Year: 1886

page_text: I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323, High Holborn, in the City of London, in the
County of Middlesex, England, Patent Solicitor, 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:-
Figure, 1, shows a perspective view of a berth embodying the invention, a
portion of the front being broken away to disclose details of construction at
one end.
Figure, 2, a vertical transverse section on-line, x-x, of figure, 1, with the parts
in position as when the vessel is upright. Figure, 3, a similar view with the berth
and suspension devices in position, as when the vessel rolls to one side.
Figure, 4, a plan view of a portion of the berth and the supporting and leveling
devices at one end of the berth.
Figure, 5, a longitudinal vertical section on line, x-x, of figure, 4, portions of the
bed bottom frame being broken away to show the adjustable supporting device for
the bed bottom.
Figure, 6, a view of a vertical section on line, y-y, of fig. 5.
Figure, 7, a view of a similar section on line, z-z, of fig. 5.
Figure, 8, an enlarged detail view in elevation of the supporting and balancing
nechanism for the bed bottom.
Figure, 9, a detail view of the head end of the berth showing the hood attached
to the end board of the bed and
Figure, 10, a vertical sectional central view of the bed end board and 'the shield
for concealing the upper portion of the suspending and leveling devices.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved self leveling berth, and to
this end, The invention consists in the construction, arrangement and com-
bination of parts as hereinafter specified and more particularly pointed out in the
claims.
In the drawings, A, designates the frame work of the berth proper. Within this
frame is the movable bed bottom, B, supported as will be hereinafter set forth.

page_text: To the bulk head, C, at each end of the berth is fastened a U-shaped journal
bearing, C¹, receiving and supporting the journal stud, C, on the pendulous
yoke, D, formed with a long pendulum bar, D'. To the lower end of this pendulum
bar is fastened the angle piece, D, having its lower portion projecting inward
under the bed bottom at a right angle to the pendulum bar. This inwardly pro-
jecting portion of each of the angle pieces, D2, D2, is formed with an extension or
arm, d, concave on its upper side so as to form a supporting socket for one end of
a weight bar, E, extending longitudinally under the bed bottom. To hold the ends
of this bar closely and firmly down in their respective sockets, a ring, E¹, is
passed over each end of the bar and the arm, d, forming the support therefor, as
shown in figure, 5.
The weight bar fastened as described and shown to the angle pieces on the lower
ends of the pendulum bars connects such bars rigidly and acting as the weight for
both compels them to swing or move synchronously.
To best support the lower end of each pendulum, bar and the angle piece
thereon at a proper distance from "the bulk head, there is provided within a hori-
zontal mortise or recess, d', within the angle piece, a roller or wheel, F, projecting
beyond the outer side of the angle piece a sufficient distance to engage and roll
upon a piece or strip, Fattached to the bulk head. This wheel is preferably
formed as shown with a central recess or rebate, f, on its lower side and a corre-
sponding off set or projection, f¹, on its upper side. A block, f³, resting on the
lower side of the mortise or recess, d, has on its upper side the reduced portion, f³,
entering the central rebate or recess, f, in the wheel. Down through the angle
piece the wheel and the journal block, f', passes the bolt, F². The upper side of
the wheel mortise or recess in the angle piece is preferably formed with the
shoulder, f, engaging the outer side of the hub or offset on the upper side of the
wheel. This, however, is not necessary, as the bolt holds most firmly and strongly
in place both the wheel and the journal block; F, upon which the wheel is
journalled and supported clear of the bottom of the mortise, d. As the pendulums
swing, the wheels will run upon their respective strips on the bulk heads and so
keep the pendulums always parallel with the bulkheads and will prevent any
longitudinal swing of the weight bar, which the pitching of the vessel would
'otherwise cause. The arms of the pendulous yoke do not extend out at right
angles to the pendulum bar, but, preferably, extend slightly downward so, that the
effect is the same as if an arch. yoke were used. To the outer ends of the yoke
arms below the level of the pivot, stud or bearing, C3, of the yoke, are pivotally
attached by means of suitable pivot bolts, g, g, the upper ends of links, G, G. The
berth, A, is supported from the lower ends of the four links by suitable pivot
bolts, g¹. The berth and leveling mechanism therefore are supported by the pivot
studs or bearings, C2, C, resting in the journal bearings, C¹, C
At each end of the berth, an arched plate, H, preferably, of metal, extends from
one side of the berth frame, to the other just back of or beyond the pendulum at
that end of the berth. This plate upon the under side of the central part of its
arch is provided with the downwardly curved rack, I, which- meshes with the
coacting rack, I, preferably curved upward so that, the two .racks will always
remain in gear during the rolling of the vessel and the consequent changing of the
relative positions of the bulk head and berth. The berth is so supported from the
journal studs, C2, C3, and the bearings, C1, C1, through the yokes & links, G, G, as
described, that while the teeth of the racks intermesh the teeth of the rack, I,
do not bottom into rack, I.
