US1297088A - Adjustable back-rest. - Google Patents

Description

H. E. BUTLER.

ADJUSTABLE BACK REST.

APPLICAIION F1150 SEPT-2h 1911.

1,297,088. Patented Mar. 11,1919.

Fig.2.

Invenforw Henry E..BUIT,

H115 ACfbrney.

HENRY E. BUTLER, OF SCHENEGTADY, NEW YORK.

ADJUSTABLE BACK-REST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

Application filed September 21, 1917. Serial No. 192,448.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. BUTLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Back-Rests, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to adjustable back rests or supports and while of general application is more especially intended for use in hospitals and sick rooms where the sanitary requirements are very rigid.

The present invention is an improvement over the construction shown in my prior Patent No. 1,003,982, dated September 26, 1911. In the use of the patented constructionit is customary either to place a pillow or one end of a mattress between the open metal frame of the back rest and the body of the user or else to slip a canvas covering over the adjustable back frame to form a support. For most cases the above arrangements are entirely satisfactory. For hospital use particularly where the danger of contagion is always present it is, however, undesirable to use canvas coverings because they must be washed which is a substantial item of expense and because it takes time to remove and replace them. Further, it is not always desirable or possible to raise one end of the mattress when the patient desires to occupy a reclining position.

To meet the conditions referred to, I construct the entire device out of metal so that it can be easily cleaned or sterilized. The adjustable back instead of being an open rectangular frame as before is provided with intermediate members which are elastic or yielding and which in service conform more or less closely to the body of the user. The arrangement of these members is such that they are capable of yielding by different amounts at different places.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and claims appended thereto.

In Figure 1 of the drawing is shown in perspective an adjustable back rest embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 shows a slight modification.

The base portion 1 is rectangular in outline and composed of a single iece of metal rod, the abutting ends of 'w ich are Welded together to make a firm support.

It is best to use round rods for the parts because that kind of stock is well suited to the requirements and is easily obtained. In the sides of the base are formed raised projections 2 which act as stops for the adjustable prop 3. The bottom of the prop is provided with two projections 4, one at each end, formed by bending the rod back on itself for a short distance. These projections extend beyond the side members of the base 1 and prevent sidewise movement and in this manner hold the back securely in place. The free ends of the prop have hooks 5 which pass through eyes in the adjustable back portion 6. The ends may be so arranged that they tend to spring outward slightly in order to retain their positions, or the hooks may be closed sufficiently after assembling to hold the parts in place.

The adjustable back ortion of the structure comprises two si e members and 8 which have eyes 9 to receive the hooks of the prop. Between the side members and occupying'the same plane is a plurality of intermediate members 10 which are connected to each other and to the side members, some at the top and the others at the bottom, by cross pieces 11. All of these members possess a certain amount of elasticity so that as the person leans back on them they yield rearwardly to the desired extent.

It is important to havethe side and and intermediate members in the same plane without crossing one part on the othersince this avoids. all lumps or projections that would interfere with the comfort of the user. Furthermore, the grid arrangement with the zig-zag end connections gives a greater degree of resiliency and support than is possible with other constructions for the same amount of material. The grid arrangement 11180 has the advantage that the entire back port-ion can be made of one piece of small rod stock without joint of any kind. The degree of resiliency will at once be appreciated when it is considered that each loop of the grid,.comprising two parallel members and a cross piece, is supported at one end only. The number of intermediate members can be changed to suit the requirements, but I have found in practice that the number shown is satisfactory. have also found the parallel arrangement of members to be the best since it gives the ber.

proper spacing and also avoids making too sharp turns at the corners. The members should extend well down to the base and also a sutlicient distance above the prop to afford proper support for the user.

Owing to the zig-zag or grid construction,

one end may yield more than the other or the center may yield more than the ends depending on which point the greatest amount of pressure is applied. It is due to this an rangement that the parts of the back portion conform substantially to the body of the user. lt may or may not be necessary to use a pad, sheet or other covering when the device is in use; this will depend upon circumstances. In any event whatever is usedmay be easily and quickly removed as it forms no part of the device, and the device itself may be easily sterilized.

The lower ends of the side members 7 and 8 have eyes 12 which encircle the front of the base 1 and form a hinge uniting said parts. When the prop is swung rearwardly out of engagementwith the projections 2 the rest as a whole may be folded flat which is a great convenience for obvious reasons.

In some cases it is desirable to have an even greater elasticity for the back portion than is practical with the arrangement described. To meet this condition, the prop has one or more turns 13 in each side mem- The amount of elasticity will be varied to suit conditions. Further, the spring may be made in a variety of ways, that shown being the simplest to form. However, the spring is formed it should be arranged to permit the back portion of the rest to move gently up and down about the front rod of the base 1 as a'pivot.

in Fig. :2 is shown a slight modification of the grid construction. The cross-pieces l-i instead of being straight as in Fig. 1 are curved to form semi-circles. T he advantage y of this construction resides in the fact that it involves a single large bend instead of two small ones, and thus simplifies the manufacture. It also reduces the danger of breaking due to stresses from any cause.

l have described the material of which the rest is made as composed of small rods. Such material is also known under the term heavy wire. The main consideration is to have it strong enough to support its load without being unduly heavy.

It will be evident that my improved construction has the advantage of an elastic back support without the use of any textile material or auxiliary wire mesh, is sanitary, can be folded into a relatively small and. compact space for transportation, is not liable to be injured, and reduces expense in use by not requiring things which have to be washed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A device of the character described comprising a base portion having notched side members and a prop arranged to engage the notches, in combination with an adjustable back portion heldby the prop and having side members which are hinged to the front of the base and intermediate members-which are alternately connected to each other at the top and bottom only to form an open elastic grid, the end members of said grid being united to the side members so that the members of the grid can yield individually under pressure.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of an unjointed rectangular base portion, the sides of which have notches, an adjustable back portion hinged to the forward end of the base which comprises side members which have eyes to receive a prop, and a plurality of intermediate members arranged side by side in the same plane with independent cross pieces which unite the ends of the intermediates and also unites them and the side members, said cross pieces and members forming a zig-zag elastic structure, and a prop having loops which enter the eyes in the side members and engage the projections on the base.

3. device of the character described comprising a base portion having notched side members, an adjustable back portion hinged to the front of the base and provided with eyes, in combination with U-shaped prop formed of metal which is hinged in the eyes of the-side members of the back portion, rests in notches in the base, and is provided with springs in the side members thereof to permit said back portion to yield to a limited extent.

in witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of September, 1917.

HENRY E. BUTLER

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