IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BEDSTEADS AND SOFA BEDSTEADS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Angelo James Sedley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
September 1861.
I, ANGELO JAMES SEDLEY, of 210, Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
BEDSTEADS AND SOFA BEDSTEADS," to be as follows:---
In making metallic bedsteads the two side rails are each made in three
parts, pin jointed together and to the posts or uprights. There are three frames
used, composed of hoop or other iron, for receiving the bedding; the middle
or central frame is longer than the two end frames. The middle frame is
of the dimensions to which the bedstend is desired to be folded, and the
two end frames are about half the length of the middle frame. The middle
frame is composed of the two middle portions of the side rails, which are near
their ends combined together by two transverse bars, and two other bars which
form at their ends the pin joints of the side rails. The hoop or other iron is.
fixed by rivets to the two transverse bars, and to two lengths of hoop or bar
iron parallel with the side rails. The two end portions of each of the two-
side rails are pin-jointed to the posts or uprights, and below them on the posts.
or uprights there are bracket clutches or supports which are capable of being.
moved round on the posts or uprights so as to come under and over (if re-
quired) the side rails when the bedstead is extended, and so as to be moved out
of the way when the bedstead is folded. The two end frames, which, together

page_text: with the middle frame, support the bedding, are hinged respectively to the
foot and head rails, and are capable of folding independently of the portions
of the side rails at the head and foot of the bedstead; but when the bedstead
is extended theso end frames rest by the ends of their transverse bars on, and are
supported by, the end portions of the sido rails. Under either pair of the pin
joints by which the parts of the side rails are connected there may be feet,
which are arranged to fold in one direction only, or in place of these tho pin
joint is a connecting rod between the two opposite pin joints of the opposite
side rail. On this rod are fastened two clutches of wrought iron, which are
made capable of sliding on the bar so that they may be moved over the joints
above mentioned, and be held in position by means of a small pin inserted by
preferenco in the rod above mentioned. By this means all motion of the joint,
either upwards or downwards, will be prevented; and the other pin joints of
the side rails are so constructed that the parts can only fold in one direction
by reason of the ends of the middle portions of the side rails extending beyond
the pin joints and overlapping the ends of the other portions of the side rails,
both at the sides and the top, or they may be constructed with clutch as well,
if preferred. There are diagonal or curved struts to each of the posts or
uprights, which are attached by pin joints, screws, or sockets to the pillars,
and at the lower ends of these struts there are dovetail bolts attached by pin
joints. These dovetail bolts, when the bedstead is extended, enter between
lovetail guides formed on the sides of the end portions of the side rails, and
these may be used in conjunction with the clutches, as before described, or
either clutches or dovetail struts separately, as may be necessary. Two of the
end portions of the side rails at one end of the bedstead fold upwards, and the
other two portions of the sido rails at the other end of the bedstead fold down-
wards. The two end frames which support the bedding fold upwards, whilst
the middle parts of the side rail, together with the middle part of the frame,
when the bedstead is folded, come between the end portions of the side rails.
By these means the side rails will be constantly connected to the posts or
uprights, and also to the frames which carry the bedding, and the whole will
fold together and occupy comparatively a very small space when out of use,
or when packed for transport. Sofa bedsteads may be constructed in like
manner to that above described.