Improvements in and relating to Combination Folding Bedstead. Table, Settee, and Rack.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1892-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Combination Folding Bedstead.
Table, Settee, and Rack.
I, ROBERT NEWTON BARGER, M.D., a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at Hopedale, in the County of Tazewell, and State of Illinois, one of
the United States of America, 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 certain new and useful improvements in combination
folding bedstead, table, settee and rack, and it consists substantially in such features
of arrangement, construction, and combinations of parts as will hereinafter be more
particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.
The object of the invention is to provide in one compact structure several useful
articles of household furniture which can all be folded up out of the way and again
separately lowered into position for use, substantially as will more fully herein
after appear when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which-
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the entire structure when folded up
out of the way.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the same structure having the settce unfolded or
lowered down in position for use.
Figure 3 is also a perspective view of the structure having the bed lowered into
position for occupancy or use.
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure when lowered into the
position of a billiard table, the bed of the table being that portion which
constitutes the back of the structure when folded up as shown in the preceding
figures.
In carrying my invention into effect I provide a suitable main supporting frame
to which the several parts are firmly and strongly pivoted, so as to render the
entire structure both firm and capable of withstanding the strain naturally imparted
thereto in the raising and lowering thereof according to which one of the articles
of furniture is to be used. The said main supporting frame is connected or inter-
sected at its front portion by a longitudinal rack, which in addition to forming a
strengthening brace for the frame, also constitutes a shelf or rack for supporting
billiard cues and balls. To the rear of said longitudinal rack a strengthening rod
also intersects the two sides of the main frame, so that there is no liability of the
frame becoming loosened or separated from constant use. Pivoted to the two sides
of the main frame is a table, preferably a billiard table, having the usual elastic
cushions and cloth covered surface, the said table being provided with two side
portions on its inner or under side which serve to receive between them the head
and foot boards of that portion of the structure which constitutes the bed or bed-
lounge, whichever it may be desired to call it. The said side portions of the table
are pivoted to the outer sides of the main frame, while the head and foot-board of
the bed or bed-lounge are pivoted to the inner sides of said main frame, thus allowing
sufficient space between the two to enable the bed to be folded up into place in the
manner shown in the drawings. Hinged to the under side of the bed or bed-lounge
is a folding settee constituted of a central seat and two elevated arın or head rests
which are also hinged or pivoted to the under side of the bed or bed-lounge, these
latter portions being so braced and connected as to be readily unfolded or lowered
into position for use and firmly supported while in such position.
Reference being had to the several parts by the letters marked thereon,
A, A, represent the two side portious of the main frame, which, as shown, are

page_text: connected or intersected by two longitudinal strips, a, a, which constitute between
them a rack which may be used for holding or supporting the usual billiard cues
and balls employed in the well known game of billiards. The said portions, A, A,
are notched or recessed, as at b, b, and the same are intersected or connected at the
rear by a longitudinal rod (not shown) so as to impart strength to the frame while
in use.
The said frame is supposed to rest upon the floor of the room in the
manner shown in the several figures of the drawings, and hinged or pivoted thereto
at c, c, are the two under portions, d, d, of a table, B, which is preferably con-
structed on its upper surface in the manner of the usual billiard table, although
for all the purposes of the present invention the said table may be that usually
employed for dining or other similar purposes. The under portions of the said
table fit closely against the sides of the main frame as shown, and when the table
is not to be used it is folded back in the manner shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of
the drawings, but when lowered into position for use it occupies the position shown
in Figure 4.
Also pivoted or hinged to the sides of the main frame within, and by means of
the same pivot on which the table works, is a folding bed or bed-lounge, which,
when lowered for use occupies the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawing.
This bed or bed-lounge is indicated by the letter, C, while the letters, e, and/
indicate respectively the head and foot board thereof, which latter move between
the sides of the main frame, the thickness of the material of which the latter is
constructed furnishing sufficient space between said head and foot board and the
under portions of the table so as to enable free movement between these parts with
respect to each other.
Pivoted or hinged to the under side of the bed or bed-lounge is a folding settee
constituted of the central portion, g, and the end portions, h, h, the said central and
end portions being connected by the movable supports or legs, i, i, in such manner
as to be firmly held or supported when unfolded into position for use, as shown in
Figure 2 of the drawing. Each of the end portions, h, h, is formed or provided
with a folding arm, j, which when the settee is folded down for use, may be turned
downwardly in such manner as that a portion thereof will be made to rest within
the notched portion of the main frame and be thereby additionally supported or
strengthened against any weight which may be imposed thereon. These hinged or
folding arms are also folded downwardly whenever the bed or table is turned over
into position for use, sec Figures 3 and +, and in this way the said arms also
serve as supports for both the bed and table whenever they are turned down.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that several useful articles of
household furniture are made up or combined in one structure, which when all the
parts are folded up will occupy but small space in a room, which is a very great
desideratum in this line of inventions. It will further be seen that when either one
of the articles is to be used, little or no trouble will be had in lowering or unfolding
the same in the manner already described and clearly illustrated in the drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is --
1. A combination article of furniture comprising in its organization a main frame
or supports intersected by longitudinal strips constructed to hold billiard balls or
cues, and formed with notches, b, b, therein, the bed pivoted to, and folding within
or between said supports, a table having pendent portions embracing the outer sides
of said supports and movably connected thereto by the same pivot which holds the
bed, the settee hinged to the under side of the bed and constructed with the central
rest and the two end rests, each of the said end rests being provided with hinged
arms which may be turned upwardly or downwardly, substantially as shown and
described and for the purpose set forth.
2. A. combination article of furniture comprising the main frame, having the
notches or recesses therein, of the bed folding within the main frame, and the

page_text: settee hinged or pivoted to the under side of the bed, the said settee being con-
stituted of the central rest and the two end rests, each of the latter being provided
with hinged arms which fold downwardly and fit within the notches of the main
frame, substantially as described.
3. A combination article of furniture comprising the main frame, the table, the
bed, and the settee, the latter having the hinged arms for resting upon the floor
when either the table or bed is lowered into position for use, substantially as
described.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1892.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.