Improvements in Metallic Wire Mesh Bottoms, Sackings, or Mattresses.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 11th Jan., 1892-4ccepted, 13th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Wire Mesh Bottoms, Sackings, or
Mattresses.
We, JOSEPH NICHOLS of The Cheapside Wire Works, in the City of
Birmingham, Manufacturer, and THOMAS COOPER of 141 Cheapside, also in
the City of Birmingham, Wire Worker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in metallic spring work, or metallic
distensible surfaces, sackings or mattresses, and our said improvements consist in
simplifying the construction and manufacture of the said spring work sackings or
mattresses, as hereinafter described.
According to our invention, we make up the said distensible surface or sacking,
of mesh or net wire work, with interposed springs at equi-distances apart, and
from which springs, which may be cruciform or star shaped, the mesh acquires its
elasticity.
The drawing of the mesh longitudinally, by devices commonly employed in
connection with a fixed framing, tensions the same both longitudinally and trans-
versely at the same time, as the interposed springs, by the drawing-action, tend to
rotate upon their axes, and straighten out.
In carrying out one form of our invention, we arrange a series of springs at
intermediate distances apart, and connect the same to each other, by twisted or
other strands, links or their equivalents. The interposed springs, which, in one form,
are alike unto a four pointed star, have the joining-up strands connected to them at
their points, hence an octagonal shaped mesh, with interposed springs at the
alternate sides. The springs, which enclose a space, are preferably made curvi
linear, from point to point, so that when tension is put upon them, they tend to
straighten out.
The linking or joining-up wires, which connect the springs one to another, are
directed longitudinally and transversely, and with the ends of them connected to, or
directed from points of the said springs.
The said spring mesh structure, may be disposed diagonally, instead of straight,
and the connecting wires or the net work part, may itself be composed of coiled
springs, or may be composed of joining-up lengths, with loop coils at their middles.
The interposed star-shaped springs, may have loop coils at the junction of the
sides of the same one with another, and also loop coils at the terminations of the
points, hence a star, cruciform or other shaped spring, with secondary springs in
the form of coiled loops, at the junction of the sides one with another, so that the
figure of the said spring, admits of straightening out or expanding, according to
the pressure exerted upon it, as each side constitutes an arm, or a lever, with the
coils at the ends of them, acting as fulcrums to their movements.
If the interposed springs are made three sided, and the joining up strands
connected to the angles of them, then the said strands are in all cases, directed
diagonally; and further, the said interposed spring part, may be made of any other
figure, with loop coils at, or intervening between, the points of connection made
with them, by the strands.
When the joining up strands are made in the form of coils, or have coils made
out of them, then the connections of their ends, may be made by rigid rings or other
enclosed figures, in lieu of the interposed springs.
In carrying out the diagonal form of our invention, that is, where the interposed
springs are arranged with their points directed diagonally, and also the mesh wires,
the spaces formed by the joining up, or the connecting together of the springs,

page_text: which may be made from spring wire, or tempered wire, are elliptical in figure,
hence the interstices of the mesh are composed of clipses and stars, with the latter
coming at top, bottom, and opposite sides of the former.
The ends of the connecting wires, which are twisted, have looped ends, whilst the
sides and ends of the meshes are connected to the sides and ends of the framing by
any suitable means.
The mesh is applicable for bottoms for bedsteads, sofas, lounges, ships' berths,
chairs, stools, and other articles for sitting or reclining upon.
Dated this 9th day of March 1891.
JOSEPH NICHOLS.
THOMAS COOPER.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Wire Mesh Bottoms, Sackings, or
Mattresses.
We, JOSEPH NICHOLS of The Cheapside Wire Works, in the City of
Birmingham Manufacturer, and THOMAS COOPER of 141 Cheapside, also in
the City of Birmingham, Wire Worker, 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:—
Our invention relates to improvements in metallic spring-work sackings, bed
bottoms or distensible meshes or surfaces, as hereinafter described. The said meshes
or surfaces are applicable to bed bottoms, sofas, couches, chairs, lounges, ships'
berths, and other articles for sitting or reclining upon.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a distensible metallic bed
bottom or sackings, constructed according to one form of our invention.
The said distensible spring bottom or sacking, which is of a meshed order, is
composed or made up of a series of star shaped spring links or frames, disposed
mainly at equi-distances apart, and connected together by loop ended strands,
which both connect the said spring links or frames together, and the spring mesh,
or spring reticulated mesh of the sides and ends of its carrying framing.
By making a mesh in manner as described, maximum open work interstices are
obtained for ventilation, whilst the same is cheaply manufactured, and the same
kept taut, both longitudinally and transversely.
Figure 2 represents upon an enlarged scale, a portion of the mesh of the said bed
bottom or sacking.
.
Figure 3 is an edge view of the same.
Figure 4 represents one of the spring links or frames separately, showing the
connection end.
Figure 5 shows the other constituent part, or the loop ended strand, of the
connected series of component parts.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in Figures 1 to 5.
are spring links or spring frames, of the figure of a four pointed star, or
cruciform, and with one of the points or arms a left open, in manner to admit of
the connecting together of the connected series, by loop ended strands or tie
connections b,, that is to say, the terminal ends of the metal forming the said
ends a², are returned hook wise at a³, and overlap each other in manner so as to
break joint, and with the hook part of one end coincident with the hook part of the
other, so that one of the looped ends of a strand b, embraces or takes over both
hooks, hence the connection, which is as strong as, or stronger than, if the said
junction or ends had been connected together, either by a clip or soldered.
Thus it will be seen, that the mesh constituting a bed bottom or mattress is made
L

