Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 6th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 17th May, 1887.
We, WILLIAM GOODENOUGH PEROY SHARP, and CHRISTOPHER BRADLEY, both of
No. 108 Flinders Lane East, in the City of Melbourne and Colony of Victoria,
Mattress and Bedstead Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
This invention of improvements in woven wire mattress frames and in bedsteads
relates, first, to the framing of the mattress and, second, to the construction of
bedsteads having woven wire as a bed bottom, instead of laths as now ordinarily
used.
First As to mattresses we simplify their framing and at the same time make them
more substantial by dispensing with the wood sides, and substituting wrought iron
tubes in their stead. The ends of these tubes may be so constructed as to enable them
to be secured direct to the ends of the bedstead, which may be specially constructed
for the purpose. Mattresses so constructed can be combined with the head and foot
of an ordinary bedstead dispensing with all other parts but we sometimes make them
so as to be especially suitable for ships' bunks, in which case the only supports they
require are cross-bars or battens at the ends of each mattress, in which to place the
ends of the tubular sides.
Second As to bedsteads, these we make with a woven-wire bottom and tubular
sides like the mattress, and the ends of such tubes we furnish with end pieces which
fit the sockets of the ordinary bedposts, thus the angle iron sides and laths of ordinary
bedsteads are dispensed with, and a bedstead and spring mattress produced in one
article.
In order that our invention may be well understood, we will now describe it with
reference to the accompanying Sheets of drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan of one form of our improved mattress frame.
Figure 2 is an end view of it when constructed for a "low side" mattress, and
Figure 3 is an end view of it when constructed for a "high side" mattress.
Figure 4 is a part plan shewing an alternative means of constructing our improved
mattress frame, which is the same as that shewn in Figures 1 to 3, except that a screw-

page_text: Figure 7 is a side view of a bedstead, the laths forming the usual bed bottom being
dispensed with and one of our mattresses secured direct to the ends of the bedstead,
the wood cross-bars of the mattress being in this case supported on metal brackets to
form a "high side" mattress. This figure also shews an adjustable head rest.
Figure 8 is an end view of same looking from the line a, a, in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a part plan of a further alternative means of constructing our improved
mattress frame in which the ends of the woven wire in a "high side". mattress
are supported by securing them between the joint of a split roller tube supported by
brackets the tubular side of the mattress and bedstead.
upon
Figure 10 is a side view of same, and
Figure 11 a tranverse view, while
Figure 12 is a cross-section (enlarged) of the split tubular roller.
Figure 13 is front elevation of a tier of mattresses made especially suitable for
ships bunks.
Figure 14 is a plan of same, and
Figure 15 is a sectional elevation looking from the line b, b, in Figure 13.
Figures 16, 17 and 18 shew the construction of castings at the ends of the tubular
sides of our mattresses when they are required to fit the sockets of ordinary
bed-posts.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the drawing. Referring
to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A is the woven-wire, forming the top of the spring mattress,
one end being secured to the stationary wood cross-bar B, and the other end to the
movable cross-bar B¹. These cross-bars have holes B' through them to admit of their
being placed upon the tubular side rods C, which are furnished near their one end
with the couplings C₁ and washers to form a shoulder, between which and the end
screw-nut Cthe stationary cross-bar B is secured. The other ends are also similarly
furnished with couplings C and washers C to form a shoulder to receive the end
cross-bar B³, which supports the bolts B. These bolts pass through the movable bar B¹
so as to put a strain on it and thus upon the woven wire. For a "low side" mattress
the cross-bars are made straight, as shewn in Figure 2, and for a "high side" mattress
they are made deeper at their ends so as to admit of the longitudinal tubes and the
wire being further apart, as shewn in Figure 3.
In Figure 4, the longitudinal tubes are furnished at one end with the pin and
washer and 'C' between which and the end nut C³ is secured the fixed cross-bar B.
The other end of the tubes is screwed or threaded to receive the nuts C7 between
which the movable cross-bar B¹ is placed so that in this case the end cross-bar B³ is
altogether dispensed with.
In Figures 5 and 6, the couplings C₁ and C are of tee form to enable legs D for
supporting the longitudinal tubes to be screwed or otherwise fastened into them and
which legs by preference are furnished with castors D'. D' is a cross tie rod for
supporting the legs. D³ is a head piece the straps of which are secured by the nuts D*
between them and the end cross-bar B³. D' are handles affixed into the ends of the
tubes when the mattress is used for a hospital stretcher.
