Improvements in Furniture.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Furniture.
I, JEAN PIERRE TIHON, of 27 Rue Titon, Paris, France, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in furniture the object being to
provide in one piece of furniture a bed which can be hidden at pleasure, a wash-
stand, a secrétaire, and other articles.
I will proceed to describe the construction of a piece of furniture for the above
purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 represents the piece of furniture in a closed condition in which it then has
the appearance of a secrétaire.
Fig. 2 represents the piece of furniture still closed, but with the small table
lowered and in a position for writing upon. In the same figure are shown also
compartments or sets of pigeon-holes in which various articles can be placed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the piece of furniture in an open condition, and
in the position suitable for serving as a bed; the spring mattress forming the bottom
of the bed is covered with a stuffed mattress.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section along the axis of the piece of furniture when opened
(as shown in Fig. 3), but with the mattress removed.
Fig. 5 represents the piece of furniture opened, but with the lower portion or
foot of the bedstead turned back, which is done when the movable portion is about
to be raised in order to allow it to be brought back into the closed position.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the piece of furniture when closed, that is to say
when in the position indicated in Fig. 1, the mattress being removed for the purpose
of better exposing the mechanism to view.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the spring mattress.
Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive are detail views hereinafter referred to.
A, B is a fixed base to which is fixed an upright wall C, D forming the back of
the piece of furniture. A flat board E, F is fixed upon the wall C, D by means of
two side brackets G. All these parts are stationary.
The front part H, I, H, I, (Fig. 1) turns down about a horizontal axis, towards
the front, in order to assume the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The whole of
this movable portion is secured to two rods or levers (one on each side) which
turn about pivots or trunnions K. Helical springs L are fixed at one end to the
wall C, D and at the other to the end of the rods J and act thereon as hereinafter
explained.
In order to increase the length of the portion that turns down horizontally, the
said portion is composed of two parts, one of them being H I, (which I will call
the "flap") and the other O, P. The latter is so jointed to the flap as to be
capable of turning about an axis Q and can assume either the position indicated in
Fig. 4 or that indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.
On the movable piece OP is fixed a cross-piece R S (Fig. 7), which connects
the two sides of the bedstead and to which are attached helical springs V which
are connected at their other extremities to plates or laths of steel Y, forming a
mattress. These plates Y are also connected to helical springs X fixed to a
metallic angle-iron bar T, U, which is attached to two wooden rods W (one on
each side) which turn around an axis Z.
Each rod J is jointed at one end to a connecting rod a, b, which rotates about
the axis b. To this connecting rod near the centre thereof, is jointed a rod c d the
other end of which is connected to the upper end of one of the brackets f which

page_text: turn about an axis e. The two brackets serve as legs or supports when in the
position indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
To each bracket f is attached a hook g connected to a button or handle i and
adapted to become firmly engaged with a corresponding projecting part or catch /
when the flap is raised into the position indicated in Fig. 6.
I will now proceed to explain the method of transforming the piece of furniture
when closed and having the appearance of a secrétaire (Figs. 1 and 6) into a bed
(Figs. 3 and 4).
The piece of furniture being closed as indicated in Fig. 6, the buttons i are
pressed inward with the effect of raising the hooks and thus disengaging them
- from their catches h; on being drawn forward the flap HI becomes inclined and
ultimately assumes the position shown in Fig. 5. During this motion, the brackets f
rotate about their axes e and pass from the position indicated in Fig. 6 to that
indicated in Fig. ; that is to say so that they form the feet of the bedstead. The
weight of the flap H I and that of the bedding would be liable to cause the motion
of the flap to be too rapid were it not for the helical springs L, which being in
repose when the piece of furniture is closed up, are stretched during the motion of
the flap, drawing upon the rods J, and counterbalancing to a large extent the effect
of the weight of the flap and attached parts and so moderating the velocity of these
parts when being moved into the open position.
When the piece of furniture is in the position indicated in Fig. 5, the foot
board O, P is drawn in the direction indicated by the arrow k to cause it to rotate
about the axis Q until it reaches the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. During
this motion, the plates Y are pulled taut and they draw on the pieces W, which
they bring from the horizontal position indicated in Fig. 5 to the inclined position
represented in Fig. 4, two guide rods t, one on each side, abutting against the
stops mn, of the Hap to prevent the piece W from rising higher than is indicated
in Fig. 4, thereby causing the necessary tension of the plates Y to constitute a
mattress.
