Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1897
Comalato Inanifination Loft 27th Ann 1898 Accepted 28th May, 1898
:-
I, WINFIELD HARBAUGH, of the City and County of Alameda, State of California,
U.S.A., Carpenter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to adjustable supports for invalids which are provided for
the accomodation and support of persons while resting in a partially reclining
position.
My invention has for its objects the providing of a simple, light, durable, and
inexpensive device capable of being folded and automatically locked into a very
small compass, and by the use of which a person can be supported in almost any
position, from an upright sitting posture, to almost an outstretched reclining one.
The invention consists essentially of three rectangular members viz. : a forward and
a rear member and an intermediate member, the opposite extremities of said latter
member being hinged to diametrically opposite extremities of said forward and
said rear member.
From the above description it will be seen that the device takes on the nature of
a three membered screen capable of being outstretched or folded into a very compact
and flat form.
Reaching from the forward to the rear member is an adjustable connection, while
the rear member is connected to the central member by a similar connection.
From this it is manifest that the front member, against which the back of the
patient rests, can be adjusted to any angle by resorting to the first adjustable con-
nection above mention, and further the front member can be extended into a
position parallel to its former position by resorting to the connections between the
rear member and the central member, and between the forward member and the
reare member.
When the three members are folded closely together, the construction of the
adjustable connections above referred to, automatically locks the members in that
position.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in adjustable supports for invalids which
are primarily provided for the support and accomodation of persons while reclin-
ing in various positions.
My invention has for its prime objects the providing of a simple, light, durable, and
inexpensive device capable of being folded and automatically locked into a very
small compass and by the use of which a person can be supported in almost any
position, from an upright sitting posture, to almost an outstretched reclining one.
A further advantage of my invention lies in the fact that the parts are capable of
considerable extension thereby obviating the necessity of the patient changing
his or her position to accomodate the position of the support.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, reference
being had to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention in an extended position.
Figure 2 shows the device folded.
Figure 3 is a view of the hinge employed.
Figure 4 is a detail.
A represents the front supporting member which is formed of the parallel side
strips B and C, curved cross-braces (a) and (b) and intermediate slats (d). Pivoted
to the lower extremities of the strips B and C are the members D and E respectively
whose opposite extremities are in turn pivoted to two similar strips F and G.
Extending backward from the brace (a) is the rod H which is formed with a
terminal flange (e) which is screwed to the brace (a) as shown in Figure 1. This
rod H extends through a perforation in the brace (f) which latter is pivoted to the
upper extremities of the members F and G. Connecting the members D and E and
at a point near their centre is the cross-brace (9) which is pivoted to the members D
and E in a manner similar to brace (f).
Secured to and projecting from the brace (g) is a rod I which is similar to rod H
and passes through a perforation in a brace (h) pivoted to members F and G at
points midway between their extremities. To retain the members F and G in a
relatively firm and rigid position I have provided the lower cross-brace (j). It
is quite manifest from the above drawing and foregoing description that the
members D and E being capable of folding against the side strips B and C, and the
members F and G against D and E, the whole device will present a very compact 3
appearance. But to enable the projecting rods H and I to fold flat against the
other closed members and at the same time lock the latter in the desired position,
I have caused the rods H and I to be broken at the points (m) and (n) and united
with suitable pivots when they will assume the position shown in Figure 2.
The hinge employed consists of a flat piece of metal (p) formed as shown in
Figure 3 which is set into slots in the extremities of the hinged members and held
therein by a pivot in one and a plurality of screws in the other.
It will be readily seen from Figure 1 that the front member A can be adjusted
to any angle by operating the binding thumb-screw (q), and further if it is desired
to extend the member A into a position parallel to its former position, the thumb-4
screws (r) and (g) may both be operated to comply with the desired conditions.
The knobs (s) and (t) are provided to prevent the complete withdrawal of the
rods H and I from the braces (f) and (h). The invention is likewise applicable to
those habiting the sea shore or other lounging places.
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. In an article of the class described, the combination with a back-rest, of a
series of members so arranged and secured to said back-rest in such a manner that by
changing the inclination of said members the position of said back-rest can be

page_text: changed without changing its inclination, while the inclination of said back-rest
can be accomplished without changing the position or inclination of said members,
and means for firmly locking said rest at any angle or any shifted position for
the purpose set forth.
2. In an article of the class described, the combination with a back rest, of a
series of members hinged to said back-rest, adjustable locking means between said
rest and said members and by means of which said rest can be advanced or
retracted and firmly locked in the same or a different angle of inclination, said
locking means being further adapted to adjust the angle of inclination of said rest
without changing the position of said members.
3. In an article of the class described the combination with a forward and a
rear member, of an intermediate member the opposite extremities of which are
hinged to diametrically opposite extremities of said forward and said rear member,
and means for adjusting the relative inclinations of said members for the purpose
set forth.
4. In an article of the class described the combination with a back-rest of a
series of folding members secured to said back-rest and means for adjusting the
relative angles of inclination of said rest and said members for the purpose set
forth.
1007
Dated 1 way
WINFIELD HARBAUGH.
W. P. Thompson & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.