Improvements in and connected with Bedsteads and Mattresses.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Bedsteads and Mattresses.
We, ANTON SIROTICH, Technical Expert, of 6, Wienstrasse, Vienna V KARL
FABER, Merchant, of 38, Westbahnstrasse, Vienna VII and ACHILLE STOFFELLA
DALLA CROCE, Merchant, of 61, Firmiangasse, Vienna XIII all in the Empire
of Austria, 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:-
-
The present invention refers to a folding bedstead capable of being rapidly
transformed into a litter or ambulance, and being in consequence specially
suitable for use in hospitals.
The bed comprises essentially a rectangular frame, the longitudinal parts or
portions of which are composed of two parts or pieces connected together centrally
by means of hinged joints, and carrying the feet or legs which may be arranged
either rigidly or so as to fold horizontally. To these longitudinal parts or
portions are articulated or jointed arms supporting two transverse or lateral
pieces to which are connected a kind of net work serving as a support to the
mattress, and maintained in a very taut or stretched condition, by means of
springs.
These springs connect the cross-pieces of the netting frame, or mattress
bearer, to the head and foot cross-bars of the bedstead, in such a manner that
when the longitudinal or side bars of the latter are opened out, by means of
their hinges, to their full length, the network will be held taut, the bed or
mattress being pressed down on it.
Upon the vertical arms of the head piece, which is removable are placed two
hooks which can be displaced or fixed in position and on which a frame provided
with a covering and intended to receive the pillow, can be hung or suspended.
By folding the feet or legs, and removing the upright at the head of the bed, a
species of mattress litter or stretcher can be obtained which may be folded.
In the annexed sheets of drawings, a folding bed has been represented as
well as a folding mattress support, constructed in accordance with our said
invention.
Fig. 1, illustrates the bed in side elevation, and in the position which it
occupies when ready for use.
Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof, the upright at the head being supposed to be
taken away.
Fig. 3, is an end elevation showing the bed as it appears when folded up.
Fig. 4, shows an underside view of the support for the pillow.
Fig's. 5. and 6, show respectively in side elevation and in vertical and trans-
verse section, a modified form of construction of one of the parts of the bed.
Fig. 7, is a side elevation, and Fig. 8, is a plan view showing a matfress of
the bed arranged_in_accordance_with_our_invention.
Fig. 9, is an end view showing the mattress folded back.
The rectangular frame comprises the two longitudinal pieces a cach composed

page_text: of two parts or portions connected together centrally by means of a hinge
joint b, and the two cross pieces c.
In the arrangement shown in Fig's. 1, to 6, the feet or legs of the bed p
are jointed or articulated at d to the longitudinal pieces a and can be folded
back horizontally inwards or towards the interior, or outwards or towards the
exterior, and can be fixed by means of the pins o.
To the longitudinal parts or portious a are connected levers e capable of
oscillating, and carrying respectively a transverse or cross piece f.
Between the transverse or cross pieces f is arranged a sort of net work or
wire work serving as a support for the mattress, and which may be formed
or consist of a fabric (Fig. 1), straps or bands, iron wire cords or metallic bands h,
with, at or about their centres, hinge joints i,, or it may be formed of any other
suitable material.
This network is maintained in a state of tension by means of springs which
serve to connect each of the transverse or cross pieces to the transverse or cross
bar c, which is situated nearest to it; when the two side-bars of the bedstead.
are stretched out or extended, in consequence of the arrangement of the hinges
with respect to the net work, this latter may be easily stretched when the bed
or the mattress is pressed down on it.
In the ends of the heads of the stems or rods a, which are bent in an upward:
direction, a piece or curved part k which forms the upright of the head of the
bed can be engaged. Upon the lateral sides' of this curved piece or part are
arranged hooks which can be displaced or adjusted, or fixed in position, and
to which the frame which serves as a support for the head, and which is
provided with a fabric cover m, may be hung or suspended. This frame is
supported at a certain angle upon the net work g through its lower edge, and
this slope or angle can be modified at will by raising or lowering the hooks l."
In order to utilize the bed as a litter or ambulance, all that is required "is
to withdraw the pins o which support the feet or legs of the bed p, to fold these
down horizontally' and to again fix or secure them by means of the pins
(Fig. 1).
The levers e are provided at their ends with slots or recesses intended to
receive the bolts projecting at the extremities of the transverse pieces of (Fig's. 5
and 6), in such a manner that after having disengaged the springs the transverse
or cross pieces can be removed, and the net work changed when desired.
The feet or legs of the bed can be folded inwardly or towards the interior
in such a manner that the bedstead when folded
occupy, a very restricted
space (Fig. 3).
will
up
In the arrangement shown in Fig's. 1 to 3, springs ; are provided at the head
and foot of the bed for the purpose of maintaining the support g, placed between
the transverse or cross pieces f, stretched; it would, however be sufficient to
place these springs at one extremity only. In this latter case it would be
found advantageous to place at the other end an arrangement for effecting the
required tension such as that shown in detail in Fig's. 5, and 6.
The levers e, carrying the transverse or cross pieces f and free to oscillate
round the bolts or pins d which likewise serve as axes of rotation for the feet
or legs p, can be fixed by means of pins q in different positions corresponding to
the various degrees of tension of the springs j. The pin 9 penetrates into
holes which are formed in the two plates s arranged one on each side of the
lever e, as also into a hole formed in this same lever itself. It is especially
important that the springs should be stretched during the pressing or lowering
down of the bed or of the mattrass.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is: :-
1. A bedstead or mattrass of a folding description characterized by a frame

page_text: the longitudinal parts or pieces a of which are composed of two portions united
centrally by means of a hinge joint 6 and carrying through the medium of the
hinged or jointed arms e, transverse or cross pieces f which are fitted with a
network which serves as a support for the mattress and are connected, by
means of springs ; at the ends of the frame to the head and foot cross-bars
of the bedstead.
2. In a folding bedstead, such as that which has been indicated in the first
claim the arrangement of a support for the head of an adjustable description,
comprising a frame n fitted with a covering of suitable material, and fixed at
its upper end upon hooks 1, 1, which can be displaced or adjusted, or fixed in
position upon the vertical stems or rods of the upright forming the head k.
3. In a folding bedstead or mattrass, such as that which has been described in
the first claim, the arrangement of a support for the mattrass, formed of metallic
bands h, arranged between the two transverse or cross pieces f, and capable of
turning on central hinge joints during the lowering down of the bed or of
the mattrass thereupon.
4. In a folding bedstead, such as that which has been described in the first
claim, the arrangement of the feet or legs p jointed or articulated to the
pieces a of the frame, and being capable of being fixed either in a vertical or
in a horizontal position and admitting of the rapid alteration or conversion of
the bedstead into a litter, stretcher, or ambulance, substantially as hereinabove
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of September 1899.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, London, W., Agent for the Applicant.