Improvements in or connected with Ships' and analogous Berths.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 26th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Ships' and analogous Berths.
I, EDWARD ROWCLIFFE BILLINGTON, of Cambridge Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Mattress Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference mainly to berths used on board ship, or for
analogous purposes, or under equivalent conditions, and the class of such berths to
which the invention particularly relates are those known as, or called movable
berths.
According to the invention, I construct and adapt berths to rise and fall or be
raised and lowered in such a manner that they are moved out of the way, to the floor
or ceiling above when not wanted. This is effected by suitable raising and lowering
means operated by mechanical devices by hand.
In one arrangement for carrying out this mode of stowing berths and lowering
same in position, I may employ cords, chains, or equivalent means on which the
berth is supported, and these are pulled in and paid out by winches or a winch or
suitable equivalent means. In some cases, the winch may be placed in or on the
berth whilst in another it may be placed above or otherwise off the berth to any
fixed part or support.
The winch may be operated from a detachable or other handle or lever through
toothed, worm, screw, or other suitable gearing, and it may be operated from the
front side, or other suitable point.
In the application of the invention to ships' berths it is particularly applicable
to cases where one berth is disposed over the other, as when it is applied to the
top, one of the two, that one can be moved up to the ceiling out of the way, and so
leave a large space above the lower one. In such cases, and in others, I may
provide the bottom of the movable berth with suitable ornamental panels. When
such a berth is so constructed and moved up out of the way, there is no appearance
of the existence of the berth.
Suitable guides may be provided in connection with the berths, to guide or
control their up and down movement.
In connection with the outer rail of movable ships' berths, I in some cases
provide a movable lee rail, which, in one form, may work on a round and square
bar, and adapted to fold down or work, when on the round part, and be fixed when
on the square.
A bolt may also be used in connection with this to work in con-
nection with the bulk head or other point of support. In other cases the outer lec
rail may fold downwards and outwards, so that the berth may fold snugly against
the bulk head or other surface, whilst the inner lee rail may be fixed and a
projecting part or piece provided on or in connection with the bulkhead or other
surface whereby the clothes or other things are prevented from getting in between
said lee rail and the bulkhead or surface.
In some cases I may counter balance wholly or partially raising and lowering
ships' berths, by cords, chains, or equivalent means, and a weight or spring, or a
plurality of same.
Dated 1 1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Ships' and analogous Berths.
I, EDWARD ROWCLIFFE BILLINGTON, of Cambridge Street; Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Mattress Manufacturer, 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 has reference mainly to berths used on board ship, or for analogous
purposes, or under equivalent conditions, and the class of such berths to which the
invention particularly relates are those known as, or called movable berths.
According to the invention, I construct and adapt berths to rise and fall or be
raised and lowered in such a manner that they are moved out of the way, to the
floor or ceiling above when not wanted. This is effected by suitable raising and
lowering means operated by mechanical devices by hand.
In one arrangement for carrying out this mode of stowing berths and lowering
same in position, I may employ cords, chains, or equivalent means on which the
berth is supported, and these are pulled in and paid out by winches or a winch or
suitable equivalent means. In some cases, the winch may be placed in or on the
berth whilst in another it may be placed above or otherwise off the berth to any
fixed part or support.
The winch may be operated from a detachable or other handle or lever through
toothed, worm, screw, or other suitable gearing, and it may be operated from the
front side, or other suitable point.
In the application of the invention to ships' berths it is particularly applicable to
cases where one berth is disposed over the other, as when it is applied to the top
one of the two, that one can be moved up to the ceiling out of the way, and. so
leave a large space above the lower one. In such cases, and in others, I may
provide the bottom of the movable berth with suitable ornamental panels. When
such a berth is so constructed and moved up out of the way there is no appearance
of the existence of the berth.
Suitable guides may be provided in connection with the berths, to guide and
control their up and down movement.
In connection with the outer rail of movable ships' berths, I in some cases
provide a movable lee rail, which, in one form, may work on a round and square
bar, and adapted to fold down or work, when on the round part, and be fixed when
on the square. A bolt may also be used in connection with this to work in con-
nection with the bulkhead or other point of support. In other cases the outer
lee rail may fold downwards and outwards, so that the berth may fold snugly
against the bulkhead or other surface; whilst the inner lee rail may be fixed, and
a projecting part or piece provided on or in connection with the,bulkhead or other
surface, whereby the clothes or other things are prevented from getting in between
said lee rail and the bulkhead or surface.
