Convertible Folding Bed and Chair.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1898--Accepted, 7th Jan., 1899
[Communicated from abroad by WILLIAM SEARS BELLOWS, Attorney, of 144,
Catherine Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America.]
Convertible Folding Bed and Chair.
I, JOHN WILLIAM MACKENZIE, of the Firm of Wheatley and Mackenzie,
Engineers and Patent Agents, of 40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention' and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
-
This invention relates to certain features of invention contributing to render
a convertible bed and chair, by reason of various desirable characteristics and capa-
bilities more useful and efficient either as a bed or a chair than have been con-
vertible bed and chairs as heretofore constructed.
Under the present invention it is possible to acquire a bed of any given
length, whether for a small child or a tall person, or to transform the bed into
a couch or into a reclining chair, or into an upright chair;-other transforma-
tions are possible, and the whole structure involves such constructions and
arrangements of parts and devices as to enable the same to be folded up in a com-
pact rectangular space as wide as the bed, as long only as a fraction of the length
of the bed, and having a thickness of about four inches.
The invention consists in the constructions and combinations of parts all sub-
stantially as will be set forth in the detailed description hereinafter given, and
covered in the Claims, it being designed, in conjunction with the description to
render manifest the capabilities, features of advantage and desirable effects in-
hering in the novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of the parts
and devices.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1
is a perspective view of the contrivances arranged as a bed.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation showing the same by full lines
as transformed from a bed into a reclining chair, the relations of the parts to
constitute the bed being indicated by dotted lines.
Figure 3 is a sectional view longitudinally through the various pivotally con-
nected portions of the bed, indicating their capability of being compactly folded
up.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the supporting and confining devices for
the swinging and adjustable back-rest.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of parts comprised in Figure 4 as seen from the
opposite side.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of parts taken on the line 6-6,
Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation as taken on the plane indicated by the line 7-7,
Figure 6.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 are perspective views illustrating means for temporary
interlocking connections between the side rails of the bed or chair bottom, and
the leg-frames therefor.

page_text: Figure 11 shows a supplemental or compound foot-rest as applied on the chair-
bed, Figures 12 and 13 being perspective views further illustrating the same.
Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views.
In the drawings A A, BB represent opposing side pairs of rails, for the bottom
of the bed or chair, made of angle iron and each rail A hinged or pivoted as seen
at a to its endwise adjoining rail B, all so that rail B may be swung angularly
to, or doubled closely under rail A, or distended as a longitudinal continuation
thereof.
C and D are leg-frames each consisting of opposing legs, oc and d d and cross
ties 10 and bracing members 12, said leg members cd having their upper portions
pivoted at (2 and d to the inner sides of the depending angular
portions of the side rails A A. The distance between the pivoted
points is greater than the height of the leg-frames, and while the legs
of the one leg-frame C are straight as seen in Figure 1 and 2, the legs of the
other leg-frame D are, near their pivoted points, curved as seen at d³, so that
while the leg-frame C may lie closely up to and under the horizontal portion of
the angular side rail A, the other leg-frame D, may, because of such curved
formation pointed out at 3 closely underlie, and not be impeded from lying closely
alongside it, as seen in Figure 3, and the widths of the legs, of the two frames,
and the thickness of these frames, each as a whole may be such as to occupy but
little if any more space than the depth of the depending angular portion 15 of
the side rails A.
E represents a leg-frame also consisting of legs ee, cross ties 10 and braces 12.
the less thereof being pivoted at near the outer or "footward" end of
rails BB, and this frame is also arranged to be swung to lie closely under the
rails BB and said rails BB, together with the folded leg-frame may be com-
pactly folded under rails A A and the adjacent folded leg-frames CD.
The leg-frames CDE all have interlocking engagements with the side rails A B
which are easy of disengagement, and by means of which the side rails are most
effectually prevented under the weight of the person on the fabric r which consti-
tutes the bed or chair bottom from twisting or rolling, to result in an undue
sagging of the bottom and a general distortion of the structure.
