Improvements in and connected with Wire Mattresses and Bedsteads.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Wire Mattresses and
Bedsteads.
:
I, SAMUEL TAYLOR of 65 Nicholson Street Warrington in the County of
Lancaster, Mattress Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the framing of, and means for stretching and tightening,
wire and similar mattresses.
According to these improvements I construct the framing of the mattresses of
metallic tubes or angle iron which may in some cases be substituted for the ordinary
side, foot, and head rails of an ordinary metallic bedstead.
At each corner of the framing I provide iron or metallic blocks into which the
tubes or angle irons are inserted. The side rails are fixed in the blocks at the head
of the mattress, and are arranged to slide through the blocks at the foot upon rods
each of which has a wing or projection formed at its outer end. Upon cach block
at the foot of the mattress there is also formed a wing or projection corresponding
with the wing on the rod, and through both these wings holes are formed in line for
the passage of the adjusting screw. On the inner side of the wing on the block
there is formed a rectangular seating for a nut the bore of which is concentric with
the holes in the wings. The tightening bolt is passed through the wings and also
through the nut which cannot turn because of the seating on which one of its sides
rests, and the head of the bolt is in contact with the outer side of the wing on the
rod. There is cast or secured on the rod a longitudinal feather, and in the end of
the tube or tubular part fitting upon it there is a corresponding slot or recess to
prevent the turning of the tube.
In all the blocks there are formed recesses for receiving the ends of the head and
foot rails. These rails if tubular, are slit along their upper surfaces and through
these slits the wire work of the mattress is secured by clamps or otherwise within
the tubes. The end of each tube may have an L-shaped slot formed in it which will
fit upon a nib in the recess so that the tubes may be inserted and then turned a short
distance thereby locking them in place.
When the rails of the mattress framing are to be used in substitution for the side,
head, and foot rails of a metallic bedstead, the blocks may be in or upon the posts
or legs of the bedstead. Or, the framing itself may simply have legs fitted to the
blocks or to the side rails of the mattress framing, which legs may also if desired
be arranged to fold under the mattress. In this case it is preferred to fit the legs
into tubular T pieces the horizontal members of which are mounted upon the side
rails so as to turn thereon. Normally the T pieces are prevented from turning by
engaging with a stop, from which they may be withdrawn when it is required to
fold the legs. The T pieces are kept in engagement with the stop by spiral
springs.
In mattresses of considerable width, I employ one or more stays or stretchers each
of which is constructed in two parts connected at the centre by means of a right and
a left hand screw and nut, by turning which the effective length of the stay may be
increased or reduced.
Dated this 16th day of December A.D. 1890.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,.
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Wire Mattresses and
Bedsteads.
I, SAMUEL TAYLOR of 5 Henry Street Warrington in the County of Lancaster,
Mattress Manufacturer, 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:-
This invention relates to the framing of, and to the means for stretching and
tightening, wire and similar mattresses.
According to these improvements, I construct the framing of the mattresses, of
metallic tubes or angle iron which may in some cases be substituted for the ordinary
side foot and head rails of an ordinary metallic bedstead, or for either of these
rails.
At each corner of the mattress framing I provide iron or other metallic blocks
into which the tubes or angle irons of the framing are inserted. The side rails of
the framing are fixed in the blocks at the ends of the head rail and are arranged to
slide through the blocks at the foot of the mattress upon rods each of which has a
wing or projection formed upon its outer end. Upon each of the foot blocks of the
mattress there is also formed a wing or projection corresponding with the wing on
the rod and through both of these wings holes are formed in line with each other
for the passage of the adjusting screws of which there is one for each side of the
mattress.
On the inner side of the wing of each foot block there is formed a plane seating
for a nut the bore of which, when the nut is in position, is in line with the holes in
the wings. This nut abuts by one or more of its sides against a solid part of the
wing in such a manner that it cannot turn when the adjusting screw therein is
-rotated. The-adjusting-screw-passes through the wings in the corner block-and on
the rod, with its head abutting on the outer face of the wing on the rod, so that
when the screw is rotated, the block to which the end rail of the mattress is
secured, is moved backward or forward, thus tightening or slackening the mattress.
There is cast or secured upon the rod a longitudinal feather, and in the end of the
tube or tubular part of the side rail fitting upon it-there is a corresponding slot in.
--which-the-longitudinal feather fits, thus preventing the turning of the rod and of the
wing thereon.
In the blocks there are formed recesses or seatings for the reception of the ends
of the head and foot rails of the mattress. These-rails, if-tubular, are-slotted.or.
perforated longitudinally along their upper surfaces, and the wire work of the
mattress is secured by clamps or otherwise within these slots or holes. The end of
cach tube may have an L-shaped slot formed in it which will fit upon a nib in the
recess so that the tubes may be inserted and then turned with the slot over the nib,
thereby locking them in place after the manner of a bayonet joint.
