US235032A - gingeri - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. SIN G E R.

Combined Trunk, Bed, &c. No. 235,032. Patented .Nov. 30,1880.

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J we v M h I W I Mr/ay 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

L. SINGER. Combined Trunk, Bed, &0.

No. 235,032., Patented Nov. 30,1880.

W bow (No Model.) Q 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' L. SIN G E R.

Combined Trunk, Bed, 860. No. 235,032, Patented Nov. 30,1880.

L. SINGER. Combined Trunk, Bed No. 235,032;

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

Patented Nov. 30,1880.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @EETCE.

LOUIS SINGER v OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINED TRUNK, BED, G.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 235,032, dated November 30, 1880,

Application filed August 7, 1880.

To all whom 'Lt may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS SINGER, a subject of the Czar of Russia, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Trunk, Bed, and WVriting-Desk; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to supply to travelers within the dimension of an ordinary large trunk and in connection with all necessary compartments therein in which to carry the customaryarticles of mens wearing-apparel the additional conveniences of a book-case, writing'desk, and seat, and also a complete bed furnished with spring-mattress and pillows, so that while traveling the owner of the trunk will find himself at all times independent in these respects of his surroundings. While the attainment of this object has been sought in various descriptions of trunk-bedsteads, my invention accomplishes the end in better form than in any similar device within my knowledge.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of my improved trunk closed and fastened for traveling. Fig. 2 illustrates the same when opened to reach the tray or compartment specially designed for coats. Fig. 3 is a similar view, illustrating the coattray turned up on its hinges, exposing a series of compartments arranged upon its under side, as well as compartments in the bottom of the trunk for shirts, c; also a series of compartments in the end of the bottom part for boots or shoes and for a light pitcher and basin. Fig. 4 is a view, in perspective, of the rear of the trunk and of the end opposite that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, showing the trunk closed, but with the seat therein drawn out, and a series of small compartments in the end of the upper part opened. Fig. 5 is a view, in perspective, of the trunk in same position as in Fig. 1, but with the book'case and writin g-desk thrown open and the seat drawn out in front of the same. Fig. 6 is a detached view, illustrating the method of folding the legs which support the writing-desk. Fig. 7 is a front view of the (No model.)

writing-desk with the lid turned up, so as to reach the draws arranged under it. Fig. 8 is a view, in perspective, on a smaller scale, of the trunk in same position as in Figs. 1 and 5, illustrating the upper section thrown up at one end and the bed or cot drawn out and an ranged ready for occupancy, Fig. 9 being a detached view illustrating the method of folding the legs which support the outer end of the bed when drawn out. Fig. 10 is a view, in perspective, similar to that in Fig. 8, but illustrating the bed closed up and the upper part of the trunk ready to be closed down again into position, as shown in Fig. 1.

M yimproved trunk is constructed of a steel or other metallic frame as strong and light as possible, which may be covered exteriorly with leather or any other material usually employed for this purpose. It is divided centrally into an upper and lower division, A A, and the upper division is united to the lower by strong hinges B B B, Fig. 4, along its rear edge, which permit it to open in the usual manner. Folding supporting-bars G 0, Figs. 2 and 3, may be interposed between these two divisions, which, when the upper division is opened, may serve as braces to support it; but these may be omitted and the two equal divisions opened out, so as to allow the upper one to rest on the floor. \Vhen closed the two divisions are secured by a suitable lock, D, and auxiliary catches E E. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

The upper part of the lower division, A, of the trunk is fitted with a large commodious tray, F, (see Fig. 2,) hinged therein at the rear to open up therefrom, and covered by a hinged lid, F. This tray is adapted for the reception ofcoats, &c. When thrown up upon its hinges it opens and uncovers a series of compartments, G G G, (see Fig. 3,) adapted for vests, pants, &o., which occupy the whole bottom of the trunk, excepting a portion of one end, which is reached from the outside through an opening in that end. A portion of the space along the rear side of the trunk for its whole length, left between the. lids of these compartments Gr G and the under side of the tray F when it is closed down into its place, is converted into a long narrow box or tray, H, to receive umbrellas, canes, &c. The

on either side thereof.

remainder of the space is utilized to receive a series of small compartments, 1 I I, which are secured to the under side of the tray F, so as to open up with it, as shown in Fig. 3, and which are fitted with swinging lids h to close them each separately. These are adapted to receive dress-shirts, undershirts, Ste. n

Upon first opening the trunk and throwing up the upper division, A, the tray F and its contents are exposed, as shown in Fig. 2. By turning up this tray upon its hinges the compartments attached to its under side are reached, as also the umbrella-box and all compartments in the bottom of the trunk, as shown in Fig. 3.

