Specification of George Robinson : invalid's bed.

  • Robinson, George.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of George Robinson : invalid's bed. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Robinsons Improved Invalid's Red. bearings, and at each corner of the under side of the bed I fix pullies, which receive motion as the said longitudinal or transverse shaft revolves, by means of straps, belts, ropes, cords, chains, or other suitable contrivance, connecting the drums on the shaft with the pullies at the under side corners of the bed. I also fix other corresponding pullies near the top of each of the four posts, but 5 if there are no posts I fix them to the ceiling of the room to bearings erected for the purpose, or any other convenient manner or position, and form a com¬ munication with these pullies from those at the corners of the under side of the bed by means of straps, belts, ropes, cords, or chains. I fix at the side or foot of the bed a wheel and pinion with pall and rack, or ratchet wheel and catch, 10 scroll, and wheel, lever, screw, or any other means to obtain the necessary power or purchase. Now, it will be evident that when the wheel on the end of the longitudinal shaft is turned, either by an attendant or the patient, it will give motion to the various pullies, and raise the sling or hammock with the patient on it in a horizontal position completely off the bed with the bed 15 clothes over him, and thus allow the attendant to shake down and air the bed. For the purpose of evacuating the bowels, I make a hole or opening in the said sling or hammock, and fasten a slip or flap of the same material to one side of the framework, and bring it under the sling, so as to cover the said hole or opening, and attach it to the other side of the framework by straps 20 and buckles, hooks, buttons, or other suitable contrivance, so that when it is fastened it makes the hammock perfect, or the same as if it had no hole or opening in it; but when loosened, and the patient raised from the bed, any necessary vessel can be placed under him, and removed without the least disturbance or inconvenience. 25 I accomplish the second part of my said improvements by fixing a roller to revolve in suitable bearings behind the head part of the bed, fixed either to the head posts, to vertical pillars, to the wall, or any other convenient position. To this roller I fasten a piece of similar material to that already described for the hammock, of the same width as the bed or hammock, and long enough to 30 reach to the feet or the loins of the patient when lying down. To the other end of this piece of material (which I designate a trunk or sling), I attach a transverse stretcher of wood, metal, rope, or other suitable material to keep it extended, and fasten the same by any convenient means to the top side of the main hammock ; or if my said main hammock is not used, to the under side of 35 the ordinary bed or mattress. To one end of the aforesaid roller I fix a wheel and rack, or other means of obtaining power, and by turning the said wheel the material or trunk sling is wound on the roller and becomes shortened, thus raising the upper part of the body towards an erect position. It is evident