US3514795A

US3514795A - Hospital bed

Info

Publication number: US3514795A
Application number: US641511A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harriet B Howes Beeman
Original assignee: HARRIET B HOWES BEEMAN
Current assignee: HARRIET B HOWES BEEMAN
Priority date: 1967-05-26
Filing date: 1967-05-26
Publication date: 1970-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 1987-06-02

Description

June 2, 1970 H. B. H. BEEMAN 3,514,795

HOSPITAL BED Filed May 26, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fia-J L2 28 0 i 1 7 a 0 i I o v o 6 6 o I b u o f 1 O n INVENTOR/S HARE/Z7 5.,4. BEE/VAN ATTORNEYS June 2, 1970 H. B. H. BEEMAN 3,514,795

HOSPITAL BED Filed May 26. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 \53 Fio. I0

59 lNVENTOR/S f/AR/F/Ef 15.1% 5501M ATTOR NEYS June 2, 1970 H. a. H. BEEMAN HOSPITAL BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fi1ed May 26. 1967 Fio. I7

INVENTOR/S HARRIEF BH. BEEMAN BY gaddr/t, 5% a ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,514,795 HOSPITAL BED Harriet B. Howes Beeman, Norwood, Ohio (4034 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212) Filed May 26, 1967, Ser. No. 641,511 Int. Cl. A47c 21/00 US. Cl. -327 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hospital bed for a patient suffering from a disease or accident affecting large areas of the body comprising a head member, a foot member, and side and top members extending therebetween. Adjustable means on said head, foot, side and top members to which individually adjustable means may be affixed for supporting a patient at unaffected areas of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of invention The invention relates to a hospital bed, and more particularly to a bed for patients suffering from severe burns, abrasions, dermatitis or the like.

Description of the prior art Heretofore, patients suffering from a disease or accident affecting large areas of the body (such as burns or the like), have been forced to lie on portions at least of the affected skin areas while confined to their beds. A number of measures were usually taken in an attempt to prevent permanent damage to the affected skin areas and avoid infection thereof. These measures included periodic turning of the patent, the provision of sterile sheets, and the like. Nevertheless, these measures were frequently unsuccessful and caused great discomfort to the patient.

Even in severe burn cases, there are certain parts of the body such as the feet, groin and the armpits which are less affected. The present invention provides a hospital bed wherein a patient suffering from burns or the like may be supported primarily at those areas of the body least affected, the remaining areas of the body being free from contact with the bed. The bed has a plurality of support means which may be positioned wherever needed. The bed and support means may be readily adjusted to the needs of an individual patient, and may be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Summary of the invention The hospital bed of the present invention comprises a head member and a foot member, joined together by side members. Both the head and foot members have a plurality of vertical attachment bars afiixed thereto in such a way as to be adjustable in position transversely of the bed. The head and foot members each have a horizontal rail portion which together with the side members form a rectangular frame. The rectangular frame may support a spring and mattress assembly, or it may support a plurality of transversely or longitudinally extending horizontal attachment bars. The last mentioned attachment bars are adjustable in position, and they and the vertical attachment bars (in the head and foot members) may have afiixed thereto a plurality of patient supporting devices. The patient supporting devices may themselves be adjustable and may be removably attached to the attachment bars in any desired location.

The bed may also be provided with an overhead frame work, preferably affixed to the head and foot members, or the side members, in such a way as to be adjustable vertically. The overhead framework is capable of supporting 3,514,795 Patented June 2, 1970 a plurality of overhead attachment bars extending transversely or longitudinally of the bed and adjustable in position. A plurality of patient supporting devices may be removably attached to and suspended from the overhead attachment bars in any desired position.

The patient supporting devices for use with the bed of .the present invention may be many and varied. The invention particularly contemplates the use of mouth rest, chin rest, foot, groin and armpit supports. These supports are adjustable with respect to their positioning on and attachment to the bed structure itself. In addition, they are individually adjustable, particularly with respect to the orientation of those portions of the supports which contact the patients body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the head member of the bed of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another way of affixing the vertical attachment bars to thehead member.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the foot member of the bed of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bed of the present invention illustrating the provision of overhead attachment bars.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the section line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and illustrates one mode of attachment of an overhead bar to the overhead bar frame.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6, and illustrates another mode of attachment of an overhead bar to the overhead bar frame.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the head member showing an overhead attachment bar affixed thereto.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating an exemplary support means affixed to a vertical attachment bar.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating another exemplary support means affixed to a vertical attachment bar.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a mouth rest.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a mouth rest illustrating its use.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively plan and side elevational views of a chin and face rest means.

