Improvements in Folding and other Bedsteads and Mattresses.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1894-Accepted, 7th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding and other Bedsteads and Mattresses.
I, GEORGE ALFRED BILLINGTON, of 3 Cambridge Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Wire Mattress Manufacturer, 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 has reference to bedsteads and mattresses, and more particularly
to bedsteads and mattresses of the folding type; and it has for its object to
provide certain improvements hereinafter specified in connection with the means of
adjustment or construction by which the adjustment of tension on the supporting
material is effected in the case of mattresses or bedsteads having such adjustable
tension means; in the construction or formation of the supporting material; and,
in the case of folding bedsteads or mattresses, in the construction of joint or
connection at or about the point at which the folding takes place.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
which are illustrative thereof, the different figures of the drawings being marked
with letters and figures of reference corresponding with those used in the following
explanation.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section shewing a bedstead bottom and frame or
mattress of the folding type in its extended state baving all my improvements
applied thereto; and
Figures 2 and 3 are details, in sectional elevation and plan, respectively, of the
joint construction.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation shewing a folding bedstead of the "camp" type
provided with my improved joint construction.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the bedstead or mattress
frame proper comprises side bars, each of which is composed of two parts a and b,
and connected together at their ends respectively, by foot and head transverse
angle bars c and d, respectively; whilst one or more intermediate spacing or
distance rods e, connect and hold together the side bars. The joints of the bars a b
consist of hinges or connecting pins or rivets f, and a horn a' on the ends of the
bars a having a slot in it, as shewn, through which the hinge pin or rivet f passes
and works; whilst the bars bare each provided at their ends with a saddle piece b',
which is turned up as shewn, and rests upon and fits over the upper edge of the
side bars a, when the bedstead is extended. The frame bars a and b are locked
together when in the position shewn by the pins b* which pass through the saddles b¹,
and the bars a.
Assuming the joint to be fixed, the folding of the frame takes place, downwards
about it, the construction, as described, being such as to enable it to so fold that
the bars a and b will lie parallel; that is, by the bars a being carried downwards as
horns with slots in them, when the two ends of the frame are turned downwards,
the pin or joint f can move into the end of and take that position in said slot, so
that beyond the opposite ends of the bedstead frame having circular movement in
relation to each other, they have this further movement of their ends in relation to
each other, by which they are adapted to lie parallel when folded.
In action, in folding the bedstead or mattress, the pins 6 are removed, and in the
case of a bedstead the legs and head are folded down alongside the frame bars a b.
The opposite ends a b of the bedstead are then turned down about the hinged joint,
when the joint pin f moves in the slot in the ends a', and the opposite ends of the
frame are brought side by side and parallel.

page_text: The construction of the means for adjusting the tension of the supporting
material, and the form or construction of this material are as follows:-The
supporting material is held at its adjusting end by bars h, and these bars are con-
nected with the end bar d of the frame by plates or pieces i, which project beyond
the edges of said bars towards the bar d, and through which the adjusting bolts j
pass. By this construction the holding plate can be drawn up closely to the edge
of the upper plate of the single bar d without the use of long bolts, avoiding
thereby the possibility of the supporting material being pressed onto the ends of
such bolts under ordinary pressure, as happens, when being used. When the
plate is drawn closely up to the top plate of the bar d, the plates i move in under
said bar d.
The supporting material is composed of duplex layers of a different manufacture
or nature, namely, an upper one of woven wire or interconnected coils, and a
lower one of chain, or chain and spring, or linkwork. The upper material k is
held by clamping it between bars h and the end frame bars c, and the lower one k¹
is held by being hooked into the bars h and the frame bar c; the mode of fastening,
however, may be done in any known way.
"
Referring to the " camp or like folding bedstead shewn in Figure 4, the side
bars a and b of the frame, as will be seen, are made of thin iron or steel bars which
lie in the vertical plane; and the legs are hinged to said bars and fold up under
them in the manner of an ordinary folding bedstead, the head bar, a part of which
is shewn and marked m, folding up in a similar way. The construction of folding
joint shewn is that set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 3.
Although the improvements under this invention are shewn in Figures 1 to 3 and
set forth, as combined in one bedstead or mattress, yet it is to be understood that
they can be used individually as well as conjointly in different kinds of mattresses
or bedsteads to which they are applicable or suitable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described construction of or connected with folding bedsteads or
mattresses, that is to say, the construction of the frame thereof, in two (or more)
parts connected together through the side bars or members by hinged joints thereon
having parts constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein set forth
with reference to the drawings.
2. In mattresses, the construction of parts for adjusting the tension of the
supporting material, consisting of projecting plates or provisions, such as i, through
which the adjusting screws pass, operating in connection with the end bar of the
frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a mattress or bedstead bottom, the employment of duplex materials,
namely, an upper one and a lower one, of the kinds herein specified; substantially
as set forth.
Dated this 30th day of May 1894.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.