US179257A - Improvement in bed-bottoms - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS BIRK, OF GANAJOHARIE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO GEORGE D. GEBAUER, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BED-BOTTOMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,257, dated June 27, 1876 application tiled March 8, 1876.

ydrawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ot' this specification.

My improved bed-bottom is designed to ai ford increased resistance to an increase ofthe weight, and the arrangement of the springs is designed for that purpose, the prime supports for the bed-bottom being corner volute springs, and with these intermediate volute springs of a height at least one-third less than the corner springs are used, and only come in spring resistance when additional weightis carried by the bed. These springs rest upon a base-frame, and are secured in place by loose rods passing through them, and by which the bed-bottom and the base-frame are connected. The top coils of the volute springs embrace these rods snugly, and are thereby held from twisting out ot' line at the top. As these springs are of greater diameter at their base, to allow their coils to fold one within the other when compressed, they would be liable to shift from a vertical central line and cause the spring to stand crooked and on one edge at its base, and hence become jammed when compressed. To avoid this, I combine with the volute spring and its central conflnlng-rod a base-retainer, through which the confining-rod passes, and which, being concentric with the lower foldof the spring, forms an interior side bearing and support for the largest end of the volute and braces, and keeps it in position concentric with the upper end, so that the compression of all the springs will be free and without liability to be injured or broken, as would be the case without the concentric base-retainer,to preserve the verticalbearing positions of these springs. Especially are the central bracing base-retainers of advantage with the intermediate springs, as these are supported in position by free headed rods, and would thereby be liable to get out of central position, and be crushed by the bed-bottom striking upon the free head ot' the holdingrod. These intermediate springs act in conjunction with the cornerlsprings, andare designed only to support the increased Weight of two persons, whereby a more uniform spring bed-bottom is obtained, than when all the springs are arranged to act at once.

j In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a side view of my improved bedbottom, with the springs at rest; Fig. 2, a similar view, with all the springs in play to resist a greater weight.; and Fig. 3, a section through the line of volute springs, showing the base concentric retainers in connection with the central holding-rods, by which the base of the springs are kept in line and braced at the enlarged base coils.

The sacking bottom A, or bottom proper, is supported at its four corners by volute springs B, contined in position by rods a, which pass through said springs and through holes in the bed-bottom frame- A, and the base springsupporting frame C, coincident therewith, or with the bedstead-trame itself. The bases of the springs B rest upon this frame O, while they yield to the pressure from the frame A above. Intermediately between these cornersprings B, and upon the side bars of the frame C, are volute springs D, of less height by about one-third than the corner-springs, and they are confined vertically by loose rods b, which, however, only pass through the lower frame, and their length does not exceed the height ot' .the springs which surround them, so that the pressure of the bed-frame is received directly upon the heads ot' these bolts.

Ihe upper coils of the volute springs t quite close around the bolts a b, and are thus held from twisting out of line; but as the basecoils are of increased diameter, they would be liable to shift out of line and bear only at one side of the rod, and the spring thereby becomes jammed when compressed, and stand oblique, so that it would be comparatively useless. rIhis I avoid by combining withthe base of the spring and the central holdingrods a b, an interior concentric retaining-core,

' the springs, and'theymay be made slightly tapering. They are fastened to the base-frame C, and thereby serve the additional advantage of preventing the frame splitting where the rods pass through it.

I may use one or more of the short springs D at proper intervals, and at the ends as Well as at the sides. I nd, however, in practice, that the two free springs D, one upon each A side of the bed-bottom, suiciently answer the purpose, which is to accommodate difterent weights without destroying the springy resistance, so much desired. The rods for confining the-springs are provided with screwy nuts, for holding them in place.

I claim- 1. In a spring bed-bottom, the combination of the corner volute spring B, supported by rods a, and the intermediate short springs D, held by loose rods b, as described, for the purpose of compensating for different weights and still preserving thev desired springy resistance, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the volute springs, the central connecting-rods, and the basefra'me C, of the interior supporting and brac ing cores c, for the base-coils of said springs, vas described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS BIRK. vWitnesses:

ABM. NELLIS,

GEORGE SWAR'rs.

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