IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHING CURTAINS, VALANCES, AND OTHER TRIMMINGS TO METALLIC OR WRONTON
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Mary Ann Dearden, of Balby, near Doncaster,
in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ATTACHING CURTAINS, VALANCES, AND OTHER TRIMMINGS TO METALLIC OR
WRONTON"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Mary Ann Dearden
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with her Petition,
on the 28th April 1875.
I, MARY ANN DEARDEN, of Balby, near Doncaster, in the County of
York, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN ATTACHING CURTAINS, VALANCES, AND OTHER TRIMMINGS TO
METALLIC OR WOODEN BEDSTEADS AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE," to be as
follows:-
camente in attaching cuntains

page_text: Hitherto great difficulty has been experienced in attaching curtains,
valances, and other trimmings to metallic and wooden bedsteads, by
reason of the tedious, troublesome, and very unsatisfactory process of
sewing them on to almost the whole of the bedstead, viz., the top and
head, also the fringe or valance round the head or tester, and also the
ornamental folds which are generally added at the head of the bed;
also the tying on of the valances round the frame, viz., the sides and
foot of the bedstead, which cannot be done without a more or less uneven
appearance and want of neatness, very little friction detaching them at
any point. Now I propose to obviate such difficulties by any of the
following methods :-I take a piece of sheet steel or other metal of any
suitable description, and form it into a double hook, which for the sake of
perspicuity I shall hereafter designate as hook No. 1. Such double hook
may be made either round or flat and in the form shewn at Figure 1 of the
accompanying Drawings, and is adapted to attach the bottom valances
to a bedstead. When I desire to attach such valances I first insert in
the top of each of the valances a very thin flat metal bar run in from
end to end on the inside of the valance. I then place a sufficient number
of hooks No. 1 at the bottom, and two side bars of the metal frame of
the bedstead, the smallest hook at one end thereof catching over the
inner edge of such frame, and retaining each hook in its proper position
whilst the larger hook formed at the other end thereof hangs down
vertically, so as to allow of the thin metal bar inserted at the top of each
valance being dropped therein. All that is then requisito is to placo
such metal bar in these hooks as shewn at Figure 2 of the accompanying
Drawings, wherein a, a, a, represent hooks No. 1 caught over the inner
edge of the main frame of the bedstead, and b the thin metal latlı sus-
pended therein, each hook passing through a small vacancy left in the
sewing on of the lower side of the binding or lining, through which the
bar is run in the valance and it becomes fixed in the necessary position,
and when it is desired to remove such valance it is only requisite to
lift out the bar and the entire valance is removed. This plan is much
simpler and more expeditious and efficient than the one now in use, and
allows the valance to be much more readily attached or removed. Or
the hook No. 1 may be made in the form shewn at Figure 3, wherein
the small hook at one end thereof is dispensed with, and instead thereof.
a semicircular notch is formed in the shank of the hook. When made
in this way instead of catching it on over the inner edge of the frame of
the bedstead as before described, I slip the shank of the hook underneath

page_text: between the lath and the frame of the bedstead, the semicircular notch
formed in the shank enabling it to pass round and grip the stem of
the nut which secures the lath to the frame as shewn at Figure 4 of the
accompanying Drawings, wherein a, a, a, are the metal laths, the main
frame of the bedstead, and c the hook so passed underneath. Or instead
of being formed with a semicircular notch as last described, the shank
of the hook may be formed with an acute angle and arm as shewn at
Figuro 3º, so that on slipping the shank beneath the lath such arm will
pass at the back of the stem of the nut which secures the laths to the
frame and thus be retained in position.
In order to adapt my Invention for use for wooden bedsteads I form
the hook No. 1 in any of the shapes shewn at Figures 5, whereby I am
enabled to screw or otherwise fasten it to the wooden frame of the
bedstead as indicated by the screw heads shown in the several Figures 5.
Or I form such hook No. 1 with a screw shank as shown at Figures 6,
whereby I am enabled to dispense with the labour of inserting screws in
the wooden frame as last described, as I can at once screw the shank
itself into the frame of the bedstead. When made in this form however
it is necessary that such hooks No. 1 should be manufactured from
stronger metal, such as iron or steel, than when made in any of the
other forms to ensure the screw shank being of sufficient strength and
rigidity to cut its way into the wood.
No. 2 is another and smaller look manufactured of rather strong steel
or other wire pointed and in the form shewn at Figure 7 of the accom-
panying Drawings. I flatten these hooks for about two-thirds of their
size, so as to fit round and with sufficient elasticity to clasp more or
less tightly the different sized rods usually placed at the head and top of
metallic bedsteads.
Hung on in one way, as shewn at Figure 8 of the accompanying
Drawings, they serve to attach the top trimming or tester, which is
placed horizontally from back to front. The same arrangement of the
hooks is required all round.
Hung on in another way, as shewn at Figure 9 of the accompanying
Drawings, they serve to attach the head trimming, which is placed
vertically with the ornamental folds, &c., as may be desired. And
intermediate hooks attached in another way, viz., turned to face inside

