Cots, and other Articles.
Year: 1885

page_text: Cots, and other Articles.
I, JAMES SPRINGER, of No 93 Lake Street, in the City of Chicago, County of
Cork, State of Illinois, United States of America, Attorney at Law, 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:
The object of my invention is to make of cotton cord or other suitable material,
a comfortable, healthful, economical and durable style of woven or knitted bottom
or other parts for beds, cots, lounges, sofas, chairs, cradles and other articles, and to
secure the same to a frame of or for a bed, or other article in a simple and efficacious
manner; and it consists in the features and details of construction hereinafter
described. Whether used for the bottom, back or other part of any piece of
furniture or other article, I shall hereafter for convenience term the knitted or
woven material and other parts of my structure, a bed bottom.
The old way of making a corded bed bottom or similar article was to take a
large sized cord and pass the same by hand over pegs in the side and end rails of
a franie, across from one side or end of the frame to the other and back to the
opposite ends or sides, or from end to end and side to side, and sometimes a sort of
netting was formed by interlacing the cord; and again certain forms of clasps were
used to tighten the cord by holding adjacent strands or meshes together. It is also
old to attach and tighten a canvass bed bottom or a netting to a frame by means of
a cord. The difficulty of applying cords to a frame in the manner described, of
preventing the same from sagging when applied, and other objections, led to th
introduction of wire for the purpose, and wire for bed bottoms and similar articles,
has, to a very great extent superseded the old form of corded structures.
Wire when crossed or woven and attached to a suitable frame, makes a portable
structure in many ways preferable to the older style of corded bottoms, but it is,
however, also far more expensive, and the articles produced for the inost part
heavy, cumbersome, and in many respects unsatisfactory.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved bed bottom, the netting being drawn
tightly endwise and fastened to the end rails of the bed or other frame ;

page_text: Figure 2 is a plan view of the bed bottom with the netting stretched and
attached to both sides and end rails of the bed or other frame; and
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, illustrate certain details of construction hereinafter
explained.
A is the frame; B is the woven or knitted material; C, are the nails or other
holders for the end or side meshes or loops of the netting; and. D is a cord for
tightening the netting lengthwise.
In making the netting for my improved bed bottom, I take elastic cotton cord,
or other suitable material, and weave or knit the same into a netting of suitable
size for the purpose to which it is to be applied. In the process of weaving or
knitting, the meshes of the netting may be made of larger or smaller size as may
be desired, and the cord or other material, for every mesh must be securely tied or
otherwise fastened in place, as is done in the weaving of seine and similar articles.
The netting may be composed of a body of meshes of uniform size, but I prefer to
have the meshes at the sides and at one or both ends of a larger size than the
others in order to facilitate the attachment of the netting to the holders and also
so that the knots or other means by which the meshes are tied or otherwise securely
held, may not rest upon the frame and thus be subjected to extra wear. This is
very important when I use my netting on a bed bottom or other article requiring
wide and strong end and side rails, as the meshes or loops are then long enough to
reach across said rails and over the nails and other holders, and thus also affording
a smooth bearing surface for the loops or meshes.
After a netting of the length and width suitable for a bed or other frame has
been woven, or knitted, the same may be attached and fastened to the frame at its
ends by nails or other suitable holders in the end rails G and G¹ over which the
meshes, loops or lace cord at the ends of the bed bottom are placed. These nails
or other holders in the end rails may be driven or fastened into a groove e, as
shown in Figs. 3 & 9, running the length and preferable on the outside of the end
rails of sufficient depth to receive said nails or other holders, with the loops or ends
of the meshes. After the meshes or loops of one end of the bed bottom,.preferably
the head, have been placed in position over the nails or other holders, I prefer to
insert a cord D preferably of a larger size than the body of the netting, through
all of the meshes at the other end, and lace it over all of the nails or other bolders
at that end by pulling it through each mesh and then placing it over each nail or
other holder, and at the same time drawing it tight and fastening it at the corner
of the frame by a bow knot or other suitable means, by which process any desired
degree of longitudinal tension in the netting may be secured, and in connection
with the stretching end wise, undue sagging may be avoided or at any time easily
removed. In this operation of fastening the netting over the end nails or other
holders and securing the desired longitudinal tension as described, the meshes will
necessarily be drawn closer together and away from the side rails H, H. The side
meshes or loops are afterwards put in place over the side nails or other holders by
the fingers or other suitable means for drawing them laterally into place, thus
giving the whole surface of the netting any degree of tension desired, and imparting
uniform elasticity to the same. This is an easy operation owing to the fact that
the process of stretching the netting endwise, as described, has the effect of greatly
elongating the meshes as substantially shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The longitudinal,
lateral and diagonal tension will thus be made and kept substantially uniform over
the whole surface of the netting, but differing in degree, the longitudinal being
much greater than the others.
The tension being very much greater lengthwise of the meshes which are much
longer than wide, as shown in the drawings, allows them to spread easily sidewise
when lain or pressed upon from the top and when the weight or pressure is removed
or lessened, they will at once assume substantially their former positions, thus
adding greatly to the comfort and elasticity of the bed bottom.
The tension of the netting being from all directions inwardly and easily attached
or detached, I prefer to make the frame with suitable hand-tight corner holders K,

