US1807634A - Bedpan washer - Google Patents

Description

J. H. OKUN BEDPAN WASHER June 2, 1931.

Filed Oct. 7, 1929 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V v Elmamioz Of/"1243' I June 2, 1931.

J. H. OKUN 1,807,634

BEDPAN WASHER Filed Oct. 7, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1931. J. H. OKUN 1,807,634

'YBEDPAN WASHER Filed Oct. 7, 1929 a Sheets-Sheet s aYATTd Y Q g I Patented June 2, 1931.

UNITED STATES PATENT oi-"r ce JOSEPH H. OKUN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KNY-SCHEERER CORPORA- TION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK BEDPAN WASHER Application filed October 7, 192a semi No. 397,845.

My invention relates to an improvement-in a bedpan washer and the novelty of the same consists in the combination, adaptation and arrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter pointed out.

My bedpan washer is not only compact and of attractive appearance but adapted to perform the necessary functions in an automatic manner.

A bedpan washer is used primarily in hospitals and the nurses-or attendants who take care of the patients either have a large number of patients to take careof or have patients who are in critical condition who require constant attention. This results in these'nurses or attendants giving little or no heed to the care of the devices used daily in connection with the care of the patients.

As the bedpan is one of the utensils used most frequently in connection with all patients, the nurses or attendants are particularly negligent in caring for the bedpan which in most cases requires not only a thorough washing after use but also in some cases the use of hot water or steam to thoroughly cleanse.

My device is adapted to meet thisurgent need for adequate bedpan cleansing as it ef fects the cleansing simultaneously with the emptying of the bedpan and does so automatically. I

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of my bedpan washer, the' principal interior portions being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the automatic control mechanism, being broken away for convenience in illustration.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of my bedpan washer as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the same enlarged detail as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of 'the'upper portion of my device with the outside part broken away and with a further broken away portion through the bafiie plate so as to show the interior construction.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the upper portion of my device, with the door and connectingparts being open and a portion being broken away so as to show all of the in-' terior mountings of the door and bafiie plate.

In the drawings 5 is a base in which are mounted three adjustment screw sup ort members 6 and a lower body portion is adapted to be set on said supporting adjustment screws 6 so as to adjust support plate 10 on the set screws 6 to the desired elevation and so as to support the lower body portion 7 at the height and pitch desired so that the waste connection 11 may be readily and accurately made to the waste or sewer pi which is not shown, in spite of variations 1n the'floor pitch or variations in the position at which the waste pipe outlet is positioned in the wall. The lower body portion 7 has the regulation waste trap 12.

An upper body portion 13 is rigidly secured to the lower body portion 7 by means of the usual bolts and nuts at 14. A water inlet pipe 15 is connected to the upper body portion 13 passing through a flushing valve 16 of the usual well known construction automatically closing a predetermined period after opening and hence into the pipe connection 17 and through passages 18 molded in the upper body portion 13 to outlet nozzles 19 and 20.

The upper body portion 13 has an opening 21 .which terminates around its outer. edge in a substantial lip 22 and over which a door 23 pivotally hingedat 24 fits so as to efiect a complete but unsecured closing of the opening 21. 'Said door 23 has a flange 25 around its edge adapted to engage the flange 22 so as to effect a water splash proof closure of the body ortion 13 and the inner lower lip 26 of said ange 25 serves to catch any moisture which may collect on the inside of the door 23 so that it will run back into the inside of the body portion 13. The door 23 ispivotal- 1y hinged at 24 on rod 27 the hinged elements 24 having substantial strap members 28 which are rigidly secured to the outside of they door 23 and thereby furnish a, heavy hinge or strap adequate to sup ort the door as it, is thrown open and closed under daily active service and strain. The rod 27 is supported rigidly in position by means of bolts 29 which are secured through the body 13 in 100 the usual well known manner. On the inner dependent hinge members 30, one element of the hinges 30 being rigidly secured to a bathe plate 31 at 32 and said baffle plate 32 has a rack 33 rigidly secured thereto which is adapted to receive and hold in position a bedpan of the usual construction. An arm 34 is rigidly secured to the bottom of the bafiie plate 31 in which is mounted a pin 35 adapted to travel back and forth in a slot 36 in plate 37 rigidly mounted on the inside of the door 23 whereby the bafile plate 31 is linked to the inside of the door 23 so that said bafiie plate 31 will move on its own hinges 30 through said link connection with the door 23.

