IMPROVEMENTS IN SUSPENDING SEATS, COUCHES, AND BERTHS ON SHIPBOARD FOR THE PREVENTION OF SFA SICKNESS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Ovid Topham, of Maida Vale, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUSPENDING SEATS,
COUCHES, AND BERTHS ON SHIPBOARD FOR THE PREVENTION OF SFA
SICKNESS."
Sealed the 12th February 1878, and dated the 16th August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Ovid Topham at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th August 1877.
GEORGE OVID TOPHAM, of Maida Vale, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SUSPENDING SEATS, COUCHES, AND BERTHS ON SHIPBOARD FOR THE
PREVENTION OF SEA SICKNESS."
My Invention relates to improved means for preventing or reducing sea sickness
on board ship; and it consists in suspending the seat, couch, or berth in gimbals
whose axes stand diagonally to the seat, couch, or berth, and are at such a height
relatively thereto that the stomach of the occupant is in the plane of the axes, and
where there is no motion, and which is consequently the most favorable position
for the avoidance of sea sickness, the rolling and pitching motions of the ship being
thus completely neutralized.
In carrying out my Invention I prefer to hang the chair, couch, or berth in a
frame composed of two ☐ shaped pieces, at right angles to one another, passing
underneath the chair, couch, or berth, and united at the point where they cross
.one another. The chair, couch, or berth is hung on axes between two of the arms,
and the other two arms are similarly hung on axes (at right angles to the former),
supported by uprights fixed to the deck, or carried on a wheeled stand, so as to be
readily moved from place to place; or when used in cabins the supports would be
[Price 6d1

page_text: pendant from the ceiling. Thus arranged the gravity of the occupant alone is
sufficient to maintain the chair, couch, or seat constantly in a horizontal position.
The pivots may be provided with nuts and washers to prevent the seat oscillating
too freely and acquiring a swinging motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Ovid Topham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
February 1878.
"
GEORGE OVID TOPHAM, of Maida Vale, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVE
MENTS IN SUSPENDING SEATS, COUCHES, AND BERTHS ON SHIPBOARD FOR THE
PREVENTION OF SEA SICKNESS."
My Invention relates to improved means for preventing or reducing sea sickness
on board ship; and it consists in suspending the seat, couch, or berth in gimbals,
whose axes stand diagonally to the seat, couch, or berth, and are at such a height
relatively thereto that the stomach of the occupant is in the plane of the axes, and
where there is but little motion, and which is consequently the most favorable
position for the avoidance of sea sickness, the rolling and pitching motions of the
ship being thus almost completely neutralized.
But to make my Invention better understood I will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan, Figure 2 a
side elevation, Figure 3 a front elevation, and Figure 4 a back elevation of a chair
hung or suspended according to my Invention. Similar letters in all the Figures
represent similar parts.
The seat or chair to be hung or suspended is preferably constructed of a frame a,
of half round bar iron, the back and seat being formed of strips of wood or of
flat bar iron b, b, c, c, screwed or rivetted to the frame a, as shewn. The seat or
chair is also provided with a foot rest d, constructed in a similar manner to the seat,
and fixed thereto by the iron straps e, e. The seat or chair, preferably thus con-
structed, is fixed to a frame composed of two ✓ shaped pieces f, f, and h, h, such
pieces being placed at right angle to one another, and passing underneath the
The chair or
chair or seat, and united at the point where they cross one another.
seat is provided with brackets f³, f1, by which it is hung by means of the axes g, g,
between two of the arms f, f, while the other two arms h, h, are similarly hung on
axes i, i, (at right angles to the axes g.) such axes i, i, being supported by the
uprights j, j, of the cast-iron frame or stand A, fixed to the deck or floor of the
cabin.
It should be understood that the seat of the chair is placed at such a distance
below the pivots forming the gimbals that the stomach of the person sitting in
the chair shall be in the position where there is scarcely any motion, as herein-
before described.
By this arrangement the gravity of the occupant alone will be sufficient to
maintain the chair in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, and thus neutralize
the effect of the rolling or pitching of the vessel, thereby keeping the stomach of the
occupant in the best position to avoid sea sickness.

page_text: In applying my improvements to couches and berthis the axes or pivots of the
gimbals would be placed in such a position as to bring the stomach of the occupant
in reclining in the position herein-before described.
When used in cabins the supports of the chair, couch, or berth would in some
cases preferably be suspended from the ceiling.
Having thus described my Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with
for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is,
the suspending seats, couches, and berths on shipboard, on gimbals, at such a height
and so arranged that the stomach of the occupant shall be in the position where
there is the least motion, so as to neutralize as far as possible the effect of the rolling
and pitching of the vessel for the avoidance of sea sickness, substantially as herein-
before described, and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Ovid Topham, have hereto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
G. F. REDFERN,
Patent Agent,
4, South Street;
Finsbury.
G. O. TOPHAM. (L.S.)