Spring Bed-bottoms.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1891--Accepted, 10th Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Spring Bed-bottoms.
I, DANIEL EDGAR, General Salesman, a citizen of the United States, residing
at No. 181 West Maumee Street Adrian, in the County of Lenawee, an State of
Michigan, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to spring bed-bottoms of the class in which coiled or helical
springs are secured vertically on a supporting-frame, and connected by horizontal
bracing and supporting springs, and by inclined bracing springs.
The objects of my present invention are to secure a spring bed-bottom having a
uniformly elastic surface; firmly to connect and brace the supporting springs by
elastic connections, capable of yielding freely vertically and laterally, but preventing
excessive lateral displacement of the springs; and a yielding, adjustable head-
piece, strongly braced against lateral displacement.
These ends I attain by the novel construction, combination, and organization of
instrumentalities hereinafter specified.
The accompanying drawings show a spring bed-bottom embodying the subject-
matter claimed; unless otherwise specified, the parts are of usual well-known
construction.
Fig. 1 is a plan or top view of the whole bed-bottom;
Fig. 2, a side elevation of the head-end of the bed ;
Fig. 3, a similar view of the foot-end ;
Fig. 4, a top-plan of a part of the central portion or body; and
Fig. 5, an end elevation of the head-end of the bed-bottom.
Fig. 1 shows the different parts on a smaller scale than the other figures.
The frame is shown as composed of a series of longitudinal, parallel slats A,
connected at the foot and head by cross-bars or slats B, B1, secured thereon. The
slats A protrude slightly beyond the cross-bar or foot-piece B; for a purpose
hereinafter explained. Coiled supporting-springs C, are shown as mounted
symmetrically on the slats A, equidistantly from each other. These springs in
outline represent inverted frustra of cones of uniform height, which form I now
prefer to the hour-glass shape heretofore commonly employed, as being less liable
to become centrally and laterally distorted by constant use. Fig. 1 shows thirty-
six of these supporting-springs, arranged in six transverse rows, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in
rectangular form between the head and foot pieces or slats B', B, with an additional
row, 7, of such springs mounted on the protruding end of the slats A, outside the
foot-piece, for a purpose hereinafter described.
A cross-bar D, constituting a head-piece, is shown as mounted on three coiled
springs E, E, E², interposed between it and the cross-piece B₁; these springs are
frustrum-shaped, their smaller ends being uppermost, one of them supporting each
end of the head-piece, and the other the centre.
U-shaped or bow-springs F, are interposed between the ends of the cross-bar B¹,
and head-piece D, with their open ends near to, and pointing towards the outer
coiled springs E, E²; these bow-springs are made of stout wire, each having a
central coil, and arms f', f, respectively secured to the head-piece D, and head-
slat B'. Similar springs G, are likewise interposed between the head-piece and
slat B', and between the inner ends of the transverse bow-springs F, and the central,
spiral spring E'. These springs G, however, instead of being arranged parallel
with the head-piece, are arranged transversely thereto; that is, parallel with the
slats A, their central portion or spring-end projecting towards the foot of the bed-
bottom-see Fig. 2.
A chain H, is secured to the head-piece D, near each end; each chain extends
037

page_text: through an eye h, on the cross-slat B', and is then secured on a hook h', on the
head-piece. As the two ends of each chain are secured to the head-piece at some
distance apart, and on opposite sides of the eye , on the cross-slat, it serves not only
to prevent the head-piece being forced too far from the cross-slat by the springs,
but also resists its endwise movement laterally or transversely to the bed-bottom.
The distance to which the head-piece can rise may readily be adjusted by letting
out one or more links of each chain.
;
Under the organization shown, the coiled springs tend to raise and support the
head-piece the bow-springs F, G, not only assist in the performance of this
function, but also brace the head-piece, both laterally and longitudinally. I am
thus enabled to adjust the height of the head-piece without interfering with its
flexibility, and without the use of a hinge, as it simply moves vertically on its
supports. The outside, longitudinal rows of the supporting-springs inside the
slats B, B', and the springs on the transverse row, 7, between the corner-springs at
the foot, are braced laterally, and restricted as to their vertical movement by spiral
springs I, passing through the upper coils of the supporting-springs, and having
their ends secured on the supporting-slats A. The corner-supporting springs at the
foot are braced by similar springs I, 12, arranged both longitudinally and
transversely on the protruding ends of the slats-see Fig. 3-thus bracing these
corners in both directions. The transverse rows of springs 6 and 1, respectively
next and inside of the cross-bars B, B', are braced by longitudinal, inclined, coiled
springs J, J, respectively secured at one end to the slats, and at the other to the
springs, near their upper ends; these tension-springs serve to counteract inward
strains on their supporting-springs to prevent their lateral distortion.
supporting-springs around the edge of the bed-bottom are connected by horizontal
coiled springs K. The head-row of supporting-springs 1, is not only connected
with the head-piece D, by similar springs K', but also by three sets of intersecting
diagonal springs L, L, L, L³, united in each set at their intersecting-point by a
ring, each set of springs thus radiating from the central ring to the two support-
ing-springs, and two separate points of attachment on the head-piece--see Fig. 1.
