Improved Adjustments for Spring Mattresses and similar Articles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 31st Oct., 1895-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1895
· PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Adjustments for Spring Mattresses and similar Articles.
I CHARLES LAVINGTON FIELDER, of Rosendale, Gibbon Road, Kingston-on-
Thames, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
In spring mattresses as at present constructed it is generally considered desirable
to provide some means by which the tautness of the wire mesh or other resilient
material may be easily adjusted, and this is most commonly effected by securing
the edge of one of the ends of the resilient material to a rigid bar capable of
movement by the operation of one or several screwed bolts passing at right angles
through the said bar and through the outer frane of the mattress or the frame of
the bedstead itself.
This arrangement is imperfect in its results inasmuch that after a period of use
the particular parts more especially strained by the continual weight of a sleeper
upon them become far slacker than the other parts, this applies with particular force
to wire mesh mattresses wherein are introduced longitudinal strengthening portions
at the sides and at intervals through the centre, for on attempting to take up the
slacker portions by means of the said screw movement it is apparent that the
greater resistance of the less strained parts, or of the stouter lines of material
longitudinally introduced, will considerably restrict the degree of general tightening
attempted to be attained.
My mode of adjustment about to be described is applicable to all forms of spring
mattresses whether they be constructed in frames of their own or whether they
be made attachable to, or formed permanently on, the bedstead frame proper; it
is also applicable to couches, chairs and articles of a similar nature.
The description of my invention is thus :-
Along one edge (or if need be along two or more edges should it be thought
desirable to adjust the mattress in both directions) a series of small pulleys of
variable number are attached to the resilient material at short distances apart, and
along the corresponding edge of the mattress frame, or in the case of permanently
fixed springs along the corresponding edge of the bedstead frame, another series of
small pullies is fixed.
A stout flexible cord of any suitable material, preferably of a metallic nature,
or a chain, is introduced to a pulley at the end of one row and threaded alternately
through the pulleys contained in both rows, though this alternate arrangement may
be slightly modified and the pulleys on one edge threaded in pairs.
The two ends of this cord are then permanently attached near to the ends of a
bar running through the two opposite sides of the framework of the mattress or of
the bedstead frame, and lying parallel to the two rows of pulleys. A means of
revolving this bar is introduced at one end by a ratchet or other movement, whereby
any slackness in the cord is wound around the bar and the cord in its tightening
operation imparts an uniform strain at all the points in the edge of the resilient
material to which pulleys are attached.
Many variations in the manner of winding up the ends of the compensating cord
or chain may of course be devised, for instance one or both ends may be wound
round a drum or drums by one or more ratchet movements, in which case the bar
itself might be dispensed with, or the ends might be fixed to separate screw bolts
attached to the frame the turning of which would tighten up the cord, or a worm
wheel and thread might be employed with a similar result; again, either one of

page_text: these arrangements might be applied singly to the cord in the middle of its length
winding both portions of it simultaneously.
It is obvious that the cord and its pulleys may be divided and applied in two or
more sets to one or more edges of the resilient material, each cord being separately
wound; also that the pulleys may be dispensed with and the cord threaded as
aforesaid through eyes or rings let into or attached to the resilient material and to
the mattress frame or bedframe respectively, the pulleys being preferably used to
reduce the friction on the cord.
Dated this 30th day of January 1895.
CHARLES LAVINGTON FIELDER.
'
COME LEIE SEMUNICATION.
Improved Adjustments for Spring Mattresses and similar Articles.
I CHARLES LAVINGTON FIELDER, of Rosendale, Gibbon Road, Kingston-on-
Thames, in the County of Surrey, 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 :-
In spring mattresses as at present constructed it is generally considered desirable
to provide some means by which the tautness of the wire mesh or other resilient
material may be easily adjusted, and this is most commonly effected by securing the
edge of one of the ends of the resilient material to a rigid bar capable of movement
by the operation of screwed bolts passing at right angles through the said bar and
through the outer frame of the mattress or the frame of the bedstead itself.
This arrangement is imperfect in its results inasmuch that after a period of use
the particular parts more especially strained by the continual weight of a sleeper
upon them become far slacker than the other parts, this applies with particular
force to wire mesh mattresses wherein are introduced longitudinal strengthening
portions at the sides and at intervals through the centre, for on attempting to take
up the slacker portions by means of the said screw movement it is apparent that
the greater resistance of the less strained parts or of the stouter lines of material
longitudinally introduced will considerably restrict the degree of general tightening
attempted to be attained.
