IMPROVEMENT IN SHIPS' BERTHS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENT
IN SHIPS' BERTHS." A communication from abroad by Henry Smith, of
Boston, Suffolk County, State of Massachusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 4th April 1879, and dated the 24th October 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firin of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engi-
neers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue,
Laffitte, Paris. " IMPROVEMENT IN SHIPS' BERTHS." A communication from
abroad by Henry Smith, of Boston, Suffolk County, State of Massachusetts, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in ships' berths, and has for its object to
so support one or more berths from a pivoted compound frame that they may freely,
assume and maintain a proper position of horizontality as the ship rolls or pitches
without swinging out into the state room.
The Invention consists in the combination with a compound pivoted frame of one
or more suspended berths, the connecting rods suspending the berths being provided.
with loose joints to permit the compound frame and berth or berths to remain
parallel and in the same vertical plane with relation to a line perpendicular to the
floor of the state room within the sides of the berth frame during the motion of the
berth.
Also in the combination with the compound frame and a loosely connected
suspended berth provided with end projections of berth guides fixed with relation
to the sides of the berth frame. Also a berth provided at its ends with friction
rollers combined with curved guideways, substantially as herein-after described.

page_text: Figure one of the Drawing represents in front view a berth frame with two
suspended berths,
Figure 2, a cross section thereof on the line x, x, Figure 1; and
Figure 3, a view of the said projections of the berths as they will be made in
practice.
The-berth-frame-a-is-and-may-be-of-usual-construction. At the top of the said
frame are bearings b to-receive the end journals c of the outer one of the compound
frames d to permit the frame to oscillate or move freely thereon. In frame dis
provided with a projection or point e, or equivalent, nearer its head than its foot
to receive the notched journal f of the inner frame g of the compound frame, the
said inner frame being so supported_as_to_oscillate in the direction of its length. The
location of the journal c nearer the head than the foot of the frame provides for the
unequal distribution of the weight of the body of the person occupying the berth.
_ Attached-to-the-under-side-of-the-inner-frame-g-is-a- bracket-h-provided-with-a
weight i, preferably just heavy enough to properly balance the berth. To the outer
frame d is added one or more steadying weights ; to maintain it in horizontal
position; the inner frame and the berth are connected at their four corners by
means of connecting rods 1, the attachment of the rods to the frame g and berth
being by joints or loops as at m, n, constructed as to permit the rods to move freely
with reference to the frame and berth at their points of connection. The berth is
provided at its ends with friction rollers or projections 22, which are fitted to travel
within curved guideways q, q', the arcs of which are described from a perpendicular
line coincident with the bearing e at the level of the berth.
As the ship pitches the friction rollers travel in the guideways and the frame g
turns on the frame d, and as it rolls the frame & works on its bearing, and the joints
between the connecting rods of the frame g and berth permit the rotation and free
movement of the berth within the berth frame.
The second berth r is suspended from the berth k by jointed connecting rods 8,
and it, as in the cases of berth k, is provided with like means to guide it.
The berth boards t hinged to the cross bars u are provided with berth holders w
which engage projections x at the edges of the berths and hold them stationary with
relation to the berth frames as may be desired, as for instance, when getting in or
out of the berths. These berth boards have fastening devices 3 to lock them in
upright position. When turned down during the day the boards may be used for
tables or shelves.
If desired sliding weights may be connected with the berth frames to act as
counterbalances for the person.
If the connecting rods were not jointed to the compound frame and with the berths
the suspended berths would not remain horizontal except by moving the bearings b
out horizontally from the berth frame so as to afford room for vibration.
In this my plan it is possible to employ two oscillating berths in one berth
frame.
If desired I may employ a guideway like the guideway q at the back side of the
berth to co-operate with a friction roller on the berth and prevent the head or foot
of the berth from bearing too heavily against the berth frames.
To avoid shock as the berth is moved longitudinally in the frame, a block 4 of
rubber may be placed upon the spindle 5 which holds the friction roller.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood
that,
-
I claim, 1st. The herein-described method and mechanism of supporting ships'
berths, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
2nd. The compound movable supporting frame combined with a suspended berth
by means of jointed connecting rods attached at each corner of the inner frame, to
operate substantially as described.
3rd. The compound movable supporting frame and the berths suspended there-
from by means of jointed connections extending from each corner of the inner frame

page_text: as described, and provided with projections p combined with the guideways fixed
with relation to the berth frame, to operate substantially as described.
Fourth. The berth provided at its ends with friction rollers combined with the
curved guideways, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)