Improvements in or connected with Bedsteads.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
Improvements in or connected with Bedsteads.
I, ROBERT HENRY BUCHANAN, residing at Swifton, in the County of Jackson, and
State of Arkansas, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:---
My invention, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, has relation to folding beds, and more particularly to
a folding bed or sleeping compartment especially designed as an adjunct or accessory
to an adult's bed, the object being to produce a device of the character specified
which may be readily removed and folded into a small compass and readily set up
in any desired position.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my invention complete, as attached to a
bed of full size ;
Figure 2 is an end elevation showing the end walls or frame folded and the side
wall in the act of being folded ;
Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a preferred form of adjustable leg;
Figure 4 is a perspective detail of that side of the folding bed contiguous to the
adult's bed and also showing the hooks, enabling a connection to be set up between
the beds.
In carrying out my invention I provide the frame or body 1 which is of sufficient
length and width to accommodate the body of a child and is designed to receive the
In order to render the device
usual accessories, such as wire springs, mattress, etc.
capable of being folded so as to occupy a minimum amount of space, I provide the
end walls 2 and 3, which are so hinged to the ends of the body that they may be
readily folded inward or towards each other and be thus caused to occupy less room:
the side of the bed is provided with the side wall 4, so hinged to the body that it will
fold inward upon the end walls, though it will be understood that the end walls may
be folded last, in which case their point of union with the body will be higher than is
the case with the side wall 4.
In order that the end and side walls may be held in an upright position, I provide
the hooks or latches 5, designed to take into suitable staples and thus hold the parts
securely in position. It will be understood that the end and side walls may be inade
to consist of one piece of lumber, or may be provided with any preferred character of
ornamental scroll work or the like.
In order that the body of the folding bed thus equipped may be held into close
union with the adult's bed for which it is to be regarded as an accessory, I provide
the hooks 6 which are secured to the body in any preferred way and are designed to
reach over the side rail of the bed and reliably anchor the body in an adjusted
position.
In order that the hooks may not mar the finish of the bed rail to which they are
applied, I prefer to cover them with heavy cloth, as felt, or other preferred material,
which will render them ornamental as well as enabling them to perform their office
without injury to said rail. I also prefer to cover that side of the body contiguous to

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the rail with a facing of suitable cloth or felt which will permit it to lie in contact
with the rail without injuring the same.
In order that the outer side of the body may be supported in an adjusted
position, I provide the legs 7 which, in Figure 1, are shown to consist of one piece of
suitable material secured to the body by hinge 8, so disposed that the leg may be
folded inward against the body and secured by the turning finger 9 when the bed is
to be placed aside in a folded condition.
In Figure 3 I have illustrated an adjustable leg which consists of the sections 10 and
11, the former being provided with the slot 12 through which are designed to take
the locking bolts 13, and it will be readily apparent that the length of the leg may
be increased or shortened as desired.
I prefer to attach the hooks 5 to the upper end of the side section 4, as by this
arrangement said hooks will engage the staple 5 when the parts are folded, thus
reducing them into a compact condition: in like manner the legs are effectively
secured in a folded position by means of the turning fingers 9.
While I have illustrated and described the preferred construction for the parts it
will be understood that their equivalent is comprehended by me. It will be readily
apparent that a great convenience is provided by thus leaving the bed open upon
that side adjacent to the adult's bed as the occupant of the child's bed will at all
times be readily and conveniently accessible.
Having now particularly described and ascertained. the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
blat
1. As an attachment to a bed, a crib having the side attached to the bed and the
hooks therefor composed of soft material, whereby the surface of both the bed and
the crib is protected, from injury, as set forth.
2. A foldable crib having one side and the attaching hooks therefor composed of
soft material, and adjustable supports, each support composed of two parts, one
having a vertical slot therein and the other having a screw pin and nut therefor,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 14th day of February 1808
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.