IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
Com
and Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS"
municated to him from abroad by "The Huston Ship's Berth Company
Incorporated of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd February 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS'
SLEEPING BERTHS Communicated to me from abroad by "The Huston Ship's
Berth Company Incorporated of Boston Massachusetts, United States of America
"
This invention relates to berths, such as are used on shipboard, for automatically
adapting themselves to the motions of a vessel whereby they remain in a horizontal
position whether the ship pitch or roll. In berths of this class it is desirable to
have freedom of movement, with sufficient stability to allow a person to get in and
out without difficulty. It is also desirable to occupy the least possible space, for
the movement of the berth and for the mechanism which supports it both on
account of the limited space on shipboard, and because it is desirable to adapt the
apparatus to cabins having the bed or fixed form of berths.
Heretofore it has been found necessary in many forms of swinging berths to
suspend the berth, in order to obtain the proper swinging movement, but this has
encumbered the space above the berth and occasions great inconvenience to the
occupant, the supporting mechanism being unavoidably in the way.
The object of this Invention is to economize the space both above and below the
berth as well as at the ends, to reduce the mechanism which supports the berth to
the simplest possible form, to secure an easy limited movement, and to provide
locking mechanism by which the occupant can at any time lock the berth in any
desired position.

page_text: adapted to swing also in a transverse vertical plane. This arm g is pivoted at its
upper end as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to a pink the end of which works in a
bearing in the back of the berth. This allows the berth to swing laterally within
certain limits, that is to say, the berth may swing outwardly until the part h of
the bracket is brought to a nearly vertical position; or it may swing inwardly
until the two parts of the bracket are extended to the utmost limit of their length.
Further, as the arm g can move only in a vertical plane across the berth, it prevents
any longitudinal movement of that part of the berth to which it is attached and
causes the berth to swing longitudinally, as if it were suspended from the pin k.
Thus, the berth has two bearing points, one upon the transverse rod b beneath it,
and the other at the pin k, so that the said berth is held in a certain relation to the
frame, and can only swing out of the horizontal plane with end wise movement of
the said frame-The bracket is formed with wide bearings upon the piece h, in order
to guard against the twisting strain which would be put upon it by the longitudinal
swing of the berth.
I do not confine myself to the special construction of the bracket herein described
as it may be varied, the essential point in respect to this part of the said invention
being the upper support which holds the upper part of the back of the berth (or the
upper end of a standard fixed thereto) against longitudinal movement, while,
permitting free lateral movement.
The position of the pin k is represented in the drawings as at a central point in
the length of the berth, but in order to adapt the berth to the position of the
occupant when a greater weight is thrown upon one end than the other, I have
provided a slot for the pink so that it may be moved out of the centre in one
direction or the other, in order to adapt it to the centre of gravity. Thus, if the
greater weight of the person be at the head of the berth, the said pin has to be
shifted toward the head-It may be moved and held in position by means of a
thumb nut easily accessible to the person in the berth.
In berths of this class, it is desirable to have a simple locking device, by means
of which the berth may be held in any required position, both against longitudinal
and lateral movement, that both movements should be prevented by a single
device, and that this device should be operated by means of a handle within reach
of the occupant-I accomplish this by means of interlocking serrated plates, one,
of which is fixed to the wall and the other movable upon the berth―The fixed
plate is shown at m Figure 3. It is fixed to the wall of the compartment and
projects at right angles therefrom beneath the berth-The upper edge is curved
parallel with the line of movement of the inner lower corner of the berth-On the
inner bar c is a movable plate n having a serrated locking edge as described-I
prefer to pivot the plate in the manner shown in figure 2, the said plate being
slotted to receive screws which hold it in place and limit its vertical movement.
The plate is moved by a bell crank lever o which is connected to the plate n by a
link p The bell crank lever o is pivoted upon the back of the berth, and a handle q
projects over the edge thereof, so as to be conveniently within the reach of the
occupant.
It will be seen that when the lever o is moved in one direction the plate n will
be pushed downward to interlock with the plate m, when the berth will be held
against any tilting or rocking movement in either direction.
The serrated plates are both made long enough to provide for all the movement
of which the berth is capable. The locking plate being arranged near the middle
of the length of the berth, holds it steadily and securely in place-The form of
the plates and the devices for causing them to interlock may be varied without
departing from the nature of the said invention.
In figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. and, 9 which illustrate certain modifications of my inveṇ-
tion, A represents a berth of ordinary construction, supported directly upon a rod b,
on which it rocks in a vertical longitudinal plane-This rod is fixed in side bars c. c.
suspended by yokes d, d, these being pivoted to the ends of the side bars-In the
construction shown in figures 1. 2 and 3, the whole weight of the person occupying

page_text: the berth is thrown upon the central transverse rod b, and as the greater weight of
the occupant is at the head, it has been found necessary to place a weight at the
foot of the berth in order to counter-balance this weight. In order to obviate the
necessity for using weights, I have fixed to the rod b a strong arm m-This arm is
preferably a flat metallic bar, and is provided with two rows of holes in which are
set vertical pins n these pins may be set in any of the holes in order to throw the
weight nearer to or farther from the rod b-Upon the upper ends of these pins,
which may be pointed, rest the inner edges of the bottom pieces or slats o¹ o¹, the
outer edges of which are supported in grooves or on beads on the edge of the bottom
of the berth The pins n' are high enough to support these slats or bottom pieces
a sufficient distance above the rod b to prevent them from touching the said rod in
any ordinary position of the berth. This arrangement throws the weight of a
person in the berth upon the arm m¹, and consequently at a distance from the said
arm toward the head of the bed, this distance may be regulated by the position of
the pins according to the requirements of the occupant-The support being nearer
the centre of gravity the berth is kept in a horizontal position without the use of
weights, and when the occupant leaves the berth it remains level, as it is then
balanced on the bar-Instead of these pins, I may have an anti-friction roller or a
spring.
In place of the notched bar and latch shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have
provided, as a simpler device, a pivoted arm and a holding screw-This arm p¹ is
a round rod fixed to a cross piece p² which is pivoted in ears on the side of the
state-room, the rod p' being preferably in line with the rod b-The rod pl passes
through a hole in a block q¹, moving freely therein when not held by the set
screw 2-Just below the hole through which the rod p³ passes in the block q', is a
transverse hole at right angles to the first hole through which passes the rod
the bracket R, the said block having free lateral movement upon the rod -A
loose pin al is placed in a hole bored through from the hole which receives the
rod p to that which receives the rod r, the pin being so adjusted that when the
set screw is pressed down on the rod p¹ it shall, through that rod, press upon the
pin and press it against the said rod so that the set screw may fix the block to both
rods at the same time
of
The bracket R is attached to the underside of the rear of the berth, and the
lower part is bent to the rear, so that the set screw may rise without coming in
contact with the berth-It will be seen that when the set-screw is loose, the berth
may swing laterally, the rod p slipping freely through the block q', which then
turns upon the rod r and when the berth swings longitudinally, the block slides
upon the rod, but the same set screw holds them in any position, and thus locks
the berth against rocking or swinging in any direction.
In a modified form of the device which holds the upper part of the berth, the
bracket first described and shewn in Figures, 1, 2 and 3 and adapted for the
purpose of pivoting the upper part of the berth and allowing it to swing laterally,
while giving an upper bearing point for the longitudinal swing, consists of a double
jointed bracket. The device shown in Figures, 4 and 6, consists of a bracket having
two telescoping parts, the tubular part S being pivoted to the wall of the state
room by long bearings, while the parts which carries the pivot 13, slides in the
tubular part, and permits lateral rocking movement of the berth, but no longitudinal
movement of the pivot 13, This device is the same in operation as that first
described and shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
In order to protect the feet and head of the occupant from contact with the
yokes which support the berth, I attach to the foot and head, a sheet F, of artificial
leather or some similar material, which extends upwards and covers the said yokes,
but which, as it is attached to the head and foot of the berth, moves there with and
remains constantly in position.
In the construction shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the rods or links by which the
yoke is suspended are attached to the said wall by fixed staples, thus maintaining
the links always at the same angle.

page_text: It will be seen in Figure 6 that the centre of motion, when the berth rocks
laterally, will be at a point where the lines of the rods prolonged would intersect.
The case with which the berth would rock, would depend upon the distance of this
point above the weight in the berth, the berth rocking more readily the longer the
leverage between the point aforesaid and the weight below it.
In order to adjust the point at will, I have provided adjustable supports for the
upper ends of the links. These consist of plates G G provided with slots 4
formed upon a curve of which the point of intersection of the two links prolonged
is the centre.
