Improvements in Self Levelling or Automatic Ship Berths.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Self Levelling or Automatic Ship Berths.
I JEROME BURGE SECOR of Bridgeport, Connecticut one of the United States
of America, Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF LEVELLING OR AUTOMATIC SHIP BERTHS
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and, by the following statement:-
My invention relates broadly to a system of self levelling, or automatically
operating berths intended for the use of sea going vessels, the said berths being
so constructed and arranged that they will maintain a constant level by the
operation of gravity, as will be described.
The objects of such an arrangement are apparent, to wit; to dispense with the
disagreeable rocking and shifting to which the occupant is liable when the vessel
is pitching and rolling, and to provide a perfectly comfortable bed for the passenger,
as the berth always remains at a level position, no matter what, and how great,
the movement of the vessel may be.
Other devices have been described before, but in every instance, so far as I
know, they have embodied devices which have proved abortive, unfinished and
imperfect.
The nature of my invention is therefore to make certain improvements in the
art both as to principle and more especially as to detail, and to perfect a system
of self levelling or automatic ship berths as aforesaid.
To these ends, my invention consists in providing centrally located pivots for
the berths at their sides, said pivots seating and turning in bearings arranged
within suitable frames which surround said berths and which are pivotted in turn
to the bulk-head of the state-room. A weight is attached to, and suspended,"
under the swinging berths, the said, weight operating as before stated to retain
the berth in a constant position relatively to the surface of the sea at rest.
-
Connected to the four corners of the lower berth are upwardly extending arms
which are attached to the upper berth constructed substantially on. the same
principle as the lower.
The fastening devices between the arms and the berths consist of knuckle, or
ball and socket joints.
By this arrangement the upper berth will move in unison with the lower and
both will be controlled by the swinging weight,

page_text: The upper berth, like the lower, is hung at the sides by suitable trunnions
which seat in bearings at the ends of an arm which extends under and partially
encircles the berth.
One end of this arm is keyed or otherwise rigidly attached to a shaft extending
laterally with the berth and directly to the rear of it.
The ends of this shaft are secured to transverse arms extending forward to a
point midway of the berth, where they are hung in the bulk-head similarly to the
lower frame.
Other details of my invention will be hereinafter particularly referred to and
pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification.
Figure 1 represents a side elevation showing a portion of the lower berth, and
the greater part of the outside guard, cut away:
Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2-figure 1 and represents the upper
and lower berths and most of their accoutrements in elevation: Figure 3 is a
similar sectional view. on the line Y, Y, figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan view on the line X-X in figures 1, 2 and 3 and represents a
detailed view of the upper berth, and the means and mechanism for suspending it.
Figure 5 is a similar view, on the line Z, Z, figures 1, 2 and 3, of the lower berth.
Figure 6 is a plan sectional view on the line V-V, Figures 1, 2 and 3, showing
the gravity weight, and the rolling mechanism operating on the bulk-head of the
state-room.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the framework slightly deviated from the vertical,
showing the berth, both upper and lower, as resting on lines at right angles with
the vertical; this is to illustrate the pitch or pitch motion.
Figure 8 is an end elevation showing the framework somewhat deviating from
the vertical, also the berth resting on lines at right angles with the vertical; this
is to illustrate the rolling motion.
In these drawings A is a berth-box or bunk, constructed preferably as shown
in the figures, and provided on all its sides with a wire or wicker frame B, which
frame may be cut away at the front side, (see Figure 1) for the more easy ingress
and egress of the occupant or passenger.
Parts of this frame may also be made removeable as for instance, the aforesaid
front, or either, or both ends, to enable an easy access for the person making up
the bed within the berth.
The object of this wicker frame is to serve as a guard when the berth is occupied
and to prevent the occupant from rolling from the berth, and also to preclude the
danger which would arise from the passenger protruding his arms, head or other
part over the edge of the berth which he is occupying.
At the part B¹ on this wicker frame I may construct a seat or small platform
which may be used in getting in and out of the berth.
Other modifications as to detail may be made upon this part of the structure as
may appear advisable from time to time without departing from the spirit of my
invention in this respect.
An exterior guard C of wire gauze or other suitable material is also arranged as
partly shown in elevation, Figures 1 and 7 and in section in the other figures.
This guard is broken away below (in figures 1 and 7) to show the berth and
other appurtenances beyond.
The said guard may be attached to the floor and ceiling of the state room, or in
place of being attached to the floor at its lower portion it may be secured to a step
or steps D arranged along the side of the apparatus next the floor.
These steps as shown in end elevation in Figure 2, constitute a safety guard
against the weight suspended from the berths, the said weight being adapted to
swing from side to side when the ship is rolling.