In some cases I may counterbalance wholly or partially raising and lowering
ships' berths, by cords, chains, or a plurality of same.
Drawings illustrating the improvement above specified or referred to are annexed
to this Specification and form part thereof; and below is a description of them,
which in conjunction therewith, will enable others skilled in the art to which this
invention relates, to make and use the same.
In these drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are cross sections of a movable bed or berth
constructed and adapted to operate according to one arrangement or modification
under this invention.
Figures 2 and 2B are modifications, according to this invention.

page_text: · Figures 3 and 4 are cross section and front view, respectively, of an extendible
hinge or support for use in connection with berths constructed as in Figures 1, 2, 24,
and 2B.
Figures 5 and 6 are, respectively, front view (partly in section), and plan viewed
from underneath, of another modification or arrangement of berth under this
invention.
Figures 7 and 8 are plan and part sectional elevation, respectively, of another
arrangement or modification of berth operating according to a similar method to
that shewn in Figures 5 and 6.
Figures 11 and 12 are, respectively, front elevation and cross section of a modified
construction of folding lec-rail according to this invention.
Figures 13 and 14 are, respectively, elevation and cross section of another
modification of movable folding lee rail, according to this invention, and Figure 15
is a detail.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1 and 2, a represents the frame of an
ordinary berth bottom of any suitable kind, say for example, of woven wire; bis
the outer lee rail of the berth, and c is the inner rail, the rail being supported by
the standard b'. d is a link supporting and connecting the berth a with the
support e. The connection of d with e, and d with e, being effected by the hinges d¹
and d, respectively. Of these hinges there may be any suitable number, say for
example, four, suitably distributed. represents the surface of the partition or
wall from which the berth is suspended, the supports e being fixed thereto; s¹ is the
ceiling of the room in which the berth is placed, and 2 are the bulkheads or other
surfaces against which the ends of the berth work. h is a cord, or chain, having
one end fixed to the link d at ; and i is a winch fastened to the surface s², to
which the other end of the chain or cord is fastened, and by which it is taken in or
paid out, as required.
The winch may merely consist of a barrel or drum mounted on a spindle
worked from a crank handle, the drum or barrel being contained within the
case; there may also be provided with it suitable locking and releasing gear.
i is a pulley mounted on over which the cord or chain runs, while j is a pulley
mounted on the ceiling s¹, and serves to guide a cord or chain which goes to the
opposite end of the berth, there being a pulley similar to j fixed at the opposite end
surface, so that the one winch i may work a cord or chain at each end of the berth.
The cord or chain his coupled to the chain h, so that a single cord or chain 4
between and i, serves to work both ends of the berth.
The berth in Figure 1 is in its open position, ready for use, whilst in Figure 2 it
is moved and stowed up out of position. The operation of moving it out of the
way, or stowing it, is as follows:-The berth proper, comprising the bottom a with
lee boards b and c, is moved from the horizontal to the vertical position about its
hinges d', as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1; the link d, with the berth folded
on it as described, is then hoisted about its supporting hinges into a horizontal
position as shewn in Figure 2, by winding up the chain or cord by the winch i.
In this position, as will be seen by the drawing, the whole berth is neatly stowed
under the ceilings. It is caught in this position, and held, by a catch f, mounted
upon a sliding bolt f₁, pressed in one direction by a spring f. Thus, when the
berth is being raised to the ceiling s¹, the inclined face of the catch strikes the
part of the ceiling in passing through same (through a suitable aperture provided
therein), and then, when it is quite through, the spring presses forward the catch f
over the part 3, and the berth is caught. To release the catch f, the knob f¹ is
pressed in, and the berth can then be lowered. Any other suitable device, such as
cabin hooks or the like may be used in lieu of this catch.
The outside of the lee-board c is preferably provided with an ornamental moulding
or surface c', which, when the berth is stowed, as in Figure 2, presents an ornamental
front board, hiding the berth entirely from the front. Then again, the link dis
preferably made in ornamental form, so that when stowed, as in Figure 2, it presents
an ornamental or pleasing horizontal surface, enclosing entirely the berth from

page_text: below. In the example shewn, this link represents a wooden panelled structure, of
which the underside of the panels, at d³, may be ornamented or carved, if desired.