In Figures 7 and 8 the longitudinal tubes Care of the form shewn in Figure 4 and
their ends are screwed or otherwise fastened direct into the tee pieces E which form
part of the ends E¹ of the bedstead, which are also mounted on castors E. The
mattress here shewn is of the "high side" description and its end cross-bars are
supported on the brackets E³, to which they are secured by the bolts E. These
brackets are supported on the tubes C the one end being retained stationary by the
pin C and the other end being capable of adjustment by the screw-nuts C C F is
an adjustable head-rest centred on the movable collars F upon the tubes. The height
1

page_text: of the rest is adjusted by the back-stay F³, which is centred to the head rest and to
the back movable collar F³.
In Figures 9 to 12, the backets E³ are shewn with circular sockets E³ on them to
support the transverse rollers to which the woven wire is fixed. These rollers are
formed of two half tubes G lined inside with wood, G¹, and bolted together by the
through-bolts G³, the end of the woven wire being secured in the joint between the
wood lining. The wood lining G₁ is for the purpose of avoiding the cutting of
the wire, any material therefore which will accomplish this object may be substituted
for the wood.
Figures 13, 14, and 15 shew our mattresses as adapted for ships bunks. In this
case, the ends of the longitudinal tubes C extend outwards at both ends to enable them
to be supported on the transverse bars or battens H, which have suitable recesses or
gaps H cut in them to receive the tubes. These battens are nailed or otherwise
secured to the framing or vertical props H2 or to the end of the cabin.
Figures 16, 17, and 18 shew the means employed for supporting our improved
mattress between the head and foot pieces of an ordinary bedstead without having to
use the side bars and laths. To do this we simply secure on the ends of the tubes C
the end fixing J to suit the sockets of the bedposts with which the mattress is to be
used.
Dated this

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Woven-wire Mattress Frames and in Bedsteads.
We, WILLIAM GOODENOUGH PERCY SHARP and CHRISTOPHER BRADLEY, both of
No. 108 Flinders Lane East in the City of Melbourne and Colony of Victoria, Mattress
and Bodstead Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This Invention of improvements in woven wire mattress frames and in bedsteads,
relates first to the framing of the mattress, and second, to the construction of bedsteads
having woven wire or the like as a bed bottom instead of laths as now ordinarily used.
First. As to mattresses we simplify their framing and at the same time make them
more substantial by dispensing with the wood sides and substituting wrought iron
tubes in their stead. The ends of these tubes may be so constructed as to enable them
to be secured direct to the ends of the bedstead which may be specially constructed for
the purpose.
Mattresses so constructed can be combined with the head and foot of
an ordinary bedstead dispensing with all other parts but we sometimes make them so
as to be especially suitable for ships bunks in which case the only supports they require
are cross bars or battens at the ends of each mattress in which to place the ends of the
tubular sides.
Second. As to bedsteads these we make with their bed bottom of woven wire or the
like and tubular sides like the mattresses and the ends of such tubes we sometimes
furnish with end pieces which fit the dovetail sockets of the ordinary bed-posts, thus
the angle iron sides and laths of ordinary bedsteads are dispensed with and a bedstead
and spring mattress produced in one article. The tubes may be screwed and furnished
with nuts for enabling the bed bottom to be easily adjusted or the tubular sides to be
easily secured to the head and foot posts.
In order that our invention may be well understood we will now describe it with
reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which,-
Figure 1 is a plan of one form of our improved mattress frame.
Figure 2 is an end view of it when constructed for a "low side" mattress and
Figure 3 is an end view of it when constructed for a "high side" mattress.
Figure 4 is a part plan shewing another description of our improved mattress frame
having a screw thread formed on the straining end of each tube, by which means we
are enabled to dispense with one of the wood cross bars and the two tension bolts.
Figure 4 is a side view of a construction of our mattress frames wherein the tubular
side bars are screwed at both ends and an angle iron substituted for the end wood cross
bars.
Figure 4b is a view of the end part of the angle iron cross bar shewn in Figure 4º.
Figures 4 and 4d are side view and transverse section of another form of end cross
bar for supporting the mattress such bar being constructed of cast metal.
Figure 5 is a side view of one of our bedsteads and is composed of a mattress and

page_text: produce a stretcher.
