IMPROVEMENTS IN SACKINGS FOR BEDSTEADS, Con.. COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FOR SITTING, LYING, OR RECLINING UPON."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Clement Henry Davies, of the Firm of Clement Day:
and Company, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacture,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SACKINGS FOR BEDSTEADS, Con..
COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FOR SITTING, LYING, OR RECLINING
UPON."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Clement Henry Davies at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th October 1879.
CLEMENT HENRY DAVIES, of the Firm of Clement Davies and Company, of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers.
SACKINGS FOR BEDSTEADS, COTS, COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FOR
SITTING, LYING, OR RECLINING UPON."
My Invention consists of the improvements herein after described in constructing
sackings for bedsteads, cots, couches, sofas, and other articles for sitting, lying, or
reclining upon,
The object of my Invention is to remove the rigidity common to ordinary
metallic sackings, and to give to the sacking such an elasticity as will fit it for use.
without the addition of the ordinary spring mattress.
The ordinary metallic sackings of bedsteads and other articles are composed of
laths of hoop iron crossing one another, or being interlaced at right angles, and
connected by their ends to the sides and ends of the frame of the bedstead or other
article. In constructing a sacking according to my Invention I use a series of
short strips or pieces of hoop iron, and joint or loosely rivet them together in such
a manner as to form a reticulated structure, the meshes or openings in which have
by preference a hexagonal figure. The sacking is connected to the four sides of
the bedstead or other framing by the ordinary buttons or connections, or by other
kinds of fastenings.
The elasticity of the sacking may be increased when desired by the introduction
of a coiled spring or coiled springs.
Instead of the hexagonal figure described of the meshes of the sacking, meshes
of other polygonal figures may be used.
Although I prefer to carry my Invention into effect by the use of short strips of
hoop iron, yet I do not confine myself to the use of any particular material, as strips
of sheet steel or sheet brass or other hard metal or alloy, or wood or other strong
non-metallic material may be employed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Clement Henry Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th April 1880.
CLEMENT HENRY DAVIES, of the Firm of Clement Davies and Company, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SACKINGS FOR BEDSTEADS, COTS, COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FOR
SITTING, LYING, OR RECLINING UPON."
This Invention relates more particularly to improvements in the construction of
metallic sackings for bedsteads, cots, couches, sofas, and other similar articles, and
has for its object to remove therefrom the rigidity common to ordinary metallic
sackings, and to impart to the sacking such a degree of elasticity as will enable it
to be used with a slight mattress only, and without the addition of a palliasse.
The ordinary metallic sackings of bedsteads and other articles are composed of
laths of hoop iron crossing one another, or being interlaced at right angles, and
connected by their ends to the sides and ends of the frame of the bedstead or other
article. Now in constructing a sacking according to iny Invention I use a series of
short strips or pieces of hoop iron, and joint or loosely rivet them together in such
a manner as to form a reticulated structure, the meshes or openings in which have
by preference a hexagonal figure.
If desired such meshes may be made of any other polygonal form, but I would
here observe that my reason for preferring the hexagonal to any other form of
mesh is that no two contiguous strips are in the same straight line, whereby the
rigidity of the triangular or square mesh is avoided, while it is preferable to the
pentagon or any other polygon, owing to the combined simplicity and facility of
working with it and arranging the strips symmetrically. The sacking is connected
to the four sides of the bedstead or other framing by the ordinary buttons or
connections, the button holes at the head and foot thereof being tipped above with
white for the purpose of distinguishing them from those of the other sides, while
in order facility for packing the button holes at the sides are alternately threaded
with cords, the sacking being folded and packed between the two ends of the
bedstead.
In order to impart increased elasticity to the sacking I introduce in the centre a
suitable coiled spring, which acting upon all the strips composing the various
meshes cause them to yield with the most perfect ease when superincumbent
weight or pressure is applied.
If desired two or more of such coiled springs may be introduced, but for ordinary
purposes one central spring will be found sufficient.
Although I prefer to carry my Invention into effect by the use of short strips of
hoop iron, as herein before mentioned, yet I do not confine myself to the use of any
particular material, as strips of sheet steel or sheet brass or other hard metal or
alloy or wood or other strong non metallic material may be employed.
One great advantage of my improved sacking is that it allows of the bedstead
being readily fixed by any person in a few moments, the operation being as
follows, viz. First adjust the side angles, then with a mallet knock down the
four joints, after which button the head end with the white tips upperinost; then
unstring the side button holes and button the foot, and then the sides; after
which adjust the stretcher bar, and the bedstead is fixed.
Any sudden strain on the sucking is modified by the action of the central spring,
which thus affords protection to the stretcher, sides, and joints, and gives strength
and durability to the entire framework. Bedsteads fitted with my improved
sacking are therefore from these qualities well adapted for use in schools; they are.
also particularly suitable where ease is required without much bedding as in
hospitals, and for the infirm are much to be preferred to spring mattresses

page_text: suspended from end to end, as from the sacking being buttoned all round it affords
support when being got upon, and is placed at a moderate height from the
ground.
Another great advantage is that the bedstead may be fitted with spring sacking
without additional cost, while should it become requisite the central spring can be
replaced at a merely nominal cost. In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn a
plan view of one of my improved metallic spring sackings as it appears when fitted
to the frame of a bedstead. a are the side angles; b, the joints; c, the hexagonal
meshes; and d, the coiled central spring.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention of "Improvements in
the Construction of Metallic Sackings for Bedsteads, Cots, Couches, Sofas, and
other similar Articles," and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would
have it understood that I claim,-
Firstly. The improved construction of metallic sacking, consisting of a series of
short strips or picces of hoop iron or its equivalent loosely rivetted or jointed
together, so as to form a reticulated structure, having meshes or openings of any
convenient polygonal form (preferably hexagonal), and fitted with one or more
coiled springs, substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated.
Secondly. I claim the application of my improved principle of constructing a
metallic spring sacking to sackings made of wood or other suitable strong non
metallic material.
In witness whereof, I, the said Clement Henry Davies, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.