The means for these interlocking engagements consist in lugs or hook like
projections ce secured on the depending angle members 15 of the side rails
adjacent the leg pivots, and into engagement with which the leg-finmes are
brought when such leg-frames are swung into their upright rail-supporting
positions.
These said lug members for interlocking the leg-frames to the side
rails AA. BB are provisions of great importance and value and are especially
illustrated in Sheets 2 and 3 of the drawings, (being shown in detail in the latter
on a larger scale.) the engaging lugs, for the different leg-frames slightly vary-
ing in form or design, but it is apparent that they are all substantially the same
in respect of their capabilities for co-operation with the legs of the frames for
locking the latter so that they are, when engaged, as rigid parts of the side rails,
and the legs, being cross-tied and braced one with its fellow, prevents the least
possible extent of lateral yielding, and the side rails therefore can have no rolling,
torsional or winding action under stress, that is, no tendency to turn or partially
rotate about an axis coincident with the length of such rails.
The said lugs each have base-pieces 17 by which they are riveted to
the depending angle portions 15 of the side rails A or B on which they are
applied beneath the horizontal portions 16 of such rails.
F represents a frame-like part which constitutes, when horizontal, a bed
extension, and when supported angularly to the rails AA, a back-rest. This
extension and back-rest F consists of the side rails ff and cross tie 2 and a
fabric extended between and supported by the side rails ff.
The extension and rest F is pivotally and also adjustably mounted on the side
rails AA near the headward end thereof, all so that it may be either horizontal,
vertical or at any intermediate angle, and also so that it may have its position

page_text: within reasonable limits anywhere relative to the length of the bottom of the bed
or chair which essentially comprises the aforesaid rails AA; and details of con-
struction comprising the devices which contribute to the above mentioned
capabilities will be now described :-
It will be seen that the rails A A near the headward ends thereof have on their
upper members 16, longitudinal guide bars which are step shaped in cross sec-
tion with the overhanging ledge or flange 18. The base of this guide bar is
secured by bolts or rivets to the portion 16 of the rail A. h represents a sliding
block or bar shown in detail in Figure 5, this comprising the base extension or
flange 19 to underlie and be guided and restrained by the guide bar
J.
Each bar h has a suitable ear lug 20 to which is pivoted at 21 the lower end
of the adjacent side rail f of the back-rest F. Upon the side of the ear-piece 20
of the slide bar h is pivoted a cam-ended lever i the head of the cam, as seen in
Figure 7 when the lever is swung down horizontally pinching against the top
of the ledge 18 of the guide g, under which ledge as before stated is the flange 19
of the slide bar.
The lever has at its cam end and laterally outside of the cam, the lip 22 which
overlies the outer edge of the rising part of the step shaped bar g as clearly seen
in Figure 6, and serves to more effectually insure the retention of the slide bar
closely in its interlocked engagement alongside of and under the guide bar.
The slide bar has suitably distant from the pivot 21 the outwardly extended
stud 23; and each side rail f has supported by pivot 24 the brace bar j, the same
having the series of notches 25, the several thereof nearer the pivot being of
substantially a ratchet form while a more distant one 25" has its opposite sides
or boundaries at about right angles to the length of the bar all as seen in
Figure 4, more particularly, and as also here shown the bar is preferably con-
structed with a slot 27 one edge or boundary thereof being constituted by the
aforesaid series of teeth 25 this slot having also the continuation or slot exten-
sion 27 for a purpose hereinafter explained.
The bar is advantageously formed of angle iron whereby the member 29 is
produced against which bears one end of the spring 30 which is coiled around
the pivot 24, the other end of this spring being anchored as seen at 32 to the
bar fall whereby the brace bar j has normally imparted thereto a downward
pressure to more certainly assure the engagement of the bar by one of its notches
with the stud 23.