An opening, closed by a swinging lid, T, Fig. 3, is provided at the left end of the bottom of the trunk, and the space within, reserved at this end, as above stated, is divided into compartments, one of which, K, is adapted to receive a pitcher and basin, of papier-mach or other light ware, and a lamp; and others a shaving-cup, blacking-brush, shoes, slippers, &c., the lower one serving as areceptacle for soiled linen, 8.70. The end of the umbrellacase H is also reached through this end door or lid, so that the umbrella or canes may be reached by opening this end of the trunk alone. The subdivisions are each furnished with a separate thin lid secured by a spring-catch, and the outer stout lid or door, J, is, when closed, fastened by a special lock. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.)

The upper division or half, A, of the trunk is itself formed in two sections, a a, which are hinged together at one end of the trunk, (see Fig. 8,) and the upper section, when thrown up, is supported and upheld by folding brace bars I) 1). (Shown in Fig. 8.) The lower section, a, of the upper division, A, of the trunk forms a strong case to receive a spring-bed and mattress, which, when the mattress and springs are compressed down into the case a, serves to retain them in place, being fastened by means of transverse strips 1) 19. One end, M, of the case a is secured to side bars, R B, which are made to slide in and out of the case The bars are secured and guided in their movement, and undue play thereof prevented, by means of metallic plates S S, fastened upon the outer edges of the casings to lap over the upper edge of each sliding bar. (See Figs. 5 and 8.)

The end M is, furthermore, provided with a wide transverse strip, M, pivoted thereto, which, when turned up, (see Fig. 8,) will constitute a foot-board for the bed,- and when turned down forms a convenient seat. (See Fig. 5.) Itis supported, when drawn out from the trunk, by means of four legs,Q Q, hinged to the side bars beneath, so as to fold up flat under it. (See Figs. 8 and 9.) These legs, when folded up, are confined in place by a transverse rod, 2, which, when they are opened, serves also to brace them apart. 'hen closed up this end piece, M, is secured by means of a suitable lock. With the lower section, a, of the upper half or division of the trunk thus fitted up, when a simple seat is needed the end M may be drawn out to the width of the strip M, (see Fig. 4,) and a comfortable seat is furnished, the end of the section a above serving as a low back to the seat.

The mattress for use with the trunkis made in two lcn gths, N N, each nearly equal to its width and length, and which are united end to end by a flexible joint, so as to admit of being folded over one upon the other within the case or section a. Spiral springs W W are secured to the under side of both lengths of the mattress, (see dotted lines, Fig. 8,) so that when the mattress is opened out its whole length it rests upon these spiral springs. The outer length of the mattress is supported by means of a thin metallic plate, 0, Fig. 10, of equal width and length, secured to its spiral springs, so as to be carried thereby. This plate 0, when the end M of the trunk is drawn out and its seat-strip turned up to its full extent, fits snugly down between the side bars, R R, and rests upon lugs or offsets therein, and upon the upper ends of their supporting legs Q Q, and thus furnishes adequate support for the outer length of the mattress. (See Fig. 8.) When the mattress is folded over'into the case a this plate 0, coming uppermost, serves to facilitate the compression and confinement of the bed into the case, the bed, when thus compressed, being confined by means of pivoted stripspp (see Fig. 10) upon the plate 0, which engage catches or recesses in the upper edges of the case, as shown in the drawings. Hence, when a bed is needed with this trunk the upper section, a, of the upper halfof the trunk is swung up upon its hinges, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. The end M is then drawn out to the full extent of the bars R R, and supported by letting down the legs Q Q Q Q, the seat-strip M is turned up to form a foot-board, and the upper length of mattress turned over, bringing its plate 0 down upon the legs Q-Q and the supports along the bars R R. The mattress is thus extended to its full length, equal to twice that of the trunk, and, resting throughout upon spiral springs, furnishes an extremely easy and comfortable bed.

The upper section, a, of the upper half or division of the trunk is divided transversely into two parts, 0 c, which are hinged together centrally by hinges on the top of the trunk. WVhen the whole section a. is thrown up, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, for the purpose of using the bed, the lid T, closing the lower division, c, may be opened. This lower division is designed to contain the pillows, sheets, 850., (see Fig. 8,) for use with the bed, to complete the furnishing thereof.

When the bed is not in use and the mattresses are folded down into place in the lower section, a, as shown in Fig. 10, the division 0 of the upper section, a, is to be shut down,

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as seen in Fig. 5, and the outer division, 0, may then be used as a writing-desk, table, or wash-stand. This is accomplished by means ofa lid, U, jointed to an inner hinged strip, a. The inner strip, a, is pivoted to the front edge of a shelf or partition, 0, (see Fig. 5,) fitted and firmly secured within the part some six inches, more or less, from its inner side, and is of such width as that when closed down its lower edge will just fit against the edge of said inner side.

