US439444A - William p - Google Patents

Description

Patented Oct. 28, 18970 (No Model.)

W CABINET O. P. TRACY.

R FOLDING BEDSTEAD UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM P. TRACY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ARTHUR MEIGS AND GEORGE N. DAVIS.

vCABINET OR FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,444, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed June 5, 1890. Serial No. 354,347. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

i Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. TRACY, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cabinet or Folding Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My said invention is an improvement upon the' cabinet-bedstead shown in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me on the 4th day of March, 1890, and numbered 422,555.

The invention hereinafter` described relates in part to an improved construction or arrangement of the eccentric and its strap or ring and spring, and in part to the combination therewith of a supplemental spring.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which the igure represents the bed and cabinet in elevation, with parts in section.

In the drawing, A represents the cabinet in which the bedstead is folded, and B the bedstead, these not being necessarily different from cabinet-bedsteads heretofore in use. On the pivoted end of the bedstead,on each side, is fixed a disk O, as in my said patent, and having also a strap or encircling ring and spring. The ring D may be of cast, malleable, or wrought metal. It is loose on the disk, and is held in place between the outer side of the bedstead and the inner face of the side of the case. The pivots on which the bedstead turns are set through or into these disks eccentrically, and are so arranged that when the disks turn with the bedstead the rings will be drawn or forced up or down, the parts working like an ordinary eccentric and strap. In my said patent I have shown a construction in which the bed is held in place when down mainly by the friction of the strap with the ring, and the spring attached to the strap or ring is the only means for automatically raising the bedstead.

In my invention shown herein I provide a supplemental spring to assist in raising the bed from a horizontal to a vertical position and for equalizing or aiding in equalizing its movements, and this operates in connection with the improved construction and arrangement of the disk and its connections, as hereinafter explained. In my said patent the tension of the spring connected to the stran or ring around the disk is substantially 1n line through the pivot of the bedstead and the center of the disk when the bedstead is down. As a result of this arrangement there is a tendency in the outer or free end of thebedstead to rise slightly, and this tendencyis 1ncreased when the supplemental spring is used. To avoid this and to lock the bedstead in its lowered position, I have placed the pivot 1n rear of the diametrical line drawn through the disk and the spring or toward the foot of the bed when the bedstead is down.

It will be understood that when the bedstead is in this position the high part of the eccentric disk is on the under side ani the spring is under its greatest tension. t

Referring to the figure, the sprlng will be seen at y. It is a coiled spring and is placed about the rod d, and is under compression between a bearing on a bracket c and a nut f on the rod, by means of which nut the tension of the spring is regulated. The rod is connected to the ring by means of a rivet or bolt and a lug cast upon the ring. Preferably the rod is connected to the bracket at an inclination to the front of a perpendicular line. The point at which the pivot is set is shown at Z. Therefore the line of strain of the spring is in front of the pivot and tends to hold the bedstead down, this tendency increasing as soon as the pivot-point passes the diametrical line to the springg in the lowering of the bedstead. This secures the bedstead in place and prevents any rebound.

In my bedstead I have used a disk or ec centric of about eight inches in diameter and have arranged the pivot about one inch from the center. Its distance from the diametrical line need be but very little, only sufficient to lock the disk. In raising the bed the spring g will begin to act upon the bedstead as soon as the pivotal point has passed in front of the diametrical line.

The supplemental spring la is a coil about a rod inclosed in a tube or case o, and isheld adjustably by means of a nut on the end of said rod, the lower end of the spring bearing on a bracket or in the case through which the rod passes, as shown. The lower end of the rod is pivoted to an arm n, preferably fixed to the disk and extending toward the foot of IOO 4 and springs are the same on both sides of the bedstead. i

At the lower part of the case I have arranged a small bed suitable for small children. This is shown at M. It is pivoted at the lower outer corner. The bed is in the form of a box, and when tilted or turned out is open above and is supported on bars or a frame, which may be drawn out, as shown, or in any suitable manner. This may be used also for storing the bedclothes. The upper part of lche front of the case may be utilized as a ward robe or book-case, being provided therefor with suitable doors.

It will be understood that the mechanism herein described may be used in operating folding bath-tubs without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

I claiml. In combination,the cabinet, the folding bedstead, the disks fixed to the bedstead, the rings embracing the disks, the springs for applying a tension to said rings, the pivot of the disk and bedstead being eccentrically arranged to lie to one side of the line of tension and in rear thereof when the bedstead is down.

2. In combination, the cabinet, the folding bedstead, the disks xed to the bedstead, the rings embracing the disks, the springs for applying a tension to the rings, the pivot being eccentrically arranged to secure a locking effect when the bedstead is down, the liftingspring lo, and the connection therefrom to the bedstead, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 5o two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM P. TRACY.

Witnesses:

CHAS. JoHNsoN, GEO. N. DAVIS.

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