In the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the piece of furniture is arranged to
serve as a bed.
Let us suppose, that it is now desired to bring the piece of furniture back from
the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 into that represented in Fig. 1. To do this
the head-board OP is first pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow r
(Fig. 4) which will cause it to rotate about the axis Q and cause it to move back
into the position represented in Fig. 5. The flap HI is turned upward so as to
rotate about a horizontal axis, and the rods J turning at the same time about their
trunnions K. During this motion the rods cd, jointed to the links a b, operate the
brackets in such a manner as to cause them to approach the flap by turning about
their axes e. When the flap H I has arrived in the vertical position, the hooks g
engage with the pieces h whereupon the flap H I becomes firmly fixed to the case
of the piece of furniture, which has then the appearance indicated in Fig. 1. The
exertion of a very slight effort is sufficient to raise the flap H I into the position
shown in Fig. 1 because the springs L, which were extended during its descent, now
exert a tensional force which tends to raise the said flap.
1 will now proceed to describe the various secondary and accessory arrangements
of my piece of furniture.
The side walls or faces 1, 1, 2, 2, rotate about vertical axes and can be caused to
assume the extended positious represented in Fig. 3 so as not to be inconvenient at
the head of the bed. Each of these side walls carries a small table 3 mounted to
turn about a horizontal axis so that it can be turned either into the horizontal position
shown in Fig. 3 and in Figs. 8 and 9 which are cross sections through the side wall
and table or into the vertical position shown in Fig. 5. When the small tables are
in the position indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, small objects can be placed thereon. A
spring plate or strip 4 continually tends to raise each of the small tables 3 and
bring it back into the vertical position shown in Fig. 5. For the purpose of
maintaining these small tables in the horizontal position, the end of each spring +

page_text: is provided with a slotted portion 5 (see Fig. 11) into which takes a hook 6 nxea
on the corresponding side wall or face 1, 1, or 2, 2. When the small table is pulled
forward in order to bring it from the vertical position into the horizontal position,
the spring 4 descends in the groove 7 (Fig. 5) and its end 5 engages with the
hook 6. When the side wall is turned to bring it back into the position indicated
in Figs. 1 and 2, the end 8 of the hook 6 abuts against the case of the piece of
furniture and causes the hook 6 to rotate about the axis 9 and become disengaged
from the spring 4 which again raises the small table 3.
The
The flap H is composed of several parts which may be lowered outwards when
the piece of furniture is closed into the position indicated in Fig. 1.
table 10 11 can be lowered into a horizontal position, or approximately so, by
turning it about the axis 10, 10, so as to take up the position indicated in Fig. 2 in
This table can be used for writing or any
which it is retained by two rods 12.
other desired purpose.
Into the pigeon holes or cases 13, 14, which are also
lowered into a horizontal position, papers or other small articles can be put.
The small table 10, 11 is itself composed of two parts, one of which 15, 16 can
be raised into a vertical position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2; it carries a
On the second part of the small
looking-glass and serves then as a mirror.
table 10, 11 a wash-hand basin can be placed, and the piece of furniture then serves
as a washing-stand.
Finally, in the lower part of the piece of furniture are arranged cupboards 17, 18
into which can be put a water-jug, wash-hand basin, and other utensils.
wh das of December 1893.
J. P. TIHON,
By L. W., per F. B.
Improvements in Furniture.
I, JEAN PIERRE TIHON, of 27 Rue Titon, Paris, France, Manufacturer, 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 improvements in furniture, the object being to provide
in one piece of furniture a bed which can be hidden at pleasure, a wash-stand, a
secrétaire and other articles.
And in order that the nature of my invention may be clearly understood
I will proceed to describe the construction of a piece of furniture for the
above mentioned purposes by the aid of the drawings filed with my Provisional
Specification in which
Fig. 1 represents the piece of furniture in a closed condition in which it then
has the appearance of a secrétaire.
Fig. 2 represents the piece of furniture still closed, but with the small table
In the same figure are shown also
lowered and in a position for writing upon.
compartments or sets of pigeon-holes in which various articles can be placed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the piece of furniture in an open condition, and
in the position suitable for serving as a bed; the spring-mattress forming the
bottom of the bed is covered with a stuffed mattress.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section along the axis of the piece of furniture when opened
(as shown in Fig. 3), but with the stuffed mattress removed.
