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Joseph H. Pilates<\/a>, the founder of the well known Pilates fitness technique, described a bed or couch he designed and patented in 1930 (US Patent 1,876,743<\/a>). In this, he describes the many benefits of sleeping on a pair of resting surfaces inclined to each other. These benefits include. Straightening of the back in sleep and better support for the arms and legs.<\/p>\n I have taken his original design and improved it for modern living. My bed is:-<\/p>\n Figure 11 Figure 14 The original Pilates bed patent can be downloaded from here<\/a><\/p>\n Text and diagrams from original patent.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
![\"Pilates](\"https:\/\/geoffjones.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/01\/bedpositions.jpg\")
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\nShows arms and shoulders are supported in a position which permits relaxation and better circulation.
\nFigure 12
\nShows a position for resting & reading or writing. It will be noted from this figure that my improved bed or couch affords relaxation even in this position in as much as support is given to both legs, hips shoulders and arms in such a manner that little muscular tension is required.
\nFigure 13
\nIt will be noted that a person lying partly prone and on his side has support in both these directions whereas in a flatbed all the weight must be born either by the side or the belly.<\/p>\n
\nShows a position in which the legs are bent at the knees and partially folded together in a position somewhat resembling the birth position which, as is recognized makes for complete relaxation of the muscles for the legs.<\/p>\n