CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS ON BEDSTEADS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1826

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
DAY, of the Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Trunk and Camp Equipage
Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George, the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date.
at Westminster, the Thirty-first day of August, in the seventh year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Day, His especial licence, that I, the said William Day, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Day, my exors,
adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time, and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and
the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
ON BEDSTEADS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me, the
said William Day, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to
be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Day, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and,

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the Drawing hereunto annexed, and the following
description thereof (that is to say):
The chief object of my said improvements, on bedsteads is to give them the
property of being extended or contracted in width or sideways, as well as of
being raised or lowered in height, and which latter property I also extend to
the pillars and testers; and I hereby claim as my Invention any and every of
the various methods by which the said objects of extension or contraction side-
ways, and of elevation or depression, may be effected. In order, however, to
afford some examples of methods of carring this part of my Invention into
effect, I shall proceed to describe the Figures contained in the Drawing,
which, as aforesaid, is annexed to this Specification.
Fig. 1 is an end view or elevation of a bedstead, chiefly composed of
metallic tubes and rods, and which may be extended- or contracted, and raised
or lowered, by sliding within the larger tubes. A, A, A, the legs, the two
outermost of which are screwed in the lower ends of the pillars B, B, having
previously passed through the square holes made in the side and end rails of
the bedstead at C, C, the necks of the screws being made square to fit them in
the usual manner, and they are also furnished with rollers or castors at their feet,
as usual; D, the larger or outer tube of the end rail; E, the inner tube or rod,
sliding within the outer one, and thus made capable of being extended or con-
tracted sideways, the side rails, which are not shewn in this Figure, being
made as usual. The sliding tube or rod E is retained in its situation when
extended, or prevented from slipping back, by the action of a-spring catch F.
The middle leg A is also made to screw through the two tubes D and E,
which serves to retain them more firmly in their situation; G, G, are the two
larger tubes of the stretchers of the bedstead; H, H, the smaller tubes or
rods of the stretchers; these, as usual, are hooked at each end into
eyes or loops affixed to the legs. The stretchers are also kept extended by
spring catches at F, F, in a similar manner to the rail D, E; I, I, are
the smaller tubes or rods of the pillars sliding within the larger or outer
tubes B, B; the tubes or rods I, I, are supported at the proper height by the
spring catches F, F, in a similar manner as the horizontal rods or tubes
already described are kept extended; J and K are the two tubes or rods
forming one of the end rails of the bedstead. The outer ends of these are
united in the usual manner to the tops of the pillars I, I, by the pins or
screws in the latter passing through holes made in the tubes or rods J and K
for that purpose, and screwed by means of the vases L, L, or other ornaments.
These tubes or rods J, K, are likewise kept extended by a spring catch F

