Improvements in Air Mattresses and Cushions.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
[Communicated from abroad by EDWARD EVERET SAMUEL, of 163, State Street,
Chicago, U.S.A., Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Air Mattresses and Cushions.
I, JOHN LIDDLE, 154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, North Britain, Chartered
Patent Agent, 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:--
My invention relates to improvements in that class of mattresses that is capable
of being inflated and deflated, and the object of my improvements is to provide an
article of this kind that will be easily portable when deflated, and when inflated
will be comfortable in that it will readily conform to the different positions
taken by the user, and will retain the air under all conditions to which it
would be normally subjected.
The manner in which I attain these objects is fully set forth in the accompany-
ing drawing, which forms a part of this application, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention in the form of a mattress, with a
portion removed, to show the anchors or fastenings.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of the mattress, and
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the fastening or anchoring device in detail on a
large scale.
Fig. 4 is also a sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale of the threaded bolt
washer and screw.
Like letters indicate like parts in the several views.
My invention consists generally of a rubber bag or like device adapted to be
inflated by air introduced through a valve, and provided with a covering of
ticking or other textile fabric, and means for anchoring or quilting the top and
bottom.
By reference to the drawing, it will be seen that B represents a mattress
rectangular in form, and made from sheets of rubber cloth suitably secured together
to form an air tight body, and with a suitable valve at one end for introducing
the air. Entirely enveloping the rubber mattress, is a covering A, which is com-
posed of ticking or other suitable textile fabric and conforms in shape to the
mattress B.
The covering A is held in place on the mattress, and the latter is given a flat,
oval, or other form desired, by means of stays which are placed at intervals
throughout the body of the mattress. These stays C are composed of a dished
metal disk formed with a downwardly extending hub portion C, and a counter-
sunk face Cº. The stay C has its lower portion flattened and perforated for the

page_text: reception of a cord, chain or spring d. The upper part of the stay C is bored
longitudinally and the bore threaded to receive a threaded bolt c having a flat
head c. The bolt c is also bored longitudinally and the bore threaded to admit
a screw D, which is turned by the holes d by the aid of a key. Between the
countersunk face of the disk C and the head of the screw c is interposed a flat
washer ². The stays consist further of chains, cords or springs d, which are
attached to the flat portion C¹ of the stay C..
In applying the stays, I perforate the rubber sheet B, place around the per-
foration a washer 2, and insert therethrough the bolt c, pressing it firmly down
on to the washer. I then screw the threaded hub portion of the disk C on to the
threaded part of the bolt c, until the washer and rubber are forced into the
countersunk face of the disk C. The ticking, or outer fabric A is then perforated
and the screw D inserted therethrough and screwed into the internally threaded
shank of the bolt c until the head of the former is firmly pressed on the head c¹
of the bolt c and the washer c², thus securing a tight joint between the rubber
sheet B, and the cover A, and adding to the effectiveness of the closure of the
opening in the rubber sheet. It will be noted that the screw D has a flat head
which is provided on its upper face with a covering of cloth.
When the disks, washers and screws have been secured in the manner described
at proper intervals throughout the top and bottom of the mattress, the opposing
hub portions C are connected by means of chains, cords or springs which are
drawn sufficiently tight to bring the face of the screws D below the plane of the
mattress, or in other words, the latter is " quilted." In the drawings,,I have
shown the parts d, as chains, but it will be apparent that spiral springs or cords
may be substituted for the chains. It will also be apparent that I can give the
surface of the mattress any desired contour by giving to the parts d different
lengths.
Interposed between the top and bottom sheets of rubber is a sheet of cotton-
cloth E, or other suitable material, which is secured to the end pieces
e of the
mattress. The function of the sheet E is to prevent the two sheets of rubber
from sticking together when the mattress is deflated and rolled up for storing or
transportation.
my
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
-
1. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elastic fabric
bag, of stays consisting of metal disks having a countersunk face and a hub
portion, and means for forcing the elastic fabric into the countersunk face of
the disks, and means for connecting the opposite hub portions, substantially as
set forth.
2. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elastic fabric
bag, of stays consisting of metal disks having a countersunk face and a threaded
hub portion, a bolt for forcing the elastic into the countersunk face of the disk,
and means for connecting the oppositely extended hub portions, substantially as
described.
3. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elastic" fabric
bag and a nonelastic fabric cover for same, of stays consisting of metal disks having
a countersunk face and a threaded hub portion, an externally and internally
threaded bolt for forcing the elastic fabric into the countersunk face of the disk,
a screw adapted to enter the bolt and secure the non-elastic fabric in place, and
means for connecting the oppositely extending hub portions, substantially as
described.
4. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elastic fabric
bag, and a non-elastic cover for same, of a sheet of cloth interposed between
the opposing sides of the bag, and means for staying the opposing sides of the
bag, substantially as described.

page_text: 5. In a device of the character described, the combination with an elastic fabric
bag, a non-elastic cover for same, a sheet of cloth interposed between the opposing
sides of the bag and stays consisting of metal disks having countersunk faces and
threaded hub portion, means for forcing the elastic fabric into the countersunk
face and means for connecting the oppositely extending hub portions, substantially
as set forth.
.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.