US2713893A - Wheel chair for supporting iron lung - Google Patents

Description

July 26, 1955 R. D. KUHL WHEEL CHAIR FOR SUPPORTING IRON LUNG 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1951 N ER E INVENTOR. F055? 1' l7 Kw/L BY flT TOR/YE K July 26, 1955 R. D. KUHL WHEEL CHAIR FOR SUPPORTING IRON LUNG 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

July 26, 1955 KUHL 2,713,893

WHEEL CHAIR FOR SUPPORTING IRON LUNG Filed Aug. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGS INVEN TOR. EoBERT D. Kwu.

United States Patent "ce WHEEL CHAIR FOR SUPPGRTING IRON LUNG Robert Dale Kohl, Chester, Minn. Application August 24, 1951, Serial No. 243,555 9 Claims. (Cl. 155-488) This invention relates to a wheel chair or a chair for a hospital patient and particularly to a chair constructed and arranged to be occupied by a patient who must use an iron lung.

Heretofore when a patient requiring the use of an iron lung was to be wheeled about the hospital or other place, it was necessary to carry the iron lung apparatus and a battery therefor on a separate vehicle which was moved with and adjacent the chair occupied by the patient. This procedure was troublesome and somewhat difiicult for the nurse or other person propelling the vehicles.

It is an object of this invention to provide a chair for a patient constructed and arranged to conveniently receive the iron lung apparatus and the battery therefor so that the patient can occupy the chair and use the iron lung and at the same time be very conveniently wheeled about.

It is another object of the invention to provide a chair for a patient required to use an iron lung, which chair has a main frame for supporting the chair parts and a pair of wheels for supporting the frame together with a second frame in the rear of said frame constructed and arranged to receive an iron lung apparatus, said first mentioned frame also having a slidable extension adapted to receive a battery for said apparatus.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a chair for a patient required to use an iron lung comprising a frame, a pair of small wheels for supporting said frame, said frame carrying the chair parts together with a second frame preferably at the rear of said frame constructed and arranged to receive and support an iron lung apparatus together with an auxiliary frame adapted to carry a battery for said apparatus, said second frame being supported by one or more wheels adjacent the rear thereof and below the same, said chair having a back swingable to an upper and lower position whereby said chair may be moved under a bed so that the patient can use the iron lung apparatus while it is still on the chair and while the patient is still in bed.

It is more specifically an object of this invention to provide a chair for a patient using an iron lung comprising a tame having spaced side members, chair parts carried by said frame including a seat, a swinging back and a forward extension carrying a foot portion, said frame having a pair of wheels adjacent its forward portion together with a second frame in the rear of said frame constructed and arranged to receive and support an iron lung apparatus, a pair of wheels for supporting said second frame adjacent the rear thereof and below the same, said wheels being respectively movable about vertical axes, a vertically movable handle portion carried in the rear of said second frame, means for holding said handle portion in different positions, means for holding said last mentioned wheels in one position when said handle portion is in a lower position and an auxiliary frame supported by said first mentioned frame and movable forwardly thereof for supporting a battery for said apparatus.

2,713,893 Patented July 26, 1955 These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in different positions, some parts being indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the device showing a modified form;

Fig. 4 is a partial view in front elevation as seen from line 4+4 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a partial view as seen from line 55 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. 1

Referring to the drawings, a device is shown comprising a frame it having laterally spaced substantially horizontal members llla extending longitudinally. In the form shown in Figs. 1' and 2, members are secured at their lower ends in the forward portions of members 10a and extend substantially vertically. Members 161) are sccured to and support bearings 11 in which are journalled axles l2. Axles 12 extend outwardly from the members 1012 and respectively support wheels 1 which support the frame 14). Frame members the extend upwardly from bearings 13 and then extend rearwardly and somewhat downwardly to a point substantially over the rear end of members 10a and said members then extend downwardly and are secured to the rear portions of members lilo. Ears or plates 16 overlie members 190 adjacent their rear portions and extend between members lllc at each side of the frame. Similar bars 17 overlie members 10c adjacent their forward ends and extend between members 19c at each side of the frame. Compression coiled springs 19 rest upon the bars 16 and 17 over each of the members lilc and are engaged at their upper ends by bars 2% and 21 which extend transversely as do the bars 16 and 17. Bars 20 and 21 are secured to the lower side of a seat member 23. Member 23 forms the seat of the chair and said chair comprises a back or back rest 24 having spaced side portions and a transversely extending top portion. Said side portions of back 24 are pivoted at their lower ends by pivots 26 to the rear end portions of seat 23. Said side portions of the back 24 have inwardly offset lower parts 24a to the upper portions of which are pivoted extensible and contractible brace members 27. Members 27 are pivoted at their ends on pivots 28 and at their forward ends on pivots 29, the latter being secured in the sides of seat 23. Said brace members 27 comprise two overlapping parts, one of which carries a headed screw 30 extending through an elongated slot 27a in the other of said members. Another screw 31 is secured to one of said members and extends through slot 27a and is equipped with a clamping nut in the form of a hand wheel 33. Brace member 27 can thus be lengthened or shortened and held in adjusted position by tightening wheel 23. A plate 34 is secured to seat 23 beneath its forward portion and projects some distance forwardly thereof. A plate 35 is secured to the lower side of plate 34 and has a front vertical or straight edge having therein a transverse arcuate slot 35a. One or more bars 37 are pivoted at their rear ends to the front portion of plate 34 by the horizontal pivots 38 and these bars have secured thereto at their forward ends by screws 38, the brackets 49. Brackets 40 have upwardly extending lugs 49a at their front ends between which is pivoted on the pivots 41 a foot rest 42. A bracket 43 is secured to the bottom of bars 37 and has a rear member 43a with a downwardly extending portion adapted to seat in the slot 35a as shown in Fig. 1, to hold the bars 37 and foot rest 32 in a certain position.

