IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF GIVING FLEXI- BILITY TO BEDS, SOFAS, SEATS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES.
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, of the English and Foreign. Patent Office, 4, South
Street, Finsbury, London, and .39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF GIVING FLEXI-
BILITY TO BEDS, SOFAS, SEATS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES.". -A
communication.
Sealed the 12th August 1853, and dated the 14th February 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Péter Armand le
Comte de Fontaine Moreau at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th February 1853.
I, PETER ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of the English
and Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, and
39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF GIVING FLEXIBILITY TO
BEDS, SOFAS, SEATS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES" to be as follows:
The Invention consists in arranging a series of spiral springs in
such manner that they form an elastic mattress.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
upon
Fig. 1, Drawing I. A, A, is the lower outside frame which
the springs rest. These springs are fixed to the frame by hooks.
The frame is composed of transversal and lateral bands, and is pro-
vided with supports at top and bottom. B, is a moveable iron or
wooden frame formed of two transversal and two lateral bands; to
these bands are fixed hooks H, serving to fasten elastic springs C,
surrounding the lower and upper frames, and holding the former
suspended. C, represents springs having the shape of two. cones
joined at their ends. D, D, are hooks serving to unite the springs
together. E, E, are round or flat iron rods, fixed by screws or
rivets to the upper frame, serving to support it throughout its
breadth. F, F, bolts screwed to the upper frame serving to steady
it, and to prevent any noise. G, G, pieces of leather fixed to pre-
vent any noise which may be occasioned by the friction. I, I,
hooks serving to fasten the springs to the bottom of the frame.
Figure 1, Drawing I I. A, is the lower frame, which only differs
from the one represented in Drawing N°. 1, inasmuch as it has no
support, and is consequently quite flat. At each end of the frame
a rod is placed, and to it the fastenings a, a, Figure 2, are fixed.
B, is the upper frame, provided with fastenings of leather or iron.
C, the springs.
K, is the
L, is the
Figure 3, spring of a cylindrical form made of iron wire. Its
differents parts are represented half their natural size.
upper part, having a groove in which slips the knob C.
lower part, to which is fixed the knob C. This metal knob unites
the parts K, and L, together. M, M, are the holes in which both
ends of the spring F, Figure 4, are made to hook together, as shewn
in the Drawing. N, holes serving to connect the hole of the springs
with the straps or girths.
Figure 5, are fastenings of different lengths in leather, or of any
other suitable material; they are fixed to the lower frame A,
Figure 1, and to the bands of the upper frame B, to steady it..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said Peter Arinand le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th August
1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
PETER ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of the English and
Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, and 39,
Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, send. greeting.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three,
in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Peter Armand le
Comte de Fontaine Moreau, Her special licence that I, the said Peter
Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Peter Armand le
Conte de Fontaine Moreau, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
GIVING FLEXIBILITY TO BEDS, SOFAS, SEATS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES,"
communicated to me from a foreigner residing abroad, upon the.com;
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontaine Moreau, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontaine Moreau, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same. is to be performed, to be particu-

page_text: :
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, reference being had to the Drawing hereto annexed, and to
the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say):
The Invention communicated to me consists in arranging a series
of spiral springs, and in disposing one or two moveable frames, in
such a manner as the whole forms a perfect spring mattress for
beds, sofas, seats, and other similar articles.
The Drawings represent the different kinds of spring mattress,
quite open, without stuffing, and applicable to wooden or iron
bedsteads they are composed of two or three wooden or iron
frames; the upper and the middle ones are moveable; the dispo-
sitions of the various fastenings which unite the springs together
leaves to each of them its own independent play and elasticity.
Though this kind of spring mattress be generally quite open with
inoveable frames, yet it can be covered with ticken, oil cloth, india
rubber, &c., and stuffed with hair, wool, cotton, seaweed, &c.
In Figures I, and I, the same letters of reference represent parts
which are similar. In those Figures, A, is the lower outside frame,
upon which the springs rest; it is composed of transversal and lateral
bands, and is provided with supports at the top and bottom; the
springs are fixed to the frame by hooks. B, is the inside upper
moveable frame, and is composed of two transversal and two lateral
bands. To the bands are fixed eye screws H, through which the
rods J, pass, and to which are fixed the fastenings D, which join
together the spring C, surrounding the lower and upper frames, and
holding the last suspended. C, represents springs in the shape of
two united truncated cones. D, fastenings which join the springs
together; they are composed of straps of either india rubber or
gutta percha, of wool, .leather, iron, &c. E, round or flat iron
rods, fixed by screws or rivets to the upper frame, and serving to
support it throughout its breadth. F, iron bolt screwed to the
upper frame, serving to keep it steady. G, pieces of leather glued
to the upper and lower frames to prevent any noise. H, eye screws
screwed to the upper frame. I, hooks serving to fasten the springs
J