page_text: so that it may be easily taken apart for convenience in handling and shipping, in
knock down form, and may be readily put together for use. These hand tight
corners consist of a sheet metal strap bent to correspond substantially in shape to
the ends of the end rails. One end of the strap is secured to the top surface of
the side rail, and the strap then passes over the end rail and its opposite end is
secured to the outer end of the side rail, as shown in Fig. 9. It is apparent,
however, that the netted structure can be applied to other forms of frames, whether
knocked down or not.
The nails or other holders may also be placed in a groove in the side rails, pre-
ferably on the outer-side thereof. The advantage of thus placing the nails or other
holders in both the end and side rails is that when thus placed they will not be
unnecessarily exposed in handling or shipping, or in the way when in use.
By the formation of the grooved flange e, along the outer edge of the side rails,
and the insertion therein of the nails as shown, the nails are readily accessible at
all times for the purpose of applying, releasing or tightening the netting, and
while the nails are out of the way of bed clothing or anything else, I am at the
same time enabled to dispense with all devices for covering the nails or other
holders or for keeping the same in place.
I prefer to make the end rail G, at the head of the bed, when I use my netting
in a bed frame, somewhat oval, or tapering from the centre to both ends, as shown
in Figs. 6 & 8, and as further shown in Fig. 7, which also shows the netting higher
in the centre than at the sides or foot of the bed bottom, so that when the netting
is attached to the side rails of the frame the foot rail also being on top and higher
than the side rails, as shown in Fig. 7, it has a somewhat oval shape the whole
length thereof. This is intended to assist in preventing undue sagging where the
bed is subjected to heavy pressure on top or by more than one person occupying it.
To further prevent sagging in connection with the construction described, the
tension being from all directions, and always being as great in the middle of the
bed bottom as in any other part, I also prefer to attach the meshes or loops of
the netting to the outside of the end and side rails in the grooved flanges men-
tioned herein, the head and foot rails being preferably higher than the side rails,
by carrying the meshes over them as shown in the drawings, and also for the
purpose of allowing the mattress when used, or other under bedding, to extend
without obstruction to the outer edges of the frame. And I prefer also to make
my frame with the end rails resting upon or higher than the side rails, so that the
netting will be suspended above the side rails, except where fastened to the same,
in order to assist in preventing undue sagging.
I make my netting preferably of elastic cord so that it will possess all the
yielding and resilient qualities of a comfortable bed bottom. One of the charac-
teristics or peculiarities of cotton cord is that it is very slow to receive injury
from strains or shocks, and quick to return to its former position and condition.
But to secure this elastic quality of cotton or other elastic cord in its greatest
degree, and to utilize cords or other suitable material from hemp or other material,
which does not possess a very great degree of natural resilience or elasticity, or
none at all, I stretch the meshes of my netting much longer than wide, as indicated
in Figs. 3 and 4. I regard this as important. Though the meshes may be woven
or knitted square they must be stretched in putting them on the frame, so that
they will be much longer in one direction than another, preferably lengthwise of
the frame, to fully secure the resilience of the netting when pressed upon whether
the material of which it is composed is more or less elastic. I regard the principle
involved in this fact as very important and necessary to make a comfortable,
practical and successful bed bottom of knitted or woven inelastic material. I prefer
to stretch the meshes until they are at least twice as long in one direction as in
the other. I have described this stretching as effected by a lacing cord, and the
passing of the other meshes over pins or other holders in the rails though other
means may be employed, such as adjustable corner pieces, rollers and others, which
will readily suggest themselves,