It will be seen that by reason of the form and arrangement of the notches and
the pivoting of the bar on the side rail of the part F that when it is desired to
swing the back-rest upwardly in any degree, it may readily be done up to the
vertical position without operating the brace bars jj because of the ratchet form
of the notches, but as soon as the back-rest becomes vertical the notch 25" en-
gaging the stud 23 will, because of the form of such notch, prevent any further
swinging movement of the bar relative to the stud, except the bar is especially
swung upwardly on its pivot to be disengaged from the stud.
The slot 27 is of such angular form and extent as to permit the back-rest F
to be swung down closely over and upon the rails AA and bottom supported
thereby.
It will, of course, be manifest that the portion 31 of the brace bar ; which
forms the lower boundary of the slot may be omitted, but its presence is advan-
tageous as it prevents the brace bar from being unduly swung away from the
stud 23 on the slide bar h at all times and under all conditions, and transforma-
tions of the parts.
Now, assuming that the back-rest is inclined and supported about as seen
in Figure 2 and it is desired to lower the back-rest while the person is supported
thereby the attendant may by placing both hands against the bars ff and
exerting upward force thereon, relieve the bind between a notch 25 in the brace
and the stud 23 and, by manipulating with his fingers the cord or flexible con-
nection k, may sufficiently, though slightly swing the brace bar to clear the notches

page_text: thereof from the stud whereupon the back-rest may be swung down more nearly,
or quite horizontal.
Manifestly by upswinging the cam levers in the slide bars h may be slid longi-
tudinally to place the part F in any desired longitudinal adjustment relative to
the length of the side rails A A.
It will also be seen that when the back-rest F is in its horizontal position, it
has two points of support, that is, at the pivot 21 and upon the stud 23 both of
these parts being supported by the slide which has a sufficiently long bearing
on the top of the rail A, and by the engagements with the guide bars 9 is pre-
vented from any tendency to tilt, rock or yield either longitudinally or trans-
versely.
G represents the foot-rest consisting of the frame having the side bars nn,
cross members n³ and intermediate fabric n³, which rest is mounted on, and near
the end of the rails B B, the same having the capability of being supported angu-
larly to the said rails, to be swung down and supported horizontally to constitute
a bed bottom, foot extension and to be also swung or folded down closely on top
of and parallel with the rails BB, and bottom fabric carried thereby.
on
the
The means whereby the foot-rest is supported on the rails B B, and
capable of being swung relative thereto and also of being moved longi-
tudinally and held in confinement is a duplicate of the corresponding
means or devices already described for supporting the back-rest
rails A A, that is to say, the rails BB have the step shaped and ledge provided
guide bars g in which are fitted the slide bars h² to which the side rails nn of
the foot-rest G is pivoted at 21" and the slide bars have pivoted thereto the cam
ended levers 2 which bind and brace the adjacent parts in the same manner as
described in the corresponding situation at the supporting connections between
the back-rest and the rails A A.
It will be perceived that the points 21 and 21ª, of pivotal connection between
the back and foot-rests and the bars h 2 through which they are supported upon
the rails AB are slightly above the tops of said rails whereby these rests may
be swung down into true horizontal positions either over upon said rails, or end-
wise beyond them.
The foot-rest G has the pivoted brace bars hung as seen at 35 to the side
bars n of said rest, each of these brace bars having a notch 37 seen in Figure 2
which engages a stud 38 on the side of the slide bar h² so that the foot-rest will
be, by the removably engaged brace, supported in its position perpendicular to the
rails BB.
H represents the head-rest substantially similar in form to the foot-rest, being
pivoted at 38 to the back-rest near the upper end of the latter. The side rails f f
of the back-rest have the notches 39; the brace bars 40 are pivoted at 42 to the
back-rest side members and have the studs 43 which engage in the notches 39 of
the back-rest so that the head-rest may be supported at any angle to the back-rest
It will be plain that the head-rest may also be swung horizontally to be folded
down on the back-rest, or reversely swung to constitute a horizontal head exten-
sion of the bed even additional to that constituted by the horizontally disposed
back-rest.
