improvements in Stips berths
Year: 1898

page_text: improvements in Stips berths,
We, CHARLES JOHNSON, of 41, Oughton Place, Highgate, Birmingham, Ship's
Berth Fitter; and WILLIAM GRIFFIN, of Victoria Forge, Cradley Heath, in the
County of Stafford, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in ships' berths, and has for its object,
improved means by which the bed carrying portion may be folded up, also
improved means whereby the lee rail may be held and locked in position when
used as
a bed, and which may also be folded out of the way when used as a
couch; such improved means being also applicable to the securing of, the head
and foot rails.
According to this invention, the folding device is carried out broadly as
follows:-
-
The bed itself is much of the ordinary construction, that is to say, it is rect-
angular in shape, having front and rear tubular sides, and angle iron ends, the
rear side being supplemented with one or more longitudinal rods to support the
side of the bed, and more particularly so when the bed is turned up.
At each
end of the bed, and standing at right angles to the end angle irons, is a short
arm at whose outer end stands a projection, or what is preferable, such projections
take the form of a tubular rod reaching from end to end, which serves as before
stated to support the bed.
Fixed bracket fittings are now placed at each end of the bed and secured to the
stanchions or other fixed parts of the ship. Such brackets stand out forward
parallel with and near to the head and foot rails. Pivoted to each of these brackets
is what may be termed a counter-weighted tumbler lever whose forward part is
formed into a seat-having a bottom and vertical side (or each thereabouts)-
in which rests the end of the bed rear (tubular) side, when the bed is turned up.
The position of the tumbler lever is such that when the bed is turned up, with
the end of its side resting therein, the outer end of the short arm lies butt against
the rear part of the bracket. Hence the bed is carried upon the horizontal seat,
which cannot lower itself by reason of the vertical part resting against the now
upright angle iron, while the outer end of the short arm rests against the rear
side of the bracket. This turned up position may be further retained or locked
by means of a stud or the like upon the outside of the angle iron, being engaged
by a hook or the like contrivance from the bracket.
Again. Pivoted at the upper rear part of one or both of the brackets, is a
down-hanging locking bar, and which depends between the bed side and the bed
supporting rod, so that when the bed is turned down for use, the rod lies up
near to the pivot joint and is confined between it and the bracket, while the bed
side itself rests against the front face of the bar, and thus all possibility of an out-
ward horizontal movement is prevented. In the movement from the turned up
position to the down, the tumbler lever accommodates itself and follows the said

page_text: movement so that the angle iron still rests thereon, but is also further supported,
nearer the outer edge, by resting upon a fixed outstanding projection from the
bracket side.
The lee rail is constructed and carried as follows:-It is made about half the
length of the whole bed, having an upright pillar at each end whose lower ends
are made to embrace and slide along the bed side. These two end uprights are
further connected and secured rigidly to each other by such horizontal and vertical
rails and rods as may be desired. About midway in its height is a longitudinal
sliding rod, which reaches from end to end. At each end of the bed side is also
a fixed upright pillar, having upon its inner side a hole which agrees with and
into which the end of the sliding rod may pass, after the manner of a bolt.
the centre in the length of the bedside is also a fixed pillar, whose upper end is
made with an upwardly open slot, which also agrees with and into which the
end of the sliding rod may pass. The length of the lee rail is such that when
pushed to the one end of the bed, say to the right-its uprights are each stand-
ing against the left hand side of the end and central pillars respectively, and
vice versa.
At
The sliding rod is carried in a vertical slotted hole in the end uprights of the lee
rail, so that the end which is engaging with central pillar may be first raised clear
of such pillar, to permit of endways movement to withdraw its other end from
the hole in the fixed pillar at end of bed. Stop collars or other devices may be
used on the said sliding rod to limit its motion.
Instead of using the sliding rod in one entire piece it may be in separate parts,
one at each end, but the one piece seems at present to be preferable. Also if
desired instead of a longitudinal movement being given to the rod, it may
have a vertical movement and against spring pressure so that it may be raised
out of the recesses in the fixed uprights, but when in such recesses, it is held there
by springs.
as
By these means the rail may be securely fixed at either end, or what is known
reversed"; or it may be turned down on, to or underneath the bed, and may
be provided with suitable hooks or catches, so as to hold it in any such given
positions.
The head and foot rails are also provided with this arrangement of mechanism,
so that they may similarly be maintained in their upright position or be turned
down as may be desired. These rails being broadly of a similar construction to
the lee rail it needs not a repetition of description.
Dated this 8th day of Decembar 1808
Improvements in Ships' Berths.
We, CHARLES JOHNSON, of 41, Oughton Place, Highgate, Birmingham, Ship's
Berth Fitter; and WILLIAM GRIFFIN, of Victoria Forge, Cradley Heath, in the
County of Stafford, 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 relates to improvements in ships' berths, and has for its object,
improved means by which the bed carrying portion may be folded up, also
improved means whereby the lee rail may be held and locked in position when
used as a bed, and which may also be folded out of the way when used as a

