Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads, and other Articles of a like Manufacture.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads, and other Articles of a like
Manufacture.
We, WILLIAM REUBEN LANE, General Manager of Winfields Limited of
Cambridge Street Works, in the City of Birmingham, and JAMES HALL, Manager
of Works of the aforesaid Winfields Limited do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
¦—
This invention relates to improvements in metallic bedsteads, and other articles
of a like manufacture, such as cots, and ships' sleeping berths.
Our said invention consists in the first part, of improvements in detachable and
attachable bed bottoms, whereby the same are made highly portable, and ordinary
loose laths dispensed with. In the second part, to means for securing or attaching
the side framing rails or angles to the end rails, carrying pillars or uprights, and
which end rails, are commonly called fast-ends, although our method of connection
is applicable to dovetail ends. In the third part, to angle stays, or fastening means
for angle stays, whereby rigid connection between the bedstead framing, and the
pillars or uprights, is made. In the fourth part, the application of the said last
named fastening means to the sides of cots, and the lee rails of ships' berth.
In carrying out our invention of the first part, in connection with the fast-ends,
we connect the sides or angle irons constituting the outer side framings of the bed
bottom, to a longitudinally directed middle frame or bar, by diagonally directed
strips, bars, or lengths of metal, jointedly connected at their ends to the said
middle and side framings respectively, so that when required, the said bed bottom,
admits of collapsing or closing longitudinally upon the parts of itself, by the
diagonal connecting strips turning upon their joint ends, hence the same is made
extremely portable, for transit or storage.
The outer ends of the middle framing bar, have pege, which take into holes in
the middle of the framing of the fast-ends, while the ends of the outer framing
lengths, are pierced with allthrough holes, which take over overhanging turning
studs on the fast ends, which when rotated, secure the said side framing to the end
framing.
Instead of a single and middle frame length being employed, two or more may be
applied, with a series of suitably arranged diagonal strips.
According to the second part of our invention, the connection of the ends of
the side framings to the fast-ends, may be accomplished by providing the corners
of the said end framings, with angular recesses or sunken parts, wherein angular or
hook-like ends of the side framings or lengths, take.
The framing or bottom is stayed or made rigid to the fast ends, by angle stays
or brackets, jointed to the pillars or uprights, at one end, and connected at the
other end, to the framing, by a pin or the like. This angle stay, admits of
turning back to the same plane as the fast-ends, where the parts of the bedstead
are detached.
According to the third part of our invention, to wit, the securing of the ends of
the angle stays (which consist of a diagonally curved rod extending across the
angle of the bed bottom) to the pillar, the said means consists in making one end,
or the upper end of the said stay, flat, with a hole through it, which takes over or
upon a peg carried by a boxed bracket secured to the pillar, whilst sliding over the
entrance to the said boxed bracket, wherein the said end of the stay lies, is a
vertically sliding lid or shutter, which covers up the end, and automatically fixes
the same in position.
The other end. or
ends of the stay, which takes or take into the angle

page_text: framings of the bed bottom, are curvilinear hooked, and take into holes in the
said framing.
The shutter or lip for securing the upper end as aforesaid, may swing upon a
joint, and be applied to both upper and lower connections, and further, the
securing shutter, may turn outwardly and inwardly upon an ordinary hinge joint,
with a lower part made hollow and hemispherical, which takes over a bracket to
which an end of the angle stay is connected, either by a hole in its end taking over
a peg, or by a peg on it, taking into a hole.
When the shutter is down, the stay is secured in position.
In securing and mounting stays according to a further form of our invention, we
joint the said stay by clips or otherwise, to a side framing of the bed bottom, 80 as
to fold inwardly or outwardly, and we make the inner end of the said stay, which
is elevated above the framing, and comes approximate to the pillar, necked,
which passes through (when erect) the gapped side of a swivelling sleeve fastener,
which when partially rotated, secures the said end of the stay to the pillar.
