Improvements in Folding Bedsteads.
Year: 1893

page_text: 1 Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1894-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1894. .
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Bedsteads.
I, JOHN DANIEL ENNES, residing at 162, Main Street, in Norfolk, in the
County of Norfolk and State of Virginia, United States of America, Dentist, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that class of bedsteads known as folding bedsteads
wherein the bedstead is folded vertically when not in use, and the object of the
invention is to so construct a bedstead that it can be easily and cheaply manufactured,
will occupy but a small space when folded, and will present an attractive and
ornamental appearance.
In carrying out my invention I construct the main support and frame of a bar of
tubular metal which forms the rear legs and the canopy support. Fitted upon each
leg is a T coupling held in place by means of a set-screw. Fitted into each
T coupling is a bent or curved tubular bar which extends downwardly to the same
level as the lower ends of the legs and serves as an arm or brace to assist the main
supporting frame to retain its vertical position. Secured to each of the arms or
braces is a staple, which staples form the means for holding the opposite ends of a
pivotal bar upon bearings on the braces. The pivotal bar turns freely in its
bearings and carries the one end or side of the bedstead proper whilst the opposite
end or side of the bedstead is supported by legs pivotally connected to the inner
side of the side-rails. Connecting the rear leg and the arm or brace on each side
of the bedstead is a stay provided with an inwardly, projecting arm to form a lock
for the lower end of the bedstead to bear against when the bedstead is in its
vertical position. The stay passes through the brace and rear leg and is fitted with
a nut to secure it to the said leg and brace in order that when shipping the
bedstead, the said stay may be disconnected and the supporting frame folded into
a minimum space. The bedstead proper comprises a rectangular frame consisting
of side-rails and end rails. This rectangular frame is pivotally connected with and
is supported by the pivotal bar. This pivotal bar carries and supports one end or
side (as the case may be) of the bedstead proper, whilst the opposite end or side is
supported by the tubular front legs which are pivoted at their upper ends to the
inner side of the side rails. The front legs are coupled together by means of a
cross tube which extends beyond the legs, and connected to each of the ends of the
cross tube is one end of a side-bar whilst the opposite end of each of the side bars is
connected to the brace on its respective side of the leg. This construction not only
holds the tubes firmly in position to support the bedstead when lowered, but it also
rigidly holds the said tubular legs folded against the said side rails when the
bedstead is folded or raised. The legs when folded against the side rails when the
bedstead is raised into a vertical position rigidly lock the bedstead in the said
position in order that it shall not alter that position until the lock is released by
withdrawing the said legs from the side rails. Bedsteads of this character
especially when furnished with mattresses and bed clothes are of considerable
weight when being raised. In order to assist in lifting the bedstead to a vertical
position weights are attached to that edge of the bedstead adjacent to the pivotal
bar in order that when lifting the bedstead the weights will bear down the said
edge and counterbalance to a certain extent the weight of the mattress, the bed
clothes, and a large portion of the bedstead proper. In what is commonly known
as an end folder, that is a bedstead wherein the head is pivoted to the main
supporting frame and the foot is supported by the tubular front legs the weights

page_text: are connected to the underside of the end bar at the head of the bedstead and when
raising the bedstead they have a tendency to bear downward and assist in raising
the foot of the bedstead to a vertical position.
To prevent the accidental folding when in its lowered position and when occupied
of what is commonly known as a side-folder or mantle folder, that is a bedstead in
which one side is pivoted to the main supporting frame and the opposite side
supported by the tubular front legs, I connect the rear legs by means of a cross-
connecting bar on which is pivoted a support for the under part of the pivoted
side of the bedstead when in its lowered position so as to prevent the bedstead
under any circumstances from becoming folded by the occupant rolling beyond the
pivotal point. To release the support a cord or wire is connected to the lower end
of the same and passes to the opposite side of the bedstead where it is secured
within convenient reach of the person folding the bedstead. When shipping these
bedsteads the pivotal bar can be withdrawn from its bearings and the stays discon-
nected from the rear legs after which the bedstead proper can be separated from
the main supporting frame. The tubular front legs are folded in against the side
rails and the foot-board or foot-rail is folded against the under side of the bedstead
by disconnecting stays from the said side rails. The completion of this step causes
the bedstead to take up as little space as possible and after the bedstead has been
arranged for shipping the supporting frame is also laid out flat by disconnecting
the stays from the rear legs and braces and loosening the set-screw in order that
the coupling will turn upon the tubular bar and permit the said tubular bar
forming the rear legs and canopy to be folded into the same plane with the braces.