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a pull sheet bar.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a foot, groin and armpit support means.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the section line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Briefly, the bed of the present invention comprises a head member, a foot member and side frame elements extending therebetween. These elements comprise a framework within which the patient is located. These elements are provided with means, adjustable in position, to which various forms of support means are attached. As will be described hereinafter, support means for the patient may extend from below, from above or horizontally from either the head member or the foot member.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the head member, generally indicated at 1, comprises two

vertical elements

2 and 3 with two horizontal elements 4 and 5 extending therebetween. The

vertical elements

2 and 3 may be provided with any suitable foot means such as casters 6 and 7 respectively.

Side frame members

8 and 9 are affixed to the vertical members by any suitable means.

While the material from which the bed of the present invention is made does not constitute a limitation thereon, it will be preferable to make the head member, the foot member and the side frames of metal so as to provide a maximum strength foundation for the various support means to be described hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head member has a plurality of vertical attachment bars 10. The attachment bars 10 are adjustable laterally and may be shifted to and looked in substantially any position between the

vertical members

2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 2 the horizontal elements 4 and of the head member have a channel-shaped cross section. The desired number of attachment bars are captively held in the head member with their ends located in the channel members 4 and 5. The upper channel member 4 has a plurality of evenly spaced perforations passing therethrough and indicated at 11. The lower channel member 5 has a cooperating set of perforations 12. The ends of each attachment bar 10 have perforations coaxial with any of the

perforations

11 and 12 respectively. Thus, an attachment bar 10 may be moved laterally to the desired position and then locked in that position by locking means passing through the

perforations

11 and 12 and coaxial perforations in the attachment bar ends. Any suitable form of locking means may be used, as for example bolts 13 and 14 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates another mode of attachment for the bars 10. In this instance the horizontal elements 4 and 5 of the head member may be solid or hollow, and again have a series of spaced

perforations

11 and 12 respectively. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the vertical attachment bars 10 are aflixed to the outside surface of the horizontal members 4 and 5 by any suitable means such as

bolts

15 and 16.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 has the advantage that the vertical attachment bars 10 are captively held between the horizontal elements of the head member. Any number of attachment bars 10 may be provided but this number will be determined at the time of manufacture since the bars 10 are captive. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, however, the bars 10 are not captive and may be added or removed from the head member as desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary form of foot member for the bed of the present invention. The foot member is similar to the head member and is generally indicated at 17. The foot member comprises a pair of

uprights

18 and 19 joined by a pair of

horizontal elements

20 and 21. Again, the

uprights

18 and 19 may be provided with any suitable form of foot elements such as

casters

22 and 23.

The foot member has a number of vertical attachment bars 24 comparable to the attachment bars 10 of the head member. For purposes of an exemplary showing, four such attachment bars are illustrated, although any number of attachment bars may be provided. The upper horizontal element 20 has a plurality of spaced perforations 25 comparable to the perforations 11 in FIG. 1. Similarly, the lower horizontal element 21 has a plurality of spaced perforations 26 comparable to the perforations 12 in FIG. 1. The vertical attachment bars 24 may be affixed to the

horizontal elements

20 and 21 in any suitable manner including those described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 above. In addition, the foot member 20 may be provided with a centrally located panel 27 for the purpose described hereinafter. The panel 27 may constitute an integral part of the foot member, or it may be firmly affixed to the

horizontal elements

20 and 21 by any suitable means such as bolts 28.

