Improvements in and applicable to Seat-backs Convertible into Sleeping Berths for Railway Carriages, Steamships, and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 17th July, 1900-Accepted, 1st Sept., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and applicable to Seat-backs Convertible into
Sleeping Berths for Railway Carriages, Steamships, and the like.
I, JOHN RONALD GREG, of Escowbeck Cottage, Caton, in the County of Lan-
caster, Railway Carriage Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to convertible seat-backs for railway sleeping carriages,
steamships and kindred purposes, and has reference to an improved method of
remoying the back of a seat and converting it into an upper berth. The main
object of my invention is to utilise the inner side or back of the seat-back-
namely the surface which lies against the partition or wall--as the upper surface
when converted into a top berth, thus avoiding any. interference with the' form
of the seat-back or with its upholstery. When fixed as a top berth the uphol-
stered side of the back is downwards forming the ceiling of the berth below.
The flat upper side of the berth can if desired be formed with webbing backed
by springs and upon which the mattress will lie.
The mechanism by which I accomplish this reversal and raising of the seat
back is as follows:-
The seat-back is suspended at or near the centre of gravity of its cross-section
by two side swing-links (one at each end) whose upper ends are pivotted to the
inner edge of the end partitions, and it is free to swing and rotate on the lower
pins of the said links when not otherwise secured. When in position to form
a seat-back its lower edge is kept in position against the partition by two remov-
able arm rests arranged to come to correct position by dowels or other suitable
Its upper edge is kept in position by vertical dowels and sockets or
other suitable means. Pivotted also to the sides of the frame of the seat-back,
but in a position near the upper edge are two links formed as hooks at their
tree ends and which lie folded within the frame ends when the back is down.
means.
short link is pivotted to each of these hook-links and their other ends are
pivotted to a hinged lee board so arranged that when the hook-links are folded
as described the lee board is also folded into the mattress recess. Or the hook-
links may be attached to or formed with the hinges of the lee board, in which
case the short links are not required. The ends of the seat-back are provided
with raised boards of suitable curved shape upholstered to form ear rests, and
whose edges are provided with a capping which enters into and slides upon
suitable guide rails attached to the partition thus keeping the back in position
longitudinally while being reversed and facilitating the operation.
The operation of reversing is performed as follows:-
The arm rests being removed, the lower edge of the seat-back is pulled out-
wards which operation releases the top edge by withdrawing the upper locking
dowels from their sockets.. On the lower edge being further pulled and lifted
the edge cappings which project and are continued in a curve over the upper
part of the seat-back enter the fixed guide rails. The continued lifting of the
seat back now causes it to turn completely over, revolving on the pivots or

page_text: trunnions on the ends of the swing links. What was the outer lower edge now
becomes the inner lower edge and as the back completes its three-fourths of a
revolution and assumes its new position at right angles to its former position
the said inner lower edge comes into contact with and rests upon suitable sup-
porting brackets affixed to the partition for the purpose. Thus the inner edge
is secured as it cannot come away from the brackets owing to the fixed length
of the pivotted swing links.
The lee board is now raised and the hook-links engaged with studs provided
for the purpose on the side partitions.
To lower the berth and reconvert it into a seat the above operations are
reversed.
Dated this Sixteenth day of October 1899.
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS,
Agent to the Applicant.
-
Improvements in and applicable to Seat-backs Convertible into
Sleeping Berths for Railway Carriages, Steamships, and the like.
I, JOHN RONALD GREG, formerly of Escowbeck Cottage, Caton, in the County
of Lancashire, now of Hilltop House, Oxenholme, Westmoreland, Railway
Carriage Builder, 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:-
My invention relates to convertible seat-backs for railway sleeping carriages,
steamships and kindred purposes, and has reference to an improved method of
removing the back of a seat and converting it into an upper berth. The main
object of my invention is to utilise the inner side or back of the seat-back-
namely the surface which lies against the partition or wall as the upper sur-
face when converted into a top berth, thus avoiding any interference with the
form of the seat-back or with its upholstery. When fixed as a top berth the
upholstered side of the back is downwards forming the ceiling of the berth
below. The flat upper side of the berth can, if desired, be formed with webbing
backed by springs and upon which the mattress will lie.
