US7590A - Obstetric chair and supporter - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES ATE T FEIS.

ASA BLOOD, OF JANESVILLE, VISCONSIN.

OBSTETRIC CHAIR AND SUPPORTER.

Speccation of Letters Patent No. 7,590, dated August 27, 1850.

tached from eachother.

My invention consists in dividing the seat of the chair into two sect-ions which are hinged together at their hinder extremities in such a manner that they can be separated at the front of the seat to form any required angle with each other; and in the several devices connected with the chair, which assist in the process of parturition.

The chair, as represented, is composed mainly of a divided seat and back; the former is supported on four legs A, A, A, A, which are each composed of two pieces, the lower a, sliding within the upper, to which it can be made fast by a clamp screw c, in such manner that the distance of the seat from the ground can be adjusted to the size of the patient; the lower extremities of the legs are furnished with casters d, to allow t-he chair to be easily moved; the seat is composed of two portions of side pieces B, B, which are curved and padded to adapt them to the roundness of the limbs of the sitter, and are hinged to each other at the back of the chair in such manner that their front extremities can be placed at any required distance apart.

The back C, is hinged to the upper extremity of the pivot e (Figs. 2 and 6) of the hinge which connects the side pieces;

it is supported in an upright position by two adjustable straps, cords, or springs f, which connect it with the sides of the chair, and which oppose themselves to the pressure of the back of the patient. A head cushion D is attached to the upper extremity of a bar g which is arranged to slide in the frame of the back of the chair in such a manner that it can be adjusted to the height of the patients head. In order to support the small of the back a cushion E, is suspended by straps it 7L, from the upper edge of the back of the chair. Each leg of the sitter is supported when necessary by a cushion secured to the outer extremity of a spring frame sliding beneath the seat so that the cushion may be drawn out to any required distance from the seat or may be `shoved up against its front edge at will.

The feet of the patient are supported in slippers F F, which are suspended from the front extremities of the sides of the chair by adjustable straps a', z', 'these pass through a ring or pulley secured to the slipper thus allowing the latter to be moved in any direct-ion at will. As pressure upon the abdomen is of great advantage in the process of parturition it is applied by means of a broad band or brace G which is attached to the extremities of a pair of straps 7c, these proceeding backward to pulleys or rings Z (Figs. G and 7) secured to the hinder part of the seat, are thence returned forward and are passed through 'pulleys or rings Z Z secured to the slippers, whence they are turned upward; their free extremities being each furnished with a stirrup H to which the hands of the patient are applied.

Cases frequently arise where the patient is from weakness unable to apply the necessary pressure; in such cases the straps instead of being attached to stirrups, should be wound upon the spindle of a winch to which the hand of the operator is applied to wind up the straps and thus produce the requisite pressure. A flannel hammock I is suspended from the seat to receivethe new born infant, and a water proof sack K is added to receive the evacuations of the patient.

It will be perceived that the chair thus constructed adapts itself to the varying positions of the members of the sitter and supports the limbs while the efforts of nature are assisted by the abdominal brace. The yielding of the adjustable elastic straps should be controlled by unelastic cords which will prevent the movements of the back or of the slippers beyond fixed limits; the distance to which the two divisions of the seat open must also be limited either by straps or by the construction of the hinge.

The chair may be adapted to domestic purposes by securing the divisions of the seat close to each other and inserting a supplementary seat. I/Vhen the chair is to be conveyed from place to place the straps are unbuckled thus allowing the back to be lifted off from the seat, and as the back is attached to the pivot of the hinge which connects the two divisions of the seat, these will be disconnected; the legs of the seat which are hinged can be folded up and the whole can then be packed away in a small space.

The several members of the chair may be made of such materials as the constructor may select but I prefer to construct the frame of cast iron, that being in my opinion the most suitable material for the purpose.

Vhat I claim in the foregoing as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.'.An Obstetric chair with its seat comsubscribed my name.

ASA BLOOD.

IVitnesses:

E. S. RENWICK, P. H. WATSON.

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