Improvements in Chairs, Beds, Couches and the like for Use in Surgical Operations and Examinations.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1899-Accepted, 1st Sept.,
1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chairs, Beds, Couches and the like for Use in
Surgical Operations and Examinations.
I, PIERRE ALBERT GAYON, of 28, Rue de Turin, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Upholsterer, 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 chairs, beds, couches and the like, for use in surgical
operations and examinations, and comprises a construction consisting of articu-
lated levers or links whose relative positions are adjusted by means of fixed
screws working in movable nuts rigidly connected with a sliding traveller or
cross-bar, from which latter the said articulated levers derive their motion.
The invention will be readily understood by referring to the accompanying
drawings, which serve to illustrate the same by way of example, and in which:-
Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my improved arrangement as applied to a
chair.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 are sections taken on the lines C-D and A-B respectively,
of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a view in elevation of a modified form of chair.
Figure 6 is a view in elevation of a further modification of chair, and,
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a view in elevation and plan showing a
modified arrangement of the construction illustrated in Figure 6.
The chair shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying drawings,
consists of an iron frame a, provided with a suitable number of legs. To this
frame a the mechanism hereinafter described is fixed. The traveller b which
conveys motion from the screws 9 to the articulated system of levers, is con-
nected by two links c to the upright pieces d extending from near the lower
portion of the legs to the top of the chair-back, and pivoted at e to the main-
frame a.
The rotary motion of the worm-gear f mounted upon a transverse
shaft operated by a hand wheel, or, if desired, by means of a crank in connection
with multiplying-gear, causes the traveller ỗ to move forward along the screws g,
thus. moving the back of the chair until it assumes an almost horizontal position.
By engaging the bolts h, which lock the traveller b to the longitudinal rods i,
the displacement of the traveller causes the said rods i to be pushed forward,
and the rollers 2 carried thereby, advancing under the curved bars j, lift the
front or depending-frame k into a horizontal position, while at the same time
the back of the chair assumes a backwardly inclined position; thereby transforming
the chair into a couch. The auxiliary legs 2, hereinafter described assist in
supporting the depending-frame k when in its raised position.
In Figure 1, I have also illustrated alternative means for raising the depending-
frame or flap k, said means consisting of the assemblage of links or pieces 1,,
o and o, of which is rigidly connected at to the traveller 6 and con-
sequently moves therewith, o is pivoted to the frame a at one end and to the
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page_text: link o at the other end, and intermediate its ends has pivoted to it the link b
which is also hinged to the piece 1. The slotted link o is pivoted to the frame a,
and the end of the link o¹ not connected to the link is pivoted to the frame k.
A pin on the link o slides in the slot in the link o. As will be readily under-
stood from an inspection of Figure 1, the outward movement of the traveller b
results in the links or pieces t,, being pushed forward, thereby swinging the
link o upwards, and raising the frame k by means of the connecting link o¹.
The pin on the link o, sliding in the slot formed in the link o, abuts against
the upper end of said slot when the traveller b is in its foremost position, and
the frame or flap k raised fully into its horizontal position, and thus limits the
motion of these parts in this direction. The alternative means described for
raising the frame k may obviously be utilized either by itself without the
construction embodying the rollers 2, rails ; and sliding bars i, or in conjunction
therewith.
By continuing the motion of the traveller 6 to the end of its path, the back
of the chair or couch is caused to be laid almost horizontal, while at the same
time the front or depending frame or flap k remains level with the seat, the
rollers sliding along the flat portion of the rails j, thus transforming the
couch into a bed.
The auxiliary legs 2, Figure 1, one of which is fixed to each of the rods i,
and consequently moves outwardly therewith, carry a step. r, the ends of which
are respectively pivoted to the said legs 28. When the rods i and legs are at
their extreme outward position, as when the apparatus is in the forms respec-
tively adapted for use as a bed or a couch, the step r can be turned outwards
and utilized as such. If desired, however, the step r can be turned out of the way
into the position shown in Figure 1, in which the legs are shown situated
beneath the frame a and are not in use.
It should be understood that the seat of my improved chair, couch or the
like, is not connected rigidly with the frame a, the frame p of said seat being
pivoted at its ends to the rods m, m² respectively, the other ends of which are
adapted to be bolted or pivoted to the pieces d and c respectively. By raising
the rods m, m¹ by means of the pieces d and c, the seat may be elevated or
tilted with respect to the frame a, thus for example, by engaging the bolts h¹
80 as to bolt or pivot the rods m to the pieces d, the forward displacement of
the traveller b causes the front end of the seat to rise and, at the same time
the back is slightly moved backwards, while suitably disposed pins situated at
the lower end of the rods m¹ are arranged to be caught by the grippers or
hooks n, and the said rods m¹ are thus prevented from moving upwards, thereby
maintaining the back of the seat rigidly in position and causing the other end
to rise so as to form a sloping seat; the frame or flap k being at the same
time raised into a horizontal position or nearly so.