The fastening sleeve, with its gapped side, swivels or turns horizontally upon an
outstanding peg, secured to the pillar, so that by passing the said end through the
gap, and rotating the sleeve, the uncut-away part is presented in place of the cut-
away part, hence the securing.
This last named part of our invention is particularly applicable to the turn down
sides of cots, and to the lee-rails of ships' berths.
Dated this 11th day of February 1891.
WILLIAM REUBEN LANE.
JAMES HALL.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Bedsteads, and other Articles of a like
Manufacture.
We WILLIAM REUBEN LANE, General Manager of Winfields Limited, of
Cambridge Street Works, in the City of Birmingham, and JAMES HALL, Manager
of Works of the aforesaid Winfields Limited, 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 detail improvements in metallic bedsteads, and other
articles of a like manufacture, such for example as cots, and ships' sleeping berths
and the like.
Our said invention consists in the first part, of improvements in detachable and
attachable bed bottoms, in view of making the same highly portable, while the
ordinary loose laths are dispensed with. In the second part, to means for securing
or attaching the side framing rails or angle lengths to the ends, or end rails,
commonly called fast-ends. In the third part, to fastening or securing means of
angle brackets or angle stays, and in the mounting of the same, hence a rigid
connection between the bedstead framing, and the pillars or uprights.
In carrying out our invention of the first part, in connection with the fast-ends,
we connect the sides, or the angle-irons constituting the outer-side framings of the
bed bottom, to a longitudinally directed middle frame or bar, by diagonally
directed laths, bars, or lengths of metal, jointedly connected at their ends, to the
said middle and side framings respectively; so that when required, the said bed
bottom admits of being removed from the ends, and collapsed or folded, hence its
portability for transit or storage.
The outer ends of the middle framing bar, have pegs upon their undersides,
which take into holes formed within outstanding flanges, while the ends of the

page_text: outer framing length, are pierced with allthrough holes, which take over over-
hanging turning studs, on the fast-ends, which when rotated, secure the said side
framing to the end framing.
According to the second part of our invention, the connection of the ends of the
side framings, to the fast ends, may be accomplished by providing the corners of
the said end framings, with angular recesses or sunken parts, wherein angular or
hook like ends of the side framings or lengths, take and lie.
According to the third part of our invention, to wit, the securing of the ends of
the angle stays, (which consist of a diagonally curved rod, extending across the
angle of the bed bottom) to the pillar, the said means consist in making one end, or
the upper end of the said stay, flat, with a hole through it, which takes over, or
upon, a peg, disposed or located within a rotating sleeve, or within a fixed and
boxed bracket having a sliding cover.
The other end, or ends of the bracket or stay, is mounted and swings on the
bedstead-framing.
In securing and mounting stays, according to a further form of our invention, we
joint the said stay, by clips or otherwise, to the side framings of the bed bottom, so
as to fold inwardly or outwardly.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, represents a top side plan of a portable
bed bottom, or bedstead framing, constructed and arranged according to one form
of our invention. The bed bottom is made up of detachable side framings,
connected together by jointed, and diagonally directed lath-bars, whose inner ends
are carried by, and rest upon, a longitudinal middle bar, disposed between fast-end
framings.
The side framings, at their junctions with the pillars, are provided with angle
brackets, for the staying or rigid tieing together of them.
On the middle part of the said framing being detached from the fast end, the
former admits of being folded or collapsed, as represented in Figure 2.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the said portable bed bottom, with the angle stays
or brackets secured in their respective positions, at the junctions of the sides
with the pillars, which latter are carried by the fast-end framings, constituting the
foot and head ends.
Figure 4 represents an enlarged view of one end of the said framing, showing the
connections of the ends of the side framings, to flat bar connections of the fast-ends,
and which connection parts are shown in section.
Figure 5 represents a top-side plan of Figure 4, and with the angle bracket
upper connection, shown in horizontal section, and upon the dotted lines A B
Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a top side plan of a corner of the bed bottom, showing the hook
connection and the means whereby the ends of the sides are secured to rest brackets
of the fast ends.