The outer lid, U, is made to cover the entire open face of the division 0, and is hinged to the lower edge 01 the inner hinged piece, a, so that the division 0 is closed by folding down the piece a, and then folding up upon it the large lid U, which is secured in place by asuitable catch.

Under the inner hinged strip,'u, and on either side of the space covered thereby, are hinged side pieces or brackets, V V, whose upper edges are in length equal to the width of the strip a, and which, when the strip a is swung out upon its hinges, will swing out at right angles thereto beneath the same and afford it firm support. The front edges of these hinged brackets V V are cut to present three offsets, as shown in Fig. 5. To the lower of these offsets are hinged arms f f, of such a length as that when the division 0 is thrown open into a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5, these arms ff will drop down and rest upon the metallic strips S S upon the edge of the trunk.

Arms g g are hinged to the upper offsets in the brackets V V to swing out under the lid U, and a second pair of arms, h h, are hinged to the under side of these arms, near their outer ends, to drop down therefrom, and rest also upon the metallic strips S S. (See Fig. 5.) These strips are perforated to receive pins in the free ends of the arms h h and ff, so as to make them secure when placed in position as supports.

By inclining the arms h h more or less the lid U may be fixed either horizontally to form a stand or table, or at any desired inclination, (see Fig. 5,) to form a writing-desk.

Detachable pins 6 2' may be inserted through the edges of the lid into the arms 9 g, to afford greater stability to the desk.

The portion of the division 0 above the strip a is divided by a shelf, j, extending across from side to side.

A compartment, 4, is formed centrally below the shelf to receive asilk hat. This compartment is closed by a swinginglid, in which is secured an alarm-clock, 5. The works of the clock projecting in the rear will pass into the crown of the hat placed in its compartment. Above the clock and hat a mirror, 6, is pivoted by its lower edge, to form a lid for a second recess, in which may be placed a comb and brush. On either side of the clock 5 and mirror 6 are spaces to contain books.

The space beneath the hinged strip a receives the brackets V V and the arms ffg g hinged thereto, (see Fig. 6 and dotted lines, Fig. 7;) and in the rear of the space required for these arms f and g and brackets V V are fitted three small drawers, 7, 8, and 9, Fig. 7, for money,jewelry, 8m, and to contain, also, an inkstand for the desk. These drawers can only be reached when the desk is in position for use.

When the desk U is opened in position for use, as shown in Fig. 5, the end ill may be drawn outin front of it, the legs Q Q dropped, and a seat, N, be thus readily provided for the desk.

When the two divisions c c of the section a are closed down upon the section a of the upper half of the trunk they are locked at the end M, and, furthermore, secured by strong side fastenin gs, 10 10, both front and rear, and the central seam between the two on top of the trunk is covered by a wide strap or band, 12, carried from front to rear over the same, and secured by a buckle or other device fixed above the main lock. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

The upper right-hand end of the trunk is fitted with a. door or lid, 15, (see Fig. 4,) covering a space in the rear of the pillow-compartment T. partitioned off therefrom and subdivided into convenient receptacles for collars, cuffs, neckties, &c. This lid is secured by a lock and key when. closed, and ready access may be had thereto independently of the remainin g portions of the trunk.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A trunk or traveling-case provided with a bottom chest forming the lower half or division of the trunk, a tray or case hinged laterally to the upper rear edge of said chest, an d an upper section formed in two transverse divisions hinged together by top hinges, and hinged, also, to one end ofthe upper edge of the tray or case, all substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination, with a tray or case hinged to and closing upon the chest or bottom portion of a trunk, and with side bars traversing within the tray against thelsides, stayed by edge plates, and provided with legs hinged and fitted to fold between the outer ends of said bars or to drop down and support them, of a detachable end, M, for the tray, which, when drawn out with the bars and supported by the legs, will complete a frame-work for a seat or bed, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. The combination, with the tray a,hinged to and closing as a lid upon the chest or bottom part of a trunk, and with the sliding bars R R and end piece, M, moving in and out of said tray, of a plate, 0, fitted between the side bars to support or confine a mattress, N, within the tray and between said bars, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

4. The combination, with the sliding bars,

folding legs, and detachable end M, of a transverse strip hinged to the upper edge of the end M to serve as a seat or as a foot-board, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

5. The combination, with the outer case or division of the two top sections of the trunk, and with a transverse shelf or partition in said outer case, of brackets hinged to the sides of the case below the shelf to close under the same, and which carry arms hinged thereto to depend therefrom or fold in therewith, and ot' a strip or shelf hinged to the front edge of the partition to drop down over the brackets and arms when they are folded in or to rest thereon when opened out.

scribing witnesses.

LOUIS SINGER. Witnesses:

J. F. ACKER, Jr., DAVID A. BURR.

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