IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRING MATTRASSES SEATS AND OTHER LIKE ELASTIC ARTICLES
Year: 1885

page_text: ана баног ике славые АГЫСІВ.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON, of 47 Lincolns Inu Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRING MATTRASSES SEATS AND OTHER LIKE ELASTIC
ARTICLES which Invention has been communicated to me from abroad by Léopold
Arthur Mathias, of Paris in the Republic of France, Mattrass Manufacturer, to be
as follows:-
"
This Invention relates to the production of elastic articles suitable for use as
mattrasses, seats, seat backs, easy chairs, sofas and the like, the elastic article
obtained by means of this invention being superior to any that have been heretofore
obtained not only as regards hygiene but also with regard to economy facility of
construction and application as well as in respect of elasticity flexibility and
strength.
The said elastic article is obtained by the employment of a frame of wood or
other suitable materials to the opposite sides or ends or to one end or one side of
which are attached at suitable intervals plates or bands of steel acting as springs
projecting upwards and curving inwards towards the centre of the frame. The
upper ends of these springs are provided with loops or eyes or other suitable means
for attaching to them the extremities of laths, chains, or other supports extending
from end to end or from side to side of the frame. These lathis or chains are
covered with suitable materials or stuffing, but stuffing may be dispensed with.
The laths or chains are preferably attached at one end to springs arranged as
herein before described being attached directly to the frame at the other end or they
may be provided with springs at both ends. A mattrass constructed according to
this Invention is composed of a frame which may be joined together in any
suitable manner but preferably constructed as hereinafter described so as to be
capable of being readily taken to pieces. With this object the two side-pieces
have blocks attached to their inner side the said blocks being each provided with
a projection and a recess the latter being partially covered by a metal plate. The
TDi 11 31

page_text: two end pieces of the frame have bars attached to them lengthwise each end
of these bars presenting a projection and a recess corresponding to the recess and
projection on the side pieces and, in addition, a groove for the reception of the edge
of the metal plate on the said side-pieces. In order to connect the parts of the
frame together the end and side pieces are placed together in position so that
at the corners of the frame the projections and recesses on the end pieces engage
with the projections and recesses on the side-pieces and vice-versa. The springs
may be attached to bars fastened to the side or end pieces of the frames so as to
hold the extremities of the springs between the bars and the said side or end
pieces. The laths or chains are or may be connected laterally by bands or cords
the extremities of which are attached to the frame. These cords or their equivalents
may form part of the connection between the ends of the springs and the said
laths or chains. The springs may if preferred be attached directly to the end or
side pieces of a wood or iron bedstead so as to dispense with the frame herein-
before described.
->
This Invention may be advantageously applied to back rests or supports for the
use of invalids or bedridden persons by making an elastic surface composed of
laths chains or their equivalents attached to and supported by springs arranged as
herein before explained the said springs being carried by a frame turning upon
pivots on the frame of the mattrass or bedstead so as to admit of being supported
at any desired angle by means of jointed arms engaging with notches on the
underside of the frame or by other equivalent devices. The frames of the rest or
support and of the mattrass may be jointed so as to fold upon themselves or
otherwise and the chains or laths of the back rest may be arranged to pass between
the chains or laths of the mattrass.
In making seats and seat backs and the like the springs are attached to a suitable
frame the parts of which are permanently or otherwise joined together at the
corners in any ordinary or suitable manner. The bars to which the springs are
attached are preferably rounded off at the upper side so as to present a good
bearing surface allowing for the flexure of the springs. The Invention may be
applied with great advantage to the manufacture of seats for vehicles in which
case the springs are preferably arranged at the front edge of the seat the laths or
chains being attached directly to the frame at the back.

