Improvements in Bolsters.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bolsters.
I, ERNST FISCHER, of Cöthen, Anhalt, German Empire, Upholsterer, 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 relates to improvements in bolsters, the improved bolsters
presenting great advantages compared with those hitherto known, inasmuch as that
they may be readily caused to assume any desired inclination, and therefore, can be
used both by persons in health and by invalids without any pillow, the improved
construction being such as to afford a soft elastic support.
On the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1, represents the improved bolster, in rear elevation and raised.
Fig. 2 represents the same in cross section and
Fig. 3 represents a section showing the bolster in its lowest position.
The improved bolster is made with a frame a, to which at the front wedge shaped
blocks C, are attached by hinges e, so that the blocks when in their position of rest
bear upon the frame a see Fig. 3.
Upon the blocks C, see Fig. 1 there are mounted so as turn thereon levers d, e,
which are connected by stays f, g, and engage with the teeth of racks h, h, which
are secured to the frame a. On the stay f, of the levers d, e, is attached a cord i,
which passes outwardly through a perforation in a bar k, connecting the two
blocks. By this cord, the levers d, e, can be raised from the racks h, h. By such
arrangement, the bolts may be caused to assume any desired inclination and main-
tained therein as follows:-
The bolster can be raised from the position shown in Fig. 3, to that shown in
Fig. 2, by using a loop or handle 1, to raise the blocks b.. In this operation, the
levers d, e, slide with their free ends along the racks h, h', so that when the loop l, is
released, the levers engage with the teeth of the racks and prevent the blocks,
from falling back.
For further raising the blocks b, the loop l, is again pulled and the levers d, e, are
again advanced by one or more teeth, and supported, upon the loop being released.
If the blocks are to be lowered or brought back into the position shown in Fig. 3,
they are raised by the loop 1, and the cord i, is simultaneously pulled so as to
disengage the levers d, e, from the teeth of the racks h, h¹, whereupon, the blocks b,
can be allowed to drop as far as may be desired. Then, upon the cord i, being
released, the levers d, e, again engage with the racks h, h¹, and the blocks b, are
secured in position. In this ver simple manner the bolster may, at any time and
without trouble, be brought into such an inclined position as may be desired to suit
the user.
Another advantage is presented by the manner in which the bolster is stuffed,
cushioned or upholstered, and which, while dispensing with the necessity of pillows,
nevertheless, gives comfortable support to the head, shoulders, and back.
In the lower front portion of the bolster, and between the two wedge-shaped
blocks b, a network m, of elastic steel wire is provided over which the "stuffing" is
placed. By reason of such arrangement this part admits of resilience in the plane
of the net, and thus comfortable support is provided for the back and shoulders.
In the upper part of the bolster, rows of coiled springs n, are provided upon which
the stuffing of this part of the bolster rests. This part serves to support the head
and affords resilience in a vertical direction. By this arrangement a bolster is
produced which forms a comfortable, soft, elastic and resilient support.

page_text: 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. In bolsters, the arrangement of two side wedge-shaped blocks jointed or hinged
to the base or frame of the bolster, and upon which the cushioning or stuffing is
supported, and of two levers (one connected with each block) adapted, when
adjusting the bolster, to slide along toothed racks and to engage therewith when at
rest to secure the bolster in position, and adapted to be withdrawn from such racks
by a cord or the like connected with a stay which unites the two levers, so that any
desired inclination may be given to the bolster, and the latter retained therein.
2. In bolsters, the cushioning or stuffing consisting of the combination of a net of
spiral springs in the lower part and across the entire width and one or more rows of
coiled springs in the upper part, over both of which the cushioning or stuffing is
disposed so as to dispense with the necessity of ordinary pillows in addition to the
bolster.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1892.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.