A NEW OR IMPROVED TELESCOPIC. OR FOLDING COMBINED BEDSTEAD AND AIR BED, PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Cotter, of Hoxton, in the County of
Middlesex, Auctioneer, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED
TELESCOPIC. OR FOLDING COMBINED BEDSTEAD AND AIR BED, PART OF WHICH
INVENTION IS APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Sealed the 23rd June 1874, and dated the 1st January 1874.

page_text: The nature of the Invention is as follows:-I make the framing of
my bedstead of telescopic tubes or other sliding mechanism, so that it
may be expanded or closed up at pleasure. This telescopic or closing
and expanding action may be confined to either the length or to the
breadth of the bedstead, or may be applied to both, so that the bedstead
may be closed and expanded both in the direction of its length and of
its width. These tubes when expanded may have one or more props or
stays between their extremities, resting on the floor or otherwise, to
give extra support, which stays may be attached in any suitable
manner.
The bed is composed of a series of flexible air tubes fixed between the
extremities of the bedstead, which tubes are doubled up as the ends of
the bedstead are pressed together, and are drawn out straight when the
bedstead is extended. These tubes are formed of air-tight canvas (made
air-tight by any suitable known means), or of other suitable flexible air-
tight material, and the necessary form and size is given to them by solid
end pieces of wood or other suitable material inserted in their ends.
These solid ends serve also as a convenient means of attaching the tubes
to the ends of the bedstead, which may be conveniently effected by
forming dovetail mortises in the ends of the bedstead, and corresponding
dovetails on the solid ends of the tubes, which may thus be dropped into
their places and taken out at pleasure. These tubes are also provided
with suitable valves for letting the air in or out, as required, and for
keeping it in when under pressure. When extended, the tubes rest on
transverse planks or laths, which are connected together by any suitable
flexible material, such as strong canvas, and which double up or fold or
slide one above the other when the bedstead is closed up. These laths or
planks when extended rest at their ends on the side telescopic tubes, or
when such telescopic tubes are employed in duplicate for each side of
the bedstead, or in greater numbers for the purpose of giving additional
strength, then such laths or planks rest on the lower gallery of such
telescopic tubes. The air tubes forming the bed are confined at the
sides by strips of canvas or other suitable material (elastic or non-elastic)
of the necessary depth, which are attached to the extremities of the
bedstead, and loosely by rings or otherwise to the side galleries of
telescopic tubes, so that whether elastic or not they will contract or fold
up, and so occupy but little space when the bedstead is closed up.
1
When the bedstead is expanded to the full length, a sheet of canvas

page_text: or other suitable material is stretched over the top of the air tubes, and
hooked or otherwise attached to the side telescopic tubes. The air tubes
forming the bed are thus confined at top, bottom, and both sides.
The action is as follows:-The bedstead being closed up, and it being
desired to open, if for use, it is expanded to its full size by drawing its
opposite sides or ends apart, during which process the valves in the air
tubes allow them to become filled with air; also the laths or planks
forming the bottom of the bedstead and the telescopic and canvas sides
become extended and occupy their respective places. The sheet of
canvas is then stretched over the top of the tubes, which are thus
confined on all sides, and with a firm surface underneath them. The
valves are then closed so as to prevent any escape of air, and the ends
of the bedstead are then forced for a short distance towards one another,
when the air in the tubes will become compressed, expanding the tubes
to their full extent, and thus presenting a firm but yielding or elastic
surface to lie on. The ends of the bedstead when thus compressed
together are prevented from again expanding by any suitable means.
The compression of the air effected as above described by the forcing or
drawing together of the ends of the bedstead may be accomplished by
hand, screw, spring, or other convenient means. When by a screw, I
prefer such as are used for expanding dining tables, and when springs 1
are used I prefer those of india-rubber, which may be placed within the
air tubes themselves, and simply hooked on to the two ends, although
other springs and used in other situations may be employed.
If at any time the bed should become soft by reason of the escape
of air, it is only necessary to again expand it, and then compress it as
before.
It is obvious from the foregoing that where springs are used for com-
pressing the air, and where the valves are made self-acting, as they may
be when required, the only action necessary to prepare the bed for
sleeping on is to draw the end of the bedstead out.
It is also obvious that when the bedstead is made to expand sideways,
it may be altered in width to suit varying requirements by simply
inserting or abstracting one or more of the tubes, and expanding or con-
tracting the bedstead to meet them.
It will also be obvious that the principle of this Invention as regards
the giving of the necessary size and form to the air tubes by solid ends,

page_text: and then getting the necessary pressure of air within by slightly com-
pressing the tubes may be applied to forming seats for sofas, chairs, and
other seats, and in short to all or nearly all purposes to which air cushions
are applicable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Cotter in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st July 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
COTTER, of Hoxton, in the County of Middlesex, Auctioneer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Cotter, Her special
license that I, the said William Cotter, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Cotter, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A
NEW OR IMPROVED TELESCOPIC OR FOLDING COMBINED BEDSTEAD AND AIR BED,
PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Cotter, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing, under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Cotter, do hereby declare

