Improvements in and relating to Bedsteads.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 29th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 29th Oct.,
1898
Improvements in and relating to Bedsteads.
I, THOMAS KIRKLAND, of 17, Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of
London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in bedsteads, and more particularly to
bedsteads adapted for use in hospitals, and by invalids.
One object of my invention is to provide a bedstead that shall not present any
crevices or lodgement for dust or other matter liable to harbour the germs of
disease; that shall be capable of being readily cleansed or disinfected; and that
shall permit a patient to be examined or operated upon from any position without
inconvenience. Another feature of my invention is the provision of an adjustable
head that can be realily raised or lowered or entirely removed, and is also arranged
to constitute a bed rest adjustable to any inclination. Other features of my inven-
tion comprise improved means for securing together the parts of the bedstead,
for attaching the mattress thereto, and for shifting the bedstead when desired.
According to my invention instead of constructing a bedstead in the ordinary
manner of cast or solid metal, I construct it of plain metal tubing having the
ends thereof plugged or otherwise closed. By this construction no recesses or
angles are formed, and the whole of the framing can be rapidly and efficiently
cleansed by wiping it over with a cloth dipped in a cleansing liquid. The joints
or connections between the upright and the horizontal members may be effected
by means of tubular sockets or muffs, into which the ends of the members are
cast or otherwise secured. The construction may be such that the outer surfaces
of the members and the sockets are flush. The longitudinal side members are
detachably connected to the posts or uprights of the bedstead by tubular telescopic
or screw thread joints which may be so constructed as to afford a means of adjusting
the length of the bedstead. Or I may cause the ends of the tubular side members
to fit over cylindrical projections on the posts, and secure the same by bolts,
cotters, or other fastening devices.
I provide a wire mattress having large hooks or catches to engage with the
transverse and longitudinal members of the framing whereby I avoid the use of
flat plates or ledges provided with holes into which the ends of the mattress are
hooked, and which ledges rapidly accumulate dust and fluff, and are difficult
to get at for the purpose of cleaning them. My improved arrangement also
permits the mattress to be readily released from the bedstead.
The foot of my improved bedstead is sufficiently high to form a stop or abut-
ment for the mattress or palliasse, but does not project above the same.
The head of the bed consists of a suitable framing that is carried between the
head posts by rings or the like pivotally connected to the upper part of the head
and embracing or partially surrounding the said head posts. One or more sockets
or stops are provided on each head post adapted to engage the lower portion of
the head and hold it in any desired position. The head may thus be lowered until

page_text: it is entirely below the level of the bed; or it may be lifted off the head posts by
sliding it upwards until the rings are detached from said posts. When it is
desired to use the head as a bed rest, the bottom thereof is swung forward-the
pivotal mounting of the rings permitting this movement and allowed to rest
on the bed. If desired a clamping device or other means may be provided for
ensuring that the head shall not be accidentally shifted from any desired position
into which it has been set.
I sometimes make the head posts in two portions which may be telescopically
or pivotally connected together, so that when the head is removed the upper part
of the post may be lowered or folded out of the way.
I provide large rubber tyred castors on the lower ends of the head posts in order
that the bed may be easily shifted without vibration, by slightly lifting the foot
thereof, the posts at the foot of the bed being provided with india rubber plugs
or feet.
.
Datad this 30th day of Tocanilor 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Bedsteads.
I, THOMAS KIRKLAND, of 17, Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of
London, Civil Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in bedsteads, and more particularly to
bedsteads adapted for use in hospitals, and by invalids.
One object of my invention is to provide a bedstead that will not present any
crevices or lodgment for dust or other matter liable to harbour the germs of
disease; that can be readily cleansed or disinfected; and that will permit the
examination of, or operation upon a patient from any position without in-
convenience. Another feature of my invention is the provision of an adjustable
head that can be readily raised or lowered or entirely removed, and is also arranged
to constitute a bed rest adjustable to any inclination. Other features of my inven-
tion comprise improved means for securing together the parts of the bedstead,
for attaching the mattress thereto, and for shifting the bedstead when desired.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation, a transverse sectional
elevation, and a plan of a bedstead constructed according to my invention.
Figures 4 and 5 are detail views drawn to a larger scale showing in elevation
and plan respectively the means I prefer to employ for securing my improved
adjustable heat in its upright position; and
Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing a modified construction of head.
In carrying my invention into practice, instead of constructing a bedstead in
the ordinary manner of cast or solid metal, I construct it of plain metal tubing A,
A1, A2, A3, the ends of such tubing being closed where necessary by plugs a a
of suitable material or by other means.
The joints or connections between the upright and the horizontal members are
tubular sockets or muffs B, into which the ends of the tubular members are cast

