Improvements in Wardrobe Beds.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1892-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wardrobe Beds.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., the
General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me by Douglas D. Cook, of the City of Grand Rapids, in the County of Kent,
State of Michigan, one of the United States of America, Cabinet Maker) 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 generally to combined articles of furniture such as wardrobe
beds, book-cases, folding beds, cabinets, and the like and particularly to a structure
in which one or more wardrobes or similiar articles, a bed-casing, and a bed-frame,
or like articles are normally stationary and arranged in rear of one or more cabinets
or like articles which are constructed and arranged to be reciprocated laterally and
immediately in front of the structure first named upon a stationary track, whereby
access can be readily obtained to the front or inner portion of said structure;
further I provide novel and improved means for permitting the lateral movement of
the wardrobe for opening and closing the said bed-casing, and I provide novel and
improved devices for securing a close fit or connection between the wardrobe and
bed-casing when the former is placed in front of the latter, and also for preventing
accidental forward displacement of the former and at the same time holding the
same in proper position and balance for lateral movement from the front of the bed-
casing and lastly I provide an improved means of hanging the bed from the interior
of the frame and my invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement or
combination of parts hereinafter fully disclosed in the description, drawings and
claims.
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification, in which the
same reference-letters indicate the same or corresponding parts.
Fig. 1, represents a perspective view of my invention, the several parts thereof
being shown in closed condition.
Fig. 2, is a perspective view showing the several parts open and the bed down.
Fig. 3, is a vertical section of the bed-casing and the bed-frame, the latter being
shown in its raised or vertical position in dotted lines and in its lowered or horizontal
position in full lines.
Fig. 4, is a horizontal section through the lower parts of the bed-casing, the two
wardrobes, and one of the cabinets, the other cabinet being shown in top plan view,
while the bed-frame which is shown in its lowered or horizontal position, is also
shown in top plan view.
Fig. 5, is a broken longitudinal section of one of the cabinets and the grooved sill
and also side views of one of the peripherally-grooved rollers, the stationary rail,
and one of the adjustable or extension rails.
Fig. 6, is a front elevation of an alternative form of wardrobe, bed-frame, and
bed-casing, the former being moved from the front of the latter.
Figs. 7 to 15 relate to the alternative forms shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 7, represents a vertical part sectional side elevation of the alternative form
shown in Fig. 6, of improved wardrobe bed, the bed or bed-frame being also shown
in dotted lines in its lowered or horizontal position.
Fig. 8, a horizontal sectional view of the same the bed being shown in full lines
in its lowered or horizontal position, part of the same being broken away.
Fig. 9, a horizontal section on the line y y Fig. 7, showing the devices for con-
necting the wardrobe and bed-casing and balancing the former when it is in front of
the latter.

page_text: Fig. 10, a side elevation of a portion of the said wardrobe and bed-casing, showing
one of the devices for securing a close fit or connection between the side walls of
the same.
Fig. 11, a detail plan view of the stationary track and the horizontal extension-
track partly removed therefrom and in operative position.
Fig. 12, a detail transverse section of the said stationary track and also of the
track upon which the wardrobe is mounted and secured.
Fig. 13, a detail side elevation of one of the side sills of the said track and also a
longitudinal section of one of the side rails of the stationary track, showing also one
of the rails of the extension-track inserted into the groove or channel formed in the
side rail of the said stationary track.
Fig. 14, a similar view of the same parts, the only difference being that one of
the rails of the extension track is shown projecting from the groove or channel in the
corresponding side rail of the stationary track and also one of the side track-sills of
the wardrobe moved out thereon.
Fig. 15, a longitudinal side elevation of the central sill of the track upon which
the wardrobe is secured and also of the central rail of the stationary track.