When the rails of the mattress framing are to be used in substitution for the head
foot and side rails of an ordinary metallic bedstead, the corner blocks may be
arranged in or upon the legs of the bedstead. Or, the mattress framing itself may
simply have legs fitted to the corner blocks or to its side rails, which legs may also
if desired, be arranged to fold under the mattress. In this case it is preferred to
fit the legs into tubular T-pieces the horizontal members of which are mounted
upon the side rails so as to turn thereon. Normally, the T-pieces are prevented
from turning by engaging with a stop, from which they may be withdrawn when it
is required to fold the legs. The T-pieces may be kept in engagement by means
of a pin or spiral springs.
In mattresses of considerable width, I may employ one or more stays or stretchers,
each of which is constructed in two parts connected together at the centre by means
of a right and left handed screw and nut, so that by turning the nut, the effective
length of the stay may be increased or reduced.

page_text: The accompanying drawings illustrate in what manner my improvements may be
practically carried out.
In each of the figures similar parts when represented are indicated by similar
letters of reference.
A A are the side rails; B the head rail; and C the foot rail of the mattress
framing. DD are the head corner blocks, and EE are the foot corner blocks.
FF are the rods at the foot of the framing, upon each of which rods there is a
wing G with a hole H therein, and a feather I. Jis the wing formed on cach of
the foot blocks E, and having a bolt hole K formed through it, on the further side
of which the nut L is arranged upon its seating in such a manner that it cannot be
turned when the adjusting screw M is in position. The longitudinal feather I cast
or formed on each of the rods F, fits within the slot O formed in each of the foot
ends of the side rails.
Figure 1 represents in partial side elevation, and Figure 2 in partial plan, one
side of a mattress constructed according to these improvements. In this arrange-
ment, the mattress is connected by means of the joint P to the horizontal bar or
tube Q. This arrangement is frequently employed for hospital and other purposes,
when several mattresses may be pivoted upon a single one of the bars in such a
manner that any or all of the mattresses may be folded around the joint P or
around the bar Q, vertically out of the way when not in use. The legs R R are
secured in the tubular T-pieces S, in each of which there is formed, in the lower
part of the bore of the horizontal member, the slot s which fits upon the projecting
part of the feather I of the rod F when the leg is near the corner block. If the leg
is withdrawn along the side rail away from the corner block, the feather will become
disengaged with the slot s whereupon the leg may be folded under the mattress out
of the way. A pin connected to the side rail or feather I may be inserted in the
hole formed in the side rail as shewn at a to prevent the leg being moved along the
rail accidentally whilst the mattress is in use.
Figure 3 shews one method of connecting the wire work T of the mattress with
the end rails BC. These rails are in this case tubular with a longitudinal slot or
holes within which the ends of the wire work are secured.
Figure 4 is a plan of the bayonet joint arrangement by means of which the tubular
rails B C are secured in the head corner blocks D, and the foot blocks E. The
L-shaped slot fits upon the nib in the corner blocks, so that the nib after the rail
is slightly turned, is contained within the horizontal part of the slot, thus preventing
longitudinal movement of the rail relatively to the block.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the stretcher which 1 prefer to use with comparatively
wide mattresses. As shewn in the drawings one end of the stretcher is constructed
to fit upon a tubular end rail, and the other end to fit upon an angular rail. In
practice both ends of the stretcher will generally be alike and be constructed to
fit upon the particular rails with which they are to be used. As already described,
the length of the stretcher is increased or diminished as required by means of the
nut c fitting upon the right and left handed screws formed on the contiguous ends
of the divided stretcher contained within the nut.
Figure 6 is a cross section through one of the foot corner blocks as constructed
to fit upon an ordinary bedstead, when the flange d cast upon the block will fit
against the outside of the side rail of the bedstead, and thus prevent displacement.
Figure 7 is a cross section through one of the side rails of the mattress indicating
in full lines the position of the leg when in use, and in dotted lines its position when
folded up under the mattress.
Figures 8 and 9 represent in side elevation and in plan respectively, a modified
form of construction in which angular head and foot rails are used in the mattress
framing. In this arrangement the wire work may be riveted to the head and foot rails,
and the nut for each adjusting screw may be arranged within a cavity formed in the
wing of the foot block."