It will be apparent from the illustrations and from the foregoing descriptions
that with the rails A B, both supported horizontally by their leg-frames CDE,
it is possible to have a bed of a length suitable to accomodate any person whether
a small child or an unusually long man.
The foot-rest may be moved inwardly on the rails BB and the back-rest, stand-
ing upright, may be adjusted in a position well towards the foot-rest whereupon
a very short bed or crib is improvised. It will be here mentioned that side guides
or frames may be engaged with and supported on and between the upright
rests FG to constitute crib sides, but, as this provision is not deemed to involve
any special features of invention illustration thereof is not given.
Of course, to acquire a longer bed using the back-rest as a head board, the said

page_text: rest while in its vertical position is bodily adjusted longitudinally headwards on
the rails A A, the foot-rest being adjusted endwise further therefrom.
By letting down the back-rest into the horizontal position and using the rest H
for the head board, a bed for adults of average height is acquired, while if the
person is unusually long, the rest H may be horizontally disposed and, if neces-
sary, the foot-rest also."
The rails A A have on their outer sides between their ends, the studs or pro-
jections 40, and the back-rest side rails have the studs 42. J represents an arm-
rest having provided on the frame or base thereof, a hook-like socket indicated
at 43, at its one end, while at its other end it has pivotally connected thereto
at 44 the bar t, the free end of which is forked or notched as seen at 45, Figure 2,
to engage the side rail stud 40. It will be apparent that this arm-rest is adapted
to have its temporary supporting engagements with and upon the side rail and
back-rest, no matter in what angular position the back-rest may be, because of
the swinging capability of the pivoted and swinging support bar or brace t.
In Figures 11, 12, and 13, a foot-rest appliance is illustrated which imparts
capacity for increased comfort to the chair or bed.
Here, the foot-rest frame G2 comprises the side bars nn and cross bar 2, the
intermediate fabric being omitted, preferably, and this foot-rest-frame is mounted
on the side rails B B in substantially the manner already described, and has the
notched braces o engaging the side studs 38 as before referred to.
It is preferred that the braces have several notches 37 as indicated whereby
the foot-rest-frame may occupy positions variable angular to the rails BB as
indicated in a certain degree in Figure 11.
The side upright members nn of the foot-rest-frame are united between their
tops and bottoms by the flexible, spring and link-connected bar or bars n which
constitutes a yielding stop for the foot-rest, proper, G2, which is provided on its
under side with a hook shaped lug n which has a detachable engagement through
a perforation no therefor in the cross bar n³ of the foot-rest-frame.
By changing the position of the foot-rest-frame by swinging it into any of its
adjusted positions, the foot-rest G2 is bodily moved into a position further up or
down on the leg-rest-frame as may be desired to bring the foot-rest into the most
comfortable or convenient relation to the feet of the long or short person, to
whom the appliances are adjusted.
The foot-rest may furthermore be independently tilted so as to occupy a
position in a vertical plane, in a horizontal plane, or in any forward and down-
ward inclination intermediate between such planes.
When the foot-rest-frame is swung down into the horizontal position shown
in Figure 11, and the foot rest proper is also horizontal, it increases the length
of the improvised bed quite a little, and when the structure is set up and
arranged as and for a bed, that which was the foot-rest end of the chair may
constitute if desired, the head end, for the bed, for, where a very long bed is
desired, it is often found desirable to lay the head-rest horizontal, and by making
up the bed, now with the part G2 which is slightly elevated as the head end an
advantage of having the leg-frame supports E, D, C under the head and trunk
portions of the body is secured overcoming any tendency of the less stably sup-
ported opposite end from being overbalanced, whereby it might tilt downwardly.
Having removed the arm-rest, by swinging the leg-frames under the rails A B,
as already described, folding the head-rest closely down on the back-rest, and
the back-rest and folded head-rest over upon the rails AA, and swinging the
foot-rest closely upon the rails BB and such rails with the foot-rest and its folded
under leg-frame E, all closely under the rails A A, a compact rectangular package
is produced comprising all of the parts and devices described, which in practice,
as the device has been actually constructed and designed for commercial use and
convenient transportation or stowage occupies a space of about 22 inches by 25
inches and only four inches thick.