page_text: M, M, are the arched side rails of the tester formed in the usual manner; and
N, O, are two tubes or rods forming one of the top rails, which are also hooked.
or affixed to the side rails in the usual manner and kept extended by the
spring catch F. The Figure shews the bedstead as being extended or drawn
out to its full width; the dotted lines near the middle of the Figure shew it in
its contracted state.
Although I have shewn the pillars and rails and top rails as being composed
of two parts sliding one within the other, yet I can also form them of three or
more parts if necessary. The internal construction of these parts are similar
to those of telescope tubes, as shewn in Figure 2, which represents parts of one
of the pillars in section and in substance; P is a cloth lining shewn separately
in Fig. 3, and in its place by the section of it in Fig. 2. This is intended
to prevent the internal tubes or rods from being scratched or disfigured by
sliding in and out, and they are prevented from shaking in the outer tubes by
means of an elastic worsted cord Q being wound around them, as shewn in
Figure 2. R, R, are two collars of metal which also serve to steady the
movement of the inner tubes or rods within the external tubes, and the upper-
most of which collars rests against the internal collars S of the screwed ferril
T, and prevents the inner tube or rod from being drawn entirely out.
Fig. 4 is a plan of part of the bedstead shewn in Fig. 1, extended to its full
width; U, U, are parts of the two side rails connected with the squares C, C,
above mentioned. The sacking V, V, V, is composed of a broad and a narrow
peice, laced together as usual, but the broad piece is made to fold when the
bedstead is contracted, as shewn in Fig. 5, and for this purpose is provided
with an additional set of holes at W, W. The sacking is sewn to the two,
side rails and extended lengthways by straps and buckles in the usual manner;
G, II, in Fig. 4, is one of the stretchers of the bedstead. Fig. 6 represents.
the sacking and bedding. in their extended state; U, V, V, W, V, U, is the
sacking; the broarder and thicker part of the bedding; Y and Z the
narrower and thinner parts of it. Fig. 7, a representation of the sacking and.
bedding in the contracted state; the narrow parts Y and Z are united to the
broad part X at a, and to each other at b, the two narrow parts being folded
one under the other in the extended state of the bedding shewn in Fig. 6,
and laid open upon the broad part X when in the contracted state, and as.
shewn in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is an end view or elevation of a couch or sofa-bedstead.
Fig. 9 a plan of it, and Fig. 10 the front view or elevation of it. The
couch is made of the full length, and is capable of being extended or contracted,
sideways, in a similar manner to the bedstead already described, by the end.
rails drawing out, as shewn
the dotted lines at c, c, or shutting within the

page_text: external tubes of them, as shewn in the Figures; the same letters of
reference indicating the similar parts as in the preceding Figures. Instead,
however, of the fold in the sacking there shown a metal rod d, d, shewn in
Figure 9, is extended across from the ferrils T, T, and is inclosed and stitched
within the sacking. The extra part of the sacking folds and lies under or over
the fixed part forming the seat of the couch or sofa, as shewn in Fig. 9, and the
bedding merely folds as a palliass. There being no tester to this bedstead, a
back raile, e, shewn in Fig. 10, is affixed to the two hind pillars B, B, by
screwed balls, vases, &c. and to a middle pillar f. Instead of the tubes or
rods sliding within or upon each other, as above described, I can unite them
in various other ways. Fig. 11 shews the two outside portions of an end rail
extended by screwing into a long middle part, the screws being right and left
threaded. Fig. 12 represents the same outside portions of a rail contracted by
being screwed into a short middle piece, and which said piece is shewn separately
endways in Fig. 13, it being made angular in order to admit of being turned
or held fast in a key or wrench. Fig. 14 is another method of combining,
extending, or contracting the parts forming the end rails, the outer tube
having a solid metal block 9 affixed in the middle of it, from which proceed a
right and left, single, double, or treble threaded screw. Into the inner ends of
the two small tubes sliding within the larger or external one, female right and
left threaded screws h, h, are affixed, which, on turning the external tube
round gradually, cause the ends to extend or contract, as it may be turned the
one way or the other, and keep them so extended or contracted, at any
required distance. The Figure shews them as contracted, but the dotted lines
shew them in the extended state. Fig. 15 is another end rail formed of two
tubes, only the outer one having a single, double, or treble threaded screw i
firnily affixed within it at one end, and the inner tube having a female screw
j'affixed within its inner end; by turning the one tube within the other the rail
may be extended or contracted and be kept at any required length. The Figure
shews it as contracted, and the dotted lines as extended. Fig. 16 exhibits another
method of combining, extending and contracting tubes or rods for end rails.
The external tube has a longitudinal slit or groove k, k, made partly along it
with short cross slits 1, 1, 1, 1, proceeding from it each way at proper distances
apart. The internal tube has a stud m affixed upon it which slides along the
slit or groove, and can be turned into either of the cross slits to steady it in
the required position, and as shewn at m. As however the longitudinal and
cross slits have a tendency to weaken the external tube, so I have provided
another tube Fig. 17 to slip over that tube, and which also conceals those
Instead of making the slits in the external tube, I can also form them
slits.

