IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO BEDS
Year: 1884

page_text: We JOSEPH GEORGE DAVISON, Superintendent of Industrial School, and JOSHUA
STANSFIELD WILSON, Merchant, both of Sunderland in the County of Durhain do
hereby declare the nature of our Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO BEDS" 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 improvements in beds more especially for use in public
institutions, such as reformatory and industrial schools, workhouses lunatic asylums
and like places though it is also applicable and well adapted for ordinary domestic
purposes.
Its object is to provide a bed which is cheap and durable and one that may be
easily packed into small compass when not in use, and be stowed away so as to be
out of the way during times of cleaning and for other purposes.
This Invention is best described by aid of the accompanying Drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the bed. Fig. 2 longitudinal section of same.
Fig. 3 end view. Fig. 4 elevation shewing bed in position when not in use. Figs. 5
and 6 enlarged longitudinal transverse sections of slide E. Fig. 7 enlarged view of
eccentric falls G. The head of the bed is firmly fixed to the wall A as shown in
Fig. 1 or where a headstock or framework is used is firmly attached to the floor
see Fig. 4. or is held firm in other ways. To the wall A Fig. 1. or other attach-
ment to which the head of the bed is fixed, or to the frame-work A¹ Fig. 4 forming
the head stock where such is used, we firmly fasten a bar or tube B with a
universal joint C which allows the said bar to move freely in every direction, not
directly away from the wall or head, without leverage. The foot of the bed is
preferably made of a strong light wrought iron framework D D which carries a
cast or wrought iron slide E which comes nearly in the centre underneath the bed
when in use. Through this slide passes the bar or tube B attached to the head.
The foot of the bed slides to and fro thereon. This slide is fitted with an eccentric
or other catch F which grips the bar or tube and prevents the foot from sliding
inwards when the weight comes upon the bed bottom or canvas; or the bar or
tube having a fall from the universal joint of about four inches in its length shewn
in dotted lines Fig. 1. the eccentric or catch may be dispensed with, the slide
(which in this case must have a cavity J J Fig. 5 on the inner side reaching to
within a quarter of an inch of each end) gripping on the inclined bar or tube
on the upper and lower angles when the weight comes upon the canvas. If thought
desirable or for wide beds, two or more slides may be used.

page_text: The bottom for the bed which we prefer to use is canvas, which is held in its
place at the head and foot by eccentric falls G C shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the
canvas passing over and under and the weight of the bed acting on the upper edge
of the fall as a lever, binds the canvas between the lower arm of the fall and the
angle iron bracket or ledge H. The canvas is put over the head and foot into
position before the foot end is drawn out to its full extent so that when the foot
end is drawn out it will stretch the canvas bottom and the eccentrics hold
everything in place ready for use.
When out of use the canvas is taken out the foot of the bed slid up toward the
top, the bottom of the lid turned over and raised on the universal joint until the
foot rests against the wall and can be tied to a hook in the wall or other arrange-
ment, where it is held in an upright position leaving the floor of the room entirely
clear. The canvas and bed clothes may be folded and laid upon the end or foot of
the bed which is now in a horizontal position see Fig. 4. The two points of
contact of the foot with the floor may be fitted with india rubber buttons or studs.
These prevent any noise when the bed is in use and injury to the wall when
hung.
Having now described our Invention and the best mode known to me of
carrying it into effect, we wish it to be understood that we do not claim the
exclusive use of stretched canvas for beds, nor broadly of beds that will fold up
and can be stowed against the wall, but that what we claim under the Letters
Patent is:
The bed manufactured substantially as herein described and in particular the
following parts when used in connection with beds substantially as and for the
purposes described.
1st. The combination of the bar or tube B and a universal joint C.,
2nd. The combination of the bar B pivoted at one end so as to stand at any
angle, and the bed foot D sliding on same and maintained by the sliding joint
approximately at right angles to it.
3rd. The arrangement for obtaining a tightly stretched canvas bed, consisting of
eccentric falls G or their equivalent, holding the canvas tight at each end, and a
telescopic frame with pawl or eccentric stop or its equivalent automatically
preventing the contraction of the frame when pulled out.
4th. The bed frame hinged to the wall so that it can be turned up against the
latter leaving the entire flooring unencumbered.
Dated thia 14th day of March 1884