattress with a hinge
joint, so that it can be raised into an inclined position, a V shaped space being
formed in the mattress at such joint, substantially as and for the purpose herein
described.
Third. The use of a rectangular bed pan arranged to be slid from the side into a
transverse space in the mattress, so that its upper face is flush with the top of the
mattress, substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The use of loops passed round the arms of the patient, and connected by
straps or cords passing over pullies at the head of the bed to a lever or other
mechanism, whereby the patient can be raised and hauled towards the head of the
bed, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Newham, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.