US2424907A - Adjustable bed cover support - Google Patents

Description

July 29, 1947. J. A. voss 2,424,907 V ADJUSTABLE BED COVER SUPPORT Filed July 15, ,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

V JOSEPH AVOSS.

July 29, 1947; J. A. voss 2,424,907

ADJUSTABLE BED COVER SUPPORT Filed July 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. voss.

. 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 29, 1947 "OFFICE This invention relates to a bed cover and more particularly to -a portable, rigid,. and adjustable frame member for E positioning .a'djacent a bed in operative relation to-its covers to define a patient receiving conditioning chamber,

although it may be employedwith equaladva n itages for other purpose v It contemplates more especially afportable, adjustable, and compact device'whic'h is capable of association with a bed for defining an aerated patient-receiving chamber in conjunction .with the bed covers to more effectively treat andmore speedily heal surface aillictions suchas burns, wounds, surgical incisions, skin diseases surface ulcers due to toxic or other'internal disturbances, and provide greater comfort by supportlngi. the bed clothes outof contact with a person sup;-

ported in a lying position on a bed or the like.

Numerous types of devices intended for flthe treatment of patients confined tofbed without any bed clothes in direct contact'w'ith-rthe body,

have heretofore been proposed. These devices have not proven entirely satisfactoryrromtiie standpoint that they are cumbersome, .enta'ill'j. great deal of workon'the part of the attendants,- do not provide fora convenient bed'clothes change nor accessibilityftol'thejpatient to'take care of their normal'routine needs; hes'known devices are otherwise unsatisfactory fro IIIthe consideration that hospital att nda tsare ,over'- taxed in their routine so thathospital'andcon valescing appliances of all kinds cannot be, adf vantageously used unless 'utili'z'ablewith time and labor requirements by"a" sin'g'le nurse or those who'extendcare to patients; 1

With the teachings of the present 'inventio'nfa portable self-sustaining, readily jmovable'fand highly effective bed cover support. has been provided which maybe easily shifted for positioning adjacent a bed and relative tothe bd clotlies thereon to define a patient-receiving :':inipar t,- ment which is readily formed and dismantled for easy-patient access, depending upon therequiree ments of and providing for the'regula'rfpatient routine without entailing any appreciable" time, inconvenience, or efiort on thepart' of meat; tendant. j

The flexibility of its adaptation is highly advantageous for the purposes set forth in'thetreat ment, convalescing, and attendance of bedcone fined patients without any of the disadvantages incident to known devices intended fora similar purpose and requiring more thano'ne attendant to manipulate. The ready formation'of alpa tient-receiving bed chamber and its" eile'ctivedisic aim's. (01. 5-319) placement as well as reformation, affords the full advantages thereof without impairing access to the patient to meet routine attending requirements. Then, too,-the extraordinary compactness thereof as well as its collapsibility during inoperation, are highly advantageous in order' that the device may be instantly available without requiring any appreciable space or offering storage problems while not in use.

These features coupled with self-contained accessories-desirable to condition and maintain the patient receiVing bed chamber under proper control for the exposure of the patients body thereto, provides a highly desirable unit that assists in the care, comfort and more speedy recovery bf patients. -The structural features and their ease of operation, enables a single attendant or for that matter the patient to utilize the teachingsof the present invention without entailing any appreciable time, effort or inconvenience along with the other customary duties and services required to'be renderedin the care of affiicted individuals.

On'e object of the present invention is to simplify the construction'and to improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to providea self-contained bedclothes support that is compact, easily adjus'table for adaptationftoa bed in the formation of a patient-receiving chamber, and readily portable for removal to enable access to the patient tofurnish routine daily requirements.

Still another object is to provide a bed clothes support that is adjustably connected .to a stand rno'vablyv supported for readyassociation and removal relative .to a bed tov provide a conditioning chamber in conjunction with the bed clothes. 7

A further object is to provide an arcuate bed clothes support in adjustable association with a portable stand serving as a mount therefor to a bed to define a patient-receiving compartment.

' nifurther object is to provide an arcuate frame to; support thebed clothes relative to the mattressso that it can be readily associated and removed to provide a conditioning chamber without obstructing possible access to. the patient or requiring. any involved adjustment thereof for thatpurpose; n V V A' still further object is to provide acompact, portable standard having an arcuate bed clothes support member operatively connected therewith for! difierentpositions offadjustment to define a patient]receiving conditioning chamber that is readilylremovable for; access to the patient without substantially disturbing the bed clothes which are available for ready compartment reformation after the attendant has fulfilled routine care requirements.

