Improvements in Bedsteads for the Use of Invalids.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bedsteads for the Use of Invalids.
I, ALEXANDER MCKNIGHT, of No. 877, Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, in the County
of Kings, State of New York, United States of America, Carpenter, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained, in and by the following state-
ment:-
This invention relates to invalid beds and has for its object to provide a bed of
this character, improved and simplified in its construction, whereby an invalid
may be handled with greater facility and less annoyance to the patient than has
been heretofore attained, and whereby the cost of such a bed is brought within
very reasonable limits.
The invention consists of the construction and the various features hereinafter
set forth.
Referring now to the drawings forming part of this specification and embody-
ing the invention, and in which like letters of reference designate corresponding
parts throughout
Figure 1 is a plan view of the bed showing the bed bottom;
Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the bed bottom and mattress in position for
a sitting posture;
Figure 3 is a plan view showing the mattress and table attachment;
Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the table attachment and showing in dotted
lines the bed tilted up at one end;
Figure 5 is a side elevation showing in dotted lines the bed elevated;
Fi
Figure 6 is an end elevation of the head of the bed;
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the foot of the bed;
Figure 8 is an end elevation of the head of the bed without the hoisting legs;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a windlass employed at each end of the bed;
Figure 10 is a plan view of an anti-friction socket secured to the ends of the bed
for the hoisting legs.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of a leg stretcher;
Figure 12 is a plan view showing the hammock in place.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a wire ring employed on the side rails of the
hammock to make the connection with its bottom fabric.
Figure 13 is a side elevation showing the hammock in elevated position.
Figure 14 is a side elevation in section showing a folding joint for the end rails
of the hammock frame;
Figures 15 and 16 are respectively a side elevation and plan view of a clutch
for the head section of the bed bottom;
Figure 17 is a side elevation of a crank and windlass for the foot section of the
bed bottom;
Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of one end of the windlass ;
Figure 19 is a diagram of this windlass and its cord.
Figure 20 is a side elevation of the bed-pan on the line 20, Figure 1.
In the several elevations and plan views of the bed I have omitted in some of

page_text: the figures the illustration of various features shown in the figures for the sake of
clearness and to avoid duplication of parts.,
TH
The frame of the bed comprises the ušital end rails A A' and side rails B B₁,
which are supported by legs extended above the rails to form posts A² A² and Bº Bª
at the head and foot respectively. The bed bottom is made in three separate
sections, the head section C, middle section D and leg section E. The head section
has side rails a a¹. and end rails bb'. The end rail is depressed along its length
to prevent the bottom fabric when under strain from striking it. The inner end
of the head section is pivotally supported by trunnions c c resting in bearings d d'
on the side rails B B₁ of the bed frame. These trunnions stand in a line above
the level of the head section when it is in horizontal position, so that the head
section when moving from horizontal to upright position swings to a slight degree
bodily toward the head of the bed. The object of this arrangement is to provide
ample room for the mattress to fold at the inner end of the head-section when the
head section is raised, so that the patient will not be crowded forward., This is
an important feature and adds greatly to the comfort of the patient when the head
section is raised or lowered. In Figs. 2 and 15 I have shown the trunnions c c¹
projecting from short arms e extending from the side rails as embodying this
arrangement. The head section is generally counterbalanced by means of springs,
so as to have a tendency to rise of itself. These springs F are secured at their outer
ends to the bed frame and at their other ends to arms f downwardly extending
from the head section. To provide for adjustability of the springs they are pro-
vided with turn-buckles f¹, or the arms fare provided with a plurality of aper-
tures into which the springs may hook. A suitable locking device is provided in
order to lock the head section in any desired position, and in the best form is so
arranged as to be capable of easy operation by the occupant of the bed. This
locking device in conjunction with the counterbalance of the head
section enables the patient himself to raise and lower the head section with
practically no effort on his part and without the aid of an attendant. The lock-
ing device in its best form consists of two meshing members, one of which is
stationary and the other of which is carried by the head section so as to be accessible
to the patient in any position. In the present embodiment of the invention
a stationary plate having a circular rack and fixed to the bearing d (Fig. 15).
h is a latch pivoted in the end of the trunnion This latch has a tooth ' on
one end adapted to take in the rack and has a spring 2 at its other end bearing
on the plate g which serves to urge the tooth h¹ into mesh with the rack. h is an
operating handle or rod secured to the latch and extending up alongside the head
section. When this rod is pushed outward the latch is disengaged from the rack,
the counterbalance spring F raises the head section automatically and the rod and
latch are carried up with the head section by the trunnion c, the spring h² moving
over the face of the rack plate. When the rod is released the spring he urges the
latch into engagement with the rack to lock the head: section. The outer end of
the head section is generally provided with projections & adapted to rest on the
rails BB, to provide rigid supports for the head section when in horizontal position.
