US73906A

US73906A - knowlton

Info

Publication number: US73906A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1868-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1885-01-28

Description

@niet mes item1 @new ERNEST- J. KNOWLTGN, OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN.

Letters Patent No. 73,906,M dated January 28, 1868.

' IMPROVEMENT IN BATH-TUBS.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONOERN:

Be it known that I, ERNEST J. KNOWLTON, of Ann Arbor, in the county of Washtenaw, and inthe State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bath-Tubs; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and

to the letters of vreference marked thereon. y

In lthe annexeddrawings, making part of this specification, A represents the frameof my ilexible or pliable bathing-tab, which is', in this instance, composed of six parts, which are hinged together in such a manner that the frame may be folded up, so as to be stowed away in small compass. Whenthis frame is unfolded, and is placed in shape for bathing, it assumes the form of the upper edge of an ordinary bathing-tub, only it is not intended to be made quite as wide. v

The body of this bathing-tub or apparatus is made of oiled silk, or India-rubber cloth, or any other pliant water-proof material which will obviously answer-` the purpose, and is made in the shape of' the ordinary tub, and of any suitable capacity. The edges of the material of which the body is made are secured to the inner edge of the frame A in any substantial manner, and then strips or cleats of metal orwoodrmay be secured over these edges. .At one 'end of th frame an lopening may be left, between it and the body, and a Hap may be left upon the body, so as to conduct the water out of the tub without spilling it, when it is desired to empty it. i To use this bathing-apparatus, onerside of the frame A is secured to the front side of a bedstead, by means of suitable straps or cords, and an adjustable leg is usedA for supporting the other side of the frame.' Water is poured into the exible body, and the person wishing to bathe enters the tub. The flexibility. of the body allows it to accommodate itself to the shape ofthe person, bringing the water in more direct contact with the body oi' said person,

The chief advantages, however, of this tub are that it can be folded up when not in use, and moved out of the way, so that it occupies no space of any account; and, when in use, it requires a much less quantity of water than any other bath-fixtnre, and yet it may be so widely spread as to form a very useful appendage to vany shower-bath, in gathering the scattered particles of falling water.

The bath-tub above described can be advantageously used for chemical bathing, as it will not require any large amount of the medicinal compound to envelope the body of the invalid, and, being portable, by means of its hinged frame and flexible material, is easily folded and stored in the room of a house or hospital.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire' to secure by Letters Patent, is-V The portable frame A, constructed of a series of hinged sections, as specified, and provided with a iiexible bath-apparatus, in the manner and operating substantially as set forth. l

In testimony that I cla-im the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 27th day ofNov'ember, 1867.

ERNEST J. KNOWLTON. [1.. 5.]

Witnesses:

` ZINA P. KING, S. G. TAYLOR.