Specification of Andrew Kurtz : invalid beds and couches.

  • Ball, Ancell.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Andrew Kurtz : invalid beds and couches. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/18 (page 7)
    10 15 20 25 30 35 Specification. A.D. 1871.—N” 3305. 7 Ball's Improvements in Invalid Beds and Couches. there is a pin or journal a, a, secured to the centre portion of the head and foot boards C and respectively, the said journals forming the axis of revolution of the bed, as shewn by the dotted outline of the foot board in a different position at Figure 2. Although shewn as revolving on a longitudinal axis, or with the patient horizontal, it is obvious that the bed may be made to turn over or reverse on a transverse axis, thereby bringing the patient into a vertical position whilst in the act of being reversed. In this latter modification the legs or supports of the bed should be made telescopic, so as to admit of their being lengthened sufficiently to allow of the ends of the revolving part clearing the floor. A sliding bolt or pair of bolts b, b, fitted to the head and foot stand- ards A, and engaging into one or other of a series of holes c, c, made in a metal ring d secured to the outsides of the head and foot boards serve to fix or maintain the bed in any desired position or angle. Or in lieu of the rings d metal studs may be fitted into the head and foot boards. The lower or main supporting frame D, which carries the set of “dorsal” mattresses E (herein-after more fully referred to), is secured to the head and foot boards by bolts e, e. Figures 6, 7, and 8 which engage into holes made to receive them in the projecting ribs /, /, secured to or formed on each side of the inner faces of the head and foot boards at or near their opposite edges. This frame D consists partly of wood or metal framing, and partly of the usual webbing or bands g. Its central portion is composed of separate parts, which although lying flush with the general surface when in their normal position, are so hinged or jointed as to be capable of forming special supports for the back and legs. F is a support made adjustable on hinges at h for sustaining the back of the patient at any desired angle, the said support being propped up at any angle by one or other of the two pairs of props i, I, (Figure 8) according to the amount of elevation required), which engage into the fixed ratchet teeth k formed on or attached to the framing E. A spring latch bolt I released by drawing either of the cords m secured thereto serves to secure the support F in its normal position, that is, when resting on the ledge m} by engaging into a hole at V- in the end of the frame D, the said bolt being thus withdrawn without disturbing the patient or the mattress when it is required to elevate the back support. G is another support jointed at n to the intermediate piece H, which is hinged at o to the piece I, hinged at p to the main frame D. The object of the parts G, H, and I is when elevated into the position shewn by dotted lines at Figure 8 to form a gout rest for the