.1
The rack, I, is, as shown in the drawings, provided with ribs or flanges, i, i,
situated on opposite sides of the teeth on rack, I, which serve to keep the rack, I,
always in place with reference to rack,.I'. These racks can be both oppositely
curved, as shown and described hereinbefore, or one of them can be straight and
the other curved as desired, but they must be of such form and the teeth so
arranged that contact between the two racks will be maintained whatever the
degree of inclination of the bulk head with reference to the berth may be,

page_text: The levelling and suspending devices already described are preferably made of
metal so as to take up as little space as possible and yet be strong. Each board or
plate, H, is at such distance from the head or foot board of the berth as to allow
the pendulum to swing between them. It will be observed that as indicated above;
with this arrangement of suspending and leveling devices the whole. weight of the.
berth and leveling mechanism is supported independently of and not upon the
racks. As shown in figure, 3, when the vessel rolls to port, the racks, I', I¹, are
carried to the starboard side of a vertical plane through the pivotal studs or
bearings. C2, C3, and through the action of the intermeshing. racks on the berth
and bulk heads the berth is also carried to that side of the same plane. Without
these intermeshing racks the berth would obviously, tend to hang with its center
of gravity directly below the line connecting its points of support.
If it were allowed to hang so freely, much space would have to be left on each
side of the berth to allow of its necessary lateral movement with relation to the
bulk heads as its pivotal supports above traveled back and forth from side to side
with the rolling of the vessel. With this arrangement of supporting and leveling
devices the minimum of space between the side of the berth proper and the casing
therefor is required, for evidently the berth can have no lateral movement
independent of the bulk heads. As the vessel rolls, the sides of the berth casing
must move with the bulk heads, but the berth remains level and retains its central
position between the casing sides without possibility of coming into contact with
them. To allow for considerable rocking of the berth casing with reference to the
berth where the latter is made quite deep, the sides of the berth may be, as shown
in the drawings, made inclined inward and downward from the upper and outer
edges thereof. The axes of motion of the berth casing sides with reference to the
berth, is a line connecting the middle points of the racks, I, I, at the opposite ends
of the berth. As these points are midway between the sides of the berth, the
reason why the casing sides do not approach or recede from the upper portion of
the berth sides as the vessel rolls, is obvious. If desired, where the berth is deep,
its sides may be made curved. downward and inward on a curve whose axis is the
line joining the middle points of racks, I, I.
:
By this arrangement of supporting & leveling. dėvices, there is avoided a very
serious objection to self leveling berths hung upon a pivot or pivots above &
allowed to swing freely. Such berths especially when occupied gain such
momentum during the rolling of the vessel in a storm, that even' a weighted
pendulum or equivalent device is not enough to keep it from swinging to an undue
& dangerous extent. The weighted pendulum used with such berths if heavily
weighted is liable to attain too great momentum & swing too far so as to tilt the
berth one way or the other from its desired level position. The controlling racks
prevent the attaining of any dangerous amount of momentum. by either berth or
pendulum, prevent the berth having any lateral movement independent of the roll
of the vessel or tilting in excess of that just necessary to compensate for the
inclination of the bulk head & cause the adjustment of the berth to take place more
gradually & yet with sufficient rapidity so that it will always remain level no
matter how much the vessel may roll.
To prevent the bed from partaking of the pitching motion of the vessel, the bed
bottom is pivoted at its sides upon supports attached to the inner sides of the berth
frame. This pivotal support is preferably made adjustable toward or away from
the head of the bed bottom according to the length of the occupant. The bed
can then be adjusted to balance properly upon its side supports with any
occupant. To the inner sides of the berth frame are fastened brackets, L, L,
opposite each other, and having journal openings, 1, 2, to receive the journals, L1, L',
on the upper & outer ends of the U-shaped frame, L², extending across the bed
bottom, sufficient space being left between the sides of the bed bottom & the
brackets for the ends of the frame, and also the adjusting levers to be described.
The upper ends of the frame, L³, are not on a level with the tops of the journal

page_text: studs, L, L, but below the same, so as to form surfaces eccentric to said journal
studs.