Figure 7 represents a transverse section of the said end Figure 4, upon the
dotted lines CD, but with the angle stay unfastened, and removed from its pillar
connection.
Figure 8 represent a section on the dotted lines E, F, Figure 5.
Figure 9 is a transverse section on the dotted lines G H, of the said Figure 5.
Figure 10 shows the rotating fastening means of the inner end of the angle
bracket separately.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in Figures 1 to 10.
a a are side framings, or side angle framings, and constituting the sides of the
bed bottom, and 6 is a longitudinal frame bar, directed from end to end of the said
bed bottom, and disposed between the fast end framings.
d are diagonal directed laths, jointed at their ends d³, to the middle bar b, and
side framings a respectively, and on the said sides a, and their cognate parts being
removed from the fast ends, the members composing it, admit of being collapsed
or closed longitudinally, as in Figure 2, consequent upon the laths d, turning upon
their joint centres,

page_text: The outer ends, 6 of the middle framing bar & have pegs or studs 68, upon their
undersides, which take into holes formed within brackets, directed inwardly from
the inside middle of the fast ends c, whilst the outer ends a³, of the side framing or
angle lengths a, are pierced with stud holes a', wherethrough angle studs e,
carried by rest brackets, directed from the chill castings c, of the pillars c,
of the fast ends c, take, for the securing of the said sides to the fast ends as
aforesaid.
Thus to connect the side framings to the fast ends, place the ☐ parts of the
angle studs, in the directions of the plane of the bed bottom, when the ends of
the sides are passed over the ✓ shaped heads of the studs, and the said heads
turned at right angles, as in Figure 6, hence the securing of the sides to the
fast ends.
fis an angle bracket, consisting of a curved rod, with its lower ends f³, connected
to joints a', secured to the sides a, and about which joints, the said angle brackets,
(which are 4 in number) turn inwardly.
g is a swivelling fastener, turning axially upon an outstanding peg h, secured
within the inner side of the pillar, and which peg has a stud / near its outer end,
and is directed to face the inner side of the bedstead frame, and to come in front
of a gap g³, made within the side of the swivelling fastener 9.
The inner end f³, of the angle bracket or angle stay f, has a hole f, which, on
the bracket or stay being closed, as in Figure 5, the said hole takes upon the
stud h³, near the end of the peg h, whilst the end of the stay passes through the gap
of the rotating fastener or collar g, which is retained on the peg, by a pin h
taking into the said peg, and with the head thereof working within a gap g³, cut
within the side of the said swivelling or rotating fastener or collar g.
The affixing of the angle bracket or stay, is performed by swinging the same
forwards, when the inner end passes through the gap of the fastener, and takes
upon the stud as aforesaid, when by rotating the fastener or collar, the said angle
bracket or stay is firmly secured in position, as set forth in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5.
The too-free movement of the fastening means is prevented by the impingement
of a spring i, upon the inner walls of the fastener, hence a stiff joint.
Figure 11 represents a modified form of bed bottom constructed according to
another form of our invention.
The middle part of the framing, to wit, that part less the fast ends, are made
detachable.
Figure 12 represents an end corner of the part frame Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a section upon the dotted lines I, J.
In Figures 11 to 13, a, are side framing bars, connected together by rigid cross
bars or latha d, and the whole framing a and d, connected to the fast ends c, by the
outer ends a², of the sides a, being gapped with holes a, which take and drop over
stud heads e, carried by webs c', of rest brackets *, carried and directed from chill
castings, of the pillar c*.
Figure 14 represents the corner of a bedstead frame or bed bottom, constructed
and provided according to a further form of our invention.
In this arrangement, the connection of the ends of the side framings or angle bars,
is made by return ends of them, taking into bayonet-joint shaped sockets, while the
angle brackets or angle stays, are hung and swing about joint centres or joints
carried by the pillars.
The fastening means of the outer ends of the bracket, or stay, is shown with its
closing lid or cover turned up, or in the position which it takes when the said inner
end is making its connection with the framing.