By simultaneously engaging the bolts h¹h so as to pivotally connect the
rods mm with the pieces d and c respectively, and enable the pins on the
rods m¹ to clear the grippers or hooks n, the forward displacement of the
traveller 6 will cause the seat to be raised to its full extent by the rods mm²,
and the back to be lowered to the level of the seat, and if desired also the front
frame or flap k may be lowered by disengaging the bolt h, thereby transforming
the chair into a bed for surgical or like purposes.
In Figure 2 I have illustrated the bolts h¹ as being coupled together by
means of suitable cross rods, so that they are necessarily operated simultaneously.
The upholstered portion of the chair back is merely fastened or hooked on
to the upper portion of the iron framework d, and locked or bolted to the
frame of the seat at e¹ as clearly shown in Figure 5. The upholstered portion
of the chair back can therefore be readily detached and fixed in place again.
The seat of the chair may be raised to any required height by a lever arrange-
ment of lazy-tongss (Figure 5) fixed to the main frame a and to the movable
frame P of the seat respectively, and further connected by links mm² to the
P

page_text: pieces d, which, as already mentioned, are pivoted at e upon the frame a and
connected to the traveller b by links c.
The displacement of the traveller 6 operates the entire mechanism, it opens-
out the lazy-tongs s, the ends s of which run in guides t attached to the fixed
legs or feet of the main frame a, and the ends & run in similar guides t¹ secured
to the movable frame p of the seat, and thus enables the seat to be raised to
a considerable height from the floor, and at the same time the back of the chair
is inclined backwards by the pieces das before described in connection with the
chair illustrated in Figure 1. The patient having been placed in position on
the chair while it is in its lowered position, can, by means of the hand wheel
or crank referred to in connection with Figure 1, rotate the worm-gear f and
screws and raise the seat to its fullest extent, the step which is ordinarily
folded inward, being if desired turned outwards for the purpose of facilitating
access to the seat, the frame & being lifted up with the seat, leaving room for
said step to be so turned outwards and utilized as such.
In the construction shown in Figure 5, I have not shown or described any
means for raising the depending flap or frame k. It will be understood however
that I may embody in this construction either or both of the means for that
purpose illustrated and described in connection with the form of my invention
shown in Figure 1.
In order to obtain the action of a rocking-chair the movable frame p of the
seat is pivoted at u to the main frame a at the top of a portion thereof which
is made sloping as shown in Figure 6. The pieces d are pivoted at to the
rear of the movable seat-frame p, and are bolted or pivotally connected by
means of the bolts to the lower ends of the rods m, which latter are pivoted
at their upper ends to the front end of the movable seat frame p. The links o³, oª,
are jointed to one another, and one of them is connected to the main stationary
frame a, and the other to the front frame or flap k through the medium of
links 05, 06, which are pivoted to each other and to the frame and flap k
respectively. Said links are moved or controlled by the traveller ↳ through the
intervention of the links cand o in connection with the pieces d. By sitting
on the seat and slightly turning first in one direction and then in the other
a hand-wheel, or a crank, as above explained arranged at about the level of the
arms of the chair, the seat is rocked backwards and forwards about the pivots u
while at the same time the back of the chair and the front or depending frame
or flap k are correspondingly rocked or oscillated in adapting themselves to this
rocking motion of the seat, as will be readily understood from an inspection
of Figure 6.
The chair illustrated in Figure 6 may also be adapted for use as a couch, by
disengaging the bolts h at the lower ends of the rods m. The rollers v mounted
on the ends of the said rods m are then caused to engage underneath the curved
pieces, the rods m naturally swinging downwards under the influence of their
own weight into a vertical position, in which the rollers r pass under the said
curved pieces, the peripheries of which are preferably struck from the axis
about which the links o swing with respect to the frame a, and with a radius
equal to the length of said linke. By thus engaging the rollers under the
pieces the links m prevent the forward end of the seat frame p from being
raised, in fact the whole seat is rigidly locked in a horizontal position, and the
forward displacement of the traveller b results in the back pieces d being inclined
backwards, and the frame or flap k being raised into a substantially horizontal
position, thereby transforming the rocking chair into a fixed reclining couch.
As shown in Figure 6 the curved pieces are secured to the front legs of the
chair or couch.
In Figures 7 and 8, I have illustrated a form of articulated chair adapted to
rock without the employment of a displaceable traveller as described in con-
nection with the chairs, beds, couches, etc. forming the main object of my
invention, and which are illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. In said

page_text: A
Figures 7 and 8 the seat frame p is shown pivoted at u to the main frame a,
and is supported at the back by helical springs y which bear upon cross pieces
or rods h, h arranged across the frame a underneath the seat frame p.
knob enables a person sitting in the chair to actuate a bolt or locking lever h³
(Figure 8) and to disengage said bolt 2 from the curved piece h³ fixed to the
chair seat p as illustrated in Figure 7. The bolt h² normally engages the curved
piece and retains the seat of the chair firmly in a horizontal position. By
disengaging said bolt has mentioned, however, the seat may be swung back-
wards against the action of the springs by the person leaning backwards, and
by leaning forwards the chair seat may be returned again into its horizontal
position by the action of the springs y. Thus the seat may be easily rocked
backwards and forwards as long as the bolt is disengaged. The curved piece h³
is preferably fixed near the middle of the back edge of the seat, so as to engage
in suitable notches formed in said curved piece, the portion or nose of the
aforesaid bolt h³, which is guided transversely by sliding upon the cross pieces
or rods 45, 1, in a manner that will be readily understood, although any suit-
able arrangement of bolt may be employed. It will be seen that by the aforesaid
means the seat frame p may be locked in any of the inclined positions which
it may assume.
