IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BEDSTEADS, CHAIRS, TABLES COUCHES, AND TUBULAR OR HOLLOW ARTICLES
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME; we, JoпN
COWLEY, of the Patent Welded Iron Tube Works, in the Parish of Walsall, in
the County of Stafford, Manufacturer, and JOHN HICKMAN, late of the Parish of
Aston, in the County of Warwick, but now of Walsall aforesaid, Clerk, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Second day of November,
in the thirteenth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto us, the said
John Cowley and John Hickman, our exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said John Cowley
and John Hickman, our exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as we,
the said John Cowley and John Hickman, our exors, admors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter, during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF BEDSTEADS, CHAIRS, TABLES, COUCHES, AND TUBULAR OR
HOLLOW ARTICLES," within that part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and

page_text: Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in Her Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Colonies and Plantations
abroad; in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso requiring
that we, the said John Cowley and John Hickman, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under our hands
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us, and cause the same to
be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
John Cowley and John Hickman do hereby declare that the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
particularly described and ascertained in and by this present Instrument in
writing, reference being had to the four-several Sheets of Drawings hereunto
belonging and forming part hereof (that is to say) :-
Our Invention consists,-
Firstly, in constructing. bedsteads, chairs, tables, and couches, with corner
or junction pieces for connecting the rails or framing together, and which
are formed with horizontal sockets or receptacles for holding the said
rails.
Secondly, in constructing bedsteads with their legs, posts, or pillars of the
form usually given to angle iron, and fitted in a corresponding angular 'hole,
opening, or seat, formed either in corner or junction pieces, for connecting
the horizontal framework together, or in the horizontal framework itself when
corner pieces are not employed.
Thirdly, in constructing bedsteads with their legs, posts, or pillars of the
form usually given to angle iron, and fitted against the corners either of
corner or junction pieces, for connecting 'the horizontal framework toge-
ther, or of the horizontal framework itself, when corner 'pieces are not
employed.
Fourthly, in constructing that description of stretchers (for bedsteads)
which are sunk or placed below the laths in such manner as to be capable of
extension by means of a screw and nut; that is to say, in making the end of
the rod so that it may slide in a socket, piece, which presses against the rail
or framing of the bedstead, and in making the nut which works on the screw
formed on the rod to take an abutment or bearing against the said socket
piece.

page_text: Fifthly, in. manufacturing compound laths (for bedsteads, and couches)
constructed of springs inclosed or inserted between two or more single laths
or bands;. by rivetting or otherwise rigidly connecting together the respective
ends of such laths or bands.
Sixthly, the ornamenting hollow. legs, posts, or pillars of bedsteads, chairs,
tables, and couches; and likewise tubular or hollow articles, by casting or
otherwise constructing them of a perforated or open work pattern, and
inserting velvet, silk, paper, leather, porcelain, glass, enamelled ware, or other
suitable substance or material in the tube or hollow; or between the interstices
of the pattern as cast or constructed.
Seventhly, in constructing telescope tables so that they may be expanded
or contracted at will; by turning a screw which will act successively on each
side of the table.
Lastly, in manufacturing cast hollow posts for bedsteads or other tubular or
hollow articles, by forming the cores by means of a swinging mould board or
template.
And having thus set förth the nature of our said Invention, we will proceed
to describe the manner in which each part is to be performed.
First Division. In Drawing No. 1, Figure 1 is a side elevation (partially in
section) of a portion of the frame of an iron stump bedstead, exemplifying
this part of our Invention. Figure 2 a top plan of the same. Figure 3 an
inverted plan of one of the corner or junction pieces. Figure 4 a plan of the
end portions of the rail which fit into the corner pieces. a, b, a, b, are corner
pieces for connecting the side and end rails c, c, which fit into the horizontal
sockets b, b. In the corner pieces d, d, aré screws working through the
corner pieces and securing the rails and corner pieces together by pressure,
but which may be screwed through the rails if preferred. e is an ordinary.
head post or pillar. The corner pieces may be connected with the posts or.
pillars in any convenient way, or may be cast in one therewith, as may be
represented by the Figures 44 and 45, in Drawing No. 3, which are hereafter
referred to.
In Drawing No. 2, Figures 5 and 6 represent an elevation and plan of a
French iron bedstead complete; Figures 7 and 8 similar views of a chair;
Figures 9 and 10 similar views of a table; and Figures 11 and 12 similar
views of a couch: these views being intended to shew the use of this part of
our Invention in respect of each of those particular articles. The socketed
corner pieces are marked a, the rails c, and the legs and posts e. In making.
the chairs and couches we bolt or screw a horizontal wooden frame to the.
iron rails, to which wooden frame we attach the upper framing, webbing, and..

