US2305249A - Invalid supporting device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. l5, 1942. H T, FRosT 2,305,249

INVALID SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed May 7, 1941 l I i 5 "R 7/ A IN VEN TOR. #a/17m z: ,ffl-w57,

Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATESv PATENT 4OFFICE INVALID SUPPORTING DEVICE Horatio T. Frost, Mitchell, S. Dak.

Application May 7, 1941, Serial No. 392,359

1 Claim.

My invention relates to invalid supporting devices and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision of a device of the above described character adapted for utilization by invalids and those whose power of locomotion is impaired in a manner whereby they are enabled to walk or be supported in an upright position without danger of falling.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the foregoing described character so constructed and arranged as to minimize accidental slipping of the device with respect to the floor thereby enabling the invalid or other user to perform daily activities without attendant danger of injury due to skidding.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the foregoing described character so constructed and arranged whereby the same may be conveniently used by persons of diii'erent heights.

An important object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, durable in use, eiilcient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claim and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a. perspective view of my invention with the seat removed.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 and illustrating the seat arranged in connected relation with the frame.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

My invalid supporting device, in the embodiment depicted in the drawing, comprises an elongated cylindriform member 5 bent interjacent its ends to form a frame fashioned with upper and lower substantially U-shaped sections 6 and 'I respectively. The section 6 is formed with a pair of spaced side hand rails 8 connected together at one end by means of a cross-rail 9 while the lower section 'l is formed with a pair of spaced side floor rails I connected together, at coincident ends with respect to the portions S by means of an arciform cross-rail II.

The opposite ends of the rails 8 and I0 are formed with arcuate downwardly and upwardly extending end portions I2 and I3 respectively and with the portions of one section being connected to coincident portions of the other section by means of substantially vertically disposed standards I4. The ends of the member con- .stitute the cross-rail 9 and are connected together by means of a, coupling I5 disposed between the portions 8. Adjacent the cross bars 9 and` II, the sections 6 and 1 are connected together by means of a pair of cross braces or rods I6 which coact with the standards I4 to maintain said sections in spatiality.

'I'he hand rails 8 incline upwardly towards the cross-rail S whereby to dispose the end of the section 6 adjacent the rod I6 a greater distance superjacent the iloor than the opposite end of said section to enable persons of different heights to readily grasp and comfortably and conveniently support themselves by the rails 8 while standing or walking as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The standards I4 have adjustably and slidably mounted thereon collars I1, the latter being provided with set-screws I 8 for engagement with the standards whereby to maintain the collars in selected positions for a purpose hereinafter made apparent. The collars I1 are fashioned with outwardly extending fingers I9 for supporting thereon the ends of a detachable transversely disposed bar 20. The bar 20 extends through and supports the lower looped end of a member 2l constituting a combined seat and backrest, the latter being constructed of flexible material, for instance, canvas or the like. The upper end of the member 2I is provided with a loop in which is disposed a bar 22, the latter being formed with angularly disposed end sections terminating in hooks 23 disposed in detachable hooked engagement with the cross-rail 9 and which hooks 23 coact with the bar 20 to maintain the member 2l supported between the sections 6 and 1 whereby an invalid may be comfortably seated and in reclining position upon the member 2|.

By detaching the bars 20 and 22 from the frame, the member 2I is removed to enable the invalid or other person to stand within the sections 6 andl 1 between their respective side rails and to readily grasp the hand rails 8 to support himself in an upright or standing position. 0bviously, by sliding the lower section 'I over the iloor the invalid is thus enabled to support himself during walking. The floor rails I0 and the cross-rail II are disposed in the same horizontal plane with respect to the floor to dispose said rails in appressed relation therewith thereby minimizing skidding of the device, while, due to the curvature of the rails I0 and II of the section 1, it is easily moved over the floor.

While I have shown and described the frame as being constructed of a cylindriform member, it is to be understood that the member may be of any desired shape and of either solid or tubular construction. Furthermore, when it is desired to utilize the device merely for supporting a person in a standing position or during a relatively short walk, the ends of the bar 20 may be positioned upon the ends of the hand rails 8 adjacent the rail 9 thus disposing the member 2l in suspended relation with respect to the section 6. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a simple form of invalid supporting device capable of supporting aninvalid in either a standing or sitting position as desired.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully explain the invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in various forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

In an invalid supporting device, an elongated element bent interadjacent its ends and constituting a frame fashioned with upper and lower substantially U-shaped hand and oor sections respectively, each section formed with a pair of spaced side rails and a cross-rail connecting said side lrails together at.- oneend, vertically disposed standards connecting the opposite ends of the rails of one section to the opposite ends of the rails of the other section, cross braces connecting said sections together adjacent the first mentioned ends of the rails, the rails of said hand sections being inclined upwardly toward said braces whereby to dispose the ends of said hand section adjacent said braces a greater dis tance from said floor section than its opposite end and thus enable persons of different heights to readily grasp and conveniently support themselves by the rails of said handsection while in a position for standing and walking between the rails of said sections during sliding of said floor section lover a floor, collars slidably adjustably mounted on said standards, a combined seat and backrest member provided at its ends with transverse rods connected to the cross-rail of said hand section and said collars respectively and with at least said last mentioned rod detachable from said collars and frame to permit said persons to assume said position.

HORATIO T. FROST.

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