IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING-MATTRESSES OR BED-BOTTOMS, APPLICABLE TO THE CUSHIONS AND BACKS OF RAILWAY-CARRIAGE AND OTHER SEATS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gordon Donaldson Peters, of Moorgate Works, Moorfields,
in the City of London, Merchant and Manufacturer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING-MATTRESSES OR BED-BOTTOMS, APPLICABLE TO
THE CUSHIONS AND BACKS OF RAILWAY-CARRIAGE AND OTHER SEATS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gordon Donaldson Peters
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1881.
"
GORDON DONALDSON PETERS, of Moorgate Works, Moorfields, in the City of
London, Merchant and Manufacturer. IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING-MATTRESSES
OR BED-BOTTOMS, APPLICABLE TO THE CUSHIONS AND BACKS OF RAILWAY-
CARRIAGE AND OTHER SEATS."
My Invention relates to improvements in spring mattresses or bed-bottoms,
which improvements are also applicable for seats of various kinds, and for the
cushioned backs of railway-carriages and the like.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide two light frames made
preferably of spring steel wire, one frame being for the top and the other for the
bottom of the mattress. These frames form only the edges of the latter and are
not provided with any transverse pieces. Spiral steel springs are arranged between
the upper frame and the lower one, and are fastened to both by metal strips or by
wire, and the said springs are also fastened to each other both at the upper and
lower part of the mattress by fasteners of peculiar and novel construction which
hold the springs in groups of four. Each of these fasteners is made in one piece
of wire, preferably steel, which is so bent that an approximately square figure is
formed having curved projections or clamps at the four corners. Each of these
projections is formed by the wire leading from two sides of the square, and the
wire is continuous or unbroken excepting in one of the projections. The two wires
forming the open one are connected by a wire clip passed around both. The four
projections bend over and clasp four of the spiral springs, which are thus held
firmly, and a very light and strong construction is provided which is entirely of
metal. No wood, paper, leather, or similar material is required, and there is no
refuge for vermin nor receptacle for dust.
In some cases I make this mattress or bed-bottom in separate sections for
convenience of handling the same.
The same construction as above described is employed when my Invention is to
be used for seats or the like, but the conformation and dimensions of the frame
will have to be adapted to the seat or other article to which it is to be applied.

page_text: 0
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Gordon Donaldson Peters in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th November 1881.
GORDON DONALDSON PETERS, of Moorgate Works, Moorfields, in the City of
London, Merchant and Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING-MATTRESSES,
OR BED-BOTTOMS, APPLICABLE TO THE CUSHIONS AND BACKS OF RAILWAY
CARRIAGE AND OTHER SEATS."
My Invention relates to improvements in spring-mattresses or bed-bottoms,
which improvements are also applicable for use in seats of various kinds, and in the
cushioned backs of railway carriages and the like.
My Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of a portion of a seat illustrating the application
of my Invention thereto.
Figure 2 is a plan or top view drawn to an enlarged scale of one of my improved
fasteners hereinafter described, and
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the same on the line x, x, Figure 2.
Like letters indicate the same parts in each of the Figures.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide two light frames a formed
preferably of spring steel wire, one frame being for the top and the other for the
bottom of the mattress or seat. These frames form only the edges of the said
mattress or seat and are not provided with any transverse pieces. Between the
said upper and lower frames 1 arrange the spiral springs b, the outer ones of which
are connected to both of the said frames by metal strips or by bent wire pieces cas
shown. The said springs are fastened to each other both at the upper and the
lower part of the mattress or seat by my improved fasteners d, each one of which
embraces and serves to connect four of the said springs, as clearly shewn in
Figure 1 of the Drawing. Each of these fasteners is formed of one piece of wire,
preferably steel, which is so bent as to constitute approximately square figure
having curved projections or clamps e at the four corners as shewn. Each of these
projections is formed by or is a continuation of the wire extending from two sides
of the fastener, and the wire is continuous or unbroken, excepting in one of the
projections, as shewn at f. The two ends of the wire forming this open projection
are connected by a metal clip or band g passed around both of the said ends,
as clearly shewn in Figure 2. When my improved fastener is placed in its position,
the four projections or corners e of the same fit over and embrace four of the
spiral springs b, as shewn, which are thus held firmly in their proper position
and prevented from displacement by the various strains to which the mattress
or seat may be subjected. Moreover, by the employment of my improved
fasteners I provide a mattress or seat which is very light and strong, and
which is entirely of metal. No wood, paper, leather, or similar material is required,
and it will afford no refuge for vermin or receptacle for dust.
In some cases I form my improved mattress or bed-bottoms in separate sections
for convenience of handling the same.
The same construction as that above described is employed when my Invention
is applied to the cushions or backs of railway carriage and other seats, the con-
formation of the frame being adapted to that of such cushions, backs, or the
like.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise shape or
configuration of the fasteners shewn in the accompanying Drawing, as the same

page_text: may be somewhat varied without departing from the spirit of my Invention, and
I claim,-
First. The improved fastener for connecting the springs in mattresses or bed-
hottoms, or in the cushions and backs of railway carriage and other seats,
substantially as above set forth.
Second. A mattress, seat, or cushion consisting of the frames a and the springs
connected to the said frames by metal strips or by the pieces c, and to each other
by the fasteners d, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gordon Donaldson Peters, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
G. D. PETERS. (L.S.)