Improvements in Bedsteads for the use of Invalids, and in Mattresses or Beds for the same.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bedsteads for the use of Invalids, and in
Mattresses or Beds for the same.
1, THOMAS BRAMHILL, of 50, Bean Street, Leeds, in the County of York, Painter
and Decorator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide an improved bedstead and mattress or bed
for the use of invalids, so adapted that the sick or injured person can effect the
requirements of nature without being moved, thereby avoiding. in the cases of
persons suffering from fractured limbs, or such persons as are very weak, the causing
of pain to them: my improved bedstead being so arranged or constructed that the
patients requirements can be attended to from the outside of the bedstead.
In carrying out the object of my invention 1 provide a suitable frame or bedstead
at or about the centre or midway of which I provide a compartment for the reception
of the excreta pan which is carried in a box or stand which can be easily placed in
and withdrawn from the said compartment when required.
At each side of the aforesaid compartment I provide a hinged or pivoted seat, (or
such seats may work on axles.) the one being provided with an opening which when
the seat is placed in a flat or horizontal position comes immediately over the excreta
pan, a similar hole or opening being also provided in the mattress or bed immediately
under the anus of the patient; and the other seat being provided with a cushion for
closing the orifices or openings as aforesaid as soon as the excreta pan may have been
removed.
The said seats are operated or placed in and out of position as required by means of
suitable pivoted levers, which project outside the bedstead and terminate in knobs,
handles or otherwise, to which the hand of the operator is applied, the said levers
actuate sliding arms or supports which hold or retain the seats, when in their flat or
horizontal positions.
I also provide an urinal arrangement consisting in suitable receptacles in
combination with a connecting pipe, arranged so that one of the said receptacles may
be within the immediate reach or convenience of the patient and the other affixed to
the side or frame of the bedstead or otherwise.so that the urine can be easily withdrawn
from the lower receptacle as required.
I also provide an improved rest consisting in a retaining piece, support or back in
combination with racks, the said back or support being provided with pivoted arms
whereby it can be adjusted to any inclination, sloping or angular position, required by
placing or moving the said arms along the racks.
At one end of the bedstead I may provide a compartment for the reception of the
excreta pan and stand when not in use.
1
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bedsteads for the use of Invalids, and in
Mattresses or Beds for the same.
T. THOMAS BRamuili, of 51 Bean Street, Leeds, in the County of York, Painter and
Decorator. 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 object of my invention is to provide an improved bedstead and mattress or bed
for the use of invalids, so adapted that the sick or injured person can effect the

page_text: requirements of nature without being moved, thereby avoiding in the cases of persons
suffering from fractured limbs, or such persons as are very weak, the causing of pain
to them, my improved bedstead being so arranged or constructed that the patients
requirements can be attended to from the outside of the bedstead.
Fig. 1. is a front side elevation of my improved invalids bedstead.
Fig. 2, is a sectional view of Fig. 1, with side of bedstead removed.
Fig. 3. is a plan of my improved bedstead, with bed or mattress, bed rack, and bed
frame removed.
Fig. 4, is part plan showing hole in bed or mattress, and also urinal arrangement.
Fig. 5, is an end view of stand into which the excreta pan is fitted.
Fig. 6, shows view of urinal arrangement.
In carrying out the object of my invention I provide a suitable frame or bedstend A
at or about the centre or midway of which I provide a compartment B for the reception
of the exreta pan C which is carried in a box or stand 1 (see Fig. 5), which can be
easily placed in and withdrawn from the said compartment when required.
Af each side of the aforesaid compartment B. I provide a hinged or pivoted seal,
(or such seats may work on axles) the one E being provided with an opening F which
when the seat is placed in a flat or horizontal position comes immediately over the
excreta pan, a similar hole or opening G being provided in the mattress or bed G¹,
immediately under the anus of the patient and the other seat H being provided with
a cushion for closing the orifices or openings G and F as aforesaid so soon as the
excreta pan may have been removed.
The said seats are preferably hinged or pivoted by means of axles or rods E' and
are operated or placed in and out of position by means of levers or small arms K carried
on the ends of such axles or rods, and to which levers or arms the hand of the operator
is applied, the ends of the axles or rods projecting outside the frame or bedstead to
receive the said levers or arms.
The said seats are held or supported in their flat or horizontal positions from opposite
sides by means of sliding arms L working in grooves or slides Maffixed to the frame
work. he said arms are connected by means of cross pieces 0, and are operated by
levers N (pivoted at N¹ which terminate outside the bedstead in a handle 1. knob,
or other appliance to which the hand of the operator is applied.
I also provide an urinal arrangement consisting in suitable receptacles R and S in
combination with a connecting pipe T, arranged so that one of the said receptacles It
may bewithin the immediate reach or convenience of the patient and the other S affixed
to the side or frame of the bedstead or otherwise so that the urine can be easily
withdrawn from the lower receptacle as required.
The receptacle R is fitted loosely into the mattress or bed by means of the connecting
pipe T, which passes through such bed or mattress and is brought forward through a
hole to the outside of the bedstead see Figs. 1 and 4. The receptacle S is provided
with a screw cap R' or tap for allowing the contents of the receptacle to be easily
withdrawn.
I also provide an improved "rest" consisting in a retaining piece, support or
back in combination with racks V the said back or support Ubeing provided with
pivoted arms W whereby it can be adjusted to any inclination, sloping or angular
position required by placing or moving the said arms along the racks. At one end of
the hedstead I may provide a compartment X for the reception of the excreta pan and
stand when not in use.
In some cases it may be necessary that a napkin or towel should be spread over the
rushion ♫ upon the seat H. in such cases I apply the said napkin or towel by means
of a spring arrangement and cords such as the following.
At the back or far side of the bedstead I affix a hook or staple to which a spiral
spring or suitable piece of indiarubber may be attached: connected to the said spring
or judiarubber is a cord passing round a pulley which is affixed at the side of the
i

page_text: frame against the end of the seat J. suspended upon the said cord or cords is the
necessary napkin or towel, which can be easily removed by pulling at the cord,
thereby drawing the napkin or towel outside the bedstead where it is readily removed
and a fresh one put on if required, the cord end is then fastened to a staple, and the
action or return of the spring or indiarubber draws the napkin or fowel to the
required position again over the cushion J.
When it is sought to wash the abdominal parts of the patient, (without removal
from the hed) I provide a suitable piece of indiarubber or other suitable material,
having an opening to correspond with the holes in the bed or maitress and the
seat E.
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 invalids bedsteads, the employment of hinged or pivoted seats in combination
with means for holding or retaining such in their flat or horizontal positions, such
as shown and described.
2. Invalids bedsteads constructed with al central compartment B fitted with
hinged or pivoted seats E and H. and means for operating and supporting such,
and having a bed or mattress provided with opening G, such as shown and
described.
3. In invalids bedsteads the employment of an urinal arrangement such as shown
and described.
4. The combination of parts constituting the improved bedstead for invalids such
as shown and described.
JOHN E. WALSH.
Royal Exchange Chambers. Boar Lane, Leeds, Agent for the Applicant.