With
Résting upon each of the upper ends of the frame is a slightly curved 'plate, M,
upon which rests and to which is preferably attached, the spring, M¹, having at its
ends loops, m, m, engaging pins or studs, m¹, m', on the sides of the bed bottom.
These loops which may be made by bending around the ends of the spring, as
indicated in the drawings, or otherwise, are made, not round, but elongated, so that
the spring ends can have longitudinal play with reference to the pins. Attached
to the top of. spring, M¹, is a second spring, M³, curving slightly upward towards
each end from its middle portion which rests upon spring, M¹, & at its ends bearing
up against lugs or short bearing plates, m², m², on the berth frame sides.
this construction. the bed bottom will be pivotally supported by the springs, M³, M,
resting upon the upper ends of the frame, L. The loops in the spring ends allow
the supporting spring to yield or bend with the weight of the occupant, and to
take up any shock or jar. Pivoted on a stud N, on one of the brackets, L, L, is a
lever, N1, the lower arm of which extends downward between the side of the bed
bottom & the upper end of frame, L, & is provided at its lower end with a fork n,
which engages a stud, n¹, on the frame. With this construction, as the lever is
swung on its pivot, the frame, L³, will be correspondingly swung on its pivots. As
the portion of the frame ends upon which the spring supporting or bearing
plates, M, M2, rest, are eccentric to the center of motion of the frame, the points
of bearing of the plates upon the frame will, as shown best in figure, 8, be shifted
as the frame is swung on its journals, towards one end or the other of the bed
frame. The portions of the bed frame ends upon which the' spring plates bear
are preferably curved, so that the change of the points of support will be gradual
as the frame is swung, and proportioned to the amount of the swing of the frame.
A tooth, n², on the lever serves to engage a curved rack, n³, on the berth frame
to hold the lever in any desired position. For an occupant of any length the
points of support of the bed bottom on both sides are shifted together by swinging
the frame, I, on its pivots as described, until the bed bottom will stand substan-
tially horizontal while the occupant is in place on it & then the lever is locked at
such adjustment by engagement of its tooth, n³, with the rack, n³. The spring, M²,
bearing as it does at its ends against the bearing pieces on the berth frame, tends
to keep the bed bottom normally parallel with the bottom of the berth frame &
acts to return it to such position when it has been froin any cause rocked on its
pivotal supports out of such position. As the vessel pitches & the berth is rocked
longitudinally to raise & lower its opposite ends alternately, the bed bottom being
balanced as described remains substantially horizontal & does not partake of the
As the berth frame moves
pitching motion of the berth frame & bulk heads.
thus independently of the bed bottom, the ends of spring, M*, yield alternately,
resisting enough to prevent sudden & jarring contact of the stop pins, n', n', on the
berth frame with the bed bottom. On the weighted bar, E, is fastened a strap or
split ring, O, which, by means of screw, o, draws the ring ends together to clamp
closely the bar within the ring. Upon the under side of this ring is a tooth, O¹
If desired this tooth could be formed on or otherwise attached to the bar. In the
bottom, P, of the berth casing is a transverse slide box, R, just below the path of
the tooth, O, carried by the weight bar. For clearness sake the pendulums &
weight bar will be described as swinging with reference to the bottom of the
berth casing, although such swinging is only apparent, not actual as the weight bar
really remains substantially stationary, while the casing bottom passes back and
forth under it.
Sliding in such box and guided at its outer end in an opening in the box end,
and at its inner end upon the bottom of the box is a slide, R¹. The inner end of
this slide is turned up and engages the end of spiral spring, ?, which at its other
end bears against a lug, r, on the box. In the drawings is shown a spiral spring
surrounding a suitable guiding rod, 72, but any desired form of spring can, of
course be used. With this construction the spring tends to force the slide towards

page_text: the end of slide box which is towards the front of the berth. Said box is below
the central portion of the path of the tooth, O', open at its top. In such
opening, O, are pivoted two weighted pawls or tumblers, S, S, having their outer.
portions weighted, so that they tend always to fall down so as to elevate the inner
lighter ends of the pawls. The undersides of the weighted portions of the pawls
are rounded as shown. The slide, R¹, is provided with two depressions, 8, 8, 80
situated, that, when the slide has been thrown inward by the spring, as described,.
they will be below the weighted ends of the pawls, S, S, so that said ends can drop
down, as shown in figure, 2. The ends of these depressions are rounded so that
when the slide is moved out against the stress of the spring, these rounded ends.
will ride under & throw up the weighted pawl ends to bring the other pawl
ends down flush with the top of the slide box. The flat portions of the slide on
either side of the depressions, 8, 8, when engaging the pawls serve to keep them
down flush with the box top as shown in fig. 3.
