improvements In Bed LITS.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 25th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
improvements In Bed LITS.
I, WILSON ADOLPHUS ALLEN, of Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A., Inventor, 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;-
My invention relates to apparatus for elevating invalids from cots or beds for
the purpose of making up the latter, transferring the invalid to another point or
place or holding him suspended for treatment; and its object is to provide an
improved construction of the same by which the invalid can be safely elevated
without injury, and the device when not in use, be folded up, so as to occupy but
little space in transportation or storage.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts here-
inafter fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view shewing a device
or apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5
are detail views.
In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates two frames, each con-
sisting of two bars 2, 2, and 3, 3, curved to conform to the contour of the trunk
and legs of a human being. The said bars 2 are provided with inwardly extending
curved plates 4 and 5, the plates 4 being adapted to engage with the shoulders
of an invalid or patient when lying down and the plates 5 adapted to engage with
the lower portion of the trunk or body. The bars 3 are provided with inwardly
extending curved plates 5, which are adapted to engage with the thighs of the
patient. The bars 3 are hinged to bars 2, so as to be folded thereupon, and near
the outer or free ends, are formed with slots 6, with which engage screw-bolts 7,
provided with thumb-nuts S. These bolts also pass through slots 9 in curved
plates 10 which serve as foot rests. These slots are in planes at right angles to
each other, so that the said plates can be adjusted both longitudinally and trans-
versely to accommodate different sized persons. The bars 2 at the upper or outer
ends are provided with head rests 12, each consisting of an arm pivotally con-
nected near the inner end with said bars. These arms each consist of two bars
contracted and connected together at the ends, and the outer ends are provided
with a short pivoted arm 13. The head rests near the inner ends are provided

page_text: with a flat spring 14, the free end of which is provided with a stud 15, adapted to
engage with a recess 16 in the under side of the bars 2, and thus hold the head
rests in position when in use.
Secured to the under sides of the bars 2, near each end, are U-shaped lugs 17,
with which are adapted to engage the inwardly-turned ends 18 of the curved
arms 19 of a pair of grapples. The ends 18 are formed with upwardly-extending
projections 20, which engage with the inner sides of the bars 2 when said ends
are passed through the lugs 17. The arms 19 at their lower ends are spread apart
and contracted at the upper ends and pivotally connected with two cross-levers 21,
fulcrumed at or near the centres and provided with eyes 23 at the upper ends,
with which is connected a pulley 24, which in turn is connected with a pulley 25,
adapted to be secured to the ceiling by a rope 26.
In using the device the plates of the bars 2 and 3 are pushed under the patient
and the head rests turned inwardly under the pillow upon which the head of the
patient rests, the springs holding them in place. The ends of the arm 19 of the
grapple are then engaged with the lugs 17, and the patient or invalid can then be
raised or elevated by pulling on the rope 26. The patient can thus be suspended
while the cot or bed is being made or while being given an injection or enema.
By connecting the upper pulleys with a carriage travelling upon a suitable track
the patient can be conveyed to another point or place. The frame is sufficiently
resilient to allow the legs to be spread apart when desired.
When not in use the bars 3 and the head-rests can be folded, and the levers
of the grapple, being loosely pivoted together, can be disconnected, so that the
device will occupy but little space.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
(1) The combination with the bars provided with inwardly-extending plates,
and the bars hinged thereto, formed with slots near the outer ends, of the slotted
foot-rests and the screw-bolts and nuts, substantially as described.
(2) In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with the bars
provided with inwardly-extending plates, the pivoted head-rests and the slotted
bars hinged to said first-mentioned bars, of the slotted foot-rests and the screw-
bolts and nuts, substantially as specified.
(3) The combination with the bars provided with inwardly-extending curved
plates and formed with holes near the upper ends, and the folding head-rests
pivoted to said bars, and the springs secured to said head-rests provided with pins
or projections engaging with said holes, of the hinged and slotted bars, the slotted
foot-rests, the screw-bolts and the nuts, substantially as described.
(4) The combination with the bars provided with inwardly-extending curved
plates and with U-shaped lugs on the under sides, the folding bars provided with
adjustable foot rests and pivoted head-rests, of the grapple comprising the loosely
pivoted levers and the curved arms pivoted thereto and having their free ends
turned inwardly and provided with projections, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of March 1898.