Side frame members :4- are secured at their front ends to the forward portions of bearings 11 and from said bearings curve forwardly and upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to positions along side members lilo. Members 44 are secured to members lbs in any suitable manner as by welding. Hand rests or pads 45 are shown as supported on the upper sides of members 44. Brace plates 10d are preferably secured between the rear vertical and top portions of members iiic. Members 19d can be secured in any suitable manner as by welding.

In accordance with the present invention a second frame 46 is provided and comprises laterally spaced horizontal longitudinally extending members 460, which as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be extensions of members We. Frame 46 comprises portions 451) shown as upwardly extending portions of members 46a. A bar 47 extends beneath and between the members 46a and wheel brackets 48 are secured to bars 46a, which brackets carry wheels so rotatable on axes 51. thus wheels 50 are swingable about vertical axes. The frame 46 is constructed and arranged to receive an iron lung apparatus 52 which substantially fits between members 46b and the vertical portions of members 100, the same being supported upon members 461:. Said apparatus is shown as having air tubes 52a which will extend therefrom to the patient. Vertically extending tubular members 53 are secured to the portions 46b in any suitable manner, as by welding. A handle member 54 is provided and while this could take various forms, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, it is shown as of inverted U-shape, the side portions thereof being receivable and slidable in members 53. Member 54 can be held in different positions in members 53 by the set screws 55 shown as equipped with operating hand wheels. The brackets 48 have extending rearwardly therefrom plates 48a. Plates 43a are provided with apertures into which side members of handle 54 can enter when said handle member is in a lowered position. Said handle member 54 can be lowered so that the side members of said handle can contact said wheels 50 and thus act as a braking means to hold said wheels in a given position and prevent movement of the same.

The frame members 10a are of I-beam shape, thus having channels at their inner sides, and these channels form guides for blocks or rollers 56. Blocks or rollers 56 are carried on the sides of flanges 57b bent up from the sides of a plate 57. Rods 58 extend vertically from the front portion of plate 57 and the outer of said rods are connected by a top rod 58a. Diagonal rods 59 extend from the top of rods 58 to said flanges 57b. Plate 57 also has a lug 57:: extending at one side thereof adjacent its rear end adapted to engage a stop member 63 located on the top of one side member 10a. A second stop member 64 is secured to the outer side of one flange 57b and will engage the front end of one of the side members No. Plate 57 is thus slidable in the side members 10a and said plate and the parts carried thereon form an auxiliary frame. Said auxiliary frame is constructed and arranged to receive and support an electrical battery 66 for the iron lung apparatus 52. Said battery is shown as connected to said apparatus by the conductors 61.

In operation, the iron lung apparatus can be placed in the frame 46 and the battery 62 can be supported upon the auxiliary frame having the bottom members 57. When the battery is to be placed in said auxiliary frame the same frame can be moved forwardly so that the battery can be placed therein from the top. The battery can then be moved with the auxiliary frame to the position shown in Fig. 1 if desired, particularly if the extension bars 37 are to be lowered. The patient can now be transferred to the chair and can either sit somewhat upright with the back 24 in a position shown in Fig. 2, or

Brackets 48 and 1.

he can recline with the back in the position shown in Fig. 1. if the back 24 is in the position shown in Fig. l, the person propelling the chair can place his hands on the back 24 and so propel the chair in the usual manner. If the back is raised to the position shown in Fig. 2, the handle member 54 can then be raised and held in its raised position as shown in Fig. 2, and the operator will then place his hands on handle 54 and so propel the chair. The foot rest 42 and extension bars 37 can be moved to different positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This is really not part of the present invention.