When furnished with legs it becomes a bedstead.
Figure 6 is an end view of same.
Figure 7 is a side view of a bedstead having the mattresses secured to the end wood
cross bars which are mounted on metal brackets supported on the side tubular bars of
the bedstead to form a "high side" mattress. This figure also shews an adjustable
head rest.
Figure 8 is an end view of the same looking from the line a a in Figure 7.
Figure 8 is a side view of another means of securing the side tubular bars to the
head and foot pieces and the mattress direct to the angle bars on them.
Figure 9 is a part plan of a further alternative means of constructing our improved
mattress frame in which the ends of the woven wire in a "high side" mattress are
supported by securing them between the joint of a split roller tube supported by
brackets upon the tubular side of the mattress and bedstead.
Figure 10 is a side view of same and
Figure 11 a transverse view, while
Figure 12 is a cross section (enlarged) of the split tubular roller.
Figures 12 and 12° shew views at right angles to each other of an alternativo con-
struction of the bracket shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 for supporting the mattress.
It being in this case either cast upon or attached to the head and foot
pieces.
Figure 13 is a front elevation of a tier of mattresses made especially suitable for
ships bunks.
Figure 14 is a plan of same and
Figure 15 is a sectional elevation looking from the line 6 6 in Figure 13.
Figure 16, 17 and 18 shew the construction of castings at the ends of the tubular
sides of our mattresses when they are required to fit the sockets of ordinary bed posts.
Figures 19 and 20 show modified forms of corner pieces.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the drawing. Referring
to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A is the woven wire or the like forming the top of the spring
mattress one end being secured to the stationary wood cross-bar B, and the other end
to the movable cross-bar B¹. These cross-bars have holes B2 through them to admit
of their being placed upon the tubular side rods C which are furnished near their one
end with the couplings C¹ and washers (2 to form a shoulder, between which and the
end screw nut C³ the stationary cross bar B is secured. The other ends are also
similarly furnished with couplings C and washers C to form a shoulder to receive the
end cross bar B³ which supports the bolts Bt. These bolts pass through the movable
bar B¹ so as to put a strain upon it and thus upon the woven wire. For a "low side"
mattress the cross bars are made straight as shewn in Figure 2 and for a "high side
mattress they are made deeper at their ends so as to admit of the longitudinal tubes
and the wire being further apart as shewn in Figure 3. These cross bars B, B1 and B³
may be constructed of wood or of metal bars.
"
In Figure 4 the longitudinal tubes are furnished at one end with the pin and
washer and C' between which and the end nut C³ is secured the fixed cross bar B.
The other end of the tube is screwed or threaded to receive the nuts C7 between which
the moveable cross bar B¹ is placed so that in this case the end cross-bar B³ is
altogether dispensed with.
In Figures 4 and 4b the tubular side rods C are screwed at both ends and support
the angle bars B' which have the lugs B secured to them at their ends while the woven-
wire mattress A is secured to the flat web of the angle iron by the plate B' and
bolts Bs. C are the nuts on the tubular bars for securing the angle irons in position
and straining the mattress. Figures 4 and 4d shew that the end bar with its lugs can
be formed in one piece B° the brackets thereon being furnished with oblong holes to fit
the screwed end portion of the side tubular bars C.
In figures 5 and 6 the couplings C and Care of tee form to enable legs D for sup
porting the longitudinal tubes to be screwed or otherwise fastened into them and which
legs by preference are furnished with castors D¹. D' is a cross tie rod for supporting the
legs. D³ is a head piece the straps of which are secured by the nuts D' between them

page_text: and the end cross bar B³. D* are handles affixed into the ends of the tubes when the
mattress is used for a hospital stretcher.
In Figures 7 and 8 the longitudinal tubes C are of the form shewn in Figure 4, and
their ends are screwed or otherwise fastened direct into the tee pieces E, which form
part of the ends E¹ of the bedstead which are also mounted on Castors E³. The
mattress here shewn is of the "high side" description, and its end cross-bars are
supported on the brackets E³ to which they are secured by the bolts E. These brackets
are supported on the tubes C the one end being retained stationary by the pin C and
the other end being capable of adjustment by the screw nuts 07 07. F is an adjustable
head-rest centred on the movable collars F¹ upon the tubes. The height of the rest
is adjusted by the back stay F2 which is centred to the head rest and to the back
moveable collar F³.
