An Improved Selfrighting or Swing Bedstead for use on Board all kinds of Vessels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
An Improved Selfrighting or Swing Bedstead for use on Board all
kinds of Vessels.
We, WILLIAM EDGAR GRAHAM FRANK HAYWARD BIDDLE Upholsterers &
Cabinetmakers 463 Oxford Street London, W. 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 bedsteads that always retain their equilibrium, regardless
of any rolling or pitching of a vessel.
Hitherto it has been customary to use a fixed bunk, or a fixed wooden bedstead,
the result is, that the occupant is awakened by a series of bumps, caused by the
vessel's movement, thus preventing him from sleeping.
When suspended bedsteads have been used on board ship to neutralize the
rolling or pitching, the point of suspension has been relatively high, thus affording
very little lateral swing without encountering the sides of the cabin, that is,
restricting the play of the bedstead to a few inches.
By our invention the disturbing effect of the rolling or pitching of the ship is
largely minimized, because the bed turns with the motion of the vessel.
Referring to the accompanying drawings;
Fig. 1 is a side elevation.
Fig. 2 is an end view, shown part in section and part in full detail.
The self righting bedstead has its two ends identically the same, of which its
solid metal uprights A A, A A, Figs. 1 & 2 are braced with two side and one front
stay B B B, which are bolted down to a flat iron plate, this iron plate is again
bolted down to the deck or floor of the vessel by the bolts CC; the uprights A A,
A A, have cast into them at right angles, a solid conical shaped metal pin D, the
points of the cones pointing inwards; this pin D has a screwed cap F, which serves
for the double purpose of preventing the uprights A A, A A, being forced out-
wards, and also allows of the swing portion of the bedstead being detached from
the uprights when necessary.
The circular ends of the bedstead are composed of six essential parts, of which
G 1, G 1, G4, are castings, into which are built the other parts G, G 2, G 3
preferably of iron or steel tube encased with brass; G 4 is a brass casting turned
to fit the pivot D, and bolted into the parts G 2, and G 3. The intervening space
between G and G3 can be filled with any desired ornamentation.
The side and end rails H and H. 1 are bolted into the castings G 1; into these
side & end rails are fixed, the laths, woven wire mattress, or other foundation,
which support the bedding.
The ornamental rails H 2 serve to keep the bedding in position. J is a cased
brass tube being weighted sufficiently with lead or other material to counterbalance
the weight of the movable part of the swing bedstead, plus the average weight of a
man, it has solid cast and turned brass ends fixed on to each extremity. These
ends are suitably shaped so as to be able to be fastened on to the castings G 2 by
means of bolts.
The action of the bedstead is as follows:
―
When the vessel pitches or rolls, the movable portion turning upon the
pivots DD will remain in an upright position owing to the amount of the
weight below D, the uprights meanwhile conforming to the movements of the ship.
Now should the occupant roll to the side either when awake or when asleep, the
weight being sufficiently heavy will prevent the movable portion of the bedstead
from turning any appreciable distance.

page_text: 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 :-
"
I. A swing bedstead consisting of uprights A, A, conical pin D with cap F
circular ends G, with the castings G 1, G. 1, G4, and. other parts G, G2, G3, the
side and end rails H, H 1, and the counterbalance, woight J with caps K K..
II. The fixing of the laths, spring mattress, or other foundation for the bedding
wholly within the circumference of the circular ends G, G 1, G 2.
III. The fixing of the counterbalance weight on the circumference of the circular
ends G, G 1, G 2.
Dated this 17th day of October 1892.
WILLIAM EDGAR GRAHAM.
FRANK HAYWARD BIDDLE.