My mode of adjustment about to be described is applicable to all forms of wire
mesh or other spring or resilient mattresses whether they be constructed in frames
of their own or whether they be made attachable to or formed permanently on the
bedstead frame proper; it is also applicable to couches, chairs and articles of a
similar nature.
The description of my invention is thus :-
Along one edge (or if need be along two or more edges should it be deemed
advisable to adjust the mattress in both directions) a series of small pulleys (u, a)
of variable number are attached to the resilient material at short distances apart,
and along the corresponding edge of the mattress frame, or in the case of
permanently fixed springs along the corresponding edge of the bedstead frame,
another series of small pulleys (b, b) is fixed.
A stout flexible cord (c) of any suitable material preferably of a metallic nature,
or a chain, is introduced into a pulley at the end of one row and threaded
alternately through the pulleys contained in both rows, though this alternate
arrangement may be slightly modified and the pulleys on one edge threaded in
pairs as shown in the drawing.
Many variations in the manner of winding up the slack in this compensating
adjustment cord may of course be devised, for instance one or both ends may be
wound round a drum or drums and by one or more ratchet movements, or the ends
may be attached to separate screw bolts attached to the frame, the turning of
which would tighten up the cord as desired, or a worm wheel & thread may be

page_text: employed with a similar result; or the two ends of the cord may be attached
permanently to the ends of a bar running through the two opposite sides of the
framework of the mattress (or of the bedstead frame) and lying parallel to the
rows of pulleys with a means of revolving this bar as before mentioned. Again
either one of these arrangements may be applied singly to the cord in the middle
of its length winding both portions of it simultaneously [its two ends being fixed
as at (d) and (e)] such as is shown in the drawing.
Under either arrangement any slackness in the cord is gathered up and the cord
in its tightening operation imparts an uniform strain at all the points in the edge of
the resilient material to which pulleys are attached and an equal tension is
consequently distributed throughout the whole of the mattress surface.
A stretcher rod such as is shown at (f) may be used to obtain the necessary
distension of the mattress edge, or clips may be attached to its corners for attach-
ment to the rigid frame, or any other device convenient for the purpose, but I
specifically disclaim any particular one of these means for distending the mattress
edge and also any particular winding device as essential to the features of novel y
hereinafter defined.
I may substitute simple eyes or rings for the pulleys used in connection with the
winding arrangement but prefer the pulleys in order to reduce the friction on
the cord.
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 [
claim is :-
1. The combination of a bedstead, couch, chair, or similar article, a inattress or
support of resilient construction either attached thereto or contained in its own
separate frame and one or more series of pulleys as and for the purposes herein
set forth.
2. The combination of a bedstead, couch, chair, or similar article, a mattress or
support of resilient construction either attached thereto or contained in its own
separate frame, one or more series of pulleys, a flexible cord or chain of any suitable
material, and an arrangement for winding up or slackening the said flexible cord or
chain, substantially as herein set forth described and illustrated.
3. The combination of a bedstead, couch, chair, or similar article, a mattress or
support of resilient construction either attached thereto or contained in its own
separate frame, a variable number of eyes or rings attached to said resilient
support and to the frame, a flexible cord or chain of any suitable material, and an
arrangement for winding up or slackening the said cord or chain as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
4. The combination of a frame containing a resilient support for use in connection
with a bedstead couch, chair, or similar article, the resilient support itself, and a
number of pulleys, substantially as herein set forth.
5. The combination of a frame containing a resilient support for use in connection
with a bedstead, couch, chair, or similar article, the resilient support itself, one or
more series of pulleys, a flexible cord or chain of suitable material, and an
arrangement for winding up or slackening the said cord or chain, substantially as
herein set forth and illustrated.
6. The combination of a frame containing a resilient support for use in connection
with a bedstead, couch, chair, or similar article, the resilient support itself, a
variable number of eyes or rings attached to the said resilient support and to the
frame, a flexible cord or chain, and an arrangement for winding up or slackening
the said cord or chain, all substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 26th day of October 1895.
CHARLES LAVINGTON FIELDER.