A, indicates the bed-casing A', the two wardrobes; Ali, the doors of the latter,
aud, B, the bed-frame. The bed-casing is arranged intermediate of the wardrobes,
its sides forming the rear walls of said wardrobes. Within this bed-casing, near the
lower front portion thereof, the bed-frame is pivoted upon the sheaves, D, which
are attached to the backs of said wardrobes, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and project
into the slots, E, which are formed in the side rails of said bed-frame near their
front edges and along their lower portions. These sheaves and slots guide the bed-
frame in lowering and raising it, and also permit when down or in horizontal position
to be drawn forward, so that its pillow or head-board, G, will be nearly in line with
the front of the cabinets and in proper position for allowing free circulation of air
laterally over the head portion of the bed. To the rear side of the lower end of
this bed-frame are secured the weights, F, the purpose thereof being to counter-
balance the weight of the front side thereof when in its vertical or raised position
and to assist in overcoming its weight in raising it from its horizontal or lowered to
its vertical or raised position. The foot end of this bed-frame is provided with the
cross-piece, O, to which is hinged the cross-piece, P, which is provided with the
legs, R, and which is held in its place by the catch, Q.
In front of the lower portion of the two wardrobes A', and the bed-casing, A.
which are normally stationary, is secured a stationary track, which consists in this
instance of the grooved sill, I, the rail. J, secured therein, the extension rails, J
hinged to the outer ends of said rail, J, as at, U, provided with the legs, and
held up in place against the outer ends of the cabinets by the springs, V, and the
sills, H, secured to the bottoms or base-frames of said wardrobes and provided with
the rollers, M, at their front ends. The two cabinets, C, and, C', are mounted
upon this track, are sidewise or laterally movable back and forth thereon, are
arranged in front of the wardrobes, the bed-casing, and the bed-frame when the
latter is in its vertical or raised position, and are provided near their lower ends or
bottoms with the rear sills, L, and the front sills, N, as shown more plainly in Fig. 3,
but in which only the cabinet, C, is illustrated as provided with these parts, whereas
as constructed and used the other cabinet, C, is provided with similar parts. The
sills L, have journalled in bearings attached to their rear sides the peripherally-
grooved rollers, K, which rest and are movable back and forth upon the rails, J,
and, J, while the front sills, N, are movable or capable of being reciprocated upon
the rollers, M. These cabinets as thus constructed and mounted upon the stationary
track and the rollers are capable of very easy lateral or endwise movement from
and to the front of the bed-casing for allowing the opening and closing of the same
and for permitting access thereto for lowering and raising the bed-frame and bed.
The bed-casing, A, has fastened to its top the long strip, T, which projects
beyond its front edge and is formed on its under side for its full length with a
tongue that fits within the grooves, S, which are formed in the tops of the

page_text: cabinets, C, and, C. This tongue and the grooves guide the cabinets as they are
moved back and forth over the stationary track and hold them firmly in place when
they are in front of the bed-casing and wardrobes. This means for connecting,
guiding, and holding together a stationary and a movable article of furniture of the
character described is very effective and desirable and also simple in construction;
but, as is obvious, it can be greatly varied in the latter respect and in the arrange-
ment without departing from the principle of this part of my invention. When the
stationary and movable articles are placed together, an article of furniture results
having the appearance represented in Fig. 1.
In order to facilitate the upward movement of the bed when it is desired to close
it I provide the eccentric cams, D', over which pass the supporting chains D".
The chains, D", have their opposite ends attached respectively near the middle of
the bed-casing or back portion of the wardrobe and near the lower ends of the sides
It will be seen
of the bed-frame and pass around the eccentric cams, D', as shown.
from this method of holding the bed that by slightly raising the foot of the bed
that the peculiar shape of the cams will facilitate the upward movement of the bed
into position in the back portion of the wardrobe or casing.
In the drawings from Figs. 6 to 15, which exhibit my alternative form of ward-
robe bed with a single wardrobe arranged in front of the bed, A, indicates the bed-
casing, which is constructed with vertically-arranged back and side-walls and an
open front and within which is arranged the bed-frame, B, which is suitably pivoted
in the lower portions of the side walls of said bed-casing, near the front edges of the
same, and which is thus rendered capable of being lowered from and raised into
said casing. The upper portion of this bed-frame is provided with the forwardly-
projecting legs, R, which when sail frame is lowered or in the dotted line position
shown in Fig. 7, support the outer or foot portion thereof in horizontal alignment
with its inner or head portion.
