Improvements in Bedsteads for Invalids, and in the Appliances connected therewith.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 16th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bedsteads for Invalids, and in the Appliances
connected therewith.
I, ANNA MARIE DOUGLAS, of Dalkeith House, Leamington, in the County of
Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in bedsteads for invalids and in
the appliances connected therewith by which means the moving of invalids is
facilitated during the changing or removal of the mattresses, linen, or other parts.
My invention also consists in the conversion of such invalid bedsteads into an
operating table for the time being thus preventing the removal of the patient from
the operating table on the bed after the operation has been performed which
removal is frequently detrimental to the patient. My improved bedsteads are
simple in operation and comparatively inexpensive in manufacture.
In carrying my invention into effect I form my bedstead with four substantial
posts and in such a manner that the bedstead may be reversible, i.e. the head and
foot are preferably of the same size and design. Upon each of these posts I attach
a sliding socket or bracket which is provided with suitable rollers so as to have an
easy running movement up and down the post of the bedstead. A projection is
formed upon each of the bracket and rollers which run the width of the bed are.
mounted in bearings formed on these projections one roller across the top end and
the other at the bottom. I may however have a roller at one end only. Straps,
bands, or webbing are attached to each of these brackets being carried up over
friction rollers at the top of the bedstead and down to a winding druin which is
preferably mounted at the foot of the bedstead. A sheet of webbing of any
suitable wool and linen combination is attached top and bottom to the respective
rollers in manner to be hereafter described, and upon this webbing the patient lies
and is supported during the changing of the mattresses or bed. The winding drums
at each end are connected together so that both ends may be operated from the
one point and any well known ratchet arrangement may be in any suitable position
for retaining the patient in an elevated position. A handle is provided on the
winding drum which upon being turned winds the four straps on to their drums and
thus draw the brackets bearing the supporting sheet of webbing up the post to the
required elevation which enables the mattress to be withdrawn and replaced under
the patient. The supporting webbing or sheet is preferably in two pieces the
division running the length of the bed and the said sheet is attached to the roller
or bar at one end in any suitable way but for the purpose of rendering facilities
for the tightening up of the sheet I provide an arrangement at one or both ends
whereby this may be readily effected as for instance I may form my roller of any
suitable hard wood and provide a slot through running the length of the roller,
through which slot the end of my sheet is threaded; the end of the sheet is
provided with a broad hem into which I insert a rod or bar of sufficient diameter
or size to prevent the end of the sheet being drawn through the slot which thus
allows the roller being turned until the sheet is rolled up on to the roller sufficiently
The roller is.
for the part supporting the invalid to be of the required tautness.
retained in position preferably by a face ratchet which engages with a fixed ratchet
formed upon one end of the bracket the two being kept in engagement by a coiled
spring. For attaching the sheet to the roller the roller may be formed in two

page_text: halves one half being fixed to revolve and having projecting spikes in its flat slide
along its whole width on to which the end of the sheet is pressed the other half of
the roller being then replaced before rolling up the sheet the action of which
retains the loose half in position. It will be seen that the rods for securing the
sheeting to the rollers may be so arranged that one half of the sheet may be
released without the other half. The straps or bands would be made readily
detachable from the bracket so that only one end of the bed may be raised thus
leaving the patient in an inclined position. The foot & head of the bedstead are
stayed with tie rods upon the underside as required.
In the case of the operating table I provide a table top of any suitable material
which I may mount upon supports so that when fixed it will stand a little above
the bedstead bottom. This table top is of a similar size to the bedstead bottom
and is provided with suitable clamps and fastenings for attachment to the sides of
the bedstead so that when the patient is raised by the means described above the
bed or mattress can be withdrawn and the operating table secured in its place
under the patient who is then let down upon the table into position for operating,
being again raised by the webbing while the table is withdrawn and the mattress is
inserted upon which the patient is lowered onto the mattress without any of the
disturbance necessary when conveying the patient from the operating table to
'the bed.
Dated this 18th day of Annil 1905
GEORGE BARKER,
77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in Bedsteads for Invalids, and in the Appliances
connected therewith.