page_text: .
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to a new or improved telescopic or folding
combined bedstead and air bed, part of which Invention is applicable
also to other purposes.
According to my Invention bedsteads are so constructed that when so
required for any purpose they may be contracted or folded into a very
small space, and the bedsteads so constructed are fitted with air beds
(herein-after described), so that by opening the valve or valves retaining
the air the bed collapses and is folded or doubled up with the bedstead.
The air beds of my improved construction may also be used in con
junction with bedsteads of ordinary manufacture or apart by themselves,
and the chief principle involved in my improved construction of air bed
is applicable to forming bolsters, pillows, air couches, rout and other
seats and cushions, boats for exploring parties, life saving apparatus,
and in short to all or nearly all purposes to which air cushions are
applicable.
And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with the aid of
the accompanying Drawings, reference being had to the letters and
figures marked thereon, and in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal
sectional elevation of my improved combined air bed and bedstead;
Figure 2, a plan thereof; Figure 3, a side elevation; Figure 4 an end
elevation; Figure 5, a transverse sectional elevation; and Figures 6 to
12 enlarged views of detail; Figure 13 illustrates in perspective a similar
combined air bed and bedstead, but with slight modifications, which are
herein-after described. The same letter of reference denotes the same
or similar part or parts of the bed and bedstead in each of the several
Figures.
A and B are the head and foot of the bedstead respectively, and these
may be of any design thought proper; they are connected together by
sides C, which as will be seen are in four separate lengths, the two inner
lengths being jointed by an ordinary knuckle joint butting at the upper
side and opening upwards, so that any weight on the bed tends only to
tighten the joint. These two inner lengths are also tubular (round,
square, or any other sectional configuration), and the two outer lengths
slide into them telescopically. In Figures 1 and 2 they are shewn

page_text: extended, whilst in Figure 3, the outer length of the side at one end is
shewn partially inserted or compressed into the inner length. These
outer lengths are hinged to the head and foot respectively by knuckle
joints turning upwards and butting on the under sides, so that the whole
length of the sides presents the character of a rigid bar when any weight
is applied on the upper side, but when the middle joint is pressed from
underneath the joints immediately give and the head and foot may be
brought close together.
When the bedstead is extended for use stays D are let into eyes E, so
as in the first place to prevent the head and foot being accidentally 1
pressed or drawn either together or apart from one another; and
secondly, to prevent the head and foot turning on the pivots, by which
they are jointed to the sides, and so leaving the vertical plane.
When it is required to close up the bedstead the stays D are released,
the outer lengths of the sides are pressed into the inner lengths, which 1
are then doubled upwards, and the head and foot pressed close together.
The outer lengths of the sides may be eiter solid or tubular.
The air bed used in combination with the folding or telescopic
bedstead is composed of a series of air tubes F attached to and between
the head and foot of the bedstead. By opening the valves confining the 2
air in these tubes they (being made of flexible material) will collapse or
be doubled up as the head and foot are pressed together, and will be
drawn out taut as the head and foot are separated to their full extent.
These tubes are made of air-tight canvas (made air-tight by any suitable
known means) or of other suitable flexible air-tight material, and the 2
form and transverse sectional area required is imparted to them by rigid
end pieces. Thus in the tubes shewn their form and transverse sectional
area are imparted to them by solid end pieces G, over which the material
of which the tubes are made is stretched and fixed. These solid end
pieces G serve also as a convenient means of attaching the tubes to the 3
ends of the bedstead, which is effected by forming dovetail mortices in
the ends of the bedstead and corresponding dovetails G¹ on the solid
ends of the tubes, which may thus be dropped into their places and
taken out at pleasure. In Figs. 2 & 5 part of these tubes are shown
removed. These tubes F are also provided with suitable valves H for 3.
letting the air in and out as required and for retaining it when under
pressure, which valves are shewn enlarged at Figures 6, 7, and 8,

page_text: Figure 6 being a vertical central section through the valve; Figure 7,
a front view looking in the direction of the arrow; and Figure 8, a plan.
A hole H is bored through one of the solid end pieces of each tube. J is
an india-rubber ring washer resting against a shoulder provided for the
purpose; K is a tube of brass or other suitable material pressing on to
the washer J; M is an india-rubber tube of naturally larger diameter
than the boring H, but being stretched through presses strongly
outwards, and so on the whole of its exterior surface. With the valve
thus constructed any air forced from the tube F must pass through the
interior of the elastic tube M, which tube it will be seen projects for a
short distance beyond the outer surface of the rigid end piece G. N is
a disc of india-rubber pressed against the mouth of the tube M, thus
closing it and effectually retaining the air within the tube F. Thus
when the series of air tubes F are in position on a bedstead to form the
bed the valves H are all in a row (see Figure 4), and their mouths in
the same vertical plane, and the whole of the valves may thus be opened
and closed by the one movement of a flap O, on which the discs of
india-rubber N are fixed. This flap O is hinged to the bedstead, and is
shewn hanging down in Figure 4, whilst in Figures 1, 2, 7, &c., it is
shewn in position to close the valves, which is done most securely by
the discs N being brought directly over and pressed into the valves as
the flap O is screwed up by the thumb screws P.
The bed is filled with air in the following manner :-The flap O is
released from the face of the valves by slackening the thumb-screws P,
the valves thus being opened. The head and foot of the bedstead are then
separated to the full extent allowed by the length of the air tubes, which
latter thus become distended to their natural capacity, and filled with
air. The valves are then securely closed in the manner before described,
and the head and foot of the bedstead forced towards one another, as
shewn in Figure 3. The air in the tubes is thus compressed in propor-
tion to the extent that the head and foot are forced towards one another,
and when a proper pressure has been obtained the stays D are put in
position, and the bed and bedstead are then ready for use, the bed
presenting a firm but soft and yielding surface to lie on.
It will be obvious from the foregoing that any one of the air tube