page_text: in the internal one, and affix the stud in the external one, in which case there
will be no necessity for employing a covering tube. Another mode of
effecting a similar object is shewn in Fig. 18, where short pieces of slit tube
n, n, are firmly affixed within and near the ends of the external tube, and each
I of them have a cross slit è made in them to receive a stud m, which is affixed
upon the internal tube or rod. The inner ends of the long slits are rounded
off in order to admit the stud m more readily into them. Fig. 19 shews
another arrangement upon a similar plan with No. 18, excepting that both ends
of the end rail are made to extend and contract; one end is shewn as extended,
and the other as contracted, the dotted lines also shewing the latter as extended,
the same letters of reference indicating the similar parts as in Fig. 18. Another
method of extending end rails is shewn in Figs. 20 and 21, the inner rod or
tube having holes made along it at proper distances apart, and the external one
having a spring stud affixed upon it which is made to pass through a hole
made in the external tube, and to enter any of the holes made in the internal
rod or tube, when it is brought over them by the action of the spring. Fig. 22
represents the spring and stud detached. Upon raising the spring the stud is
withdrawn from the inner hole, and the tube may then be extended or
contracted. Instead of two tubes three or more may be employed as may be
required. Fig. 23 represents a similar arrangement with the substitution of
a pin in place of the spring stud, passed through holes in the tubes to secure
them in their places. A method of combining rods or tubes, which are not
intended to slide one within another, is shewn in Figs. 24 and 25; here a socket
or ferril o is firmly affixed upon the end of one of the rods or tubes, and receives
them within it the other rod or tube, and which may be either made short as
in Fig. 24, which shews an end rail in its contracted state, or elongated as
shewn in Fig 25, which is an end rail in its extended state, and they may be
firmly secured in either state by passing a pin through holes made in the rods
and socket for that purpose, or they may be screwed together if preferred;
rods or tubes may also be jointed or hinged together to form extending or
contracting end rails, and as shewn in Figs. 26 and 27. Fig. 26 represents a
rail in its extended state, the dotted lines likewise shewing it in its contracted
or folded state. In order to strengthen or stiffen the rod when extended, an
elongated part C rests upon a recess or gap p, formed in the adjoining rod to
receive it, and which said elongated part has a square hole made in it to fit
upon the square shoulder, made upon the upper end of the leg of the bedstead,
when the end rail is used in its contracted state. These parts are shewn in
their separated state in Fig. 27, which is an under view of them, and in Fig. 28

page_text: which is a side view thereof. Fig 29 is one end of a contracting and extending
stretcher bedstead, which usually is constructed of three pairs of tubes, rods, or
bars jointed together in the middle of each. The figure shews the bedstead as
in its elevated and contracted state, and the dotted lines exhibit it in the
lowered and extended state. I employ a folding sacking in this bedstead
similar to that already described in the references to Figs. 1, 4, and 5, and I can
retain it in the contracted or extended states by means of end rails, one at each
end of the bedstead. These end rails may either be two short rails with holes
or loops at each end of them, similar to that shewn in Fig. 30, and two long
ones of the same description, or else two adjusting or variable rails of the
construction of any of those which will be described hereafter. Fig. 31 is an
end elevation of another stretcher bedstead, in which the crossed legs are
intended to be retained always at the same angle. This bedstead can be
extended and contracted in width by sliding tubes or rods which are fitted upon
or within the fixed parts of the crossed legs, as shewn by the dotted lines in
Fig. 31, and I employ the folding sacking and end rails in the manner just
described. In Fig. 31, the extending rods are shown as sliding within the
tubes, and in Fig. 32 one part of them is shewn as consisting of an, external
In both cases the rods or
tube sliding upon or over, an internal tube or rod.
tubes are retained in their situation either by means of pins being passed
through holes made in them for that purpose, and as shewn in the figures;
or else by springs or other proper means I affix a half tester or a whole tester
or tent to this bedstead in the following manner :-In Fig. 31, a half tester is
shewn consisting of two pillars q, q, screwed into the side rails, a part of one
of which is shewn separately in Fig. 33 at r, a pillar and part of the
half tester being also shewn separately in Fig. 34; and for a whole tester or
tent, I screw four pillars 9, 9, &c. into the side rails instead of two only; s, s,
in Figs. 31 and 34 are the side rails of the half tester affixed to the pillars q, g,
In order to accommodate
by screws, balls, vases, &c. in the usual manner.
them however to my extending and contracting bedsteads, I employ sliding
tubes or rods for the cross rails t, t, &c. The dotted lines, in Fig. 31,
represent the pillars and cross rails in the extended and elevated state; in
order to adapt pillars for half or whole testers or tents to the stretcher bedsteads
with the angles of their legs made variable, I furnish the lower ends of the
pillars with rings or loops instead of screws, such as are shewn at n, in Figs. 35,
36, 37, and 38, and which are fitted upon the ends of the side rails r, as shewn in
Figs. 35 and 37, and secured in their upright position by means of a stud or
tongue v, shewn in Fig. 38, which fits into one of two longitudinal grooves w, w,