The space C is left open as shown in figure 1. The parts C may be made
removeable in the same manner and for the same purpose as the guards B.

page_text: Contiguous to, and connected with the seat B', between the inner edges of the
guard C, is the supplementary guard D¹ made preferably of leather to complete
the protection afforded by the parts just described.
At the sides of the berth A, and midway between the ends are placed trunnions E,
which serve as the axes of motion.
These trunnions seat and turn in suitable frames F. By this arrangement the
berth A is provided with an independent movement operative under the influence
of gravity, whereby it is adapted to remain at a constant level during the pitching
motion of the ship.
The frame F is yoke-shaped and is divided at each of its lower ends into two
branches f
Through openings in the ends of these branches run longitudinal bars G, which
connect at their outer ends with V shaped suspenders H.
By means of these latter, the frame, the berths, or bunks and the depending
governing weight are all hung in the bulk-head I at points J.
Between the ends of the bar G, and the V shaped suspenders H, are bollow
castings K, which serve to connect these parts and to give them more strength
and rigidity.
Anti-friction rollers K' are set into the hollow portion of the casting K and
turn on axes k and bear against tracks I upon the bulk-heads I.
These tracks are semi-circular in shape, and are arranged in such a manner as
that when the frames are moving relatively to the bulk-heads, the rollers K¹ will
travel on the aforesaid track I', preventing thereby any sudden thrust against the
bulk-heads. Braces L are also attached to the castings K, and extend upwardly
to the side of the frame F, to which they are attached, and downwardly to the
casting K at the other end of the berth.
From the bottom of the berth A, is hung a governing weight M, by means of
rods m and m'. The berth is also provided with braces or stays N which extend
from beneath the pivots or trunnions E, to the upper ends of the rods m.
O is a weight, adjustable on the bar P, suspended by means of rods p to the
bottom of the berth boxes. The use of this device will be explained hereafter.
Four rods R are connected to the four corners of the berth by means of knuckle
or ball and socket joints and extend upwardly and are connected by a similar.
means and in like places to the upper berth S.
This berth is shown in side elevation in Figure 1, in elevation in Figure 2 and
in plan, in Figure 4.
It is provided with pivots or trunnions g¹ similar in their construction and
operation to the trunnions E on the lower berth, and with an arm T, which extends
beneath the berth and from one side to another, and is provided with suitable.
bearings or journal boxes t in which the trunnions or pivots E¹ are adapted to
seat and turn. It is subdivided as it approaches the rear portion of the berth:
as shown in Figures 1 and 4, so as to give it greater strength and rigidity, and
is attached to a shaft U placed in the rear of, and parallel to the berth. The
ends of this shaft are secured by suitable means to transverse arms V, situated
parallel to the ends of the berth. These transverse arms are hung from the bulk-
heads at points J¹ midway of the berth box 8. The transverse arms V may be.
extended beyond the pivotted points J, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and provided
at their ends with weights V³ for the purpose of counterbalancing the weight of
the shaft U and the inner ends of the transverse arm V. Friction rollers W are
also attached to the shaft U and are adapted to travel up and down on the tracks W1
arranged upon the bulk-heads.
The object of these rollers and the tracks is the same as already described in
connection with the rollers K and tracks I¹, namely, to resist the outward thrust
of the berths and frames and facilitate the movement of the working parts. The
bulk-heads are provided with vertical iron shafts or angle iron pillars X which
may be set against, or into the bulk-heads in which are hung the trunnions J and J

page_text: They are provided with openings through which screws may be inserted for
attaching them to the woodwork of the bulkhead.
The operation of this arrangement is as follows:
When the berth A is occupied, and the vessel in which it is located is pitching,
that is rising bow on, the berth will turn upon the trunnions E, or rather the
ship will move away from the berth, which by virtue of its being pivotted on
trunnions E will be permitted to remain at rest, the weight M acting as a governor
and serving to control it and retain it in a level position.
The connections between the upper and lower berths are such that the said
upper berth will follow and respond to every action of the lower, the upper berth
turning on the trunnions, or axis of motion E¹. During this motion of the ship
the bulk-heads and the frame, together with the guards C move relatively to the
berth, the latter as before stated remaining in a level position.
This is illustrated in Figure 7 where the berths are shown in a position at right
angles to the vertical (represented by a dotted line) and the bulk heads and the
frame as somewhat deviating from the vertical. This is the position taken by the
parts during the pitching motion of the ship, or vessel, as the berth always
remains level, and to the occupant of the berth there will be no. perceptible
motion.
The same principle is taken advantage of, during the rolling motion of the ship.