Upon the canopy support are strung curtain rings to which may be attached
curtains or other drapery to conceal the bed when not in use. The only obstruction
upon the canopy support is a rosette centrally located thereon to prevent the
curtain rings on each side passing beyond the middle. This being the only
obstruction the curtain rings can be slid to the sides of the canopy support out of
the way when lowering or raising or using the bedstead: To prevent the bed
clothes and pillows sliding from the bedstead when in its vertical position a leaf is
hinged either to the top or side as the case may be. This arrangement of leaf also
prevents the supporting frame from chafing or wearing the bed clothes or pillows.
To prevent the mattress sliding from the bed two straps, are sewn to the mattress
and are provided with eyes taking onto buttons rigidly attached to the end bar of
the bedstead.
Dated this 1st day of November 1893.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Bedsteads.
I, JOHN DANIEL ENNES, of 162 Main Street, Norfolk, State of Virginia,
United States of America Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of beds where the
same is folded when not in use, and the object of the invention is to so construct a
bed that it can be easily and cheaply manufactured and will occupy but a small
space when folded and will present an attractive and ornamental appearance.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of what is commonly known as an end folder showing
the bed in its lowered position.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the same bed felded.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a perspective view of what is known as a side folder showing the bed
lowered.
Fig. 4 is a sectional fig. on the lines a, i, 1, Fig. 2. Like numerals and letters
of reference referring to like parts throughout the Specifications and drawings.
The main support and frame consists of a bar of tubular metal which forms the
legs a, a, and the canopy support b. Fitted upon cach leg a, a is a T coupling c, c, in.
the socket of which is a bent or curved tubular bar e which is preferably of the
shape shown in the drawings and which extends downwardly to the same level as
the lower ends of the legs a a and serves as an arm or brace to assist the main
supporting frame to retain its vertical position. Secured to each of the arms or
braces e is a staple f, and it might here be stated that these staples are arranged
horizontally opposite each other and form the means for holding the opposite ends
of a pivoted bar g upon the bearings on the braces e. The pivotal barg turns freely in
its bearings and carries the one end or side of the bed proper whilst the opposite end
or side of the bed is supported by legs pivotally connected to the inner side of the
side rails. Connecting the legs a and the arm or brace e on the one side of the
bed, mediately between the bearing and the pivotal bar g and the lower ends of
the said leg and brace is, a stay i whilst connecting in the same manner the leg a
and brace.e on the other side of the bed is a similar stay i Each of the stays i, i,
is provided with an inwardly projecting arm to form a lock for the lower end of
the bed to bear against when the bed is in its vertical position. It might here be
stated that each stay passes through the brace e and leg a and is fitted with nuts 1, 1,
to secure it to the said legs and braces in order that when shipping the bed the said
stay may be disconnected and the supporting frame folded into a minimum space as
hereinafter set forth. The bed proper comprises a rectangular frame consisting of
side rails 2, 2, and end rails 3, 3. This rectangular frame is pivotally connected
with and is supported by the pivotal bar g. This pivotal bar g carries and
supports one end or side (as the case may be) of the bed proper, whilst the opposite
end or side is supported by the tubular legs h, which are journalled at their upper
ends to the inner side of the side rails 2 2. The legs are coupled together by
means of a cross tube p, and connected to each of the ends of the cross tube is one
end of a side bar o whilst the opposite end of each of the side bars is connected to
the brace e on its respective side of the bed. This construction not only holds the
tubes firmly in position to support the bed when the bed is lowered, but it also
rigidly holds the said tubular legs folded against the said side rails when the bed is
folded or raised. The legs when folded against the side rails when the bed is
raised into a vertical position rigidly lock the bed into the said position in order
that the bed cannot alter that position until the lock is released by withdrawing the
said legs from the side rails.
Beds of this character especially when furnished with mattresses and bed clothes
offer a considerable weight when being raised.