One of these, k, may be used as a handle to assist the springs in raising the head
section if occasion requires. The rod h³ may be also used to raise the head section.
The springs F however are ordinarily expected to do this work and are arranged
for adjustment to suit the weight of the patient. The latch has a certain small
amount of play in the rack g which enables the head section when raised to rock
slightly on its pivots against the springs F. The weight of the patient's back
therefore is largely supported by these springs when the head section is raised
and the patient's comfort is thereby largely added to.
C.
ig
The middle section 1 of the bed bottom is removably supported on the side
rails B B Supported by the bottom fabric of this section and forming part
thereof is a commode seat. The seat comprises a commode frame G connected on
both sides with the fabric and a seat frame G¹ removably supported by and fitting
over a tongue on top of the commode frame. The under side of the commode

page_text: frame G is provided with flanges which support a removable commode G²
cut away on its inner side at in order that when the pan is removed while the
patient is occupying the seat the pan will clear any part of the patient's body pro-
jecting below the seat. A piece extends downward from the frame G to cover
this cut away portion when the commode is in position so as to protect the patient
from draughts while occupying the seat. The commode is provided with a
handle m and also with an overflow pipe m', sometimes especially serviceable when
large douches are taken by the patient.
The leg section is pivoted at its inner end to the side rails B B¹ and is provided
with a foot section E adapted to fold upward. The leg section is operated by a
windlass H extending underneath the bed frame and supported in bearing
brackets n n secured to the side rails B B. The windlass is provided with the
usual pawl and ratchet and crank. The cord or cords of the windlass are con-
nected with the leg section for operating it. In the best form, I employ a con-
tinuous lifting cord K' having its ends secured to the windlass near the ends
thereof and engaging arms o projecting downward from the side rails of the leg
section and passing over pulleys o' on the side rails B B. The main portion of
the leg section is of such length as just to clear the floor when lowered, so that a
patient may sit prefectly upright with his legs in vertical position, the foot section
at such time striking the floor and folding to the proper extent. The joint of the
foot section is so arranged as to prevent the foot section from turning down below
the plane of the main portion of the leg section. By employing the arms o the
leg section may be raised above the level of the bed frame as shown in dotted lines
in Figure 2. The windlass K may be removed together with its cord from its
brackets by drawing it out on one side of the bed frame, the cord passing through
a slot or notch in the bracket . The bed bottom fabric employed for the sections
of the bed bottom, in the best form of the invention consists of a suitable fabric
secured only to the side rails of the bed bottom and has transversely yielding
springs. This form is shown in the drawings. It is separately described and
claimed in British Patent No. 17327 dated August 5th, 1896, and need not be here
particularly described. It has in this invention a peculiar utility over other forms
of bed bottom fabric because it dispenses with supporting end rails for the several
sections of bed bottom and enables the short sections of fabric to yield throughout
their entire length. If these short sections of fabric had to be supported at their
ends by arms or cross rails the comfort, especially desirable in an invalid bed,
would be largely sacrificed, because not only would the separate sections be less
yielding and easy but the patient would have to rest on four of these rails at the
middle of the bed. However, my invention is not of course limited to the employ-
ment of any particular form of bottom fabric and many of its features are quite
independent in their function of any particular bottom fabric.
The bed is provided with a hammock or stretcher and hoisting mechanism to
lift the patient up from the bed, so that the bedding may be aired or changed.
At the ends of the bed and generally secured to the end rails A A' are windlasses .J,
whose cords J pass round guide pulleys " near the corners of the bed and up over
supports, preferably in the form of small sheaves, on the posts A2 and B2 and are
provided with rings or other suitable means for attachment to the hammock.
