IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS, BEDSTEAD BOTTOMS, AND MATTRESSES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE- ARE APPLICABLE TO CHAIR SOFA AND OTHER SUCH LIKE SEATS OR
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wilson of Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Esquire for an Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
BEDSTEADS, BEDSTEAD BOTTOMS, AND MATTRESSES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1882.
THOMAS WILSON of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Esquire
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS BEDSTEAD BOTTOMS AND MATTRESSES
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO CHAIR SOFA AND OTHER SUCH
LIKE SEATS OR BOTTOMS
"
My Invention consists firstly of improvements in the construction of the head
foot rails of metallic Bedsteads and by which I am enabled to dispense with their
usual cast iron dovetails and corners. In carrying out this part of my invention
I construct the head and foot rails with extended or return sides similar to the
return sides of a fender the said return sides extending twelve or fourteen inches
more or less and outside the intended Bedstead frame and thus rendering the
head and foot rails self supporting independent of connection with the Bedstead
frame
The head and foot rails if desired may be fitted with suitable pillars at their
corners and extended sides for purposes of ornament or otherwise and castors may
be fitted to the bottoms of the said rails to enable them to move easily and smoothly
on the bedroom floor.
I connect my improved head and foot rails together and at the required distance
apart by suitable tie rods or stretchers attached to the lower parts of the said head
and foot rails. The bedstead frame for my improved head and foot rails I construct
of flat iron or steel and preferably in two parts which I hinge together similarly
to a folding Bedstead frame; the said hinged ends of the frame when open
abutting firmly together. The head end of the Bedstead frame I hinge to the
return sides of the head rail so that the said frame when out of use is capable of

page_text: being folded against the head rail of the Bedstead. The foot end of the Bedstead
frame I fit with folding legs which when the said frame is open may either rest on
the floor of the bedroom or on the tie rods or other convenient lower part of the
foot rail of the Bedstead which said foot rail I construct sufficiently wide to allow
a clear space round the end of the Bedstead frame for the counterpane to fall
between.
Instead of supporting the head and foot ends of the Bedstead frame in the manner
previously described, I sometimes prefer to form fixed stools or seats on the lower
parts of my improved head and foot rails and construct the ends of the Bedstead
frame when open so as to engage with and rest firinly on the said stools or seats.
I attach the iron or steel laths (forming the bottom of the Bedstead frame
previously described) as follows I rivet to the inner flat sides of the Bedstend
frame a thin metal strip or strips leaving spaces between the said strips and flat
sides of the bedstead frame equal to the thickness and width of the laths forming
the Bedstead bottom, I then form on the ends of the said laths (by bending or
otherwise) right angle hooks which I force into the previously described spaces
formed on the inner sides of the Bedstead frame, the said frame being held the
required distance apart by suitable rods or stretchers attached to the said frame.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in the construction
of folding bedsteads.
In carrying out this part of my invention I construct the folder bottom in halves
which I attach or hinge to the upper ends of diagonal legs the said legs when open
to their fullest extent abutting at their upper ends against each other or against
suitable stops and thereby firmly supporting the middle or hinged parts of the
folder bottom the lower ends of the diagonal legs I attach or hinge to the lower
ends of the head and foot legs or rails of the folder Bedstead. The ends of the
folder bottom I form with hooks or notches which take onto or engage with
suitable studs or fastenings on the head and foot rails of the Bedstead the said
rails being thereby held in a vertical position and the folder Bedstead bottom
at the same time firmly supported horizontally.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in the sides and
ends of Metallic Bedsteads which I construct either of flat iron or the ordinary
angle iron preferably reversed that is so say with the edges of the Angle iron
upwards and with ordinary cast dovetails at their ends which engage with the
pillars or corners of the Bedstead in the usual way.
The head and foot ends of the Bedstead frame I construct of flat iron with
hinges at their middle and at their ends and I rivet one flap of the end hinges
to the Bedstead sides by which I am enabled to close the said sides together
when detached from the Bedstead corners which thereby occupy less space without
being separated from the Bedstead frame ends thus avoiding the risk of being
wrongly placed in setting up the Bedstead.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in the stretchers
of metallic Bedsteads. I form the stretchers of suitable flat or round iron and
of a length equal to the inside width of the Bedstead I hinge or joint one end of
the stretchers to the Bedstead side and form on the other end a hook which
takes into a suitable eye on the opposite Bedstead side.