page_text: The air tubes forming the bed rest at the bottom on thin plates or
laths of metal or wood Q, fastened at their ends to the telescopic sides
of the bedstead, and made to slide one above the other as the bedstead is
contracted and expanded.
The air tubes may also be confined in an outer tick, or a sheet of
canvas or other suitable material may be stretched over the top of them
and fastened to the sides of the bedstead. A sheet of this latter descrip-
tion is shewn at R, Figure 13, partly thrown back. The sides of these
air tubes when not enclosed in an outer tick may, when desired, be
confined by strips of canvas or other material, elastic or non-elastic,
stretched between the head and foot of the bedstead.
The process of forcing together or separating the head and foot of the
bedstead may be accomplished either by hand or by a screw applied in a
manner similar to that employed for dining tables, or by springs (by
preference) of india-rubber.
When desired the bedstead may be made to expand in the direction of
its width as well as in that of its length, in which case the size of the
bed may be altered to suit by simply adding or removing one or more of
the air tubes.
The legs of the bedstead may be made of various constructions so as
to occupy but little space when so required; for instance, they may be
made telescopic to slide within the upper part of the head and foot posts,
or they may be made to fold or turn up into either the head and foot or
into the rails of the sides of the bedstead.
As illustrated at Figures 9 to 12 they are shewn as constructed to
turn up into the transverse rails at the head and foot.
Figure 9 is a side view of the end of a bedstead, the sides of which are
constructed of square sectional telescopic tubes, and the head and foot
made to double over on to the horizontal part of the bedstead.
In Figure 9 the leg a is shewn let down and maintained in its position
by the stay b, which being attached to the folding head enters on the
inner side of the leg as the head is brought into its vertical position, and
so prevents the leg turning inwards.
In Figure 10, which is also a side view, the head is shewn folded over,
and the leg turned up (shewn by dotted lines).

page_text: Figure 11 is an underneath view of Figure 9, and Figure 12 a back
view of Figure 10.
In the bedstead shewn at Figure 13 the sides are only telescopic, and
not folding, and a double gallery is employed for additional strength.
The top may also be made telescopic so as to let down where required.
In applying the sides of a bedstead, such as shewn in Figures 1 to 5,
to the head and foot of an ordinary bedstead I attach the hinges for the
extremities of the sides to the dovetails, which drop into the ordinary
dovetail mortices in the ordinary head and foot, so that they may thus
be used without alteration.
It will be obvious that a combined bed and bedstead such as above
described may be disguised in various articles of furniture; for instance,
it may be attached to the interior of a cheffionier or cabinet to be drawn
out only when required for use; may slide and double up under a sofa
or arm chair, or at the back of a looking glass. It may also be applied
to sleeping cars on railways, as it could be drawn out from under the
ordinary seats.
The bed may also be used detached from the bedstead, and as thus
used forms an excellent field bed for soldiers, and when used on board
ship may be readily detached, and be used as life rafts in case of ship-
wreck.
It will also be obvious that the principle of this Invention, as regards
giving the necessary size and form to the air tubes by rigid end pieces,
and then giving the necessary pressure within by slightly compressing the
tube, is applicable to forming pillows, bolsters, air couches, chair, rout,
and other seats and cushions, life-saving apparatus, boats for exploring
parties, and in short to all or nearly all purposes to which air cushions
are applicable.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to or may be per-
formed, I claim as my Invention to be secured by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent,-
First. The combination of an air bed and a folding or telescopic bed-
stead, so that by opening the valve or valves retaining the air in the bed
the bed and bedstead may be folded up together.

page_text: Second. Forming a bed of a series of detached self-inflating air tubes,
each having a separate valve.
Third. Forming a bed of a series of detached air tubes, arranged in
such a manner that the valves of all the tubes are brought into one
plane, so that they may all be opened or closed by one flap.
Fourth. Imparting the required size and form to air tubes by rigid
end pieces, so that the tubes may be filled with air by simply stretching
them to their full extent, and then whilst the air within the tube is
retained by a valve giving the required pressure to such internal air by
compressing the tube.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Cotter, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
WILLIAM COTTER. (L.s.)
Witness,
JOHN W. GRAY,
Offices for Patenting & Introducing Inventions,
16, Southampton Buildings,
W.C.