Improvements in the Construction of Metallic Bedsteads.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec.. 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Metallic Bedsteads.
I REUBEN CARTWRIGHT of Mark Lane, Pershore Street, Birmingham in the County
of Warwick Bedstead 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 method of constructing the ends, (head or foot) of
metallic bedsteads, and its object is to provide an improved method whereby brass or
other ornamental rods &c. may be secured in position thereto, after the chill casting
operation has been performed.
In order to explain more clearly the nature of this my invention, and how it is to
be performed, I have appended hereunto an illustrative drawing, upon which are letters
of feference.
It consists as follows:-
The upright pillars a, a, and the end angle iron b, together with the cross horizontal
bottom rail e, are all secured to each other in the ordinary manner, that is, by means
of the chill castings d, d, e, e, at their respective junctions.. Also upon the said upright
pillars a, a, at f,f, where it is intended that the top horizontal rail g shall be secured,
cast chills are provided having somewhat shallow recesses o, o, or in some cases if
preferred, projections, to receive the detachable top rail g.
Upon this top rail g, and the bottom rail c, are provided cast chills h, h, h &c., for
the subsequent reception of loose upright or angular ornamental rods i, i, i &c. which
are generally of brass; that is, such rods may be secured in their position subsequent
to the chill casting process. In these chills are formed recesses or sockets j, j; or in
some cases instead of the sockets, projections or nipples k, k, may be provided, (the
former however is preferred) in either case, to receive the tubular rods i, i, i &c. Also
in some cases where it is desirable to further introduce short horizontal or angular
rods 1, l, m, m &c., or other ornaments between the said upright loose rods i, i, (in
which case the rods i, i would generally be of iron), secondary chills n, n, &c., or their
equivalents, may be provided upon such rods, and the ornaments &c. placed or fixed
in their relative position to such rods, prior to such rods being secured to the top and
bottom rails g &c. aforesaid.
The lower ends of the upright rods i, i, i &c. having been placed in the sockets j,
or upon the nipples & formed upon or in the chills h, h, h, &c. upon the bottom rail c,
the top rail
is then placed, by means of its chills h, h, h, &c.-upon their upper
ends, when, by springing apart the upper ends of the pillars, as shown in dotted lines,
each end of the said top rail g is passed into the shallow recesses a, a, in the chills f,f.
Upon letting go the pillars, they again assume their normal position, and close upon
the rail g.
This top rail is then further secured by the auxiliary (usually ornamental) rail p
reaching from the top of the one pillar a to that of the other, to both of which it is
secured by the ordinary mount or terminal vase screw 9 securely completing the
structure.
In order to further strengthen the structure, I provide that the top rail g shall be
tied to the bottom rail e so as to prevent the rods i, i &c. being possibly drawn from
their sockets, should the bedstead be lifted or otherwise strained from or by the said
top rail.
This may be done in several ways as for instance when a central ornament is adopted
similar to the illustration herewith, holes are cast in the chills n, n, & h, h, and a
screwed pin passes therethrough, secured at each end by the screw knobs r&c.
In some instances, I may provide that a similar central screwed rod may be used
on both sides of the central ornament within the rods i, i, and secured by screw knobs

page_text: upon the top rail and beneath the bottom rail; while in cases where there is no central
ornament a screwed rod may pass from top to bottom within the central upright rod
and secured with knobs as before.
This arrangement may be somewhat varied in detail, both as to the disposition of
the parts, and the design, without departing from its nature, and also admits of a
renewal of the rods i, i, i g at any time if required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination with the upright pillar a, a, of chills f, f, cast therein having
shallow recesses o, o, formed therein, to receive the loose top horizontal rail g sub-
stantially as described and shown.
2nd. The method of constructing the ends of metallic bedsteads as herein before
described and illustrated that is to say, securing loose upright brass rods i, or other
parts of an ornamental character, by first securing the upright pillars a, a and the
lower horizontal rails c, and angle bar b, together by the chills d, d, e, e, and sub-
sequently springing open the upper ends of the pillar to admit of the top horizonfal
rail
g etc.
Dated this 24th day of October 1890.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.