IMPROVEMENTS IN INVALID COUCHES
Year: 1885

page_text: We, THOMAS ROBINSON, LISTER ROBINSON, MARK ROBINSON, JOHN ROBINSON,
and THOMAS ROBINSON junior, of the firm of Robinson and Sons, of No. 5
Cowpasture Road, Ilkley, in the County of York, Couch Makers, do hereby declare
the nature of our invention for, IMPROVEMENTS IN INVALID COUCHES, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
Our invention relates to certain improvements in that class of couches commonly
known as the "Ilkley Couch"; and has for its object, the construction of the same
in such a manner, that a patient laying thereon can regulate the inclination or
elevation either of the head, knee, or feet portions as desired, without the aid of
another person, and without rising from off the couch; and consists in mounting
on the frame work of the couch, two carriages one at the head the other at the feet,
which are operated independently by screws which cause the same to slide in
grooves, and thereby raise or lower the head, knee, or feet portions of the couch as
desired by the patient.
In order that our invention may be better understood, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which are marked with letters of reference, and in which
Fig 1 represents a side elevation of an invalid's couch with our improvements
added thereto; Fig 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the couch with the knee
portion partly raised. Fig 3 is another view shewing the knee portion at a greater
elevation with the feet end raised also supported by the arms. Fig 4 is a cross
section through the couch frame, and Fig 5 is a detail of the supporting arms.
The frame of the couch is indicated by the letter A, and is recessed or groove:]
for a portion of its length between the seat G and each end, for the reception of
two carriages B, which are operated upon by the hand wheels W and W' and
screws S and S¹. The carriage at the foot is actuated by the hand wheel W; by
turning the same, the connecting bevel wheels R and screw S revolve, thereby
causing the carriage to travel in the grooves. This carriage is fitted with two
short inclined planes D, which when the carriage is moved in the direction of the
arrow, come in contact with the inclined planes D¹ that are secured to the underside
of the adjustable thigh frame E, thereby causing the same and the leg frame E¹ to
be elevated at the knee K as shewn by Fig 2. On continuing to turn the hand
wheel and screw S, the inclined planes D₁ continue to elevate the said frames E
and E¹ until the ends of each of the supporting arms F drop into their respective

page_text: recesses H formed in the carriage B, and thus support and elevate the frames until
the said arms are perpendicular, when the frames at the knee K are at the
maximum height.
Towards the foot of leg frame E¹, we joint supporting arms F¹, which on the
ends being placed in notches or recesses H formed in the frame A, and the carriage B
moved in the manner described in the direction of the arrow, the foot of leg frame E'
is elevated as shewn by Fig 3, but providing the supporting arms F1 are kept clear
of the said recesses, the leg frame E¹ when elevated at the knee will be as shewn
by Fig 1.
The carriage for regulating the head portion L is operated upon in the same
manner as that before described, and is constructed in the same manner except
that no inclined planes are used for starting the elevation: this is accomplished by
raising it by hand, and placing the supports M in recesses formed in the carriage,
so that on the patient moving the band wheel W', the screw S¹ revolves and moves
the carriage, thereby regulating the angle of the supports M, and consequently the
inclination of the head frame L as desired, to suit the comfort of the patient.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim, is
The regulation of the inclination of the head, thigh, and leg frames of an invalid's
couch by the hand wheels, screws, and carriages all arranged substantially in the
manner described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
WAUGH & CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.