US1741838A - Maternity pad - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 31, 1929. GILBERT 1,741,838

Dec. 31, 1929. L. L. GIVLBERT 1,741,838

MATERNITY PAD Filed March 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 warren STATES rarer ,oFFicE LEVI L. GILBERT, F MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE EM-DEE SUPPLY COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEVADA MATERNITY PAD Application filed March 1, 1928. Serial No. 258,169.

This invention relates to compact and readily transport-able maternity or obstetrical pads to be used on beds or operating tables.

It is an object of this invention to provide a compact and readily set up padfor the purpose indicated that will properly direct the drainage to prevent soiling of the bedding upon which it is positioned. To accomplish this result, I provide means-to envelop suita able stuffing material to form a boundary ridge preventing overflow of liquid. In order to increase the compactness of the pad when folded up, I contemplate inserting the stuffing material just prior to the use of the :3 pad, which may, therefore, be carried to the patient as a flat parcel folded into a compact shape convenient to handle.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an article of the class described that will be economical to manufacture and ineXpenproofed material of inexpensive character sive enough to replace after a brief usage, as the rigid requirements of complete sterilization are destructive to rubber sheeting. As an alternative, I propose to use a waterthat can be destroyed after use.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed, upon which. is positioned a maternity pad embodying the preferred form of this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pad folded for transportation.

Figure 3 is an end plan view of the preferred form of pad.

Figure 4 is a section on the line IVIV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end fragmentary section on the line VV of Figure 8.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified form of pad.

Figure 7 is a section on the line VIP-VII m of Figure 6.

F igure. 8 is an end section on the line VIIIVIII of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an end section IX-IX of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is an end section on the line XX of Figure 6.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure 1 the preferred form of pad is shown in position on the edge or side of a mattress 15 on an ordinary bedstead 16, the yielding effect of the mattress cooperating with the pad to increase the effectiveness thereof when positioned beneath the patient.

In both forms of the pad the foundation comprises a rectangular sheet of material 17 having an integral apron-like extension 18 in the center of one of the longer sides, the original size of the sheet being indicated by the dotted outline in Figure 3. In the form shown in Figures 1 to 5, the material is preferably a rubberized sheet that is easily cleaned after use, while in the secondary form of Figures 6 to 10, the material is preferably a form of waterproofed paper that is intended to be used only once and then destroyed. The differences in details in the two forms arise only from the difference in material and the desire to produce an inexpensive article for the modified form that is to be used only once.

In both cases, the ends 20 of the sheet are folded up and over suitable yielding filling material 21, such as cotton or a roll of newspaper or cloth. In the permanent form, the edges are fastened down by pairs of snap fastoners 22, whereas, when waterproofed paper is used for the sheet, the folded over ends are on the line permanently attached to the sheetby paper staples 28, such as are shown in side and end views in Figures 9 and 10. When this form of staple is used, the filling material is stuffed into place in the folds at the time and place Where the pad is to he used. The side 24.- opposite the apron is then similarly folded over filling material and fastened to the sheet in the same way, the fold also embracing the unfilled ends 25 of the end folds, so that a double fold is formed at the corners, which forms an efiective seal at these points.

The use of the rear roll or fold depends both upon the patients position on the pad and the comfort of the patient. If the hips are positioned above or close to the front of the rear roll, it is necessary to fill the roll as hereinbefore described, both to form a fluid dam and to support the small of the patients back. On the other hand, if the hips are positioned on the edge of the bed so that the pad extends back almost to the shoulders, it is not necessary to fill this roll as the patients weight forms a naturally sloping drainage depression in the mattress and springs so that there is no need of a fluid dam on the side opposite the apron.

In the modified form of Figures 6 to 10, the two sloping edges 26 of the apron 17 are folded over and fastened by staples to form guides for drainage flowing over the apron, a pan 27 being positioned on the floor beneath the apron to receive drippings therefrom.

The pads of this invention are primarily intended for use in private homes, and are carried to the patient by the doctor, so that lightness and compactness are very desirable characteristics. For this reason no particular filling material has been specified as essential, the idea being that the doctor will use whatever is most convenient and adapted to the purpose. By so omitting the filling, the bulk of the folded pad is a small fraction of What it would otherwise be.

In the preferred form, when not in use, the folded ends and side are unfastened and the ends are then folded flat without the filling material, the apron being turned in on the body of the sheet, which is then folded into a flat package, as shown in Figure 2. The modified form of paper pad is originally made with the side and end folds flat and stapled in place, this form also being folded in a similar manner for convenience in transportation to the patient.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having an apron-like flap extending from the center of one side thereof, the other sides of said sheet being folded back thereover to form pockets for the reception of stufiin'g material whereby a ridge is formed around the other sides of the sheet.

2. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having an apron-like flap extending from the center of one side thereof, the other sides of said sheet being folded back thereover to form pockets for the reception of stuffing material whereby a ridge is formed around the other sides of the sheet, and, temporary fastening means for said folded sides whereby the stuffing material can be removed and the entire sheet folded into a fiat package.

3. A maternity pad comprising a waterproof sheet having an apron-like extension, spaced open pockets formed in said sheet substantially parallel to the axis of said extension and adapted to receive a bolster-like stuiiing when prepared for use.

4. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having spaced substantially parallel open pockets formed thereon adapted to receive a bolster-like stuffing when prepared for use.

5. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having an apron-like extension and spaced pockets formed on the body of said sheet and substantially parallel to the axis of said extension, and another pocket formed on the body of the sheet and normal to the first named pockets.

6. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having a rectangular body portion, two of the sides of the sheet being folded back thereover to form open-ended pockets for the re ception of stutiing material whereby spaced parallel ridges are formed to direct fluids, and temporary fastening means for said folded sides.

7. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having a rectangular body portion and two of the sides of the sheet being folded back thereover to form open-ended pockets for the reception of stuliing material whereby spaced parallel ridges are formed to direct fluids, a third side of the sheet being folded back thereover to close one end of each of the spaced parallel pockets and to form a pocket for the reception of stufling material, Whereby a ridge is formed normal to the parallel pockets, and temporary fastening means for said folded sides.

8. A maternity pad comprising a sheet of flexible material impervious to water, the sides of the sheet being arranged to be folded back thereover to form open pockets adapted to receive bolster-like fillers, the edges of the folded sides of the sheet being secured to the sheet whereby liquid dams are formed on the sheet.

9. A maternity pad comprising a sheet of flexible material impervious to water, the sides of the sheet being folded back thereover to form open pockets, the folded sides of the sheet being secured to the sheet to form liquid dams on the sheet.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

LEVI L. GILBERT.

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