Specification of John Alderman : adjustable couches, &c. for invalids.

  • Alderman, John (Of the Manpower Services Commission)
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of John Alderman : adjustable couches, &c. for invalids. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Aldermans Improvements in the Construction of Adjustable Couches, Chairs, said couches, chairs, and other similar articles of furniture to the commodious reception of invalids in the various postures in which it may be desirable for them alternately or permanently to repose, or to be placed with a view to surgical operations, consist in attaching to the lower frame of such articles of 5 furniture a rising frame, divided into two or more portions, connected by joints or hinges, and worked by means of screws and nuts, in such manner that either of the said portions may be gradually elevated or depressed, as it is desired to raise or lower the head, feet, or knees of the invalid, or any parts of the body which are to be operated on. 10 But in order that these my said improvements may be more fully under¬ stood and readily carried into effect, I will now proceed to describe them by the aid of the accompanying Drawings, reference being had to the letters and figures thereon marked (that is to say):— Fig. 1, Sheet 1, represents a sectional side elevation of an improved invalid 15 couch; Fig. 2, an end elevation, with the foot end elevated, for the purpose of showing the diagonal motion links and levers, for elevating and depressing the different parts of the couch; Fig. 3, a plan view of the top or rising frame of the couch, with the mattress removed; Fig. 4, an underneath view thereof, with a slight modification of the tightening stays or straps, for the insertion 20 of a pan for the convenience of the patient; Fig. 5, a sectional side elevation of a couch, showing a modification of the several parts for giving motion to the upper frame; Fig. 6, a detached view of one of the arms of the said couch, showing the joints and centres upon which it works in connection with the rising frame; and Fig. 7, an end elevation of a bedstead for suspending the 25 mattress, bed, or sheet, so that the patient or invalid may be raised or lowered to enable the bed to be made, or the patient to be placed in any posture for surgical examination or operation. Figs. 8, 9, and 10, Sheet 2, represent different positions in which the couch may be adjusted for the comfort or ease of the invalid or for surgical purposes; 30 Fig. 11, a side view of a couch, partly in perspective, showing a nut and screw movement for giving a backward and forward motion to the rising frame; Fig. 12, an adjustable chair, furnished with the diagonal link and lever motion, as employed in the couch; and Fig. 13, an easy chair, furnished with folding side lever handles, for the purpose of carrying a person up and down stairs, as 35 represented detached at Fig. 14. In each Figure the same letters of reference denote similar corresponding parts, a, a, frame of couch; b, b, rising frame ; c, c, bands or straps upon which the mattress is placed; d, d, longitudinal straps ; e, e, buckles for tightening or slackening the said straps as required; f /, elastic band of india-rubber or otherwise, to which the ends of the said