When the improved stretchers are out of use they lie folded close to the Bedstead
sides and when in use are turned across and forced into the eyes on the opposite
sides which are thereby bound firmly together.
My invention consists further of the following improvements in attaching the
sides to the head and foot rails or pillars of metallic Bedsteads.
I construct the sides (preferably) of flat iron and form on their ends hooks
which take into corresponding slots or eyes formed in the head and foot pillars of
the Bedstead and on setting up the Bedstead the hooks on the Bedstead sides are
forced or driven into the slots or eyes in the pillars similarly to the ordinary cast
dovetails of metallic Bedsteads.

page_text: The improved Bedstead sides and hooks being entirely of wrought iron or steel
are less liable to fracture than the ordinary cast dovetails.
My Invention consists of the following improvements in the sides of Metallic
Bedsteads. I construct the said sides Tubular with screw sockets at their bead
ends. The ends of the said Tubular sides take onto projections formed or cast in
the Bedstead corners and by rotating the screw sockets the Tubular sides may be
lengthened or shortened and the improved Bedstead bottom (hereinafter described)
tightened or otherwise as required
My improved Bedstead bottom or sacking above referred to I construct as
follows: I take longitudinal laths or strips of Iron or steel, I place on the snid
strips a sheet of ordinary cloth sacking or other suitable cloth fabric, or material
the said sheet being sufficiently large to cover the open or inside area of the
Bedstead frame I rivet or attach the said cloth or sacking to the iron or steel strips
the ends of which are perforated and engage with suitable hooks or studs on the
angle or other ends of the Bedstead. When the strips are properly engaged or
hooked on to the studs the Tubular screw sockets previously described are made
to elongate the Tubular sides and thus give to the Bedstead bottom the degree of
tension required.
Instead of covering the laths or strips with a single sheet of cloth or sacking I
sometimes prefer to cover the said strips on both sides by placing them between
two sheets of cloth and rivetting or otherwise attaching them to the strips as
previously described or instead of rivetting I sometimes prefer to attach the
cloth or sacking to the metal strips by longitudinal stitchings thus forming bags
or spaces in the stitching into which the metal strips may be forced or threaded.
Instead of Iron or steel laths or strips as previously described I sometimes prefer
to use metal wire or chains and cover the same with india rubber or cloth or
sacking or other suitable material and arranged or attached to the Bedstead frame
in a similar form or manner to that previously described with respect to metal
laths or strips.
Instead of the tubular screw sockets previously described for tightening the
Bedstead bottom I sometimes prefer to attach the head ends of the laths or bottom
to a moveable cross piece and by screws passing through the head end of the frame
draw up the said cross piece thereby giving to the Bedstead bottom the required
degree of tension. Or instead of the cross piece just described for tightening iny
improved sacking or Bedstead bottom I sometimes prefer to attach the said sacking
to a suitable roller at the head end of the Bedstead frame and rotate the said roller
by hand screws or other suitable means acting on the said roller and thus impart
or give to the sacking the degree of tension required.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in Bedstead
bottoms. I construct the frame of the Bedstead bottom of wood and with a
moveable cross piece at its head end I fix in the upper edge of the said cross piece
and foot end of the wood frame suitable hooks or studs to which I attach or hook
the ends of the cloth covered metal laths or strips previously described and by
means of Tubular screw stretchers underneath (and by preference at the head end
of the wood frame) force up the moveable cross piece and thereby give to the metal
strips or sacking the requisite degree of tension.
Instead of making the wood frame in one piece or the entire length of the
Bedstead the said frame may be constructed in halves and hinged together about
its middle so as to fold when the metal strips or sacking is detached therefrom the
frame thus occupying less space in case of removal.
The Bedstead bottom just described I prefer to use with reversed angle or
Bedstead sides, and I fix iron studs or dowels in the lower edges of the wood
frame which said dowels take into holes in the Bedstead sides thereby binding
them together and retaining the wood frame in its place on the said angle sides.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in elastic Bedstead
bottoms and seats.
The frame of the Bedstead bottom I construct preferably of wood and fill in the

page_text: centre with wood strips or boards sufficiently strong for the purpose required.
