IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS BERTHS AND BEDSTEADS
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1888
I CHARLES JAMES Fox of 1 Hemingford Terrace Conway Street Birkenhead
Master Mariner do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO SHIPS BERTHS AND BEDSTEADS to be as follows:
In that class of Ship berth commonly known as Self levelling the introduction of
an Arm and Guide which prevents lateral motion.
Pivots and supports for both Lower and Upper berths and an automatic locking
apparatus which rigidly connects the berth to the ship when the level position is
destroyed and the berth reaches the inclination arranged for, thus making it possible
to do with very little counterbalancing weight.
I also provide a Bedstead for carrying Self levelling berths which renders the
whole a complete and portable piece of furniture.
In fitting a berth according to my Invention I provide a Cup and Pivot or similar
arrangement strongly supported at a convenient height from the deck by suitable
framework, and upon this the platform of the berth rests. To maintain the herth in
a level position a weight is rigidly attached to it by arms so arranged as to allow the
whole construction to sway freely in all directions. It is carried as low as possible
and works below the pivot.
To prevent a swivelling or lateral motion of the berth an arm is attached to it
which projects into a guide provided on the bulk head, support, or the framework
here-after mentioned.
The Guide is made of suitable material and contains a perpendicular curved groove
into which the arm projects.
The groove may be made straight and the arm telescopic if preferred.
Preferably two guides are used opposite each other at the ends of the berth and
can be used at the sides if required.
Another use for the guides is to relieve the pivot from lateral strain, and for this
purpose a block which will travel freely in the groove and which may have wheels or
balls to assist it is introduced to act as a bearing. It has a round hole in the side
next the berth into which the arm fits.

page_text: When a second or upper-berth is required I fit it in a similar manner to the lower,
with Cup and Pivot, Arms and Guides but minus a separate balancing weight
because the effect of the balancing weight attached to the lower can be utilized for
both berths. A parallel motion of the two berths is secured by the introduction of
upright pillars between their corresponding corners. These are pivoted at both ends
so as to keep them securely in place while allowing an universal joint motion. These
pillars may be utilized to support part or all the perpendicular weight of the upper
berth and contents, in the latter case the upper berth pivot may be dispensed with,
but two guides must be used.
For the purpose of reducing weight I dispense with it for counter-balancing
purposes after the herth has been forced to a regulated incline, and introduce a
contrivance which connects the berth rigidly to the ship when that limit is
reached.
This contrivance is a movable weight attached to the berth which in obedience to
the laws of gravity assumes a position when the berth is inclined in which it acts or
causes other parts to act as a lock. For example, I hang as the weight a short bar
by one end so as to be well clear of the deck when the berth is level, and to swing
freely. When the berth above is depressed the bar descends perpendicularly, on to a
rest provided. When the ship is moving and the berth balanced, this rest is carried
horizontally past the lower end of the bar without coming into contact with it, or
I place the weight on a platform which may be the berth itself or a parallel
attachment.
When the platform is inclined the weight seeks the lower level and assumes the
required position, or actuates one or more bolts, hasps, hooks or other contrivances
which connect the ship and berth in the desired manner.
To enable the manufacturer to place these berths on board ship ready for use at the
shortest notice, I have designed a portable ship bedstead. It is built preferably of
angle iron with four uprights suitably stayed to-gether. The supports of the lower
pivot springing from the lower frame, and the upper from the posts. This bedstead
is the framework before alluded to.
Dated this 5th day of March 1887.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Ships' Berths and Bedsteads.
I CHARLES JAMES Fox of No. 1 Hemingford Terrace Conway Street Birkenhead
in the County of Chester Master Mariner do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIP'S BERTHS & BEDSTEADS
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my Invention is to provide on Ship-board Platforms which will
maintain a horizontal position when the Vessel is laboring in a seaway and are self
leveling as distinguished from Swinging Contrivances.
A Platform fitted according to my Invention is centrally pivoted to the apex of a
Pedestal or Bracket of convenient height, and its horizontal position maintained by
an attached balancing weight bringing its centre of gravity as low as practicable and
the whole arranged, to allow the Pedestal or Bracket to assume any reasonable
incline without affecting the equilibrium of the Platform.
A fixed Guide is provided which controls a projection from the Platform allowing
it to travel freely up or down but preventing any horizontally circular movement of
the Platform on its Pivot.
Ball or Roller Bearings are introduced between the Platform and Fixtures to relieve
the lateral strain on the Pivot.