Figure 15 represents a plan of the same, but with the plate of the fastening
means turned down.
a are side framings, with hooked returned ends a', which take into bayonet joint
shaped sockets, made within the outstanding bracket c, of the casting c², carried
by and affixed to the pillar c.
fis an angle bracket or stay, with the inner branches of it, turning within

page_text: brackets a, a, carried by the pillar, and with the lower end f¹, coming above the
returned end a², and so preventing the same from rising when in position.
The other and outer end of the angle bracket or stay f³, is connected to the side
framing a, by a box fastener y, which has an outstanding peg h², directed from the
back wall of the same, and coming opposite to its open front, wherethrough the
said end inwardly passes, on the passing of a hole f*, made through it, taking upon
the peg, and when so connected, the front of the fastener is closed, and the end
secured in position, by the turning down of a shutter front 9', centred at g³.
The said bracket or stay is limited in its motion by a stud a, on the branch f³,
of the bracket, working within a gapped part a', of the bracket a³.
Figure 16 represents a modification of a further form of our invention, for securing
the angle brackets or angle stays to the pillars and side framings, respectively, of
a bedstead.
In this arrangement, the frame end of a bracket is connected by hooked ends
or claws, while the head end, is secured by a box-fastener with a sliding cover.
Figure 17 shows an edge view of Figure 16, but with the pillar end of the
bracket and its fastener, in section.
Figure 18 is a cross section on the dotted lines K L Figure 16.
a is a side framing length of a bedstead; c is a pillar connected to the former
part by a chill casting e, f is an angle bracket or stay, with its side framing end of
it connected by laterally directed hooks l, which take through holes *, made through
the said framing a, just below the upper web of the same.
The other and pillar end is fastened by a box connection g, baving a peg h³
directed from the back of it, and fronting the open front of the same.
g is a sliding shutter or cover, which when down, prevents the stay from being
removed, hence the fastening of the same.
To remove the bracket or stay, lift the shutter and swing it forward, with the
same turning about the hooked connections l, as joint centres, and when turned
down at right angles or nearly so, the same may if necessary be removed.
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 :-
First In a bedstead frame, or portable bed bottom, making up the middle part
of the same, of detachable side framings, connected or united together, by jointed,
and preferable diagonal directed cross laths, whose inner and outer ends are
connected and jointed to a longitudinal middle bar, and the outer side bars or
framings as aforesaid respectively, whereby the said framings less the ends, are
rendered folding or collapsible, substantially as described and set forth in
Figures 1, 2 and 3.
:―
Secondly In a bedstead frame or portable bed bottom, making up the same of
a collapsible and folding middle part, connected and fitted to fast ende, in manner,
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Thirdly-Connecting the ends of the side rails or side framings, to the fast ends
of bedstead framings or bottoms, by connections c¹, c³, e, as, arranged, substantially
as described and set forth in Figures 11, 12 and 13.
Fourthly Connecting the ends of the side framings or side rails, of bedstead
frames or bed bottoms, by returned ends of the said side rails, taking into bayonet-
slot shaped recesses, formed within the fast ends, or parts carried by the fast
ends, or corners of the pillars of the same, substantially as set forth in Figures 14
and 15.
Fifthly Connecting or fastening one end or both ends of angle brackets or
angle stays, of bedstead framings or bed bottoms, to the pillars, uprights or framings
of the same, by a rotating and gapped sleeve, which turns upon a central peg or
rod, having an outward stud end, upon which latter, the end of a bracket or stay,
takes, and by the rotation of the said sleeve, the same is fastened in position, and

page_text: which parts are constructed, arranged and operate, substantially as described in
Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Sixthly: Mounting and fastening the ends of angle brackets or angle stays, by
means substantially as described and set forth in Figures 14 and 15.
Seventhly-Mounting and fastening the ends of angle brackets or angle stays,
by means substantially as described and set forth in Figures 16, 17 and 18.
1100-1
tahan 1001
WILLIAM REUBEN LANE.
JAMES HALL.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.