Improvements in Convertible Couches.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 6th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Convertible Couches.
I, JANE GEDDES, Housewife, of Rutland, in the County of Rutland and State
of Vermont, one of the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained by the following statement:-
_
The object of this invention is to provide a convertible couch or one which
can be readily changed into a bed when desired. To this end the invention consists in
providing the body portion of the couch with a hinged section adapted to be
folded upon the couch to form one without a back, or held upward when a back
is desired, the said section being also capable of being extended on a line with
the top of the body portion in providing a bed. A further object of the in-
vention is to provide a couch of this character in which the construction and
arrangement is with a view of affording ready and convenient access to every
part and obviate the formation of cracks or joints that develop hiding places
for vermin.
In the following specification, I have entered into a detail description of
my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to letters
or numerals thereon which designate the different parts, and what I consider
to be the novel features of construction are specifically set forth in the claims.
In the drawings forming part of this specification,
Figure 1 is a rear view showing the arrangement of the parts to form a couch
with a raised back.
Figure 2 is a view showing the parts extended to form a bed, the bed being
removed.
Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the bed.
Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1 designates the top section of the
body portion of the couch, which presents a rectangular frame having supporting
legs 2, and a spring bed-bottom 3 of any preferred style. The frame is preferably
made up of iron and the supporting legs are connected thereto so as to prevent
the formation of any cracks or spaces, and to one end of this rectangular frame
is attached by hinges or the like an inclined head section 4 which may be held
in position by means of a bar, stop piece or other well known form of support.
To one side of the rectangular top 1 is hinged a frame 5 also constructed of metal
and having a wire spring covering 6, the said hinged section being connected
to the top of the couch so that it can be folded thereon and when extended is
held in place by sliding bars hereinafter referred to. To the inclined head
section of the body portion of the couch is hinged a supplemental head section 7,
which is adapted to fold upon the stationary head section, for the hinged exten-
sion or frame 5 hereinbefore mentioned.
To the under side of the end pieces of the hinged frame are secured metal
straps 8 in which are located sliding bars 9 that are adapted to be slid in engage-

page_text: ment with sockets carried by the top of the main section to support the folded
section extended on a line with the aforesaid main section.
In connection with the sections herein before described I provide a supple-
mental box frame or drawer 12 which is adapted to be slid under the couch and
whilst forming a receptacle to receive the bed-clothes when the parts are arranged
to form a couch, it also serves as a support for the frame 5 when the parts are
arranged to form a bed. The bed or upholstering which is placed in engagement
with the couch is made in two sections 10 and 11 connected to each other by
suitable fastening devices such as hinges, the smaller section 11 bearing against
the hinged section to form the back of a couch. From the foregoing description,
in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I provide
a couch in which the parts are constructed and arranged in a manner that will
provide for an arrangement forming an ordinary couch that can be used for this
purpose in the day time and by extending the hinged section on a line with the
top section and sliding the bars a large and comfortable bed is readily formed
having raised extensions or head section. The construction is very simple and
by employing the ordinary spring-mattress or bed-bottom the comfort of both
the couch and bed is added to.
It will be understood, of course, that instead of making the rigid parts of
metal, wood could be used in their construction, or other material employed,
without materially effecting the purposes of my invention, and I therefore desire
to reserve the right to make such mechanical changes or modifications as are
within the spirit and scope of my claim.
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
consider novel and desire to claim is :-
1. In a couch, the combination with the top having supporting legs and an
inclined head section, a spring-mattress attached to the couch, a frame hinged
to one side of the top and provided with a spring-mattress, sliding bars carried
by the hinged section and adapted to engage the top of the couch, and a head
section hinged to the main head section so as to fold thereon, the parts being
constructed and organized, substantially as shown and described.
2. A convertible couch, comprising a stationary top supported upon legs, and
spring-mattress or bed-bottom connected to the top, and a stationary head section
inclined from one end of said top; together with a frame hinged to one side of
the top and having a spring-mattress or bed-bottom, a supplemental head section
pivoted to the stationary head section, bolts in sliding engagement with the
hinged section, and additional supports for the hinged section; to provide a
piece of furniture which can be readily changed from a couch to a bed or
vice versa, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.
3. In a convertible couch, the combination with the top supported by legs or
equivalent devices, a spring-mattress or bed-bottom attached to the top, an in-
clined head section rigidly attached to one end of the top, a frame hinged to one
side of the top and having sliding bars in engagement therewith, a supplemental
head section hinged to the main head section, means for supporting the hinged frame
when extended, and bedding or cushions made up of two sections hinged to
each other and adapted to rest upon the sections, the parts being constructed
and susceptible of arrangement, substantially as shown and described.
4. In a convertible couch, the combination with the top supported by legs, a
spring-mattress or bed-bottom attached to the top, an inclined head section
rigidly attached to one end of the top, a frame hinged to one side of the top
and having sliding bars in engagement therewith, a supplemental head section
hinged to the main head section, means for supporting the hinged frame when
extended, and bedding or cushions made up of two sections hinged to each other
and adapted to rest upon the springs of the sections; together with a frame
or drawer in sliding engagement with the main section of the couch to receive

page_text: the bed clothes, the parts being constructed and organized substantially as shown
and described.
Τ
1 1
1011
1907
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.