page_text: couch; such improved means being also applicable to the securing of the head
and foot rails.
In order to more clearly explain this our invention, we have appended here-
unto illustrative drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part.
Fig. 1, is a front view of the berth, as seen when folded up.
Fig. 2, shows the berth turned down, and the lee ruil up, the whole as seen
when ready for use.
Fig. 3, is a detailed end view of the end pillar of the lee rail.
Fig. 4, is a detailed end view of the central fixed upright pillar.
Fig. 5, is an enlarged end view, and Fig. 6, a front view of the berth supporting
bracket, and part of the bed frame, the latter being in its turned up position.
Fig. 7, is a similar end view to that of Fig. 5, but showing the bed in its turned
down position.
Fig. 8, shows the head (or foot) rail arranged according to this invention, and
in its turned down position.
Fig. 9, shows the said head rail in its raised position ready for use.
The bed itself is much of the ordinary construction, that is to say, it is rect-
angular in shape, having tubular front side 12, and rear side 13, and angle iron
ends 14, 14, the rear side being supplemented with one or more longitudinal
rods 15, to support the side of the bed, and more particularly so when the bed
is turned up.
At each end of the bed, and standing at right angles to the end
angle irons, is a short arm 16, to whose outer end is connected the rod 15, reach-
ing from end to end of the berth and which serves as before stated to support
the bed.
Fixed brackets 17, of any suitable shape or design, are now placed at each end
of the bed and secured to the stanchions or other fixed parts 18, of the ship.
Such brackets stand out forward parallel with and near to the head and foot rails
of the berth. Pivoted to each of these brackets is what may be termed a counter-
weighted tumbler lever 19, whose forward part is formed into a seat--having
a bottom seat 20, and vertical side 21 (or each thereabouts) in which rests the
end of the bed side, when the bed is turned up, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6. The
position of the tumbler lever is such that when the bed is thus turned up, with
the end of its side resting therein, the outer end of the short arm 16, lies butt
against the rear part 22, of the bracket 17. Hence the bed is carried upon the
horizontal seat 20, which cannot lower itself by reason of the vertical part 21,
resting against the now upright angle iron 14, while the outer end
of the short arm 16, rests against the rear side 22, of the bracket 17.
This turned up position may be further retained or locked by means of a stud 23,
or the like, upon the angle iron 14, being engaged by a hook 24, or the like con-
trivance from the bracket 17. This locking arrangement may be also effected
by the auxiliary supporting projection 25, as hereinafter explained.
Again. l'ivoted at the upper rear part of one or both of the brackets 17, is
a downhanging locking bar 26, and which depends between the bed side 13, and
the bed supporting rod 15, so that when the bed is turned down for use, as seen
in Figs. 7, 8 & 9, the rod 15, lies up near to the pivot joint 27, and is confined
between it and the bracket part 22, while the bed side 13, rests against the front
face of the bar 26, and thus all possibility of an outward horizontal movement is
prevented. Preferably this bar 26, is made with a somewhat springy character,
so that when the bed is in use as seen in Figs. 2, 7, 8 & 9, the bed side 13 shall
press the bar 26 springwise against the bracket part 22, so that the whole shall
be kept taut and free from rattle. In the movement from the turned up position
to the down, the tumbler lever 19, accommodates itself and follows the said move-
ment so that the angle iron 14, may rest upon its outer ends 28 and 29, but may
be also further supported, nearer the outer edge, by resting upon an outstanding
projection 25, hinged or otherwise carried from the bracket 17. In will be here
also noticed that this projection 25, when turned on its hinge to the other side

