IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRINGS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATTRESSES, CHAIRS, CUSHIONS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company,
Patent Solicitors, at Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany, for
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRINGS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF MATTRESSES, CHAIRS, CUSHIONS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES."
A com-
munication from Joseph Alois Widemann, of Basel, in the Republic of
Switzerland.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd February 1882.
14
FRANK WIRTH of the Firm of Wirth and Company Patent Solicitors at
Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. IMPROVEMENTS IN
SPRINGS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATTRESSES, CHAIRS, CUSHIONS,
AND SIMILAR ARTICLES." [A communication from Joseph Alois Widemann, of
Basel, in the Republic of Switzerland.]
This Invention relates to the construction of springs designed to be used in place
of the spiral metallic springs hitherto employed in the manufacture of spring
inatresses, sofas-armchairs, and the like.
A spring made according to this Invention has two arms, frames, or bows formed
by bending wire into a rectangular or similar shape, the wire being coiled spirully
at a central point. This spring is so made that, when at rest, the two frames or
bows form with each other one single line, which is straight or nearly so. These
springing arms or frames when fitted to the article with which they are to be used
are arranged according to the direction of the weight which will act upon them,
this weight operating upon their free ends, and causing them to move upon or
around their central joint. They form thus a greater or smaller angle, corresponding
to the greater or smaller pressure exerted upon them, but, through the action of
their spring joint, they always have the tendency to reassume their original or
normal straight line. Each spring is made of one single piece of wire and one end
of the wire forming each frame or bow is bent at a right angle, and inserted within
an aperture made in a wooden roller or cylinder which lies inside the spiral.
[Price 6d.1

page_text: According to a modification of the said Invention the wire is so bent and coiled
that two coiled conical springs are produced in a central position, one at each
side, these springs tending to keep the two frames or bows in a straight line. The
two ends of the wire are in this case soldered together, or united in some other
manner.
The frames or bows may be made of any suitable form and when used in the
manufacture of spring frames, may have their lower arms fastened with clamps,
which will not impede the free motion of the extremities, upon the fixed part to
which they may be fastened. The upper extremities of all the frames or bows are
to be connected with one another by means of strips of malacca cane, and then the
usual cloth is spread over them. By tightening the cloth, any desirable curve may
be given to the surface, as the bows or frames which are on the edge may
be pressed down more than those that are in the centre. Experience has
shewn that for a spring frame, in the manufacture of which thirty two of the
springs ordinarily used are necessary, twenty four of these improved springs will
bo sufficient; moreover my improved springs are of considerably lighter weight
than the ordinary springs.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st August
1882.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRINGS
FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATTRESSES, CHAIRS, CUSHIONS, AND
SIMILAR ARTICLES." A communication from Joseph Alois Widemann, of Basel, in
the Republic of Switzerland.
This Invention relates to the construction of springs designed to be used in place
of the spiral metallic springs hitherto employed in the manufacture of spring
mattresses, sofas, chairs, and tho like.
A spring made according to this Invention has two arms frames or bows formed
by bending wire into a rectangular or similar shape, the wire being coiled spirally
at a central point. This spring is so made that when at rest the two frames or
bows form with each other, one single line, which is straight or nearly so. The
springing arms or frames when fitted to the article with which they are to be used
are arranged according to the direction of the weight which will act upon them,
this weight operating upon their free ends causes them to move upon or around
their central joint. They form thus a greater or smaller angle, corresponding to
the greater or smaller pressure exerted upon them, but, through the action of their
spring joint, they always have the tendency to reassume their original or normal
straight line.
"
In the accompanying Drawing
Figure 1 is a plan of a spring made according to this Invention.
Figure 2 is a side view of the same.
Figuro 3 is a view of a spring, shewing the effect produced upon it by weight
acting in the direction of the arrow.
Figure 4 is a modified form of spring constructed according to this Invention.
The spring consists of the two frame like arms a and b made from wire of a
suitable size (according to the purpose for which the springs are required) which
are connected together in the centre by means of the spiral spring c, the arms are,
together with the spiral spring, made of one single piece of wire and the ends of
the wire form the arms or bows, the extremity of each is bent at right angles to
the frame and inserted within an aperture mado in a wooden roller or cylinder
which lies inside the spiral spring c.
According to a modification of this Invention, as shown in Figure 4, the wire is
so bent and coiled, that two conical springs c c are formed in a central position one
at each side, these springs tending to keep the two frames or bows in a straight
line. The two ends a¹ a¹ of the wire are in this case soldered together, or united
in some suitable manner.
The frames or bows may be made of any suitable form, and when used in the
manufacture of mattresses may have their lower arins fastened with clamps, which
will not impede the free motion of the extremities upon the fixed part to which
they may be attached. The upper extremities of all the frames or bows should
be connected with one another by strips of malacca cane, or other suitable material
and then the usual cloth spread over them. By tightening the cloth any desirable
curve may be given to the surface as the bows or frames which are near the edge
may be pressed down more than those which are in the centre. Experience has
shewn that for a spring mattress in the manufacture of which thirty two of the
springs ordinarily used are necessary, twenty four of these improved springs will

page_text: be sufficient, moreover my improved springs are considerably lighter than the
ordinary springs being less than half of the weight for the same strength. Therefore
a spring mattress constructed with the new bow springs will be lighter and cheaper
than one provided with ordinary springs.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim-
The above described improvements in springs for use in the manufacture of
mattresses, chairs, cushions and similar articles, which springs serve as a substitute
for the ordinary spiral springs, and each of which consists of two arms or bows
connected by a spiral spring joint and receiving the weight upon their free ends,
substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Frank Wirth have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.