In the best form of the invention I employ a windlass having a single continuous
cord adjustably connected with the windlass to take up automatically any slack
in either end of the cord. In carrying out this purpose an aperture is made in
the windlass, through which the cord passes freely. The windlass is provided
with the usual pawl and ratchet and crank, and when the cord is wound up any
slack in either end immediately divides itself between the two ends and dis-
appears, the cord slipping through the aperture of the windlass until such dis-
tribution takes place before being wound on the windlass. This is an important
feature, as it prevents the possibility of one side or corner of the hammock from
tilting and maintains the hammock in a horizontal plane. When the hammock
is to be hoisted both windlasses are operated simultaneously. The hammock or

page_text: when
to
or
stretcher itself may vary in form, but I have devised a special form which I deem
best and which has many important advantages. It is shown in Fig. 12 and is
practically a bed bottom. It comprises a frame formed of side rails H and jointed
end rails H¹, whereby this bed bottom or hammock is adapted to fold.
These rails are preferably tubes. The joints of the end rails are one-way
break joints. They break upward from the horizontal only. In making these
joints I pivot a link pat both its ends in the adjoining ends of the two sections com-
posing an end rail and cut away at those ends of the rail sections beneath the
link.
A sleeve p² sliding on the rail, when moved to cover the joint, holds the
joint rigid, and
moved to one side leaves the joint free
bend. The bottom fabric which I prefer to use for this hammock
bed bottom is of the character described and claimed in the above mentioned
patent, that is, it is supported only by the side rails and has transversely yielding
springs. In the particular form here shown the fabric is made up of a plurality
of separate and independent strips or bands L, generally of canvas. Stitched in
the ends of these bands are small rods g, which are connected by means of links q¹
with rods q, a little beyond the ends of the strips and reaching from these rods
to the side rails H are springs detachably connected with these rails. I prefer-
ably employ wire rings s on these rails H, to which the springs r are hooked.
This obviates the necessity of boring holes in the side rails which would tend to
weaken the rails and offer homes for vermin. When the patient is to be lifted up
on the hammock the head section is first raised and several of strips L slipped in
place behind him. The head section is then lowered and the rest of the strips
slipped under his legs and body. The hammock frame is then put upon the bed
and the end rails H bent upward at their joints. The strips are then hooked to
the rings s, and the end rails H' are pressed down and the joints locked, thereby
stretching the strips L. beneath the patient. The lifting cords J' are then attached
to the corners of the hammock frame and the windlasses are operated to lift and
hold the patient above the bed. If it is desired, as is sometimes the case, to keep
the patient resting at an inclination, this is easily effected by raising one end of
the hammock higher than the other by means of the windlass at one end. The
manner of lowering the hammock, restoring the patient to the bed and removing
the hammock will be apparent.
In some cases it is very important to keep a patient resting at an inclination in
the bed and for this purpose I have provided simple and convenient means where-
by one end of the bed may be hoisted and held at any desired height. In carrying
out this purpose I employ a pair of hoisting legs M M, supported in place by the
bed frame at one end, on which by suitable hoisting mechanism the bed frame is
bodily lifted and supported at one end. The most convenient hoisting mechanism
is the windlass J and its cord J. The cord J only requires suitable means for
connecting it to the legs M. In the best form I provide the cord with rings tt,
adapted to slip over the ends of the cross bar M connecting the
upper ends of the legs. This cross bar generally has sockets t to
receive the ends of the legs M, in order that it may be separable from the legs
for convenience in storing. As means for supporting the legs M in place I have
shown brackets N, secured on and projecting from the end rail A' and a bar O
connecting the posts B³. These brackets, of which as shown there are two for
each leg M, are preferably provided with two anti-friction rollers u, between which
a leg M passes. To hoist one end of the bed it is only necessary to attach the
rings to the rod M', and turn the windlass J, which can be done by an atten-
dant with little effort. It sometimes becomes desirable to operate upon a patient
without removing him from his bed, but beds are generally too low for the con-
venience of the surgeon and his attendants. I overcome this difficulty by employ-
ing a pair of hoisting legs M M for each end of the bed, so that the bed can be elevated
to any height desired by operating the windlasses J, and may be kept at an
inclination at the same time if required.

page_text: In some cases it is necessary to put the patient's leg or legs under longitudinal
strain: For this purpose I provide an ordinary stretching cord P and weight P1.
This cord where it passes over the foot of the bed has a support which is adjustable
vertically and laterally whereby whatever be the elevation of the patient on the
bed, or on whatever side of the bed the leg to be stretched is resting, the cord P
may be so adjusted as to exert a longitudinal strain in any plane. In the present
embodiment of this part of the invention I employ a support, preferably a pulley R,
depending from the rod M' and movable thereon. From this pulley R is swung
by means of a cord or chain v, a support, preferably a pulley, R², over which the
cord P runs. The pulley R³ may be vertically adjusted by means of the chain v.