In Fig. 3 a modification is shown wherein the front portion of frame 1") is supported upon small wheels 70 carried on axles 71 and brackets '72 which are secured beneath a bar 73 extending between and beneath the side frame members 16a. The brackets 72 and wheels it are swingable about vertical axes. The back 24 will also be constructed so that it can be swung to a substantially horizontal position, otherwise the structure is the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. With the structure shown in Fig. 3, the chair with the iron lung apparatus and battery therein can be moved under a bed and the apparatus 52 connected to the patient in the usual manner while it is still in the chair frame. The apparatus 52 and battery 60 would thus not have to be moved into the chair every time the patient was tc-be wheeled about.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple and yet highly efificient and useful chair for a patient required to use an iron lung. The chair with the iron lung apparatus and battery therein can be conveniently pushed about in the same manner and with no more difficulty or inconvenience than the usual wheel chair. Time is saved in moving an extra vehicle and the great inconvenience of propelling two vehicles is eliminated. With the present arrangement the person such as a nurse, propelling the chair is closely adjacent the patient as in the ordinary wheel chair.

The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice, found to be very successful and elficient, and is being used in actual practice in a hospital.

It will of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A chair for a hospital patient having in combination, a base frame of general rectangular form in vertical and horizontal section and the bottom portion of said frame extending rearwardly for some distance, wheels adjacent the front of said frame and adjacent the rear portion of said extended portion of said frame, a chair seat and back carried on the upper portion of said frame, said back bein swingable about a horizontal pivot to upper and lower positions, members extending vertically in the rear of said front wheels and spaced forwardly of said rear wheels at each side of said frame, a pair of members extending vertically at the rear of said frame at each side thereof adjacent said rear wheels, said pairs of vertically extending members together with said extended portion of said frame forming a compartment adapted to receive the casing of an iron lung apparatus.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, the forward bottom portion of said frame being formed with guideways having facing channels and an auxiliary frame having side and bottom portions, movable in said channels and adapted to hold a battery for an iron lung apparatus and to be moved into a forward position.

3. A chair for a hospital patient having in combination, a frame generally rectangular in vertical and horizontal section having laterally spaced side members having facing channels, wheels adjacent the forward ends of said side members and beneath the same, a chair carried on the upper portion of said frame comprising a seat, a back swingable about a horizontal axis and a forward extension carrying a foot rest, a second frame in the rear of and in the plane of the bottom portion, said first mentioned frame having laterally spaced longitudinally extending substantially horizontal members and laterally spaced vertically extending rear members, said second frame being adapted to support an iron lung apparatus beneath said back when the same is swung to rearward position, a third frame in said channels slidable on said first mentioned frame and movable forwardly thereof adapted to support a battery for said apparatus.

4. A chair for a hospital patient having in combination, a base frame of general rectangular form in vertical and horizontal section and comprising laterally spaced longitudinally extending members, wheels secured to said frame for supporting the same, a chair supported upon the upper portion of said frame and comprising a seat and a back portion pivoted to swing about a horizontal axis, a second frame generally rectangular in plan adjacent said first mentioned frame comprising substantially horizontal members and vertically extending members and wheels adjacent the rear of said second frame, all of said wheels being of comparatively small dimension, said last mentioned wheels being swingable about vertical axes, means disposed in said vertical members and movable to brake said last mentioned wheels, and said second frame being adapted to receive a casing of an iron lung apparatus.

5. A chair for a hospital patient having in combination, a pair of spaced vertically disposed substantially rectangular frames, the lower portions of said frames having facing channels, said frames respectively having portions extending rearwardly for some distance in substantially the same plane as said lower portions and having portions extending upwardly to form a compartment, wheels secured to said frame, and a second frame slidable in said first frame having portions movably disposed in said channels.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, a pair of vertically extending handles secured to the rear portion of said compartment and having portions adapted to be lowered to engage a pair of said wheels to act as a brake therefor.

7. A chair for a hospital patient having in combination, a frame comprising a pair of lower laterally spaced horizontal members, spaced vertical members at the front of said members, wheels secured to the front of said first mentioned members respectively, a pair of laterally spaced side members in vertical planes respectively having lower laterally spaced horizontal portions extending rearwardly from and substantially longitudinally alined with and in substantially the same horizontal plane as said first mentioned members, said side members having rear vertical portions and second vertical portions forwardly of said rear portions, said portions forming a compartment adapted to receive an iron lung device, and Wheels at the rear ends of said horizontal portions respectively.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, said laterally spaced side members extending from the upper ends of said second vertical portions, curving upwardly and forwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to said spaced vertical members respectively.

9. The structure set forth in claim 7, side horizontal members extending from the upper ends of said spaced vertical members rearwardly and being secured respectively to said second vertical portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,277,886 Elliman Sept. 3, 1918 1,739,260 Roe Dec. 10, 1929 1,958,494 Pehrsson May 15, 1934 2,182,915 Connolly Dec. 12, 1939 2,236,089 Ducavich Mar. 25, 1941 2,426,432 Breckner et al Aug. 26, 1947 2,470,258 Mustafa May 17, 1949 2,578,382 Thompson Dec. 11, 1951

Images