Bed Bottoms.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1898-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
Bed Bottoms.
I, JAMES BERNARD RYAN, of 394, Hudson Street, in the City, County and State
of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to that class of bed bottoms which have mattresses of
woven wire or other fabric, and it contemplates the provision of such a bed bottom
embodying a support for the mattress; the said support being adapted to prevent
undue sagging of the mattress at the centre and other points, when in use, and
being also adapted to prevent the mattress from being pressed out of shape and
thereby prolong its usefulness, and this while preserving to said mattress all of
its original resiliency or springiness.
With the foregoing ends in view, the invention will be fully understood from
the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the annexed
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a bed bottom embodying my invention; the same being
shown with the mattress partially broken away.
Fig. 2 is a similar view of a bed bottom embodying a modified form of support
for the mattress.
Fig. 3 is a view illustrative of the manner in which slack of the cables, shown
in Figures 1 and 2, may be taken up when desired.
Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of modified connections for the cables of the
support.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of a bed bottom embodying another modified form of support
for the mattress.
Fig. 7. is a view illustrative of the manner in which the points, at which the
cables comprised in said support are intertwisted, may be shifted when desired.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of a bed bottom embodying another modified form of
support for the mattress.
Fig. 9 is a detail section of the same on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of a bed bottom embodying still another modified form
of support for the mattress.
Fig. 11 is a detail section taken in the plane indicated by the linea a of Fig. 10,
and:
Figures 12, 13 and 14 are detail modified forms of the construction shown in
Fig. 10.
Referring by letter to the said drawings in general.
A designates the frame of a bed bottom which is of the usual rectangular form
and is made up of end bars a and side bars b, and B designates a mattress which
is formed of woven wire fabric or other suitable material and is connected with
the frame in the ordinary or any other manner suitable to the purposes of my
invention.
Referring now to Fig. 1 in particular:
B¹ designates the support for the mattress which comprises V-shaped loons CD.

page_text: These loops CD are formed of spirally woven wire cables which possess endwise
elasticity. The cables forming the loops C are connected at their ends to the
frame A, preferably at the corners thereof and cross or intersect each other so
that their inner portions describe a diamond-shaped figure as shown. Said cables
forming the loops C are also connected at their middles to hooks c at one end of
tension springs F, which springs are connected with the frame bars a, preferably
through the medium of metal straps E, as shown.
The cables forming the comparatively small loops D are connected at their ends
to the frame bars a at about the points shown, and have their middles, which rest
within the diamond described by the loops C, connected together. This connec-
tion is preferably effected by a tension spring G having hooks d at its ends to
engage the cables as shown, although when it is desired to increase the rigidity
or stiffness of the mattress at the centre, it may be effected by a link G (see Fig. 4)
or ring G2 (see Fig. 5).
The cables forming the loops CD serve to efficiently support the mattress and
yet preserve to the same all of its resiliency or springiness. This is due to the
fact that said cables possess endwise elasticity and will therefore expand and con-
tract with the helical springs. Such endwise elasticity also renders the cables
self supporting, it being obvious that they will expand or stretch when the mat-
tress B is depressed by weight imposed thereon, and will contract when the weight
is removed and resume their horizontal position. This renders the employment
of an auxiliary device for supporting the cables unnecessary which is an important
advantage, and prevents the mattress from being pressed out of shape.
Forming the loops CD of the spirally woven wire cables is also materially ad-
vantageous for the reason that when it is desired to stiffen the support or take up
lost tension or slack, the same may be readily accomplished by twisting the cables
after disengaging them from the hooks of the springs, or in the case of the cables
forming loops C by disconnecting the springs from the straps E. After the
cables are thus shortened they may again be readily connected in the manner
shown in Fig. 3 as is obvious.
When a bed bottom of less rigidity than that embodying the support shown in
Fig. 1 is desired, the loops D and their connecting spring G may be omitted as
shown in Fig. 2.