In Figure 8 is shown a modification of the means for securing the side tubular
bars C to the head and foot pieces E¹ the corner pieces E having a hole quite through
them to receive the side tubular bars C which are secured thereto by the nuts C.
Further the mattress A is shewn secured to the end angle iron E' which may either be
cast or secured to the corner piece E*.
In Figures 9 to 12 the brackets E³ are shewn with circular sockets E³ on them to
support the transverse rollers to which the woven wire is fixed. These rollers are
formed of two half tubes G lined inside with wood or other material G₁ and bolted
together by the through bolts G the end of the woven wire being secured in the joint
between the lining. The lining G¹³ is for the purpose of avoiding the cutting of the
wire, any material therefore which will accomplish this object may be used.
In Figures 12 and 12 the bracket E³, E is shewn so constructed as that the head
and foot rails and legs may either be cast upon or secured to it, while a hole is formed
quite through each corner piece for the reception of the side tubular bars C, thus it
will be obvious that by these means and that shewn in Figure 8ª the mattress stretches
over the full length of the bedstead and is strained by forcing either the head or foot
piece out by the aid of the screw nuts 07 on the tubular bars C.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 shew our mattresses as adapted for ships bunks. In this case
the ends of the longitudinal tubes C extend outwards at both ends to enable them to
be supported on the transverse bars or battens H which have suitable recesses or
gaps H cut in them to receive the tubes. These battens are nailed or otherwise
secured to the framing or vertical props H2 or to the end of the cabin.
Figures 16, 17 and 18 shew the means employed for supporting our improved
mattress between the head and foot pieces of an ordinary bedstead without having to
use the side bars and laths. To do this we simply secure on the ends of the tubes C
the end fixing J to suit the sockets of the bed posts with which the mattress is to
be used.
Figures 19 and 20 shew modifications of the means for securing the side tubular bars C
to the corner pieces J. Figure 19 showing the bar C secured in the socket J¹ of the corner
piece by the pin J' while such corner piece may either be cast on the corner posts or
secured in position on them by the set screws J³. Figure 20 shews the tubular bars
secured in the manner just described in the annular recess J. The end tubular bars
may be substituted by angle bars which can either be cast in or attached to the
corner pieces.
Having now particularly described and explained the nature of our said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is―
1st. Constructing the sides of mattress frames of metal tubes or rods screwed at one
or both of their ends and securing the cross bars to them or they to the corner pieces
of the bedstead by either of the several means herein described and explained and as
illustrated in our drawings.
""
2nd. The combination of the parts marked C to C with the parts marked B to B
** low side
forming one description of our mattress frame having either "high" or
cross-bars substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Figures 1,
2 and 3 of our drawing.

page_text: 3rd. The combination of the parts marked C, C2, C3, C and C' with the cross bars B
and B¹ forming an alternative form of our mattress frame either with or without the
projecting ends for ships bunks, the legs D, the head piece D³ or the handles D sub-
stantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of
our drawings.
4th. The combination of either description of our mattress frame having the tubes C
with the specially constructed head and foot pieces furnished with tee pieces E in them
to support said tubes thus forming a combined bedstead and spring mattress in one
article substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Figures 7
and 8 of our drawings.
5th. The combination of the brackets E³ which support cross-bars with said tubular
bars C thus forming "high side" mattresses substantially as herein described and
explained and as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of our drawings.
6th. The combination of the roller formed of the parts marked G to G with its
supporting bracket E³ E³ and tubular bar C forming an alternative construction of
high side" mattress substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated
in Figures 9 to 12 of our drawings.
7th. Furnishing the ends of the tubes C with suitable fixings such as J to suit the
head and foot pieces or posts of ordinary bedsteads, substantially as herein described
and explained and as illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and 18 of our drawings.
8th. The combination of side screwed tubular bars with either form of metal cross
bars which support the mattress substantially as herein described and as illustrated
in Figures 4, 4, 4 and 4d of our drawings.
9th. Forming the corner pieces of bedsteads with holes quite through them to
receive the end screwed portions of the tubular bars substantially as herein described
and as illustrated in Figures 8ª, 12ª and 12° of our drawings.
10th. Forming a socket or annular recess on the corner pieces of bedsteads and
securing the tubular bars therein by pins or bolts substantially as herein described and
explained and as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 of our drawings.
J. HENRY JOHNSON,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.,
Agent.