Improved Combination Bed and Cloak for the use of Soldiers and others.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Bed and Cloak for the use of Soldiers and
others.
I ROBERT SCHOFIELD MILNE Lance Corporal D Troop 1st Royal Dragoons
Aldershot in the county of Hampshire do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for IMPROVED COMBINATION BED AND CLOAK FOR THE USE OF SOLDIERS
AND OTHERS to be as follows:-
I propose in carrying out my invention to use a waterproof sheet 92 ins. long
by 63 ins. wide, or such other size as may be necessary, lined with a Government or
other blanket or with blue serge or such other material as may be chosen, so as to
leave a margin along both sides and at each end. A hem may be formed on such
margin of the waterproof to strengthen the same, or it may be strengthened in any
convenient manner. The blanket or other lining to be fastened along one-presumed
to be the lower edge and both sides to a distance of say 4 ft. 9 ins. (or such other
distance as may be thought necessary) at which point it is fastened across from edge
to edge, the remaining portion of the blanket or lining being loose, and the waterproof
beneath this loose portion being double faced. Across the outside of the waterproof
at a convenient distance say or 1 ins. above the cross fastening of the lining are
fastened at suitable distances apart a number of strips of waterproof or other material
(of any suitable size say 4 ins. by 1 ins.) fastened to the sheet at their two long edges
so as to allow a strap being passed through them from side to side of the waterproof,
to hold it in position. At any convenient point below the cross fastening of the lining,
two sleeves may be inserted in the waterproof of any suitable size. The lining to have
slits in it to correspond with the sleeves, and two other slits above the cross fastening
at points the same distance above and from the edges as the slits below.
For cavalry, I propose to form a slit up the centre of the waterproof and lining to
the distance required from the lower edge, and insert therein a triangular piece of
waterproof of a convenient size to suit the requirements.
Along one edge of the slit on the outside of the waterproof and fastened along one
side and upper end, to have a strip of waterproof say 2 ins. wide, and on the other
edge at a distance of say 24 ins. from it, to have another covering strip similar to the
first. To fasten as cloak or bed-commencing at a point in the centre of the lower
edge there will be 4 or any convenient number of slots (brass eyelets) on each
side at suitable distances from each other, and along each side ten or any convenient
number of slots, and along the loose edge of the first strip, up the centre to be 4
or any convenient number of slots-Directly in rear of each slot is fastened a loop
of brass or other material, wedge shaped with a toe at the base of its sloping shoulder,
such sloping shoulder to be farthest away from the edge of the waterproof, with the
exception of the centre strip, in which case the loop will be fastened into the opposite
edge of the waterproof to suit the slots on the strip. To have straps one 6 ft.
long or other convenient length (called the neck strap) to be threaded through the
slots or socket pieces on the outside of the waterproof for use in gathering the
cloak formation round the neck this strap to be fastened in the centre to the
waterproof.
The 2nd strap say 9 ft. long (or any convenient length) to have fastened to it along
the underside a number of short pieces of strap say 5 ins. long, the said short pieces
to be fastened at intervals corresponding to the intervals of the fastening loops on the
waterproof and passed through them when it forms a bed. To make a bed the water-.
proof is spread on the ground, lining side up, and one side is folded over the other,
CD

page_text: then the slots of the upper half are placed over the wedge shaped loops of the lower
half and fastened by passing through the loops the corresponding short piece of strap
on the 9 ft. strap. It is now ready to get into as a bed. To get out of it the person
inside takes hold of the 9 ft. strap and gives it a sharp pull, thus pulling all the short
pieces of strap out of the loops, when the bed is unfastened and he can rise without
interference.
Then to make it into a cloak, throw back the loose upper portion of the lining on
to the part below, take hold of the two projecting ends of the neck strap and give them
a sharp jerk, to gather the waterproof together, then throw it round the shoulders with
the lining side in pass the arms through the sleeves and tie the strap round the throat,
the upper portion of the waterproof falling back of itself and forming a cape which
covers the arms also.
To fasten the cloak down the front place the slots of one edge over the loops on the
other and pass the loose ends of the neck strap through. To fasten the centre slit,
there is a short strap 3 ins. longer than the slit, which has short pieces to correspond
with slots in the same manner as the 9 ft. strap-slots to be placed over wedge shaped
loops and short straps passed through loops-strap to be fastened to waterproof at
upper edge. To unfasten it pull the short pieces out by giving a sharp jerk to the
upper end this allows the sides of the cloak when mounted, to fall down and cover
the legs and kit of rider. The above cloak and bed may be made also without lining
so as to be used in conjunction either with the present government regulation cloak or
a cloak made of serge or other suitable material.