A treadle 38 having afoot portion 39 is ivotally mounted on the lower body portion 7 in the usual manner on a shaft 40 which passes therethrough so as to turn readily thereon. The lower position of this treadle 38 is limited by the stop bracket 41 rigidly secured at 42 in the lower part of the body portion 7. An -arcuate arm 43 is rigidly secured to the door 23 and a rod 44 terminating in a fork member 45 at its upper end is pivotally connected at 46 to said arm 43.. The rod 44 at its lower end passes into a compression plunger 47 of usual well known construction which terminates'at its lower end in a hook member 48 and a cirular bearing element 49 adapted to fit over a pin 50 mounted through the treadle 38 whereby on pushing down the treadle 38 by the operators foot on the foot portion 39, the motion of the treadle 38 is transmitted through said compression member 47 rod 44, and arm 43 whereby the door 23 is opened on its hinged elements 24. A clean out member 67 of usual construction is formed in the base 7 and has the usual headed screw plate 68 closing same and a spring 76 is secured at 74 to said plate 68 and at 75 to a clamp 77 which is rigidly fastened to said hook 48. Said spring 76 serves to restore said treadle 38 to its raised position, when released by the foot of the operator, to be ready for the next operation.

At the discharge end of flush valve 16 is mounted a shut ofi valve 51 of usual and well known construction to stop or permit the flow of water into the passages 18, and which is operated by the turning of spindle 52 on the outer end of which is rigidly secured a lever 53 having an ofiset portion 54 in which is mounted a in 55 at 56 so that it turns freely in 54, said pin 55 being rigidly secured to offset clamp member 57 rigidly mounted at 58 in the usual well known manner on the rod 44 whereby as the rod 44 is raised or lowered the offset clamp member 57 and pin 55 will be raised and lowered so that the lever 53 and the spindle 52 operated thereby will be turned so as to close valve 51 as the rod 44 is pulled down and so that the valve 51 will r be opened as the rod 44 is raised. Shut off valve 51 may also be operated manually by means of handle and spindle 8.

The flushing valve 16 is operated in the usual well known manner by means of valve spindle 59 and this is operated in my device by means of an offset clamp member 60 secured rigidly in position on the rod 44 in the usual well known manner at '61 and on which is pivotally mounted at 62 a project pulled down the projecting pivoted lever member 63 will lift thereon being pivoted at 62. When, however, the rod 44 is raised the lever 63 will engage the rigid lever and through arm 64 to which lever 65 is rigidly secured, will pull the arm 64 so as to throw the spindle 59 and set the flushing valve 16 'into operation whereby in the usual Well known manner a definitely measured portion of water will pass through into the passages 18 and outlet nozzles 19 and 20 When the water is still flowing through the flushing valve 16 and the door 23 is opened during said flow accidentally or unintentionally, the shut oii valve 51 is operated by the lowering of the rod 44 as above described. and water ceases to flow. A passageway 66 leading from the upper body portion 13' into the trap 12 of the lower body portion 7 provides the usual drainage for my device.

The waste connection 11 has the circular flared plate 69 with openings 70 for efi'ecting the usual connection to the waste outlet which is not shown.

At the upper end of the body 13 is a ventilating pipe 71 which terminates in the usual circular flared member 72 meant to be used for connecting the same to a ventilating outlet which is not shown herein.

There is also the usual cleanout 7 3 of usual well known construction in the trap 12.

