US2324619A - Bed comforter - Google Patents

Description

July 20 1943. M. DU-NN 2,324,619

BED COMFORTER Filed Jan. 17, 1942 Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OF E 7 BED COMFORTER Maude am, Birmingham, Ala.

Application January 17, 1942, Serial No. 427,167

3 Claims.

This invention relates toja bed comforter, and it i a particular object. of the invention to provide an article of this kind for making more comfortable paralytic and other bed-ridden patients.

It is also an, objectof the invention to provide an .article of this kind which, serves as a lifter whereby the patient may be raised as required.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article of this kind of an inflatable type and which, when inflated, affords comfort to the patient and' which,.when deflated, provides protection for the mattress.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article of this kind whereby comfortable support is provided for the legs of the patient and to maintain the feet of a polio patient in a rigid ment of my invention and in appliedposition, the

coacting mattress being diagrammatically indicated by broken lines; 1

ginalportion of the sheet I. tudinal margin of the bag 2 is provided with the pervious to moisture and air. This bag 2, in the present embodiment of my invention, is substantially rectangular in form and of desired length. i

and has its outer longitudinal 'marginal portion suitably secured therealong to an adjacent mar- The inner longispaced extensions 13 which are also expansible and in communication with the member or bag 2.

Th bag 2is entirelyfre of connection with the v sheet I except; along the outer longitudinal margin of the inflatablemember or bag 2 and the side and outer endmargins of theextensions 3 are also free of connectionwiththe sheet I. The extensions 3, at their transverse centers, are suitably secured or anchored to the sheet I along a line extending lengthwise thereof,- as at a.

The extensions 3 serve as leg supports and the outer end portions of these extensions 3 are provided with the upstanding hollow foot members 4 possessing sufficient stiffness when the member 1 or bag 2 and the extensions 3 are inflated to Figure 2'is a view in top plan of thedevice as' herein disclosed unapplied;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is. a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2; i Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 6'B of Figure 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, I denotes a rubber sheet or a sheet of such material impervious to moisture and air. This sheet I is of a size to be disposed in desired position across a mattress M, preferably at the foot portion thereof and below the bed clothing. This sheet I" is maintained in place by tucking the same in the usual manner under the mattress at opposite sides thereof, as illustrated in Figure 1 hold the feet of a polio patient in a stiff upright position. The connection of the outer longitudinal margin of the inflatable member or bag 2 with the sheet I prevents any rolling movement of the member or bag 2 when inflated and which movement is further prevented by the connec- -tion between the extensions 3 and. the sheet I.

, The extensions 3 at their transverse centers are formed to provide the longitudinally disposed depressions 5 in which the legs of the patient are received, said depressions 5 providing 1 means for maintaining the legs in position upon these extensions. The particular manner in which the member or bag 2 and the extensions 3 are constructed forms no particular part of the present invention, other than that the structure of such parts be such as to effectively prevent the escape of air when the member or bag 2 and the extensions 3 are under pressure and, of course, for the duration of inflation.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, one of the leg extensions 3 has a side wall carrying a conventional inflation valve 5 adapted to be coupled to any suitable source of air under pressure when it is desired to inflate the comforter, or more particularly the air compartment afforded by the member or bag 2 and the extensions 3.

In practice, the comforter is placed in proper position upon the mattress, and preferably below the bed covers, with the body portion of the member or bag 2 preferably under the buttocks of the patient and the extensions 3 in position to have the legs of the patient rest thereon. When the comforter is deflated, the same serves as an effective protection to the underlying portion of the mattress, but when the comforter is inflated, the portion of the body of the patient resting thereon will be raised as required, and this is of particular advantage when it is desired to use a bed pan. It is to be noted that the extensions 3 are spaced apart a distance to permit the ready application of a bed pan, yet without causing any discomfort to the patient. It is also to be pointed out that the application and removal of a bed pan or the like is facilitated by having the side and inner marginal portions of the member or bag 2, together with the marginal portions of the extensions 3, free of connection with the sheet I.

It is also to be particularly noted that the foot members 4 provide rigid or stiff supports for the feet of a polio patient so that the feet of the patient will be maintained in desired upright position as is required in connection with polio patients.

It is to be pointed out that in the present embodiment of my invention only a single inflating valve is required, but it is believed to be obvious that if deemed preferable, additional valves may be employed and positioned as preferred.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a bed comforter constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. An article of the class described comprising a main sheet, a substantially rectangular inflatable body imposed thereon, means for securing from end to end the rear marginal portion of the body to the sheet along a marginal portion thereof, said body being otherwise free of connection with the sheet, said inflatable body being provided at the front marginal portion with spaced extensions to provide leg supports, and means for inflating the body, the leg extensions being provided therealong with depressions to receive the legs of a person.

2. An article of the class described comprising a main sheet, a substantially rectangular inflatable body imposed thereon, means for securing from end to end the rear marginal portion of the body to the sheet, said body being otherwise free of connection with the sheet, said inflatable body being provided at the front marginal portion with spaced extensions to provide leg supports, means for inflating the body, and upstanding foot members carried by the outer extremities of the extensions, each of the foot members being a part of and in continuation of a leg support.

3. An article of the class described comprising a main sheet, a substantially rectangular inflat-,

means for securing the extensions at their trans-.

verse centers to the sheet.

MAUDEDUNN;

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