IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTUS, AND PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS' FURNITURE
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTUS, AND PARTLY
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS' FURNITURE." A communication
from abroad by James Henry Porter, of Boston, Massachussetts, United States
of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th November 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS, AND PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS'
FURNITURE." [A communication from abroad by James Henry Porter, of Boston,
Massachussetts, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to that class of self levelling ships' berths in which the
berth is pivotted at its ends to a beam or lever pivoted centrally to a fixed support,
the beam and berth being adapted to oscillate respectively in two planes at right
angles to each other. The said Invention has for its object to provide certain
improvements in the form and construction of the beam, whereby the same is
prevented from obstructing the space above the berth, and is enabled to be adjusted
as to position with relation to its pivot, and in the means employed for pivoting the
beam to its support, and for pivoting the berth to the beam, whereby the friction is
reduced to a minimum. To these ends the said Invention consists in giving the
ends of the beam a lateral curvature, so that the main portion of the beam is
located at one side of the berth; also in making the beam adjustable, so that it can
be moved with relation to its pivot, and in certain details of construction, all of
which I will now proceed to describe.
In carrying the said Invention into practice the beam is pivoted, so as to oscillate
vertically, to a fixed support, preferably by means of trunnions affixed to its sides,
and entering sockets formed respectively in a metallic plate attached to a wall or
other support behind the berth, and in a plate attached to studs projecting from.

page_text: the wallplate. Between the trunnions and the sockets are interposed two gangs of
friction rollers, which enable the beam to be oscillated with the least amount of
friction. The trunnions are pointed at their ends, said pointed ends bearing against
the surfaces of two plates attached to the other plates, and preventing the beam
from moving laterally, so that its sides cannot come in contact with said plates.
The ends of the beam are curved or extended outwardly or laterally as well as
downwardly, so that they project from the wall or support sufficiently to allow the
berth to clear the same. By this form I avoid any obstruction of the space over
the berth by the beam, the latter being set off at one side of said space excepting
at its ends, which are brought over the ends of the berth only. The berth and
beam can be made to occupy therefore less vertical space that if the beam were
directly over the centre of the berth, because the location of the bean at one side
of the berth enables the pivots of the beam to be as near the level of the top of
the berth as is desirable; several berths may therefore be placed one above another
in the same room. If desired the beam may be placed below the berth, its ends
being curved outwardly and upwardly to meet the ends of the berth. I prefer to
make the beam in two parts, one part having the trunnions, and being formed with
a socket extending through it lengthwise, the other part being inserted in said
socket and adapted to be moved lengthwise therein; the second part can therefore
be moved to vary the relation of the berth to the pivot, and bring one end or the
other nearest the pivot if desired by the occupant. To enable this part to be easily
moved in the first part I journal in the latter a pinion, and provide the former
with rack teeth meshing therewith, so that the second part can be moved by
rotating the pinion, which is provided with a suitable handle on the exterior of the
first-part-1-prefer to make the wall-plate movable laterally, so that the trunnions
may be moved in case the endwise movement of the berth by sliding the second
part brings the berth too near the end of the room in which the berth is located.
I effect this by pivoting the plate to the wall at its upper edge by a bolt, and
securing it at its lower edge by another bolt passing through a segmental slot; by
loosening the last named bolt the plate may be turned laterally on its pivot so as
to move the trunnions and the entire beam with the berth. A more extended
movement may be effected by engaging different holes or recesses in the plate with
the first named bolt, said holes being connected by a slot. The first part of the
beam is made in two longitudinal halves bolted together, and each having one of
the trunnions formed on its outer side. To secure the second part from accidental
endwise movement it is provided with adjustable stops adapted to abut against
the ends of the first part, and held by set screws at any desired point.
The ends of the beam are forked, and are provided with pivots or bearings. The
ends of the berth have journals receiving said pivots, which are arranged at right
angles to the trunnions of the beam, so that the berth can oscillate in a plane at
right angles to the plane of oscillation of the beam.
