US124260A - Improvement in tables and head-rests for invalids - Google Patents

Description

MARY FITCH.

l'mproven-e'nt in-TabIe--and Head Rests lfor lnvaldsj Pafented March 5,1372,

MARY FITCH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TABLES AND'HEAD-RESTS FOR INVALIDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N o. 124,260, dated March 5, 1872 5 antedated February 24, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

To alt whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY FIToiI, of Wash ington, in the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Table andvHead-Rest for Invalids; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification.

Figure l is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken in the line x x of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the head-rest and its accompanying parts.

A represents the frame of the table and its legs, which may be of the ordinary construction 5 in the drawing, however, the frame is represented as formed of one side and two end pieces, and four legs. Over this frame is placed the top B, which is not fastened thereto. On the inside of the ends of the table are two shafts, a, their bearings being near the upper ends ofthe legs. On the inner ends of each ofthe shafts are bevel-wheels b. On the inside of the rear side piece of the table is a shaft, c, with bearings d d. On the ends of this shaft are bevelwheels e e, which mesh into the bevel-wheels b on the shafts a. To the under side of the top B are secured four vertical racks, j', which mesh into pinions g on the shafts c. The racks slide in the angles formed when the end pieces of z the frame of the table are joined together. On the outer end of each of the shafts a are hand-wheels IL zf, by means of which they are turned. In the top B of the table is a hole, through which the vertical rack C'works. On each side of the. top B are guides, which keep the rack vertical. In the upper end of this rack is an eye, in which a rod, z', is inserted. In front of this rod is the head-rest D, which is connected to the rod t' by a ballandsocket joint, which enables it to be turned in. any desired position'. The rod z' slides in the eye of the rack C, and is held in any desired position by means of a thumb-screw, j. On the under side of the top B and in front of the rack C, is a shaft, k, with suitable bearings which hold it in its position. On this shaft is a pinion, l,

which meshes into the rack C, and on its outer or front end is a hand-wheel, m.

Its operation is as follows: The top B is adjusted t-o any position desired by turning the hand-wheels lijk, which cause the shafts a a and their pinions and bevel-wheels to revolve, thereby raising' or lowering the racks j' with the top B and the head-rest. The height of the head-rest C is adjusted by turning the hand-wheel m. the shaft c are used to insure keeping the top B in a horizontal position.

The object of this invention is to furnish a device by which persons aicted with heart disease, asthma, or any affection of the respiratory organs, may obtain rest and sleep.

It is well known that those who are so unfortunate as to be the victims of any of the diseases above named, are unable to obtain rest or sleep in a recumbent position, and that, for a term of days, and even weeks7 and months7 duration, they are often obliged to sit upright, obtaining no rest or sleep except by placing a chair or some other article of furniture in front of them upon which to support the arms and head. The body is so uncomfortable in this attitude that no refreshing or comfortable rest can be obtained, and the weariness and exhaustion become almost as great a source of torture. as the disease itself. The device herein described obviates these difficulties as far as it is possible for them to be overcome, and enables the patient to repose in the only position the disease will allowr him or her to occupy. The patient, seated in any description of chair, by drawing the ta-ble toward him, so as to accommodate the desired inclination of body, placing' the head in the rest and the arms upon the table, may, after becoming accustomed to it, enjoy hours of refreshing sleep. The top of the table is adjust-able to accommodate the desired position of the arms, and the head-rest is adjustable to give the most comfortable inclination to the head. By sitting in an easy chair, the back sustained by the cushions, and drawing the table' forward, so that the legs take in the varms ofthe chair, the head is firmly supported,

while the body is in nearly an upright position, which is often the only one in which the The bevel-pinions b b e c and` sufferer can breathe; but the mechanism is so constructed as to accommodate any inclination of the body, While the perpendicular rest is set in a ball-and-socket joint, so that the head mayT be changed to a side or front rest Without usingthe hands.

In addition to the comfort and convenience of position afforded by this device, the invalid has the advantage of a free circulation of air. The top of the table may be cushioned, and the head-rest made of any desired size and materia-1, and padded.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Constructing a table for the purpose specified, the top of which is adjustable, as described. Y

2. The combination of the top, frame, and adjustable head-rest, substantially as and for the purposes shown and described.

V MARY FITCH. Witnesses:

E. R. BROWN, G. A. 0. SMITH.

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