The fabric which constitutes the intermediate structures or bottom for the

page_text: rails AA,
bed and supported in independent sections between the side
and ff, may be any suitable bed bottom fabric or structure, such as connected
links and springs as here illustrated, woven wire fabric, or any well known or
approved material having fitness to the purpose.
1
It will be perceived that, by the use of angle-iron in an extensive degree in 5
the constructure of the principal supporting parts of the convertible and ex-
tensible bed and chair many of the capabilities of the devices hereinbefore set
forth are rendered most feasible and practicable and the structures are thereby
of increased rigidity and strength; and the angle-iron, conduces to an economical
and practicable production of the bed and chair as will be readily appreciated.
It may be apparent that quite a stiff and rigid structure to constitute a bottom
for a bed or chair might be produced which embodies endwise jointed side rails
together with cross bars extended between and connected to such side rails, the
bed bottom or fabric being in such supposed construction supported in substance
by rectangular frames, the cross bars of which at the middle of the bottom con-
stituting very undesirable members which would prevent the flexure at such,
middle or intermediate part of the bottom of the bed or chair of the yielding
bottom fabric, and which members would preclude many of the capabilities for
adjustment and comfort present in the improved bed and chair as explained and
illustrated.
Now, under the present improvements, it is to be particularly perceived that
the side rails A, B endwise pivotally jointed for the various purposes explained
are not comprised in rectangular frames with cross bars and hence the bed bottom
fabric may yield downwardly in any degree without impediment, and yet the
said side rails remain most stable when the bed or chair is erected by the legs
which are pivoted to the side rails when latter are detachably interlocked
with the legs, and which legs at points suitably below the rails are cross tied and
braced thus preventing all twisting or deflecting stress on the side rails as well
as if the said rails were cross connected by rigid bars.
The last foregoing statement is also applicable in respect of the availability of
the bed when employing the back-rest or the foot-rest as a part of the bed
bottom, for, by reason of the absence of any cross bar at the ends of the rails at
which said rests are provided, when the rest is placed horizontally to form a part
of the bottom the downward yielding of the fabric in any proper extent may be
unimpeded.
Of course, upholstered cushions preferably made in sections, and entirely inde-
pendent of the bedstead or chair frame may be provided as common for reclining
chairs, couches and divans as heretofore proposed, and used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. In a folding bed or chair, the paired rails AA, and the endwise pivoted
rails BB both supporting independent bed bottom fabrics in a plane above the
pivoted connection of one rail with the other, transverse leg-frames C and D)
pivotally connected to said rails A A and adapted to be folded closely under said
rails, and the bed bottom fabric supported thereby, and the rails BB having the
transverse leg-frame E pivoted thereto and adapted to be folded closely there-
under, said rails BB and connected leg-frame adapted to be folded closely
under the rails AA and their leg-frames, and means for locking said leg-frames
to the rails to which they are pivoted so to cause the side rails to be as rigid
parts of the leg-frames, whereby rolling or torsional effects of the rails are pre-
vented under stress of the weight on the bed bottom, substantially as described.
2. In a folding bed or chair, the paired rails AA having the leg-frames C, D,
pivoted to said rails at points further apart than the height of said leg-frames,
the legs of one of said frames being curved as at d³ near the pivoted connections
thereof, and the hook lugs fixed on the side rails into engagement with which
the legs of the said frames are swung, substantially as described.

page_text: 3. In a convertible bed and chair, the paired rails AA and BB, pivotally
united, and having leg-frame supports, combined with a back-rest, and a foot-
rest, both of which are respectively adjustable along the lengths of the rails, A A
and BB, substantially as described.