The rollers, the pointed ends of the trunnions, and the surfaces on which said
pointed ends bear, prevent the beam from binding on its bearings in consequence of
the lateral leverage or torsional force exerted by the offset berth. To relieve the
berth from friction on the pivots I interpose between the journals and pivots parallel
friction rollers. These friction rollers enable the beam and berth to turn easily
without the necessity for lubricating their bearings, hence obviating all danger of
soiling the bedding by gudcon grease.
I prefer to interpose between the journals of the berth and the portions of the
berth frame surrounding said journals a suitable spring or springs to absorb the
vibrations or trembling caused by the engines of a steam-vessel; said springs may
be composed of a thick tube of india-rubber. I do not limit myself in all cases to
the employment of the pointed trunnions and friction rollers to prevent side binding
of the bar. In a modification the beam is provided with a central journal adapted
to receive a fixed bearing or pivot, which is rigidly attached to the wall plate, the
beam oscillating on said pivot. Between the opposite sides of the beam and the
sides of the wall plate and theother plate are two series of radical tapering friction

page_text: rollers confined in place in slots in plates set on the pivot. The beam is provided
with a series of parallel friction rollers interposed between the journal and the
pivot, the ends of the rollers being preferably confined in slots formed in discs set
on the pivot. Swinging brackets are attached to the wall behind the berth, one at
each side of the pivot of the beam. Each bracket is provided with an arın adapted
to be swung outwardly under the beam to prevent the same from oscillating, and
with a hook adapted to engage with staples on the inner side of the berth to
prevent the latter from oscillating sidewise. The berth can thus be made entirely
immovable if desired. The arm and hook of each bracket are preferably rigidly
connected so that they will swing together.
In a modification the beam is pivotted upon a journal or pivot rigidly connected
with or cast upon the wall plate. The beam is maintained in position on said
pivot by a screw passing through a metallic cap attached to the beam. A washer
is interposed between the inner face of the cap and the end of the pivot. A gang
of friction rollers is interposed between the pivot and the bearing surface of the
beam socket.
In a modification in the form of the berth the back is carried up inside the beam
by means of wire work, canvas, or any suitable material, so as to protect the
occupant from injury by contact with the beam during the movement of the berth.
It is obvious that a chair, settee, sofa, table, or other article may be pivoted to
the ends of the beam instead of a berth, without departing from the spirit of iny
Invention.
A short beam may readily be made to support a chair, the chair being pivotted by
its arms to the ends of the beam.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th May 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
SHIPS SLEEPING BERTHS, AND PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS'
FURNITURE." A communication from abroad by James Henry Porter, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention relates to that class of self-levelling ships' sleeping berths in
which the berth is pivoted at its ends to a beam or lever pivoted centrally to a fixed
support, the beam and berth being adapted to oscillate respectively in two planes at
right angles to each other.
The said Invention has for its object to provide certain improvements in the form
and construction of the beam, whereby the same is prevented from obstructing the
space above the berth, and is enabled to be adjusted as to position with relation to
its pivot, and in the means employed for pivoting the beam to its support and for
pivoting the berth to the beam, whereby the friction is reduced to a minimum.
For these purposes the said Invention consists essentially in giving the ends of the
-beam-a-curvature,-so-that-the-main-portion-of-the-beam-is-located-either-at-one-side-
of or below the berth; also in making the beam adjustable so that it can be moved
with relation to its pivot, and in certain details of construction, all of which I will
now proceed to describe.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a berth and its supporting beam embodying
my Invention.
•
Figure 2 represents an end elevation of the same.
Figure 3 represents an enlarged section on line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 4 represents a section on line x', ', Figure 3.
Figure 5 represents an enlarged section on line =,=, Figure 2.
Figure 6 represents a section on line 1, 2, Eigure 5.
Figure 7 represents a section on line 3, 3, Figure 1.
Figure 8 represents a sectional view of a modification.
Figures 9 and 10 represent sections on lines, 3, and 23, 3, Figure 8.
Figures 11 and 12 represent modifications in the construction of some of the
parts.
Figures 13, 14, and 15 represent a modification in the manner of supporting the
beam, adjusting the same, and applying the friction rollers thereto.
Figure 16 represents a side elevation of a berth and its supporting devices.
Figure 17 represents a section on line 2, 3, Figure 16.