page_text: L
I have described and illustrated my improvement in connection with a bed
bottom, but I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to this particular
application of my invention, as it is equally capable of use in connection with a
variety of other articles and other household furniture. It may be used to form
a bottom or other part for lounges, cots, cradles, chairs, bunks, and other articles,
in which a bottom or other part of meshed material may be employed. Nor do
I wish to restrict myself to the precise arrangement shown and described for
fastening the netting to the frame, as other means will readily suggest themselves.
To prevent creaking of the frame, as well as to prevent the inroad of any
insects, I prefer to insert between the ends of the rails within metallic corner
holders, a thin sheet of tin or other metal, L, which with the metallic corner
holders give a metallic bearing to the four sides of the end rails at their inter-
section with the side rails, and also to the ends of the side rails.
It will be noticed that the qualities of uniform tension and uniform clasticity
are attained by my improvement in a greater degree by arranging the meshes of
the netting in a substantially direct longitudinal and lateral direction across the
frame and placing the netting holders on the side and end rails in substantially a
direct line with the line of meshes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. A structure suitable for bed bottoms or other articles consisting of a netting
in which the meshes are made or drawn in an elongated form and securely held
as formed, in combination with a frame consisting of inflexible end and side pieces,
the said netting drawn taut on the frame, and having a uniform longitudinal
tension, a less but uniform lateral tension, and a uniform diagonal tension, substan-
tially as described.
2. A bottom for beds or other articles composed of a netting of cord or other
suitable material in which the meshes are securely held as formed, provided with
loops or meshes of larger size on the sides thereof, and at one or both ends, whereby
the same may be readily attached to a suitable frame or detached therefrom and
the meshes when attached to the frame may be easily drawn into an elongated
shape, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
3. A structure suitable for bed bottoms and other articles consisting of a netting
in which the meshes are rigidly held as formed, in combination with a lacing cord,
and a frame consisting of inflexible. end and side pieces, the said netting being
drawn taut on the frame, and having a uniform longitudinal tension and a less but
uniform lateral tension, substantially as described.
4. A netted structure in combination with a bed or other frame composed of side
and end rails, the end rails being higher than the side rails, each of said rails being
provided on its side with a groove, having holders therein to secure the netting,
the holders being thus placed out of the way and protected from injury, substan-
tially as described.
5. In combination with a suitable frame composed of side and end rails each rail
being provided on its outer side with a groove, the holders placed in said groove,
and the netting having its meshes arranged substantially in a direct longitudinal
and lateral line with said holders, to aid in the production of uniform tension and
uniform elasticity, substantially as described..
6. A structure suitable for bed bottoms and other articles, consisting of a netting
in which the meshes are made or drawn in an elongated form and rigidly held as
formed, in combination with a lacing cord inserted through a portion of said
meshes, and a frame and holders, the said netting being drawn taut on the frame
and the meshes being stretched longitudinally with the frame and elongated, sub-
stantially as described.
7. .A structure suitable for bed bottoms or other articles consisting of a netting
having the meshes drawn in an elongated form and rigidly held as formed, in

page_text: combination with a suitable frame and netting holders, the said netting being
drawn taut on the frame, and having a uniform longitudinal tension, a less but
lateral tension, and a uniform diagonal tension, and a substantially uniform
elasticity, substantially as described.
8. In combination with the frame provided with the metallic corner straps, the
piece of metal inserted between the end and side rails at the corners of the frame
and within the corner straps, whereby a metallic bearing to the four sides of the
end rails at the intersection with the side rails is afforded, substantially as
described.
9. The netting provided with larger meshes or loops at the end and sides,
whereby the netting is more easily attached to the frame, and the knots joining
the meshes are brought inside of but not against the frame, substantially as
described.
10. The end rail having an upper surface tapering from the centre to the ends,
and provided with a groove on the outer side thereof, and holders inserted in said
groove, in combination with the remaining rails, whereby when the netting is
applied thereto it is raised higher at the centre than at the sides to aid in preventing
sagging, substantially as described.
11. A structure suitable for bed bottoms and other articles consisting of a netting
baving its meshes drawn in an elongated form and rigidly held as formed, in
combination with a knock down frame, the said netting being drawn taut on said
frame and having a uniform longitudinal tension, a less but uniform lateral
tension, and a uniform diagonal tension, and whereby the frame and netting are
readily disconnected or put together, substantially as described.
12. A knock-down frame composed of two side and two end pieces the said end
pieces resting on said side pieces and the corner straps for securing them together,
substantially as described.
13. The end rail having an upper surface tapering from the center to the ends,
and provided with the groove on the side, in combination with the remaining rails,
and the corner straps connecting the rails, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
14. A frame composed of the side and end rails each provided with a groove on
the side thereof, the end rails being above and supported by the side rails, and
holders placed within said grooves, whereby the netting may be suspended above
the side rails, except where it is attached thereto, substantially as described.
15. As a now article of manufacture a netted structure in combination with the
side rails, the end rails, each of the said rails provided with the groove, the hand
tight corners for connecting the said end and side rails, and the netting holders
placed within the said groove, substantially as described.
Deted this 26th day of A105