page_text: shewn in Figs. 39 and 40, which are made to suit the two different states of;
expansion or contraction of the bedsteads; the rings of the pillars are pre-
vented from coming off the ends of the rails by pins which are passed through;
holes made in the stretcher rings and the pillar rings, and 'as shewn in Figs. 35
and 37. Fig. 41 represents an extending and contracting front rail of a half
tester viewed in the direction t, s, of Fig.34; this rail is composed of two metallic
rods x and y, with a short tube or ferril =,=, affixed upon the end of each, and
made to slide upon or along the rods respectively, and thereby to confine or
hold them together, and they are held or retained at any required length by
means of a pin passed through holes made in the rods to receive it, and which
pin may be affixed to a loose ring capable of sliding upon the rods to prevent.
it from being lost; the rods may be made of various shapes,-as half round,,
shewn in Fig. 42, at x and y; square, as shewn in Fig. 43; half flat, as shewn.
in Fig. 44; three square, as shewn in Fig. 45, or of any other fit and proper
figure. Figs. 46, 47, and 48, exhibit sliding rings with pins attached to them by
chains adapted to slide upon the rods x and y, shewn in Figs. 42, 44, and 45.
Fig. 49 represents the half tester in its contracted state, it being also folded
in the joints 1, 1, as usual. Instead of employing the sliding tubes or
ferrils z, z, to hold or retain the rods together, I can also unite them by means
of holes, slits, or gaps, made in each at proper distances apart, and turn
buckles affixed to each rod, the heads of which are made flat, and being passed
through the holes, slits, or gaps, and then turned half way round, bind or
secure the rods together, as shewn at Fig. 50. Figs. 51 and 52 shew the two
rods separated in the same position as in Fig. 50. And Fig. 53 shews one of
them laid flat, to exhibit the holes, slits, or gaps in it. Fig. 54 shews a head
foot rail in its extended state, made upon the plan described in the references to
Fig. 41. Fig. 55 is a chair or stool, the back of which can be raised or lowered
at pleasure, it being formed of two, three, or more cylindrical metal tubes, or
round or square wooden bars or rods, with a rod or bar across them at top,
and which said first-mentioned tubes, bars, or rods are made to slide in as
many short tubes or sockets firmly affixed to the frame or seat of the chair or
stool, and the back can be held or retained when raised by means of one
or more spring catches by pins passed through holes, or in any other fit and
proper manner. The dotted lines shew the back as lowered.
or
Having thus described several methods of carrying my said improvements
into effect, I hereby declare that I do not mean or intend hereby to confine
myself to the employment of any particular material or materials in the con-
struction of the various parts of my said improvements, but to avail myself of

page_text: all which are fit and proper for the purpose. Neither do I intend to limit
myself to the particular forms or combinations shewn or described herein, but
to vary them as I may find best adapted to the particular object in view.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Day, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven.