AN IM- PROVED MATTRESS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "AN IM-
PROVED MATTRESS." A communication from abroad by Germain Luciani, of
Paris France.
Scaled the 22nd September 1877, and dated the 4th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lako, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED MATTRESS." A communication
from abroad by Germain Luciani, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved elastic mattress which I prefer to construct,
as herein-after described, chiefly of wood, and is designed to supply a cheap and
useful article having advantages which have hitherto only been obtainable at high
prices.
In carrying the said Invention into practise, I provide,-
First. A number of strips of ash or northern deal, as shown in the accompanying
Drawing at a, a, the said strips of wood being sawn in straight lengths and without
knots or other defects, and I prefer them to be nearly one-third of an inch thick by
about one inch and a quarter wide.
Secondly. Two round lengths or rods 6 of the same kind of wood, perfectly
straight, and which may vary in diameter from about one inch and a quarter to
about two inches, according to the size of the bedstead and the amount of strength
required.
Thirdly. The above-described parts are united by means of four straps or bands c
which are placed as follows, that is to say, one at about four inches from the foot,
another at the same distance from the bead, and the two others at equal distances
between them.
The method I adopt in attaching these straps or bands is important for the pur-
poses of this Invention. They are not nailed or fastened rigidly, either to the strips
of wood or to the rods, but are doubled and sewn with very strong thread so that
DS31

page_text: the said strips of wood and rods may slide freely as in sheaths or coverings, the
capability of which is necessary to give elasticity to the whole apparatus. The
kind of frame which is thus constructed becomes, with the aid of supports, suitably
placed an elastic mattress.
The said supports I construct as follows, that is to say :-I provide two boards d,
Figures 2 and 3, of suitable length, according to the dimensions of the frame, and
I make the support (see Figure 2) which is to be placed at the head, a little higher
than the support (see Figure 3) which is to be placed at the foot. The upper edge
of the said boards is slightly curved in order to give a curve to the said frame,
which form is necessary to give strength and clasticity. The said frame being
exactly the same on both sides may be reversed at pleasure, and, in fact, should be
reversed from time to time in order to counteract the permanent curvatures which
might otherwise be occasioned by the insufficient elasticity of the strips of wood.
Thus constructed, a mattress simple, inexpensive, conducive to health, and very
comfortable is provided, and, considering the high prices and the difficulties of con-
struction of articles of the saine kind in use at present, I claim to have succeeded in
producing an apparatus for sleeping purposes of such simple elements and so easy
to be kept in order or even to be made that any carpenter may be able to con-
struct it.
Figure 1 is a plan of the mattress.
Figures 2 and 3 are front views of the two supports.
Figures 4 and 5 show a side elevation and a transverse section of a camp bedstead
with one of my said mattresses applied thereto.
Figure 6 is a plan of the mattress of the said bedstead.
Figures 7 and 8 show front views of the two supports of the mattress.
All elastic mattresses hitherto constructed, even those having lengths or laths of
wood, have been provided with springs, and my said Invention is designed to avoid
this costly and complicated arrangement, being based essentially upon the principle
of utilising the inherent clasticity of the said strips of wood or laths, united, as
herein-before described, by the said bands or straps between which they slide.
It is recommended to leave a certain play between the bedstead and the mattress,
both at the head and at the foot.
I wish to point out that the said supports d, not being fixed, may be moved
nearer to or farther from the centre, so that by this means the clasticity may be
modified in proportion to the weight required to be supported.
Although I have hitherto described my improved mattress as made almost entirely
of wood, it will readily be understood that other materials may be employed, such,
for instance, as steel for the strips and thongs of leather in place of the straps or
bands; I prefer wood however under present circumstances, economy being one of
the objects I have had in view in this Invention.
The parts are readily detached and may be taken apart at will.
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3
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SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
October 1877.
»
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents, 4
Southampton Buildings, London, "AN IMPROVED MATTRESS. A communication
from abroad by Germain Luciani, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved elastic mattress suitable for all kinds of
beds. This mattress consists essentially of a kind of frame or hurdle as herein-after
described, and is shewn in the accompanying Drawing, in which,—
Figure 1 is a plan.
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page_text: Figure 2 is a transverse section of this improved mattress with the head support.
Figure 3 shows the foot support.
The said mattress comprises the following features, namely:-
First. A number of strips of ash or northern deal or pine, shewn in the Drawing
at a, a; the said strips of wood should be sawn in straight lengths and without
knots or other defects, and I prefer them to be nearly one-third of an inch thick by
about one inch and a quarter wide.
Secondly. Two round bars or rods b of the same kind of wood, perfectly straight,
and which may vary in diameter from about one inch and a quarter to about
two inches, according to the size of the bedstead and the amount of strength
required.
Thirdly. The above-described parts are united by means of straps or bands c
(preferably four) which are placed, say, the two outer ones about four inches from
the ends of the mattress, and the two others at equal distances apart.
The method I adopt in attaching these straps or bands is important for the
purposes of this Invention. They are not nailed or fastened rigidly together to the
strips of wood or to the rods, but are doubled and sewn with very strong thread, so
that the said strips of wood and rods may slide freely as in a sheath or scabbard,
and thus give to the entire apparatus the elasticity which is an essential condition
of the same.
The frame thus constructed becomes, with the aid of suitably arranged
supports, an elastic mattress.
The said supports or trestles are constructed as follows, that is to say :-I provide
two boards d, Figures 2 and 3, of suitable length, according to the width of the
frame and consequently the dimensions of the bed; that at the head, Figure 2, is a
little higher than that at the foot, Figure 3. The upper edge of the said boards is
slightly arched to give a curveature to the said frame, which form is essential to
impart to it strength and elasticity. The said frame being exactly the same on
both sides may be reversed at pleasure, and, in fact, should be reversed from time to
time in order to counteract the permanent curvatures or deflections which might
otherwise be occasioned by the insufficient elasticity of the strips of wood. The
mattress thus constructed will be simple, inexpensive, conducive to health, and very
comfortable, and, considering the high prices and the difficulties of construction of
articles for the same purpose now in use, this Invention effects a very important
object in supplying an apparatus for sleeping purposes of such simple elements and
so easy to be kept in order or to construct that any ordinary carpenter may be
entrusted with it.
Figuros 4 and 5 show a side clovation and a transverse section of a camp bedstoad
with one of my said mattresses applied thereto.
Figure 6 is a plan of the mattress of the said bedstead.
Figures 7 and 8 are elevations of the two supports of the said mattress.
All clastic mattresses hitherto constructed, even those having lengths or laths of
wood, have been provided with springs, and my Invention is designed to avoid this
costly and complicated arrangement. It is based essentially upon the principle of
utilizing the inherent elasticity of the said strips of wood or laths, united, as herein-
before described, by the said bands or straps between which they slide.
It is preferable to leave a certain play or free space between the bedstead and the
mattress, both at the head and at the foot of the same.
It will be observed that the said supports d, not being fixed, may be moved
nearer to or further from the centre of the mattress so that the elasticity may be
modified in proportion to the weight required to be supported.
Although I have hitherto described my improved mattress as made almost entirely
of wood, it will be readily understood that other materials may be employed, such,
for instance, as steel for the strips and thongs of leather in place of the straps or
bands; I prefer wood however under present circumstances, economy being one of
the objects of this Invention.
The parts are readily detached and may be taken apart at. will.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my

page_text: foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim a mattress, embodying in its construction the combination of the elastic
bars a of wood or other suitable material, with the rods or bars b, the straps or
bands c, and the trestle supports d, as above described, and in which separate springs
are dispensed with, and the entire elasticity is due to the said elastic bars, and 5
whose parts are detachable and capable of being folded up when desired.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.