page_text: or outside, as shewn at Figure 10 of the accompanying Drawings, serve
to attach the fringe or trimming around the inside and outside of the
tester or top frame of the bedstead. The hooks fit so closcly as not to
be observable when the trimming is on, answering the purpose of the
tester hooks used in wooden bedsteads, and either all or any portion of
the trimming can be removed for cleaning with the greatest readiness,
removing and putting on again not occupying one-fourth the time that is
required for merely the removal of the sewed-on trimming in present

page_text: thus secured one of such hooks to the frame of the bedstoad at each of
its four corners I run another piece of stout elastic, shewn at k, k,
Figure 16, of a suitable length and provided at each end with a hook or
ring, as before mentioned, through the hem of the valance, in a similar
manner as a tape is passed through a short window blind, and I then
attach the ring at either end of the clastic to the centre prong of the
hooks fixed at the corner of the bedstead; or if preferred the elastic may
be attached to the centre prongs of the hook, and tho valance afterwards
suspended thereto by means of ordinary hooks sown thereon. And in
order to prevent the weight of the valance bearing down such elastic I
support it at intervals by hooks No. 1 formed and attached to the frame
of the bedstead in any of the various ways before described, as shewn
at 1, 1, Figure 16 of the accompanying Drawings, which thus serve
effectually to support it and prevent any undue degree of strain or
tension being brought to bear upon it. This arrangement may be
variod by using groups of rings or eyes soldered together, as shown at
Figure 17, in lieu of the hooks shown at Figures 13 and 14; or onc
large ring may be employed, as shewn at Figure 18. If however rings
be employed instead of hooks the ends of the elastic must be furnished
with hooks instead of rings, as shewn at Figure 19, in order to catch in
such rings or eyes.
Another modification of this arrangement is that the ends of the
elastic cord may be secured to a knob cast on a small metal plate, as
shewn at Figuro 20, such plate being screwed on or otherwise fastened
to the frame of the bedstead, which when of metal must have suitable
holes drilled or cast therein for such purpose. Or such knob may be
made separate from the plate, having a screw thread, as shewn at
Figure 21, whereby it may be screwed into the plate subsequently to
the plate itself having been affixed to the bedstead. Or the plate may
be dispensed with altogether in the case of wooden bedsteads, and the
knob screwed into the frame of the bedstead itself, or window, or any
kind of furniture to which drapery is to be attached. Or in the case of
metallic bedsteads the knobmay be cast upon the frame of the bedstead
when being manufactured, or the frames of such bedsteads may be cast
with holes therein to allow of such knobs or of the shanks of the
hooks Nos. 1 and 2 being inserted therein.
tailat tokion
nattana
and aah Ha