Figure 10 is a cross section through one of the side rails looking towards the
head rail of the arrangement shewn by Figures 8 and 9. In each of these figures

page_text: the lower part of the folding head-rest U is indicated and may be used or not as
desired.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 represent an arrangement which may be employed in two
or more tier berths. Of these figures, 11 is an elevation of the head end of the
side rail and of the guard rails of which a portion is represented as being broken
away Figure 12 is a plan of Figure 11, and Figure 13 is a section
fixed
through the side rail. As indicated in the figures, blocks V are
upon the pillar W, there being one of these pillars at each corner, and the
mattress is secured within these blocks by means of conoidal projections X fitting
within corresponding recesses formed in the blocks V, in the same manner as the
side rails are fitted to the pillars of an ordinary metallic bedstead. The guard
rails N are connected with the side rail of the mattress by similar means to those
already described for the legs with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Thus, when the
guard rails are drawn away along the side rail, the feather I will become disengaged
with the slot in the T-piece, and at the same time the clip will disengage with
the pillar W and the guardrails may be folded back against the mattress.
of forming the blocks V upon the pillar W as indicated in Figures 11, and 12, I
may divide it longitudinally as shewn by Figure 14 where a small cavity is
represented around the pillar at the-division. In this cavity I place an indiarubber
ring around the pillar. If now, the two parts of the block are drawn together by
means of the set screw t or otherwise, the indiarubber ring will be compressed
around the pillar thus firmly holding the block thereon.
Instead
Figures 15 and 16 represent in clevation and plan respectively, a convenient
arrangement for folding down a mattress and particularly for folding down mattresses
ased in berths. The blocks V fit freely upon the pillars W and are supported by a
collar and set screw Y or by other convenient means. In the block is formed a
hemispherical seating for the spherical projection Z formed on the corner block of
the mattress, there being one of these joints at each corner of the mattress. To
fold the mattress down, the front side is lifted to disengage the joints on that side,
when-the-blocks-V-on-the front pillars can be moved aside and the mattress can be
lowered without.impediment. It is obvious that the outer side rail-of-the-mattress
can be connected to the pillars as indicated in Figures 11 and 12,-if-the blocks_V
are constructed and arranged as shewn in Figure 15 so as to turn out of the way
when the side of the mattress is lifted.
Figure 17 represents a further modification-in-construction, in which the mattress is
non-adjustable and is provided with legs and is independent of an ordinary bedstead
or pillars. The rod on which the feather I is formed is cast on-the angle block D
to which the angle rail carrying the head of the mattress is fastened by rivets.
The legs may be constructed-to-fold-as already hereinbefore described. A folding
hend rest pivoted at y to the side rail may be employed.
Figure 18 is a cross section of Figure 15, but the lower part of the block D instead
of being rounded, is square and provided with a flange d to fit against the side
rail
of an ordinary metallic bedstead. Longitudinal slots are formed in the
mattress head rail to enable the mattress to be fitted by screws passing through
the head rail and the block D, these screws being tightened by nuts in the usual
manner.
Figure 19 illustrates the method of securing the pin by which the legs or safety
guard is kept in position on the side rails. This pin may be secured by a chain to
the side rail as already described, or it may be secured to a small metal slide fitting
within the side tube and furnished with a feather as illustrated in the figure.
1
Figure 13 illustrates a modified form of the rod F which instead of being
circular, may be U-shaped as shewn, or which may have any other suitable cross
section.
It will be understood that the various modifications and arrangements herein-
before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings may be further
modified that they may be employed in other combinations than those described,
and that they may also be separately and collectively varied to suit different

page_text: conditions of use. For example, the rods F may in some cases be dispensed with,
in which case, the wings G and the feathers I would be cast upon the ends of the
rails. In such cases also, the side rails instead of being. tubular may be angular.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
1. Frames for wire and other similar mattresses constructed and arranged
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
2. Folding legs for wire mattresses having tubular side rails, constructed and
arranged substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
3. In a mattress having a metallic framing, the means for stretching the mattress
by adjusting screws abutting against fixed wings on the foot corner blocks, and
passing through non-rotatable nuts abutting against the wings of sliding blocks,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a mattress having a metallic framing, corner blocks constructed with
projections arranged to fit in the ordinary cast snugs of metallic bedsteads,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
5. In a mattress having a metallic framing, the combination of an L-shaped slot
in each end of the end rails, and a nib within the head blocks, the slot and nib
forming a joint connecting the end and side rails, substantially as hereinbefore
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
6. In a mattress having a metallic framing and constructed for use in ship's
berths, the means for folding the mattress and guard rails, substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying
drawings.
7. A stretcher for use with wire mattresses, constructed with a right and left
handed screw and nut and arranged to fit between the end rails, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described and as illustrated by Figure 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
8. In, and in combination with, a mattress having a metallic framing, a slotted
T-piece for carrying the legs guards, or other folding parts, and having its slot
capable of engaging with and being disengaged with a feather in one of the rails,
substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 16th day of September A.D. 1891.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.