page_text: covering in the ordinary manner. Figures 13 and 14 are an elevation and
plan of a corner junction, somewhat similar to the ordinary method, but
improved by having the end of the rail c fitted in a socket or receptacle in
the dovetailed piece f previously to being rivetted thereto. Figures 15, 16,
and 17 are corresponding views of the dovetailed piece f, shewing the socket f**
therein, the shape of which corresponds with the transverse sectional shape of
the rail, whatever it may be.
Second Division.-In Drawing No. 1, Figures 18 and 19 represent an
elevation and plan of parts of a bedstead, illustrating this part of our Inven-
tion. h is the piece of angle iron employed as the leg and post or upright,
which passes through a somewhat larger but corresponding hole i, in the
corner piece a, or other horizontal framework; k, a wedge for keying up or
holding the parts tightly together, but which may be rendered quite secure
from slipping by a screw or stud; c, c, side rails, as before described.
Figures 20 and 21 represent a plan and side elevation of similar parts of
a bedstead, but shewing the angular upright differently placed. The letters of
reference correspond with those in the two last Figures. Other positions
of the upright are also denoted by dotted lines in Figures 19 and 20. It is
evident from the foregoing that the angular uprights may be secured in
corresponding angular holes, openings, or seats formed in the horizontal
framework itself, where corner or junction pieces are not employed, in a
similar manner to that above described, and therefore I deem it unnecessary to
enter into further explanation on this point.
Third Division. In Drawing No. 1, Figure 21 is a plan view, partially in
section, of parts of a bedstead, similar to those represented in Figures 18 to 21,1
but shewing the piece of angle iron h employed as the leg post or upright, as
fitted against the corner piece a, and secured thereto by screws, instead of
passing through the corner piece and being secured by a wedge. The angular
upright may be secured in the same manner to the horizontal framework
when corner pieces are not used, or, instead of screws as shewn, rivets may be
used if preferred.
Fourth Division.-In Drawing No. 2, Figure 22 is a side elevation of our
improved elongating stretchers. Figure 23, a similar view on a larger scale,
and partly in section, of one end of the same, shewing the improvement more
clearly. n, o, is the socket piece of cast iron, with a notch at * to receive the
edge of the rail or frame c; o is the socket for the reception of the end of the
rod , and of the nut g, which works on the screwed part of the rod. The nut
has a bearing or abutment against the countersunk end of the socket, and the
conical shape of the countersunken part and the fitting of the reduced end of
P,