The cloak (of serge or other material) to have a curtain of waterproof falling from
the collar over the shoulders and buttoning on to the waterproof cloak outside in order
to shed rain from the neck of waterproof cloak. Waterproof unlined combination
cloak to have a detachable collar also of stiffened waterproof with curtain-to fasten
at the throat with hooks, and at five or more points in the lower edge of curtain to
have button holes to button on to buttons on waterproof cape to keep it in position
when being used.
Dated this 98th dow of M 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Bed and Cloak for the use of Soldiers and
others.
I ROBERT SCHOFIELD MILNE, Lance-Corporal D Troop 1st Royal Dragoons,
Aldershot, in the County of Hampshire, England, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention relates to a convertible ground sheet or bed and cloak for military
and other purposes, two or more such ground sheets being, moreover, capable of being
combined to form a tent which may be quickly pitched or struck.
"
One main feature of my invention is a contrivance for fastening the edges of the
sheet together when used as a sack-like "bed or wrapper, the contrivance being such
that the bed or wrapper may be instantly and wholly unfastened by a single motion
of the hands limited in extent so that in case of emergency the occupant may at once
disengage himself from the wrapper. Another feature of the invention is the mode of
applying a loose lining to that part which forms the cape or hood of the article when
worn as a cloak in such manner that the said lining shall not be exposed to the wet
when the cloak is worn and shall be available to cover the surface of the cape or hood
(which has been turned outwards and may have been wetted when the article was
worn as a cloak) when the article is used as a ground sheet or bed.
The Invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings

page_text: forming part of this specification, wherein figures 1 and 2 represent front and back
views of the article worn as a cloak for active service. Figure 3 shews the cape of
the cloak used as a hood over a soft or "fatigue cap." Figure 4 is a perspective view,
and figure 5 a plan view, shewing the cloak used as a
"bed" or sack-like wrapper
completely enveloping the sleeper. Figure 6 is an inside view of the cloak spread
out Hat. Figure 7 is a cross-section (on a larger scale) shewing the overlapping edges
of the back-slit and one of their fastenings. Figure 8 is a plan, and figure 9 a cross-
section through one of the fastenings uniting the edges of the bed or sheet in figures 4
and 5. The same letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.
The combination cloak and bed is formed of a rectangular sheet A of waterproof
fabric which may he woollen cloth coated on one face with india-rubber or it may be
of the kind known as "double texture" i.e.: consisting of two plys of woven fabric
united by an intermediate layer of india-rubber. It is, say, about 92 inches long by
63 inches wide or of other suitable dimensions and may be lined with any suitable
woollen fabric and may have a broad waterproof hem or margin on the inner face, as
usual in waterproof coats.
B is a cord (hereafter referred to as the neck cord) threaded through loops b stitched
to the outer surface of the sheet, such cord running transversely across the sheet at a
distance of about one-third the length of the sheet from the one end a which end is
hereafter referred to as the upper end. The direction followed by this cord is not
straight across the sheet, but the cord is deflected downwards from the centre line of
the sheet towards either long side edge so that, when the sheet is gathered around the
neck by means of the neck cord B and worn as a cloak (as shewn in figures 1, 2,
and 3) the said side edges which then meet at the front will be lifted or caused to hang
towards each other so that they should have no tendency to gape at the bottom of the
cloak.
That part of the cloak which is comprised between the neck cord B and the end a,
forms the cape C when worn as a cloak (as in figures 1 and 2) such cape serving
also as a hood, as in figure 3. This part C, which forms the cape, is not lined like
the rest, that is to say it is waterproofed on one or both faces (or made of double
texture waterproof fabric, as above inentioned) so that either face may be exposed to
the rain, the inner face being so exposed in figures 1 and 2 and the outer face in
figurés 3, 4, and 5. This part of the cloak is provided with a loose lining D,
(indicated by the chequered pattern in figure 6) which is stitched to the sheet A
along one edge only, the line of stitching corresponding in position with, and
following the direction of, the neck cord B. Save for the attachment along this
line of stitching the lining D is perfectly loose so that when the sheet is worn as a
cloak, as in figures 1, 2, and 3, the lining D is turned downwards so as to hang over
the shoulders of the wearer within the body portion of the cloak in which position it
is entirely protected from rain. It is provided with armholes D' corresponding when
the lining is so folded inwards to the arm holes E in the body portion A, the wearer's
arms being passed through both sets of holes. The loose lining D will thus be kept
dry, so that, should the cape C be wetted, the lining D will be available to cover the
wetted surface when the cape is used as a hood, as in figure 3, or when the sheet is
used as a bed, as in figures 4 and 5.
It will be obvious that this loose flap of lining D may be a continuation of the
lining of the lower part A, supposing the latter to be lined (which is not necessarily
the case) or it may be a separate piece of fabric; it being, in either case, stitched to
the outer fabric along the line of the cord B.