page_text: or otherwise secured. I may so construct the joints that the outer surface of
the members and the sockets are flush so that no re-entrant angles or corners will
exist.
I prefer to cast the ends of the longitudinal members A¹, as well as the upright
members A, into the sockets B, and to detachably secure the end members A³ in
such sockets by a pin or bolt, as shown, or by other means. This construction
provides a rigid connection between the upright or leg members A and prevents
such members becoming displaced or inclined by the tension of the spring mattress.
I may however detachably secure the said members A¹ to the sockets; and the
connection may be an adjustable telescopic one, so as to afford means for varying
the length of the bedstead. For instance pins or bolts may be passed through
holes in the socket and in the longitudinal members, so as to secure the said
members in position, a series of holes being provided in the longitudinal members
at different distances from the extremities thereof. Or instead of employing a
pin or bolt I may form external screw threads on the ends of the longitudinal
members, a right hand thread at one end and a left hand thread at the other end,
and provide corresponding internal threads in the tubular sockets; or other
fastening devices may be employed.
I provide a wire mattress C of any suitable construction having large hooks or
catches c to engage with the transverse and longitudinal members of the framing
by partially encircling them, or having smaller hooks (such as those shown at c¹
Figures 1 and 3) to be fitted into suitable holes drilled in the said transverse and
longitudinal members; which arrangements permit the mattress to be readily
released from the bedstead. When I employ the smaller hooks I so form them
that they constitute plugs for the holes in the tubular members into which they
are fitted.
As will be seen from the drawings I so construct the bedstead that the end
bars or members A2 are higher than the longitudinal or side members A', so
that, when it is required to form a flat hard bed--as in the case of a patient having
a fracture a board may be placed beneath the mattress and supported upon the
said members A¹.
The foot bar A3 of my improved bedstead is sufficiently high to form a stop
or abutment for the mattress or palliasse, but does not project above the same.
The head of the bed consists of a suitable framing D each of the upper corners
of which is pivotally connected to a tubular piece: d which slides upon one of the
head posts. Instead of employing tubular pieces d, I may use segmental pieces
adapted to only partially embrace the head posts.
The extremities of the lower horizontal bar d¹ of the frame D, are bent or
curved as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the length of said bar is such that it
cannot pass between the two head sockets on the head posts; but it may be made
so as to pass between the portions of these head posts above the sockets. In order
to retain the head securely in its normal upright position I provide a projection b
on each of the head sockets B, between which and the body of the sockets the
aforesaid bent extremities of the bar are adapted to rest. When it is desired
to remove the head D it is lifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2,
so that the bar dis clear of the projections b, and the head may then be lowered
until it is entirely below the level of the bed, or it may be lifted off the head
posts by sliding it upwards until the pieces d are detached from said posts.
When it is desired to use the head as a bed rest, the bar d' is lifted clear of the
projections band is swung forward-the pivotal mounting of the frame Dupon
the pieces d permitting this movement and allowed to rest on the bed (sec
Figure 1). If desired a clamping device, or a chain adjustable as to its length,
or other appropriate means, may be provided for preventing the accidental shifting
of the head from any position into which it has been set.
One or more sockets or stops may be provided on each head post adapted to engage
the lower portion of the head and hold it in any desired position.
In the modified construction shown in Figure 6, instead of using short tubular

page_text: or segmental pieces d, I employ comparatively long tubes d, closed at their upper
ends, which constitute the upper portions of the head posts and are adapted to
slide telescopically over the lower portions thereof, which latter only project
sufficiently above the sockets to provide guides or bearings for said upper
portions d³.
Or the said upper portions may be made to fit and slide within the lower por-
tions which in such case would preferably not extend above the level of the
mattress; or the head posts might be formed in two portions pivotally connected
together; so that when the head is removed the upper part of the posts would
also be removed or could be lowered or folded out of the way, and no projection or
obstruction would be offered at any point to a nurse or surgeon attending to, or
operating upon the patient.
It will be seen that by the above described construction of bedstead, no recesses
or angles are formed, and the whole of the framing can be rapidly and efficie
cleansed by wiping it over with a cloth dipped in a cleansing liquid.
1
I provide large rubber tyred castors on the lower ends of the head posts in o'f."
that the bed may be easily shifted, without vibration, by slightly lifting the
thereof, the posts at the foot of the bed being provided with india rubber p:
or feet a¹.
it
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-
A bedstead having its parts constructed, arranged and combined substantially
as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7
200
C
1
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.