page_text: .
upon the lower frame. J, small iron rod passing through the eye
screws, and which the fastenings D, are joined.
upon
;
Figure 2, shews the way of uniting the springs.. The letters of
reference are the same as those employed in Figure I, and represent
the parts corresponding.
In Figures 3, and 3*, A, is lower frame, upon which the springs
C, are hooked. B, upper moveable frame, to which are fixed the
eye screws, Figure 14, and the fastenings, Figure 9. C, are springs
similar to those herein-before described in Figures I, and I*.
Figures 6, and 7, represent a spring of a cylindrical form made
of iron wire; its different parts are represented half their natural
size. K, upper piece of leather, having a groove in. which slips
the knob C. L, lower piece of leather, to which is fixed also the
knob C. C, metal button or knob, which unites the pieces K, and
L. M, holes in which the extremities of the spring are joined;
as represented by the Figure 12. N, holes serving to unite the
whole spring with the straps represented by Figure 7", or a simple
cord could be used if preferred, only this cord, which is inside the
spring, ought to be as long as the spring can be extended.
Figure 8, fastenings serving to unite the springs with the upper
frame Figure 3.
Figure 9, small chains and rods fixed to the body of the lower
frame A, Figure 3, and to the bands of the upper frame B, and
serve to prevent it from leaning to the right or left, and also regu-
late the height of the mattress.
:
Figure 10, straps sewed to the springs C, and of the same length
as the mattress; they are adapted to the rod Figure 11. Straps
can also be put across with or without the spring No. 7.
Figure 11, small iron rod which passes through the eye screws;
Figure 14, and upon which are fastened the straps, Figure 10.
Figure 12, transverse straps sewed to the springs, from one spring
to the other; the strap is little extended, as represented by the
Drawing, and by this simple means produces almost the same effect
as the spring, No. 7.-

page_text: Figure 13, iron rod fixed to the upper frame, to prevent it falling
too much at the head or the foot by its sliding.
Figure 14, eye screws fixed to the upper frame, into which
passes rod, Figure 11, upon which the straps, Figure 10, are
fastened.'
In Figures 4, and 4", the same letters of reference represent parts
which are similar. The Figures represent a double superposed
elastic mattress. A, the lower frame, upon which are hooked the
springs of the lower row. B, the upper frame, to which the springs
of the upper row are joined. C, springs, as herein-before described.
D, the central frame beneath which the springs of the lower row
are united by means of a socket F, and above which the springs of
the upper frame are hooked. E, is a wooden or iron rod screwed
inside to the upper frame, and, sliding the length of the lower
frame, prevents the upper frame from rocking. F, wooden socket
fixed beneath the central frame, keeping the springs of the lower
row steady. G, hooks fixing the springs upon the lower and central
frames. H, cords and small chains; are fastened by eye screws
to the lower and upper frame, and serve to regulate the height
of the mattress. J, eye screws fastening the sinall chains H. J,
screws fixing the rod E, to the upper frame. K, eye screws fastened
to the upper frame, and in which is placed the rod L. L, small iron.
rod passing in the eye screws K, and to which are fixed the fasten-
ings M. M, fastenings of straps or iron forming the top of the
mattress.
In Figures 5, and 5ª, the same letters of reference represent
parts which are similar. A, A, frame, on which rest two parts
B, B, forming the bottom of the bed, upon which are hooked the
springs O. D, D, hinges on which the two parts B, B, can bend,
forming a sofa. C, C, supports of the head and the feet, bending
also in two parts by means of the bolts e, e. 1, 1, these two parts
are joined by bolts, either fixed F, or moveable G. HI, H, two feet
with hinges. I, drawer for the furniture of the bed or sofa.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
understood that I do not limit myself to the precise manner of
carrying the said Invention into effect, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of the said Invention; but what
I claim as new, and intend to be protected by the herein in part
recited Letters Patent, is,-
The mechanical arrangements for constructing beds, sofas, seats,
and other similar articles as herein-before described, reference being
had to all the Figures of the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontaine Moreau, have hereto set my hand and seal, this
Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness,
A. E. DONRO.
A. DE FONTAINE MOREAU. (L.S.)