The pieces m are pivoted at us to angular pieces rigidly fixed to the main
frame a, and at their lower portions are formed integral with curved slotted
sectors m³, which latter are connected at about their middle portions, by means
of the transverse rod or bar 1, to the springs y', which are composed preferably
of strands of india rubber or elastic as illustrated in Figure 7, although cylindric
spiral metallic, or other springs which can be loaded in tension may be used
instead; the connection by means of said rod being either rigid or pivotal,
as desired. The other ends of the said springs y₁ are fixed to a cross bar con-
necting the respective back legs of the chair. The links o connect the front
or depending frame with the slotted sectors m³ through the pins k¹, so that
the motion of said sectors results in the frame k being swung upwards and
downwards, as will be readily understood. Now when the seat p is swung back-
wards and forwards as before described, the arrangement just referred to enables
the back of the chair, and the arms a thereof, to be moved with said seat p
in such a manner that the effect of the whole combination is exactly that of a
chair being rocked backwards and forwards, and the front frame k is at the
same time moved so as to remain throughout this motion substantially at right
angles to the seat frame p.
"
As will be understood the springs y', owing to their tendency to resume their
normal length serve to restore the chair arms &, chair back d¹, and frame k
into the position illustrated in Figure 7, after the same have been displaced
during the rocking motion of the chair. The seat p is thus restituted into
its normal position by the aforementioned springs y, and the chair back d¹,
chair arms, and frame k are restituted into their corresponding normal
position shown in Figure 7 by the action of the springs y¹, thus enabling the
chair to be easily rocked backwards from and returned to said normal position
by the person sitting in the chair leaning backwards and forwards alternately,
and if necessary giving to his body a slight impulse. I have already described
a means for locking the seat frame p to the frame a if desired, and I also
provide the following means for locking rigidly in any desired position the
assemblage consisting of the chair back d pivoted or hinged at d to the seat
frame P,
the chair arms hinged to the chair back d' at d and to the side
pieces m at d³, and the front or depending flap k. Said means, as shown consist
of the lever 6 pivoted to the pieces_m and connected to the sliding
link by means of the link 8. The said sliding link h is suit-
ably guided by eyes (not shown) on one of the pieces m, and by depressing
or raising the end of the lever h, the link h' is raised or lowered accordingly.
The lower end of the sliding link h' is rigidly connected to a rod or bar h

page_text: extending transversely underneath the seat p and adapted to be raised or lowered
with the link as will easily be understood, thereby placing a pin or bolt 10
carried by the bar h out of, and into engagement with apertures or eyes ¹³
formed in the strip h, which is fixed to the frame a longitudinally underneath
the seat p, and curved concentrically with the pivots us in order that the pin hlo
may readily be engaged in the apertures in said strip in any angular position
of the pieces m, thereby enabling said pieces m, the chair arms d, chair back d¹
and depending frame to be easily locked in any of the positions which they
may assume. By the means above described it will be obvious that either the
seat frame p, or the assemblage comprising the chair back d¹, chair arm ³,
side pieces m, and depending frame or flap k may be locked to the main
frame a either separately, or both at the same time; or these parts may all be
disengaged and free to move at the same time, thereby giving to the chair the
action of a rocking-chair as above described. As will be clearly seen from an
inspection of Figure 7 the amplitude of the swinging motion imparted to the
frame will depend upon the distance of the pin which is fixed to the link o
from the centre or pivots about which the side pieces m oscillate. The pur-
pose of the slotted sector m³ above described is to enable the pin k¹ to be placed
at a greater or less distance from the centre us by being moved by means of
the slotted lever me pivoted at m from the position z to or vice versa.
The
said lever ms may be conveniently moved by means of the treadle m8. At z
and 2 semicircular depressions are made in the slot of the sector m³ whereby
the pin may be securely retained at the respective ends of the said slot.
When the pink is in the position z the vibration of the frame k will be greater
than when said pin is in the position z¹.
In connection with the chairs described with reference to Figures 1 to 5
inclusive of the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated in said figures, draw
bars q. These are for the purpose, when drawn outwards to their full extent,
of facilitating the handling or moving of the chair, and serve as handles for that
purpose.
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:-
A chair, bed, couch or the like for use in surgical operations and examinations
characterized by mechanism comprising an operating traveller (b) actuated by
means of a hand wheel or crank through the intervention of worm gearing (f)
and screws (9), and which, through the medium of suitable articulated levers
or links, moves separately or simultaneously, the chair back and the front
depending frame or flap (k) in such a manner as to form, either a couch, bed,
rocking chair or the like, as desired, substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.