US254265A

US254265A - Elastic water-bed

Info

Publication number: US254265A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1882-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1899-02-28

Description

(No Model.)

Blobm.

ELASTIG WATER BED.

Patented Feb. 28.1882.

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N. PETERS. Phowmmcgmpher. Wasningmn, 0.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

EDWIN J. BONE, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELASTIC WATER-BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,265, dated February 28, 1882l Application filed December 17, 1881.

I'o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN JAMES BONE, a subject of Great Britain, residing at South Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Elastic Water-Bed, of which the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to the manufacture of elastic water-beds for the use of invalids, which l are constructed of rubber cloth or other thin elastic material.

The elastic water-bed is made in the shape of an ordinary mattress, and requires to be filled with water cr with water and air combined, and when so filled it aEords a perfectly level and elastic surface, which is maintained by the support of the water; and the object of my invention is to producea perfectly softand elastic bed for invalids, dispensing with all springs and mattresses, and as the body lying on the bed is virtually lying upon the water it neutralizes the pressure upon any particular part, and thus offers the most favorable conditions for the repose and comfort of the patient, preventing the evil effects of long confinement to bed, in the form of bedsores, 8vo., and owing to its susceptibility to pressure it affords great assistance to the patient in changing his position in bed. It also affords a ready and direct means of changing the temperature whenever the patients condition requires it.

The accompanying drawings show the construction of the bed.

Figure 1 is an exterior' perspective view of the elastic water-bed when filled with water. A is the inlet with flexible tube and funnel attachment, through which the water or air is supplied, and it is Aclosed by means of a metal screwcap. B is the outlet, to which is attached any required length of tube to carry off the Water when emptying the bed or changingthe temperature. The outlet is also closed with a metal screw-cap. In the internalarran gement of the cells I propose to make use of both of the methods described in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig.2 shows the internal construction of the bed, which consists of cells or divisions of thin rubber cloth, which run transversely and are attached to the upper and under parts of the bed, as shown in Fig. 4,-and extend to within a short space of the outer edges, which are left (No model.)

o pen for the free passage of the water on either s1 e.

Fig. 3 shows another arrangement of the cells or divisions, which also run transversely, but are attached on alternate sides of the bed, the opposite end being cut olf a short distance from the side of the bed. Bythis arrangement a more perfect circulation of water is obtained, which is of great utility ,when change of temperature is required.

Fig. 4 is a side section, showing the cells when filled. They are attached to the top and bottom of the bed, as shown, and when the bed is empty the divisions fold over, allowing the top to collapse for folding the bed up.

The elastic water-bedis madeof thin rubber, rubber cloth, or other elastic water-proof material, and the cells or divisions are made of the same material. l The bed is made in the shape and proportions of ordinary beds or mattresses, and the seams or edges are rmly. cemented, woven, or otherwise securely joined.

The bed, when required for use, must be placed on an ordinary bedstead with a smooth, firm bottom,and when filled with water at any requisite temperature, or nearly fllled with water and then sufficiently inflated with air, and covered with a sheet or thin blanket,itis ready for itsoccupant, requiring no springs or other mattress, but forming in itself a perfectly soft, agreeable, and elastic bed, free from all feeling of hardness or lumps,and giving such uniform support to every part of the body,without any undue pressure, that even the most emaciated person cap lie upon it for extended periods without contracting bed-sores, &c.; and it also gives the most perfect support for patients suffering from fracturedlimbs, &c.,doing away with the jarring incidental to the ordinary bed and springs.

The cells or divisions running transversely afford a fulcrum to assist the patient in Inoving in bed, and they assist to keep the bed in shape when filled, and also prevent any perceptible displacement of water by the movements of the patient, and this is still further prevented by forcing in a small quantity of air with the bellows after the bed is nearly filled with water.

The temperature of the bed can be readily changed at any time, without disturbing the palOO visions. which are inflated by filling the beds, 85e., with Water orwith water and air combined,

as described in the specication and shown on 15 the drawings.

2. An improved and direct means of circulating Water through the beds and rapidly changing the temperature, as set forth iu specication.

EDWIN JAMES BONE.

Wvitnesses:

GEO. A. PRATT, ROBERT PROVAN.