Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads for Preserving the Tension of the Bottoms and the Perpendicularity of the Ends.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 21st Aug., 1890-Accepted, 27th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads for Preserving the Tension of
the Bottoms and the Perpendicularity of the Ends.
THOMAS MURPHY 2 Adelaide Villas Upper Deal Road Deal, Kent, Inland Revenue
Officer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The sides of the bedstead, which at present consist mainly of two strips of metal
joined at a right angle, and sinds.-have a third strip, joined also at a right angle,
and with studs, added: so that the bedstead side is capable of being entirely reversed:
with the object that when a depression commences in the bed bottom the side may be
turned with the convex bend upwards, the sockets into which the sides fit being
altered to admit of this reversal. To further secure perfect tension in the bed
bottom circular studs with an eccentric root or fastening are provided: projections
from the root or fastening fit into corresponding grooves, or notches in the bedstead
side in order to hold the stud in any desired position by this means the strips or
laths across the bottom are kept individually tense. The perpendicularity of the ends
is preserved by keeping the sides straight by reversal as described above, and by well
fitting sockets.
T
21SL November 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads for Preserving the Tension of
the Bottoms and the Perpendicularity of the Ends.
1. THOMAS MURPHY of 2 Adelaide Villas. Upper Deal Road, Deal, in the County
of Kent, Inland Revenue Officer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and.
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in metallic bedsteads, and has for its object
a method of and means for preserving the tension of the bottoms, and the perpendicu-
larity of the ends of the bedsteads made and constructed in the manner forming the
subject of my invention.
.
In metallic bedsteads as hitherto made and used the side pieces are constructed in
most cases by the use of what is known as angle or L iron, one of said angles
forming the upper, or horizontal stud bearing surface, and the other the vertical or
outside face of said side piece. the ends of which are solid and provided with vertical
tapered tongue pieces fitting into vertical tapered slots formed in or upon the head
and foot pieces of the bedstead. It often occurs in metallic bedsteads so constructed
that in the course of wear the side pieces become depressed, or sag in the middle.
When this occurs the head and foot pieces, or ends of the bedstead incline towards
each other at the top and recede at the bottom, in other words they lose their original
perpendicularity. Hitherto there has been no remedy for this and the bedstead is
eventually condemned although not half worn out. My present invention overcomes
this difficulty and the manner by which I attain this is to be ascertained in and by the
following statement.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings. in which Fig. 1 is a representation of one leg of
an ordinary metallic bedstead and one of the methods adopted by me of joining the
sides thereto. Figs. 2 and 3 are alternative methods of carrying the same into effect
and Figs. 4 and 5 are cross sectional views of the sides of metallic bedsteads
constructed according to my invention. I adopt the use of similar letters of reference
to indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

page_text: •
The salient point of my invention is the means adopted by me of preserving the
perfect perpendicularity of the ends of metallic bedsteads which I attain by con-
structing the side pieces in such a manner that, should the slightest sag or depression
occur therein they can be reversed at will so that the under surface becomes the upper,
or top surface.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct the side pieces A of channel or
Hiron as shewn by the cross sections thereof Figs. 4 and 5 the ends of which are solid
in the usual way and provide on both top and bottom faces thereof a series of studs a
for holding the ends of the laths forming the bottom or bearing surface of the
bedstead. In order that the said side pieces may be reversed as previously mentioned
I construct the ends thereof with vertical slots b Fig. I perfectly parallel, that is to
say, the opening at the top of b is the same size as the bottom thereof. A double tongue
piece B Fig. 1 made of any metal, preferably cast iron, is provided. one end of
which is shaped so that the slot b will fit perfectly thereon. A step or projecting
piece formed on B acts as a seat for the end of the side A and prevents passing
through b. A button or its equivalent e pivotted on B locks it when in position
within b. The opposite end of B is tapered as at in order that it may fit the
tapered vertical slot g of the socket C in the end of the bedstead. By first placing c
in b and locking it in the manner described, the action of pressing finto g brings the
end of A close up to and abutting against the socket C to prevent oscillation. It will
be understood that this arrangement is carried out at each corner of the bedstead.
Should sagging be apparent in either of the sides A remove f from g and b from cat
both ends of A, turn A over so that its under surface becomes its upper surface and
replace as before, as both the upper and lower faces are provided with studs as before
described.
Or I may adopt the method illustrated by Fig. 2. In this case I provide a vertical
tongue piece upon the end of A of any desired shape in plan the sides of which
are perfectly vertical, so that the upper surface of his the same size and shape as the
bottom surface, I construct a case D of any metal or alloy, formed internally so that
the tongue piece h may fit firmly therein. A bottom i formed on D acts for has d
does for b in the case illustrated by Fig. 1. The external formation of D is tapered
as at so that it may fit into the tapered socket, C Fig. 1 of the end of the bedstead
A button or its equivalent may be attached to D in the same manner as e Fig. 1 and
for a like purpose. The side A in this case may be reversed in the same manner
as Fig. 1.
Or I may adopt the method illustrated by Fig. 3 by providing a tapered horizontal
tongue piece upon the side A and arrange the socket C horizontally-instead of
vertically to receive the same. In this case may be held in position within C by a
button or its equivalent I pivotted upon the exterior of C, or by the tension of the
laths when fixed by the studs a to the sides A or by the use of suitable cross stays
connecting the sides A with each other. In order to compensate sagging should it.
occur, in this case the sides A must be reversed end for end and consequently a
transposition of the upper and lower faces occur as in the previously described
methods.
I wish it distinctly understood that I may adopt the use of either of the foregoing
methods of constructing metallic bedsteads without departing from the principle of
my invention, and by their application in the manner described I attain my object of
maintaining the perfect perpendicularity of the ends and rigidity where needed, and
in the case illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 the sides A may be attached to the sockets C
of any existing metallic bedstead without alteration, and either of the methods
described are equally applicable to metallic bedsteads intended to carry a wiremattress
as to those having cross laths.
I am aware that channel and H iron have been used for forming the sides of
metallic bedsteads. but I am not aware that they have ever been constructed with two
stud bearing surfaces and used in the manner described and shewn by me, and having

page_text: now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is.
First In an improved metallic bedstead the construction and use of a side piece A
having an upper and lower set of studs a and slot b in combination with a double
tongue piece B formed as shewn by Fig. 1 with step d and button or its equivalent e
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn reference being had
to Fig. in the accompanying drawings.
Second-In an improved metallic bedstead the construction and use of a side
piece A with two sets of studs a as set out in the preceding claim, in combination
with a tongue piece h, the case D formed internally to receive and externally to fit
into in C substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by
Fig. 2 in the accompanying drawings.
Third In an improved metallic bedstead the construction and use of a side piece A
with two sets of studs a and horizontal tapered tongue piece fitting into horizontai
tapered socket C, with button or its equivalent substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shown by Fig. 3.
Fourth In metallic bedsteads the use and application of reversible sides A to
compensate sagging, and preserve the perpendicularity of the bedstead ends
substantially as herein described and shewn, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings.
Thated this 50th day of turnnt 1800