It thus appears that the support or pulley R² is both vertically and laterally
adjustable.
The bed is provided with a vertically and horizontally adjustable folding table
as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. As therein shown the table is supported by the foot
of the bed frame, although of course it might in some cases be supported at the
head. S is the table top carried by two arms w, w, supported by the posts B², 132
and arranged to slide back and forth on supports pivoted to these posts. These
supports are preferably in the form of tubular sockets 20, 20¹ and are pivotted to
the posts at w. When the table is in use the sockets ware turned up and the
top S is pulled out to the required distance. When the table is not in use it may
be pushed back, its arms sliding in the sockets wi, and the table may be then
folded up into a substantially vertical position against the foot of the bed, the
sockets turning down on their pivots. Chains or cords we connected to the
sockets and adapted for connection with the bed frame, are generally employed
so as to hold the table top when in use at the proper height. By varying the
length of the chain the height of the table top may be adjusted to suit the con-
venience of the patient. It will thus be seen that the table is vertically and
horizontally adjustable.
Y is a jointed swinging bracket fixed to the side rail of the bed frame and carry-
ing a cuspidor y. The mattress X is provided with an opening over the commode
seat extending through the mattress and made larger at the top than at the bottom
by having its sides slanting inward, as shown in dotted lines, Figure 3. This open-
ing is normally closed by an inflatable cushion, larger at its top than at its bottom,
which fits snugly in place and flush with the top surface of the mattress. It is to
be filled with air or water and is located in that part of the mattress which supports
the hips of the patient. Bed sores generally form first in the region of the
patient's hips and near the base of the spine, but by the employment of the inflat-
able cushion the formation of these bed sores is prevented or at least greatly
retarded. Cushions such as may be fitted to the mattress at any place desired.
If it were desired to dispense with the springs F for lifting the head section, the
cord J may have its ends passed round guide pulleys on the corners of the bed
frame and connected with the arms f, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. The wind-
lass J may then be used to operate the head section.
In some cases it may become desirable to take up any slack in the bed bottom.
I provide for this by suitable adjusting devices such as the turn buckles f¹ shown
in Fig. 2.
While I have shown in the drawings the best form of the complete invention
and its various features now known to me, it will readily be seen by one skilled
in the art, that various changes may be made without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention.
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. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of a windlass sup-
ported by the bed and provided with a single continuous cord having its two ends
adapted for engagement with the part to be shifted, the cord being loosely con-

page_text: nected with the windlass so as to automatically adjust itself to its work, substan-
tially as set forth.
2. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of a windlass sup-
ported by the bed and provided with a single continuous cord having its two ends
adapted for engagement with the part to be shifted, the cord passing freely through
an eye in the windlass so as to automatically adjust itself to its work, substantially
as set forth.
3. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame and bed bottom, of
a hammock or stretcher comprising a folding frame having upwardly breaking
one-way joints and a bottom composed of a plurality of separate and independent
strips or bands removably connected with the side rails of the frame, and means
connected near the corners of the frame for hoisting the hammock above the bed
bottom, substantially as set forth.
4. A bed bottom comprising a frame consisting of rigid side rails and jointed
end rails, and a flexible spring bottom removably connected with the side rails and
consisting of springs connected to the side rails and separate and independent
strips or bands having their ends connected to said springs, substantially as set
forth.
5. A folding bed bottom consisting of side rails and end rails rigidly secured
together at their ends, a flexible bottom fabric connected with and supported by
the side rails, the end rails consisting of sections having intermediate upwardly
bending one-way break-joints, the joints of an end rail comprising a link pivoted
at its ends in the adjoining ends of the rail sections, and a sleeve adapted to slide
over and lock the joint, the said adjoining ends of the end rail sections being con-
structed with stops to prevent the joint from bending downward, whereby the
bottom fabric may be stretched out into horizontal position when the joints of the
end rails are forced down and locked, substantially as set forth.
6. In an invalid bed, the combination with a bed frame, of hoisting legs in
addition to the legs of the bed frame supported in position by the bed frame, and
hoisting mechanism connecting the said legs and bed frame whereby the bed
frame may be lifted on said hoisting legs, substantially as set forth.
7. In an invalid bed, the combination with a bed frame, of hoisting legs in
addition to the legs of the bed frame supported in position by the bed frame, and
hoisting mechanism supported on the bed frame connecting the said legs and bed
frame whereby the bed frame may be lifted on said hoisting legs, substantially
as set forth.
