Improved Convertible Couch, Lounge, or Bedstead.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 18911
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Convertible Couch, Lounge, or Bedstead.
I FRED NORFOLK CROSSLEY of Laycock near Keighley in the County of
York, Cabinet Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
It consists of constructing couches or lounges in such a manner that when
same are in their normal positions they shall retain their usual degree of efficiency
as couches or lounges while when they are converted into bedsteads they shall in
that capacity answer every requirement.
In accordance with my invention I form the bottom or seat of the couch or lounge,
in two parts one fitting over the other, the same being hinged together on one side,
and on the upper part I form the cushion or seat while in the lower part I make a
box or cavity that will hold the mattress and other bed clothing.
The part which forms the rail or back rest on the couch answers the purposes
of legs or supports for the cushioned part when same is turned over or opened out
on its hinges to form the bed bottom.
The scroll or end rest on the couch is also made in two parts the one (cushioned)
fitting over and hinged to the other so that the upper one may be moved on its
hinges to be opened out and extend laterally from the other in which position they
form an efficient bed head. In order to support the said cushioned part of the
end-rest when same is opened to form the bed-head, I attach a leg or support
thereto which will reach the floor and be in such a position and at such an angle
that when said cushioned end-rest is folded over the part beneath it, its said support
will extend in a line with the back rest of the couch this back rest being so formed
in this part as to hide said leg or support and in this manner maintain the ordinary
appearance of the couch.
To form the bed-bottom over the cavity or box above described I mount a hinged
frame to which 1 attach one edge of a piece of canvas or other fabric or the like,
having its other and opposite edge attached to the other part of the folding bottom
so that said fabric extends over all the parts and is suitable for placing thereon of
the bed clothing. The hinging of this frame is to allow access to the said box or
cavity beneath.
When arranging the couch or lounge so that a wire or spring bed-bottom may be
used in connection with it when in its opened position, I make detachable supports
for the rails or rollers to which the bed-bottom is fixed, so that these supports may
be removed and placed within the box or cavity.
Within the hollow parts of the end-rest forming the bed-head when opened out,
I hinge two boards that may be used, when a wire or spring bed-bottom is employed,
these boards being so hinged that they may be turned over so as to rest upon the
roller or rail of the spring bed-bottom and so by their width add to the length of
the bed. The cushioned parts and trimmings employed in the usual manner hide
the jointings, hinges and other parts in my improved couch or lounge that are in
addition to the usual parts forming a couch or lounge so that same are made to
present the ordinary appearance.
Dated this 19th day of November 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Convertible Couch, Lounge, or Bedstead.
I, FRED NORFOLK CROSSLEY of Laycock near Keighley in the County of
York, Cabinet Maker, 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, that is to say:-
_
It consists of constructing couches or lounges in such a manner that when
same are in their normal positions they shall retain their usual degree of efficiency
as couches or lounges while when they are converted into bedsteads they shall
in that capacity answer every requirement.
In the accompanying sheets of drawings,
Figs. 1 and 2 are front and back elevations of a couch or lounge made in
accordance with my invention, and show same in position as when used for a couch.
Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevation and sectional end view of same when opened out
for use as a bed.
Fig. 4 shows parts illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 as seen from above.
Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views to Figs. 1 and 2 but shew a modification.
Fig. 7 is side clevation of parts illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 but shows one part
opened.
Fig. 8 is side clevation of parts illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 but shows same opened
as when used for a bed.
Fig. 9 is illustrative of parts shown by Fig. 8 as seen from above.
b
In accordance with my invention I form the bottom or seat of the couch or
lounge in two parts and c, the part & fitting over the part e to which it is hinged
at d d', and on the part I form the cushion or seat e while in or beneath the
part make a box or cavity that will hold the mattress and other bed
clothing.
The part which forms the rail or back rest on the couch answers the purposes
of legs or supports for the part when same is turned over or opened out to form
the bed-bottom as shewn by Figs. 3 and 4.
The scroll or end rest on the couch is also made in two parts the part ¹ fitting
over the part to which it is hinged at k k¹ so that it may be opened out to extend
laterally from the other in which positions these parts h and form an efficient
bed-head. In order to support the said part when it is opened as shewn by
Figs. 3 and 4, attach thereto a leg m which will reach the floor and be in such a
position and at such an angle to said part h' that when same is folded over the
part h, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2, it (said leg m) will extend in a line with the
part g.
This part being formed so that when in this position it will hide said
leg m from being seen from the front of said couch as shown by Fig. 1, in this
manner maintaining the ordinary appearance of said couch.
Instead of forming the leg m as shewn by Figs. 1 and 2 the support for the
part h¹ may be made to answer the purposes of a portion of the back part.g as is shown
by Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive in which case the part n is substituted for said leg m. Where
the carved covering for the end of the scroll or parts and is required (as when
the fabric covering or drapery of the couch does not cover same) this is preferably
hinged thereto as shewn by said Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, or it may be detachably
mounted thereon as will readily be understood.
To form the bed-bottom over the cavity or box above described I mount a
frame o (hinged at o¹) to which I attach one edge of a piece of canvas or other
fabric or the like at the edge 1 while its other and opposite edge is attached to the
other part 2 so that said fabric extends over all the parts and is suitable for the
placing thereon of the bed clothing. The hinging of the frame o is to allow
access to the box or cavity f, while when said cavity or box is not required or is

page_text: dispensed with as is shown by Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive then this canvas or the like is
attached to the outer edges of the parts & and c.
When arranging the couch or lounge so that a wire or spring bed-bottom may be
used in connection with it when in its opened position, I make detachable sup-
ports p p for the rails or rollers to which the bed bottom is fixed so that these
supports p p may be removed and placed within the box or cavity f
$
Within the hollow parts of the head rests I hinge the boards & s¹ that may
be used when a wire or spring bed-bottom is employed these boards ss being so
hinged, as to their height, that they may be turned over in order to rest upon the
roller or rail of the spring bed-bottom and so by their width add to the length of
the bed thus formed. Or to lengthen the bed bottom when opened out the sliding
parts t shown by Fig. 9 may be drawn out of the framework forming the parts b
and c into which they are slided when the parts are folded to form a couch.
The cushioned parts and trimmings e employed in the usual manner, hide the
jointings hinges and other parts in my improved couch or lounge that are in addition
or different to the usual parts forming a couch or lounge so that same are made to
present the ordinary appearance.
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. The method of arranging and constructing the several parts forming a
convertible lounge, couch or bedstead substantially as herein specified.
Dated this 19th day of August. 1892