Figure 18 represents a side elevation showing auxiliary supports for the berth on
the pivoted beam or frame, and
Figure 19 represents a section on line y', y', Figure 18.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
Referring to Figures 1 to 7, a represents the beam, and b represents the berth.
The beam is pivotted, so as to oscillate vertically, to a fixed support, preferably by
means of trunnions c, c, fixed to its sides, and entering sockets e formed respectively
in a metallic plate fattached to a wall or other support behind the berth, and
in a plate g attached to studs h projecting from the wall plate f. Between the
trunnions c and the sockets e are interposed two series of friction rollers I, which
enable the beam to be oscillated with the least amount of friction. The trannions c
are pointed at their ends, the said pointed ends bearing against the surfaces of the
3

page_text: plates f, g, attached to the plates f, g, and preventing the beam from moving
laterally, so that its sides cannot come in contact with the last named plates. Tho
ends of the beam a are curved or extended outwardly or laterally as well as down-
wardly, so that they project from the wall or support; sufficiently to allow the
berth b to clear the same, as shown in Figure 2. By this form I avoid any '
obstruction of the space over the berth by the beam, the latter being situated at
one side of the said space, excepting at its ends, which are brought over the ends
of the berth only. The berth and beam can be made to occupy therefore less
vertical space than if the beam were directly over the centre of the berth, because
the location of the beam at one side of the berth enables the pivots of the beam to
be as near the level of the top of the berth as is desirable. Several berths may
therefore be placed one above another in the same room. If desired the beam may
be placed below the berth, its ends being curved outwardly and upwardly to meet
the ends of the berth. I prefer to make the beam in two parts, 1, 2, the part 1
having the trunnions c, and being formed with a socket extending through it
lengthwise, the other part 2 being inserted in the said socket, and adapted to be
moved lengthwise therein. The part 2 can therefore be moved to vary the relation
of the berth to the pivot, and bring one end or the other nearer the pivot if desired
by the occupant. To enable the part 2 to be easily moved in the first part 1, I
place in bearings in the latter a pinion k, and provide the former with rack teeth Z
meshing therewith, so that the part 2 can be moved by rotating the pinion which
is provided with a suitable handle on the exterior of the part 1. I prefer to make
the wall-plate fmovable laterally, so that the trunnions c may be moved in case
the end wise movement of the berth by sliding the part 2 brings the berth too near
the end of the room in which the berth is located. I effect this by pivoting the
plate to the wall at its upper edge by a bolt m, and securing it at its lower edge
by a bolt n passing through a segmental slot o. By loosening the bolt n the
plate may be turned laterally on its pivot m, so as to move the trunnions and the
entire beam with the berth. A more extended moveinent may be effected by
engaging different holes or recesses in the plate with the pivot m, the said holes
being connected by a slot r. The part 1 of the beam is made in two longitudinal
halves bolted together, and each having one of the trunnions formed on its outer
side. To secure the part 2 from accidental endwise movement, it is provided with
adjustable stops tadapted to abut against the ends of the part 1, and held by
set-screws at any desired point.
The ends of the beam are forked, and are provided with pivots kl, k¹, as shown
in Figure 5. The ends of the berth have bearings receiving the said pivots,
which are arranged at right angles to the trunnions of the beam, so that the berth
can oscillate in a plane at right angles to the plane of oscillation of the beam.
The rollers I, the pointed ends of the trunnions, and the surfaces on which the
said pointed ends bear, prevent the beam froin binding on its bearings in consequence
of the lateral leverage or torsional force exerted by the suspended berth. To
relieve the berth from friction on the pivots k', I interpose between the bearings u
and the pivots k¹, parallel friction rollers v, see Figures 5 and 6. These friction rollers
enable the beam and berth to turn easily without the necessity for lubricating
their bearings, thus obviating all danger of soiling the bedding by gudgeon grease.
I prefer to interpose between the bearings u of the berth, and the portions of the
berth-frame surrounding the said bearings a suitable spring or springs to absorb the
vibrations or trembling caused by the engines of a steam vessel; the said spring
may be composed of a thick tube of india rubber w, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6.