8. In an invalid bed, the combination with a bed frame, of a pair of hoisting
legs for each end of the bed in addition to the legs of the bed frame and sup-
ported in position by the bed frame, and two independent hoisting mechanisms,
one for each end of the bed, each of said hoisting mechanisms connecting a pair of
hoisting legs with the bed frame whereby either or both ends of the bed frame may
be lifted on said hoisting legs, substantially as set forth.
9. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of a pair of hoisting
legs in addition to the legs of the bed frame and supported. in position by the bed
frame at one end thereof, a windlass supported at the end of the bed, a cord or
cords connecting with the windlass and having the free ends adapted for con-
nection with the hoisting legs above the bed frame, said cord or cords passing round
guide pulleys or their equivalent fixed to the bed frame one on each side of the
windlass, substantially as set forth.
10. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of a pivoted leg
section pivotally supported by the bed frame and having downwardly projecting
arms, a windlass supported by the bed frame having a cord or cords connecting
with the said arms of the pivoted section, and supporting guides on the bed frame
over which the cord or cords pass to the said arms from the windlass, whereby the
said leg section may be elevated and inclined above the bed frame, substantially
as set forth.

page_text: 11. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of a leg section
pivotally supported by the bed frame and having at its outer end a folding foot
section, said leg section adapted to be depressed below and elevated and inclined above
the bed frame and means for operating the leg section, substantially as set forth.
12. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of an end section
pivotally supported by the bed frame, a windlass removably supported in bearing
brackets on the bed frame and having a cord or cords secured thereto and removably
connected with the end section, one of the windlass brackets having a notch there-
in through which the cord may be withdrawn when the windlass is removed, sub-
stantially as set forth.
13. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame, of a leg section
pivotally supported by the bed frame and having downwardly projecting arms, a
windlass supported by the bed frame, a single continuous cord having its ends
secured to the windlass and engaging the said arms of the end section to adjust
the same, and supporting guides on the bed frame over which the cord passes from
the windlass to the end section, substantially as set forth.
14. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame having posts, of a
table having arms, and supports for said arms pivoted to the posts, the table arms
adjustable in the support, substantially as set forth.
15. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame having posts, of a
table having arms, tubular supports in which said arms are adjustably supported,
said tubular supports being pivoted to the bed posts, and means for holding the
tubular supports in place, substantially as set forth.
16. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed frame having posts at the
foot, of a table supported by the posts and horizontally and vertically adjustable
and adapted to fold up against the said posts, substantially as set forth.
17. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed bottom fabric, of a commode
frame supported by and forming part of the bed bottom fabric, and a seat frame
supported by and carried on said commode frame, substantially as set forth.
18. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed bottom comprising side
rails, depressed rails and a bottom fabric secured to the side rails only and having
transversely yielding springs, of a commode frame supported by the bed bottom
fabric, said commode seat comprising a supporting commode frame connected with
the bottom fabric and a seat frame, substantially as set forth.
19. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bed bottom, of a commode com-
prising a commode frame secured to the bottom fabric, a removable commode pan
supported by the said commode frame underneath the frame, and a removable seat
supported on and carried by the commode frame, substantially as set forth.
20. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bottom fabric, of a removable
commode pan supported underneath an opening in said fabric, the commode pan
being cut away on one side, and a piece carried on the under side of the bottom
fabric at said opening adapted to close the commode pan at its cut away portion
when the pan is in place, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
21. In an invalid bed, the combination with the bottom fabric, of a removable
commode pan supported underneath an opening in said fabric, the commode pan
being provided with an overflow duct, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
22. A mattress for a bed, having an opening all the way through the same larger
at the top than at the bottom and an inflated cushion larger at the top than at
the bottom fitting said opening and flush with the upper surface of the mattress,
substantially as set forth.
23. In an invalid bed, the combination of a bed bottom consisting of a middle
section and pivoted leg and head sections, a commode frame carried by and form-
ing part of the bottom of the middle section, a commode adapted to be removably
supported on and carried by the commode frame, a mattress covering the bed
bottom and seat frame, and having a removable section directly over the seat frame,

page_text: whereby an occupant of the bed is enabled to sit in a natural position upon the
seat frame and beneath the level of the mattress when the said removable section
of the mattress is removed, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 30th day of July 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.