When this motion takes place the frame herein before described and shown in the
drawings as pivotted to the bulkheads at points J and J¹ will move as one with
the berth boxes. The ship then when rolling, will not only move away from the
berths, but also from their containing and supporting frames. The rolling motion
is illustrated in Figure 8.
The entire mechanism, in other words, being hung on the points J and J¹ will be
controlled by the gravity weight M and will retain a level position by virtue of
said weight, and by virtue of the construction of the frame, when the ship or vessel
rolls from side to side. It has been found by experiment that the above described
device operates perfectly under these different conditions, and that no perceptible
motion is apparent to the occupant of either the upper or lower berth, and that
also the device is equally well adapted to operate when the ship or vessel gives
a lurch, or movement that is neither a roll nor at the same time a pitch, but the
combination of the two.
The small weight O, which is suspended under the berth, can be moved along
the bar P, and serves as an adjusting device when the berth is occupied. This
device may also be attached to the upper berth, as shown in Figure 1.
It will be seen that the pitching motion of the ship will cause an apparent
longitudinal vibration of the berths and that the rolling motion will cause an
apparent transverse vibration of the berths and frames. These motions or vibrations
arc merely relative however as the ship as a matter of fact moves away from the
berth, while the latter remains at rest, and at a constantly level position.
It will also be understood that although I have shown and described my
invention as particularly applicable to two berths arranged one above the other,
I do not limit myself to two, but contemplate when convenient and desirable to
arrange them in series of three one above the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of a pair of berths connected as described at their corners,
with a governing weight attached to and suspended beneath the lower berth,
substantially as shown and described.
2. The combination of an upper berth and a lower berth connected directly to
each other, and provided with a governing weight for controlling their position, as
set forth and shown,

page_text: 3. The combination with the lower berth provided with a governing weight
connected to and suspended directly beneath it of an upper berth attached directly
to the lower berth, and adapted to act in unison with it.
4. The combination of the lower berth pivotted centrally at the sides and
provided with a controlling weight, and the upper berth also pivotted centrally at
the sides the two berths being connected directly to each other, and both berths
being adapted to retain a level position during the pitching motion of the vessel.
5. The combination of the berths suspended from the bulk-heads of the state-
room, and connected directly to each other, as shown and described, the lower
berth having suspended beneath it a governing weight, as and for the purpose set
forth.
6. The combination of the lower berth having a governing weight attached to
and suspended directly beneath it and provided at the sides with suitable pivots,
or trunnions with the frame work in which the trunnions seat and turn, and which.
is suspended from and pivotted to the bulk heads of the state room, all being
arranged substantially as shown, and for the purposes set forth.
7. The combination of the lower berth provided with a governing weight
attached to and suspended directly beneath it, the trunnions secured to the berth
box midway at its sides, with a yoke shaped frame in which the trunnions seat
and turn, the longitudinal bars for supporting the frames and the V shaped
suspenders hung from the bulk heads of the state-room, as set forth and described.
8. The combination of the lower berth, the governing weight attached thereto,
and the trunnions, with the frame hung from the bulk heads and provided with
bearings in which the trunnions seat and turn, and provided with anti-friction
rollers, arranged substantially as described to resist the thrust of the working parts
and to equalize their motion.
9. The combination of the lower berth provided with a governing weight
attached directly to it, the trunnions secured to the sides of the berth box and the
braces or stays N extending from the aforesaid trunnions to the attaching rods of
the governing weight for giving additional strength to the parts, as shown and
described.
10. The combination of the lower berth, the braces or stays N, the supporting
rods m and the governing weight, as shown and described.
11. The combination of the lower berth provided with a governing weight and
trunnions, with the frame work suspended from the bulkheads and provided as
shown and described with the hollow castings K, in which are swivelled the anti-
friction rollers.
12. The combination of the lower berth pivotted in the frame as shown and
described, with said frame hung from the bulk heads and adapted to retain its
level position during the rolling motion of the ship.
13. The combination of the lower berth having a governing weight attached
directly to it and provided with centrally located trunnions at the sides, with the
frame supporting said berth and pivotted to the bulk-heads at its ends, the afore-
said berth being adapted to retain its level position during the pitching motion of
the ship, and both berth and frame their level position during the rolling motion.
14. The combination of a pair of berths connected directly to each other, the
lower one being provided with a governing weight attached to and suspended
directly beneath it, both of said berths being provided wich centrally located
trunnions at their sides, with the frames swivelled and suspended from the bulk-
heads in which said trunnions seat and turn, whereby both the berths are adapted
to retain their level position irrespective of the motion of the vessel.