I, ANNA MARIE DOUGLAS of Dalkeith House, Leamington in the County of
Warwick do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 has for its object improvements in bedsteads for invalids and in
the appliances connected therewith by which means the moving of invalids is
facilitated during the changing or removal of the mattresses, linen or other parts
and in lifting and attending to the patient. My invention further consists in the
facilities for its conversion into an operating table for the time being, this
avoiding the necessity and consequent risk in removing the patient from the bed
to a separate operating table and which is effected in a convenient expeditious
manner by the bedstead mechanism.
In carrying my invention into effect I form my bedstead with four substantial
posts and in such a manner that the bedstead may be reversible, i.e. the head and
foot are preferably of the samne size and design. Upon each of these posts
I attach a sliding socket or bracket which is provided with suitable rollers so as to
have an easy running movement up and down the post of the bedstead. A
projection is formed upon each of the brackets and rollers which run the width of
the bed are mounted in bearings formed in these projections one roller across the
top end and the other at the bottom. I may however have a roller at one end
only straps bands or webbing attached to each of these brackets being carried up
over friction rollers at the top of the bedstead and down to a winding drum which
is preferably mounted at the foot of the bedstead. A sheet of webbing of any
suitable wool and linen combination is attached top and bottom to the respective
rollers in a manner to be hereafter described and upon this webbing the patient

page_text: lies and is supported during the changing of the mattresses or bed. The winding
drums at each end are connected together so that both ends may be operated from
the one point and any well known ratchet arrangement may be provided in any
suitable position for retaining the patient in an elevated position. A handle is
provided on the winding drum which upon being turned winds the four straps on
to their drums and thus draw the brackets bearing the supporting sheet of webbing
up the posts to the required elevation which enables mattress to be withdrawn and
replaced under the patient. The supporting webbing or sheet is preferably in two
pieces the division running the length of the bed and the said sheet is attached to
the roller or bar at one end in any suitable way but for the purpose of rendering
facilities for the tightening up of the sheet I provide an arrangement at one or
both ends whereby this may be readily effected as for instance I may form my
roller of any suitable hard wood and provide a slot through running the length of
the roller through which slot the end of my sheet is threaded the end of the sheet
is provided with a broad hem into which I insert a rod or bar of sufficient diameter
or size to prevent the end of the sheet being drawn through the slot which thus
allows the roller being turned until the sheet is rolled up on to the roller sufficiently
for the part supporting the invalid to be of the required tautness. The roller is
retained in position preferably by a face ratchet which engages with a fixed ratchet
formed upon one of the brackets the two being kept in engagement by a coiled
spring. For attaching the sheet to the roller the roller may be formed in two
halves one half being fixed to revolve and having projecting spikes in its flat side
along its whole width on to which the end of the sheet is pressed the other half of
the roller being then replaced before before rolling up the sheet the action of which
retains the loose half in position. It will be seen that the rods for securing for
securing the sheeting to the rollers may be so arranged that one half of the sheet may
be released without the other half. The straps or bands would be made readily
detachable from the brackets so that only one end of the bed may be raised thus
leaving the patient in an inclined position. The foot and head of the bedstead are
stayed with tic rods upon the underside as required.
In the case of the operating table I provide a table top of any suitable material
which I may mount upon supports so that when fixed it will stand a little above the
bedstead bottom. This table top is of a similar size to the bedstead bottom and is
provided with suitable clamps and fastenings for attachment to the sides of the
bedstead so that when the patient is raised by the means described above the bed
or mattress can be withdrawn and the operating table secured in its place under the
patient who is then let down upon the table into position for operating, being again
raised by the webbing while the table is withdrawn and the mattress is inserted
upon which the patient is lowered on to the mattress without any of the disturbance
necessary when conveying the patient from the operating table to the bed.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practical effect I have appended hereunto two double sized sheets of drawings
upon which both the bedstead and the operating table are illustrated along with
the various paris and necessary mechanism for operating the same.
It will however
be understood that the designs of the details such for instance as the rollers the
ratchets, pawls &c. &c. may be made without departing from the general principal
of the invention.
