A New or Improved Portable Bed Rest, applicable also as a Back Rest for Garden or other Use.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 25th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 25th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Bed Rest, applicable also as a Back
Rest for Garden or other Use.
I, LAURA EALAND TODD of H.R.H. Princess Christian's Home for Nurses
Windsor, Berks Nurse do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a bed rest or support for the use of
invalids and others constructed so as to be portable and readily adjustable. I make
the framework of any suitable light material which may be solid or hollow but
for preference I employ hollow bamboo as being both strong and light. For the
back rest or support I use preferably linen tick but canvas or a suitable substitute
may be employed. When not in use the whole construction packs into a small
compass and is strapped together for portability. When in use its construction is
as follows. Two uprights of bamboo and of sufficient height form the sides,
between which is stretched the linen rest or support, the lower ends of each of
these uprights rest in corresponding rods laid horizontally on either side of the
bed to any required length which in their turn are connected with strips of
webbing or girthing which are again joined to a foot-board or contrivance to form
a foot-rest which may be regulated by means of a buckle in the girthing. The
necessary rigidity of the back rest is obtained by the use of cross pieces of bamboo
arranged behind it such cross pieces intersecting each other, the extremities of
these cross pieces fitting into corresponding holes or sockets in the main frame-
work and secured by an ordinary screw and nut. The bamboo being hollow I cover
the open or raw ends with rubber caps or balls or similar device. Where necessary
I use ordinary straps and buckles to keep the framework properly adjusted. The
whole coustruction is washable and can be made without the foot piece if necessary.
The materials used may be plain or ornamental as desired. The apparatus is
not necessarily confined for invalids' use but is also useful as a garden or
deck rest.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of June 1896.
GERALD GRAHAM,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Bed Rest, applicable also as a Back
Rest for Garden or other Use.
I, LAURA EALAND TODD of H.R.H. Princess Christian's Home for Nurses
Windsor Nurse 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 this invention is to provide a bed rest or support for the use of
:

page_text: invalids or others constructed in such a form as to be easily adjusted. With this
purpose in view I make the framework of any suitable light material which may
be solid or hollow but for preference I use hollow bamboo as being both strong
and light. For the rest or support I use preferably linen tick but canvas or
similar stout substance may be employed if desired. When not in use the whole
framework packs into a small compass and is strapped together for portability.
When in use its construction is as follows. Two uprights of bamboo and of
sufficient height form the sides between which is stretched the linen rest or
support the lower end of each of these uprights rest on corresponding rods laid
horizontally or at desired angle on either side of the bed to any required length
which in their turn are connected with strips of webbing girthing or similar
substance; to the extreme ends of each are attached a footboard or other suitable
contrivance to form a footrest the position of this footrest is regulated by means
of a buckle and tongue in the girthing, the girthing itself to go through the buckle
itself and straps.
The support to the back and the necessary rigidity is obtained by the use of
2. cross pieces of bamboo arranged at the rear of the canvass rest, these cross pieces
intersecting each other the extremities of each fitting into corresponding holes or
sockets in the main framework and secured by an ordinary screw and nut.
The bamboo being hollow I cover the open or raw ends with rubber caps or
similar device.. Where necessary I use ordinary straps and buckles to keep the
framework properly adjusted and in the required position.
I purpose that this my invention shall be known as the "Princess Christian"
Bed Rest.
The materials used may be plain or ornamental as desired.
The rest can be made any height without any discomfort to the patient by
means of tightening and loosening a strap at the back.
The whole thing is washable which enables it to be kept sanitary a great boon
in private and district nursing; can be sold with or without footpiece as desired.
The footpiece has a moveable washable cushion covered with canvass or ticking.
Rest can be used for the garden or when on deck (house boat for instance).
The improvement will be more readily understood by a reference to the annexed
sheet of drawings of which
Fig. 1 is a side view of bed rest and fixed ready for use.
Fig. 2 is the back view of bed rest.
Fig. 3 shews bed rest folded in small space when not in use.
Fig. 4. is foot rest with cushion folded and strapped.
The framework of bamboo is provided with slots or holes which the cross pieces
(the ends of which are sheathed with metal) are let into and secured by ordinary
screws and nuts.
The: Figures 1. 2. 3. 4.are more particularly described by the letters hereunder
written..
a. a. are the screws and nuts which connect the top crosspieces to the
framework.
b. b. are the screws and nuts which connect the bottom of crosspieces to
framework.
c. c. are the buckles which regulate the webbing or girthing.
d. is the strap attached.to the lower framework which keeps it in position and
by which the rest is adjusted to any desired height:
e. e. is the webbing or girthing which is fixed to the footboard f. and fastened to
the rest by the two screws and nuts a. a. and which can be made any desired length
by means of buckles.
f. is the footboard with the cushion attached by means of tapes or straps.
9. is the canvass or ticking sewn to the two uprights or otherwise attached.
h. is the pivot which connects the crosspieces in the centre and being moveable
allows these to be adjusted.

page_text: 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-
The construction of a bed or garden rest for the use of invalids and others
substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of August 1896.
GERALD GRAHAM & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.