Improvements in or Additions to Bedsteads.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar.,
1891
We,
Birming...
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Additions to Bedsteads.
HALL. of Chapman Road, Small Heath, near the City of
Department of Works, and WILLIAM REUBEN LANE,
orks and Rolling Mills, in the City of Birmingham,
aforesaid, Secretary Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
of Cambridg
Heretofore, the heads of metallic and other bedsteads, have been unprovided
with means or rests, upon which articles may rest, or within which articles may
be placed, as may be required by persons in bed, or others.
Our invention has for its object, the combining or providing of the said heads,
of metallic bedsteads particularly, with a nook, niche, or set-back shelf-like
receptacle, or receptacles, upon or within which, articles either for consumption or
use, may be placed.
In carrying out our invention, as applied to a metallic bedstead, we take an
ordinary head end, and provide the middle part of it, at a suitable distance
from the pillows or bed, with a nook, set back shelf, or niche-shaped recess,
which may be hood-like at top, and with an enclosed bottom, surrounded
forwardly by an encircling rail, guard, or fence, in order to prevent the articles
placed within the said recess, from accidentally falling out, or being displaced.
The opening or front of this said recess, may be bordered or surrounded with
rods, and ornaments, so as to give to the same, a highly ornamental effect. The
top of the same may also be ornamented in manner suitable in character to the
ornamentation of the bedstead, and from which a hook or hooks depend, for
the hanging of watches or chains, or other articles.
The back of the said recess, is enclosed by perforated metal, capable of being
removed, for the introduction of draperies, silk, or upholstery work. Or the back
may be so perforated, as to show the said upholstery work through the piercings.
The guard at the entrances to the recess, may be removable, by hinging or pivot-
ing the same, as may be desired.
The said recess may be built up, with the rods or other parts, constituting the
said head, or it may be attached separately; when the latter, I prefer that the
same should be made in the form of a frame, capable of being connected to
the framing bars, or parts of the said head, by hinged or detachable clips. Or
the said recess may be made attachable, by means of spring clips, which spring over
and embrace the bars or parts constituting the said head or end framing.
When applying the said recess or receptacle to existing bedsteads, the middle
bar of the framing, is directed up the middle of the recess, so as to divide the same.
into twin pockets or receptacles.
The rod which thus sub-divides the pocket, may be bent rearwardly if necessary,
to miss the framing parts.
The railings, and parts constituting the head framing of a bedstead, may be made
to constitute or form the recess, and further, the said recess or frame enclosure,
may be movable or sliding.
Thus, a person requiring a pocket handkerchief or scent bottle from the same,
has only to pull the recess down, and again release it, when a spring or springs,
take it again to its normal position.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1890.
JAMES HALL.
WILLIAM REUBEN LANE.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Additions to Bedsteads.
We, JAMES HALL, of Chapman Road, Small Heath, near the City of
Birmingham, Manager of Department of Works, and WILLIAM REUBEN LANE,
of Cambridge Street Works and Rolling Mills, in the City of Birmingham,
aforesaid, Secretary Manager, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in metallic bedsteads, and articles of a
like manufacture, and consists in providing the head end, or the framings or end
framings of the said bedsteads, with recesses, nooks, niches, alcoves, hooded rests,
or other receptacles, wherein, or upon which, articles, such as scent, medicine, and
other bottles, jewellery, purses, handkerchiefs, books, night-wearing apparel, sacred
images, and other articles for use and wear may be placed.
The said receptacle may be formed integral with the bedstead framing, or
attachedly connected to it, or the same may be made movable, or to slide up
and down.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, represents in perspective, a metallic
bedstead, with the head end of the same, provided with two recesses, niches or
alcoves, according to our invention, and within which receding recesses, articles
for use, when in bed, or otherwise, may be placed. It is thus seen, that the said
head end, has the recesses, niches, or alcoves, placed near the two opposite sides, and
below the top rail, and in positions most suitable for a person to place therein, or
remove therefrom, any article or object.
Figure 2 represents one of the said niches, recesses, or alcoves, separately, and
upon an enlarged scale, and with a portion of the head end railing.
Figure 3 represents a transverse vertical section of the said recess, nook, receding
pocket, or the like, upon the dotted lines A B showing its receding position with
respect to the railing part of the said head end.
a is the bedstead, the head end of the same, consisting of pillars, railings, and
transverse rails, united together by means commonly known. c are recesses, let
within the said head end, each consisting of an open front c², closed back c³,
embellished or lined preferably with fluted silk, although the same may be other-
wise left or embellished. c is a bottom, or support of the same, and c is a guard,
surrounding the bottom of the said niche, alcove, or the like, while c is an
ornamental upper or hooded part, with a watch or other hook c', depending from
the middle of the same.
It will be seen that the bottom or support of the said recess, extends forwardly,
and upon which, any article, as may be desired, such as scent, medicine and other
bottles, or articles, may rest, when placed within the said recess.
Or the said recesses may be employed for the reception of books, glasses, and
the like, or on the other hand, they may be employed as recesses for statuettes,
religious emblems, and other objects.
The guard, which forms the boundary to the lower end of the open front,
prevents articles from being accidentally displaced, or from falling out of the said
recess.
Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a bedstead, with its head end, provided
with three recesses, according to another form of our invention. Thus the middle
recess, which is adapted to support a book, books, or the like, is placed between,
and at a slighter lower level, than the two other recesses, with shelf fronts,
which are adapted to support lamps or candles, for lighting or reading purposes.
a is the bedstead, the head end thereof, c outside recesses, and d a middle recess.
