Improvements in Bed Bottoms.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bed Bottoms.
I, FRANK JOSEPH MAIER, of Spring Works, Sandiacre, near Nottingham,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of bed bottoms which are
constructed mainly of slats or strips, and its object is to provide improved arrange-
ment of continuous slatting; also improved means whereby the slats are carried
upon the bedstead frame.
It consists of a series of slats or thin flat strips, which pass continuously from
side to side. The return point at each end of the slats may be made by being
bent into the doubled form, but I preferably employ a hinge joint at such part.
These ends are further furnished with what I may term a cap bracket, which
covers the hinge or the doubled joint, and is secured thereto by the rivet pin of
the said hinge joint. These brackets overhang beyond the ends of the slats for
the purpose of resting upon the side rails of the bedstead and thus to carry the
bed bottom. These slats are also alternately rivetted or fastened the one to the
adjoining one, such rivet or fastening being situated at about one third of
the length of the slat, from the end. In their normal condition these slats lie
about parallel to each other and so occupy comparatively but small space, but by
extending or stretching them longitudinally (that is in the direction of the bed
frame) the slats as springs, form curved spaces along each side, those of the one
side falling midway between those of the other side. Upon the outer slats, and
about in line with the fastenings or rivets upon the slats, are secured hook like
parts, which when the slats are stretched may be passed over the end cross rails
of the bed frame, and thereby maintain the stretched position of the whole. Thus
by these means the bed bottom may be readily fixed in position or removed, and
in the latter case occupies but small space which is most convenient for transit
or storage.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1896.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.
Improvements in Bed Bottoms.
I, FRANK JOSEPH MAIER, of Spring Works, Sandiacre, near Nottingham,
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 that class of bed bottoms which are
constructed mainly of slats or strips, and its object is to provide an improved
arrangement of continuous slatting; also improved means whereby the slats are
carried upon the bedstead frame.

page_text: In order to more particularly describe this my invention, I have appended here-
unto an illustrative sheet of drawings, upon which are figures and numbers of
reference, similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same
thing or part.
Fig. 1, is a general plan view of the invention as seen when in position upon
a bedstead frame.
Fig. 2, shows the invention removed from the bedstead frame and closed up for
transit &c.;
Fig. 3, is an enlarged detailed side view, and Fig. 4, a similar inverted plan view
of one of the supporting brackets;
Fig. 5, is a side view, and Fig. 6, a plan view of a modified form of slat end;
Fig. 7, is a detailed side view of one of the stretching hooks for attachment to
the end cross rails of the bedstead frame.
9, 9, are a series of slats (or thin flat strips) which are arranged to pass con-
tinuously from side to side. The return point at each end of the slats may be
made by its being bent into the doubled form to which I will herein again refer,
but I preferably employ a hinge joint 10, of which the end of each of the slats
form one half. At such part 1 further provide the cap bracket 11, which is
secured in position by the joint pin 12. The object of these brackets 11 is that they
shall rest upon the side rails 13. of the bedstead and thereby carry the slats &c. (see
Fig. 1). Thus there is freedom of motion permitted to the brackets 11 upon the
rails 13 which materially conduces to the elastic property of the structure.
These slats are also alternately rivetted or fastened at 14 the one to the adjoining
one, such rivet or fastening being situated at about one third of the length of the slat
from the end. In their normal condition these slats lie parallel to each other and so
occupy comparatively but small space (see Fig. 2) but by extending or stretching
them longitudinally (that is in the direction of the bed frame) (see Fig. 1) the slats
as springs form curved spaces 15 along each side, those of the one side falling midway
between those of the other side. Upon the outer slats and about in line with the
fastenings or rivets 14 upon the slats, are secured hook like parts 16 which when the
slats are stretched may be passed over the end cross rails 17 of the bed frame and
thereby maintain the stretched position of the whole. By means of the hinge joint
the stretching of the slats is greatly facilitated and much better curved shaped spaces
are produced and which affords a much more even distribution of support to the
bedding &c.
In some cases if desirable the bracket 11 may be used in combination with the slats
having a doubled formation as seen at 10 (see Figs. 5 and 6) or the said bracket
may be slightly varied in shape to ensure rigidity.
I am aware that slats have been already used in the construction of bed bottoms
and therefore I do not claim them broadly but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In bed bottoms, connecting the ends of the slats 9 to each other by means of a
hinge joint 10 substantially as described and shown.
2. In bed bottoms the combination with the slats 9, hinge joints 10 and stretching
hooks 16, of the cap brackets 11 all substantially as set forth and shown.
3. In bed bottoms the combination with the slats 9, doubled joints 10", and
stretching hooks 16 of the cap brackets 11, all substantially as set forth and shown.
4. In bed bottoms the combination with slats 9 alternately connected to each
other at their ends, of the alternate fastenings 14 as set forth and shown.
Dated this 10th day of October 1896.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12 Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicant's Agent.