To prevent the Platform being undesirably inclined by weight unduly distributed
on its surface, and to obviate the employment of great counterbalancing weight, a
Self-acting-Lock is used which may be a short pendulous bar universally hinged
below the edge of the Platform, and a Step or Catch attached to the fixtures so
arranged, that when the Platform is tilted in that direction, the lower end of the bar
will come into contact with and rest upon it, obstructing the further inclination of the
Platform. Or, a bar may be attached horizontally to the Platform so that actuated
by its own or a supplementary weight, it will protrude and lock the Platform to the
Fixtures until equilibrium is restored.
When a second Platform is required above the first, as in the case of Upper and
Lower Sleeping Berths, only one counterbalancing weight is utilized to level them,
which is effected by the introduction between their respective corners and universal
jointing to them of equal lengthed rods, thus establishing a parallel motion.
Otherwise, the fittings of both Platforms are similar, saving that the shape of the
upper pedestal or bracket is modified to prevent it interfering with the action of the
lower Platform or the accomodation of an occupant.
When desirable, these Platforms can be fitted in a portable framework so that
Bedsteads with self leveling cots, self-leveling shelves &c. can be manufactured and
stored on shore ready to be transferred for immediate use on Shipboard.
The term Self-leveling Berths used in this Specification is meant to apply to all
Platforms rendered self-leveling and used on board ship for the berthing and safe
carriage of persons, or things animate, or inanimate; and the terin Fixtures to all
portions of a ship intended to remain stationary with respect to that ship for the
time being, and also to the rigid portions of the Portable Framework herein before
mentioned.
The appended Drawings are provided for illustration. Fig. 1. showing two

page_text: Platforms with Parallel-Motion-Gear, Arms & Guides, a Fixture, and the Pendulous
Bar form of Automatic Lock. Figures 3, 4, 5 & 6 the action of this Lock. Fig. 9;
being a section of the other Automatic Lock described.
Fig. 2; shows the Portable Frame or Bedstead carrying Berths, or Platforms, on
their supporting Pedestals, and the Balancing Weight with Attaching Rods.
Fig. 7, is a section of the Arms Guides & Bearings described. Fig. 8; a Plan of
Arm & Bearings.
The following, are details of Drawings, like letters representing similar parts.
Fig. 1 A, Platforms. B & C, not shown. D. Connecting & Parallel Motion Rods.
E. Arms. F, Guides G. Pendulous Bolts. H, Rests or Steps for G. I, an
Upright Fixture.
Fig. 2 A, Platforms. B, Pedestals or Brackets. C, Balancing Weight with
Attaching Rods D Parallel Motion Rod, working through a fork of Pedestal-leg.
E, Arms. F, Guide for Arms & Traveller for Bearings. G. Not shown. H Not
shown. I. Framework or Bedstead. J Ships Deck.
Figs. 3, 4, 5, & 6; A, Platforms. B, Pedestals. G. Pendulous Bars. H Steps.
J. Ship's Decks.
Fig. 3 Platform and Deck, both horizontal.
Fig. 4 Platform tilted, Bar arrested by Step.
Fig. 5 Deck inclined while Platform remains horizontal, the consequence being
Step rises and passes clear of Pendulous Bar.
Fig. 6 Platform and Deck inclined simultaneously, Bar & Step clearing though
if Platform had first been disturbed, they would have locked until it recovered
balance.
Fig. 7; Sections of Guide with Travellers of Ball Bearings attached, and Arm
with Ball Bearings & Sockets. E. Arm K Ball Bearings & Sockets.
Fig. 8; Plan of Arm & Bearings. E, Arm. K, Ball Bearings & Sockets.
Fig. 9; Longitudinal Section of Horizontal Automatic Lock. A Platform L Bolt.
M, Rest or Step. N, Fittings securing Bolt to Platform.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is,
1. Self-leveling Platforms for use on Ship-board fitted substantially as herein
described.
2. The application of Guides such as herein described to these Platforms, to prevent
their turning horizontally upon their Pivots.
3. The application of Bearings to these Platforms to prevent lateral strain upon
their pivots.
4. The application to Self-leveling Platforms, intended for use on board ship, of
Self-acting Locks for the purpose of automatically and rigidly connecting them with
their stationary fittings, or those of the ship, while by accident or design they are
forcibly inclined beyond a certain angle with the Horizontal plane.
5. When two Platforms are used one above the other; the use of a pedestal or
bracket below the Upper Platform which though differing in shape is used and
applied for the same purposes as the lower pedestal or bracket.
6. The combination with any of the parts for which novelty is herein claimed, of
the apparatus for securing the parallel motion of two platforms herein described.
7: A Framework with which Self leveling Platforms such as are herein described may
be combined to form Portable bedsteads, Tables, Shelves, &c. for use on Shipboard.
Dated this 7th day of November 1887.
CHARLES JAMES FOX.