This figure shows this relative arrangement as applied only to the corner and
central squares nearest the head, the spaces of the other squares being occupied by
the longitudinal bow-springs G; the springs in the remaining squares afford
sufficient bracing supports for all practical purposes.
The
The supporting-springs C, in the inner longitudinal rows, are connected with
each other by spiral springs m, arranged in longitudinal series. All the supporting-
springs are connected in sets of four by sets of diagonal, spiral bracing-springs N,
the four springs constituting a set radiating from a central ring n. The five rows
of the sets of spiral springs and rings N and n, are united by longitudinal coiled
springs O. At the foot of the bed, these springs terminate in rings n, connected
by transverse coiled springs P, secured at their outer ends to rings Q, with which
the longitudinal springs K, connecting the outer longitudinal rows of supporting-
springs, are united.
My improved organization secures a bed-bottom adapted to yield freely at any
desired point, and readily to resume its normal position when relieved from
pressure, while the supporting-springs are securely braced against lateral strains
in any direction. It possesses the strength requisite to durability, and elasticity
sufficient for comfort.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1. In a spring bed bottom, upright supporting springs mounted on slats, head
and foot cross bars connecting the slats, small coiled springs horizontally arranged
and connecting the upright springs at their upper ends, and the inclined springs. J',
connected to the head and foot cross bars and to the transverse rows of springs
inside the bars and next to the head and foot rows of springs.

page_text: 2. In a spring bed bottom, longitudinally arranged slats connected by head and
foot cross bars, upright supporting springs mounted on the slats, horizontal diagonal
springs connecting the supporting springs in groups of four, central rings to which
these diagonal springs are connected, and longitudinal springs O, connecting the
rings and arranged between the rows of supporting springs and each dividing the
space between two supporting springs in adjacent longitudinal rows.
3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the longitudinal
slats, the head and foot cross bars connecting them, the upright supporting springs
mounted on the slats, horizontal diagonal springs connecting the supporting springs
in groups of four, the central rings to which these springs are connected, the
longitudinal springs 0 connecting the rings between the longitudinal rows of
supporting springs, and the inclined springs J, J', connected to the head and foot
cross bars, and to the transverse rows of springs inside the bars, and next to the
head and foot rows of springs.
4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the longitudinal
slats, the head and foot cross bars connecting them, the head piece D, the coiled
springs supporting it and normally holding it above the upper plane or surface of
the springs in the bed bottom, the transverse bow-springs F, and the horizontal
bow-springs G, both interposed between the head cross bars and head piece, to
enable the latter to be raised and lowered without a hinge, and devices for holding
the head piece against the force of the springs in any desired position.
5. In a spring bed bottom, the head piece adapted to be raised and lowered
without a hinge, and supported by coiled springs, which normally holds the head
piece above the surface of the springs in the bed bottom, said head piece being
provided with devices for holding it at any desired elevation against the force of
the springs.
6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the longitudinal
slats, the head and foot cross bars connecting them, supporting springs arranged on
the slats, horizontally arranged springs connecting the supporting springs at their
upper ends, the head piece, adapted to be raised and lowered without a hinge,
springs mounted on the head cross bar, and supporting the head piece and normally
holding it above the upper plane or surface of the springs, in the hed bottom, and
the adjusting chains secured to the head cross bar and the head piece.
7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the longitudinal
slats, the head and foot cross bars, the supporting springs mounted on the slats, the
head piece, its supporting springs, the longitudinally-inclined springs J, J,
connected to the head and foot cross bars and to the transverse rows of springs
next the head and foot rows, longitudinal springs K, connecting the supporting
springs, diagonal springs connecting the supporting springs in groups of four, the
rings to which these diagonal springs are connected, longitudinal rows of springs
connecting these rings, a transverse row of springs P, connecting the rings between
the two transverse rows of springs at the foot of the bed, and the springs I, I, I³,
connecting the springs in the side and foot rows with the slats to which they are
connected.
D this res