Improvements in Self-levelling Bedsteads and other Furniture for Use at Sea.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-levelling Bedsteads and other Furniture for
Use at Sea.
ف.
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FRANK PRAILL, Cabinet Maker, 27, Percy Street, Tottenham Court Road,' do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows: -
That four or more posts be fixed firmly to the deck or floor as required, the
inside of each post to have a groove on the sweep or curve, in which will move
four or more revolving pivots from the radius of the centre of frame No. 1
which is suspended from the top of the aforesaid posts by a rope, wire or anything
flexible or solid which will run over three or more wheels. The wheels. to be
fixed on the under side of frame No. 1.
Inside this No. 1 frame is another frame to be called No. 2 balanced by weights,
No. 2 frame to be fixed on ball bearing centers to work the reverse way to the
action of frame No. 1, at the same time the two to work so that the bed or
furniture should keep on a level.
This invention to be applied to all other ships furniture where a level surface
is necessary.
"
Improvements in Self-levelling Bedsteads and other Furniture for
Use at Sea.
.
I, FRANK PRAILL, of 27, Percy Street, Tottenham Court Road, in the County of
London, Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to an apparatus designed to preserve the horizontal
position irrespective of the movements or oscillations of the vessel in which it is
placed. It is especially designed for use as a bed or couch for passengers on
sea-going vessels, and will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawing in special view of this modification.
Referring to the accompanying drawing:-
Figure 1 shews a longitudinal elevation of the apparatus.
Figure 2 a section on the line A-B of Figure 1.
Figure 3 a plan view of the apparatus, partly sectional.
"
The couch consists of a double frame supported between uprights as hereinafter
set forth, counterweighted below, and preferably provided with a covering as
indicated in the drawing.

page_text: The uprights a, b, c, and d are placed at each corner of the apparatus, as shewn
in Figure 3. Each of these uprights has provided in it the curved slot or
channel e. Within each channel e is placed the sliding projection f having an
enlarged head as shewn. The said projections are secured to the corners of the
outer frame m of the couch. The inner frame g forming the couch is constructed
approximately in the form of a rectangular box of sufficient depth to form the
couch proper. To the under part of the couch g is attached a suitable counter-
weight which by its inertia tends to prevent any swinging of the frame through
jolts imparted to it by the motions of the uprights. The frame m is kept in
position by being mounted upon two ropes i attached by their ends to the upper
parts of the pillars a b, and c, d, respectively. Upon these ropes the 'trame m
rests by means of the pair of central wheels k, and the end wheels or sheaves l
respectively.
Within the outer frame y is placed an inner frame m. This frame which
forms the immediate receptacle bed or couch is pivoted to the outer frame m
at each end by the pivots n so that it can freely move on said pivots to a limited
extent within the outer frame m. An awning or cover, such as indicated in
dotted lines at o is preferably provided to conceal the apparently moving parts
of the cabin from the view of the occupant of the couch.
The operation of the device will be obvious from the foregoing.
The apparatus having a double set of supports as described will retain its
horizontal position in spite of the inclination of the uprights caused by the
rolling and pitching motions of the vessel, because the tendency to pitch will be
compensated by the travel of the outer frame m by means of its wheels upon the
ropes, in combination with the restraining action of the projections in the
slots c.
There remains the tendency to oscillate caused by the sideways roll of
the vessel, and this is taken up and neutralised by the independent motion of
the inner frame g on its pivots n.
0
The occupant of the couch is thus enabled to retain a practically stationary
position, unaffected by the motions of the vessel, and screened by the awning
aforesaid from the disturbing effect of the apparent movements of the sur-
rounding objects.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. An apparatus for maintaining a practically uniform level unaffected by the
oscillations of its supports, comprising an outer frame having projections sliding
in curved slots or channels in planes vertical and adjacent to the said frame, and
travelling upon ropes or fixed flexible supporters; and an inner counterweighted
frame freely supported on pivots at the ends of its longitudinal axis within the
Baid outer frame, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. An improved bed or couch for use in ships or vessels, constructed sub-
stantially as set forth in Claim 1 in which the supporting ropes or the like are
rigidly connected to uprights placed near the corners of said couch, and the
outer frame of the said couch is supported thereon by a pair of central wheels
and by castors or sheaves of smaller diameter placed respectively at each corner
of the said frame; substantially as set forth.
3. The improved self-levelling bed or couch constructed and operating sub-
stantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 741 1
ய
LUCY ULICI 1900
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.