I then introduce into or fill the said frame with balls of India rubber-I afterwards
cover the said balls with ordinary sheet sacking or other suitable cloth or covering
the edges of the outer covering being firmly nailed or otherwise secured to the
upper edges of the wood frame.
In applying this part of my invention to chair sofa and other such like seats I
first prepare the said seats as required I then introduce into or fill the said seats
with balls of india rubber of a suitable size and as above described and after
covering the said balls I finish the said seats with horse hair or other suitable or
desired coverings.
My Invention consists further in the application of the India Rubber balls
previously described to the construction of separate and flexible mattresses for
Bedsteads. In carrying out this part of my Invention I first form the tick case or
covering of the mattress of cloth or other suitable material. I then introduce into
or fill the said case or covering with balls of India Rubber and properly secure
the same in the said case or covering and the mattress being thus completed may
be laid upon or used with the ordinary Bedstead frame or Palliasse. I sometimes
prefer to construct my improved mattress in halves similar to the ordinary
palliasse thereby rendering the mattress more convenient to handle or pack in
case of removal.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th December
1882.
THOMAS WILSON of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Esquire
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS, BEDSTEAD BOTTOMS AND MATTRESSES
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHAIR SOFA AND OTHER
SUCH LIKE SEATS OR BOTTOMS
My Invention consists firstly of improvements in the construction of the head
and foot rails of metallic bedsteads, and by which I am enabled to dispense with
their usual cast iron dovetails and corners. In carrying out this part of my
invention I construct the head and foot rails, with extended or return sides,
similar to the return sides of a fender, the said return sides extending twelve or
fourteen inches (more or less) as required, from the front parts of the said head
and foot rails and outside the extended or inner bedstead frame, thus rendering
the head and foot rails self supporting and independent of connection with the
said inner bedstead frame.
The head and foot rails if desired may be fitted with suitable pillars at their
corners and extended sides for purposes of ornamentation or otherwise and castors
may also be fitted to the bottoms of the said rails to enable them to move easily
and smoothly on the bedroom floor.
"
I connect my improved head and foot rails together and at the required distance
apart by suitable tie rods or stretchers, attached to the lower parts of the said
head and foot rails. The inner bedstead frame for my improved head and foot
rails I construct of flat or angle iron or steel, and preferably in two parts or halves
which I hinge together similarly to a folding bedstead frame the said hinged ends
of the said frame when open, abutting closely together. The bead end of the
bedstead frame I sometimes prefer to hinge to the return sides of the head rail,
so that the said frame when out of use, is capable of being folded together. The
foot end of the bedstead frame, I prefer to provide with jointed folding legs;
which when the said frame is open may rest on the floor of the bedroom or on
any other convenient lower part of the foot rail, or tie rods of the bedstead;
which said foot rail I construct sufficiently wide to allow a clear space around
the end of the inner bedstead frame.
Instead of supporting the head and foot ends of the bedstead frame in the
manner previously described, I sometimes prefer to form fixed supports or rests
on the lower parts of my improved self supporting head and foot rails and I
construct the ends of the inner bedstead frame when in its open or unfolded
position, so as to engage with, and rest upon the said supports.
My invention consists further of the following improvements in the construction
of folding bedsteads.
In carrying out this part of my invention, I construct the folder bottom in
halves, the inner or middle ends of which, I attach or hinge to the upper ends
of diagonal legs, the said legs being also jointed or hinged at or near their upper
ends, and when open to their fullest extent, the said upper ends abutting firmly
against each other or against suitable stops and thereby firmly supporting the
middle or hinged ends of the folder bottom previously described the lower ends
of the diagonal legs I attach or hinge to the lower ends of the head and foot
legs or rails of the folder bedstead. The ends of the folder bottom frame I form
with hooks or notches which take onto or engage with suitable studs or other
fastenings on the head and foot rails of the bedstead, the said rails being thereby

page_text: held in a vertical position and the bedstead bottom at the same time firmly
supported horizontally.
Instead of the lower ends of the diagonal legs being hinged to the lower parts
of the head and foot rails or legs of the folder frame they may be made to take
into holes or suitably formed recesses in the said head and foot rails and thereby
held in the required position, so also with respect to the ends of the folder
bottom.
<
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in the sides and
ends of metallic bedsteads which I construct either of flat iron, or the ordinary
angle iron, if of the latter preferably reversed, that is to say, with the edges of
the angle iron upwards and with ordinary cast dovetails at their ends which said
dovetails engage with the pillars or corners of the bedstead in the usual way.
