An Improved Folding Cot or Bedstead.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Folding Cot or Bedstead.
I JOHN ALBERT MATTHEWS of 114 & 115 Southgate Street Gloucester
Manufacturer of Specialities in Furniture do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
An invention consisting of a child's cot or bedstead which may be constructed of
wood or metal and is made to fold up in the following manner:
The two sides and two ends are hinged to the level part which forms the bottom
which is made of thin laths forming a spring bed and in such a manner that the
sides fold one upon the other. The ends then fold down on the sides. The legs at
each end are attached to each other by a rail and are hinged so as to fold up
underneath automatically with the ends, and are connected with struts or rails
fixed diagonally to a sliding arrangement to the ends before mentioned so as to fold
simultaneously on either side of the part forming the bed and the already folded sides,
making a very compact parcel when closed and a perfectly rigid cot or bedstead
when open for use without any loose parts whatever connected with the mechanism
to get lost or mislaid.
"
17
1800
J. A. MATTHEWS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Folding Cot or Bedstead.
JOHN ALBERT MATTHEWS 114 Southgate Street & Parliament Street
Gloucester, Manufacturer of Specialities in Furniture, 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:-
My invention has for its object to so construct child's cots or larger bedsteads
that they are light & may be folded up compactly when not in use and in order
that it may be fully understood I shall now proceed more particularly to describe
the same and for that purpose shall refer to the figures on the annexed drawing,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in both the figures.
The said figures represent a child's cot made according to my invention, the
1 figure showing it opened out ready for use, the other figure showing it closed.
The cot consists of a level part (B) which is constructed with thin laths to form a
spring bed, upon which are hinged the 2 ends E, & the 2 sides S, & N, these ends
& sides are composed of open framework, or any other fit manner.
In order that they may fold flatly one on the other, the 1 side S is hinged at a
higher level than the other N, as seen at e & g, the 2 ends E being hinged higher
still as shewn at X that they may fold down flat on the folded sides.
The legs are framed together in pairs, & are so hinged that they may fold up
under the part forming the bottom or bed B.
On both sides of the cot or bedstead are 2 pieces P, which slide between the edge
of the bottom B & laths or thin pieces T, blocked out sufficiently to take these
sliding pieces P, attached to these sliding pieces P & to the ends E. & legs L
respectively, are struts or rails R by means of pivots a.
The objects of these are, firstly to keep the cot or bedstead rigid when open,
secondly in closing to cause the ends E, & legs L, to fold simultaneously by means
of the sliding piece P. acting on both together, & thirdly when closed to keep it
closed up together, since one cannot be opened without the other.

page_text: In the case of larger bedsteads; I may dispense with the 2 sides marked S & N,
in which case I should hinge the ends directly upon the bottom B.
Having now described & particularly ascertained the nature of my said invention
& the manner in which the same is or may be used, or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel & original, & therefore
claim as the invention secured to me by the liereiñbefore in part recited, Letters
Patent is
Firstly The arrangement & combination of parts constituting the child's cot or
bedstead illustrated in the accompanying drawing, & herein before described with
reference thereto.
4.
Secondly The application of the sliding arrangement so far as regards cots or
bedsteads.
JOHN ALBERT MÄTTHEWS.