AN IMPROVED PORTABLE COUCH OR BED FRAME FOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS
Year: 1886

page_text: I JOHN KEHOE of 40 South Richmond Street Dublin, Ireland, Cabinet Maker
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED PORTABLE COUCH
OR BED FRAME FOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has reference to a new or improved portable folding couch or bed
frame of light and elegant construction and of convenient dimensions for Surgical
Operations.
My Invention consists of two rectangular shels or trays hinged end to end, so
that when closed together a complete rectangular box, or case is formed.
Within each of these shels or trays and at their free ends is hinged a pair of legs
swinging longitudinally and a third pair of legs is also arranged at the hinged end
of one of the shels or trays.
These three pairs of legs are capable of being folded, so as to lie conveniently
within the shels or trays when the latter are folded up so as to form a complete
box or case as above mentioned. The outer surfaces of the shels or trays are
suitably upholstered and on the end of one a suitable ledge is hinged which acts as
a support for the patient's head. Suitable handles are provided to facilitate the
carrying of the apparatus.
When it is desired to use my improved couch or bed frame the shels or trays are
opened up and the folding legs drawn out and maintained in position by suitable
folding stays when the apparatus is turned right over and placed standing on the
said folding legs thus presenting the outer surfaces of the shels or trays as an easy
and convenient couch or bed for the reception of the patient undergoing a surgical
operation.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practice I will describe the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side
elevation Fig. 2 an end view Fig. 3 a plan showing the apparatus opened up
ready for use, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus folded up for
portability.

page_text: Similar letters indicate corresponding parts in each of the views; B, B¹, represents
the shels or trays; C, C³, the legs hung at the free ends of same which when
opened out as shown in fig. 1 are rigidly held in position by the folding stays a, a ;
D is the central pair of legs which fold between the legs C in the shel or tray B.
A folding shelf or bracket F is hinged to the legs C as a convenient rest for
depositing bottles and such like articles; fis the folding ledge which serves as a
support for the patients head and its position is adjustable by means of the
straps b, b.
When the apparatus is folded up this ledge forms a complete finish to the free
ends of the shels or trays as it assumes the position indicated by the dotted lines
in Fig. 1 and by the full end in Fig. 4.
The handles for facilitating the portability of the apparatus are shown at c, c.
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
First In a surgical couch or bed frame the combination formed by the shels or
trays B, B', the folding legs C C, and D, and the folding stays a, a, all operating
in the manner substantially as herein described and set forth.
Second: The use and construction of an apparatus used as a couch or bed frame
for surgical operations substantially as herein specified and set forth.