IMPROVEMENTS IN MATTRESSES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, GORDON DONALDSON PETERS, of the firm of G. D. Peters & Co, Moorgate
Works, Moorfields, in the City of London Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MATTRESSES" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The chief object of my invention is to provide an improved mattress which will
serve as an efficient substitute for the spring mattress and stuffed mattress
ordinarily used, and which will occupy less space and can be more conveniently
handled than these two mattresses. In some cases I make my improved mattress
in such a manner as to provide for the effectual ventilation of the bed in which it
is employed.
My mattress may be advantageously used in ships' sleeping berths or other
places where it is desirable that the thickness of the bed should be as small as
possible.
In the accompanying drawing, I have shewn how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan of one form of my improved mattress, a portion of the cushion
hereinafter described being removed.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the said mattress.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, shewing a slight modification thereof.
a, a indicate springs which are arranged in a group or series and connected in
any suitable manner to each other, and to the frames a¹, a². is a thin stuffed
cushion which is covered in a similar manner to an ordinary stuffed mattress, and
which is provided with a flap b¹ preferably of the same material as the covering.
This flap extends downward all around the said cushion and encloses the
frames a¹, a and the group or series of springs a arranged between the same.
When my improved mattress is in place on a bed it has, therefore, externally the
appearance of an ordinary mattress.
.
In Figures 1 and 2, the flap b₁ is made of such length that it will extend a short
distance below the frame a³, and can be drawn in by a cord or the like as shewn
at c, another cord c¹ being employed, if necessary, across the centre of the mattress,
to tighten the covering at this part. The cushion b is, moreover, provided with
eyelets d in place of the ordinary tufts and cords for securing the two sides of the

page_text: cushion together and preventing the shifting of the stuffing or padding. These eyelets
provide very efficiently for the ventilation of the bed in which the mattress is used.
In the mattress shewn in Figure 3 hooks e are attached to the underside of the
cushion bat, or near, its edges. By means of these hooks, the said cushion is
fastened upon the frame a. The cushion b of this mattress is shewn with the
ordinary tufts and cords.
It will be seen that, although my mattress is of about the same thickness as an
ordinary spring mattress, yet it fulfils the purposes both of a spring mattress and
a stuffed mattress, that is to say, it presents a soft cushioned surface that will yield
and adapt itself to the different positions which may be occupied by a person lying
thereon.
It is obvious that the mattress may be somewhat differently made without
departing from the nature of my invention. For instance, I sometimes employ
other means than those above described for fastening the cushion to the group or
series of springs. Moreover, instead of the single flap b₁ extending around the
cushion, I, in some cases, use a separate flap at each side thereof, the said flaps
being connected at the corners of the mattress in any suitable manner.
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
A mattress wherein a stuffed cushion having a flap or flaps as above described,
and with or without the ventilating eyelets, is combined with a group or series of
springs, substantially as set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.