4. In a convertible bed and chair, the paired rails AA and B B pivotally
united and having provided leg supports, combined with the back-rest both
pivotally and adjustably mounted on and near the head ends of rails A, and the
foot-rest both pivotally and adjustably mounted on the rails B B, and detachable
means for supporting said back and foot-rests angularly to the plane in which
said rails are located, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a folding bed or chair, the bed or chair bottom comprising pairs of
rails AA and B B endwise pivoted together, and having the pivoted leg-frames
substantially as described, the back-rest pivoted to the rails AA, the foot-rest
pivoted to the rails B 13, and said rests adapted to be swung and supported hori
zontally and extended beyond the ends of their respective supporting rails, and
to be swung to lie closely over and upon said rails, and detachable supports for
sustaining said rests angularly to said rails, substantially as described.
6. In a convertible and folding bed and chair, the bed or chair bottom com-
prising pairs of rails A A and B B endwise pivoted together, and having the
pivoted leg-frames substantially as described, the back-rest pivoted to the
rails A A, the foot-rest pivoted to the rails BB, and said rests adapted to be
swung and supported horizontally and extended beyond the ends of their respec-
tive supporting rails, and to be swung to lie closely over and upon said rails,
and detachable supports for sustaining said rests angularly to said rails, and
the head-rest pivoted to the back-rest adapted to be folded closely thereagainst
and means for sustaining the head-rest angularly to the plane of the back-rest,
substantially as described.
7. In a convertible bed and chair, the bed or chair bottom comprising side
rails AA having intermediate of its length studs or projections and the back-
rest pivoted to said side rails and means for adjustably supporting the back-rest
at any desired angle to the side rails, combined with a removable arm-rest
adapted to engage the back-rest and having a pivoted bar with a slotted end
to engage the projecting stud of the side rail, substantially as described, and
shown.
8. In a convertible bed and chair, the bed or chair bottom comprising side
rails A A each having the studs 40 and the back-rest pivotally and adjustably
mounted on said side rails, combined with the arm-rest adapted to have a detach-
able engagement with the back-rest and having the bar pivoted thereto, and
provided with a recessed end to engage the projecting stud of the side rail, sub-
stantially as described.
9. In a convertible bed and chair, the side rails, having longitudinal guide
bars 9 of step form and provided with the overhanging ledge 18, combined with
side bars having the base flanges 19, a rest at F having opposing members
secured to said slide bars, the cam levers pivoted to said slide bars, and having
the depending lips 22, substantially as and for the purposes explained.
10. In a convertible bed and chair, the side rails, having longitudinal guide
ways, combined with blocks or bars longitudinally movable in said ways, and
having the studs or projections, means for confining said bars against movement
in said ways, and a rest comprising opposite side members, pivoted to said
movable bars, braces pivoted to the side members of said rest, and constructed to
detachably engage said studs or projections of the slide bars, substantially as
described.
11. The side rails, having longitudinal guide bars, 7 of step form and pro-
vided with the overhanging ledge 18, combined with slide bars having the base
flanges 19, and the studs as 23, a rest as F having opposing members secured
to said slide rails, the cam levers pivoted to said slide bars, and having the
depending line 22, and braces secured to said side members of the rest and

page_text: having one or more notches to engage said slide-bar-studs, substantially as
described.
12. The combination with the side rails, of blocks or bars longitudinally
adjustable thereon and having rests pivoted thereto, of braces pivoted to said
rest and adapted to detachably engage a part of said slide bar, and a flexible
connection secured to the braces and extended and guided to an upper part of
said rest, where it may be conveniently drawn to release the braces from engage-
ment with the slide bars in the act of lowering the said rest, substantially as
described.
bars or
13. In a convertible bed and chair, in combination, horizontal
rails A A, B B endwise pivotally connected, rests mounted on said rails adapted
to be swung angularly to the rails, and to be placed horizontally, and also
adjustably, longitudinally along said rails, leg-frames pivotally attached to said
horizontal rails, and means for acquiring interlocking connection between the
leg-frames and said rails, substantially as described.
