AN IMPROVED WATERPROOF SLEEPING BED FOR BIVOUACKING, CAMPING OUT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1881

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LETTERS PATENT to Billett Genn, of the City of Ely, School Master, for an
Invention of AN IMPROVED WATERPROOF SLEEPING BED FOR BIVOUACKING,
CAMPING OUT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Billett Genn at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th July 1881.
BILLETT GENN, of the City of Ely, Schoolmaster. "AN IMPROVED WATERPROOF
SLEEPING BED FOR BIVOUACKING, CAMPING OUT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to the manufacture or construction of an improved
waterproof sleeping bed, especially adapted for bivouacking, camping out, or other
similar purposes, and either in time of war or at other times, and being made so
light and portable that when not in use it can be folded or rolled up and readily
carried on the back or at the waist.
The Invention consists in making the exterior of the bed of a waterproof
material such as mackintosh or other light (in weight) waterproof material; it will
be made of any suitable size, but preferably about the length of a man; the head
of this bed will be made in the form of what I term a hood, which will be
supported by a suitable number of light bamboo or cane supports fitted with brass.
or other joints, in order to fold up when not in use. The hood which is made as
a continuation of the bed and of the same waterproof material being thus supported
serves the purpose of protecting the head and shoulders from damp, dew, or rain.
The body part of the bed or that which is intended to contain the body from
the shoulders downwards will be lined with flannel, or green baize, or other
suitable light weighted material.
This improved waterproof hooded sleeping bed can be made either seamless
throughout, with just sufficient opening to admit the body, or it may be made to
open and close at the sides or other desired parts and with suitable fastenings.
When folded or rolled up the bed is intended to be carried on the back or at the
waist, suitable straps or other means being provided therefor.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Billett Genn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th January
1882.
BILLETT GENN, of the City of Ely, School Master. "AN IMPROVED WATER-PROOF
SLEEPING BED FOR BIVOUACKING, CAMPING OUT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to the manufacture of a hooded waterproof sleeping bed,
which is especially adapted for the use of tourists, volunteers, soldiers, and others
for bivouacking, camping out, or other similar out door uses, and either in time of
war or at other times; and the special advantages arising from its use are, that in
its extended and usable form, it forms a comfortable sleeping hooded bed, thoroughly.
protecting all parts of the user from the access of damp, rain, or wind, and
avoiding the ill effects arising from sleeping exposed thereto, and that it is of such.
a light and portable construction that when not in use it can be "struck" and
very quickly folded or rolled up, and readily carried as a knapsack on the back or
at the waist.
The improved waterproof hooded bed is illustrated on the accompanying Drawings,
which will be hereinafter more particularly referred to.
Fig. 1 represents the improved bed in its extended or usable condition, and
Fig. 2 represents it in its rolled up or portable condition. The remaining Figs.
are detail views illustrative of an advantageous method of putting the framework
of the hood together.
The bed portion 1 is made of any suitable waterproof fabric or flexible material,
such as mackintosh, and of any suitable size as regards length, width, and depth.;
it is made hollow, so that it can be inflated with air, so that it will be comfortable
to lie upon, and will raise the user from the ground and prevent cold striking
through to him, it is also lined with wool, "duffel," flannel, green baize, or other
suitable substance to aid in securing the comfort of the user. The bed portion 1 is
also made with a single or double covering 2, also of waterproof material, and this
can be made seamless throughout, with just sufficient opening to admit the body; or
it may be made to open and close at the sides or other desired parts, and be
provided with buttons and button holes, or with other suitable fastenings.
The head portion of the bed is also made of waterproof material, but-it-is-formed-
as a hood 3 in such a manner as that it can be very quickly raised up for use or
lowered for rolling up and packing away in a comparatively very small compass;
and in order that this may be most conveniently effected I make the framework of
the hood of a series of light bamboo or cane supports 4, fitting and uniting the
same by means of hinged or folding corner joints 5, preferably of brass, and of
pins 6, or according to any other suitable method which will allow of the
framework of the hood being quickly, readily, and rigidly erected, and of being
taken apart.
The hood is also provided with a waterproof flap 7, so that the shoulders and
head can be completely protected, and with rubber rings 8, so that it can be readily
spiked or stayed to pegs in the ground as illustrated.
The whole arrangement is of a very light weight and yet very serviceable for
use, and when rolled up as illustrated in Fig. 2 it can be secured to the carrier by
straps 9.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and as constituting the Invention secured to me by the herein before in
part recited Letters Patent is,-
The manufacture of a bed especially suitable for the use of tourists, volunteers,

page_text: and others in bivouacking or camping out, or sleeping out of doors, by combining
a waterproof bed (which can be inflated with air) provided with a waterproof cover,
for the reception and protection of the body of the user, with a waterproof hood
(which can be erected at pleasure) for the protection of the shoulders and head of
the user, and the combined arrangement of which can be readily folded or rolled
up as a portable knapsack, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
on the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Billett Genn, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
BILLETT GENN. (LS.)