Improvements in the Manufacture of Mattresses, Squabs, and Seat Cushions.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 9th May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 14th June, 1887.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Mattresses, Squabs, and
Seat Cushions.
I, JOHN ALDERMAN of No. 16 Soho Square London Invalid Carriage Builder, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In constructing the Mattress Squab or Seat Cushion-as the case may be I produce
a more than usually yielding action in my springs by giving an increased diameter to
the centre and adjacent coils of the spiral, and I attain a variation of buoyancy pro-
portioned to the varying pressure of different parts of the human body when in a
recumbent position by using springs of different guages so disposed and fitted as
hereinafter described.
The material to which such springs are ordinarily fastened is strong sail (say Boat
sail) cloth both top and bottom which cloth is divided off into squares of greater area
than the space covered by a coil with the spring in a vertical position. The bottom
cloth is rendered at once rigid and pliable to a sufficient extent by the adaptation of
narrow slips of some elastic substance such as round cane or whalebone in lateral
and longitudinal directions corresponding to the various rectangular divisions, and
also to the bottom edge.
-
Due ventilation of the Mattress &c. (a point of great importance in a sanitary sense
to all in general but more especially in the case of Invalids) is secured by the following
contrivance.
The Sail cloth to which the Springs are attached top and bottom as before described
is pierced with an orifice concentric with the upper and lower circles of each spiral
coil-but of less diameter. This I ordinarily effect by means of stamping out a piece
of the cloth by which means a free passage of air is secured. Three or four (but

page_text: seldom more than four) draw check strings are put to each spring by which means the
spirals can be adjusted to any desired height and the surface of the Mattress can be
made level or undulating at will. To each spring round the edges of the Mattress is
fitted a diagonal check string which serves to keep every spring in its proper vertical
position. Bridle loops to receive the curled horse hair are then usually distributed
in sufficient numbers at equal distances all throughout the Mattress-squab or cushion
so that the horsehair when inserted and properly teased can never move from its
proper position this being done the Mattress or other before enumerated article is then
fit to be furnished with its outer covering and quilted ready for use.
Dated this 29th July 1886.
A. COLLINGRIDGE,
Agent for the Petitioner.

page_text: Improve P
Seat Cushions.
1, JOHN ALDERMAN, of 16 Soho Square, in the County of Middlesex, Invalid
Carriage Builder, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to manufacture improved mattresses, squab and seat
cushions.
In this Specification the application of my invention to mattresses is described, from
which description is adaptation to squab and other seat cushions and analogous
articles will be understood.
In carrying out my invention, I make use of the ordinary tapered helical springs,
but I form the central portion of such springs of greater diameter than as at present
made, in order to impart greater elasticity thereto.
I also provide for a variation of support or buoyancy, wherever necessary, to sustain
the increased weight of some parts of the body, when in a recumbent position, by
using springs of different gauge and strength.
In forming the mattress I prefer to use strong sail-cloth (such as boat sail-cloth)
dividing the area of the cloth into squares of somewhat larger area than the diameter
of the springs.
The bottom cloth is stiffened by means of narrow strips of some elastic material,
such as cane or whalebone, strongly sewn thereto in a longitudinal and transverse
direction, corresponding to the aforesaid divisions; such strips being also applied to
the bottom corners or edges.
I provide for the ventilation of the mattress (which is very essential from a sanitary
point of view, and more especially for invalids) by means of eyelet holes let into the
upper and lower covers of the mattress; an eyelet hole being so placed in a central
position both above and below each spring, whereby air can enter into and among the
springs of the mattress, and such air, or some portion thereof, can be expelled there-
from as the springs yield to the motions of the body. The mattress is thus kept cool
and wholesome.
I also provide for the ventilation of the mattress, by enclosing the same in a specially
manufactured coarse canvas having sufficient spaces between the warp and weft to
allow of the free passage of air.
Two or more (but seldom more than four) check strings, are fitted to each spring,
by which the springs may be compressed and adjusted to any desired height, and the
surface of the mattress can be made level.
A diagonal check string is fitted to each of the outside springs round the edges of
the mattress, which string serves to keep each outer spring in its proper vertical
position.

page_text: Bridle loops to secure the curled horse-hair, are usually distributed in sufficient
numbers, at equal distances upon the upper canvas of the mattress, so that the horse-
hair, when inserted and properly teased, can be securely held in position, and prevented
from being displaced.
The mattress
for use.
then ready to receive its outer covering, and to be quilted, ready
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a diagram shewing the underside of the mattress. Fig. 2 is a perspective
view of the upper side of the same. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same, with the
covering removed, to shew the arrangement of the springs, and Fig. 4 is a perspective
view of the finished mattress.
a a are the eyelet or ventilating holes, each hole being made in a central position
with respect to the spring. Similar holes are formed in the upper canvas, as shewn
in Fig. 2.
Strips of cane, whalebone, or other suitable elastic material, 6 b are properly sewn
or otherwise firmly attached to the underside of the mattress, so as to impart a suitable
amount of rigidity thereto.
In Fig. 3 c c are the springs, which are fitted in the mattress, and are provided
with check strings dd; by which strings the springs may be drawn together or
compressed, more or less, so as to regulate the surface, and render it entirely level as
may be required, to sustain various weights or portions of the weight.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the finished mattress, a joint being formed at e, so
that the back may be raised, if required; and, the base being made only partially
rigid by the aforesaid canes 6 b, this portion of the mattress, when so raised, may be
caused to bend to a certain extent, if required.
The springs round the sides of the mattress are also provided with diagonal cords ff,
whereby such strings are prevented from swerving, and getting out of order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The method of ventilating mattresses, squabs, and seat cushions, substantially as
herein before described and shewn on the drawings.
2. The manufacture and use of mattresses, squabs, and seat cushions, fitted with
eyelet holes a a, strips of elastic material 6 b, springs c c and check strings dd,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and shewn on the
drawings.
3. The general construction, combination and arrangement, of the several and
respective parts, together constituting my improvements in the manufacture of
mattresses, squabs, and seat cushions, substantially as herein before described and
shewn on the drawings.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.