IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE INTERNAL FITTINGS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis McDonald Robertson, of Hurst House, South
Croydon, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE INTERNAL FITTINGS OF RAILWAY
CARRIAGES"
Sealed the 1st February 1878, and dated the 7th December 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Francis M'Donald Robertson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th December 1877.
FRANCIS MODONALD ROBERTSON, of Hurst House, South Croydon, in the County
of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE
INTERNAL FITTINGS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and
arrangement of the internal fittings of railway carriages, whereby great accommo-
dation and comfort are secured to travellers, especially for reclining and sleeping on
long journeys, as compared with the internal arrangements of railway carriages as
hitherto constructed.
Instead of having the back cushions of the compartment fixed and immovable
as at present, I attach the same to rigid backs, the upper edges of which are hinged
to the framework or partitions of the compartment, the lower part, which rests
upon the ordinary seat, being free to move and to be lifted upwards, thus describing
an arc until brought into a horizontal position at any desired elevation above the
seat, thus forming a berth adapted for reclining and sleeping, the same being
retained in the desired position, either by means of transverse bars or by pillars
extending from the seat to the upper berth, and secured in sockets provided for that
purpose; or the upper berth may be held by pendant rods attached to the roof
of the compartment, and extending downwards and secured to the horizontal
berth.
Such pendant rods may be jointed or may be made to slide telescopically so as
to be raised out of the way of the passengers when not in use.
The front edge of the berth is provided with a flap or ledge for the purpose of
preventing the person who may occupy the berth from falling off, such flap or ledge

page_text: being provided with hinges to enable it to be folded back when the cushion is
lowered.
It will be observed that by these means great advantages are obtained, inasmuch
as a single compartment of a railway carriage is rendered capable of affording
ample and convenient accommodation for four persons for reclining or sleeping
whenever desired.
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings, from which the nature of
my said Invention will be more clearly understood.
The same letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several Figures.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal view of a carriage shewing two compartments in section,
one of which having the cushions shown in their normal position, and the other
shewing the cushions raised so as to form the upper berths.
Figure 2 is a front view of one side of a compartment shewing half of the upper
berth in position.
In these Figures, B is the seat, and A the cushion at the back thereof; C is the
flap or ledge at the edge of the berth; D is the transverse pole or bar, by which the
berth is held in position, and which rests in the sockets E.
The pole or bar may be formed of iron or any other suitable material, and may
be arranged so as to be placed out of the way at F, at the part where the bottom
of the cushion A is let into the seat B
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting my said
Invention is, the construction and arrangement of the internal fittings of railway
carriages, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before set forth and described,
or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis McDonald Robertson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of
our Loid One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
T
DADENGAN