The head and foot ends of the bedstead frame I construct of flat iron with
hinges or joints at their middles and at their ends and I rivet one flap of the end
hinges to the bedstead sides by which I am enabled to close the said sides together
when detached from the bedstead corners the said bedstead frame thereby
occupying less space without its parts being separated thus avoiding all risk of
their being wrongly placed in setting up the bedstead.
My invention consists further of the following improvements in the stretchers
of metallic bedsteads. I form the stretchers either tubular or of suitable flat or
round iron and of a length equal to the inside width of the bedstead. I hinge or
joint one end of each stretcher, to the bedstead side and form on the other end a
hook which engages with a suitably formed eye or stud formed in or attached to
the opposite bedstead side.
When the improved stretchers are out of use they lie folded close to the bed-
stead sides and when in use are turned across and forced into the eyes on the
opposite sides which are thereby bound or held firmly together.
4
My invention consists further of the following improvements in the sides of
metallic bedsteads. I construct the said sides tubular with screw sockets at their
bead ends. The heads of the said tubular sides take into projections formed or
cast on the bedstead corners, and by rotating the screw sockets, the tubular sides
may be lengthened or shortened, and the improved bedstead bottom may be
tightened or otherwise as required.
My improved bedstead bottom or sacking above referred to I construct as
follows:-
=
I take longitudinal laths or strips of iron or steel and I place on the said strips
a sheet of ordinary cloth sacking or other suitable cloth fabric or material the
said sheet being sufficiently large to cover the open or inside area of the bedstead
frame I rivet or attach the said cloth or sacking to the iron or steel strips, the
ends of which are perforated and engage with suitable hooks or studs on the
angle or other ends of the bedstead. When the strips or laths are properly engaged
or hooked onto the studs the tubular screw sockets previously described are
rotated and thereby made to elongate the tubular sides and thus give to the laths
of the bedstead bottom the degree of tension required.
Instead of covering the laths or strips with a single sheet of cloth or sacking I
sometimes prefer to cover the said strips on both sides, by placing them between
two sheets of cloth and rivetting or otherwise attaching them to the strips as
previously described, or instead of rivetting I sometimes prefer to attach the cloth
or sacking, to the metal strips by longitudinal stitchings, thus forming bags or
spaces in the said sackings into which the metal strips may be forced or threaded.
Or instead of forming the bags or spaces, for the laths, by a series of parallel
stitchings (in sheets) sometimes form single bags or covers, and force the laths
into them, thereby giving to each lath a separate and independent cover.
Instead of iron or steel laths or strips as previously described I sometimes prefer
to use metallic wire or chains and cover the same with india rubber or cloth or
sacking or other suitable material and arranged or attached to the bedstead frame

page_text: in a similar form or manner to that previously described, with respect to metal
laths or strips.
My invention consists further of the following improvements on bedstead
bottons. I construct the frame of the bedstead bottom of wood and with a
inoveable crosspiece at its head and I fix in the upper edge of the said cross piece
and foot end of the wood frame suitable hooks or studs to which I attach or hook
the ends of the cloth covered metal laths or strips previously described and by
means of tubular screw stretchers underneath (and by preference at the head end
of the wood frame) force up the moveable cross piece and thereby give to the metal
strips or sacking the requisite degree of tension.
Instead of making the wood frame in one piece or the entire length of the
bedstead the said frame may be constructed in halves and hinged together about
its middle so as to fold, when the metal strips or sacking is detached therefrom, the
frame thus occupying less space in cases of removal.
The bedstead bottom just described I prefer to use with reversed angles, and on
the bedstead sides I fix iron studs or dowels in the lower or under edges of the
wood frame which said dowels, take into holes in the bedstead sides, thereby
binding them together, and retaining the wood frame in its place on the said
angle sides.
My invention consists further of the following improvements in elastic bedstead
bottoms and seats.
The frame of the bedstead bottom I construct preferably of wood and fill in the
centre with wood strips or boards sufficiently strong for the purpose required.
I then introduce into or fill the said frame with balls of india rubber. I afterwards
cover the said balls with ordinary sheet sacking, or other suitable cloth or covering,
the edges of the outer covering being firmly nailed or otherwise secured to the
upper edges of the wood frame.