Fig. 5 represents the piece of furniture opened, but with the lower portion or
foot of the bedstead turned back, which is done when the movable portion is about
to be raised in order to allow the piece of furniture to be brought back into the
closed condition.

page_text: Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the piece of furniture when closed, that is to
say when in the condition indicated in Fig. 1, the stuffed mattress being removed
for the purpose of better exposing the mechanism to view.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the spring-mattress.
Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive are detail-views hereinafter referred to.
A B is a stationary base to which is fixed an upright wall CD forming the back
of the piece of furniture to the top of which a flat board E F is fixed by means
of two side-brackets G. All these parts are stationary.
The front part HI (Fig. 1) is movable, being mounted to turn down about a
horizontal axis, towards the front, in order to assume the position indicated in
Figs. 3 and 4. The whole of this movable portion is secured to two rods or
levers J (one on each side) which turn about pivots or trunnions K. Helical
springs L are fixed at one end to the wall C D and at the other to the adjacent
-ends of the rods J and act thereon as hereinafter explained.
In order to increase the length of the portion that turns down horizontally,
the said portion is composed of two parts, one of them being H-1 (which I will
call the "Hap"), and the other O P. The latter is so jointed to the flap as to be
capable of turning about an axis Q and can assume, relatively to the flap, either
the position indicated in Fig. 4 or that indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.
On the movable piece OP is fixed a cross-piece RS (Fig. 7), which connects
the two sides of the bedstead, and to which are attached helical springs V which
are connected at their other extremities to plates or laths of steel Y, forming a
mattress. The plates Y are also attached at their other ends to helical springs ✗
fixed to a metallic angle-iron bar T U which is attached to two wooden rods W
(one on each side of the bedstead) which are capable of being turned about an
axis Z.
Each rod J is jointed at one end to a connecting-rod or link (hereinafter
called a link) a b which is rotatable about the axis b. To this connecting rod,
near the centre thereof, is jointed one end of a rod c d the other end of which is
connected to the upper end of one of the brackets which turn about axes e.
The two brackets f serve as legs or supports when in the position indicated in
Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
To each of these brackets f is attached a hook g, connected to a button or
handle i, and adapted to become firmly engaged with a corresponding projecting
part or catch Figs. 3, 4 and 5 when the flap is raised into the position indicated
in Fig. 6.
I will now proceed to explain the method of transformning the piece of furniture
when closed and having the appearance of a secrétaire (Figs. 1 and 6) into a bed.
(Figs. 3 and 4).
are
The piece of furniture being closed as indicated in Fig. 6, the buttons
pressed inward with the effect of raising the hooks y and thus disengaging them
from their catches ; on being now drawn forward, the flap H I becomes inclined
and ultimately assumes the position shown in Fig. 5. During this motion, the
brackets rotate about their axes e and pass from the position indicated in Fig. 6
into that indicated in Fig. 5; that is to say, so that they form the legs or
supports of the bedstead. The weight of the flap HI aud that of the bedding
would be liable to cause the motion of the flap to be too rapid were it not for the
helical springs L, which being in repose when the piece of furniture is closed up,
are stretched during the motion of the flap, drawing upon the rods J, and counter-
balancing to a large extent the effect of the weight of the flap and attached parts
and so moderating the velocity of these parts when being moved into the open
position.
When the piece of furniture is in the position indicated in Fig. 5, the foot-
board OP is drawn in the direction indicated by the arrow k to cause it to rotate
about the axis Q until it reaches the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. During
this motion, the plates Y are pulled taut and they draw on the rods W, which they

page_text: 0
55
ring from the horizontal position indicated in Fig. 5 into the incumeu poss
epresented in Fig. 4, two guide-rods or bars t, one on each side, abutting against
e stops or ends m n of the flap to prevent the piece W from rising higher than is
dicated in Fig. 4, thereby causing the necessary tension of the plates Y to.
onstitute a mattress.
In the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the piece of furniture is arranged to.
erve as a bed.
