IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, FRANCIS ROBERT BAKER of Buckingham Street Birmingham in the county
of Warwick Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS to be as follows:-
==
My invention consists of a method of connecting the horizontal and vertical or
other rods or tubes together which form the head and foot rails, and other parts of
a bedstead, so that these tubes or rods can be put together rapidly and firmly either
before or after they are japanned and polished, without screws or plugs, or any
other method heretofore used, and is applicable principally to bedstead parts made
with tubes, but may also be used when the same parts are solid.
To do this I form in metal or other suitable material, a frame, or box, or, hollow
shape through or, into which the rods or tubes forming the rail or other parts pass,
and I so form the said frame or box that the rods or tubes fit on entering and
leaving it, but, not in the interior. I then put pressure to bear on the rods or tubes
in the interior of the frame or box, (after the rods or tubes have been inserted) and
squeeze or flatten them out of their radial circle, so as to come in contact with the
interior of the frame or box.
I also cast or form if I think well, flaps or flanges, on the frame or box in the
interior which I press down on to the flattened portion of the rod or tube, so as to
assist to keep the same perfectly rigid and prevent it turning round. I then in
some cases fill in the centre with a cover to hide where the tubes are pressed.
By my invention I obtain a perfectly rigid connection, very rapid in manufacture,
and as compared with iron bedsteads made with “chilled" castings, capable of
much higher finish, and in all cases cheaper in construction and at the same time
as strong and as highly finished as those produced by other methods.
}

page_text: WAY
other similar Structural Work.
I, FRANCIS ROBERT. BAKER of Buckingham Street, Birmingham, in the county
of Warwick Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
ML
This invention relates to a method of connecting rods or tubes, either
tubes, either solid or
hollow, together forming structural parts of metallic bedsteads, or other construc-
tions, which may be formed in a similar manner, and has for its object, a joint or
connector by which two or more such rods or tubes may be secured together in a
rapid, rigid, and much more convenient manner than heretofore.
In most forms of constructing metallic bedsteads and other like structures, those
rods, tubes, or other parts which are 'desired to be left bright, polished, or otherwise
ornamented, necessitate such polishing or ornamenting to be done after the structure
is made, because if polished &c previous to being thus erected or put together; such
process of putting together, would damage the said polishing &e; but by this my
invention I am enabled to first, polish or otherwise ornament these parts, and then
easily and rigidly secure them in any desired position, without interfering with or
damaging such polishing &c.
Li
.
.
1.
In order to explain this my invention more particularly I have appended
hereunto a sheet of illustrative drawings whereon are figures and letters of
reference.
'
!
Fig. 1 shews a front elevation, Fig. 2 a side elevation, & Fig. 3. a sectional
elevation of one form in which this my Joint may be made; and arranged to
receive a cross rail and an upright rod. a, constitutes a box or hollow frame.
Upon this box I form bosses b, &c, through which a hole passes into and through
the said box, for to receive a rod or.tube; or, I may not use these bosses, but simply
form such holes through the body part of the box a.
'
*
At d, a similar boss may be formed having also a similar hole through it leading
into the centre of the box, and also for to receive a similar rod or tube.
Although I have here shewn but three branches or openings around and into the
Baid box, still I wish it to be understood, that I may introduce as many branches
or openings as I may wish, as for instance I may arrange it for one rod or tube to
pass right through it, and one or more others passing at any required anglé into it;
thus, it may be used as a centre with a number of rods passing into it radially, or
be made to form any other convenient or desired design.
1. .
Again, The design or. form of the box a, although here shewn to be circular may
be formed of an octagonal, hexagonal or any other geometrical or fancy design to
suit pleasure.
At e, I form part bosses, or what I may term flaps, wherewith to obtain the more
perfect security of the rods or tubes passing through the openings into the box, as
will be hereinafter more fully explained.

page_text: Figs. 4 & 5 show this my Joint or connector, with the tubes f and g, passed
thereinto ready for securing, the tube f being shown as passing right through the
box. Having now placed the rods or tubes f and g, into their respective positions,
I place the Joint under a press or other suitable mechanism, and flatten or squeeze
the flaps e, together with the portion of the tube or rod inside the box a, similarly
as shewn at h & i, in Figs. 6 & 7.
It will be seen that these flaps when thus pressed down flatwise upon the
flattened tube or rod, effectually prevent it from turning round, in addition to their
assisting to secure such tube or rod from lateral motion. I may however if desired,
produce a still cheaper Joint by providing a flap only upon one side, as at k
Figs. 3, 5, 7 & 9. Or, further, I may dispense with the said flaps altogether, and
simply flatten the tubes or rods within the box. Preferably, however, I should use
the flaps.
After the tubes or rods have been thus secured in position, I may conceal such
parts within the box by inserting in the faces of the said box an ornamental piece
as shewn at m Figs. 8, & 9. Provision is made in the box a, at l, to receive this
ornamental piece m, by there forming a groove or recess.
It will be seen that the diameter at n, is made a little smaller than at o, see
Fig. 6, so as to form a ledge or surface for the piece m to rest upon.
This piece m being placed in position and, being of a convex form, it may be
firmly secured in such position, and pressed into the groove or recess by being
somewhat flattened.
Such parts or surfaces of the box a, not required for the passage of tubes or rods
thereinto, such, as for instance at p, Fig. 8, may be further ornamented by small
knobs being attached, or by the attachment of any other ornament.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
The securing of tubes or rods in structural work in their relative position
by means of a Joint or connector in the manner or manners herein described and
shewn upon the drawings, or any mere modification of the same.
Dated this 25th day of May 1886.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Agent for the Applicant.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Agent for the Applicant.