In applying this part of my invention to chair, sofa and other such like seats
I first prepare the said seats as required, I then introduce, into or fill the said seats
with balls of India rubber of a suitable size, and as above described and after
covering the said balls I finish the said seats with horse hair or other suitable or
desired coverings.
My invention consists further in the application of the India rubber balls
previously described, to the construction of suitable and flexible mattresses for
bedsteads. In carrying out this part of my invention, I first form the tick case or
covering of the mattress of cloth or other suitable material. I then introduce into
or fill the said case or covering with balls of india rubber and properly secure the
same in the said case or covering and the mattress being thus completed may be
laid upon or used with the ordinary frame or palliasse.
I sometimes prefer to construct my improved mattress in halves similar to the
ordinary palliasse, thereby rendering the mattress more convenient to handle or
pack in case of removal.
Having explained the nature of my invention I will proceed to describe with
reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same is to be
performed.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my new or improved bedstead,
constructed, according to the first part of my invention, and Figure 2 is a plan of
the same partly in horizontal section. Figures 3 and 4 represent perspective views
of modifications of the foot ends of metallic bedsteads constructed according to the
before described first part of my Invention.
a a² a², represents the head and foot rails constructed with my improved
extended or return sides or supports.
The parts are so constructed or arranged that the extended or return sides or
supports a, a, are situated or disposed in a plane parallel to the sides of the
frame b. b, the head and foot rails are thereby made self supporting or capable of
resting in a vertical position independently of the inner frame b. b. of the bedstead
The said head and foot rails and the extended or return sides or supports are

page_text: provided with castors or rests as represented, in order that the bedstead may be
moved freely upon the surface upon which it rests.
The inner bedstead frame b b, I prefer to construct of flat iron and jointed at or
about the middle of the sides of the frame and marked c, c, as described and
represented. The foot end of the bedstead frame described is supported by folding
legs d, d, jointed at d², d², to the inner frame b. b. the said legs when resting upon
the floor constitute the support for the foot end of the said frame. The other or
head end of the said frame is jointed or connected to the return sides or supports as
shewn at c, c, in Figure 2.
The head and foot rails described are connected together by suitable bars or tie
rods e. e. e.
When the bedstead is not in use the frame b. b. and legs d. d. may be
folded together and turned against the head rail.
Instead of the head end of the frame b. b. being binged or jointed to the
extended or return sides or supports as represented at c. c. Figure 2. I some times
prefer to construct the said frame with folding legs at both ends, the said legs
resting on the bedroom floor, in a similar manner, to those at the foot end
marked d. d. thus rendering the said frame entirely self supporting and
independent of connection with the head and foot rails or return sides of the
bedstead. The frame d. d is fitted with metallic laths and stretchers, similar to
those marked f. f. Figure 8, in my improved folding or camp bedstead bottom
herein after described and represented.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 and 6
of the accompanying Drawings.
In Figure 3 the upper ends of the return side or supports a³, a². are connected
with or attached to the foot rail pillars as represented at a¹. a¹. Figure 3.
Figure 4 shews another method of constructing and attaching my improved
return sides or supports to the head and foot rails of metallic bedsteads.
The folding legs d. d, for supporting the foot end of the bedstead frame rest upon
a rail or support attached to the cross bars a³, a³; a' is the rail on the said cross
bars. The said folding legs described are provided with stops at their jointed ends
to limit their motion.
Instead of the return side rails or supports a². a. being curved as represented in
Figure 4 they may be straight and connected at their upper ends with the foot rail
pillars as in Figure 4.
Figure 5 represents in perspective a modified inner frame, for carrying the
mattress or bed independent of the outer frame of the bedstead, the said inner
frame, may be used with my improved head and foot rails a, a², a³. Figure 2, or
with ordinarily constructed bed frames. In the latter case the frame Figure 5
simply occupying the centre of the ordinary bedstead frame, and is supported by
suitable legs resting on the bedroom floor or otherwise. prefer to construct the
modified frame b². 62. figure 5 of wood, also the cross laths or bottom b³. 63. The
frame 6. 6. may be either folding or non folding. The legs b b supporting the
said frame may also be either folding or non folding.
