Extension-cot.

Application filed August 17,1906. Serial No. 331,075.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HenryB. Whitlock, acitizenof the United States, residing at Denton, in the county of Denton, and State of Texas, have invented a new and 5 useful Extension-Cot, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to extension cots and has for its object to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive device of this character capable of being readily 10 extended to any desired width and which may be compactly folded for transportation or shipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cot having a flexible top or covering formed of a plurality of longitudinal slats or bars supported in spaced relation 15 by transverse wires or cords, said slats being removable thereby to vary the width of the cot.

A further obj ect is to provide means for stretching the flexible top and means for supporting the stretching means in inoperative position when the cot is folded.

A still further object of the invention is to generally improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efficiency.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction, and novel combination and 25 arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in. form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cot constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the cot showing one of the slats partially re35 moved or withdrawn. Fig. 4 is an end elevation showing the cot collapsed or folded.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

The supporting frame of the cot comprises cross legs 40 or supports 5 and 6 pivoted together as indicated at 7 and having their lower ends bifurcated at 8 for the reception of suitable rollers or wheels 9 whereby the cot may be conveniently moved from place to place. The bars 5 and 6 of each pair of legs are connected by longitu45 dinal bars 10 and secured to said bars and extended transversely across the cot at spaced intervals are a plurality of cords or wires 11 each having an intermediate portion thereof embracing one of the bars 10 and its opposite ends embracing the opposite longitudinal bar 5 0 and secured thereto in any suitable manner as by a knot or loop 12. The cords or wires 11 are twisted to form a plurality of spaced loops 13 for the reception of the slats or bars 14 which together with the cords 11 constitute the flexible top of the cot. The slats 14 are removable 55 so that the width of the cot may be varied at will, the surplus cord or wire being wrapped around the adjacent longitudinal bar 10 and fastened by the knot 12.

Secured to the bar 5 below the pivot point 7 is a depending eye or loop 15 which is seated in the bifurcated end 17 of a pivoted lever 18, there being a pin 60 or stud 19 extended transversely through the bifurcated end of the lever 18 and engaging the walls of the eye 15 for pivotally supporting the lever on the leg of the cot. Secured to the free end of the lever 18 is a rack-bar 20 the teeth of which are inclined as indicated 65 at 21 for engagement with a pin or stud 22 extending laterally from the pivoted leg 6 whereby when a downward pressure is exerted on the longitudinal bars 10 the teeth of the rack-bar will engage the pin 22 and thus stretch the flexible top or cover of the cot. The 7 0 levers 18 are provided with suitable handles or finger pieces 23 and are curved or rounded at their pivoted ends as indicated at 24 thereby to permit the levers to be folded upwardly in engagement with the legs 5 when the cot is collapsed or knocked down for trans- 75 portation or shipment, there being suitable loops 25 threaded through openings in the legs 5 for the reception of the handles 23 of the levers 18 when the cot is folded.

The frame of the cot is reinforced and strengthened 80 by diagonal braces 26 which connect the legs 5 and 6 with the adjacent bars 10 and thus serve to assist in sustaining the weight of the cot.

In operation when it is desired to increase the width of the cot the cords or wires 11 are loosened and the 85 latter twisted to form one or more additional loops for the reception of the slats 14. When it is desired to make the cot smaller the slats 14 are withdrawn and the surplus cord or wire wrapped around the adjacent bar 10 and secured thereto by tying or otherwise fas- 90 tening the same.. When the flexible cover or top has been adjusted to the desired width a downward pressure exerted on the longitudinal bars 10 will cause the inclined teeth of the rack-bar to ride over the pins or studs 22 until the desired tension is effected when the 95 adjacent tooth will engage the pin and thus lock the flexible cover in stretched position, as best illustrated in. Fig. 2 of the drawings. .,

When it is desired to fold the cot for transportation or shipment the levers 18 are swung upwardly in en- 100 gagement with the legs 5 and the terminal handle 23 thereof is inserted in the loops 25, after which the pivoted legs are pressed together by exerting an inward pressure on the longitudinal bars thus causing the slats to fold, and in which position they will rest on the 105 longitudinal bars 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The cots may be made of various sizes and shapes and may be constructed of wood, metal or other suitable material. 110

868,048

From the foregoing description it will be seen that there is provided an extremely simple, inexpensive and efficient device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view.