IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward James Smith, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Works Manager, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
BEDSTEADS."
Sealed the 6th October 1877, and dated the 1st June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward James Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1877.
EDWARD JAMES SMITH, of Birmingham. in the County of Warwick, Works
Manager. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS."
The sides and the ends of metallic bedsteads generally consist of irons, and
these are joined to the legs by casting to each end of the Lirons a block, finishing
with a dovetail projection at the ends. Corner pieces of cast iron are secured to
the legs with dovetail recesses, into which the sides and ends drop. and thus bed-
steads are at present generally jointed up. Great exactness has to be observed in
making these blocks, otherwise they will not come evenly together, and the sides
project above the blocks, and are unsightly and in the way of the bedding.
By my Invention I do away with the blocks on the Lirons altogether. In tho
vertical sides of the Lirons at each end I punch an oblong or other shaped hole or
holes. The corner blocks of cast iron, which are cast in chills for joining the sides
and ends to, are provided with projecting angle pieces, which exactly correspond
with the inside of the irons, and on the side of each block is formed or east au
oblong or other projection, to exactly fit into the hole or holes punched in the
side iron; a screw is also cast in each projection to receive a suitable nut, which
keeps the Lirons in position. A lip or lips are cast upon the block to project over
and to cover the ends of the Lirons.
By my system 1 am enabled to add the projecting foot rails without increasing
either the weight or bulk, and the appearance of the joint is much neater, and the
metal required in forming it less, and thus the cost of production is considerably
reduced.
The sides and the ends also maintain precisely the same level to each other,
which is of great advantage. The lightness would be an advantage in shipping,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward James Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st
October 1877.
EDWARD JAMES SMITH, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Works
Manager. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS."
The sides and the ends of metallic bedsteads generally consist of L irons, and
these are jointed to the legs by casting to each end of the irons a block finishing
with a dovetail projection at the ends. Corner pieces of cast iron are secured to
the legs, with dovetail recesses, into which the sides and ends drop, and thus bed-
steads are at present generally jointed up. Great exactness-has-to-be observed in
making these blocks, otherwise they will not come evenly together, and the sides
project above the blocks, and are unsightly and in the way of the bedding.
By my Invention I do away with the blocks on the L irons altogether. In the
vertical sides of the irons at each end I punch an oblong or other shaped hole or
holes. The corner blocks of cast iron, which are cast in chills, for joining the sides
and ends to, are provided with projecting angle pieces, which exactly correspond
with the inside of the L irons, and on the side of each block is formed or cast an
oblong or other projection, to exactly fit into the hole or holes punched in the
side irons; a screw is also cast in each projection to receive a suitable nut, which
keeps the iron in position. A lip or lips are cast upon the block to project over
and to cover the ends of the L irons.
By my system I am enabled to add the projecting foot rails without increasing
either the weight or bulk, and the appearance of the joint is much neater, and the
metal required in forming it less, and thus the cost of production is considerably
reduced.
The sides and the ends also maintain precisely the same level to each other, which
is of great advantage. The lightness would be an advantage in shipping.
My invention will be well understood, and easily carried into practical effect by
reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the old general system of joining up bedsteads known
as the dovetail joint, as seen in the plan, Figure 2, at al and ², where the ends and
the sides of the bedsteads are both loose.
Figure is a side elevation, and Figure 4 is a plan showing my improved arrange-
ment for bedsteads, with loose ends and sides.
Figure 5 is an end elevation, and Figure 6 is a plan of my joint for bedsteads
with fast ends, that is to say, when the end bars are joined to the legs by casting
the blocks fast around each extremity of the end bars, the side bars being loose.
Figure is a side elevation, and Figure S is a plan of a corner piece for a bed-
stead having an extended foot, or an end which provides space for the bed clothes
to hang down.
Figures 9 and 10 are elevation and plan of a bedstead with an extended foot
when the end supporting bars are cast fast with the foot-and head portions.
The extended foot will be better understood by reference to the perspective view.
as shown by Figure II, where the-space˜b, b, b, extending across the foot to allow
the-hed clothes to hang down is shown, without any of the complications caused by
the extra legs or heavy curved screens, as at present. used.
In Figures 7 and 8 the side bar supports, and-the end bar supports 'd, il, are
shown renioved away from the corner-block; for the purpose of belter illustrating the
projecting pieces upon which they fit.
Figure 12 is a section on the line A. B. illustrating the manner in which the angle
or side bar supports fit on the cast-iron chilled blocks f. f.
Figure 18 is an elevation of Figure 5, with the side iron removed a little distance
away, showing the inside of the block; the end irons are cast fast to the foot and
head pieces in this case,
:

page_text: Figures 14, 15, and 16 illustrate some of the many different forms of casting the
projecting pieces according to my Invention, as they may be made of any shape to
suit the form of the horizontal supports used, such as oblong vertical projections i,
Figure 14, the T shaped projection Figure 15, or the diagonal projection shown
by Figure 1.6.
Figure 17 is a section of a double angle support, or what is termed channel
iron; in this case the strength of the joint would depend more upon the bearings
, than upon the holes in the bars fitting against the sides of the projections.
It will be seen that in all my joints the side and end bar supports come away
without any alteration in the level or lifting of the parts, and it is impossible for the
sides or ends to project upwards so as to be in the way of the bedding, and it will
also be noticed that the bulk of metal in the corner pieces is also greatly reduced
by my improved joint.
I should generally prefer to make the projections e, e, c, Figures and 8, or as
more clearly shown at e, Figure 18, slightly taper or larger at the root than at the
point, so that the sides of the holes in the bars would bind tightly against the
projecting pieces as the nut became more tightly screwed up. The screws h, h, h,
would generally be cast fast in the chilled corner blocks, but in some cases might he
loose for convenience, or a split cotter, wedge, or other known device might be used
to keep the bars in position with the same or similarly practical results.
It will be thus clearly understood that in all these plans I am enabled to cast the
corner pieces in chills.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into practice, I would have it understood that what I claim as
my Invention of Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads " is,-
First. Attaching the sides and ends of bedsteads to their chilled iron pillar blocks
direct, without casting blocks on their ends, substantially as shown, or modifications
of the same.
Second. Casting a projecting piece a little distance from the foot pillars nearer tho
head to receive the foot bar, by this means forming an extended foot, substantially
as shown, or modifications of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward James Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of October, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
Witnessed by
THOMAS HIPWOOD,
Clerk to George Barker.
27, Colmore Row,
Birmingham.
EDWARD JAMES SMITH. (L.s.)