Still a further object is to provide conditioning instrumentalities in conjunction with a patient 5 afiording ready access for routine requirements. 10 e Other objects and advantages will appear from an illustrated embodiment of the present inverttion.

In the drawings:

vice embodying features of the present invention illustrated in association with a bed mattress to clarify the showing.

Figure 2 is a. sectional view taken along line II-lI of Figure 1. p Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along line IIII[I of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic electric wiring diagram of the bed chamber conditioning instrumentalities comprising part of the assembled uni-t shown in fig 1 Figure 6 is a front view-oi a switch panel viewed substantially from lines VI--VI of Figure 1."

Figure '7 is a plan view'of the bed clbthes'sufiporting frame which defines apatientreceiving bed compartment. Figure 8 is a large fragmentary plan view of an outer rib expansible portion of the arcuate frame shown in Figure 7, parts thereof being shown in section to clarify the showing. Figure 9 is a sectional view of the ventilator motor and mount taken substantially along line IXIX of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along line X-X of Figure'fl.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary front view of a'pi'votal connection between the bed clothes support- 4 ing frame and the standard. c Figure 12 is an end view on the pivotal connection shown in Figure 11. v 1' Figure 13 isa fragmentary sectional view; of the sh'ank portion of the arcuateframe taken sub- 5 stantially along line XIII-XIII of Figure 7.'

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the frame shank and switch housing taken substantially along line XIV-XEV of Figure 1; c

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as a limitation upon the scope or'teachings of the invention, but'is merely Tilliistrative thereof. There may be considerable variations and adaptations of all or past of the teachings depending upon the dictates ottommercial practice. 7 1

The present embodiment comprises ajbase 10, in this instance having angularly disposed tripod forming arms ll, 12, and I3, which are formed integral with each other at their point of intersection to comprise a part of a linear stabilizing arm 14 disposed normal to the arm l2. Asshown, the linear stabilizing arm I4 is formed integral with the arm 12 at its freeextremity tddivide the arm I 4 to extend the same distance o'nboth' sides of the tripod arm, [2.

In order :to render the base It .withitsstabilizing arm [4 readily movable along a supporting surface such as a floor and to enable it to effectively serve as a support for instrumentalities-to be hereinafter describedroller casters-l-5'are'piv-' 25 creased 1"lateral support therefor.

otally connected to the extremities l6 of the tripod arms HI3 and the stabilizing arm l4.

To this end, the base It has an upstanding tubular boss l'l formed integral therewith at the juncture of the tripod arm 12 with the linear stabilizing arm l4 to provide a vertical bearing having tubular standard l8 which is telescopically received in the tubular boss H. The elongated tubular standard 18 is held in the tubular upstandiiig iaoss I] by means of a suitable fastening expedient such as a threaded stud l9 which has a knurled enlarged head 20 to afford convenient finger manipulation of the stud 19 so that 7 the tubular standard I8 may be readily removed Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a de- 15 or attached depending upon the requirements of any particular situation.

' .i Azsolid elongated rod H of somewhat smaller diameter than the interior bore of the tubular standard I8 is telescopically associated therewith, for vertical extensive adjustment relative thereto for su port therein. To this end, the upper peripheraledgeir-of the tubular standard K8 is flanged-to-previde a'reinforced orifice for the reception of the solid rod 2i and to afford in- I So that the solid'rod zi-may' be maintained at any desired vertical position of displacement relative to the tubular standard 18, a threaded stud '23 is disposed 'transverselygthroug'h' the tubular standard l8' approximate to the upper flanged orifice 22 thereofrso' thatengagement can be eflected with theelohgated rod 2i to efiect its support in any 'posi tionbf telescopic displacement relative to the tubular standard 18 within the limits of their respective lengths.

'rsothatthe'threaded stud 23 maybe readily manipulated'an enlargedknurled head 24 is providedonthefithreaded stud 23 so that it maybe rotated in'one direction or the other to accom- "its intended purpose. It should be noted thatthethreaded stud [9 (Figures '3 and 4) registerswith'an annular groove 25 provided in the lgottojni' solid portion 26 of the tubular standard 1'8*so: 'tha t the latter may be rotated at any desiredpositionrelative to the base l0 without perinittirrg its removal from the tubular boss l1.

"fiheisolidzelongated rod 2] terminates upwardly in".an jenlarged"shoulder2T which 'is joined to a bearingjend 2.8101 anoffset arm .29. The offset armfiilis :cast or otherwise shaped from materialtofprovide a lateral reinforcing rib .30 that terminatesin a circular plate -3l. The circular plate'fiil' is adapted to confront a correspondingly shaped" plate 32 which is formed integral with an engularly disposed shank 33. The shank 33 terminatesinan arcuate bracket .34 which overhangs'jthe'basje .lllafor .an appreciable distance so th theshankEB withits integral connecting bra "t3'4ivvill extend.for a distance commensurateftvith'the" width or .a hospital bed. It should be noted that the overhanging bracket has a substantially l-shaped cross section (Figure 14.) tojpi'ovide rigidity, supporting capacity, and latciallchaniiels .3 5.35 for the reception of wires 31;:18, respectively, utilized to provide electric energy to instrumentalities supported by the bracket .34. as will appear .more fully hereinafter. '.[n.torder,to;pivctally support .the bracket .34 relative to. the .offset \arm 29, the confronting cirlate's-?.3l.;32. are provided with aligned -Dil tlireswhich receive a threaded bolt .39 therethrougn; "The bolt 39 has a threaded nut lll en'gagingi'the free extremity thereof ,on the offset side'to retain the plates 3l3;2 in confronting-contactdor rotation relative to each 5 other. 'In order to limit the pivotal displacement of the bracket 34 relative to the offset arm'29 to assume different positions of adjustment for op erative and inoperative positioning, depending upon the requirements of any particular situae tion, the stationary circular plate 3| is provided with an arcuate slot 4| extending therethrough to receive a stud 42 which is reciprocally mounted in an aperture 43 provided in the circular plate 32.

The stud 42 terminates in an enlarged knurled head 44 beyond an ear 45 having an aperture 46 in alinement with the aperture 43 to reciprocally support the stud 42 therethrough.

A spring 46' envelops the stud 42 between the the ear 45 and a pin 41 extending transversely through the stud 42 to serve as a stop for the spring 46. This serves to normally urge the stud 42 into the arcuate slot 4| so that normally the bracket 34 will be displaceable about the bolt 39 serving'as a pivotal mount within the limits of the slot 42.

One extreme position of the stud 42 within the slot 4| coincident with the engagement of the stud 42 with the extreme counter-clockwise extremities thereof (viewed from Figure 1) will bring the bracket 34 to its operative overhanging position relative to a bed mattress 48 supported by its spring frame 49, while the engagement of the stud 42 with the opposite extreme end of the slot 4| will place the bracket 34 in an operative inclined position (Figure 11) away from the bed mattress 48 to afford access thereto.

To lower the bracket 34 to its extreme counterclockwise position (shown in dotted outline in Figure 1) so that its free extremity 50 very closely approaches the base Hi to minimize the space requirements thereof for storage during nonusage, the attendant withdraws the stud 42 against the urge of the spring 46 by grasp-ingthe knurled head 44 and removing the stud 42 from the arcuate slot 4| to permit the circular plate 32 of the bracket 34 to rotate relative to the plate 3| and permit the bracket 34 to be displaced downwardly for support by the base: I6 (dotted outline position, Figure 1). In this position, the entire unit occupies very little space andcan be moved into a closet or unoccupied corner of a room.

The arcuate bracket 34 has confronting curved hooks 5| and 52 formed integral therewith at the extreme ends thereof to receive the tubular rods 53-54 of a flexible bed clothes supporting frame or flexible surface member 55. To this end, the curved hook 5| is formed integral with the brack et 34 at its point of juncture with the shank 33 (Figure 1), while the curved confronting hook 52 is formed integral with the bracket 34. The tubular frame rods 53-54 are normally separated for a distance somewhat greater than the spread between the confronting hooks 5l-52, and .this is accomplished by means of a plurality of clamps 56-51 provided along each of the tubular rods 53-54 (Figure '1). In this instance, each of the tubular rods 53-54 have four uniformly spaced and permanently anchored clamps 56-51, respectively, and two movable associated clamps 58-59 and 69-6l that slide on the rods 53-54;, respectively.

The clamps 55-51, 58-69, and 59-6l receive a plurality of flexible wires 62, in this instance three, projecting between each pair of the confronting clamps 56-51, 58-69 and 59-61 for permanent attachmenttherebetween to, collectively define an open flexible surface member ,or framework for the support of bed clothes. ,It

should be noted that the clamps 58-64 and Bil-6| are adjustably connected to the adjacent permanently attached clamps 56-51 and approximate to the ends of the rod 53-54 by means of wire links 63-64 pivotally connected about their looped extremities 65 by means of a flanged stud 66. The other looped extremities 61-68 of the links 63-64 respectively, are pivotally connected to flanged studs 69-19 anchored to the permanently attached and movable clamps 56-51, 58-66, and 59-6I so that the movable clamps can be displaced relative to the tubular rods 53- 54 to receive somewhat smaller rod extensions 1 |-12 telescoped in both ends of the tubular rods 53-54, respectively.

The movable clamps 58-59 and 69-6| are fixed to the extremities of the telescopic rods 1|-12 to permit the expansive displacement of the end clamps 58-69 and 59-6l to correspondingly displace the plurality of flexible wires 62 mounted therebetween to define an open surface member for the support of bed clothes thereon. This affords the expansive adjustment of the bed. clothes supporting frame 55 to extend over the thorax alone or therebeyond to include the legs of the patient, depending upon the aflliction or the treatment as well as the extent thereof. The bracket 34, frame 55, and wires 62 constitute a bed clothes supporting framework.

In applying the flexible surface member or frame 55 over a bed, the rod standard 2| is first adjusted to the desired height so that the lower edge of the offset bracket web 29 will be in line with the top'of the mattress 48 (Figure 1), and thereupon, the base I0 is displaced underneath the bed transversely of its length so that the bracket 34 with its bed clothes supporting frame 55 will overlie the mattress width 48. The bed clothes are supported above the patient by the frame 55 that is sprung to assume an even greater arcuate configuration. Then the bracket 34 by virtue of the removable association of the frame 55 between the confronting hooks 5|-52, the flexible frame 55 being sprung into position therebetween, so that the bed clothes will overhang the standards |8-2I along that particular side of the bed mattress 48.

So that the bed clothes will be held against the edge 13 of the mattress 48 to avoid the admittance of air therebetween, an arcuate fork 14 of substantially U-shaped configuration braces the enlarged shoulder 21 of the extensive rod 2| to clamp the bed clothes therebetween.

The fork 14 constitute an offset extermity of a vertical arm 15 that is pivoted at its lower extremity 16 to a clamp 11 that is anchored around the tubular standard I8 approximate to the vertical boss |1 comprising part of the base l9. A spring 18 is anchored as at 19 to the clamp 11 while its other extermity 80 is anchored to the vertical arm 15 to normally urge the latter in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 1) to maintain a bed clothes clamp about the shoulder 21 of the vertical standard extension 2|, thereby precluding an upward movement of air into the patient receiving chamber device above the mattress 48 by the flexible frame 55 and its support 34. Then, too, the fork 14 serves to anchor the bed clothes so that they will be maintained in their desired position without sli Ding off to the floor.

So that the flexible frame that is sprung between the bracket hooks 5l-52 will not .be accidentally removed or displaced, a retaining hinge BI is attached to the bracket 34 approximate to the hookl so that the angularly shaped movablehinge plate 82 (Figure 13) can be displaced downwardly in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 13) to engage-the frame rod 53 against the hook 5I and preclude its removaltherefrom. To'remove the flexible frame 55, the hinge plate 82 is pivotally displaced in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 13) and the frame is sprung inwardly to narrow the spread thereof sufficiently to clear the hooks 5I'52 and permit its withdrawal'to assume a straight plane contour by virtue of the flexible rods 62 that normally assume their linear shape.

The conditioninginstrumentalities that preferably though not essentially are associated with the bracket 34 beneath the clothes supporting and chamber defining frame 55, may comprise opposing electric sockets 83 supported by a clamp 84 that has flanges 85- affording the attachment thereto to the under surface of the frame 34 (Fi ure through the mediumof suitable fasteners such as machine screws 85. The opposing sockets 83 are disposed transversely of the frame 34 to receive suitable conditioning or therapeutic bulbs depending upon the dictates of medical requirements. In the present embodiment, the opposing sockets 83 receive elongated light bulbs 81-88 which are screwed therein in the customary manner to emanate light rays .of ordinary intensity for exposure of the patients.skin thereto.

Artificial light from electric bulbs is'known to possess beneficial effects uponthe skin whichef fectively serve to dry afllicted areas and otherwise have 'a desirable general therapeutic reaction. Wire screen guards 8990 are somewhat larger than and shaped to conform with the bulbs 8'I-88 for threaded engagement as at SI with the opposing sockets 83 to completely envelop the bulbs 8-'I88 as a, protection against contact therewith. The screen guards 89-90 are of tubular construe tion and are properly reinforced by rigid end enclosures 9| and circular interiorly threaded and channeled rings 92 defining an open orifice therefor for the reception of the bulbs 87-'8 8 therethrough. k

The opposing sockets 83 are suitably. connected to insulated triple leads 93 which project through the clamp 84 and extendalong thelateral channels 3536 of the bracket 34 for connection to the leads 3'I38 (see Figure 5) extending therealong (Figure 14). i

Another important conditioning instrumental ity comprises, in this instance, a minute electric fan 94 (Figure 9) that is powered by an electric motor 95 having its armature shaft 96 .infloperae tive connection with the fan 94. The motor 95 is of a Very small frictional horsepower capacity and is resiliently suspended .by springs 9I-98 anchored to the motor 95 by. the lower ends and at tached to depending studs 99I00 which project through resilient shock absorberssuch'as rubber discs IOI to effectively support the motor 95 against vibration relative to a bracketpl'ate I02. The bracket plate I02 has an upstanding shank I93 of substantially I-shaped cross section to afford its attachment underside of the bracket 34 laterally of and approximate to the electric light socket :clamp 84. It should be noted that .the motor 95 is so mounted as to position the fan 94 thereabove to create a very slight movement of air downwardly and laterally to effect a, very minute circulation of air under the covers supported .by the resilient frame -55. This: provides a very compact and noiseless motor 95 to operate .of the patient.

the fan 94 so that the gases and odors known to result from body afiiictions may never become stagnant and surface wounds will always be exposed to fresh air without chilling or subjecting the patient to undesirable drafts.

So that there will be no possible physical contact with the fan 94 and its motor 95, a cylindrical wire mesh receptacle guard I04 is shaped to provide a reinforcing circular band I05 at its open end which is ccmplemental to the bracket plate I02 for attachment thereto by means of any suitable fastener such as machine screws I06. This enables the convenient removal of the guard I04 for cleaning, repair, and replacement should the occasion arise for access to the fan 94 and its motor 95. Suitable links I0'I-I08 (Figure 5) connect the motor 95 to the power leads 31-48 that extend outwardly (Figure 1) from a switch housing I09. The switch housing I09 is of substantially'U-shaped configuration to serve as a complement of the I-shaped bracket 34 for frictional displacement thereover to enclose all of the leads extending along the side channels thereof (Figure 14).

It should be noted that the lead I08 that extends from one terminal of the motor 95, is connected in series with a rheostat or electric resistance I I0 to substantially reduce the speed of the fan 94 so that the amount of aeration will be of an exceedingly minute character to avoid undesirable exposure of the patient, and yet sufiiciently to keep the-surface of the patients body exposed to fresh air for feeding purposes and to expel all odors as well as undesirable gases when the fan 94 is in operation.

The switch housing I09 carries a switch plate III (Figure 6) which has three switches H2 H3 and H4 mounted thereon in conjunction with a service plug H5. The switches II2I I3I I4 control, in this instance, the electric bulbs 81-88 and the-electric motor 95, respectively (Figure 5). The electric service plug H5 is connected across lines 3'I-38 to provide a convenient electric outlet for auxiliary apparatus that may be utilized in the treatment of the patient. With this arrangement, either or both lights 9'I88 may be placed in operation independent of or in conjunction with the motor 95, depending upon the dictates of the attendant and the requirement As shown, another cylindrical receptacle guard I I6 having a reinforced circular band, I I! at its upper end, is shaped to conform in size and appearance with the motor guard I04 for connection to a bracket similar in construction to the one described in connection with the guard I04 so that the wire mesh receptacle H6 may be suspended from the frame bracket 34 approximate to the bulbs 8'i-88 on the side opposite to the motor guard I04 to present a symmetrical arrangement of instrumentalities.

The wire mesh receptacle IIG may be utilized for any purpose such as to confine a deodorant, germicide or antiseptic, depending upon the needs of any particular situation. The wire mesh receptacle' H6 is attached to its bracket by means of threaded fasteners II8 extending through the reinforced mount, ring II! in much the same manner as the fasteners I06 serving to support the motor guard I04 to render both detachable. A thermometer I I9 is supported by end brackets I20'-I2I that are suitably attached to the frame bracket 34 to provide an indication of the temperature within the patient receiving chamber defined by th'e bed clothes supported by the frame 55. This will determine the desirability of utilizing the lights 81-88 that have some influence on the temperature to which the patients body is subjected.

