IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS AND THE LIKE
Year: 1885

page_text: I, MABERLY PHILLIPS, of 23 Low Friar Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the
County of Northumberland, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO MATTRESSES, CUSHIONS AND
THE LIKE" 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 mattresses, cushions and the like, and comprises the
improvements hereinafter described.
The chief object of my invention is to make a mattress, cushion or the like in
such a manner that water or other liquid can pass freely through the same, without
saturating the material of which it is composed. I effect this object by providing
tubular clasps or fastenings which are inserted in the mattress, cushion or the like
and secure together the two sides thereof; and by covering the mattress or other
article wholly or partially with waterproof material.
My improvements can be advantageously applied to beds for children or invalids,
in order to permit the urine of the person lying on the bed to pass freely through
the latter without damaging it.
In the accompanying drawings I have shewn how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation.
Figure 2 a plan, and
Figure 3 a central longitudinal section shewing an infant's bed with my
improvements applied thereto.
Figure 4 is a side elevation shewing a modification thereof, and
Figure 5 is a plan of the same with a portion removed.
Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a section, drawn to an enlarged scale, illustrating my tubular clasp
or fastening.
Figure 8 is a plan of a bed designed for an adult.
Figure 9 is a central longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 10 is a transverse section thereof, and
Figure 11 is a plan of the under-mattress or palliasse thereof.
Figure 12, is a plan, and
Figure 13 is a transverse section, of a cushion.
a is the mattress or cushion, b is a covering of leather or other waterproof
material, and c, c are the tubular clasps or fastenings for securing the two sides of
the mattress or cushion together and permitting water or other liquid to pass
through from the upper side of the same.
The mattress or cushion may be composed of hair, wool, flock or other suitable
substance in the ordinary manner, and is covered wholly or partially with the said
waterproof material. Instead, however, of using the tufts or ties usually employed
in a mattress, I insert the said tubular fastenings c.

page_text: These clasps or fastenings are, by preference, constructed as shewn in Figure 7,
that is to say, each clasp or fastening consists of a tube or socket c¹ of vulcanite,
metal or other suitable material, which is enclosed in an india-rubber tube c². This
socket is screw-threaded internally to receive the flanged tubular pieces c³. The
said socket is placed within the mattress or cushion and the pieces c³ are then
screwed into the said socket so that their flanges firmly secure the material of the
said mattress or cushion thereto and form a water-tight joint. The said fastenings
may, if desired, be made in any other convenient manner for the purpose specified.
But, by using my improved clasp or fastening, I am enabled, at any time, to
remove and replace the waterproof material, when it becomes worn for example,
without otherwise interfering with the mattress or cushion.
In the modification of my invention shewn in Figure 1, a waterproof sheet d is
suspended below the mattress a.
This sheet is provided with a tube d and is so placed that the urine flowing
through the said tubular clasps or fastenings will be received thereby and will pass
through the tube d' into a receptacle e.
When an under-mattress or palliasse f is used, as in Figures 4, 5 and 6, I arrange
a receptacle g within the same, beneath the perforated mattress a. A pipe may, if
desired, be provided to conduct the liquid from this receptacle to another receptacle
or vessel conveniently arranged for removal and replacement. I sometimes provide
the under-mattress f with straps h to prevent the pressing down of the mattress a
into the receptacle g.
In Figures 8 to 11, I have shewn a bed, chiefly designed for use in hospitals, and
constructed upon the principle just described, a pipe g¹ being provided in the lower
part of the receptacle g for the purpose specified; is a frame of metal or other
suitable material serving the purpose of the straps h shewn in Figure 5.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the application of my invention to a cushion, which
is covered with leather or other water-proof material, and provided with tubular
clasps or fastenings c. Cushions made in this manner will be found very advan-
tageous for use on the outside seats of omnibuses, tramway-carriages, and other
vehicles, or for use on yachts or boats, as the rain, instead of collecting upon the
upper surface of the cushion, will flow through the tubular fastenings. A suitable
receptacle for the water or other liquid is, in some cases, arranged beneath the
cushion. The cushion shewn is of the class generally used by the drivers of
vehicles, but it is obvious that my improvements are equally applicable to other
cushions of different dimensions and shape according to the purpose for which they
are required. It is, moreover, obvious that my improvements may be applied to
existing mattresses or cushions.
Having 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. A mattress, cushion, or the like made with tubular clasps or fastenings
through which water or other liquid can freely pass, and covered wholly or
partially with waterproof material, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Second. The combination, with the aforesaid mattress, cushion, or the like, of a
trough, basin or other receptacle for the liquid, which receptacle is arranged within
an under-mattress or palliasse, or otherwise, substantially as set forth.
Third. The tubular clasp or fastening constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figure 7 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1885
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.