To operate this slide a strap, T, attached to the outer end thereof passes around
the pulley, t, and up at the rear side of the berth to and around the short
shaft, U, journalled in bearings, u, u, on plate, U, fastened to the side of the
bulk head.
On one end of this shaft is a lever arm, U³.
The strap is so wound upon the shaft, that, when the latter is turned by
throwing down the lever or crank arm thereon, the strap is drawn so as to pull
the slide out to swing the weighted pawls down as described herein before. Behind
this shaft is a leaf spring, U³, bearing against it, and said shaft is provided with
flat portions which the spring engages, when the shaft is turned up or down, so as
to hold it as turned. The operation of this locking device is as follows.—When
the shaft is turned so as to slacken the strap and allow the slide, R¹, to be thrown
over by its spring, the weighted ends of the pawls or tumblers drop down into the
depressions in the slide. As the weight bar then swings over the pawls, the tooth
passes over the first pawl, presses down its inner and lighter end, & comes in
contact with the end of the other pawl & is stopped. Meantime, the end of the
pawl just passed, flies up behind the tooth, O₁, & so, the weight bar is locked.
The bar being thus locked, the pendulums, & so the berth, are held from move-
ment with relation to the bulk heads & berth casing. The occupant can then get
in or out with ease.
When the occupant has got in, the lever arm, U2, is pulled down to rotate the
shaft, U, & pull up the strap. This throws the pawls down & holds them down,
as described herein before, releasing & leaving free the tooth on the weight bar to
let the leveling devices go into & continue in action. To conceal the pendulous
yokes of the suspending & leveling mechanism, the casings, V, V, are attached to
the bulk heads. & extending down a little way in front of the upper edges of the
head & foot boards of the bertb. The upper edges of these boards are curved &
the lower edges of the casings, V, V, are similarly curved, so as to allow of the
relative motions of the bulk beads & berth as the vessel rolls. To the head board
is preferably attached a hood, W, which, when down, will extend over the head
of the occupant of the berth and prevent his seeing the motions of the bulk heads
and the berth casing and stateroom. This hood, which is attached at its upper
edge to the head board, is spread upon a folding frame, W, which is pivoted to
ears or arms, W; W, fastened to the sides of the berth. When the occupant desires
to get out, the hood can be folded, or thrown up against the head board, to be
dropped again, as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is
1. In combination with the berth suspended from the bulk heads and provided
with automatic leveling devices, the intermeshing racks on the berth frame and
bulk heads, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 2. In combination with the berth and the automatic leveling devices therefore
all suspended and supported from the bulk heads, the intermeshing curved racks on
the berth frame and bulk heads, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In combination with the weighted yokes suspended on suitable bearings on
the bulk heads, the berth suspended from said yoke, and means for preventing
lateral movement of the berth with reference to the bulk heads while allowing
the bulk heads to rock with relation to the berth, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
4. In combination with one end of the berth, a pendulous yoke pivotally
supported upon the bulk head, and a weighted pendulum attached to it, links
supporting the berth end from the arm of the yoke, the rack on the berth frame,
and meshing racks on the berth frame and bulk head, respectively, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
5. In combination with the yoke pivotally supported upon the bulk head and
provided with a pendulum, the links dependent from the yoke arms, the berth
end pivotally attached to such links, the curved intermeshing racks on the berth
frame and the bulk. head, respectively, and suitable ribs or flanges attached to or
formed on one of the racks and engaging the sides of the other rack, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
6. In a berth leveling mechanism, the two pendulums rigidly connected together
so as to move synchronously; substantially as for the purpose described.
7. In combination with the two pendulums of the berth leveling mechanism, a
bar connecting the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In combination with the two pendulums, a bar connecting the lower ends
thereof and adapted to act as the weight for both pendulums, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
9. In a berth leveling mechanism, the two pendulums, the weight bar connecting
the same, the wheels or rollers adapted to hold the pendulums away from the bulk
heads while allowing them to swing. freely, substantially as & for the purpose
described.
10. In combination with the two pendulums hung upon suitable supports on the
bulk heads at the head & foot of the berth the weight bar connecting the pendulums,
the horizontal journalled rollers or wheels, & suitable tracks or ways on the bulk
heads, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. In combination with the two pendulums, the angle pieces on the lower ends
thereof, and the weight bar resting and fastened at its opposite ends in suitable
sockets on the angle pieces, substantially as and for the purpose described.
12. In combination with the two pendulums, the weight bar therefor, the angle
pieces on the lower ends of the pendulums provided with sockets for the ends of
the weight bar, means for fastening the bar ends firmly & rigidly in such sockets
& wheels or rollers journalled in the angle pieces and adapted to run on suitable
ways or tracks as the pendulums swing, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
13. In combination with the pendulums of a berth leveling mechanism, & locking
device adapted to stop and hold the pendulums, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
14. In combination with the two pendulums and the weight bar connecting the
same, a locking device adapted to lock the bar at a point below the central line
of the berth, substantially as and for the purpose described.
15. In combination with the bar connecting the two pendulums and the tooth or
projection carried by the bar, the pawls or tumblers adapted to stand normally so
that their adjacent ends are in the path of the projection on the bar, and means
substantially as described, for swinging such pawls to bring their ends below the
projection, substantially as and for the purpose described.
16. In combination with the weight bar connecting the two pendulums carrying
on its underside a tooth or projection, the weighted pawls pivoted below the path

page_text: of the projection as the bar swings with reference to the berth bottoin having their
outer ends weighted so as to tend to keep their inner adjacent ends normally
raised, and a slide provided with depressions into which the weighted ends can
drop, substantially as and for the purpose described.
}
17. In combination with the weighted pawls having their outer ends weighted
& rounded on their under sides, a slide below the pawls having depressions into
which the weighted pawl ends, can drop, and the ends of the depressions made
rounded or inclined so that as the slide is moved they will ride under and swing
up the pawl ends, substantially as and for the purpose described.
18. In combination with the pendulum weight bar and the automatic lock
therefor, the slide for causing the lock to release the bar, the strap connected with
the slide, the shaft upon which the strap is wound, the spring adapted to bear
against flattened portions of the shaft to hold it as turned in either direction and a
suitable crank arm, substantially as and for the purpose described.
19. In combination with the pendulum weight bar and the ring clamped thereon
and carrying on its under side a tooth or projection, the weighted pawls or tumblers
on the berth bottom, the slide provided with the two depressions, the spring acting
upon the slide, the slide actuating strap and means substantially as described
whereby the occupant of the berth can pull the strap to actuate the slide,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
20. In combination with the berth frame & the bed bottom, pivotal connections
between the sides of the bed bottom and the berth frame adapted to be adjusted
towards or from either end of the bed bottom, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
21. In combination with the bed bottom bearing plates at each side, means for
supporting the bottom from such plates, the berth frame and supports for the
bearing plates on the berth frame adapted to have their points of support for
the plates shifted as desired, substantially as and for the purpose described.
22. In combination with the bed bottom and berth frame, the bearing plates on
each side of the bottom, the springs supported on the plates and at their ends suitably
attached to the bed bottom, the swinging frame supported from the berth frame,
and bearings on this frame for the bearing plates eccentric to the axis of motion of
the frame, substantially as and for the purpose described.
23. In combination with the bed bottom, the springs at each side connected at
their opposite ends with the bed bottom by means of loops engaging pins, the
bearing plates on the under sides of the springs, the swinging frame extending
across under the bed bottom and the bearing platea, made rounded and eccentric
to the axis of motion of the frame, substantially as and for the purpose described.
24. In combination with the berth frame and the swinging frame extending
across the same journalled in suitable bearings on the berth frame sides, a lever
provided with a fork adapted to engage a pin or stud on the frame and means,
substantially as described, for fixing the lever in any desired position, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
25. In combination with the bed bottom provided on each side with two pins,
the springs, M, M¹, having their ends provided with loops to engage the pins on
the bed bottom sides, the plates, M, M, on the under sides of the springs pivotal
supports for these plates on the berth frame, the springs, M2, M³, attached to
springs, M¹, M, & suitable bearings on the berth frame up against which bear the
ends of springs, M2, M3, substantially as and for the purpose described.
26. In combination with a self leveling berth a hood projecting over and
covering the head end of the bed so as to conceal from the sight of the occupant
everything beyond the berth, substantially as for the purpose described.
27. In combination with a self leveling berth, the hood attached to the head
board and extending over and downward so to conceal from the view of the
occupant everything but the berth itself, substantially as and for the purpose
described.

page_text: 28. In combination with the berth and the folding frame pivoted at the sides in
suitable cars on the berth frame, the flexible hood attached to the head board and
extending over the frame and downward, substantially as and for the purpose
described.