Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Metallio Bedsteads and 'Cots.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
'PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Metallio Bedsteads
and 'Cots.
I, SAMUEL ILsley WhitfieLD, of Gladstone Works Watery Lane,
Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Bedstead Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
.
This invention refers more particularly to the class of metallic bedsteads and
cots that are used in hospitals and sick rooms and is especially adapted for the
purpose, and it consists in the first place of a new construction of dovetail corners,
the casting upon which is situated the dovetail is recessed or cut out on its lower
side mid way in its depth thus the upper part of the dovetail block projects, or
overlaps the dovetail, the corner pillar block or casting which receives the same is
correspondingly recessed or cut down from the top which allows of the two parts
interlocking and whereby the joint between the two is entirely covered by reason
of the overlapping portion which is also hollowed semi-circularly on its upper
surface for it to fit tightly up to the pillar. By these means the usual joint is
entirely hidden so that no lodgment is afforded for dust or other impurities, more-
over the dovetail blocks being made of a rounded form they can be readily
cleansed & dusted.
The second part of this invention relates to a method of connecting the wire
fabric of the bed bottom to the side bars of the bedstead or cot and it consists in
screwing books into or otherwise suitably connecting the same to the said side bars,
these are attached so that they hook downwards, the side wires of the fabric.are
thus securely held, by the same, this arrangement affords a simple and effective
method of connection.
The third part of this invention relates to the head and foot ends where the
springs of the fabric are connected to the bedstead or cot and whereby the usual
end angle irons are superseded by the use of flat section bars which can be either
curved or raised in the centre or they may be straight as required for the purpose:
the advantage of this arrangement in the place of the angle irons as hitherto used
is, that no dirt or dust can accumulate.
From the above description it will be seen that an important feature of the
invention is to do away with all projections and otherwise that. may afford
receptacles for impurities which is a very important point in hospitals and sick
rooms, also by reason of the rounded formation of the parts more comfortable
means are provided for those attending the patient.
Dated the 1st day of November A D 1893
EDWARD J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Metallic Bedsteads
and Cots.
I, SAMUEL ILSLEY WHITFIELD of Gladstone Worke, Watery Lane.
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Bedstead Manufacturer, 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
Price Rd 1

page_text: statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the figures.
and letters shewn thereon-similar letters relate to similar parts :—
My invention refers more particularly to the class of metallic bedsteads and
cots that are used in hospitals and sick rooms, and is especially adapted for that
purpose and it consists in the first place of a new method of constructing the dove-
tail corners, secondly to a method of connecting the wire fabric of the bed or cot
bottom to the side bars or tubes of the bedstead or cot and thirdly to the formation
of the head and foot ends.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a corner block or dovetail casting upon the
and letters shewn thereon-similar letters relate to similar parts
My invention refers more particularly to the class of metallic bedsteads and
cots that are used in hospitals and sick rooms, and is especially adapted for that
purpose and it consists in the first place of a new method of constructing the dove-
tail corners, secondly to a method of connecting the wire fabric of the bed or cot
bottom to the side bars or tubes of the bedstead or cot and thirdly to the formation
of the head and foot ends.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a corner block or dovetail casting upon the
pinar.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the corresponding dovetail casting.
Figure 3 a plan.
Figure 4 an under view of Figure 2.
Figure 5 a side elevation of the parts connected.
Figure 6 shows a front view of Figures 2 and 4.
Figure 7 a plan of Figure 5.
Figure 8 an elevation shewing method of connecting the wire fabric.
Figure 9 is a section of the tube or side iron and hook attachment.
Figure 10 an alternative method of hook attachment when angle irons are used.
Figure 11 an elevation of a bedstead end.
I now proceed to describe the first part of my invention in relation to the
construction of the dovetail corners. The casting A upon which is situated the
dovetail B is recessed or cut out upon its lower side about midway (more or less)
in the depth of the casting as seen in Figure 2, thus the upper part C of the dove-
tail casting projects over or overlaps the dovetail B, the corner pillar block or
casting D and female dovetail E, which receives the same is correspondingly
recessed or cut down from the top F in its depth Figure 1, which thus allows of
the two parts A and D being brought together and interlocking, whereby the
joint of the male and female dovetails is entirely covered by reason of the aforesaid
overlapping portion C, which overlapping portion is also hollowed out semi-
circularly upon its upper surface G, Figure 4, to allow of its fitting tightly up to
the pillar.
By these means the usual dovetail joint is completely hidden from view so
that no lodgment is afforded for dust or other impurities to collect.
An important feature in my improvements exists in the fact of making the dovetail
castings or corner blocks, as also all other projections and castings usual in metallic
bedsteads and cots of a rounded formation thus dispensing with angles, the object
being to do away with all projections and otherwise liable to harbour dust or other
impurities so that the bedsteads or cots can be readily cleaned or dusted which
obviously is a very essential point in hospitals and sick rooms; moreover by reason
of the rounded parts more comfortable means are provided for those attending the
patient, readier access being thus obtained.
°
Referring to the second part of my invention, in Figure 8, it will be seen that I
connect the wire fabric H to the side bare or tubes I by means of hooks J screwed
in or otherwise suitably fixed to the side bare or tubes: these hooks J of which a
convenient number may be, used as desired upon each side of the bedstead or cot
book downwards as shewn, the side wires of the fabric are thus securely held by
the same. In Figure 10, I shew an alternative form of hook J, when angle iron is
used instead of tubular sides. In this case the angle iron K is drilled to allow of
the book passing through, which is then hammered flat up to the under side of the
angle iron as at J', thus keeping the hook in position.
By either of the above arrangements a simple and effective method of attachment
is afforded.
Referring to the third part of my invention, Figure 11, illustrates a head or
foot end in which it will be seen that instead of the ordinary end angle iron to
which is connected the springs or hooks of the wire fabric I adopt a flat section

page_text: bar L which may either be curved or raised in the centre of same as shewn or may
be straight as required for the purpose. The advantage of this arrangement is
that dirt, dust or other impurities cannot accumulate as may be the case with
angle irons.
A precisely similar arrangement may be used in every respect as regards my
improvements either with those bedsteads and cots having loose side bars or with
those bedsteads having the bottom frame composed in one piece, except that when
the bottom frame is constructed according to the latter form the flat end bars are
cast on to the dovetail corner blocks on the ends of the side bars or tubes.
From the above description it will be readily seen that simple and effective
means are provided for the purpose for which my improvements are designed.
The main objects being comfort and cleanliness.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of
arrangement and construction herein more particularly set forth as I may deem it
advisable to vary the same to suit different requirements as similar acting means
may be adopted without any departure from the main features of my invention.
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 :-
+
Firstly. In metallic bedsteads and cots, the special formation, construction and
arrangement of the dovetail castings or corner blocks for the purpose substantially
as set forth described and illustrated.
Secondly. In metallic bedsteads and cots, the special formation, construction and
arrangement for connecting the wire fabric to the side bars or tubes substantially
as set forth described and illustrated.
Thirdly. In metallic bedsteads and cots, the special formation, construction, and
arrangement of flat section bars in connection with the head and foot ends substan-
tially as set forth described and, illustrated.
Fourthly. In metallic bedsteads and cots the method of rounding off all
projections and angles likely to afford lodgment for dirt, dust and other impurities,
substantially as set forth described and illustrated.
Fifthly. The general improvements in the manufacture of metallic bedsteads
and cots, herein described, or any similar acting menus whereby the several
improvements may be carried into effect for the purpose or purposes set forth.
Dated this 31st day of July A D 1894
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,.
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham,, Agents for the Applicant.