The head or pillow-board, G, of the bed-frame is rearwardly inclined and has
hinged to its rear edge near the ends thereof, the movable board, 9, the ends of
which near its upper edge, are provided with the laterally-extending pins, 10, which
project into the vertical grooves 11, formed in the inner surfaces of the side walls
of the bed-casing near the back wall of the same, and guide said movable board
from the full to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7, as said bed-frame is lowered
from its vertical to its horizontal position. In the back wall of said bed-casing is
formed the air-inlet opening, 12, for ventilating the bedding when the bed-frame is
raised and said movable board is lowered; also when said bed-frame is lowered to
its horizontal position this board will move up over and cover said opening, and
thus prevent air draft from the rear of the bed-casing from coming in contact with
the body of the occupant of the bed.
The wardrobe, A', may be of any suitable or approved construction and provided
with doors, drawers, book-cases, shelves and mirrors, or with any of the other usual
conveniences found in such pieces of furniture, and it is mounted upon and secured
to the frame or truck, 14, which is provided with a series of peripherally grooved
rollers, 15, 15, and, 16, 16, preferably four in number, the two latter rollers being
journalled in suitable bearings secured in slots or recesses formed in the central
sill, 17, of the truck or said wardrobe, while one of the two former rollers is corre-
spondingly journalled in each side sill, 18, of said truck. This truck and its rollers
and the wardrobe mounted thereon stand normally or when the bed is not in use
upon the stationary track, 19, which is arranged in front of the base of the bed-casing
and is composed of the two side rails, 20, and the central rail, 21, the two former
having their upper surfaces arranged in the same horizontal plane, while the latter
has its upper surface slightly higher, as shown in Fig. 12, and its left end, 21',
slightly lowered or inclined, as shown in Figs. 11, and, 15.
In order to provide for the ready and easy movement of the wardrobe laterally,
or away from the bed-casing, A, so as to permit of the lowering of the bed and bed-
frame, B, the side rails, 20, of the stationary track 19, are formed with the longi-
tudinal grooves or channels 22, which are slightly inclined downwardly to the right

page_text: and within which are fitted the side rails, 23, of the horizontal extension-track, 24,
which is provided at its outer portion with the transverse rod or handle, 25, with
the legs, 26, and with the small points, 27, which are used for stopping the travel in
that direction of the rollers, 15, of the side sills, 18, of the wardrobe truck 14; also
at the outer ends of the side rails, 20, of the stationary track, 19, are secured the
small vertical plates, 28, which are employed for arresting the movement of said
side sills, 18, and also of the wardrobe, A', in that direction.
The results incident to arranging the central rail 21, in a slightly-higher hori-
zontal plane than the upper surfaces of the side rails, 20, are-first-that the
rollers, 16, 16, when resting or moving upon said central rail will
the entire
support
weight of the wardrobe without either of the rollers, 15, 15, coming in contact
with the side rails, 20, as shown in Fig. 12, and-second-that the wardrobe thus
mounted upon said central rail of the stationary track, 19, is so evenly balanced
when it stands in front of the bed-casing as to be easily tilted back against the
edges of the side walls of the same, and thus form a close or tight connection
between them also the purposes of forming the side rails, 20, of the stationary
track, 19, with the grooves or channels, 22, which extend slightly upward at their
left ends and from which project the side rails, 23, of the extension track 24, as
shown in Figs. 6, and 14, and of forming the incline, 21, at the left end of the
central rail, 21, as shown in Figs. 5, and, 15, are-first,-to form smooth or level
surfaces at the junction of the stationary side rails, 20, and the extended side
rails, 23, for the easy reception of the rollers, 15, 15, of the side sills, 18, as the
wardrobe is moved from the front of the bed-casing, and-second--to permit the
gradual descent of said rollers upon said extended rails as the rollers, 16, 16, of
the central sill, 17, pass down and leave the inclined left end, 21, of the central
rail 21, the upper surface of the same being, as stated, slightly but comparatively
higher than the upper surfaces of the side rails, 20. The reverse of this operation
takes place when the wardrobe is returned to close the front of the bed-casing, as
the rollers, 16, 16, return and pass up the inclined end, 21', of the central rail, 21,
slightly lift the rollers, 15, 15, from the side rails, 20, and leave the wardrobe
supported and balanced centrally of its length.