It will be particularl noted that the spray from the nozzle 20 is a apted to wash the exterior of the bedpan whereas the spray from the nozzle 19 which projects into the bedpan is adapted to thoroughly wash the interior of the bedpan. Also it is to be noted that the baffle 31 acts as a complete bafiie to all of the water being sprayed from both spraying nozzles 19 and 20 so that none of the water driven from these sprays can reachthe door 23 and that any steam or moisture which may gather on the inside of the door 23 will run down and be delivered from the lip 26 so that the door 23 is positively and absolutely protected against any water or moisture leaking therefrom.

In operating my device the nurse or at- 'tendant will approach my device holding the bedpan containing the waste matter in both hands and on placing one foot on the foot rest 39 of treadle 38 will press down the same whereby the connection 48 will draw down the lower or seating part of the usual construction of the compression member 47 and through rod 44 and arm 43 connected therewith pull down the door 23 far enough so that it will then drop of its own weight through the cushioning of the plunger member in the compression member 47 through the arm 43 and rod 44 so that the door 23 will gradually drop to the horizontal position, cushioned by the compression member 47. Simultaneously therewith the clamp member 57 through its connection with pin '56 and lever 53 will turn the spindle 52 thereby shutting off the shut off valve 51 and checking the possible inflow of water through the water inlet 15. At the same time the pivoted lever 63 on the clamp 60 will tilt upwardly as it passes the lever 65 as the clamp 60 is carried down with the rod 44 so that the spindle 59 of the flushing valve 16 is not affected. The nurse or attendant will then place the bedpan in the rack 33 on the inside of the baffle plate 31 which through the connections 34, 35, 36, and 37 will be carried down to the horizontal positionby the opening and dropping of the door 23.

Thenurse will then remove the foot from the treadle member 39 'and lifting the door 7 23 by hand past the dead center or vertical position, will allow it to close to its full closed position under its own weight and the gradual compression operationof the compression member 47 whereupon the baflle plate 31 through the connections 34, 35, 36 and 37 as described, will also pass into a position parallel with the door 23 whereby the waste matter in the bedpan contained therein will be emptied into the interior of the body portion 13 and will run down through the outlet 66. Simultaneously with the closing of the door 23 the rod 44 will be restored to itsnormal position as shown in Figures 1 and 3 and the clamp 57 through'pin 55 being raised with the rod 44, will through the link 53 turn spindle 52 so as to again open the shut ofi valve 51. At the same time the clamp 60 will be raised on the rod 44 and the pivoted lever 63 hearing on the upper face of this clamp 60 will lift on the lever 65 thereby turning the arm 64 which is integrally secured thereto. Arm 64 being mounted over the spindle 59 at its lower end will thereb press the spindle 59 so as to open the flushing valve 16, of the usual construction, and permit by its regular operation the usual measured quantit of water to pass through the inlets 18 to the spray nozzles 19 and 20. These are constructed to and will operate to spray in a forceful manner and will continue to flow until the full supply of measured water passed by the operation of said valve 16'has been exhausted. If, while the measured quantity of water is being thus delivered through the flushing valve 16 to the spray nozzles 19 and 20, another nurse should come up to the device and open the door 23, instantly the lowering of the door 23, arm 43 and rod 44, will cause through the lowering of clamp 57, pin 55 and the turning of the lever 53, the closing of the spindle 52 in the inlet valve 51 thereby shutting ofi the water from the flushing valve 16 and from sprays 19 and 20 as described. V

It will be understood that hot water or' steam can be fed into my device through an independent opening or otherwise so that the bedpan can be thoroughly washed with hot water when necessary and also in order that the germ life may be killed by the use of live steam where this is found advisable.

It is to be noted that the outlet nozzles 19 and 20 are deliberately placed well above the overflow point in the body 13 at the lower edge of opening 21, so that, in case of the apparatus being clogged or stopped up for any reason, there is no possibility through siphon- Y ing, that the waste or sewage matter will be drawn into the water supply. This is recognized as imperative in the protection of the water supply system by the reading Boards of Health of the country.