Thus when the whole berth is stowed up under the ceiling, as in Figure 2, it is
enclosed and hidden from view by its enclosing parts, which in themselves present
an ornamented or pleasing surface to the view.
When in the lowered position the berth bottom may rest on suitable projections
fixed in the end surfaces s'. One of such, for supporting the inner side, is shewn in
Figure 2 and is marked . The outer ends may be similarly. supported.
As a modification of the mode of construction and stowing berths, as just described
with reference to Figures 1 and 2, I may dispense entirely with the winch i, and
chains and pulleys h, j, and the actual lifting may be effected by hand through
the device d. In such a case, the berth bottom is moved up into the vertical
position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1, as previously set forth, and then the
link is moved about its hinges d² by taking hold of same by the hand and moving
it about its supporting hinge up into the position shewn in Figure 2. By thus dis
pensing with the parts specified, the apparatus and berth is considerably simplified.
However, in some cases, when the berth is very heavy, the winch or equivalent
device should be employed.
In some cases, in the application of the invention to ships, where the rooms are
of extra height, the berth may be suspended by extendible hinges, an example of
which is shewn in Figures 3 and 4. In this example, a part of the hinge of the
link d is made in the form of a bolt d', having a projection on it, and is adapted
to work through staples g, formed on a metal plate g' fixed to the frame of the link d.
Thus, in operation, when the berth is in its horizontal position the hinges are
extended, the projections supporting the link by the upper staples of the
plates ; and when the berth is to be stowed the links d are lifted up into the
position shewn in Figures 3 and 4.
In Figure 24 I shew a modification of the arrangement of berth set forth with
reference to Figures 1 and 2; and in Figure 2 a detail in section thereof. There
is also illustrated in these figures, the construction by which the clothes or other
things are prevented from getting in between the inner lee rail c and the link d, or,
in case of the application of this construction to other folding berths, between the
lee rail and the surface against which the berth is mounted and works.
In this modification the berth frame is mounted by journals in bracket
bearings fixed to the lower end of the link d. And upon and along the front
side of the link d is provided a projecting piece d', having in its front face a recess
rounded out in an arc, whose radius is slightly larger than the are described by the
upper end of the rail e in moving about its fulerum d'. Thus, when the berth is in
the vertical position (shewn in dotted lines) the clothes or other things are supported
by the rail c, and then when it is turned down in the horizontal position, the clothes
are prevented from getting in between the berth and, the surface of the link d, or
other surface, as the case may be, and breakages or other objectionable accidents
are thereby obviated.
In the arrangement shewn in Figures 5 and 6, the berth is raised and lowered by
chains or cords h, which are fixed at one end to the ceiling, and at the other to the
berth frame at ', and pass over pulleys a', fixed, at each, corner of the berth
frame a, and pulleys. The chains or cords h, in this case, are taken in and paid
out by rotating the spindle, which is mounted in bearings fixed on the frame a',
and it revolves the screwed shafts i, which are mounted on the frame a in bearings 1',
and are provided with right and left hand screw threads. The shafts have upon
them, nuts, on side projections of which, the pulleys are fixed. The action then
is, that as the handle is rotated in one direction or the other,, the nuts
through the shafts i, caused to approach each other or move away from each other
upon the shafts i, and thereby either take in the chains or cords, or pay them out,
and so elevate the berth up to the ceiling s', or lower it away from same. In its
lowered position, the berth rests upon a support or supports s fixed upon the end
surfaces. The nuts are prevented from moving in any other but a horizontal
are,

page_text: direction by the rods k which pass through the said nuts, and are held in position
by the bearings of the shafts i.
The bottom of the berth is enclosed by an ornamental structure d³, so that when
it is elevated to the top position, its under surface would represent an ornamental
one, and the berth itself would be entirely hidden, the lower surface taking the
level of the line a in Figure 5. This space may be also partly enclosed by a front
fixed moulding m.
It will be seen, in this arrangement, the berth-frame a is wholly enclosed at its
sides and ends by the front and back lee rails b and c, and the end boards n.