Sleeves F are applied to arm holes E and the part A is slit longitudinally and
centrally from the lower edge to a sufficient distance (say 33 inches) towards the
centre, to afford the necessary spreading of the skirt of the cloak at the back when
the wearer is mounted, the slit or opening being closed by a loose gusset-piece G
stitched to the main fabric A near the overlapping edges 9 9 of the slit so as to cover
the rider's kit on the back of the horse. The one edge is preferably made with a

page_text: loose "fly" g or double-ply of fabric, the other edge 91 being inserted between the
part g and the "fly" 92 (as shewn in figure 7) and being there secured (except when
the wearer is about to mount) by the means hereafter described. The insertion of
the edge g between the double edge gg effectually excludes rain.
Along the margin of the side and bottom edges, at suitable distances apart, are
inserted oblong metallic eyelets h and immediately in rear of, and in horizontal
alignment with, the eyelets h are staples i, of the form clearly shewn in figures 7 and 9
and which may be stamped out from sheet metal. Each staple is attached to the
main fabric by stitching embracing its longer or base member upon which the staple
is free to move as a hinge so that when not in use the staple may be folded flat
against the surface to which it is attached. The rear member of the bow portion of the
staple is inclined as at 2 at the part where the pull of the eyelet in which the staple is
inserted comes upon it so that when the lace or cord which is threaded through the
staple for the purpose of securing the staple in the eyelet (as hereafter referred to) is
withdrawn, the eyelet will become detached from the staple by the mere strain on the
fabric. Both edges to be united are similarly provided with eyelets and staples so
that either edge may lap over the other the eyelets on one edge and the staples on the
other only being used at a time. A single similar set of eyelets and staples is provided
along the edges of the back slit g g¹.
For the purpose of uniting the edges of the sheet, which form the front edges of the
cloak when worn as such, the one end of the neck cord B is used as in figures 1 and 3
whilst the other end of said cord may be used for fastening together the edges of the
cape (when partly turned up to form a hood) so as to draw the hood tight beneath the
chin of the wearer, as in figure 3 wherein the said end of the cord fastens a staple i¹
in its corresponding eyelet and also serves to connect a staple and eyelet at the
corners of the cape. When it is not desired to cover the head this end of the lace B
may be used to fasten the staple in its corresponding eyelet 2 in which position the
edge of the cape is drawn tightly around the neck as a collar if desired.
When the article is to be used as illustrated in figures 4 and 5 as a sack like
wrapper or bed in which to sleep in the open air the occupant is entirely protected
from rain without the shelter of a tent. For this purpose the sheet would be folded on
itself along the centre line and the two long or side edges of the sheet would be connected
together by their corresponding staples and eyelets, and the two halves of the lower
end edge would also be connected similarly together. In this case, the staples would
be secured in their corresponding eyelets each by a short tab or lace k preferably of
leather tipped with metal the whole of the said tabs k branching from a main cord K
the tabs all being threaded in one direction, as shewn, so that a slight pull of the
cord K will be sufficient to simultaneously withdraw the whole of the tabs k from
their respective staples, thus undoing the fastened edges of the wrapper and setting
free the occupant. A similar multiple branch cord (permanently attached at its
upper end, to prevent loss) would be used for securing the fastenings of the back
slit g g so that the slit may be quickly opened before mounting.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe, in conclusion, that
I do not claim generally a ground sheet or bed convertible into a cloak by means of a
neck cord, but I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The herein described improved convertible ground sheet or bed and cloak
constructed and arranged for use, substantially as specified.
2. In the herein described convertible ground sheet or bed and cloak, the combina-
tion, with the said convertible sheet or cloak, of the loose lining D for the cape portion,
adapted to fold and hang within the body of the cloak or to cover the surface of the
cape portion, as, and for the purpose, specified.
3. In a convertible ground sheet or bed and cloak, the herein described means of
fastening, consisting in the combination, with eyelets, of staples formed with an

page_text: inclined rear member as described and adapted to be passed through the corresponding
eyelets and of a cord or lace adapted to be threaded through the staples for the
purpose of retaining them in engagement with the eyelets, substantially as specified.
4. In a convertible ground sheet or bed and cloak provided with a series of eyelets
and a corresponding series of staples adapted to engage the eyelets, as described, the
combination, with said staples and eyelets, of a multiple cord or lace formed of a main
cord having a number of short laces or tabs branching therefrom, each branch tab
being threaded through its corresponding staple so that the whole of the tabs may be
withdrawn at once by a slight pull of the main cord, substantially as specified.
Dated this 28th day of February 1890.
R. D. MILNE.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.