An Improved Bed Rest.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
An Improved Bed Rest.
I, THOMAS PRICE of Ashdene 33 Melford Road, Lordship Lane in the County
of Surrey, of no occupation, 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 :-
The object of this invention is an improved bed rest or frame for supporting invalids
or others in a sitting posture in bed by affording a rest at a suitable angle of inclina-
tion against which such persons may lean backward.
The purpose of the invention is to simplify such articles so that they may be
more convenient in use and readily adjustable and so that they may be provided
with attachments such as a book holder or desk or table for the use of the invalid
or other person.
The improved rest consists of a frame flat and preferably of an oblong form with
or without rounded corners or sides. This frame is intended to rest with its lower
edge upon the bed behind the occupant and this lower edge is therefore preferably
straight or slightly curved (concave) to fit to the surface of the bed and give a
firm bearing to the frame.
The frame is otherwise of any suitable shape or design to form a convenient back
rest. It may be made of any suitable material for instance of brass rod or brass
covered tube or of bent wood covered with netting or with canework, webbing or
other convenient material.
The frame is supported by chains or cords preferably however strong brass
chains connected by hooks to the foot rail of the bedstead and to the frame afore-
said at each side preferably midway between the head and foot of the frame, that is
to say in such a way that the weight or pressure of the person against the frame is
centred between the one chain and the other, as nearly as possible in line therewith
so that the frame has no tendency to tilt either forward or backward when leant
against, whether the frame be placed at a steep angle of inclination or at a more
inclined angle from the vertical.
For convenience of adjustment of the length of the chains and consequently of
the incline of the rest, a comparatively short length of chain is attached to each
side of the frame terminating in a hook and the greater length of chain which is
hooked to the foot rail of the bedstead is of a length sufficient so that the aforesaid
shorter length of chain may be hooked into that link of the longer length of chain
which corresponds to the full length of chain required at the time.
It will be noticed that with this balanced frame or rest adjustment may be made
by shortening or lengthening the chains on each side or by simply moving the foot
of the frame more or less to the front or rear.
On the upper rail of the frame are two clips of any suitable kind attached by
elastic or non elastic bands to the frame to hold the pillow against which the
occupant rests by clipping the upper edge of such pillow.
On each side of the frame at a suitable height are two jointed horizontal bars
which may be tubular for strength and lightness. They are jointed to the frame
and to each other so as to swing in a horizontal or nearly horizontal plane when the
rest is at the angle which it will most usually occupy. One of these jointed bars
carries a reading desk with ledge and the other carries a table.
The annexed drawing illustrates the invention and its mode of application. A is
the bed rest. B the chains which support it. C the hooks by which the chains
are fastened to the foot rail of the bedstead. D are the pillow holding clips.
E the jointed side bars F a reading desk G a small circular table.

page_text: 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 ;-
A balanced bed rest consisting of a flat frame in combination with chains
adjustable in length connected severally to the sides of said frame as described and
adapted to be hooked to or on the foot rail of a bedstead, the said frame having
clips for holding a pillow and jointed side bars for carrying attachments such as a
reading desk and a table.
Dated this 19th day of October 1891.
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.