The arrangement shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a modification of, and works after
the manner of the arrangement just described with reference to Figures 5 and 6,
that is to say, the berth is raised and lowered by cords or chains h passing over
pulleys a' at each corner, the means of taking in and paying out being practically
the only difference between these two arrangements. This means consists of a winch,
generally designated i, and comprises a handle, a spindle adapted to be actuated
by said handle, a worm and worm wheel i, and drums or barrels. The drums
and the worm wheel are fixed upon a shaft 7, which is mounted in suitable bearings
on a cross plate 8, fixed to and supported from the side bars of the berth frame a.
The spindle ¹, and the worm of the winch, are also mounted on this plate, their
support being assisted by a bracket i fixed to the plate.
In this case, by applying the crank handle, and
chains or cords will be wound on the drum or barrels
berth raised up to or lowered from the ceiling down into
Figures 11 and 12 shew one form of movable lee rail according to my invention.
The object and effect of this folding down is, that the berth can be stowed closely
against the surface in connection with which it is desired to stow it, otherwise more
room would necessarily have to be occupied when stowing.
rotating the spindle ¹, the
or payed off same, and the
position for use.
In the construction shewn in Figures 11 and 12, by which this end and
object concerning a folding lee rail, is obtained, such lec rail is in two parts, the
upper part being hinged by hinges 6', and adapted to fold or move outwards, as
shewn in Figure 12. When this movable part is erected in position, it is held there
by the end supporting brackets of the berth, which, as will be seen, come in front
of the ends of the lec rail.
In the modification of folding lee rail shewn in Figures 13, 14, and 15, each end
of the rail is mounted on a horizontal bar or bolt, part of which (o) is round, and
part (o) square. The bosses 63 of the rail b slide on these bolts from one part to
the other as required, the aperture in the bosses being rectangular; and they are
practically filled, laterally, by the square part o' of the bolt when they are moved
onto that part. Hence, when in this position the lee rail cannot be turned, but is
firmly locked in its upright position. When, however, the rail is moved from the
square parts o¹ to the round part o of the bolts, obviously, the rail can be moved
about such bolts in the manner of a hinge, and be placed or folded down in the
horizontal position as shewn in Figure 14. To prevent the rail shifting back of
itself, when erected on the square part o', of the bolt, a slight projection or
shoulder o² is provided, against which the boss 63 would come in so moving towards
the round part.
In lieu of the extendible hinges set forth with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the
link d may be suspended from the upper corners by studs thereon; and on the
bulkhead or other surface, supports having two seats at different levels to receive
and hold said studs may be provided, the studs being adapted to be shifted by hand
from one to the other, as required.
It is to be understood the scope of this invention is not confined to the particular
mechanisms for raising and lowering the berths, since equivalent mechanisms may
be used in lieu of these particularly specified and shewn without departing from
the essential features thereof. Nor is it restricted to the particular forms and
details of the said movable berths set forth with reference to and shewn in the
drawings.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be perforined, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described improvement connected with ships' or analogous berths,
consisting in adapting said berths to be raised and stowed horizontally under the
ceiling, and lowered; as or substantially as herein described.
2. The mode substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of
mounting and stowing ships' or analogous berths.
3. The mode substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of
mounting and operating ships' or analogous berths.
4. Ships or analogous berths having their parts constructed as described, and
adapted to be operated as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the
drawings.
5. Ships or analogous berths having their parts constructed as described, and.
adapted to be operated as set forth with reference to Figures 24 and 2 of the
drawings.
6. Ships' or analogous berths having their parts constructed as described, and
adapted to be operated as set forth with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the
drawings.
7. Ships' or analogous berths having their parts constructed as described, and
adapted to be operated as set forth with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the
drawings.
8. In a ship's or analogous berth operating according to the mode set forth
with reference to Figures 1 and 2, extendible supports or hinges, substantially
as herein set forth with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, for the
purposes specified.
9. In a ship's or analogous berth, a grooved or recessed body or surface in com-
bination with the inner lee rail of the berth, operating substantially as described,
whereby the clothes or other things on the berth are prevented from passing
between the rail and the surface against which it works.
10. In a ship's or other berth, a lee rail divided, hinged, and adapted to fold
down in an outward direction upon its lower half, as and for the purposes set forth
with reference to Figures 11 and 12.
11. In a ship's or other berth, the construction of parts in connection with a
ship's lee rail, substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 13 to 15, whereby
said rail is adapted to be erected or folded for the purposes specified.
Dated this 25th day of October 1905
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.