Improvements in Ships' Berths or Beds and other Beds or Mattresses and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ships' Berths or Beds and other Beds or Mattresses
and the like.
I, GEORGE ALFRED BILLINGTON, of 95, Great Homer Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Wire Mattress Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:―
This invention has reference to ships' berths or beds, and other beds or
mattresses, and the like; and has for, its object certain improvements hereafter
described, by which such beds and berths are simplified, rendered cheaper, or
advantageous in one or more respects.
According to this invention, the supporting material is carried within a frame,
and the main body consists of metal link-work or the like, while at the ends this
link-work is connected to the end bars or members of the frame by spring
cords of coiled wire which are carried in a zig-zag, in and out, or to and fro
between the links
link-work and the frame member
manner
or
or
hooks thereon. Or the spring cords may be in the form of links or rings.
The fastening of the ends of these springs or spring cords is effected by making
one end smaller in diameter, by tightening it up, or otherwise, and introducing
it into the other larger end of the coil. If this part be at a bend, say by passing
it over a hook or pin, they cannot come apart.
These spring cords are preferably arranged in multiplex or duplex form, so
that they cross each other and produce diamond or angular spaces between them.
The wires of the cords are in such a number that they make a solid cord; and
they are, in one construction, of annular type, one cord being within the other.
Thus the cord may consist of duplex or multiplex annular solid woven cords.
In the case of ships' berths having lee rails, these rails are adapted to slide on
the side members of the frame (which generally are of tubular form) of the berth
or berth bottom, or a supplemental bar or tube thereon, so as to enable them
to fold down when required; and where they slide on these tubes or bars, they
are provided with a sleeve and roller bearing balls inside, the sleeve being of such
a length that the path of the bearing balls is covered at all positions of the longi-
tudinal stroke of the rail. Thus the unsightliness of tubes or bars with paint
rubbed off, due to the sliding action of these rails, is obviated. When the lee
rail is in its raised position, a tapered or coned snug or pintle rests in a socket, in
a standard on the berth frame, which prevents revolving movement about its
support, and, by a set screw or pin in one of the sleeves referred to, which, by
screwing up, prevents longitudinal motion.
A modified mode of supporting or holding or fastening the lee rail, in the case
of a supplemental side bar or tube being used, consists of providing a sliding
jaw or part upon the fitting which supports the rail and passes round the upper
tube. Where this fitting passes round the upper tube, it may consist of a half
circle or ring forming the stationary part, and, on the opposite side, provided
with a sliding jaw or piece which slides on and off the upper part of the tube.

page_text: This jaw or sliding part may be operated by a thumb screw, or the like, in the
frame, and supported by one of its vertical tubes, the screw worked by it having
a quick pitch.
The supplementary fitting, referred to, has a ring sliding over the lower tube,
and this ring is made larger at one part than the other, and is so arranged that
when the rail is screwed up into its vertical position, the lower tube will lie in the
smaller part of the eye, and be firmly held; and thus rattle or noise is obviated;
whilst when it is released and the rail lowered, it allows ample freedom for move-
ment.
According to one construction, the outer tube of the lee rail passes vertically
from the fitting referred to; then it is curved at the upper ends, where it takes the
longitudinal portion; whilst other vertical tubes supporting the screws extend
up to it, or to an inner horizontal bar or tube. This lee rail will thus have no sharp
corners at either end.
A modification of this latter type of fastening consists in providing the sup-
porting casting or brackets with a double hinged clip on one side round the
upper tube or bar, the said clip being adapted to fit under a clamping screw above,
which holds it firmly in position, the clip being adapted to clamp the whole of the
fitting up to the tube, firmly.
When these berths are of the extensible type, with a jointed frame, the inner
part of the frame is jointed to the main body, and adapted, when a narrow width
or berth is required, to move downwards and lie vertically, or nearly so, against the
bulkhead, partition, or other surface.
The back part of the main body of the berth is provided at each end with a
roller, or the like, which slides in a guide on the end supporting bulkhead (or
other support) of the berth; whilst rollers, say of india-rubber, are provided on
these ends, bulkheads, or supports, below the main level of the berth; and the
movable or folding back part of the berth is provided below with a cam shaped,
or inclined or curved piece, which runs up and down the fixed rollers, when the
berth is pushed in, or pulled out; these rollers being so arranged as to raise the
folding part when pulled out, and allow it to fall when pushed in.
At the back of this folding part of the berth there is a roller, say of india-
rubber, which runs on to a hinged or folding landing bracket, when the berth
has been extended, and the back part brought to the horizontal position; so that
it will run on to these landing brackets by a slight movement backwards, when
they have been turned out to receive the rollers. Of course, the frame of the berth
will be provided with suitable members on the outside, and at the point where it
folds longitudinally, to give the required strength and rigidity.
The novel or improved constructions and characteristics herein described may be
employed separately, or two or more of them may be used in berths, beds,
mattresses, or the like.
Dated this 6th day of July 1898.
Improvements in Ships' Berths or Beds and other Beds or Mattresses
and the like.
1, GEORGE ALFRED BILLINGTON, of 95, Great Homer Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Wire Mattress Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of