1. In a bedpan washer the combination of a base, an upright hollow body thereon, a pivoted door on said body, a battle plate independently pivoted in said body and linked at its free end to the inside of said door, means for holding a bedpan on said baflle plate, ,a pedal pivoted in the lower part of said body and connected to said door, spraying means in said body connected to---a source of water supply, means, on the-closing of said door, for opening said source of water supply to said spraying means for a predetermined period of time, a safety means to shut oflt' said supply of water when the said door is opened and turn on said supply when said door is again during said predetermined period closed and drainage means in the lower portion of said body.

2. In a bedpan washer-an u right hollow body, a pivoted door on said body, a baffle plate independentl pivoted within said body, means for e ecting the movement of said bafiie with said door, bedpan holding means on said bafile, foot operated means for gradually opening said door, spraying means within said body to spray a bedpan inside and outside when mounted on said baflle, said y spraying means being connected to a source of water supply, means automatically operated by the closing of said door for opening the water supply to saidspraying means for a predetermined period of time, means automatically operated by the opening of said door for shutting off the water supply to said spraying means, and means for carrying off said Water and waste matter.

3. In a bedpan washer, a hollow body provided with an opening for insertion and removal of a bedpan, a spraying means within said body adapted to be connected to a source of water supply for spraying said bedpan, said opening extending a substantial distance below said spraying means, a constantly open drain means at the bottom of said body connected directly to a sewer, and a pivoted door tilting past dead center for closing said opening unsecured in closed position yieldable outwardly to the pressure of any excess water gathering in said body upon clogging of said sewer drain to prevent the contamination of said water supply by the sewage. Y

4. In a bedpan washer a hollow body provided with a pivoted door, 'foot operated means for gradually opening said door, baflle means within said body to prevent splashing against said door and having means to carry a bedpan, spraying means within said body connected to a source of water supply for spraying said bedpan, means operated by the closing of said door for opening said Water supply to said spraying means for a predetermined period of time and means operated by said door opening means to shut ofiz' the water supply to said spraying means upon opening of the door.

5. In a bedpan washer a hollow body having an opening provided with a pivoted door, a battle plate independently pivoted Within said body, spraying means in said body adapted to be connected to a source of water supply, said bafie plate being located to prevent water from said spraying means from striking said door, means automatically operated by the opening of said door for shutting ofi said water supply from said spraying means and means automatically operated by the closing of said door for open ing said water supply to said spraying means.

6. In a bedpan washer a hollow body having an open drain at its bottom and having an opening for insertion and removal of av bedpan, and provided with a pivoted door unsecured in the closed position, a battle plate pivoted inside of said body, a Water spraying means within said body adapted to be connected to a source of water supply, said bafiie platebeing located to prevent water from said spraying means from striking said door, said opening extending below said spraying means, and said door being yieldable outwardly to the pressure of any excess water gathering in said body upon clogging of said drain means whereby the contamina tion of said water supply by the sewage is prevented.

7. In a bedpan washer a hollow body provided with a pivoted door, a bafile plate independently pivoted inside of said body, a spray means mounted in said body, said bafile plate being adapted to prevent Water from said spray from striking said door and said baffle plate having means for carrying a bedpan and presenting said bedpan toward said spray means when said door is closed.

8. In a bedpan washer a hollow body provided with a pivoted door, a baffle plate independently pivoted inside of said door and means for effecting its movement in synchronism with said door, said baffle plate being adapted to carry a bedpan, means for opening said door gradually by foot, water spraying means connected to a source of water supply, means for opening said water supply to said spraying means for a predetermined period of time and means on said door opening means for shutting oil the water supply to said spraying means when the door is opened and for turning it on when the door is closed during said predetermined period of time.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH H. OKUN.

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