IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BED- STEADS.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick John Runyard, of Camden Town, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BED-
STEADS.
"
Sealed the 30th September 1879, and dated the 2nd April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick John Runyard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd April 1879.
FREDERICK JOHN RUNYARD, of Camden Town, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BEDSTEADS."
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of folding bedsteads in which
they are utilised as an ornamental imitation article of furniture, such as a book case
or cabinet by day and as a bedstead by night or when required for such use.
It consists, when combined as an imitation book case, of two portions, the body
or back framing of the case, and the front and ornamental portion, or frame, which
forms the imitation book case itself and is the part which folds down so as to form
the bedstead.
The lower end of the folding frame is stepped or inserted between two curved or
ornamental cheeks or brackets projecting forwards (one on each side) from the sides
of the body or back framing with which they are flush. On each bottom front
corner at the side of the folding frame is attached a plate or bracket carrying a
roller, the two rollers taking into grooves which are cut on the inside faces of the
ornamental cheeks or brackets, and extend in an inclined direction upwards and
backwards towards the body or back framing.
To the inner edge of the folding frame above each inclined groove is attached the
end of a leather or other strap extending to the back of the body or back framing
where its other end is attached.
The front or folding frame forming the bedstead is so constructed and ornamented
externally as to represent an imitation book case.
When in an upright position against the body or back framing, the lower portion
of this case will form a cupboard in the usual way. The two upper ornamental
1

page_text: pilasters of the folding frame are hinged to the frame so that they can be folded
down to form legs or stands for the bedstead when necessary.
The top end of the body or back framing is formed with a cornice which remains
stationary when the front frame is folded down so as to give the appearance of an
Arabian bedstead.
It being required to convert the imitation book case into a bedstead, the folding
frame is released at its top end and folded down into a horizontal position; in so
doing the leather or other strap at its lower end is tightened, and the rollers thereat
mounting the inclined grooves causes the tightened strap to pull the folding frame
inwards towards the body or back framing, and to assume its correct height and
position with the same and with the floor. The ornamental pilasters at its top end
are then turned down so as to form legs to the foot of the bedstead.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick John Runyard in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
October 1879.
FREDERICK JOHN, RUNYARD, of Camden Town, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BEDSTEADS."
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of folding bedsteads which is
utilized as an ornamental imitation article of furniture, such as a book case (or
cabinet) by day and a bedstead by night or when required for such use.
It consists when combined as an imitation book case (or cabinet) of two portions,
viz., the body or back framing of the case and the front and ornamental portion or
frame which forms the imitation book case (or cabinet), and is the part which folds
down so as to form the bedstead..
And in order that my said Invention may be well understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, reference being made to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings, like letters of reference indicating corresponding parts
in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved combined bedstead, folded up so as
to present the appearance of an ornamental imitation bookcase.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, shewing the front and ornamental por-
tion or frame, opened and extended so as to form the bedstead.
On
A represents the front and ornamental portion or frame forming the imitation
bookcase and bedstead, and the lower end of which is stepped or inserted between
two curved ornamental cheeks or brackets B, projecting forwards (one on each side)
from the sides of the body or back framing C, with which sides they are flush.
the bottom front corner at each side of the folding frame A is attached a plate or
bracket D, carrying a roller E, the two rollers E taking into grooves E¹, which are
cut on the inside faces of the ornamental cheeks or brackets B, and extend in an
inclined direction upwards and backwards towards the body or back framing C.
To the inner edge of the folding frame A, above each inclined groove E¹ (see Fig. 2),
is attached the end of a leather strap F, extending to the back of the body or back
framing C, where its other end is attached as shown.
The front or folding frame A forming the bedstead is so constructed and
ornamented externally as to represent an imitation bookcase (or cabinet) as the case
may be, when in an upright position against the body or back framing C, as seen
in Fig. 1, its lower portion at the same time forming a cupboard in the usual
manner. The legs or stands G of the folding bedstead A when the latter is in this
position are folded back, as shown in dotted lines (Figure 2), and form cornices to
the top end of the body or back framing C. Or the legs G may be hinged at the sides
of the folding frame A, and the cornices form parts of the latter. The imitation
book case (or cabinet) being in the position seen in Fig. 1, and it being desired
to convert it into a bedstead, the front or folding frame A is released at its top end
and folded down into a horizonta! position; by so doing the leather or other straps
F at its lower end are tightened, and the rollers E mounting the inclined grooves
El cause the tightened straps F to pull the folding frame A inwards towards the
body or back framing C until it assumes its correct height and position with the
latter and with the floor, when the legs or stands G are turned down and the bed-
stead is ready for use, as shewn in Fig. 2. If desired the front or folding frame
may be constructed as a wardrobe in lieu of an imitation book case or cabinet, as
described.
A
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as my Invention is,―
1. The combination and arrangement of the front frame A forming an imitation

page_text: book case (or cabinet), and folding bedstead, with the body or back framing C, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
2. The combination of the leather or other straps F with the front frame A and
with the body or back framing C, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
3. The combination of the rollers E with the front frame A and with the grooves
E cut in the sides of the body or back framing C, substantially as and for the pur-
pose herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
4. The combination of the legs or stands G with the front frame A and with the
body or back framing C, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick John Runyard, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty fifth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
E. T. HUGHES,
123, Chancery Lane,
W.C.
FREDERICK JOHN RUNYARD. (L.S.)