In Figures 3 and 4 the return sides or supports of the head rails are formed in
the same way as the foot rails represented in the said Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 6 shews the joints of the frame figure 1 on a larger scale.
Figure 7 represents in side elevation, and Figure 8 in plan a folding or camp
metallic bedstead constructed according to another part of my Invention.
In carrying out this part of my invention I construct the bedstead bottom f, f,
in two parts or halves, the said bedstead bottom being jointed at the ends f³ få to
the diagonal legs g. g, the said legs being jointed or hinged at g². g² to the
bedstead frame as described and the said legs are jointed to each other at g'. The
lower ends of the said diagonal legs are jointed at h. h to the lower extremities of
the foot and head rails i, i. The divided bottom described has hooks or
notches f, fs, which take upon studs or cross bars i, i on the head and foot rails
of the bedstead represented. When the bedstead is open as represented in Figure 7
the head and foot rails are held in a vertical position, and the bedstead bottom at

page_text: the same time being firmly supported horizontally by the butt joints g³. g³. best
seen in Figure 10.
Figure 8 represents a plan of Figure 7 with laths marked f* and stays f".
Figure 9 shews the bedstead in its folded or closed condition and Figure 10
shews the butt joints g³, g³, on a larger scale in the position represented in Figure 7.
Figure 11 represents the divided folder bottom falling or resting upon the diagonal
legs described after the hooked ends of the said bottom have been detached from
the head and foot rails of the bedstead Figure 12 represents elevations and plans
of the butt joints g³, g³, separated, from each other.
Figure 13 of the accompanying Drawings represents my improvements in the
stretchers of metallic bedsteads. The stretchers k. k. I form of suitable flat or
round iron and of a length about equal to the inside width of the bedstead frame,
the said stretchers are hinged or jointed at . . to the bedstead frame, the other
ends of the said stretchers are hooked as at k³. . which said hooks take into eyes
or against studs l, l, on opposite sides, and on the underside of the bedstead frame.
The hooks in dotted lines k. k. shew the position the stretchers take when out
of use.
My invention relates further to the following improvements in the sides of
metallic bedsteads, and consists in securing and tightening the laths or sackings of
the said bedsteads, as represented in plan partly in section in Figure 14.
I construct the sides m. m. tubular with screwed sockets n. n. at the head end
of the bedstead frame, the internal screws n² n³, of the said sockets takes upon the
screwed end m². m². of the said tubular sides. On rotating the screwed sockets n. n.
the bedstead frame may be lengthened or shortened as desired and consequently
the laths or sacking tightened or slackened as desired. The ends of the tubular
sides m. m. are supported by cylindrical pegs p. p. cast or otherwise affixed in the
corner blocks of the bedstead p³.
Figure 15 represents on a larger scale a lath end like those represented in
Figure 14.
Figure 16 shews the position of the slotted holes in the lath ends with respect to
the necked studs on the framing of the bedstead before tightening and Figure 17
represents the laths in their tightened position. Figure 18 represents the screwed
socket n, corner peg or support p and tubular side with screwed end m³. m². partly
in section, and Figure 19 represents the adjusting parts separately. Figure 20.
shews my new or improved elongating or tightening arrangement applied to a
bedstead frame where a woven sacking is employed.
Figures 21 and 22 represent another modification of my invention for tightening
and affixing the laths or sacking of a bedstead.
In this modification the cylindrical pegs q are screwed, and the ends of the
tubular sides r. are screwed internally, so that on rotating the said tubular sides
r, r, the bedstead frame may be lengthened or shortened as required.
Figure 21 represents the parts in their acting position, and Figure 22 shews the
parts separately.
Figure 23 represents in plan partly in section a bedstead bottom constructed
according to another part of my invention. Figures 24 25 and 26 represent end
and side elevations of Figure 23.
The frame 8, 8, of the bedstead is constructed of wood with a moveable cross-
piece 82, at its head and upon the upper edge of the said cross piece lath studs are
fixed tubular stretchers t. t. t. are arranged between the fixed cross bar and the
moveable cross piece 82. by rotating the tubular stretcher described, the cross
head is moved backwards or forwards and the laths or sackings tightened or
otherwise as desired
The rear of the tubular stretchers being carried by pegs t, attached to the fixed
cross bar 8³.