The general arrangement of my invention and the mechanism by which I
accomplish this reversal and raising and lowering of the seat-back will be under-
stood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. I is a side elevation with cross partition removed and shewing back
partition in section.
Fig. II is a half front elevation shewing the seat-back raised and fixed in
position to form upper berth.
Fig. III is a half front elevation shewing the seat-back lowered and in its
normal position.
«
The reference letters used refer to the same parts in all views.
A" is an ordinary seat capable of also being used as a berth and which in
itself forms no part of my present invention.
"B" is the removable seat-back upholstered in the usual way and provided
at its ends with the raised upholstered boards "b, b" forming ear rests. The seat-
back "B" is suspended at or near the centre of gravity of its cross section by
two side swing links "U, C" one at each end. In Fig. I the seat-back "B"
is shewn in full lines in its raised position, and in dotted lines in its lower or
normal position. The swing link "C" is necessarily shewn by dotted lines

page_text: in both positions in this view. The upper ends of these links are pivotted to
the inner edge of the end or cross partitions "D, D" and the seat-back "B" is
free to swing and rotate upon the lower pins "c, c" of the links "C" when not
ctherwise secured. "E" represents two removable arm rests which are arranged
to come to correct position by suitable dowels and which serve to retain the
lower part of the seat-back in position against the back partition "F" when
in its normal position as a seat-back. Its upper edge is retained in position by
suitable dowels "G" which enter into sockets in the edge of the seat-back.
Another method of securing the upper edge is by continuing the end of the
capping "H" on the edge of the car rest board and forming it into a hook as
shewn at "g. A slot "" is provided in the rails "K" to engage the hooks “g."
The rails "K" are fixed against the back partition "F" in position to coincide
with the capping "H" which engages with and slides upon the rails thus keep-
ing the seat-back in position longitudinally while being reversed and facilitating
the operation. "J" is a hinged lee board attached to B" by the hinges "j, j'
and arranged to fold upon the seat-back when the mattress "P" Fig. I is
removed.
66
"
"
"M, M" are, suspension links which may be hinged at m1" to the ends of
the seat-backs so as to fold onto its frame "61" after the lee board "J" is folded
as above described. These links are provided with hooks or slots M at their
free ends to engage with suitable studs "N" attached to the partition "D)."
"Q" denotes fixed supporting brackets attached to the back partition to receive
and sustain the inner edge of the berth.
The operation of reversing or converting the seat-back into an upper berth is
performed as follows:-
"
The arm rests "E" being removed, the lower edge of the seat-back "B" is.
pulled outwards which operation releases the top edge by withdrawing the sockets
from the dowels "G" or the hooks g" from the slots "k." On the lower
edge being further pulled and raised the edge cappings "H" which project
engage with the fixed guide rails "K." The continued lifting of the edge which
was formerly lower, causes the seat-back "B" to turn completely over revoly-
ing on the pivots or trunnions "of the swing links "C" which meanwhile
sustain almost the entire weight. The previous upper edge now being the
lower is grasped and lifted until the seat-back with its upholstered side down-
wards assumes the position shewn in full lines in Fig. I, the inner edge of the
frame resting on the supporting brackets "O." The suspension links "M"
are now unfolded and hooked on to their studs "N" so as to sustain the weight.
The lee board "J" is turned upwards and the mattress "P" inserted. The
whole is secure in position as the links "C" prevent the berth from coming
away from its supporting brackets" 0."
To lower the berth and re-convert it into a seat-back the above operations are
reversed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and how the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is;
-
1. The convertible seat-back sustained and controlled by swing links and capable
of being converted into an upper berth by being caused to perform three-quarters
of a revolution thus being lifted into position and there sustained substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The edge cappings on the curved ear rest boards substantially as and for
purposes herein before set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The guide rails fixed upon the back partition engaging with the ear rest
capping substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth and illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
4. The folding lee board and the folding suspension links substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 5. The removable arm rests utilised to retain the seat-back in position, when
lowered substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth and illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
11041 1. of T.... 1000
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS,
Agent to the Applicant.