Improvements in or connected with Folding Bedsteads.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Folding Bedsteads.
I, JAN GÜNTHER, Lieutenant in the 66th Infantry Regiment, Butyrski, Warsaw,
Province of Poland, in the Empire of Russia, 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 bedsteads so constructed that they can be folded up
into the form of a trunk or box of moderate dimensions, containing, besides clothing
and linen, a complete bed with its bed linen, and a camp stool. When the bedstead
is only partially extended, it can be used as a small table and for other similar
purposes.
The bedstead can also be arranged to be folded up separately, without the trunk,
so as to form two distinct packages, viz., the trunk and the bedstead.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can be
carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bedstead constructed according to my invention,
the bedstead being folded and the trunk closed:
Figure 2 is an end view, the bedstead being folded and the trunk open:
Figure 3 is an elevation shewing the bedstead extended and the trunk closed:
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 but shewing the bedstead only partially
extended so as to form a table:
Figure 5 is an elevation of the modified arrangement in which the bedstead is
not connected to a trunk or box.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, B is the trunk of ordinary shape, having secured to
it a lid a which serves as a rest or support for the jointed couch or bedstead A,
formed of leaves or frames hinged together, there being sufficient space within the
said bedstead, when folded up on the said support, to receive a pillow, a blanket
and a camp stool.
The bedstead A consists of the support or lid a secured to the trunk B; four
pairs of wooden or iron bars 6 which form frames for receiving the sacking or
bottom cloth c; three pairs of legs d, d', d, and a plate e, forming a support for the
foot of the bedstead when the latter is completely extended, as shewn in Figure 3;
a table when the bedstead is only partially unfolded, as shewn in Figure 4, and a
cover when the bedstead is folded up, as shewn in Figure 2.
The legs d, are preferably made of wood and the legs d' of metal; all the
legs can, however, if required, be made of metal.
In the modified arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 the bedstead when folded
forms a package which is not connected to a trunk. In this case the plate e at the
foot of the bedstead is replaced by two iron legs and the said plate is placed at
the head part so as to form a substitute for the trunk in order to support the head
of the bedstead when the same has been extended.
In both cases the bedstead, including its legs, forms five leaves or frames similar
to a folding screen the wooden legs d, are mounted on hinges or pins h and can
be folded lengthwise of the bedstead, while the iron legs d' and d³ revolve trans-
versely upon hinges or pins in such a manner that the former can fold up against
the bars b, and the latter against the cross-bar g, where they are secured by
leather straps i fastened to the part a, or by suitable hooks provided for the
purpose, when the bedstead is folded. At the same time linked struts k are
detachably affixed to hooks provided on the framing, so as to create no hindrance
when the bedstead is to be folded and the legs are to be folded in.
Figure 5 shews the parts of the bedstead (without a trunk) in the position they
occupy at the beginning of the extending operation. The two iron legs of the

page_text: supporting arrangement are shewn already let down on both sides upon their
hinges, the struts, which had been previously folded in, being at the same time
extended. The five leaves composing the bedstead are shewn still bound together
by the straps i, as well as the plate e, which serves as a support for the head of the
bedstead when the latter is extended and as a cover when the same is folded.
When the bedstead is closed, a covering (Figures 2, 3 and 4) of oil-cloth or
other suitable material, which is attached to the trunk, is put round it.
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 folding bedstead consisting of a trunk or box B for packing clothes, linen,
et, and of a folding couch A, comprising a number of leaves or frames hinged
together, the said couch being secured to the lid a of the trunk, upon which lid the
bedstead rests when folded, there being thun sufficient space within the bedstead to
receive the bedding and a camp stool, substantially as, and for the purpose, described
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
2. In a folding bedstead the combination of the pivotted legs with the plate e in
such a manner that the bedstead may be used either in connection with a trunk or
independently thereof, substantially as, and for the purpose, described.
3. The improved folding bedsteads nereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 1 to 4 and iu Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 20th day of October 1891.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.