The recesses c, are open at front and top, and provided at bottom with shelf fronts,
surrounded by guards, and upon which bottoms, lamps, candles, time-pieces, cruci-
fixes, statuettes, or the like may be placed.

page_text: The middle recess d, is adapted to support books, and is alike unto a set back
shelf. The said middle recess is surmounted by a hook, upon which a watch as.
represented, may be suspended.
It may also be observed, that the said recesses may be employed as receptacles.
for pocket handkerchiefs.
Figure 5 represents a bedstead, arranged with recesses according to another form
of our invention, the middle recess of which is adapted for the receiving of night
dresses, sleeping socks, and other articles of clothing to be worn when in bed. The
articles in question are placed through an aperture in the top.
Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section, upon an enlarged scale, of the said
middle recess, upon the dotted lines C D.
a is the bedstead, the back or head end rail, e is a middle recess let within it,
and which said recess has a closed back c³, and an open rail front c³, bottom e', and
open top c', through which latter, articles are passed into, or withdrawn from, the
receptacle.
The closed back of the said receptacle, is preferably lined with colored silk,.
which gives a highly ornamental effect, when seen through the front railings.
The side recesses e, are simple set-back niches, alike into those represented in
Figure 1, and upon the bottoms of which, scent, medicine, or other bottles may be
placed.
Such a recess or receptacle c Figures 5 and 6, may be placed at the foot end of ·
the bedstead, instead of at the head end.
Figure 7 represents a bedstead, with its head end provided with a detachable
metallic recess, niche, alcove, pocket or receptacle, constructed and arranged
according to another form of our invention.
Figure 8 represents a transverse vertical section of the same, upon an enlarged
scale, and upon the dotted lines E F.
Figure 9 represents a transverse section of the same, upon the dotted lines G H.
It will be seen, that the metallic recesses or receptacles, admit of being applied to
existing bedsteads, without any fittings.
b is the back or head end of the bedstead, with recesses c, attachedly connected
to it, by adjustable clips or tongue pieces c', carried by rear directed pins co, taking
at the back of upright and horizontal railings b', 62, of the said head end.
The recess is a shallow open fronted one, with a projecting guard c³, arranged at
the lower open front of the same, and forming as it were, a pocket recess, wherein,
or upon the inside of which, articles may be placed.
Instead of the attachable and detachable recess being connected to both horizontal
and vertical railings, it may be connected to either of them.
Figure 10 represents a transverse section of a recess alike unto Figure 6, upon
an enlarged scale, but secured to the framing of the head end, by connection clips,
instead of by tongues, or screw nuts, and pins, alike unto Figures 8 and 9.
c is the recess, and framing railings embraced by spring clips c, carried at the
back of the pocket, so that to provide a bedstead with the said recess, or set back
receptacle, it is only necessary to spring the clips of the same over the railings, and
when the clips are sprung over the vertical rods, the recess admits of adjustment
thereon, or may be pulled down for removing or placing the articles, and pushed
up when done with.
Figure 11 represents the lower part of the recess, with a hinge guard, adapted to
turn outwardly.
Figure 12 is a recess, niche, alcove, or receptacle, with a drawer working within
the bottom of it.
Figure 13 is a recess, niche, alcove, or receptacle, with a hinge door.
Figure 14 is a transverse section upon the dotted lines I J.
Figure 15 is an opening and closing recess, wherein articles of bed-wearing
apparel, or the like, may be placed.
In Figure 12, c is the recess, made preferably integral with the head end

page_text: framing a, and f is a sliding drawer, or open topped frame, wherein articles that
may be required, can be placed.
C
In Figures 13 and 14, c is the recess, made in part with the head end framing a,
or the railings or bars thereof, g is a hinged door, for the closing of the open front
of the said recess.
In Figure 15, a is the bedstead end framing, c is a frame composed of a series
of horizontal and radial bars, connected together in the form of a triangle, with
the lower end c¹ of it, jointed, which admits of the said frame, working within the
recess a³, so that on bed wearing apparel or the like, being placed within it, the
same can be shut up, and placed in position, by being pushed in the direction
indicated by the arrow, and which shut up position, is indicated by dotted lines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
:
First Providing or fitting the head ends, or the framing ends, of metallic bed-
stends, and cots, with recesses, niches, alcoves, and other set back, or partly set
back receptacles or rests, or combined receptacles and rests, substantially as, and
for the purpose, as described and set forth.
Secondly-The combination with the ends, and particularly the head ends of
metallic bedsteads and cots, of an open fronted recess, nook, or niche, with a rest
bottom, and encircling guard, as set forth in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Thirdly Providing or fitting the head ends, or the framing ends of metallic
bedsteads and cots, with a partially or semi-closed fronted recess, or receptacle,
for the reception of bed, or night wearing apparel, as described and set forth in
Figures 5 and 6.
:-
Fourthly Providing or fitting the head ends, or the framing ends of metallic
bedsteads and cots, with metallic attachable and detachable recesses, niches, alcoves,
and other like receptacles, as, and for the purpose as described and set forth in
Figures 8 and 9.
:
Fifthly Providing or fitting the head ends, or the framing ends, of metallic
bedsteads and cots, with attachable and detachable clip recesses, as and for the
purpose described and set forth in Figure 10.
Sixthly The combination with the bedstead head ends, or the end framings of
metallic bedsteads and cots, of stationary or movable recesses or receptacles, with
hinged guards, sliding drawers, closing doors, or fronts, as described and set forth
in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
Dated this 21st day of January 1801
JAMES HALL.
WILLIAM REUBEN LANE.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.