IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN CONNECTION WITH SPRING OR ELASTIC BOTTOMS FOR BEDS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Hunt, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Cabinet Maker, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN CONNECTION
WITH SPRING OR ELASTIC BOTTOMS FOR BEDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Hunt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th June 1880.
RICHARD HUNT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Cabinet Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN CONNECTION WITH SPRING OR ELASTIC BOTTOMS FOR
BEDS."
The said Invention relates to novel constructions of bed bottoms and bedsteads,
and the object is to provide a strong and durable bed bottom capable of serving as
a mattress, and possessing the resilience requisite therefor in all its parts. A
further object is to construct head and footboards for bedsteads in an improved
manner, as regards strength and appearance.
The Invention consists-
First. Constructing a spring bottom bedstead by combining C shaped springs,
rivetted or secured to the framework of a bedstead, with longitudinal and
transverse bearers or laths, and with a stretcher or stretchers fitted to the said
framework, so as to prevent flexure or torsion. The C springs and bearers or laths
are preferably connected together by raised lips; clips, buttons, or other suitable
fastenings may be used for that purpose.
Second. In constructing spring bottoms applicable to bedsteads by combining
a framework with C shaped springs, having each a fortifying or strengthening
piece, and with longitudinal or transverse bearers or laths.
Third. In constructing spring bottoms applicable to bedsteads by combining a
framework with C shaped springs, longitudinal and transverse bearers or laths,
and with stretchers fitted and constructed so as to prevent flexure or torsion of the
framework.
Fourth. In constructing spring bottoms.applicable to bedsteads with end and side
pieces or frames pivotted together. The said end and side pieces or frames are
provided with screw and nut or equivalent adjusting appliances, and have
C shaped springs secured or attached thereto. The side pieces or frames are
TD011

page_text: constructed or fitted with stretchers acting as levers for turning such side pieces or
frames into position after the springs and bearers or laths have been connected.
In some cases the end pieces or frames are constructed or fitted with levers.
Fifth. In combining with spring bed bottoms, constructed substantially as set
forth in the above four heads, Ċ shaped, zig zag, spiral or other suitable springs
resting on transverse bearers and supporting the transverse laths.
Sixth. In constructing C shaped springs used in combination, substantially as
above set forth, with fortifying or strengthening pieces.
Seventh. In employing in combination with C shaped springs, arranged and
combined substantially as set forth in the above first three heads, stirrups or like
appliances, whereby the said springs are temporarily caused to bend inwards until
the bearers or laths are connected thereto. After the springs and bearers or laths
have been attached the stirrups or like appliances are removed, and the springs
are allowed to extend as far as the bearers or laths allow.
Eighth. In constructing the head and footboards of bedsteads of wood and
metal combined in the following novel manner :-Angle, tee, or other conveniently
shaped bar or length of metal is so bent, curved, or formed as to constitute three
sides of a frame. The interior of such frame is filled with wood, held in its place
by means of a bar or rod which completes the frame. The said bar or rod is
secured in position by casting or otherwise.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th December
1880.
RICHARD HUNT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Cabinet Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN CONNECTION WITH SPRING OR ELASTIC BOTTOMS FOR
BEDS."
The said Invention relates to novel constructions of bed bottoms and bedsteads,
and the object is to provide a strong and durable bed bottom capable of serving as
a mattress, and possessing the resiliance requisite therefor in all its parts. A
further object is to construct head and footboards for bedsteads in an improved
manner as regards strength and appearance.
The Invention consists,-
First. In constructing a spring bottom bedstead by combining C shaped springs
rivetted or secured to the framework of a bedstead with longitudinal and transverse
bearers or laths, and with a stretcher, or stretchers fitted to the said framework so
as to prevent flexure or torsion. The C springs and bearers or laths are preferably
connected together by raised lips; clips, buttons, or other suitable fastenings may
be used for that purpose.
Second. In constructing spring bottoms applicable to bedsteads by combining a
framework with C shaped springs, having each a fortifying or strengthening pieco,
and with longitudinal and transverse bearers or laths.
Third. In constructing spring bottoms applicable to bedsteads by combining a
framework with C shaped springs, longitudinal and transverse bearers or laths,
and with stretchers fitted and constructed so as to prevent flexure or torsion of the
framework.
