IMPROVEMENTS IN BEDSTEADS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gerard Wenzeslaus von Nawrocki at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th October 1879. A
communication from Johann Carl Richter, of Grimma, in Saxony.
GERARD WENZESLAUS VON NAWROCKI, of the Firm of J. Brand and G. W. v.
Nawrocki, of 124, Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, Germany, Patent Agent. " IMPROVEMENTS
IN BEDSTEADS." (A communication from Johann Carl Richter, of Grimma, in
Saxony.)
The object of this Invention is to supersede the mattrasses with vertically
placed springs, which have several defects. According to this Invention a sheet or
piece of fabric (or a number of straps which may be connected together) is stretched
lengthways in the bedstead by means of springs more or less horizontal, whereby
the required elasticity is obtained. By means of suitable appliances the tension
of this bedstead bottom or underbed, consisting of a piece of fabric or straps, may
be adjusted as required, so as to suit any form of body and support the same
evenly, which is of especial importance in cases of long confinement to the bed.
The defect of the ordinary spring mattrass is that the springs after some use
bend, break, or project irregularly, and thereby cause pressure on the body. By
this Invention the mattrass is dispensed with altogether, as the wooden or iron
framing of the bedstead, bed chair, or sofa, may be used for fastening the aforesaid
elastic bedstoad bottom or underbed thereto. Iron bedsteads fitted according to
this Invention are quickly taken to pieces and rendered fit for transport, as no stiff
mattrass has to be taken out. The advantage is also obtained that no insects can
harbor in the underbed or bedstead bottom, and that the latter is easily cleaned
in case of infectious diseases; it is also airy, which is of special advantage in hot
countries.
The straps forming the bedstead bottom are at one end fastened to a round
spindle which has its bearings in the bedstead, and has a pawl wheel in the teeth
of which a pawl works; by means of a handle placed on the spindle it may be
turned so as to wind the straps thereon and give them the required tension. The
other ends of the straps are by means of helical springs fastened to the head of the
bedstead.
The springs may also be placed a little on the slant and be provided with a
bolster if horizontal, a bolster is placed thereon.

page_text: For wooden bedsteads the stretching is effected by fastening the straps on to a
vertical board resting on a projection on the foot end of the bedstead, which board
is drawn towards the end by means of screws.
The springs need not be fastened direct to the bedstead, but may be inserted in
the straps, whereby it becomes unnecessary to interrupt the straps in the places
where the springs are. The straps are then carried round two guide rods, and the
stretching is effected direct by the springs, which are applied under the straps and
tend to shorten them; the bolster may be fastened to the straps. The springs
regulate in one direction the elasticity of the bed bottom, and in the other that of
the bolster. The number and form of the springs depend upon the size and object
of the bedstead.
This construction of under bed or bedstead bottom is as applicable to old as to
new bedsteads of all constructions, and to couches and sofas.