Improvements in Combined Wardrobes and Bedsteads.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Wardrobes and Bedsteads.
I, TRANGOTT OPEL of Mützlicherweg 4, Halle o$. in the Empire of Germany
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 :-
By combining a wardrobe with a bedstead arranged to turn upon an axis articles
of furniture have been made which could be used as a wardrobe for storing clothes
and as a bed.
In order to be able to readily raise and lower the bedstead a spiral spring was
mounted on the axis the free extremity of which bore against a sliding surface.
When the bedstead was lowered, this spiral spring was wound upon the axis and
its free end was shortened. As however in this case the tension of the spring
and its sliding friction increased with the angle formed between the bedstead
and a vertical line the weight of the bedstead was counterpoised in every
position.
This arrangement had however a defect which interfered with its use. The
tension of the spring had to be selected or calculated according to the weight
of the bedstead. As however it is practically impossible that the load on the
bedstead should always be the same it occurred, notwithstanding every precaution,
that when the bedstead was turned on its axis it was liable to be raised or lowered
or fly up or down with too much force.
This defect is remedied by the following invention in such a manner as to
regulate the action of the spiral spring by means of a pressure screw m, so that the
changeable weight of the bedstead may be counterbalanced by stretching the spiral
spring more or less. The above mentioned sliding surface is replaced by the end
of the pressure screw.
A further improvement introduced by the inventor is the utilization of the
movable bedstead as a wardrobe or cupboard for clothes in such a manner that
the front side of the bottom of the bedstead may be used, after the door is opened,
for suspending children's articles of clothing thereto while on the rear side of
this bottom is arranged a wire mattress upon which the bed is made.
A third improvement consists of providing an appendage at the side of the
wardrobe which may be used as a night table.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 shows a front view on the left hand side and a vertical longitudinal
section on the right hand side of my improved wardrobe and bedstead.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the bedstead being lowered.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the latter figure.
A is the wardrobe, B the bedstead, C, C, are shelves or compartments used for
storing purposes i.e., for storing articles of toilet. D is the appendage for the
night table. The details of the latter are shown in Figs. 4 to 6 which represent
an elevation (Fig. 4) a top view (Fig. 5) and an inverted plan (Fig. 6). a is the
frame for the night light, & a small table consisting of three hinged parts. The
whole frame slides in the grooves c. The lever serving to support the small
table is turned out, when the frame is withdrawn, by the draw rod e the pins of
which strike against the front end of the slot.
A modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is illustrated in Fig. 7.
The alteration consists in the front side of the bottom of the bedstead being pro-
vided with a box n at its lower part instead of being made into a suspension piece :
dirty clothes or the like being placed in the said box n. The other alteration
consists in the front wall O and one of the sides, the side p for instance, turning

page_text: together upon a hinge fixed to the rear wall K of the frame A in order to be
drawn out.
The suspension part of the wardrobe is formed in this case by a frame L. L
arranged behind the door. When using the wardrobe as a bedstead the door and
side wall which move together are drawn out and the bottom of the bed is drawn
forward and out of the wardrobe and then dropped down. Storage receptacles
may likewise be provided in the sides of this wardrobe.
"'
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 combined wardrobe and bedstead constructed and made convertible
substantially as described.
2. In a combined wardrobe and bedstead of the class set forth the arrangement
of a movable toilet in the side wall substantially as described.
3. In a combined wardrobe and bedstead wherein the latter is turned by means
of a spiral spring the application of the pressure screw m for the purpose of
counterbalancing the weight when the load changes substantially as described.
4. In a combined wardrobe and bedstead of the class set forth the use of a
sliding piece arranged in the bedstead and carrying a bracket for a light and a
collapsible night table substantially as described.
5. A combined wardrobe and bedstead wherein the whole of the front wall and
one of the side walls can be moved out upon a hinge fixed to the rear wall K
substantially as described.
Dated this Third day of March 1892.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.