14. In a convertible bed and chair, in combination, horizontal pairs of
rails AA, BB endwise pivotally connected and adapted, the one pair to be
doubled under the other and bottom fabrics supported by said rails, transverse
leg-frames pivoted to said sets of rails, and adapted to be folded closely there-
under, rests mounted on said rails adapted to be angularly swung to the rails,
and to be placed horizontally, and also adjustable longitudinally along said
rails, means for ensuring interlocking engagements between the leg-frames and
said rails whereby the rails are rigidly though detachably united to the trans-
verse leg-frames, and prevented from rolling or twisting under stress of weight on
the rail supported bottom fabric. substantially as described.
15. In a convertible bed and chair, the paired rails A A, having the slide bars
guided thereon, each having a projection 23, and means for confining said bars
on the rails, the back-rest pivoted to the slide bars, having the brace bars ji
pivoted thereto provided with the series of ratchet-like notches 25 and the notch
25, the springs 30 pressing against the notched brace bars, and the cords con-
nected to the said braces, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
16. In a convertible bed and chair, the paired rails A A, having the slide bars
guided thereon, each having a projection 23. and means for confining said bars
on the rails, the back-rest pivoted to the slide bars, having the brace bars ji
pivoted thereto, provided with a slot 27 and slot extension 27, the series of
ratchet-like notches 25 and the notch 25° formed in one boundary of the slot in
each brace, the springs 30 pressing against the notched brace bars, and the cords
connected to the said braces, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
17. In a convertible and folding bed and chair, in combination, the bottom
of the structure composed of the endwise pivotally connected pairs of
rails A A, B B and fabrics supported thereby, adapted to be doubled together,
the leg-frames CD and E pivoted to said rails and adapted to be folded there-
under, as described, foot and back-rests, both pivotally and adjustably mounted
on the said rails A. B. means for confining them in given longitudinally adjusted
positions, and detachable means for supporting them angularly or allowing
them to be laid down horizontally upon the rails, or as endwise extensions
thereof, and a head-rest pivotally mounted on the back-rest, to be swung hori-
zontally thereupon or as an extension thereof, and means for supporting the
head-rest angularly to the back-rest, all said arrangements and pivoted connec-
tions permitting the folding of the whole appliances into compact rectangular
form, substantially as described.
18. In a folding bed or chair, the paired angle iron rails A A, each com-
prising the top member 16 and an outer side member 15, combined with the
leg-frames CD pivoted to the side members 15 of said rails at points farther
apart than the height of said leg-frames, the legs of one of said frames being
curved as at near the pivotal connection thereof, and both the legs of said
frame adapted to be folded one alongside of and against the other within the

page_text: angular side rails, and a similar pair of angle iron rails BB endwise pivoted
to the said rails AA and having the leg-frame E pivoted to and within the
vertical side members 15 thereof and adapted to be swung therewithin, said
rails AA and B B each having a bed bottom fabric and the pair BB together
with the folded under leg-frame being adapted to be folded under said rails AA,
substantially as described.
19. The combination with an inclined leg-rest for a chair, of a foot-rest sup-
port and means for sustaining it in any desired forward or rearward adjustment
on the leg-rest, and a foot-rest mounted for a swinging movement on said foot-
rest support.
20. In a chair-bed, the combination with the rails BB, jointed to the rails A A,
and having thereon a swinging foot-rest-frame, and means for supporting it in
any desired angular position on said rails B, of a foot-rest mounted for a swing-
ing movement on the foot-rest-frame.
21. In a convertible chair-bed, the combination with the leg-rest portions BB,
of the structure having the leg-rest-frame comprising the members nn and n²,
and having extending between said members nn, a yielding stop, of the foot-
rest proper supported for a swinging movement on the leg-rest-frame.
22. The combination with the foot-rest frame comprising the opposite side
members nn, and the uniting top cross member na having the perforation 6,
of the foot-rest proper G2 having the hook lug n adapted to engage through
said perforation no, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of January 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.