page_text: as seen in Fig. 5, serves also to lock the bed in its turned up position. The lee
rail 30, is constructed and carried as follows;-It is made about half the length
of the whole bed, having an upright pillar 31, 31, one at each end, whose lower
ends 32, 32, are made to embrace and slide along the bed side 12. These two
end uprights are further connected and secured rigidly to each other by such
horizontal rails 33, and vertical rods 34,.as.may be desired. About midway in
its height is a longitudinal sliding rod 35, which reaches from end to end. At
each end of the bed side is also a fixed upright pillar 36, having upon its inner
side a hole 37, which agrees with, and into which, the ends 38, 38, of the sliding
rod 35, may pass, after the manner of a bolt. At the centre in the length of the
bedside is also a fixed pillar 39, whose upper end made with an upwardly open
slot 40, see Fig. 4, which also agrees with and into which the end 38, or 38", of
the sliding rod may rest. The length of the lee rail is such that when pushed to
the one end of the bed-say to the left as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, its uprights 31,
31", are each standing against the right hand side of the end and central pillars 36
and 39 respectively, and vice versa.
The sliding rod 35, is carried in a vertical slotted hole 41, in the end uprights 31,
and 31, of the lee rail, so that the end which is engaging with central pillar 39,
may be first raised out of the slot 40, and clear of such pillar, to permit of end-
ways movement to withdraw its other end from the hole 37, in the fixed pillar at
end of bed. Stop collars 42, or other devices may be used on the said sliding
rod to limit its motion.
If desired instead of a longitudinal movement being given to the rod 35, it may
have a vertical movement only, and be held downwards by pressure springs 43,
(shown in dotted lines), and in which case the holes 37, in pillars 36, would be
upwardly open slotted, so that it may be raised out of the said slots in the fixed
uprights 36 and 39, but when in such slots it is held there by the springs.
By these means the rail may be securely fixed at either end as shown to the
left hand in Fig. 2, or what is known as reversible" or it may be turned down
on to, or underneath the bed, as seen in Fig. 1, and may be provided with suit-
able hooks or catches, so as to hold it in any such given positions.
The head and foot rails are also provided with this arrangement of mechanism,
so that they may similarly be maintained in their upright position or be turned
down as may be desired. This we have illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, in which 44,
is the rail, which is placed at each end of the bed, to serve as head or foot rail as
the case may be. In this case the sliding rod 35, is carried in slot holes 41º, in
the end pillars 31, 31°, and engages again with holes in the pillars 36 (but at
right angles to those for rod 35) and slot in fixed pillar 39", which latter, is rigidly
secured to the bed end 14. The hinge joint of the rail is formed at 45. In
Fig. 8, it will be seen that the rod 35", has been drawn clear of the pillars 36
and 39, and with the rail 44 folded down, while in Fig. 9 these are again turned
up and bolted ready for use. It will also be clear that the modified arrangement
of vertical movement of the rod 35, and springs 43, as described in reference to
Figs. 1 and 2, will be equally applicable to these head and foot rails, with the
slight similar modifications to the holes in the pillars 36.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is ;-
1. Carrying a folding or turn up berth frame, by means of the combination with
the said frame having the short arms 16, at each end, and projection or rail 15,
of the tubular 19, having the seating 20, and supporting ends 28 and 29, and
pivoted depending bar 26, with bracket 17, arranged and operating substantially
as set forth and shown.
2. The combination with the ships' berth frame, ends 16, bracket 17, bar 26,
tumbler 19, with end 28, of the hinged projection 25; substantially as set forth
and shown.

page_text: 3. In ships' berths, the combination with the lee rail 30, slidingly carried
upon the bedside 12, of the sliding bolt 35, carried in slot holes 41, formed upon
the said lee rail, and accommodated with bolt holes 37, in pillars 36, and open
slot 40, in fixed pillar 39, all substantially as set forth and shown upon the draw-
ings in Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4.
4. In ships berth the locking of the head and foot rails in their turned up
position by means of the sliding bolt 35", carried in slot holes 41" in combination
with fixed pillar 39", and pillar 36, adapted to receive its one end, all substantially
as set forth and shown in Figs. 8 and 9.
5. In ships' berths the locking of the lee rail, the head and foot rails, by means
of the modified combination with such rails of the bolt rods 35, 35", carried in
their respective vertical slot holes, with upwardly open slots in the end and
central fixed pillars and downwardly held by springs 43, substantially as set
forth and shown.
Dated this 11th day of Novel 1800
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent,
158, Edmund Street, Birmingham.