IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' BERTHS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Mayler, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Cabinet Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHIPS' BERTHS."
Sealed the 2nd July 1872, and dated the 3rd January 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Mayler at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd January 1872.
I, HENRY MAYLER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
5 Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' BERTHS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing ships' berths of iron or other
metal and in constructing, disposing, and stowing the parts in such
manner that the following advantages are secured; (1) ease in fitting

page_text: up, taking down, stowing away, and refitting; (2) the occupying of
small place when stowed away; (3) durability; (4) cheapness; (5) free
ventilation when fitted up; and (6) freedom from vermin.
Metal berth posts extend from the upper surface of one deck to the
under surface of the deck next above it. These posts are cach secured i
rigidly in position between the decks by being jambed or held, say by a
screw, which practically lengthens a post, or by a socket in the lower deck
and a clip to catch the deck beams, and they are disposed at the required
distances from each other. Bosses, preferably two or three at a distance
from each other, are secured on the said posts; these bosses support the ]
side and end metal frames and the bottoms of the berths, and they have
securing projections or openings to fit corresponding openings or pro-
jections in the metal side and end frames, so as properly to hold the

page_text: Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, thwart ship, and Fig. 2 a plan forc
and aft of ships' berths constructed and disposed in accordance with my
Invention. Fig. 3 is a transverse section, and Fig. 4 a plan showing the
means employed for stowing the berths between the beams under my
Invention. In all these views like letters denote the same parts.
a and a¹ denote decks; b, deck beams; c, metal berth posts; most of
these are here shown fitted with screwed thimbles & which, when screwed
or turned in one direction or the other jam the said posts between the
decks or leave them free. Two of the posts are shown provided with
sockets e and clips f, which latter pass around the bulbs of the deck
beams or are otherwise secured to the under side of the deck. 7 bosses,
cast or otherwise secured on the posts c for supporting the side and end
metal frames h; i are pins on the bosses for entering openings in h and
securing the latter; if preferred the openings can be made in the bosses,
or other means of fastening may be adopted. The side and end metal
frames or either of them can be made of wood or other material without
departing from my Invention. The bottoms of the beds are shown con-
structed of metal wires j; other materials may be used but I prefer
metal wires for the bottom, and wood or like material for the saparating
pieces k. The manner in which it is preferred to dispose the berths is
shown by the transverse passage and fore and aft passage m. In
Figs. 3 and 4 h are deck beams, 12 cross supporting picce made in the
form of the letter H and rested on the bulbs of 6; the cross supporting
pieces may if desired be attached to the beams, and they may be variously
formed.

page_text: proper time to carry my improvements into effect, I claim, constructing
ships' berths of iron or other metal, and constructing, disposing, and
stowing the parts, substantially as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Mayler, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
In the presence of
J. T. KING,
Patent Agent,
Liverpool.
HENRY MAYLER. (L.S.)