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and other like Elastic Articles.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Leopold Arthur Mathias of Paris in the Republic
of France Mattrass Manufacturer and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention relates to the production of elastic articles suitable for use as
mattrasses seats seat backs easy chairs sofas and the like the elastic article obtained
by means of this Invention being superior to any that have been heretofore
obtained not only as regards hygiene but also with regard to economy facility of
construction and application as well as in respect of elasticity flexibility and
strength.
The said elastic article is obtained by the employment of a frame of wood or
other suitable materials which may be so constructed as to be capable of being
taken to pieces, to the opposite sides or ends or to one end or one side of which
are attached at suitable intervals plates of steel acting as springs projecting
upwards and curving inwards towards the centre of the frame. The upper ends
of these springs are provided with loops or eyes or other suitable means for
attaching to them the extremities of laths chains or other supports extending from
end to end or from side to side of the frame These laths or chains are covered
with suitable materials or stuffing but stuffing may be dispensed with. The laths
or chains are preferably attached at one end to springs arranged as hereinbefore
described being attached directly to the frame at the other end or they may be
provided with springs at both ends.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding figures.
Figure 1 sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a longitudinal and
vertical section of an elastic article constructed according to this Invention
Figure 2 is a plan and Figure 3 a transverse section of the same.
Figure 4 sheet 1 illustrates in perspective one end of one of the two end pieces
of the frame and figure 5 is a similar view of an end of one of the side pieces.
These side pieces marked C C¹ in the drawing have blocks t attached to their
inner sides the said blocks being each provided with a projection t¹ and a recess t¹.
figure 5 the latter being partially covered by a metal plate f* The two end
pieces D D¹ of the frame have bars F F attached to them lengthwise each end of
these bars presenting a projection of and a recess f³ corresponding to the recess t².

page_text: and projection t¹ on the side pieces CC¹ and in addition a groove f¹ for the recep-
tion of the edge of the metal plate f' on the said side pieces. In order to
connect the parts of the frame together the end and side pieces are placed together
in position at right angles so that at the corners of the frame the projections f
figure 4 corresponds with the recess t² and the projection t with the recess f³
whilst the plate fi on the block t enters the groove f¹.
The parts of the frame are readily caused to interlock or engage one with the
other by pushing down the end pieces and constitute a frame of great strength
which is capable of being quickly put together or taken apart.
Springs LL' are fastened between the end pieces D D¹ and the bars F F¹ at
suitable intervals corresponding to the position of the chains or wood laths A.
The springs L on the right hand side of figures 1 and 2 are formed for the recep-
tion of triangular links with which engage corresponding hooks a at the
extremities of the chains or laths A. The chains or laths are also represented as
being connected laterally at this extremity by a band or web B attached at e
figures 1 and 3 to the side pieces C. C¹.
On the left hand of figures 1 and 2 the extremities of the springs L¹ are shown
as being in the form of eyes or loops A the inner angles being rounded off to
prevent them from cutting or chafing a cord B' which is threaded through the
eyes and through corresponding eyes a¹ on the chains or laths A being secured at
its extremities at el to the side pieces C. C' Either of the two arrangements
illustrated respectively on the right and left hand side of figures 1 and 2 may be
employed for connecting the chains or laths to the springs.
When the Invention is applied to the construction of mattrasses for beds or
other articles as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 the
mattrass so constructed presents the advantage of admitting of being very readily
put together or taken to pieces even by persons unaccustomed to such work thus
affording special facilities for cleaning the interior. The combination of parts
forming the elastic surface may be applied without the jointed frame to ordinary.
folding or other iron bedsteads or to bedsteads constructed to double up with their:
mattrass so as to economise space or to wooden bedsteads in which case the springs
and bars may be attached directly to the end pieces of the bedstead bottom.
The aforesaid combination of parts may also be applied to bed rests which can
be adjusted to any height or angle and may be combined with mattrasses constructed
according to this Invention or otherwise.
Figures 1 and 2 sheet 2 represent respectively in vertical section and plan a bed
rest combined with a mattrass and presenting an elastic surface formed by parallel
wood laths a which are connected to a frame b by steel blade springs c at the
upper part of the frame and by hooks d at the lower part of the frame The lower
horizontal bar of the frame b is pivoted at c in the side pieces of the frame of the
mattrass so that the rest is enabled to be adjusted or fixed in any desired position
by means of jointed arms or struts g pivoted at their lower extremities to the side.
pieces of the mattrass frame and engaging at their upper extremities with notches h
arranged at different parts of the under side of the frame b.
The lower bar on which the frame turns may be arranged either above or below.
the surface of the mattrass The bed rest may form part of or be independent of
the mattrass as indicated in figure 3 sheet and in either case the parts of the
frame b may be jointed or hinged at the corners as illustrated in this figure so as
to admit of being folded as illustrated in figure 4 sheet 2.
Figures 1 and 2 sheet 3 represent respectively a front elevation and a transverse
section of an elastic arrangement applied to the seat of a cab or public vehicle.
The trapezoidal form of the frame which is not folding in this particular case
depends on the construction. of the vehicle but it will be understood that in the
case of a Railway Carriage for example the frame. will be in the form of a true
rectangle. Other similar straight or rectangular seats are likewise provided with
frames of this form.. The back, likewise illustrated by these figures may also be