page_text: 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 has reference to ships' berths or beds, and other beds or
mattresses, and the like; and has for its object certain improvements hereafter
described, by which such beds and berths are simplified, rendered cheaper, or
advantageous in one or more respects.
The improvements under this invention are illustrated in the annexed
drawings, and the invention consisting of these improvements will be described
with the aid of the drawings.
In these drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a ships berth applied
with an arrangement and construction of folding lee-rail-according to this inven-
tion. Figure 2 is a plan illustrating this lee rail arrangement; together with the
improvement connected with the fastening of the berth or mattress supporting
fabric to the frame; and also the improvement regarding the mode of operating,
and arrangement and construction of extensible ships berths hereunder. Figure 3
is an end view in section illustrating the latter improvement in cross section.
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 of the extensible berth, but with the
berth closed up to its smaller dimensions, while Figure 3 shews it extended for its
full width.
Figures 5 and 6 are details shewing modifications of the mode or construction,
by which lee rails are held in position and adapted to be folded down.
The same letters of reference used in the drawings denote the same or equivalent
parts wherever they occur.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1 to 4, a generally designates the end
members of the berth bottom frame, and 6b are longitudinal tubular members
which hold the end members apart, and in position, these being disposed below
the berth bottom or supporting fabric, while 62 is an outside longitudinal frame
tube connecting together the outer corners of a and supporting the lee rail.
The berth bottom or supporting fabric is designated c, and in the case shewn.
consists of metal link work of comparatively large mesh. This link work is
connected to the end members of the frame by spring cords of coiled wire
spirals, which are carried in zigzag form, in and out between the ends of the
links and the frame bars a, and hooks d¹ on a.
These spring cords, in lieu of being continuous as shewn, may be in the form
of endless links or rings connecting the frame bars a (or one of them) with the link
work c. The fastening of the ends of these spring cords d is effected by making
one end smaller in diameter by coiling it up, or otherwise, and introducing it
into the other larger end of the coil; and if this part be at a bend and over a
hook or pin, they cannot come apart.
In the drawings, the cords d are in duplex arrangement, and cross each other,
producing lozenge shaped spaces between them; and the spiral wire coils of the
cords may be in such number-and of equal diameter-that they may make the
solid cord; or, they may be of annular type, the several spirals being one within
the other, in which case, the cord consists of multiplex annular woven coils.
The folding lee rail generally designated e shewn in these figures, is adapted
to slide on the tube 2, and to fold down onto the supporting material c when
desired. In this construction, the rail is supported on the tube 62 through a
sleeve e¹ on each end, having bearing balls within them, disposed in annular
grooves. The bearing proper is effected solely by the balls, the bore of the sleeve
proper being larger than that of the tube, so they do not touch; and they are
made of such a length that the longitudinal traverse or path of the halls e², in lock-
ing and unlocking, as hereafter described, is always covered by them. Thus, the
unsightliness of the tube or bars with paint or enamel rubbed off, due to the sliding
action of these lee rails, is obviated.
The lee rail is held in its vertical position by a conical plug which fits and
rests in a socket piece f, supported on the end member a of the frame, and
prevents revolving movement of the rail about its supports or bearings. And, by

page_text: screwing up by the hand-a set screw et in one or both of the sleeves e, longitu-
dinal movement is prevented. To move or fold down the lee rail, the thumb
set screw e¹ is slacked back so that the rail can be moved longitudinally, and so
as to take e out of the socket f; when this is done, it is free to be moved down. A
suitable stop to limit the longitudinal stroke of movement of the lee rail will be
provided.
With regard to the construction and arrangement of the extensible berth frame,
the end frame members a are jointed at a¹, and the inner portion of the berth within
these joints (which is the narrower of the two portions) is adapted to fold down,
and hang down when the greater width for the extended condition is not required.
The outer main portion of the berth is provided with a roller h supported from
the end members a, or ends of the tube 61; and these rollers slide or move in a
slotted guide 7 on the end supporting bulkheads (or other supports) of the berth;
and the front part of this portion may be supported by legs, as g, or by
other suitable supports, such as other rollers similar to h, or sockets, as at present
employed. When the berth is extended, the back end of the folding inner portion
of the body rests through its end members a on hinged swinging brackets j,
supported in hinge stationary supports j¹.
To close up the berth so that the main portion only shall project out from the
back wall or partition, the berth is pulled slightly forward, and the brackets j
are then swung 90° about their hinges, so as to lie parallel with this back wall
or partition. Then the back folding portion of the berth is free to move downwards,
it being held, in the meanwhile, in this pulled out position, by a fixed roller kon
each end of the guides 7, on which rest curved or cam shaped pieces on the
end members of the folding portion. That is to say, the berth having
been pulled out the required distance away from the back wall, and the
brackets folded parallel with it, by pushing the whole berth backwards, the
inner folding part will fall down in being moved off the rollers k, say of rubber,
and when the berth is completely "home," this folded portion will be suspended
vertically, or nearly so, from the front portion. For guiding this inner portion,
there are other rollers k, similar to k, placed in position further inwards, and at a
lower level, and over them the cam-shaped plates or pieces work.
In pulling out the berth to extend it, the cam pieces first come in contact
with the rollers k¹, and the back portion is thereby moved up toward the horizontal
position; and then the curved ends of the cam pieces come in contact with k, and
thereby it is moved to the full horizontal position. The berth is pulled out so far
that the back edge will be moved some distance away from the back wall. In
this position, the brackets are swung out to a position parallel with the ends
of the frame, (which position they normally tend to keep by making the sockets
of any known suitable form) and then by pushing the berth back, the rollers m
on the ends of the bars a run onto the brackets which thus serve as landings-
before the back portion is lowered or moves from off the rollers k; and the action
is complete.
The filling up piece n closes the space which would otherwise exist between
the edge of the supporting fabric e, and the back bulkhead, and prevents clothes
getting between the berths, and the bulkhead or wall.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 5^, these shew a modified mode of supporting
and fastening the lee rail in the case of the berth having a second side bar or tube
in addition to the tube 62, as shewn in Figures 1 to 4, the supplemental tube
being designated b³.
The fastening in this case consists of a sliding jaw e³ upon the sleeve or fitting e¹,
which carries the bars of the lee rail, and which passes round the upper tube 62;
the lower part of this fitting e¹, where it passes over the lower tube 3, consists of a
simple ring or eye el. The jaw is operated by the thumb screw nut p, and
stem p, which latter passes down through one of the tubes of the lee rail, as
shewn. The lower end of this stem is threaded, and works in a nut formed

