Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/898

 �The bed can be set up in a few minutes and shelters the tourist from wind and rain

An Automobile- Bed for the Tourist

THE delightful independence of tour- ing in an automobile can be improved upon by means of an auto- mobile-bed. Wherever nightfall over- takes the traveler, he can make up his own cot and sleep in his own tent, completely sheltered from wind and rain and with no expense for a hotel room.

The metal frame of the bed is jointed in the middle; and a leg is attached at this point on either side. A cross-bar connects the legs, so that they will swing together when the bed is being folded up. One end of the frame pivots on a shaft secured to the side bars of the automobile, as shown in the illustra- tions. The two outer legs are pivoted to the frame.

When not in use, the legs are swung up against the frame; the outer half of the frame is folded over the inner half, or foot of the bed ; and the whole lifted to an upright position against the beck of the tonneau. Small ratchet wheels at each of the joints are provided for holding the legs in position and also for locking the entire frame when folded up. A light metal framework is provided to be set up over the bed. Curtains are stretched over the frame to form a sort of box-tent, as shown in the illustration.

��Some Ingenious For the

A New Ford Folding Bed

AN entire bed equipment which L weighs but fourteen pounds, and which may be folded and packed away, with the exception of blankets and com- forters, in a tool box, is the latest thing devised for Ford owners who wish to avoid hotel bills. The equipment in- cludes a piece of strong canvas, two poles or iron bars for spreaders, one for the foot and the other for the head; four half-inch iron rods for supports leading from the car-top supports to the four corners of the canvas mattress, and four ordinary straps with buckles.

No changes need be made in the car other than to put two brass or iron rings in the dash to which the front straps are fastened. The half-inch rods resting at opposite angles on the car-top supports hold the canvas mattress above the seat tops, thus giving ample room beneath for "lower berths" for the chil- dren, while the straps running from the four corners of the mattress to rings in the dash and rings in the rear are buckled taut to keep the mattress from sagging. The bed is more rigid, due to this method of securing it, and it will

���This car may be truly nicknamed "The Flying Bedstead"

easily support two grown persons.

With or without a tent the bed equip- ment comes in handy on touring trips. For instance, it may be used as a loung- ing hammock by attaching short ends of rope at either end of the canvas bot- tom, or it may be used as a table-cloth.

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