15. The combination of a pair of berths attached directly to each other by means
of four rods having knuckle or ball and socket joints at their connecting pieces, the
lower berth being provided with a governing weight, whereby the motions of both
berths are controlled so that they will act in unison, and retain their level position
during the pitching and rolling motions of the vessel,

page_text: 16. The combination of a pair of berths connected directly together at their
corresponding corners by means of vertical rods provided with knuckle, or ball and
socket joints, the lower berth being provided with a governing weight, and both
berths so arranged as that they will retain their level position during every motion
of the ship, by virtue of specific gravity operating through the medium of the
.governing weight as aforesaid.
17. The combination of the upper berth provided with centrally located trunnions
at its sides with an arm or frame extending beneath said berths, and provided at
its ends with suitable bearings in which the aforesaid trunnions seat and turn, the
frame being connected to and suspended from the bulkheads of the state room, and
the berth being connected to a lower berth as shown and described, whereby the
lower berth will control the movements of the upper and both will act in unison, as
set forth.
18. The combination of an upper berth suspended from the bulkhead of the
stateroom, and a lower berth likewise suspended and provided with a governing
weight as described, the upper berth being connected to the lower berth by means
of vertical rods having knuckle, or ball and socket joints, and connecting..the
respective corners of the berth boxes.
19. The combination of an upper berth with the lower berth, said berths being
connected at their corners as described, and both berths being capable of transverse
and longitudinal vibration, for the purpose set forth.
20. The combination of an upper berth suspended from the bulk-head of the
state-room, of a lower berth likewise suspended and connected to the upper berth
by means of four vertical rods attached to their respective corners, both berths
being adapted to act in unison and being capable of longitudinal and transverse
vibration.
21. The combination of the upper berth suspended from the bulk head of the
state room in such a manner that it will vibrate longitudinally, or transversely
according to the movement of the vessel, with the lower berth likewise suspended
and provided with a governing weight attached directly beneath it, the two berths
being connected together at their respective corners in such a manner as that they
will act in unison as set forth and for the purposes described.
22. The combination of a pair of berths suspended from the bulk-heads of the
state room, capable of longitudinal and transverse vibration, the two berths being
connected together at their respective corners by means of vertical rods having
knuckle or ball and socket joints, and the lower berth being provided with a
governing weight of a sufficient size as to control the positions of both berths.
23. The combination of an upper berth provided with centrally located trunnions
at its sides, an arm or frame extending beneath said berth and provided at its ends
with suitable bearings in which the aforesaid trunnions seat and turn, of a shaft
arranged in the rear of the berth box, and transverse arms secured to the ends of
said shaft and suspended from the bulk heads of the state room.
24. The combination of an upper berth provided with centrally located trunnions,
an arm or frame extending beneath and supporting the berth, the shaft to which
said arm is keyed, the transverse arms rigidly secured to the shaft said transverse 4
arms being suspended from, and pivotted to the bulk heads of the state room.
25. The combination of an upper berth, the supporting frame extending beneath
it, the shaft to which the frame is secured, the transverse arms suspended from the
bulk heads, and the anti-friction rollers, all arranged as described, and for the
purposes set forth.
26. The combination of the upper berth having centrally located trunnions at its
sides, the frame extending beneath the berth to afford bearings to the trunnions,
the shaft arranged in the rear of the berth, the transverse arms. pivotted to the
bulk-heads, the anti-friction rollers arranged upon the shaft, and the bearing
surfaces on which said rollers travel arranged upon the bulk-heads, as set forth and t
shown.

page_text: 27. The combination of a pair of berths capable of longitudinal and transverse
vibration, said berths being connected together substantially as shown and described,
and both berths being provided with anti-friction rollers at their ends to facilitate
the movement of the parts, and to receive the end thrust of the berths, or their
frames.
28. The combination of a pair of berths connected together at their respective
corners by vertical rods having knuckle or ball and socket joints, said berths being
capable of longitudinal and transverse vibration and arranged so as to act in
unison, as set forth; both ends of each berth being provided with anti-friction
rollers which travel on suitable tracks arranged in the bulk-heads of the state room,
to facilitate the movement of the working parts, and to resist the end thrust of the
berth and frames.
29. The combination of the berth, the guard B formed of wire gauze, or other
suitable material, having a portion cut away for the more convenient access to the
berth.
°
30. The combination of the berth, the wire gauze frame or guard arranged as
described, and the centrally located seat.
31. The combination of the berth and an adjustable weight arranged beneath
the same, substantially as shown and described.
32. The combination of the berths arranged substantially as described, with the
outward guard C having an opening C
33. The combination of the berths having a governing weight, the outer guard C,
and the step or steps D.
34. The combination of the berth and frame, the centrally located seat, the outer
guard, the steps, and the supplementary leather guard D.
*
35. The combination with two berths and a weight suspended from one, of
universal connections between said berths whereby they are maintained parallel,
as set forth.