I do not limit myself in all cases to the employment of the pointed trunnions
and friction rollers I, to prevent side binding of the beam a. In a modification
shewn in Figure 8 the beam is provided with a central bearing 7 adapted to
receive a pivot 3 which is rigidly attached to the wall-plate f, the beam oscillating
on the said pivot. Between the opposite sides of the beam and the sides of the
wall-plate and the plate g, are two series of radial tapering friction rollors 4
confined in slots in plates 5 titted on the pivot 3. The beam is provided with a
:

page_text: series of parallel friction rollers 6 interposed between the bearing 7 and the
pivot 3, as shewn in Figures 8 and 9, the ends of the rollers û being preferably
confined in slots formed in discs fitted on the pivot 3. 9, 9, represent swinging
brackets attached to the wall j behind the berth b, one at each side of the pivot of
the beam. Each bracket is provided with an arm 10 adapted to be swung
outwardly under the beam, to prevent the same from oscillating, and also provided
with a hook 11 adapted to engage with staples 12 on the inner side of the berth, to
prevent the latter from oscillating sidewise. The berth can thus be made fast if
desired. The arm 10 and hook 11 of each bracket are preferably rigidly connected,
so that they will swing together.
In Figure 11 is shown a modification in which the beam a is arranged to
oscillate upon a pivot 13 rigidly connected with or cast upon the wall-plate f. The
beam a is maintained in position on the said pivot by a screw 14 passing through
a metallic cap 15 attached to the beam. 16 represents a washer interposed between
the inner face of the cap 15, and the end of the pivot 13. A series of friction
rollers 17 is interposed between the pivot 13 and the bearing surface of the
beam-socket.
In Figure 12 is shown a modification in the form of the berth, the back is carried
up inside the beam by means of wire work, canvas, or any suitable material, so as
to protect the occupant from injury by contact with the beam during the movement
of the berth.
In the modification shewn in Figures 13, 14, and 15, the beam a is made in a
single piece, and is provided with a pivot c supported in horizontal slots in the
back plate fand front plate g, Figure 14. One of these slots is provided with rack
teeth t, and the end of the pivot_resting-therein-is-formed-as a pinion engaging
with the said teeth, and provided with a square end, to which a key may be applied
to rotate the pivot c, and thus move the pivot and the beam lengthwise between
the outer and inner plates f, g, and the sides of the beam a are plates p',p', having
holes containing loose balls q' which bear against the outer and inner plates, and
the beam a, as shown in Figure 14.
In Figures 16 to 19 A represents the beam or frame which constitutes the direct
support of the berth or structure B, the said frame is, in this instance, arranged
mainly under the berth, and has a central upwardly projecting arm or extension Q
which is pivoted at C to a wall or other fixed support, and two upwardly projecting
arms P, P, to which the ends of the berth are pivoted at D, D, the beam or frame
being adapted to oscillate longitudinally, and the berth laterally or at right angles
to the direction of oscillation of the frame. The pivots of the beam and berth are
preferably provided with friction rollers, and the pivots of the berth are preferably
provided with rubber or other springs to absorb the jars or vibrations of the vessel
as herein before described.
E represents a fixed curved track or bearer attached to the deck and located
under the beam or frame A with its upper surface concentric with the pivot C of
the said frame; F represents a curved portion rigidly attached to or forming a
part of the frame A, the said curved portion being concentric with the pivot C and
parallel with the track or bearer E. In the space between the curved portion F
and the track or bearer E are placed a series of friction rollers G which directly
support the curved portion F and allow the same to move freely when the frame A
oscillates. The said friction rollers are preferably journalled in curved plates H, H,
which connect the rollers in a series and prevent them from being displaced. If
desired however balls may be used instead of cylindrical rollers, the adjacent surfaces
of the track E and curved portion F being grooved to prevent the lateral
displacement of the balls.
It will be observed that the curved track and rollers constitute an effective
additional support for the beain or frame sustaining nearly the entire weight of the
frame and berth without interfering with or retarding the oscillations of the frame.
If desired two tracks E may be provided as shown in Figure 19, the frame being
provided with two corresponding portions F.