page_text: up of constituent parts, some of them springing or yielding, and other acting as ties
between the said spring parts.
The mesh is connected to the sides of the carrier or framing, by supplemental
tie strands d, d', and which are affixed by pins or studs d², taking through the outer
looped ends of the same.
The connection of the strands to the spring links or frames, is made by threading
the looped ends of the said strands, through the open part a².
On pressure being applied to the mesh, the curved portions of the spring part.
of the mesh straighten out, hence yielding or spring connections.
Figure 6 represents another form of our invention.
In this distensible mesh or
bed bottom, which is a straight pull, instead of a diagonal one, as in Figures 1, 2
and 3, the spring links or frames are united together by rings or supplementary
links.
Figure 7 is a cross section of the same, upon the dotted lines A. B.
In Figures 6 and 7, a are spring links or frames, united or connected together by
supplementary and rigid links or loops b, hence a distensible mesh or sacking.
The connection with the framing is made at the ends, by connecting the said
spring links or frames a, directly to the same either by nails or by other means.
The sides of the framing which are open are connected by wire strands d, upon
which the alternate and outer loops, are threaded, whilst the intermediate loops ³,
are connected to the bedstead framing by hooks e, taking into holes, or upon studs,
made through or carried by them.
The spring links or frames may be made, if necessary, as in Figure 6.
Figure 8 represents a further form of our invention, in which the mesh has a
straight pull.
The links are tied together by spring stays, directed longitudinally from end to
end of the mesh, and with the loop coils of the same, interlaced, or taking within
the fixed joining up loops of the links or sections.
a are the said spring links, are loop ended strands, care transverse loop
connections, and d are spring stays, with coils d², surrounding the loop c, hence the
tying together longitudinally of the adjacent spring links or frames.
The connections of the parts to the framing, and the side, are practically the
same as in Figure 7, with the ends d', of the stays d, rigidly connected to the ends
of the carrying framing.
Figure 9 is an edge view of a portion of the spring stay separately.
Figure 10 represents another form of a straight pull distensible mesh, constructed
and arranged according to a further arrangement of our invention.
The spring links or frames, have, in this case, coiled loop sides, and are made up
of segments, hooked or linked together by supplementary rigid loops or rings
coming between them.
Figure 11 represents the segments composing the said spring links, and separated.
Figure 12 is an edge view of one of the said segments separately, showing the
hooked ends, and the middle loop coil which latter may be single or double as
desired.
a are the spring loops or frames, composed of side segments a³ ³, and having
respectively, hooked ends a', which engage with rigid links. The sides of the said
sections have loop coils a' with which cross joining up links c are connected, hence
a distensible sacking, mattress, bed bottom or the like, made up of a concatenation
of component parts as described.
Figure 13 represents a further form of our invention.
In this arrangement the loop coils are arranged in the form of arms, and alike in
figure to a cross or four pointed star.
The spring frames are made from a single length of wire, and are connected
together by separate or continuous rigid loops.
a is a spring frame, having a body part a², and spring arms a³, and connected
together both longitudinally and crosswise, by links b, c.
The connection of the said mesh to the side framings may be made by loop

page_text: portions of the said frames taking over the heads of nails or studs upon the side
framings.
Figure 14 shows one of the spring frames or sections separately.
We wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the connections of
the said meshes to the side framings, or the connections of the spring links, frames
or sections to themselves, as the same may, in some cases, be connected to cach
other, without employing intermediate or joining up strands, loops, rigid links or
the like, and further, instead of employing twisted strands, with looped ends as in
Figures 1, 2 and 3, the said joining up connections may be made in the form of
straight lengths of wire with looped or hooked ends or the said lengths may be, cast
or stamped.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
First In metallic spring wire-work sackings, mattresses or bed-bottoms, making
up the same of a series of enclosed and cruciform, or four or more pointed star
shaped spring parts, links, sections or frames, with inwardly or outwardly bowed
sides, united together by joining up loop or hook ended strands, or by supple-
mentary loop, ring or like connections, substantially as described and set forth in
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Secondly-In a distensible metallic and distensible meshed sacking or bed
bottom, with the parts constructed, arranged, combined and tied together in manner
and for the purpose substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Thirdly In a metallic spring-wire work open work sacking, the arrangement,
combination, and linking or joining together of the spring component parts, sub-
stantially as described and set forth in Figures 6 and 7.
Fourthly In a metallic spring wire work sacking, the arrangement, combination
and linking of joining together of the spring component parts, and the tying of
the same together by spring stays, by loop coils of them, passing around linking up
parts, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 8 and 9.
Fifthly In a metallic spring wire work sacking, making up the spring links or
frames of the primary component parts, of hook or loop ended sections or segments
having outwardly bowed spring sides, with or without loop coils, as described and
set forth in Figures 10, 11, and 12.
Sixthly A mattress or distensible and open spring-wire-work sacking specifically
as described and set forth in Figure 10.
Seventhly In a metallic open spring wire work sacking, making up the
primary spring links or spring framing parts, with spring loops at the ends and
sides, with the intervening parts between them outwardly bowed, and which said
links or framing parts are made from a single length of wire and with the terminal
ends of the said lengths, made into junctions, in manner as described and set forth
in Figures 13 and 14.
JOSEPH NICHOLS.
THOMAS COOPER.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.