To do
Let us suppose that it is now desired to bring the piece of furniture back from
he position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 into that represented in Fig. 1.
his the foot-board OP is first pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow
(Fig. 4) which will cause it to rotate about the axis Q and to move back into the
is then turned upward so as to rotate.
position represented in Fig. 5. The flap H
about a horizontal axis, the rods J turning at the same time about their pivots or
runnions K. During this motion the rods c d, jointed to the links a b, operate the-
brackets f in such a manner as to cause them to approach the flap by turning.
about their axes e. When the flap has arrived in the vertical position, the hooks g
engage with the catches h, whereupon the said flap becomes firmly fixed to the
case of the piece of furniture, which has then the appearance indicated in Fig. 1..
The exertion of a very slight effort is sufficient to thus raise the flap H I into the
position shown in Fig. 1 because the springs L, which were extended during its
descent, now exert a tensional force which tends to raise the said flap.
I will now proceed to describe the various secondary and accessory arrangements..
of my piece of furniture.
The side walls or faces 1 and 2 rotate about vertical axes and can be caused to
assume the extended positions represented in Fig. 3 so as not to be inconvenient at-
the head of the bed. Each of these side walls carries a small table or shelf
(hereinafter called a shelf) 3 mounted to turn about a horizontal axis so that it can.
be lowered into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 3 and in Figs. 8 and 9, which
are cross sections through the side wall and table, or raised into the vertical
position shown in Fig. 5. When the shelves 3 are in the position indicated in
Figs.
and 9, small objects can be placed thereon. A spring plate or strip 4
continually tends to raise each of the shelves 3 and bring it back into the vertical
position shown in Fig. 5. For the purpose of maintaining these shelves in the
horizontal position, the lower end of each spring 4 is provided with a slotted
terminal portion 5 (see Fig. 11) into which takes a spring hook 6 fixed on the
When the shelf 3 is pulled forward in
corresponding side wall or face 1 or 2.
order to bring it from the vertical position into the horizontal position, the spring 4
descends in the groove 7 (Fig. 5) and its slotted portion 5 engages with the hook 6.
When the side wall is turned to bring it back into the position indicated in
Figs. 1 and 2, the end 8 (Fig. 10) of the hook 6 abuts against the case of the piece
of furniture and causes the hook 6 to rotate about the axis 9 and become disengaged
from the spring 4 which again raises the shelf 3.
The flap HI is composed of several parts which may be lowered outwards when
the piece of furniture is in the condition indicated in Fig. 1. Thus the table 11
can be lowered into a horizontal position, or approximately so, by turning it about
the axis 10 so as to take up the position indicated in Fig. 2, in which it is retained.
by two rods 12. This table can be used for writing or any other desired purpose.
Into the pigeon-holes, compartments, or cases 13, 14, which are also lowered into
a horizontal position, papers or other small articles can be put.
The table 11 is itself composed of two parts, one of which 15, 16 can be raised
into a vertical position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2; it carries a looking-
glass and in that position serves as a mirror. On the second part of the
table 11 a wash-hand basin can be placed, and the piece of furniture then serves
as a wash-stand.
Finally, in the lower part of the piece of furniture are arranged cupboards 17
and 18 into which can be put a water-jug, wash-band basin and other utensils.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A piece of furniture comprising a stationary casing A B C D E F and a
movable flap H I that is provided with a foot-board OP rotatable about an
axis and is secured to rods J that are capable of being turned about pins or
trunnions K and are connected by springs L to the back of the said casing,
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
2. A piece of furniture of the kind specified in the preceding claim, furnished
with a spring mattress comprising metallic plates or laths Y connected at one
end by springs V to a cross-piece RS and at the other end by springs X to a
bar TU fixed to two rods W capable of being turned about an axis Z, substantially
as described and shown.
3. A piece of furniture of the kind specified in the preceding claims, in which
the front portion 11 of the flaps H I can be lowered to form a table and is divided
into two parts of which one carries a looking-glass and the other is capable of
serving as a wash-stand, substantially as described and shown.
4. A piece of furniture of the kind specified in Claim 3, in which the side walls or
faces 1 and 2 are furnished with shelves 3 supported by springs 4 arranged to engage
with hooks 6, substantially as described and shown.
5. The improved piece of combination furniture constructed and arranged as
hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the drawings and suitable
for the various purposes hereinbefore specified.
nd this 20th dow of Tune 1891