In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have shown a support B2, which like the support B
shown in Fig. 1, is formed of spirally woven wire cables which possess endwise
elasticity. The said support comprises the cables h which are disposed longitudin-
ally of the frame and are connected at their ends to said frame at or adjacent to
the corners thereof, the cables which are connected at their ends to the end bars a
at points about midway between the ends and middles of said bars a and are
intertwisted at j with the cables h, the cables k which are connected at
their ends to the end bars a at the same or approximately the same points as the
cables, and the cables which are connected at their ends to the end bars a at
or adjacent to the middle thereof and are intertwisted with the cables k at m and
are intertwisted with each other at n, as shown. The cables kl arranged as shown
serve to efficiently support the longitudinal-central portion of the mattress, while
the cables hi serve to efficiently support those portions of the mattress adjacent
to the longitudinal edges thereof. While the said cables are intertwisted as
stated, they are free to move one upon the other so that as the fabric is depressed
at one side of the longitudinal centre of the bottom, the cables below the depressed
portion will draw against the other cables and bring the support up against the
centre of the mattress affording an efficient support and preventing sagging of
the mattress at the centre. While this is so, it is apparent that the support
will not rob the mattress of its resiliency or springiness.
The support B is best adapted to support the mattress at the points where the
several cables are intertwisted. These points may be shifted with the hands in
either direction after the manner shown in Fig. 7, so as to place the intertwisted
roints where the mattress is subjected to the greatest strain or weight.

page_text: In Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, I have shown a modified form of support B³.
This support B³ comprises resilient rods c¹ connected at their ends to the end
bars a of the frame A at points adjacent to the side bars, and the cable d¹ which
is preferably formed of spirally woven wire and possesses endwise elasticity,
although it may be formed of non-elastic material when it is desired to increase
the rigidity or stiffness of the mattress. The said cable dis laced to and fro
between the rods e¹ and its ends may be connected with the end frame bars a in
any suitable manner. I prefer, however, to make one end of said cable fast to
one end bar and detachably connect its opposite end to the other end bar so that
when it has become loose from use or when a stiff, strong bed bottom is desired,
such end may be disconnected from the end bar and the cable drawn taut, after
which it can again be fastened to the end bar. As a convenient means of con-
necting such end to the end bar of the frame, I would use a threaded bolt el ex-
tending through the end bar b (see Fig. 9) and provided with an eye f¹, and a
thumb nut g mounted on said bolt. The end of the cable is passed through the
eye of the bolt and it will therefore be seen that when the nut is turned up on
the bolt, the cable will be clamped between the bolt and the frame bar, while,
when the nut is loosened, the cable may be drawn taut through the eye of the bolt
after which the bolt can be again tightened.
The support B³ is a thoroughly practical one and in virtue of its simple con-
struction, and the small amount of material which it embodies, it is very cheap.
In Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings, I have shown a support B which com-
prises resilient rods C which are preferably of wire, and one or more (preferably
three) helical springs D². The rods C2 are disposed transverse of the bed bottom
at opposite sides of the middle thereof and they extend through the meshes of the
wire mattress and are thereby secured to the same, as illustrated. To these rods C²,
I connect the ends of the springs D2 which are disposed longitudinally below the
mattress and between the rods C² and are preferably provided with hooks 62 to
permit of their ready connection with the latter. These springs D2 are stretched
and placed in engagement with the rods C under tension, and in consequence,
it will be observed that they will hold the mattress B under tension and increase
the strength and rigidity of the same so as to prevent the undue sagging at the
centre which is the common objection to woven wire mattresses. The said
springs D increase the tension of the mattress and strengthen the same not only
at the points where they are connected but also throughout the width of the
mattress, for it will be seen that when weight is imposed on the mattress, it is
not imposed direct on the rods C2 which will distribute it and cause it to draw uni-
formly on or stretch all of the several springs.
I prefer to employ the rods C because they materially increase the efficiency
of the springs D2. I do not desire, however, to be understood as confining myself
to the same as the springs may be connected with the mattress through the medium
of rings C³ (see Fig. 12) or their hook ends 63 may be placed in direct engagement
with the wire of the mattress as shown in Fig. 13.
In Fig. 14, I have illustrated a modification of the support B', in which a
middle transverse bar E2 is disposed transversely below the mattress B free from
connection therewith at its ends, and two transverse series of longitudinally dis-
posed springs D³ are employed; said springs being arranged between the middle
bar E and rods C and connected at their ends to the same as shown. While
this construction operates to further distribute the weight of a person lying on
the mattress, upon the several springs, and to strengthen and prevent undue sagging
of the mattress, yet the construction shown in Fig. 10 is preferred because of its
simplicity and cheapness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
:-
1
T

page_text: in combination substantially as described with reference to the several figures of
the drawings.