In order to hold the wardrobe evenly poised or balanced when it stands in front
of the bed-casing upon the central rail, 21, the back thereof, near its edges, is
provided with two angular plates, 29, which engage with two other plates, 30, of
substantially the same shape, which are secured near the front edges of the sides of
said casing also these angular plates are so arranged as to be readily disengaged
from and engaged with each other as the wardrobe is moved back and forth in
front of said bed-casing; also said wardrobe and bed-casing are respectively
provided near the edges of their side walls with the finger levers, 31, having the
cam slots, 32, and with the studs or pins, 33, engaging said slots for the purpose of
securing a close fit or connection between said edges and the exclusion of all dust
insects, and the like.
Having thus fully described the construction and arrangement or combination of
the several parts of my invention and the operation of the same, what I claim as
my invention is.
1. The combination with a stationary article of furniture, a bed-frame pivoted
therein and a stationary track arranged in front thereof, of a movable article of
furniture and rollers for supporting the same upon said track.
2. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a
stationary track provided with rails and arranged in front thereof, of an extension
track and a cabinet laterally movable on said track.
3. The combination, with a stationary article of furniture a bed-frame pivoted
therein, and a stationary track arranged in front and at the base thereof, of a
movable article of furniture and rollers for supporting the same upon said track,
substantially as and for the purpose specified..
4. The combination, with a stationary article of furniture, a bed-frame pivoted

page_text: therein, and a stationary track arranged in front and at the base of the lower
portion thereof, of a movable article of furniture and rollers for supporting the
same and permitting of its sidewise or lateral reciprocation upon said track,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a
stationary track secured in front and at the base of the lower portions thereof, of
the cabinets and the rollers for supporting the same and permitting of their
sidewise or lateral reciprocation upon said track, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
6. The combination, with the bed-casing, the bed-frame pivoted therein, the
wardrobes, and the stationary track secured in front and at the base of the lower
portions thereof, of the cabinets and the rollers for supporting the same and per-
mitting of their sidewise or lateral reciprocation upon said track, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
રી
7. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a track
secured in front and at the base of the lower portions thereof, and comprising a
stationary rail and extension rails at the outer ends thereof, of the cabinets and
the rollers for supporting the same and permitting of their sidewise or lateral
reciprocation upon said track, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
8. The combination, with the bed-casing, the bed-frame pivoted therein, the
wardrobes, and the track secured in front and at the base of the lower portions
thereof and comprising the stationary rail and extension rails at the outer ends
thereof, of the cabinets and the rollers for supporting the same and permitting
of their sidewise or lateral reciprocation upon said track, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
9. The combination, with the bed-casing, the bed-frame, the wardrobes and the
track comprising the stationary rail, the extension rails hinged to the outer ends
thereof, and the forwardly projecting sills having rollers at their front ends, of the
cabinets and the rollers secured thereto for supporting the same and permitting of
their sidewise or lateral reciprocation upon said track substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
10. The combination, with the bed-casing, the bed-frame, the wardrobes, and the
track comprising the stationary rail, the extension-rails hinged to the outer ends
thereof and provided with legs at their outer ends, the springs for holding said
extension rails in raised position, and the forwardly projecting sills having rollers at
their front ends, of the cabinets and the rollers secured thereto for supporting the
same and permitting of their sidewise or lateral reciprocation upon said track
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. In a folding bed, the combination, with the bed-casing, of the bed-frame
having eccentric cams thereon and supporting chains passing thereover, said chains
having their opposite ends attached, respectively near the middle of said casing
and near the lower ends of the sides of said bed-frame, substantially as described.