page_text: may have trimmings attached to them in a similar manner, and it will
also be found adapted to suspend window curtains and valances and
other similar furniture.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Mary Ann Dearden, in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 27th October 1875.
Office on the 27th October 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARY
ANN DEARDEN, of Balby, near Doncaster, in the County of York, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Mary Ann Dearden,
Her special license that I, the said Mary Ann Dearden, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Mary Ann
Dearden, my exccutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, an In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHING CURTAINS, VALANCES, AND OTHER
TRIMMINGS TO METALLIC OR WOODEN BEDSTEADS AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FUR-
NITURE," upon the condition, (amongst others) that I, the said Mary
Ann Dearden, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Mary Ann Dearden, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thercof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in attaching curtains,
valances, and other trimmings to metallic and wooden bedsteads and
other articles of furniture.
Hitherto great difficulty has been experienced in attaching curtains,
valances, and other trimmings to metallic and wooden bedsteads by
reason of the tedious, troublesome, and very unsatisfactory process of
sewing them on to almost the whole of the bedstead, viz., the top and
head of the bed, also the tying on of the valances round the head or
tester, and also the ornamental folds which are generally added to the
head of the bed; also tying on of the valances round to the frame, viz.,
the sides and front of the bedstead, which cannot be done without a
moro or less uneven appearance and want of neatness, very little friction
detaching them at any point. Now I propose to obviate such difficulties
by any of the following methods :-I take a piece of sheet steel or other
metal of any suitable description, and form it into a double hook, which
for the sake of perspicuity and thereafter designate as hook No. 1. Such
double hook may be made either round or flat, and in the form shewn at
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and is adapted to attach the
bottom valances to a bedstead. When I desire to attach such valances
I first insert in the top of each of the valances a very thin flat metal
bar run in from end to end or in suitable lengths on the inside of the
valance. I then place a sufficient number of hooks No. 1 at the bottom
and two side bars of the metal frame of the bedstead, the smallest hook
at one end thereof catching over the inner edge of such frame, and
retaining each hook in its proper position, whilst the larger hook formed
at the other end thereof hangs down vertically, so as to allow of the thin
metal bar inserted at the top of each valance being dropped therein.
All that is then requisite is to place such metal bar in these hooks, as
shewn at Figure 2 of the accompanying Drawings, wherein a, a, a,
represent hooks No. 1 caught over the inner edge of the main frame of
the bedstead, the thin metal lath suspended therein, each hook passing
through a small vacancy left in the sewing on of the lower side of the
binding or lining through which the bar is run in the valance, and it
becomes fixed in the necessary position, and when it is desired to remove
such valance it is only requisite to lift up the bar, and the entire valance
is removed. This plan is much more simple, and more expeditious and

page_text: efficient than the one now in use, and allows the valance to be much
more readily attached or removed. Or the hook No. 1 may be made in
the form shewn at Figure 3, wherein the small hook at one end thereof
is dispensed with, and instead thereof a semicircular notch is formed in
the shank of the hook. When made in this way, instead of catching it
on over the inner edge of the frame of the bedstead, as before described,
I slip the shank of the hook underneath between the lath and the frame
of the bedstead, the semicircular notch formed in the shank enabling it
to pass round and grip the stem of the nut which secures the lath to the
frame, as shewn at Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings, wherein
a, a, a, are the metal laths; b, the main frame of the bedstead; and c,
the hook so passed underneath. Or, instead of being formed with a
semicircular notch, as last described, the shank of the hook may be
formed with an acute angle and arm, as shewn at Figure 3ª, so that on
slipping the shank beneath the lath such arm will pass at the back of
the stem of the nut which secures the laths to the frame, and thus be
retained in position. The lengthening of the laths at present in use for
iron bedsteads into the forms of looks at cach side and at the foot is

page_text: Hung on in one way, as shewn at Figure 8 of the accompanying
Drawings, they serve to attach the top trimming or tester, which is
placed horizontally from back to front. The same arrangement of the
hooks is required all round. For the bottom valances at the side and
foot the elastic or webbing at the side may be attached to the wire or
webbing round the pillars by passing it under between the frame and the
wire or webbing, and fastening it with a buckle or slide; or a buckle
or slide may be attached to the wire or webbing round the pillars, and
the side webbing fastened thereby.
Hung on in another way, as shown at Figure 9 of the accompanying
Drawings, they serve to attach the head trimming, which is placed
vertically with the ornamental folds, &c., as may be desired; and inter-
mediate hooks attached in another way, viz., turned to face inside or
outside, as shewn at Figure 10 of the accompanying Drawings, scrve to
attach the fringe or trimming around the inside and outside of the tester
or top frame of the bedstead. The hooks fit so closely as not to be
observable when the trimming is on, answering the purpose of the tonter
hooks used in wooden bedsteads, and cither all or any portion of the
trimming can be removed for cleaning with the greatest readiness,
removing and putting on again not occupying one-tenth the time
that is required for merely the removal of the sewed-on trimming in
present usc.
The size of the hooks will vary according to the dimensions of the
bedstead frame and rods, but an average size will be for No. 1, 14 or
2 inches long x 1½ inches deep, to fit angles bar of frame; for No. 2,
about inch diameter to fit round the iron rods usually used.
The form of hook No. 1 may be varied, as shown at Figure 11 of the
accompanying Drawings, if preferred, also the form of hook No. 2,
which may be made as shewn at Figure 12 of the accompanying
Drawings.
The advantages of these modified forms are that No. 1 will fit
frames that vary in strength or width, and No. 2 will support a light
iron or steel rod (similar to, but not so broad, as those used for the sides
and foot of the bedstead) run into the drapery at the head, or the
valances or fringe round the top or tester of the bed.
Another part of my Invention is that I dispense entirely with the use
of metal bars or rods, as above described, and this method is cqually