2. In a bed bottom, the combination of the frame, the mattress connected to
and arranged upon the frame, and the support for the mattress disposed below
the same and comprising the loops C formed by cables of spirally coiled wire; said
cables being connected at their ends to the frame at or adjacent to the corners thereof
and crossing or intersecting each other so as to describe a diamond shaped figure
at the centre of the bottom, coiled tension springs connected at one end with the
cables, forming the loops C, at the middle thereof and having their opposite ends
connected with the end bars of the frame, the loops D disposed below the loops C
and formed by the comparatively short cables or spirally coiled wire; said cables
being connected at their ends to the end bars of the frame and intersecting the cables
forming the loops C, and a centrally located connection between the middles of
the cables forming the loops D, substantially as specified.
3. The combination with the frame and the woven wire fabric secured thereon;
of the cables of spirally coiled wire secured at their ends to the end bars of the
frame and looped one over the other in a longitudinal direction to form a diamond
shaped figure, and the tension springs secured at one end to said end bars and
detachably taking into the bight of the cables, whereby said cables may be de-
tached and twisted to take up slack, substantially as specified.
4. In the bed bottom described, the rectangular frame, the mattress connected
to the end bars of the frame, and the support disposed below the mattress and com-
prising the longitudinally disposed cables h connected at their opposite ends to
opposite end bars of the frame, the longitudinally 'disposed cables i connected at
their opposite ends to opposite end bars of the frame and intertwisted at with
the cables h, the longitudinally disposed cables connected at their opposite ends
to opposite end bars of the frame, and longitudinally disposed cables connected
at their opposite ends to opposite end bars of the frame and intertwisted with the
cables kat m and intertwisted with each other at n; the said cables being formed
of spirally woven wire and having endwise elasticity and being. so arranged that
the points at which they are intertwisted may be shifted, substantially as specified.
5. In a bed bottom, a frame, a mattress connected to the frame, and a support
disposed below the mattress and comprising cables connected at their opposite
ends to opposite end bars of the frame, and cables disposed in the same direction
as the cables-k and connected at their opposite ends to opposite bars of the frame
and intertwisted with the cables at m and intertwisted with each other at n;
the said cables being formed of spirally woven wire and having endwise elasticity
and being so arranged that the points at which they are interlooped or intertwisted
may be shifted, substantially as specified.
i 6. In a bed bottom, a frame, a mattress connected to the frame and a support
disposed below the mattress and comprising cables extending in the same direction
and each connected at one end to one bar of the frame and at their opposite ends
to the opposite bar of the frame and intertwisted at an intermediate point of their
length; the ends of one cable being arranged adjacent to the ends of the other
cable so as to permit of the point at which they are intertwisted being shifted,
substantially as specified.
7. In a bed bottom, the combination of a frame, a mattress connected to the
frame; and a support disposed below the mattress and comprising the inwardly
bowed rods connected at their ends to the frame, and the cable laced to and fro
on said rods throughout the length of the bed bottom and connected at its opposite 5
ends to opposite bars of the frame, substantially as specified.
8. In a bed bottom, the combination of a frame, a mattress connected to the
frame, and a support disposed below the mattress and comprising the inwardly
bowed rods connected at their ends to the frame, and the cable laced to and fro
on said rods throughout the length of the bed bottom and connected at one end
to one bar of the frame and detachably connected at its opposite end to the opposite
j

page_text: bar of the frame so as to permit of it being tightened when necessary, substantially
as specified.
9. A bed bottom comprising a frame, a mattress of woven wire fabric attached
to the frame, and one or more horizontal, helical springs arranged below and paral-
led to the mattress; the said springs having their ends connected to the fabric
forming the mattress at intermediate points in the length of the same and being
stretched or under tension, whereby they are supported by the mattress and are
adapted to prevent sagging of the same, substantially as specified.
10. A bed bottom comprising a frame, a mattress of woven wire fabric attached
to the same, and the transverse, resilient rods and a series of horizontal, helical
springs carried by the fabric forming the mattress; the said rods being disposed
at opposite sides of the middle of the bed bottom and between said middle and the
ends, and the springs being stretched or under tension and arranged below and
parallel to the mattress and extending in the direction of the length of the bed
bottom between the transverse rods and having their ends connected to said rods,
substantially as specified.
11. A bed bottom comprising a frame, a woven wire mattress attached to the
frame, transverse resilient rods extending through the mesh of the mattress and
disposed at opposite sides of the middle of the bottom, a resilient, transverse bar
arranged between said rods and below the mattress, and transverse series of longi-
tudinally disposed springs arranged below the mattress and connecting the resilient
bar with the resilient rods, substantially as specified.
Dated this 1st day of March 1898
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.