US256694A - Bed-bottom - Google Patents

Description

E. B; HULL.

r A BED BOTTOM. No. 256,694. Patented App-18, 1882.

UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZABETH efiauLnor CLINTON, ILLINOIS.

BED-BOTTOM."

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,694, dated April 18, 1882.

v Application filed February 14, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it-known that I, ELIZABETH B. HULL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Olinton, in the county of De Witt and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in BedBottoms, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to secure ina bed-bottom sufficient strength and elasticity, combined with simplicity,durability,and cheapness.

The invention relates to that class of bedbottoms in which canvas, wire, or woven wire is stretched horizontally between rails to form the bed-bottom.

The invention consists, first, in supporting the side rails by means of arms or levers having slots therein in the form of rockers connected together in pairs by means of hinged bars in such a manner that the tension of the canvas or wire will be automatically regulated by the weight of the person reclining upon the bed. As thus constructed thebed-bottom is complete in itself, and may be readily placed upon and removed from any bedstead, no special connection or fastening being necessary.

The invention consists, further, in providing the arms with wheels, whereby their movementi is facilitated and creaking prevented; also, in

providing the slats supporting the arms with,

grooves, whereby the arms will be retained in position; also, in other features hereinafter described and distinctly claimed.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of this improved bed-bottom. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through one end. Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of one corner, showing a modification.

The same letters ofreference are used in all thefiguresin the designation of identical parts.

Ain the drawings represents the bed-bottom proper, consisting of canvas, wire, woven wire, or other equivalent material fastened to the rails B B. When canvas is used it may be fastened to the rails by means of cleats a, nailed to the rails and clamping the canvas. These strips are preferably sunk into grooves in the rails, in order to afford better purchase upon the cloth, and so that the rails'lmay present an even surface. f

C are the arms or rockers for supporting the are arranged in pairs, one pair at or near each I endof the bed-bottom. Those of each pair pro ject inward from opposite points in the side rails toward each other, and incline downward at an angle of twenty degrees, (more or less,) l

resting at their inner ends or toes upon supporting transverse slats E. The toes of the rockers are provided with wheels b, which run in grooves c in the slats, facilitating the play of the rockers and preventing any creaking sound.

Each pair of arms or rockers is connectedby a bar, D, which is hinged to said arms a sufficient distance below the rails to allow the canvas or wire bottom to yield without comingin contact therewith. This bar converts the rockers into levers whose fulcrums are the pins used for connecting the said parts together. These levers, being broughtinto action by the weight of the person reclining upon the bed, tend to hold apart the rails to which the canvas is attached. The weight of the sleeper would ordinarily tend to draw the rails B B toward each other and cause the bed to sag; but through the leverage of the rockers, as before explained, this tendency is counteracted and the bed-bottom is rendered self-adjusting, adapting itself to the varying weights of the different persons who may rest upon it.

The arms 0 are provided with several pinholes at different distances apart, through any of which the adjustable pin for connecting the bar D may be inserted. The connection may thus be changed from one hole to the other, in order to vary the width of the bed-bottom or secure greater or less leverage for the arms.

The'ends of the bars D may project into slots formed in the main body of the arms; or brackets, as shown in Fig. 4, may be attached to one side of the arms to form slots to receive said bars.

Between the rails B and the slats E, outside the arms, are placed spiral springs or elastic or leather straps F, to hold the bed in place and prevent undue tilting thereof.

To avoid the splitting of the rails B by the strain of the arms eye-headed bolts Gr are passed through the same at the points where the tenons of the arms are inserted in the bars. These bolts are passed through from the under sides of the bars and are provided with nuts on the upper sides thereof. The eyes in the heads of the bolts serve as a means of attachment for the springs or straps F.

As thus constructed the bed-bottom is complete in itself. It is supported upon the bedstead by the ends of the slats E resting on the ledges in the side rails of the bedsteachas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. It simply requires to be placed upon any ordinary bedstead, and is immediately ready for use.

What is claimed as the invention is- 1. The combination of the rails, the canvas or'other suitable flexible material, the inclined arms projecting from the rails and supporting the same, the connecting cross-bar united to the arms by hinged joints, which form thefulcrunis upon which the said arms turn, and the supporting-slats, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexible material, the inclined arms provided with wheels to facilitate their movement and prevent1ioise,tl1e pivoted bars connecting the arms, and the supporting-slats,

substantially as described.

3. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexible material, the inclined arms provided with wheels, and the supporting-slats provided with grooves, in which said wheels run, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexible material, the inclined arms, the supporting-slats, the transverse bars, to which the arms are pivoted,and the springs or straps connecting the slats and rails to prevent undue rocking or tilting of the bed, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexible material, the connect: ing cross-bar, and the inclined arms provided with a series of holes adapted for the hinging .of the connectinghar at different points, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIZABETH B. HULL.

Witnesses:

W. B. BARNETT, T. B. WALDRON.

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