page_text: applied to other seats than seats of vehicles or may form the back of a chair an
arm chair or a sofa by adjusting the size or length of the frame to the dimensions
of the article with which it is to be combined.
In all cases apart from the form and dimensions of the frame or support it will
be observed that the elastic surface is invariably formed by laths or chains A. or
their equivalents each of which is connected to the ends or sides of the frame by
a connection (a) and a steel blade spring (B) or by two such springs. It is pre-
ferable to employ only one such spring to each lath or chain.
The row of springs B figures 1 and 2 sheet 3 forms a species of padding or
packing at the front edge of the seat which assists in preventing persons sitting
thereon from sliding off or forwards. This objectionable tendency to slide forwards
which always attends the use of ordinary coiled or helical springs is entirely
obviated amongst others by means of this Invention.
The laths or chains may be simply covered with horse hair or by a quilting or
ticking attached to the frame in the usual manner.
The elastic articles or surfaces herein before described possess great strength
combined with elasticity and most perfect flexibility. All danger of wearing
holes in the covers is obviated and light, hygienic, and clean seats etcetera are
obtained there being no stuffing required air is enabled to circulate freely in the
interior and access is readily obtained to all the internal parts. Valuable advantages
are afforded by this Invention in the construction of seats for the drivers of
vehicles. The frame for such seats is square or rectangular the hinder part is
higher than the front as illustrated in figure 3 sheet 3 in vertical section. The
difference in the height may vary but this does not involve any modification in
the Invention. In this application of the Invention as well as in all others of
analogous nature care should be taken to provide a rounded bar R to which the
springs are attached and by which they can be supported so as not to be strained
or bent beyond the limits of their elasticity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is
First. A spring mattrass seat or other like article having an elastic surface
formed by chains or laths (such as A) connected at one or both extremities to
springs (such as L) attached to a rigid frame or support substantially as herein-
before described with reference to figures 1. 2 and 3 sheet 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
Second. In combination with the chains or laths and springs referred to in the
preceding claim a frame so constructed as to admit of being readily taken to pieces
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in figures 1 to 5 sheet 1 of
the accompanying drawings.
Third. A spring mattrass for beds having chains or laths attached to springs as
herein before described in combination with a frame constructed so as to admit of
being taken to pieces in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth with
reference to figures 1 to 5 sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. The employment of the combination of chains or laths and springs
berein before described as a spring bed bottom or mattrass without a frame so
constructed as to admit of being taken to pieces and in combination with folding
or jointed iron or other bedsteads and the like in the manner and for the purpose
herein before set forth.
Fifth. A bed rest provided with chains or laths attached to springs as herein-
before set forth in combination or not with mattrasses constructed according to
this Invention or otherwise the said bed rests being constructed and arranged
in the manner and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to figures 1 to 4 sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Sixth. Constructing the seats backs or other like parts of arm and other chairs
sofas or other articles required to present an elastic surface with chains or laths
attached to springs fixed to a rigid frame or frames substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to figures 2 and 3 sheet 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. A box or drivers seat provided with chains or laths connected to
springs attached to a rigid frame substantially in the manner and for the purpose
herein before set forth with reference to figure 3 sheet 3 of the accompanying
drawings.