page_text: In case it is desirable to provide auxiliary supports to relieve the pivots D, D,
of the berth, the beam or frame A is provided with one or more curved tracks or
bearers J arranged at right angles to the tracks E, and concentric with the axial
line of the pivots D, D, and the berth is provided with feet K also concentric with
the pivots D, D, and arranged over the tracks J. Rollers or balls L are interposed
between the tracks J and feet K, the said rollers and tracks acting in the same
relation to the pivots D, D, that the rollers G and tracks E do to the pivot C.
M represents a curved arm rigidly attached to the beam or frame A and preferably
concentric with the pivot of the frame. On the arm M is a weight N, which is
adapted to be adjusted on the said arm, and is provided with means for holding it
in any position to which it may be adjusted. It will be seen that by changing
the position of the weight N, the centre of gravity of the frame and berth will
be correspondingly changed, so that in case the contents of the berth are unevonly
distributed and the berth is inclined thereby, such uneven distribution can be
compensated for and the berth levelled by adjusting the weight.
It is obvious that other articles such as a chair, settec, table, or a cattle crib may
be supported by the above described means, the auxiliary supports being adapted
to sustain heavily weighted structures. A section of floor of sufficient size to
support a dining table and a number of people may be similarly supported if
desired, and a short beam may readily be made to support a chair, the chair being
pivoted by its arms to the ends of the beam.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,―
First. The combination of a beam pivotted centrally to a suitable support and
extended outwardly or laterally at its ends from the said support, a berth or its
equivalent pivotted to the said extended ends and thereby suspended away from
the support of the beam so as to leave an unobstructed space overhead, and friction
rollers arranged to prevent the beam from binding on its bearings in consequence of
the leverage exerted by the said berth, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination of the beam composed of the central socket section 1
pivoted to a suitable support, and the adjustable outwardly extended arms 2, 2,
with a berth or its equivalent pivoted to the said arms, substantially as and for
the purposes specified.
Third. The combination of the pivoted beam, the berth or its equivalent pivoted
to the ends of the beam, and friction rollers arranged to prevent friction of the.
pivoted berth in its bearings, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination of the beam having in its opposite ends pivots
the berth having enlarged bearings, and the parallel friction rollers v interposed
between the said bearings and pivots, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. The combination of the beam having in its opposite ends pivots, the
berth having bearings adapted to turn upon the said pivots, and springs interposed
between the said bearings and the surrounding portions of the berth-frame,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The beam composed of the pivoted socketed section 1 having a pinion k
and the part 2 supporting the berth, and provided with rack-teeth engaging with
the said pinion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the berth, the pivotted beam composed of two parts
one pivotted to a support and the other adapted to be moved independently
to vary the position of the berth with relation to the pivot, and the wall-plato
adapted to be moved laterally to compensate for change in the position of the berth,
substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the pivotted beam and berth of the brackets
pivoted to the wall and provided with projections adapted to make fast the beam
and the berth, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. A longitudinally oscillating beam or frame pivotted to a fixed support

page_text: and supporting a laterally oscillating berth or other structure combined with an
auxiliary support or supports, substantially as described, whereby the pivot of
the said beam or frame is relieved from strain and wear, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. A longitudinally oscillating beam or frame pivotted to a fixed support
and supporting a laterally oscillating berth or other structure combined with a
fixed bearer or bearers concentric with the pivot of the said beam or frame, and
balls or friction rollers interposed between the said bearer or bearers and
correspondingly curved portions of the beam or frame, substantially as set forth..
Eleventh. The pivotted longitudinally swinging frame supporting the laterally
swinging berth or structure, and provided with an arm and a weight movable upon
the said arm, whereby the centre of gravity of the berth or structure may be
changed, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. The pivoted frame having an auxiliary support or supports, combined
with the berth or other structure pivoted to the frame, and auxiliary supports
upon the said frame, whereby the pivots of the berth are relieved, substantially as
set forth.
Thirteenth. The pivoted frame having an auxiliary support or supports,
substantially as described, combined with the berth or other structure pivoted to
the frame and provided with curved feet resting upon friction rollers or balls on
curved bearers supported by the frame, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.