The present invention comprises improvements for assisting in lifting the bed to
a vertical position. To this end weights 4 are attached to that edge of the bed
adjacent to the pivotal bar in order that when lifting the bed the weights will
bear down the said edge and counterbalance to a certain extent the weight of the
mattress the bed clothes and a large portion of the bed proper. In Figs. 1 and 2,
have shown what is commonly known as an end folder that is a bed wherein
the head of the bed is pivoted to the main supporting frame and the foot of the bed
is supported by the tubular legs hh. In this instance the weights-4 are connected
to the under side of the end bar at the head of the bed and when raising the bed..
they have a tendency to bear downward and assist in raising the foot of the bed to
a vertical position. In Fig. 3 I have shown what is commonly known as a side
folder or mantle folder, that is where the one side of the bed is pivoted to the main
supporting frame and the opposite side supported by the tubular legs. To prevent
the accidental folding of the bed shown in Fig. 3, when in its lowered position
and when occupied, connect the pillars a, a, by means of a cross connecting baṛ 5.

page_text: This bar 5 is connected to the braces e e just below the plane of the bearings f and
pivoted on the bar 5 is a pawl 6 which is so arranged as to support the under part
of the pivoted side of the bed when in its lowered position, and prevent the bed
under any circumstances from becoming folded by the occupant rolling beyond the
pivotal point. To release the pawl 6 a cord or wire 6' is connected to the lower
end of the pawl and passes to the opposite side of the bed where it is secured
within convenient reach of the party folding the bed. When shipping these beds
the pivotal bar 9 can be withdrawn from its bearings and the weights 4 dis-
connected from the braces e after which the bed proper can be separated from the
main supporting frame. The tubular legs hhare folded in against the side rails and the
foot board or foot rail 7 is folded against the under side of the bed by disconnecting
the stays 8 from the said rails, this formation being shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
The completion of this step causes the bed to take up as little space as possible and
after the bed has been arranged for shipping the supporting frame is also laid out
flat by means of disconnecting the stays from the legs a a and braces ee and
loosening the set screw d in order that the T coupling c c will turn upon the tubular
bar and permit the said tubular bar forming the legs aa and canopy bb being
folded into the same plane with the braces c. Upon the canopy support are
strung curtain rings to which may be attached curtains or other drapery to
conceal the bed when not in use. The only obstruction upon the support & is a
rosette centrally located upon the said canopy support to prevent the curtain
rings on each side of the middle passing therebeyond.
This being the only obstruction the curtain rings may be slidden to the sides of
the canopy support carrying the curtains out of the way to rosettes when
lowering or raising or using the bed. To prevent the bed clothes pillows sliding
from the bed, when in its vertical position a leaf 10 is hinged either to the top or
side as the case may be. In Figs. 1 and 2 the leaf 10 is shown to be hinged at 20
to the head of the bed, but in Fig. 3 it is shown to be hinged to the sides, and is
held in vertical position by detachable rings 11. This arrangement of leaf prevents
also the supporting frame chafing or wearing the bed clothes or pillows, to prevent
the mattress sliding from the bed when folded to a vertical position two straps
may be attached to the mattress' upper end or side, and are provided with eyes
which encircle buttons 12 rigidly attached to the end bar of the bed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in which manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
(1.) The folding bed hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of
the drawings.
(2.) The folding bed hereinbefore described and illustrated in Fig. 3 of the
drawings.
(3.) In the herein described folding bed the construction substantially as described
and shown which permits the bed and supporting frame occupying a minimum space
when folded..
(4.) In the herein described folding bed the arrangement of the legs pivotally
connected to the bed and arranged to support the same when lowered and
to form a lock for the bed when raised into a vertical position.
(5.) In the here described folding bed the combination of the supporting frame,
a bed, one end or side of which is pivoted to the supporting frame, legs supporting
the opposite end or side, said legs being pivotally connected to the side bar of the bed,
a cross bar connecting the said legs and side bars connecting the cross bars with
the supporting frame said legs-cross bar aud side bars forming a lock to bold the
bed in its vertical position.
(6.) In the herein described folding bed a pawl pivotally connected to the frame-
work and a cord attached to the pawl to release it substantially as shown in Fig. 3
of the drawings.

page_text: (7.) In the herein described folding bed a leaf hinged to the end or side of the
bed to retain in position the bed clothes substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 17th day of April 1894.
New York, N.Y., U.S.A.
JOHN DANIEL ENNES,
By Fowler & Co.,
29, Broadway, New York, U.S.A. Agents.