Figure 1 is a general view of the bedstead with the various parts in position and
the divided sheet S. S raised somewhat above the mattress M.
Figure 2 is a broken off elevation of the outside of the left hand end of the
bedstead.
Figure 3 is a broken off elevation of the inside of the right hand end of the
bedstead.
Figure 4 is a broken off inside view of the winding arrangement of the rollers R
upon which the sheet S is tightened and held.
Figure 5 ie a broken off inside view of the winding drum gear for lifting the
sheet S.

page_text: the rollers R and rod r.
and felt mana shung suestes for carrying
Figure 8 is a sectional plan of the sliding socket Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a sectional plan of the sliding socket Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a general view of the bedstead with the operating table T mounted
on the bedstead.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the roller R broken out in two places to show the
slot holes which are made for convenience of manufacture.
Figure 12 is an enlarged cross section of the roller R through the line 1-2 with
the sheet S fastened upon the same.
Figure 13 shows the arm & which is hung upon the bedstead side B in its turned
up position for operating the sheets S S¹.
Figure 14 is an end diagram of the arm as used to operate both the sheets S
and S¹ from one side.
Figure 15 is a view of the removable leg L for supporting the operating
table T.
Figure 16 shows one mode of mounting the friction rollers C¹ on the device C.
Figure 17 is a broken off plan of the device C.
Figure 18 shows another. method for revolving the drum D and rollers R
and R'.
Figure 19 is a modification of the arrangement shown in Figures 13 and 14 for
operating the sheets S and St.
Figure 20 shows the sheets S and S₁ so adjusted as to enable the patient to
maintain a half sitting posture.
Figure 21 shows another method for supporting the table T.
These
In carrying my invention into effect I form the bedstead with preferably four
substantial posts and in such manner and proportions that either end may be used
as the head or foot. Upon each of the posts or pillars I mount attachments or
sliding sockets A A¹ which differ from each other, each socket A carrying hand
wheels W for tightening the sheets S S₁ upon the rollers R. These rollers R
and R' are shown clearly by Figures 11 and 12 and are cast complete and hollow
as there seen, the openings serving as core holes in the casting but when in work
they are covered by the sheets. The groove ³ runs along the opposite side and
the ratchet wheel is placed in the mould and is one with the roller as well as
the spindles though it will be evident that these rollers may be made from
wrought tubes timber or other material. Each of these rollers carry inside a
pawl P and P as shown at Figure 4 which secures the roller against turning back
when the sheets S, S₁ are tightened which tightening may be effected either end
where the sockets A are mounted. I may however use in place of the wheels W
and W other mechanical means for revolving the rollers R and R¹ and drum D
such for instance as the worm V and wheel V₁ as shown in Figure. 18.
sockets A also carry friction rolls on the spindles a³ and a³ and the sockets A
also carry friction rolls at and as which allows the sockets to inove upon the bed
posts B B¹, B1, B₁ with great ease, but I may use sockets without friction rollers,
the sockets embracing and sliding loosely on the bed posts B¹. It will be evident
that one roller R at one end will answer the same purpose with simply a bar to
take the place of roller R¹ but I prefer the double arrangement shown. The
ends of the straps or webbing or other equivalents E are fastened to the rods
which are secured at their ends to sockets A and A' and these form the medium
for lifting the sockets and sheets S. These straps E pass upwards and over friction
rollers which are hung upon the device C shown in greater detail at Figures 16
and 17 but these friction rollers may be otherwise carried or the strap E may rest
direct upon the top bar of the bedstead. The strap E then passes down the
outside of one end as seen at Figure 2 and over the rollers 68, 6 which are carried
by the cross bar b'. The straps E then pass under the bedstead and are secured
to the winding drum D. At the end of the bedstead and preferably the foot end
where the drum D is mounted the straps E merely pass downwards from the

page_text: friction rolls C¹ and are also fastened to the drum D. This drum D is mounted
in brackets secured to the legs B of the bedstead and at one or both ends of the
drum a hand winding wheel W is mounted with ratchet and pawl P as clearly scen
at Figure 5. The legs B2 are stiffened by struts running to the bedstead sides B,
as considerable strain is brought upon that portion of the bedsteads.
The action is as follows:-The double or divided sheet S, S' is made to receive
a rod Figure 12 at one or both ends. This rod secures the sheet when dropped
into the recess of the roller R. The roller is then turned about one lap and
the sheet is tightened by the hand wheel W₁ or by the arrangement shown in
Figure 18. This having been done the sheet with the patient thereon may be
easily lifted or lowered by means of the larger wheel W and drum D.
The sheet S may be a sheet with a slit running down its centre so as to come under-
neath the paticut or it may be in two parts S and S¹ as shown upon the drawings.
In either case the slit or the sheets may be divided by two tapes 6, attached to
the edges as shown by the diagrams Figures 13 and 14. One end may pass over
the swivel bracket b' which when not in use turns under the bedstead as seen at
Figure 1. In Figure 19 one tape bracket & is shown on each side of the mattress M
the tape passing between the sheet S St and mattress M. By making the part 7
of telescopic so as to get a certain amount of vertical adjustment the sheet S, S',
may be so adjusted as to allow the patient to recline in a half sitting or other
convenient posture as shown at Figure 20 the webbing carried by the brackets 661
on each side of the mattress passing under the knees of the patient. Instead of
making telescopic I may hinge a flap or bracket 68 on to as shown by dotted
lines in Figure 14. The slit sheet or sheets S S¹ in two widths is very important in
conjunction with the lifting arrangement described as it enables the nurse to apply
any appliance or utensil to the patient between the sheet and the mattress by simply
drawing the tapes and 6.
When it is desired to operate upon the bedsteads the patient is raised to a
sufficient elevation by means of the large hand wheel W and the mattress M is
withdrawn when four legs L are mounted upon the sides B upon which the table T
is supported when the patient is lowered thereupon. Or the table T may be
supported by clips or brackets U hung upon the rollers R and R' as seen at
Figure 21 one at each corner of the bedstead. This being done the sheets S and S,
may be loosened and removed during the operation or they may remain with a
supplemental waterproof sheet between the sheet S and the patient. The operating
table is shown at Figure 10 with the winding mechanism left off. By having
buckles on the straps E at e¹ and the drum D may be made to elevate either
the foot or the head only when one or the other two buckles are unloosed or the
elevation of each end may be by this means varied so that the patient lies on an
inclined plane. In this case a foot rest may be formed for the patient by moving
the brackets & with the stretched webbing tape or such like material to the desired
end of the rails B to suit the position of the patient. To remove or change the
sheets S. S it is only necessary to unwind the rollers R and R' taking out the
rods and then folding them under as is well understood by nurses.
In case of
the divided sheet S. S' one of them may be removed while the patient is on the
other. The rollers R and R¹ may be fixed outside the posts B' instead of inside
as shown. The bedstead itself may be of any convenient form and design.
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 :-
1st. The improvements in bedsteads for invalids and in the appliances connected
therewith substantially as herein set forth and as shown upon the drawings by
Figures 1 to 17 inclusive.
2nd. The divided sheet S. S¹ or its equivalent with a slit at or about the centre
of its length as herein set forth and the mode of operating the same by brackets 6

page_text: and tapes 6 and 6° as particularly described and shown in Figures 13, 14, 19,
and 20.
3rd. The sliding sockets A and A' with the friction rollers or equivalent sockets
without rollers for mounting and tightening the sheet substantially as set forth and
as shown upon the drawings.
4th. The sliding sockets A with their rollers and mechanism working in com-
bination with the sheets S S' or their equivalent substantially as herein set forth
and illustrated upon the drawings.
5th. The winding drum D and its mechanism with the bands E operating on
the sockets A for elevating the sheet at either or both ends substantially as herein
set forth and as illustrated.
6th. In combination with the bedstead and its mechanism the operating table T
mounted upon the legs L or their equivalents as shown in Figure 21 substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth and as shown upon the drawings.
7th. The supporting tape brackets & in combination with the sheets S S¹ and
rollers R and R for the purpose herein set forth and shown in Figures 19, 20
and 14.
Dated this 15th day of January 1896.
GEORGE BARKER,
77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.