Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1887
Specification Accepted. 20th Jan.. 1888
I FRANCIS EDWARD MAC MAHON, of No. 2 Prince's Mansions, Victoria Street,
Westminster, S.W., Engineer, 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 folding bedsteads and the nature thereof
will be readily understood from the accompanying Drawings in which Figure 1
represents a side elevation of the bed in an extended or unfolded condition.
Figures 2 and 3 details of folding hinge in mattress frame, Figure 4 vertical
section shewing front view of bedstead, Figure 5 general view of frame shewing
external appearance when folded.
The framework is designed when closed to represent a cabinet or sideboard and
is formed in two parts A and A' which are mounted on castors a or the part A¹
only may be mounted on castors.
The base boards A to which the intermediate castors are fixed are placed so
as to intercalate with each other in order to admit of the sides closing together
as shewn in Figure 5.
The mattress frame adapted for a spring mattress is formed in two parts B and B¹
both of which are pivotted to the frame, the part B being pivotted to the head
frame A at and the other part B being pivotted to the foot-board frame A'
at . The pivots are fixed to the frames A and A' and curved slots are formed
in the mattress frame to receive them. By this contrivance the mattress frame
can be readily removed when desirable.
The mattress frame is hinged in the middle, the hinge being formed by means
of a T piece C through the cross-head of which pass studs c which form the hinge
pins upon which the frame pieces B and B work. The adjacent ends of the frames
are geared together by toothed plates D which ensure an equal motion of the
two parts and thereby keep the T pieces vertical. To each T piece is hinged
a curved stretching bar D¹ (see Figure 4) which can he extended across the
frame underneath the mattress, the edges of which are attached to the ends d
thereof and thus the middle portion of the mattress is kept distended.

page_text: To the pieces B of the mattress frame are pivotted at e rectangular boards E,
the boards being on the outside of the frame; the inner face of each board is
slotted at to receive a pin which projects from the part B of the frame to
which it is adjacent. On account of the manner in which the hinge of the
mattress frame is formed, the boards E preserve their horizontal position for all
positions of the frame, as shewn in Figures 1. 2. 3 and 5.
When the bed is folded, the lower portions of the frames A and A¹ meet,
leaving a space between the upper parts through which the sides of the mattress
frames B and B are visible whilst the pieces E fill accurately the space at the
top as shewn in Figure 5, and the general appearance at the sides is that of a
properly constructed framework A, A and E with panels B and B in the centre.
A slab F hinged at rests on the top of the foot posts but before this is placed
in position, the head and foot-boards are secured together by hooked rods G
which are fastened onto studs or pins g in the foot posts.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I. declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a frame such as A. A', one or
both parts of which may move on castors, of a folding mattress frame such as B. B¹,
substantially as described.
2. In a folding bedstead, the mattress frame B. B¹ pivotted at the head and
foot so as to be readily removable, substantially as described.
3. In a folding bedstead, the mattress frame B. B₁ the two parts of which are
hinged and geared together by plates C, pivots e and toothed plates D for the purpose
of ensuring uniform motion, substantially as described.
4. In a folding bedstead, the boards E for concealing the joints of the mattress
frame and completing the framework when the bed is folded or closed, substantially
as described.
5. In a folding bedstead, the hinged bars D₁ for stretching the mattress,
substantially as described.
6. The complete folding bedstead substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of December 1887.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.