page_text: applicable to metallic or wooden bedsteads and other articles of furniture.
For this purpose I form a hook having either three or four prongs, as
shewn at Figures 13 and 14, which I attach to the frame of the bedstead
by means of a short piece of stout clastic, or webbing, or strong wire
provided with a ring or buckle, or slide at each end, as shown at
Figure 15. I pass one of such rings over either the top or bottom prong
of the hook, and then carry such elastic, &c., round at the back of the
pillar or frame of the bedstead, and secure the ring, at the other end
thereof to the top or bottom prong of the hook, buckle, or slide, as the
case may be. This arrangement is illustrated at Figure 16, where g, g,
represent two three-pronged metal hooks such as that shewn at
Figure 16 of the accompanying Drawings, and 1, 2, 1, 2, the four ends of
two short pieces of stout clastic provided with rings i, i, i, i, as before
described, secured to the top and bottom prongs of such hooks. Having
thus secured one of such hooks to the frame of the bedstead at each of
its four corners, I run another piece of stout elastic, shewn at K, K,
Figure 16, of a suitable length, and provided at each end with a hook
or ring, as before mentioned, through the hem of the valance in a similar
manner as tape is passed through a short window blind, and I then
attach the ring at either end of the elastic to the centre prong of the
hooks fixed at the corner of the bedstead. Or if preferred the elastic
may be attached to the centre prongs of the hook, and the valance
afterwards suspended thereto by means of ordinary hooks shewn thereon.
And in order to prevent the weight of the valance bearing down such
clastic I support it at intervals by hooks No. 1 formed and attached to
the frame of the bedstead in any of the various ways before described,
as shewn at 1, 1, Figure 16 of the accompanying Drawings, which thus
serve effectually to support it and prevent any undue degree of strain or
tension being brought to bear upon it. This arrangement may be varied
by using groups of rings or eyes soldered together, as shewn at
Figure 17, in lieu of the hooks shown at Figures 13 and 14; or one
large ring may be employed, as shewn at Figure 18. If however rings
be employed instead of hooks the ends of the elastic must be furnished
with hooks instead of rings, as shewn at Figure 19, in order to catch in
such rings or eyes.
Another modification of this arrangement is that the ends of the
elastic cord may be secured to a knob cast on a small metal plate, as
shewn at Figure 20, such plate being screwed on or otherwisc fastened

page_text: to the frame of the bedstead, which when of metal must have suitable
holes drilled or cast therein for such purpose. Or such knob may be
made separate from the plate having a screw thread, as shewn at
Figure 21, whereby it may be screwed into the plate, subsequently to
the plate itself having been affixed to the bedstead. Or the plate may
be dispensed with altogether in the case of wooden bedsteads, and the knob
screwed into the frame of the bedstead itself, or window, or any kind of
furniture to which drapery is to be attached. Or in the case of metallic
bedsteads the knob may be cast upon the frame of the bedstead when
being manufactured, or the frame of such bedstead may be cast with
holes therein to allow of such knobs or of the shanks of the hooks No. 1
and 2 being inserted therein. The knobs could be cast or inserted in
the frame of the bedstead, and the metallic laths hung on them having
a vacancy cut out for the purpose.
Other articles of furniture, such as toilet tables, settees, and such like,
may have trimmings attached to them in a similar manner, and it will
also be found adapted to suspend windows, curtains, and valances, and
other similar furniture.
The laths may be made of any of the following materials, viz., metal,
wood, cane, bamboo, paper, papier maché, millboard, oilcloth, felt,
felted material, wire webbing, steel ribbon, platted wire, toughened
glass, or of any other suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner of performing the same, I would have it
understood that what I claim is, the various improvements in attaching
curtains, valances, and other trimmings to metallic or wooden bedsteads
and other articles of furniture, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Mary Ann Dearden, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
MARY ANN DEARDEN. (L.S.)