IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Samuel Phillip Wood, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
BEDSTEADS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Samuel Phillip
Wood at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th March 1881.
CHARLES SAMUEL PHILLIP WOOD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS."
The object of this Invention is to construct the ends and some other parts of
metallic bedsteads, sides of cots, and the like, as bereinafter described, so that they
shall resemble in appearance those made of wood.
It is frequently urged as an objection to the use of metallic bedsteads, cots, and
the like, as now constructed that they fail to give satisfaction, inasmuch as that
the ends of the bedsteads being formed with open spaces between the various
metal parts do not give the furnished appearance to a bedroom which bedstead ends
constructed of wood are considered to do.
Now I propose to obviate this objection by forming the said parts of a double
casing of sheet metal, with a framework in the interior for its support, and to
these metal surfaces I attach metal mouldings, beadings, and ornaments, and the
whole being japanned, grained, and polished cannot readily be distinguished from
wood; thus I retain the advantages of a metallic bedstead with the superior
appearance usually accorded to those made in wood.
A suitable method of carrying out my Invention consists in providing a
framework of tubular or other suitable iron, corresponding to the desired shape of
the bedstead end; on this frame are cast the corner blocks usually known as
"extended corners," which blocks also hold in position the angle iron intended
to sustain the ends of the long laths in the usual way. Across the framework

page_text: so formed, and fastened to it at intervals, are a number of bars or rods of iron,
placed either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely, according to the exterior shape
or configuration of the end, whereby I construct a skeleton framing, upon the two
surfaces of which are attached sheets of metal, preferably of iron coated with tin,
and these metal sheets serve to form the two faces of the bedstead end; mouldings
of metal are put on round the edges, and metal beadings and ornaments are fixed
upon the metal faces or surfaces, dividing them into panels and otherwise
ornamenting them, the whole is japanned and grained to imitate wood.
A modification of this Invention consists in filling up the space contained inside
the tubular or other framework with wood, and attaching the metal plates or
surfaces to this as a foundation instead of employing the skeleton framing herein-
before described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Samuel Phillip Wood in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th September 1881.
CHARLES SAMUEL PHILLIP WOOD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS.”
The object of this Invention is to construct the ends and some other parts of
metallic bedsteads, sides of cots, and the like, as hereinafter described, so that they
shall resemble in appearance those made of wood.
It is frequently urged as an objection to the use of metallic bedsteads, cots, and
the like, as now constructed that they fail to give satisfaction, inasmuch as that
the ends of the bedsteads being formed with open spaces between the various
metal parts do not give the furnished appearance to a bedroom which bedstead
ends constructed of wood are considered to do.
Now I propose to obviate this objection by forming the said parts of a double
casing of sheet metal with a framework in the interior for its support, and to these
metal surfaces I attach (or form thereon) metal mouldings, beadings, and
ornaments, and the whole being japanned, grained, and polished, and otherwise
decorated cannot readily be distinguished from wood; thus I retain the advantages
of a metallic bedstead with the superior appearance usually accorded to those made
in wood.
"
A suitable method of carrying out my Invention consists in providing a
framework of angle, tubular, flat, or other suitable iron, corresponding to the
desired shape of the bedstead end; the said frame may be formed with legs, or the
legs may be formed and fixed separately; on the said frame and at the proper
position are cast the dovetail corner blocks usually known as "extended corners,"
which blocks also hold in position the angle iron intended to sustain the ends of
the long laths in the usual way. Across the framework so formed, and fastened to
it at intervals, are a number of bars or rods of iron or wood placed either vertically,
horizontally, or obliquely, according to the exterior shape or configuration of the
end, whereby I construct a skeleton framing, upon the two surfaces of which are
attached by any suitable means sheets of metal, preferably of iron coated with tin,
and these metal sheets serve to form the two faces of the bedstead end; mouldings
of metal or other suitable material are put on round the edges, and metal beadings
and ornaments are fixed upon the metal faces or surfaces, dividing them into panels
and otherwise ornamenting them, the whole is japanned and grained to imitate
wood. Or the mouldings, beadings, and other ornaments may be formed on or
out of the sheet of metal by stamping or otherwise, or partly formed thereon and
partly fixed separately.
The cornices for my improved bedsteads are also constructed of a light skeleton
frame covered with sheet metal and ornamented as required, substantially in a
manner similar to that of the ends. The sides and ends of cots are constructed
in a similar manner to that hereinbefore described for the bedstead ends.
Having now described my Invention, and the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein laid down, as it will
be obvious that the same will necessarily vary with the character of the design
to be given to the ends of the bedstead, but what I do claim is,-
The herein described improvements in metallic bedsteads, such improvements
consisting in manufacturing the ends of the bedsteads and the sides and ends of

page_text: cots of a suitable skeleton frame, covered on each side with metal sheets orna-
mented and decorated as required, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, Charles Samuel Phillip Wood, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
C. S. P. WOOD. (L.S.)