Fourth. In constructing spring bottoms applicable to bedsteads with end and
side pieces or frames pivoted together. The said end and side pieces or frames are
provided with screw and nut or equivalent adjusting appliances, and have C shaped
springs secured or attached thereto. The side pieces or frames are constructed or
fitted with stretchers acting as levers for turning such side pieces or frames into
position after the springs and bearers or laths have been connected. In some cases
the end pieces or frames are constructed or fitted with levers.
Fifth. In combining with spring bed bottoms, constructed substantially as set
forth in the above four heads, C shaped, zig zag, spiral, or other suitable springs
resting on transverse bearers and supporting the transverse laths.
Sixth. In constructing C shaped springs used in combination, substantially as
above set forth, with fortifying or strengthening pieces.
Seventh. In employing in combination with C shaped springs, arranged and
combined substantially as set forth in the above first three heads, stirrups or like
appliances, whereby the said springs are temporarily caused to bend inwards until
the bearers or laths are connected thereto. After the springs and bearers or laths
have been attached, the stirrups or like appliances are removed, and the springs
are allowed to extend as far as the bearers or laths allow.
Eighth. In constructing the head and footboards of bedsteads of wood and metal
combined in the following novel manner-Angle, tee, or other conveniently shaped
bar or length of metal is so bent, curved, or formed as to constitute three sides of a
frame. The interior of such frame is filled with wood, held in its place by means of
a bar or rod which complete the frame. The said bar or rod is secured in position
by casting or otherwise.

page_text: First part. a, framework of bedstead, the legs being shown broken off;
b, C shaped springs secured to the framework a by clips or buttons c. The said
springs may be rivetted or otherwise secured to the said framework. d, transverse
laths; e, longitudinal laths; the laths d and e are connected to the springs b, by the
raised lips f; g, stretcher fitting transversely across the framework a, and passing
through apertures h therein. A stretcher constructed and arranged as set forth
prevents the tension of the springs 6 from twisting the framework a.
Second part. C shaped springs used in combination, as set forth under the first
part, are constructed with fortifying or strengthening pieces, as shown at b'.
Third part. The framework of spring bed bottoms, constructed substantially as
set forth under the first part, is constructed without legs, and is made so as to rest
on the framework of the bedstead.
Seventh part. Stirrups i, see Figs. 1 and 3, are employed to bend the C shaped
springs as shown until the laths d or e are connected thereto.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view, and Fig. 5 a transverse section of a spring bottom
for bedsteads illustrative of the fourth and sixth parts of my Invention.
Fourth part. j, end pieces of frame to which are pivotted the side pieces k, k¹.
The side pieces are provided with screws and nuts for the purpose of adjusting
the length of the framework. m, C shaped springs attached to the end pieces j,
and carrying the longitudinal laths n. After the laths n have been attached to the
springs m, they are tightened by means of the adjusting screws and nuts l.
o, C shaped springs attached to the side pieces k, l, and to the transverse laths p;
q, lever or stretcher attached to the side piece ; r, lever or stretcher attached to
the side piece /c'. The said stretchers are attached to the opposite side pieces by
hooks or catches *, and are used as levers to turn the side pieces into position after
the laths have been attached. Such levers are attached to the end pieces if desired.
The dotted lines, Fig. 5, show a stretcher in position for allowing of attachment
of the laths.
Sixth part. C shaped springs have fortifying or strengthening pieces, as shown.
The fifth part is illustrated by the zig zag springs s attached to the stretchers g
and q, r, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Fig. 6 is a front view, and Fig. 7 a horizontal section of a head and footboard.
constructed in accordance with the eighth part of my Invention. t is a bar of
metal bent so as to form the legs and tops and sides of a foot or head of a bedstead.
u is a wood filling which is slid into place along the groove v, and held in position
by the bar w, which is sprung in between the legs, and held in position by bolts
pins, or otherwise.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,―
The various combinations and arrangements of parts, substantially as herein set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the year of ou Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
JAMES JOHNSON,
Patent Office,
Witness.
4, Clayton Square,
Liverpool.
RICHARD HUNT. (L.S.)