As shown in FIG. 5 the head member 1 and the foot member 17 are joined together by

side frame elements

8 and 9. In addition the head and foot members may be joined by an upper rectangular framework comprising

transverse elements

29 and 30 and

longitudinal elements

31 and 32. The framework has downwardly depending legs 33-36, each attached to one of the

uprights

2, 3, 18 and 19 respectively. The means by which the downwardly depending legs 33-36 are respectively attached to the

uprights

2, 3, 18 and 19 do not constitute a limitation on the present invention. For purposes of an exemplary showing each of the downwardly depending legs is shown as extending through a perforation in the upper end of each of the uprights in a telescoping relationship. Each of the downwardly depending legs is provided with a plurality of spaced perforations shown at 33a-36a respectively. Similarly, each of the uprights has a plurality of spaced

perforations

2a, 3a, 18a and 19a respectively. Attachment means (not shown) such as bolts or the like may be caused to pass through matching ones of the perforations 33a-2a, 34a3a, 35a-18a and 36a-19a respectively. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that by selection of the proper ones of these perforations the upper frame may be adjustable in height with respect to the head and foot members.

The upper framework comprised of elements 2932 is adapted to support a plurality of overhead attachment bars. Again, any number of overhead attachment bars may be provided. The attachment bars may extend longitudinally of the bed between

frame elements

29 and 30. One such longitudinal overhead bar is shown at 37. Alternatively, the overhead attachment bars may extend transversely of the bed between

frame elements

31 and 32. A transverse overhead bar is fragmentarily illustrated at 38'.

Whether the overhead attachment bars extend longitudinally or transversely of the bed, their mode of attachment to their respective frame members may be the same. FIG. 6 illustrates one mode of attachment. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the frame element 30 is shown as a tubular element made of metal and having a rectangular cross section. The element 30 has a plurality of spaced perforations 39. The longitudinally ex tending bar 37 has a perforation 40 at its end. The bar 37 is affixed to the frame element 30 by means of a bolt 41 passing through the

perforations

40 and 39.

FIG. 7 illustrates another mode of attachment of the overhead bars to the frame elements. In this instance the frame element 30 is shown as having a U-shaped cross section. The end of the bar 37 is received within the U- shaped member 30 and the bolt 41 passes through the perforations 39a and 4001.

It is within the scope of the present invention to affix the longitudinally extending overhead bars directly to the head member 1 and the foot member 17. In such an embodiment the head and foot members will be so proportioned that the longitudinally extending overhead bars will lie at an appropriate height.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation of the head member 1 and illustrates an exemplary mode of attachment of the overhead bar 37 thereto. An angle iron member 42 extends along the horizontal head member element 4 and is afiixed thereto by means of rivets or bolts 43. The angle iron 42 has a plurality of spaced perforations one of which is illustrated at 44. The overhead bar 37 is attached to the element 4 by means of a bolt 45 extending through a perforation 46 in the end of the overhead bar 37 and a selected one of the perforations 44 in the angle iron 42. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the foot member 17 may be provided with a similar angle iron member and the other end of the overhead bar 37 may be similarly affixed thereto.

It will be noted that the lower horizontal element 5 of the head member of the bed, the lower horizontal element 21 of the foot member of the bed and the

side members

8 and 9 form a rectangular framework. This rectangular framework may be provided with longitudinally extending attachment bars (one of which is fragmentarily shown at 47) extending between

elements

5 and 21. Similarly, transverse attachment bars may be provided (one of which is fragmentarily shown at 48) extending between

side members

8 and 9. The attachment bars 47 and 48 may be affixed to the bed in any suitable manner such as those illustrated in and described with respect to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

In instances where only a portion of the patients body is affected, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the bed with a conventional spring and mattress assembly (not shown) or a spring and mattress asembly of the type illustrated in US. Letters Patent No. 3,213,469 issued Oct. 26, 1965. A mattress and spring assembly may be supported on the bed in any suitable manner. For purposes of an exemplary showing,

angle iron members

49 and 50 may be affixed to and extend the length of side members 8 and 9 (see FIG. 1). A mattress and spring assembly may be caused to rest on and be supported by the horizontal portions of the

angle irons

49 and 50.

It 'will be noted that the vertical attachment bars 10 and 24 are provided with a plurality of evenly spaced

perforations

10a and 24a respectively. Similarly, the various horizontal attachment bars 37, 3'8, 47 and 48 are also provided with evenly spaced

perforations

37a, 38a, 47a and 48a respectively. Preferably, the spacing of the perforations in all of the attachment bars will be the same, so that a given patient support means may be attached to any of the bars by means of bolts or other suitable fastening devices. It is within the scope of the invention to dispense with the spaced perforations in the attachment bars and provide all of the patient supporting devices with other attachment means such as clamping means frictionally engaging the attachment bars.

FIG. 9 illustrates one form of patient supporting device. The device comprises an elongated hollow body 51 provided with a base 52 having perforations 53 therein suitably spaced to match perforations in an attachment bar. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the patient support device is illustrated as affixed by means of bolts to a vertical attachment bar 10 of the head member 1 of the bed. The bolts 54 pass through the perforations 53 in the base 52 of the patient support device and through perforations 10a in the vertical attachment bar 10 An elongated rod element 55 has a portion lying within the hollow of the body 51 in a telescoping fit, so that the length of the patient support device may be adjusted. Once the proper length has been determined, the rod 55 may be locked in position with respect to the body 51 by any suitable means such as setscrew '56.

The free end of the rod-like element 55 is provided with a supporting structure intended to contact an unaffected portion of the patients body. This contacting support means, shown at 57, is preferably, but not necessarily, universally adjustable so as to be capable of assuming substantially any orientation. Any form of universal joint, capable of being locked in position, may be employed. An exemplary form of universal joint is shown at 58. This exemplary form of universal joint will be more fully described with respect to FIG. 11.

The patient contacting means 57 may have any required shape, as illustrated in FIG. 9, it may have a crescent shape. The element 57 may be padded and covered with a. suitable plastic, rubber or fabric material.

FIG. 10 illustrates another form of support means, similar to that of FIG. 9, and like parts have been given like index numerals. In this instance, the rod-like element 55a differs from the rod-like elements 55 of FIG. 9 only in that it has a 90 bend therein enabling a different positioning of the patient contacting means 57a. It Will be noted that the patient contacting means 57a differs from the means 57 in FIG. 9 only in that an additional amount of padding may be located in the center thereof to form a slight bulge 57b. The shape of the patient contacting element will depend, of course, on the portion of the patients body to be contacted thereby.

While the patient support means of FIGS. 9' and 101 are illustrated as aflixed to vertical attachment bars 10, it will be understood that they may also be afiixed to vertical attachment bars 24, or any of the horizontal attachment bars 37, 38, 47 and 48.

Not infrequently, in severe burn cases and the like, the patients entire head area is affected. In such an instance, the patient will normally be required to rest his head on an affected area which not only retards recovery thereof, but may also cause further damage to the area, increase the possibility of infection and subject the patient to severe discomfort. It has been found that th patients head may be supported by means extending within the patients mouth, the interior of which is often unaifected by burns and the like. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a mouth support bar whereby the patients head is supported by engagement of the bar by the teeth or gums. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the mouth support 59 comprises a somewhat spoon-shaped device which may be suitably padded with plastic, fabric or rubber material. The mouth support should be patterned and sized in accordance with the size and shape of the average mouth. It is within the scope of the invention to provide mouth supports of different sizes or mouth supports adjustable in width and length. In addition, the mouth support may be provided with an integral or adjustable abutment on one or both sides. One such abutment is indicated at 59a. The abutment is adapted to contact the gums or teeth to prevent the support from sliding too far into the mouth.

The support 59 Will normally be suspended from an overhead attachment bar by means of the rod-like member 60. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the rodlike member 60 is illustrated as terminating in a C-shaped element 61 adapted to hook over an overhead attachment bar. The C-shaped element 61 may be provided with a set screw 62 which simply engages and clamps the device on the overhead attachment bar, or which may enter one of the spaced perforations in the overhead attachment bar. Preferably (although not necessarily), the support 59 will be afiixed to the rod-like element 60 means of a universally adjustable joint generally indicated at 63. While the universal joint may be of any suitable type, for purposes of an exemplary illustration it is shown as comprising two parts, a first circular part 63a aflixed to the support 59 and a second circular part 63b affixed to a socket portion 630. The circular parts 63a and 6311 have coaxial perforations adapted to receive a bolt and wing nut assembly 64. The circular parts 63a and 63b may be provided with interdigitating teeth generally indicated at so that when the proper angularity of the support 59 with respect tor the rod-like elements 60 has been achieved, the wing nut and bolt assembly 64 may be tightened and the angularity is both frictionally and mechanically maintained by the action of the interdigitating teeth 65. The socket 630 is adapted to receive the end of the rod-like member 60 and the rod-like element 60 will be frictionally held therein by means of set screw 66. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that such an arrangement will permit a rotational adjustment of the support 59 about the rod-like element 60.

FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the mouth support bar. It will be noted that normally the patients head will lean slightly forwardly and the support bar 59 will be engaged by the patients teeth. The mouth support bar of FIG. 12 differs from that'of FIG. 11 only in that the mouth support 59 is integral with the rod-like element 60' with a permanent and predetermined angular relationship between the two. In the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, the rod-like elements 60 may be so constructed to be adjustable in length. In addition, the elements 60 may be made up of a plurality of short members joined by lockable joint means whereby maximum adjustability of the mouth support may be achieved.

It will further be understood by one skilled in the art that the universal joint shown at 58 in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be the same as that shown at 63 in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are respectively a side elevation and a plan view of a chin and face rest. Such a device will be useful in supporting a patients head in instances where the neck and chin are unaffected by the disease or burn from which the patient suffers. The chin and face rest comprises a U-shaped member 67 which is padded and covered with a suitably soft material such as plastic, fabric, rubber or a combination thereof. The chin and face rest 67 has an arcuate depression in its forward edge to accommodate the patients neck. Preferably, the chin and face rest will taper in such a way as to be thinner at its forward edge. In most instances, the chin and face rest will be suspended from an overhead attachment bar. The chin and face rest is affixed to a rod-like element 69 which may be similar to the rod-like element 60 in FIG. 11 and may be provided with a clamp means such as is shown at 61 in FIG. 11. The chin and face rest is affixed to the rod-like element 67 by means of a universal joint generally indicated at 70. This universal joint may be of any suitable type and is illustrated as being similar to that shown at 63 in FIG. 11. Thus the chin and face rest may assume any desired orientation to comfortably accommodate the neck, chin and face portion of the patients head. In normal usage, the patient will assume somewhat the same position as assumed with the mouth support, in that the upper portion of his body will be erect and perhaps inclined slightly forwardly. In this way, contact with mattress and pillow by the upper part of the patients body and his head may be avoided. Since the forward edge of the chin and face rest is thinner, it is capable or more easily bending and more comfortably accommodating the patients neck and chin. The fact that the rear edge of the chin and face rest is heavier will insure that adequate support will be provided by it.

FIG. 15 illustrates a pull sheet bar. This device comprises a supporting bar 71 provided with an open stirrupshaped element 72 at its end. Two or more devices of the type illustrated in FIG. 15 are intended to be suspended, in spaced relationship, from overhead attachment bars. Ordinary bed sheets or other suitable means may be passed through the stirrup-shaped means 72 on the spaced devices so as to form sling-like means for supporting various portions of the patients body. The ends of the sheet may be affixed directly to the elements 72, or may be otherwise appropriately anchored.

The device of FIG. 15 may be attached to an overhead attachment bar by means similar to that illustrated at 61 in FIG. 11. For purposes of an exemplary showing, however, the device of FIG. 15 is illustrated as being pro-. vided with an alternative attachment means. In this instance, the bar 71 is surmounted by an open rectangular element 73, the interior dimensions of which are such as to permit the passage therethrough of an overhead attachment bar. The element 73 may further be provided with a set screw 74 whereby to clamp the device to the overhead attachment bar. In instances where the overhead attachment bar is provided with a plurality of spaced perforations, the set screw 74 may be caused to enter an appropraite one of the perforations.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that any patient supporting device intended to be suspended from an overhead attachment bar may be provided with attachment means of any suitable type including attachment means 61 (FIG. 11) or attachment means 73 (FIG. 15). An attachment means of the type shown in FIG. 11 will permit placement of a support means anywhere on a previously positioned overhead attachment bar. The attachment means 73 of FIG. 15 requires removal of the overhead attachment bar so that it may be passed through the opening in the element 73. Once this has been accomplished, however, the device is captively located on the 8 overhead attachment bar when the overhead attachment bar has been affixed to the hospital bed.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate foot-groin-axillary patient support means for use when a patients legs are affected by accident or disease.

The device comprises a bar or brace means having a shaft 76 affixed thereto. The shaft 76 passes through a perforation provided with suitable bearing means 77 in the panel 27 affixed to the foot portion 17 of the bed. The outer end of the shaft has affixed thereto a wheel 78 or other suitable gripping means.

The brace 75 has attached thereto a plurality of elongated patient supporting devices. While the invention is not so limited, four such patient supporting devices are generally indicated at 79-82.

While it is within the scope of the invention that each of the patient supporting devices be integral structures, it is preferable that each of them be made up of separate sections. The number of sections does not constitute a limitation on the present invention, but for purposes of an exemplary showing the

patient supporting devices

79 and 82 are illustrated as made up of three sections each as indicated respectively at 79a79c and 82a-8Zc.

Patient supporting devices

80 and 81 are each illustrated as made up of two sections, 80a and 80b and 81a and 81b respectively.

The individual sections of each patient supporting device are joined together in endwise relationship by any suitable form of lock-hinge means. For purposes of an exemplary showing, lock-hinge means of the type shown at 63a63b in FIG. 11 are illustrated at 83 in FIG. 16. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide additional hinge means (not shown) at the junctures of the patient support devices 79-82 and the brace 75. The

devices

79 and 82 are adapted to support the patient at the axillary regions of the body. For this reason, the outermost ends of

devices

79 and 82 may be provided with patient contacting means 84 similar to the means 57a57b of FIG. 10. The patient contacting means 84 may be affixed to

devices

79 and 82 by universally adjustable hinge means 85 similar to the means 58 in FIG. 11.

The

devices

80 and 81 are adapted to support the patient in the region of the groin. These devices may terminate in patient contacting means 86 similar to that shown at 57 in FIG. 9. In this instance, however, the patient contacting means 86 are .preferably so configured as to have their concave surfaces facing away from each other so as to properly fit the body area being supported thereby. Again, the patient contacting means 86 may be afiixed to the

devices

80 and 81 by universally adjustable means 85. In addition, the

devices

80 and 81 may be so located and oriented as to cup and support the entire buttock region.

Finally, the structure of FIGS. 16 and 17 may include foot rest means 87 and 88 affixed to the brace 75 in any suitable manner. The foot rests 87 and 88 may each be made up of two parts 87a-87b and 88a-88b respectively, and provided with elongated slots illustrated at 87c and 880 so that each foot rest is adjustable both as to size and as to vertical position. The foot rests may be provided with suitable padding (not shown).

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the apparatus of FIGS. 16 and 17 will permit support of a patient at the axillary, groin and foot areas only. These areas are normally the areas least affected in burn cases and the like. In use, additional support will normally be required for elements 7982. Such additional support may be provided by a plurality of ordinary jack means extending upwardly from the floor. For purposes of an exemplary showing, one such jack means is illustrated at 89.

Further support means in conjunction with the footgroin-axillary device of FIGS. 16 and 17 may be provided in the form of straps aflixed to and extending between any desired ones of the elongated elements 7982. The straps will pass under and support unaffected areas of the patients body. One such strap is indicated at 90 in FIG. 16.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide jack means (of the type shown at 89 in FIG. 16) with patient supporting and contacting devices. Jacks so provided may be placed beneath unaffected areas of the patients body whereby those areas may be supported directly from the surface upon which the bed rests.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit of it. It will be understood from the above description that the bed of the present invention is capable of providing a framework surrounding the patient. The framework is capable of maintaining any number of suitable patient supporting devices from substantially any angle so that the patient may be supported substantially entirely at those areas of the body which are unaffected by accident or disease. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the use only of those patient supporting devices described herein. The bed does provide, however, a plurality of adjustable attachment bars from which any suitable patient supporting device may extend. For example, patient supporting devices of the general construction shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be used to support arm and leg shell devices of well known character. It is further within the scope of the invention to provide the bed with side frames carrying a plurality of vertical attachment bars to which patient supporting devices may be affixed. While circumstances might dictate the use of such side frames, normally they would limit access to the patient. It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide the bed with any suitable form of bedpan facility, including that described with respect to the above mentioned US. patent.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A hospital bed for patients suffering from disease and accidents affecting large areas of their bodies, said bed comprising a framework surrounding a patient, said framework comprising a head member, a foot member and side members attached to and extending between said head and foot members, said head and foot members each comprising a pair of vertical legs having spaced upper, lower and horizontal frame elements attached to and extending between said legs, vertical and horizontal rectilinear attachment bars affixed to said frame work, patient supporting means adjustably affixed to said vertical and horizontal attachment bars for supporting a patient at unaffected areas of the body.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein one at least of said patient supporting means comprises an elongated member, means at one end of said member for affixing it to said attachment means, means at the other end of said elongated member for contacting a portion of a patients body.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 including additional patient supporting means comprising jack means located beneath said bed and Within said framework, said jack means being vertically oriented and vertically extensible.

4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein some at least of said vertical attachment bars are affixed to and extend between said horizontal upper and lower frame elements of said head member, said last mentioned attachment bars being adjustable in position along said horizontal frame elements in a direction transverse the long aXis of said bed.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein some at least of said vertical attachment bars are afiixed to and extend between said horizontal upper and lower frame elements of said foot member, said last mentioned attachment bars being adjustable in position along said horizontal frame elements in a direction transverse the long axis of said bed.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein some at least of said horizontal attachment bars are affixed to and extend between said lower horizontal frame elements of said head and foot members and are adjustable in position therealong in a direction transverse the long axis of said bed.

7. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein some at least of said horizontal attachment bars are afiixed to and extend between said side members of said bed and are adjustable in position therealong in a direction along the long axis of said bed.

8. The structure claimed in claim 1 including a rectangular framework, means for affixing said framework to said head and foot members of said bed, said framework lying in a horizontal plane above said bed, some at least of said attachment means comprising horizontal attachment bars aflixed to said framework.

9. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein one at least of said patient supporting means comprises a brace pivotally aflixed to said foot member and extending transversely of the long axis of said bed, four elongated members affixed to said brace and extending toward said head member, said elongated members terminating in patient contacting devices, two of said patient contacting devices adapted to contact the axillary regions, two of said contacting devices adapted to contact a central body region, and foot rest means aflixed to said brace.

10. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said elongated member is adjustable in length.

11. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said patient contacting means is universally adjustable with respect to said elongated member.

12. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said patient contacting means is crescent shaped, having a padded substantially concave supporting surface.

13. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said patient contacting means is a padded member with an arcuate depression so that said member has a substantially U-shaped configuration, said depression being so configured as to receive a portion of the patients neck with the upper surface of said padded member supporting the patients chin.

14. The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said patient contacting means comprises a mouth support adapted to be inserted in the patients mouth whereby the patients head and upper body may be supported.

15. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said jack means terminate at their uppermost ends in patient contacting means.

16. The structure claimed in claim 8 wherein said iratlmework is adjustable in height with respect to said I e 17. The structure claimed in claim 9 including straps extending between selected ones of said four elongated members, said straps adapted to pass beneath and support unaffected areas of the patients body.

18. A hospital bed for patients suffering from diseases and accidents affecting large areas of their bodies, said bed comprising a framework surrounding a patient, attachment means in association with said framework, patient supporting means adjustably affixed to said attachment means for supporting a patient at unaffected areas of the body, said framework comprising a head member, a foot member and side member-s attached to said head and foot members, said attachment means comprising vertical and horizontal rectilinear attachment bars, certain of said vertical attachment bars being affixed to and laterally adjustable with respect to said head member, certain of said vertical attachment bars being afiixed to and laterally adjustable with respect to said foot member, and means for supporting certain at least of said horizontal attachment bars in a horizontal plane above said head and foot members.

19. A support means for patients sufiering from diseases and accidents affecting large areas of the body, said support means comprising an elongated member, means at one end of said member for holding said member in vertical and horizontal positions, means at the other end of said elongated member for contacting a portion of a patients body said patient contacting means comprising a mouth support adapted to be inserted in the patients mouth whereby the patients head and upper body may be supported.

20. The structure claimed in claim 19 wherein said mouth support is adjustable in length and width and has an abutment thereon for contacting the patients teeth whereby to limit the extent to which the mouth support may be inserted within the patients mouth.

21. The structure claimed in claim 19 wherein said elongated member comprises a plurality of sections joined in endwise relationship by lockable hinge means whereby said mouth support may assume any desired orientation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.