Figure 27 represents a solid stretcher marked u, one end of which screws into a
metal bush in the fixed cross bar 8³, the other end abutting against the moveable

page_text: cross head. On rotating the said stretcher u, the cross head 8³, may be moved,
and the laths or sackings tightened or otherwise as required.
The frame of the bedstead bottom Figure 23 is preferably made in halves; and
hinged as at 8¹ so as to be folded or closed when not in use.
My invention consists further in constructing the sackings of bedstead bottoms
in the following manner. I take longitudinal laths or strips of iron or steel as
shewn at v. Figure 28 and upon the flat faces of the said laths I attach by rivets v
cloth sacking or other suitable material marked w, the ends of the said laths being
left uncovered as represented, by which arrangement the bedstead bottom is
rendered more uniform and the misplacing of the said laths, when detached from
the bedstead frame provented.
Figure 29 represents on a larger scale a transverse section of Figure 28, where
a single sheet of cloth or covering is used, the said Figure is taken on the dotted
line a, b, Figure 28.
Figure 30 represents a cross section, when a double sheet of cloth or covering
is used.
Or instead of attaching the cloth or sacking to the said laths by rivetting as in
Figures 29 and 30, I form by longitudinal stitchings bags or casings marked w³, w³,
Figures 31 and 32; into which said spaces I introduce the metal laths marked v. v.
Or the said laths v. may be covered by a single casing or covering of cloth or fabric
as represented at w² Figure 33.
Having now fully described and illustrated my Invention and the manner in
which the same may be put into operation, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein set forth as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of my said invention, but what I claim and
desire to secure by these Letters Patent is.
First. Constructing the head and foot rails of metallic bedsteads with return
sides or supports resting on the bedroom floor and marked a, a², a³, and e, Figures 1,
2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, and by which the said head and foot
rails are rendered self supporting, independent of connection with the body or
frame of the bedstead.
Secondly. Constructing the frames of metallic bedsteads with joints or hinges
as represented at b. c. Figures 1. 2. 3. 4 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings for
the purpose of enabling the said frames to be closed or folded together when out
of use.
Thirdly. Connecting or jointing the head end of the frame b. b. to the extended
or return sides of the head rail marked c³ Figure 2; in the manner and for the
purposes described and set forth.
Fourthly. The modified inner frame 62, 62, Figure 5 for carrying the mattress
or bed, independent of the ordinary bedstead frame or bottom, whether the said
inner frame be used in connection with my improved head and foot rails a, a², a²,
and e, Figure 2, or with the ordinarily constructed frames of metallic bedsteads.
Fifthly. The improved folding or camp bedstead represented and illustrated in
Figures 7. 8. 9. 10 11 and 12 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, first
constructing folding bedsteads having diagonal legs with butt joints at their upper
ends, and the lower ends of the said diagonal legs being jointed or attached to the
lower parts of the head and foot rails of the said bedsteads.
Sixthly. Constructing the bottoms of the said folding bedsteads in halves, and
jointing the inner ends or sides thereof, to the upper ends of the diagonal legs, and
attaching the outer ends or sides of the said bottoms, to the head and foot rails of
the folding bedstead, in the manner represented and illustrated in Figures 7. 8. 9.
10. 11 and 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly. The improved hooked stretchers k jointed at ², to the sides of
metallic bestead frames and engaging with suitable eyes or studs 1, on opposite
sides of the said bedstead frames as represented in Figure 13 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Eighthly. The improvements in constructing elongating tubular sides of metallic

page_text: bedsteads, and by which my improved bedstead bottom or covered laths may be
readily tightened, and kept at the required tension, as represented in Figures 14.
15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21 and 22. of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninthly. The improved bedstead bottom represented in Figures 23. 24. 25 26
and 27 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, the wood frame with
moveable cross head s². adjusted by tubular screw stretchers u, by the rotation of
which my improved covered lath bottom Figures 28 to 33 may be tightened as
required, and the necessary degree of tension, from time to time, given to the said
bedstead bottom as described and illustrated.
Tenthly. The improved bedstead bottom or sacking represented in Figures 28.
29, 30, 31. 32 and 33 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, covering
metallic laths with cloth, sacking or other suitable fabric, by rivetting or stitching
as described and represented.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Wilson have hereunto set my hand
and seal this second day of December in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HENRY SKERRETT
6 Livery Street
Birmingham
THOMAS WILSON (L.S.)