US54533A

US54533A - Improvement in invalid-bedsteads

Info

Publication number: US54533A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1866-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 1883-05-08

Description

PATENT OFFICE.

PETER W. HARDWIOK, OF WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID-BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 54,533, dated May 8,1866.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER W. HARDWIGK, of the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Beds for Invalids 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ot the same, reference being had to the drawings which accompany this application and form a part of the same, and to the letters ot' reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in providing the upper portion of the bedstead with a counter-balance turning upon pivots in the side rails thereof, by means ot' which the patient may change the position of the upper portion ot' the body from a horizontal to a perpendicular posture at will.

It further consists in an arrangement ofthe bed and bedding` in such a manner as that the calls ot' nature may be answered by the patient without being removed from the bed.

' To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my improvement, I will proceed to describe the same.

In the drawings, Figure l represents the mattress and bedding arranged for use. Fig. 2 represents the bedstead, showing the upper portion ot' the bottom thrown up by the operation of the counter-balance.

In Fig. l, f represents a mattress having a round opening in the center, into which is titted a metallic tube or thimble, c, provided with a water-proof collar, fitting the same closely. d is a water-proof pad, intended to cover the opening in the mattress after the tube c is removed, and is overlaid by the flap e of the sheet a.

In Fig. 2, A represents a bedstead of the ordinary construction, the lower end of which is provided with cross-slats of the ordinary kind. C is a cross-piece resting upon the side rails,

provided with a circular opening, D, which in size and position corresponds with the tube c in Fig. 1. Immediately under the opening D is a shelf', E, suspended from the cross-piece C by bearings l, 2, 3, and 4.

B is an independent frame, the upper portion of which is tted with cross-slats in ,the common form, andthe lower portion is provided with boxes or receptacles uponeither side to receive the counterbalancing-weights.

The frame B is attached to the side rails of the bedstead by bolts or pins, upon which it turns from a horizontal to a perpendicular position, and vice versa.

F is a catch' or fastening, attached to the bedstead to hold the frame B in a horizontal position when desired.

G is an upright standard, tted into the footrail ofthe bedstead, provided with an arm, H, and a Candlestick upon its top, (marked I.) The top ot' the Candlestick I is provided with a concave rest, t, which serves as a stand for a lamp. The arm H supports a table, J, which may be used for the deposit of food or medicine, and may be turned to or from the patient at will, and may also be raised or lowered by means ofthe screw on the standard G.

The counterbalancing-weights may be increased or diminished to adjust them to the weight of various patients, and when not required by sickness the bedstead and bedding may be freely used as any other would be.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The independent frame B, with its counterbalancing attachment.

PETER W. HARDWIOK.

Witnesses:

J. B. CLARK, WM. F. DENNIs.-