IMPROVEMENTS IN BEDSTEADS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Gentle at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd December 1882.
GEORGE GENTLE of Mark Lane in the City of London "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BEDSTEADS"
The object of this invention is primarily to provide a bedstead which in
appearance is like an ordinary bedstead but forms two distinct and separate
bedsteads or it might be made into three or more side by side according to taste or
requirements, upon one frame.
In a sanitary point of view the bedsteads constructed according to my Invention
are most advantageous and where the economy of space is desirable the invention
is particularly applicable.
A convenient manner of carrying my invention into effect is as applied to a
bedstead of ordinary double bedstead size by utilizing the two outside ordinary
side pieces and connecting thereto in any known or approved manner standards or
posts and to the top and bottom head and foot pieces as may be required or as
fancy and taste may dictate. At a convenient distance from the side bars or pieces
and according to the width desired to be given to the bedstead I provide corner
pieces at head and foot to receive side bars or pieces extending from end to end of
the bedstead; to these inner and outer side pieces the laths are connected and
secured in any approved manner; between the inner side bars or pieces there is a
space for example from four to seven inches or more which is regulated according
to circumstances varying in width according to the purposes to which the bedstead
is intended to be used whether for schools, ordinary domestic purposes, barracks
hospitals or other purposes; or in some cases a single bar may extend from head to
foot to receive the laths. The head and foot pieces may be made in one or in
several parts. The inner side pieces or the end pieces at the head portion are or

page_text: may be supported by legs which are secured or connected to same in any convenient
way or position in order to afford additional strength and support to the whole
structure.
When bedsteads are constructed in the manner before described the head portion
is provided with bolsters and pillows and the sleeping portion with separate and
distinct mattresses or beds for each division or sleeping portion of the bedstead
with bedclothes for each division
When the bed is made the bedstead at head and foot will present the appearance
of an ordinary bedstead and provided if desired with furniture as usual according
to taste.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Gentle in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st Juno
1883.
GEORGE GENTLE of Mark Lane in the City of London
BEDSTEADS"
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The object of this invention is to provide a bedstead which in appearance is like
an ordinary bedstead, but forms two distinct and separate beds, or it might be made
into three or more side by side according to taste or requirements.
In a sanitary point of view the bedsteads constructed according to my invention
are most advantageous and where the economy of space is desirable the invention
is particularly applicable.
A convenient manner of carrying my invention into effect is as applied to a
bedstead of ordinary double bedstead size by utilizing the two outside ordinary
side pieces or frames and connecting thereto in any known or approved manner
standards posts or pillars and to the top and bottom head and foot pieces or rails
as may be required or as fancy and taste may dictate At a convenient distance
from the side frames bars or pieces and according to the width desired to be given
to the bedstead I provide corner pieces at head and foot to receive inner side frames
bars or pieces extending from end to end of the bedstead, to these inner and outer
side frames bars or pieces the laths are connected and secured in any approved
manner; between the inner side.bars or pieces there is an open space or division
for example from four to seven inches or more which is regulated according to
circumstances varying in width according to the purposes to which the bedstead is
intended to be used whether for schools ordinary domestic purposes, barracks
hospitals or other purposes. The head and foot pieces may be made in one or in
several parts. The inner side frames bars or pieces or the end pieces at the head
and foot portion are or may be supported by legs which are secured or connected to
same in any convenient way or position in order to afford additional strengh and
support to the whole structure.
When bedsteads are constructed in the manner before described the head portion
is provided with bolsters and pillows and the sleeping portion with separate and
distinct mattresses or beds for each division or sleeping portion of the bedstead
with bedclothes for each division.
When the bed is made the bedstead at head and foot will present the appearance
of an ordinary bedstead and provided if desired with furniture as usual and
according to taste.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Bedsteads constructed according to this invention although having to some
extent the outward appearance of an ordinary double bedstead constitute in reality
two distinct beds (or there might be three or more bed frames if desired) In a
sanitary point of view, as compared with an ordinary double bedstead this new
bedstead is most advantageous, also as regards economy of space, and of cost,
because the new bedstead in many cases will take the place of two single bedsteads.
These bedsteads are applicable in private houses where double bedsteads are now
used and in hotels, barracks, hospitals, schools and childrens bed rooms.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bedstead constructed according to my
invention being shown applied to the now most commonly used and approved form
of metal bedstead, but my invention is equally applicable to any construction or
form of metallic or wooden bedstead. The frame on which the mattress or bed

page_text: usually rests is divided into two parts or frames. These consist firstly of the two
outside ordinary side frames pieces or bars A A¹ the two ordinary end frames
pieces or bars E and F the four ordinary pillars or standards G and H connected
thereto in any known or approved manner and forming part of the ordinary top
and bottom or head and foot pieces or frames I and J respectively, and secondly of
the longitudinal bars B and B which are connected (but capable of being dis-
connected when required) to the end bars E and F in any suitable or well known
manner. The laths or sacking C and D are connected to the longitudinal bars A B
and A' B¹ and to the cross bars E and F in the ordinary or other suitable manner
and so as to form so to say two distinct beds on one frame or in one piece of
furniture; K K and K'K' are legs for giving a firm support to the middle part of
the bedstead. The open space provided between the bars B and B' and which may
be from 3 to 7 inches more or less in width affords facility for the quilt, blankets
or other covering to enter and serves especially to give the separateness of beds
which on sanitary and other grounds is of so great importance.
Figure 2 shows a bedstead constructed according to my invention ready for use,
with bedclothes hangings or drapery suitable for domestic use.
Each bedstead frame may be of different width if desired that is the two need
not be of the same width.
In Figure 3 and Figure 3a I have shown a modification of an end bar E or F
which in this case is made in two outer parts E and E' with a middle connecting
piece E. Figure 3 showing this piece E' displaced.
Figure 4 is a part view of the two bars B B having one leg K in common instead
of one leg for each as in Figure 6 one or two such legs may be placed at any part
of the two bars B and B' and in some cases and in fact generally the legs may be
dispensed with altogether.
Figure 5 is a view of a portion of the bedstead showing part of the two bars or
end pieces E F. and longitudinal bars B and B¹ a central leg K and K¹ being applied
to bars E and F respectively.
Figure 6 is a part view of the middle part of the bedstead showing the central
legs K K and K' K' applied to the longitudinal bars B B' a short distance from the
end of same. Figure 7 shows a bedstead without these central legs K K K' K¹.
Having now described the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that I claim as my improvements in
bedsteads.
First: A bedstead constructed with a divided under frame united at the head
and at the foot by continuous or single head and foot rails respectively whereby a
space is obtained between the division or divisions of the frame all substantially
as described and for the purposes set forth.
Second-The divided under frame such as A BB' A'E F in combination with
pillars and legs and head and foot rails substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Third-The under frame A A¹ E F constructed with longitudinal bars substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said George Gentle have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three