The plate G is provided with a hook 5 the end of which is in line with the
inner face of the said plate, and which when the plate is set against the wall, bears
also against the wall and holds the link securely in place as shown in Figure 6.
These plates are held to the wall by bolts set therein, and nuts 6, which bear
against the face of the plate. These plates may therefore be shifted readily to any
required position. Ordinarily the rods will be inclined at an angle of about forty.
five degrees from the perpendicular. I prefer to connect the lower ends of the
links to the yoke by means of two staples 7, 7, instead of one elongated staple. It
will be understood now that the berth is permitted a free lateral movement, since
the links can turn both at the top and bottom in the hook 5 and staple 7, so that
the relative position of such links will be changed according to the direction in
which the berth oscillates. For instance, referring to Figure 6, should the left
side of the berth be depressed, the link on that side would approach a little nearer
to the perpendicular, while the inclination of the other link would increase, as will
be readily apparent.
Instead of connecting the side bars c c to the ends of the yokes by a pin passing
through holes in the overlapping ends. I sometimes provide an adjustable con-
nection, shown in Figures 5 and 9.
In this construction the end of the bar c has a series of notches as shown at 8,
and the ends of the yokes are provided with pins 9 over which the notched ends
rest, with the pin in any desired notch. By means of this connection the
inclination of the yokes may be changed and the longitudinal swing increased or
diminished.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by
my foreign Correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim,
First In combination, a suspended frame adapted to swing longitudinally and
laterally, a berth centrally supported on transverse pivots on the said frame, and an
upper supporting pivot, on a flexible bracket, adapted to hold the said berth in
proper relation to the frame, substantially as described.
Second-In combination, a suspended frame adapted to swing longitudinally
and laterally, a berth centrally supported on transverse pivots on the said frame, a
bracket connected by pivots to a central upper extension of the berth, and also to a
fixed part, inflexible in the direction of the length of the berth, but permitting
lateral movement, substantially as described.
Third In combination, a suspended frame adapted to swing laterally and
longitudinally, a berth supported centrally on transverse pivots, a jointed connecting
bracket g h, and the pivot k, all substantially as set forth.
Fourth-In combination with the berth supported on a swinging frame, the
slotted upper extension, the adjustable pin, and the transversely flexible bracket,
substantially as described.
Fifth-In combination, a berth, side bars, a central transverse pivoting rod,
end yokes suspended from the walls, and an upper transversely flexible arm
carrying a pivot for the upper extension of the said berth, substantially as
described
Sixth-In combination, the side bars supporting the pivoted berth, the yokes,
and the links e, e, converging toward their lower ends and separately connected to
the said vokes, as set forth.

page_text: Seventh-In combination with a swinging berth and supporting mechanism,
substantially as described, whereby lateral and longitudinal movement is permitted,
a serrated plate fixed to a part outside the berth, a movable serrated plate on the
berth at right angles to the fixed plate, and a lever for operating the said movable
plate, substantially as described.
Eighth In combination with a swinging berth, the plate m fixed to the wall of
the room, the plate n movable on the berth, the bell crank lever o, and the link p,
all substantially as described.
Ninth The combination of the side bars c, c, the yokes d, d, the links e, e, the
bracket g h, and the pin k, all constructed and arranged in relation to the berth,
substantially as described.
.
Tenth In combination with a berth and a transverse pivoting rod supported
on suitable side bars, an arm m' projecting toward the head of the berth
and provided with suitable supporting devices for the bed bottom, substantially as
described
Eleventh In combination with the berth, the pivoted rod p² adapted to swing
in a vertical plane, the bracket R with the rod r, the perforated block q', and a
device for holding the said block in any position upon the rod p¹ and the rod r,
substantially as described.
Twelfth The combination of the pivoted rod p³ adapted to swing in a vertical
plane, and the bracket R with the rod r, the block q' sliding upon these parts, the
set screw 2 and the pin a¹, all substantially as described.
Thirteenth The combination of the berth, the yokes and suitable intermediate
supporting devices, the links, and adjustable brackets, whereby the inclination of
the links may be varied, substantially as described.
Fourteenth The combination of the yokes, the supporting links, the brackets G
having slots and hooks 5, and the side bars c, the parts being connected to the wall
and to the berth, substantially as described.
Fifteenth The combination of the berth with the notched side bars c and the
yokes having the pins 9, the said yokes being connected to the wall of the room,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Second day of February in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.