page_text: on the inside of the jaw e5, and adapted to slide in a hole bored through the
fitting el, as shewn. The nut p is supported above and below by the horizontal
upper frame tubes of the rail. By turning this thumb screw, it will be seen
that the jaw e will be pressed down onto the upper bar 62, and so grips this bar
and holds the lee rail in position. Then in order to lower or fold down the lee
rail, the nut p is revolved in the opposite direction, and raises the jaw off the
bar 6, and out of its way, and so allows the whole rail to move down about the
tube 63.
The thread of the stem p¹ and nut ef may have a long and quick acting pitch.
When the jaw e5 is screwed down, it pulls the lower eve onto the bar 63, as well
as gripping the upper bar, and so rattle or noise is obviated, at the same time
allowing ample freedom for movement when released.
A modification of this lee rail fastening shewn in Figure 6 consists in providing
the supporting fitting e¹ with a double hinged clip e', es being the hinges. When
erected and fastened, this hinge clip grips the upper bar 62 of the berth; it being
held in this position by the thumb nut p, and a jaw on the upper part of e,
which fits under p, and which is clamped in position by this nut, and so the whole
fitting up to the tube is firmly clamped and fastened.
It is to be stated that while several of the improvements hereunder are shewn
applied and used, in Figures 1 to 4, in combination with each other, they are not
necessarily under this invention, to be used in combination, as they may be
employed separately, or two or more of them may be used jointly in berths, beds,
mattresses, or the like, to which they may be advantageously applied, and which
may differ in other respects from that shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. The herein described improvement connected with ships' or analogous ex-
tensible berths, namely, a berth so arranged and constructed that the inner part is
adapted to fold down when the lesser width of berth is required; for the purposes
set forth.
2. In a ships' or analogous extensible berth, comprising the main outer part,
and inner folding and stowable part connected therewith; the means substantially
as described by which the said inner part is supported when in use, and adapted
to be lowered and moved downwards or operated; substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
3. In a ships' or analogous extensible berth, the combination with the inner
downward folding or stowable portion of berth bottom, of the supporting movable
landings, and means of raising the said inner portion when operating the berth
in preparing it for its use in its extended condition; substantially as herein set forth
and shewn.
4. The lee rail of a ships' berth, having sleeves e, with roller bearings arranged
and adapted to operate substantially as set forth with reference to and shewn in
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, for the purposes specified.
5. The ships' berth having parts arranged, combined, and adapted to operate
as shewn in and set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings.
6. A mattress, bed bottom, ships' berth, or the like, comprising end frame
members; an open link work c, or similar meshwork; and spring cords, or rings,
or links, connecting the said fabric with the frame (or at other suitable parts),
consisting of cords of coiled wire made of intercoiled spiral wires, as described,
and serving as a spring connection; substantially as set forth.
7. A mattress, bed bottom, ships' berth or the like, comprising end frame
members, open link or similar meshwork, and spring connecting cords as d,
arranged in zigzag manner as set forth with reference to Figure 2; for the purposes
set forth.
8. A ships' berth lee rail adapted to act in connection with double berth rails,

page_text: having a sliding jaw working in connection with the upper rail, and. adapted to
engage therewith or be released therefrom; substantially as, and for the purposes
as set forth with reference to Figures 5 and 5 of the drawings.
9. A ships' berth lee rail adapted to act in connection with double berth rails,
having a double hinged clip adapted to work in connection with the upper rail, and
to engage therewith, and to be released therefrom; substantially as set forth.
10. The ships' berth lee rail supports and fastenings, constructed and adapted
to act particularly as set forth with reference to and shewn in Figures 5 and 5ª, and
Figure 6, respectively, of the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of A 1900
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.