page_text: The
the rod in the smaller part of the socket keep the socket piece steady.
turning of the nut will elongate the stretcher as required. Figures 24 and 25
are end views of the rod p and casting n, o. Both ends of the rod may be
made in the same manner, or one end may be made as stretchers are usually
made, or in any convenient manner.
Fifth Division, In Drawing No. 3, Figures 26 and 27, Figures 28 and 29,
and Figures 30 and 31, represent plan and side views respectively of three
compound elastic or spring laths for bedsteads, constructed according to this
part of our Invention, s, s, are single laths or bands, between which-and
other single laths or bands t, t, springs are inserted; u being double spiral
wire springs, u¹ curved plate springs, and u³ common helical wire springs of
the ordinary description, and connected with the laths in the ordinary manner.
The upper and lower laths are shewn as rivetted together at their respective
ends, but we do not limit this part of our Invention to any precise mode of
effecting a rigid connection. Figure 31× shews a side elevation of a com-
pound spring lath, with the respective ends of its single laths rigidly connected
together, but having distancing pieces between them, being a modification of
the lath represented at Figures 26 and 27.
.
Sixth Division. In Drawing No. 3, Figure 32 is an elevation of a pillar
ornamented according to this part of our Invention, and Figure 33 a similar
view of a portion only thereof, shewing more clearly one mode in which the
ornamenting is effected. w is the pillar of cast or stamped metal, and x a
lining of velvet which shews through its perforated or open work pattern.
Any suitable fabric, substance, or material may be used in place of the velvet.
Or the ornamentation may be effected by cementing or otherwise fastening
pieces of porcelain or enamel, or other substance or material, between the
interstices of the pattern. Figure 34 shews one of such pieces suitable to
the pattern of the pillar represented in Figure 32.
Seventh Division.-In Drawing No. 4, Figure 35 is a longitudinal sectional
elevation of our improved telescope table extended to its full length. Figure 36,
a plan of the same, the top of the table being removed. Figures 37 and 38,
similar views to Figures 35 and 36, but shewing the table contracted to its
shortest length. Figure 39, an end elevation of the table. Figure 40, a view
on a larger scale, shewing the exterior of the screw and section of the parts
through and against which it works. Figure 41, the winch for turning the
screw. Figures 42 and 43, views from the two opposite sides of one of the
pieces of transverse framing of the slides to which the threaded bushes
(hereafter mentioned) are attached. A, A, are the slides of the table, which

page_text: are constructed aš in the ordinary manner. B; one of the ends. C; the screw,
having a collar C. (on the plain portion thereof); which works in a recess in
the end framing B, and between plates, one of which is sunken in the said
recess, and the other screwed to the framing. The threaded portion of the
screw takes into corresponding threaded bushes D; D; fixed to the transverse
framing A, A, of the slides. E, a winch för turning the screw. The screw
is always in gear with two of the bushes, and in its action gears with a fresh
bush just previously to dropping one, and thus acts successively on the several
slides. Sufficient space is left between the threaded portion of the screw and
its collar for one less than the number of pieces of the transverse framing
A*, A. In extending the table, pins are used to connect the first and
second slides together, just previously to the first or narrowest slide becoming
disengaged from the screw, and so on in succession with each slide. These
must be withdrawn when it is wished to close up the table.
Last Division. In Drawing No. 3, Figure 44 is a hollow pillar of a bed-
stead, cast either in parts or entire. Figure 45, a transverse section. In order
to cast a long narrow pillar of this description we make the necessary cores by
means of the apparatus represented in side and end elevation in Figures 46
and 46. Figures 47 and 48 represent on a larger scale transverse, sectional,
and end views respectively, of sonic of the parts of the apparatus, which may
be readily distinguished by the letters of reference corresponding with those
in Figure 46. M, M, is the core rod, which is stretched in the frame N, N,
the ends of the rod being passed through short tubes 0, 0, connected to the
frame. The projecting ends of the core rod rest in supports P, P, so that the
frame and core rod may be made to rotate upon them together. Qis a
swinging mould board or template suspended by straps or slings R, R,
from the tubes O, O. S, S, pins, by removing which the slings and template
may be removed.
We make our core by wrapping haybands or some fibrous
substance round the rod, and covering the same with wet sand or loam, and
causing the frame to revolve, whilst the template by its weight remains
stationary, or nearly so, and forms the core into the required shape. By this
apparatus a very slender core can be well made, and the frame is a support to
it whilst it is being removed, dried, or laid in the casting boxes or moulds.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hickman, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
JOHN (L.S.) HICKMAN.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirtieth day of April, in the
year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid John Hickman came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.