An Improved Portable and Interchangeable Ships' or analogous Berth or Couch and Settee.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1894-Accepted, 19th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable and Interchangeable Ships' or analogous
Berth or Couch and Settee.
We, THOMAS MARSH MARKHAM of 110 Chillingham Road, Heaton, Newcastle-
on-Tyne in the County of Northumberland, Ironmonger, and WILLIAM TURNBULL
DAVIES of Byker Terrace, Walker, Northumberland aforesaid, Contractor and
WILLIAM PARISH HOSKINS trading as Hoskins and Son of Neptune Works,
Trinity Street in the City of Birmingham, Ships' Berth Manufacturer 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:—
This invention relates to an Improved Portable and Interchangeable Ships' or
analogous Berth or Couch and Settee and is a development of the invention
described and Patented under Specification No. 8846 of the year 1892.
We will describe our present improved construction with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shows a plan view and Figure 2 a front elevational view of our improved
convertible ships' or analogous berth, the parts being shown in that position in
which the bed-side is supposed to be uppermost.
Figures 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views of the apparatus shown in Figures 1
and 2.
Figure 4 illustrating a mode of conversion in operation.
Figures 5 and 6 show the lec-rail and its attachment to the framing in two
positions.
Figure 7 shows the device illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 converted and
adapted for use as a settee or couch (the figure being broken as regards its width
for the sake of convenience of illustration) and in the following description like
marks of reference designate like parts.
Referring to the drawings a shows a light angle-iron frame to the front and back
bar of which is bolted the beaded or other ornamental stringer bar a² and between
the parts a and a' the canvas sheeting forming the base or foundation of the couch
or settee may be securely clamped.
The frame a is designed to be furnished with mattress and bed material on one
side and with permanent cushioned furniture on the other the latter being intended
for use as a settee as described in Patent No. 88462.
At both ends the frame a is pivotted at 2 to a carrying bar 3 which is furnished
with projecting pieces 4 which are designed to rest in the brackets cand c' as shown
in the drawings.
In the usual case of two berths one above the other there will be two brackets c,
with double bearings c2, es, at both ends of the bottom berth to support the bar 3
and frame a as shown in Figures 4 and 7 but the top berth need only have one
bracket c at both ends at the back and one bracket of the type c' at both ends at
the front as shown in Figures 3 and 7.
It will be observed that the outer ends 7 of bars 3 are bent round in front of
frame a.
This conveniently enables a screw-bolt s to be passed through frame a so
as to connect frame a and bars 3 at both ends rigidly together while by withdrawing
bolts s the frame a is free to be revolved on its end pivots at 2 so as to turn the
bed-side or the settee side uppermost as desired.
In Figures 1, 2 and 6 the lee-rail is shown in its reclining position,
Figure 5 showing it in position as required for use.

page_text: In this construction the end stanchions N of the rail are coupled at n, n, to a
light iron bar n¹ of the cranked shape shown the lower end of which is pivotted
at
to the frame a. The bases n of these stanchions are formed of a fork-shape
as shown and the stanchions and lee-rail are so pivotted at n² that these forks slip
over the bolts s when in their vertical position as shown in Figure 5; the bolts s
thus serve the double purpose of holding the lee-rails in position and of coupling
the bars 3 to the frame a.
When the settee side of frame a is required to be uppermost the lee-rail (then
on the underside) is released from bolts & and thrown back as shown for example
in Figures 1, 2 and 6 in which position it can be conveniently held by straps or
cords secured to the opposite side of the frame a.
The arrangement described enables the following positions to be assumed where
two superimposed berths are provided :-
--
(1.) The lower berth may form a seat and the upper berth suspended from its
back bracket c may form a back to the seat thus forming a settee, the bedding side
being entirely concealed as shown in Figure 7.
(2.) The lower berth may be turned on its centre pivot so as to form a sleeping
berth, the back of the settee remaining as before.
(3.) The back of the settee may be raised on rest e² (of upper bracket c) as a
centre, brought forward to rest c³, slid back, and dropped again into rest c² and
bracket c', (as shown in Figure 3) when the upper berth or frame a can be
reversed and secured as described to form a bed when two sleeping berths will be
provided.
(4) The lower berth may be raised on its back bracket to lie perpendicularly or
parallel with the back of the berth wall, upper berth remaining as before.
(5.) Upper berth may be lifted out of bracket c' drawn forward into rest c³ and
then allowed to hang perpendicularly in front of what was formerly the lower
berth thus allowing the berth compartment to be thoroughly ventilated and kept
clean, the berths thus occupying very little space.
(6.) The frames comprising the berths or seat or settee can be entirely and
readily removed, thus giving space, if so required for other articles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a con bined portable and interchangeable arrangement of ships' or
analogous berth and settee the combination with the frame a of the carrying bars 3
having projections 4 adapted to fit into and work in brackets r, c₁ and bent ends 7
with bolts & these parts being arranged combined and adapted to co-operate
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
2. In a combined portable and interchangeable arrangement of ships' or
analogous berth and settee the combination with the frame a and carrying bars 3
arranged and adapted as described and claimed in the previous claim of the
pivotted crank-bar n' designed to carry the lee-rail and to allow it to be secured in
a vertical or reclining position the parts being arranged and adapted for use
substantially as herein set forth.
3. The general arrangement or combination of parts comprising the improved
portable and interchangeable ships' berth or couch and settee substantially as
herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 30th day of March 1894
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
3, St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.