It should be noted that the bed clothes are held on the resilient frame 55 which defines the contour thereof for overhanging engagement with the standards l82l. The substantially U- shaped clamp 14 securely holds the bed clothes against the shoulder 27 of the telescopic rod 2| to preclude slipping of the bed clothes downwardly. Then, too, the retention of the bed clothes on the frame 55 enables the latter to be pivotally shifted to its upward position for access to the patient lying on the mattress 48 without appreciably disturbing the bed clothes. Upon giving the patient the desired service or care demanded by the occasion, the frame 55 with its bracket 38 can then be returned to its operative position (solid line outlined in Figure 1) without requiring the bed clothes to be rearranged as they are returned to their initial operative position without distortion or accidental displacement.

With the arrangement of parts above described, it will be apparent, that the bed clothes supporting frame 55 can be easily removed for cleansing, sterilization, and dismantling purposes. Additionally, the telescopic standards l8-2l are readily removable from the base 10, and the frame bracket 34 detached from the offset arm 29 which is a part of the upper telescopic rod 2|. These parts can be conveniently packed for long time storage or shipment from the factory.

Additionally, it should be observed that the teachings of the present invention primarily contemplates a bed support that is independent of the bed and mattress. Consequently, the patient can leave the bed without assistance to take care of personal needs and afford freedom to patients who are not helpless. This can be accomplished without materially disturbing the bed clothes or the apparatus that serves as the support therefor. Then, too, the patient is relieved of the consciousness of disturbing the bed with every slight movement which a patient is bound to make in abundance because of the necessary relaxing of muscles and change of posture. With devices of known construction, the mattress served as a support for the chamber defining instrumentalities so that the patient not only was actually restricted in freedom of movement, but was kept consciously aware of the necessity to avoid movement. Even slight movement of the patient on the mattress would cause the directly supported patient defining chamber to move therewith and create a possible undesirable physical change in position as well as mentally affect the composure of the patient confined therein.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it must be understood that the invention is capable of considerable variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I,

tress, and an extension on said surface member to vary the bed clothes supporting surface thereof and the size of the patient receiving chamber defined therewith.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a standard for extending upwardly above a bed mattress, of a rigid open framework extending from said standard to overhang a bed mattress in spaced confronting relation therewith for supporting bed clothes to define a patient receiving chamber with said bed mattress, said framework comprising a rigid supporting arm pivoted to said standard, and a flexible surface member on said rigid supporting arm, said flexible surface member being sprung into predetermined shape on and conforming to the shape of said rigid arm for retention thereon to support the bed clothes above the mattress.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with astandard for extending above a bed mattress, of a rigid open framework ivotally connected to said standard to overhang a bed mattress in spaced confronting relation therewith for supporting bed clothes to define a patient receiving chamber with said bed mattress, said framework comprising a rigid supporting pivoted arm and a flexible frame prung from its normal expanse into predetermined shape for retention on said rigid arm, and end extensions on said flexible frame adjustably connected therewith to vary the bed clothes supporting expanse thereof and the size of the patient receiving chamber defined therewith.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a standard extending upwardly above-a bed mattress, of a rigid open framework extending from said standard to overhang a bed mattress in spaced confronting relation therewith for supporting bed clothes thereover to define a patient receiving chamber with said bed mattress, and means for retaining the bed clothes against said standard and against the mattress edge adjacent thereto for minimizing the uncontrolled movement of air in said patient defining chamber.

JOSEPH A. VO'SS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 649,900 Brennan May 22, 1900 2,209,801 Valverde July 30, 194.0 1,416,297 Howe May 16, 1922 1,401,244 Eastlund Dec. 27, 1921 800,779 Woodward Oct. 3, 1905 194,927 Petrie Sept. 4, 1877 905,660 Cowdrey Dec. 1, 1908 718,370 Mugfur Jan. 13, 1903 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 168,569 Switzerland July 2, 1934 72,843 Germany Jan. 9, 1894 988 England Mar. 6, 1880 439,315 Germany Jan. 8, 1927 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Catalogue of I. E. Palmer 00., Middletown, Conn., 1908, pages 18 and. 19. (Copy in Div. 8, U. S. Patent Oflice.)

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