12. The combination with a bed-casing, bed-frame pivoted therein, and a
stationary track provided with two grooved or channeled side rails and a central
rail, of a horizontal extension-track provided with two rails and a laterally
movable wardrobe provided with a truck at its bottom formed of two side sills
and a central sill having rollers journalled therein substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
13. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a
stationary track provided with two grooved or channeled side rails and a central
rail having its left end inclined and its upper surface arranged in a slightly-higher
plane than the upper surfaces of said side rails, of a horizontal extension-track
provided with two rails and a laterally movable wardrobe provided with a truck
at its bottom formed of two side sills and a central sill having rollers journalled
therein substantially as and for the purpose specified.
14. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a

page_text: stationary track provided with two grooved or channeled side rails having vertical
plates at their right ends and a central rail having its left end inclined and its
upper surface arranged in a slightly-higher plane than the upper surfaces of said
side rails, and a horizontal extension track, provided with two rails having stop-
points near their outer ends, of a laterally movable wardrobe provided with a truck
at its bottom, formed of two side sills and a central sill having rollers journalled
therein, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
15. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a
stationary track provided with two grooved or channeled side rails having vertical
plates at their right ends and a central rail having its left end inclined and its
upper surface arranged in a slightly higher plane than the upper surfaces of said
side rails, and a horizontal extension-track provided with two rails having stop-
points, legs, and a transverse rod or handle, of a laterally movable wardrobe provided
with a truck at its bottom formed of two side sills and a central sill having rollers
journalled therein substantially as and for the purpose specified.
16. The combination, with the bed-casing, the bed-frame, the wardrobes, and the
track comprising the grooved sill, I, the stationary rail, J, the extension-rails, J,
hinged to the outer ends thereof, aud the forwardly projecting sills, H, having the
rollers, M, at their front ends, of the cabinets, C, C¹, each provided at its lower
end with the front sill, N, and the rear sill L, the latter having the peripherally-
grooved rollers, K, journalled upon its rear side, whereby said cabinets are permitted
to be reciprocated sidewise or laterally upon said track and in front of said
bed-casing, bed-frame, and wardrobes, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
17. The combination, with a stationary article of furniture, a bed-frame pivoted
therein, and a stationary track arranged in front and at the base thereof, of a
movable article of furniture, rollers for supporting the same upon said track, and
means for connecting, guiding, and holding said articles of furniture together,
substantially as described.
18. The combination, with a stationary article of furniture, a bed-frame pivoted
therein, a stationary track arranged in front and at the base thereof, a laterally
movable article of furniture, and rollers for supporting the same upon said track, of
means for connecting, guiding, and holding said articles together, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
19. The combination, with the bed-casing, A, provided on its top with the long
strip, T, which projects beyond its front edge and is formed with a tongue upon its
under surface, of the bed-frame, B, pivoted in said casing, the cabinets, C, C,
formed on their tops with the grooves, S, into which said tongue projects, the
rollers for supporting said cabinets, and the track secured in front of the lower
portion of said casing, whereby said cabinets are accurately guided as they are
moved back and forth over said track and held firmly in place in front of said
bed-casing, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
20. In a wardrobe bed, the combination with the bed casing, A, having the
sheaves, D, attached to its sides near its lower front portion, of the bed-frame, B,
formed with the slots, E, near the front edges and along the lower portions of its
side rails and provided on the rear side of its lower end with the series of
weights, F, with the head-board, G, above the same, and at the front of its upper
end with the cross piece, O, the cross piece, P, hinged thereto and having the
legs, R, and the catch Q, for holding the latter cross-piece in place, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
21. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a
stationary track provided with rails and arranged in front thereof, of a laterally
movable wardrobe provided with a series of rollers at its bottom and the angular
plates, 29, and, 30, which are respectively secured near the adjacent edges of said
wardrobe and bed-casing, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
22. The combination, with a bed-casing, a bed-frame pivoted therein, and a

page_text: stationary track provided with rails and arranged in front thereof, of a laterally
movable wardrobe provided with a series of rollers at its bottom, the finger-
levers, 31, having the cam-slots, 32, and the studs or pins, 33, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Dated the 30th day of July 1892.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.