Improvements in or relating to Mattresses (or similar Reclining Surfaces) Especially for the Use of Invalids, Applicable also to Litters or Stretchers.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 14th Sept, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 26th Oct., 1888
Improvements in or relating to Mattresses (or similar Reclining
Surfaces) Especially for the Use of Invalids, Applicable also to
Litters or Stretchers.
I, EDWARD JOHNSON BATES, of 10 Cranbourne Street, Liverpool, in the county of
Lancaster, Dyer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improvements have mainly for their object to provide a mattress, or similar
reclining surface, to which an ordinary chamber or urinal, for the use of the occupant,
can be conveniently and easily applied and I effect this object by forming in the
mattress, about its centre, a cavity or depression, which will contain the chamber or
urinal, and this cavity or depression is extended to the side of the mattress where
the chamber or urinal can be introduced. A piece or slide fills the cavity or
depression when the chamber or urinal is not being used, and a rest board will be
found of great use in covering up that part of the cavity or depression where the
chamber or urinal does not come.
My improvements have further for their object to provide a construction of mattress
suitable for the foregoing purpose, and one also 'that can be conveniently used for
carrying the occupant about on, thus forming a litter or stretcher. The construction
I prefer consists of a framework of, preferably wooden, laths set on their edges, and
which framework is suitably stuffed or upholstered all over its surface excepting
that portion where the cavity or depression is to be, this is left free for the insertion
of a piece or slide which is stuffed or upholstered similarly to the mattress.
Suitable handles are fastened to the framework by which the mattress, litter or
stretcher can be carried about, and there may be buckles or pieces to which straps are
attached for holding down, if requisite, the occupant.
Dated thin Twelfth day of December 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Mattresses (or similar Reclining
Surfaces) Especially for the Use of Invalids, Applicable also to
Litters or Stretchers.
1, EDWARD JOHNSON BATES, 10 Cranbourne Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Dyer, 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:-
My Improvements have mainly for their object the providing of a mattress, or a
similar reclining surface to which an ordinary chamber utensil, for the use of the
occupant, can be conveniently and easily applied.
They have also for their object the providing of a mattress that is suitable for the
foregoing purposes, and that can also be conveniently used for carrying the occupant
about on, thus forming a litter or stretcher.
The manner in which the invention may be carried into effect may be understood
by reference to the accompanying drawings which set forth a combined litter and
mattress constructed in accordance with my improvements.
In these Fig. 1 is a plan.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation and
Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section.
A is a mattress or similar reclining surface. In the mattress there is formed, at or
about its centre, a cavity or depression B, which will contain a chamber utensil or
urinating vessel C, and this cavity or depression is extended to the side of the mattress
(as shown in Fig. 1) at which point a chamber utensil can be introduced. A piece or
slide D fills the cavity or depression when the utensil is not being used. This piece
may be upholstered to correspond to the rest of the mattress, and it may be provided
with a handle or loop d¹, by which it can be withdrawn when required. A rest board
such as E will be found of great use in covering up that part of the cavity or
depression not occupied by the chamber utensil. The rest board may also be
upholstered if desired, as shown. It is preferably provided with a suitable handle e.
The improvements above described are equally applicable both to an ordinary bed
mattress or to a portable litter or stretcher. In the case of a bed, the mattress,
piece D and chamber utensil may all be supported upon the ordinary bed laths. In
the case of a stretcher however it is more convenient to support or construct the
mattress upon a suitable framework F formed preferably of wooden laths set on edge.
Or the framework may be simply upholstered sufficiently to render it comfortable to
The sliding piece D which is stuffed or upholstered in a similar manner to
the framework or mattress, is suitably supported within the cavity B, preferably by
cross pieces d'.
the user.
Suitable handles may be fastened to the mattress or framework by which the
mattress, litter or stretcher can be carried about, and buckles or pieces may be
provided to which straps may be attached for holding down the occupant if requisite.

page_text: The mode of proceedure is as follows:-The rest board E is first placed below one
side of the patient and the piece D withdrawn. The lower bed coverings being then
drawn down against the bottom of the cavity B, as shown at a in Fig. 3, the chamber
utensil can be inserted into the cavity as shown in Fig. 1.
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 1
claim is :-
1. A mattress, stretcher or similar reclining surface having a cavity or depression
at or about its centre adapted to the reception of a chamber utensil and opening
up to the side of the mattress, or its equivalent, and having a sliding piece such
as D for filling up said cavity when not required, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. In combination with a mattress or stretcher such as described, a rest board
such as E for bridging over the cavity in the said mattress or stretcher while the
sliding piece therein is removed, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a mattress, stretcher or the like with a urinating device
substantially as described.
D
1011 1
A
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.