Improvements in Combined Seats and Folding Berths.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1894-Accepted, 26th Jan., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Seats and Folding Berths.
I, PETER FRASER, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at
Whitman, in the County of Plymouth, Cominonwealth of Massachusetts, United
States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my 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 particularly to improvements in that class of folding
berths used more especially in sleeping cars, steam boat saloons, etc., wherein it is
desirable to either convert the berths into seats for use during the day or to
permit of the space occupied by the berths when open being utilized for such
purpose.
In sleeping cars, it is especially desirable that as little room as possible should
be occupied by the folded berths, and at the same time, it is quite essential that
the weight should be brought as low as possible in order to overcome the tendency
of the cars to become top heavy when the berths are folded. In devising my
present structure, I have had these objects in view and further, I have aimed to
produce a structure capable of use in any situation, irrespective of the particular
shape of the compartment in which it is to be located, thus for instance, berths may
be arranged along each side of a central-line in a saloon or car for instance and
when extended will leave aisles at each side and when folded, form seats for the
passengers or which will permit of the berths being arranged at each side of a car
in such manner that when folded, they will occupy the space near the outer walls
and below the level of the windows.
With these objects in view, the invention censists in certain novel details of
construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be now
described and pointed out particularly in the appended claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folded berth arranged to form a longitudinal
settee when folded.
Figure 2 is a similar view with the berths extended.
Figure 3 is a section taken through immediately behind one of the end frames
with the parts in their folded position.
Figure 4 is a similar view with the berths extended and the upper berth.omitted
or formed into a stationary enclosure for the reception of clothing etc.
Figure 6 is a top plan view with the berths folded and with the seats arranged
at right angles to the length of the berth.
Figure 7 is a detail of the rear seat support.
Like letter of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.
In illustrating this invention, I have shown it entirely separated from any
surroundings, such as the car walls or other compartment, and have illustrated it as
though provided with a metallic framing in which the guide slots or slot bearings
are formed as will presently appear, but it will be understood that this framing may
constitute a part of the car walls, seat framing, etc., of a car such as is now
ordinarily employed and the guide slots be formed by suitable plates attached
thereto, or if desired directly therein in any ordinary manner.
-
The letter A indicates the side frames or more properly, end frames, of the
structure, which may if desired, constitute the arms and ends of the settee where

page_text: the same is longitudinal of the berths or the backs of the settees or sents where
transverse to the lengths of the berths as in Figure 6, as well as form the enclosure
for the mechanical parts of the structure when folded.
The particular configuration of this framing is quite immaterial and may be
varied as before iudicated or to suit the exigencies of the case or fancy of the
manufacturer.
•
In the ordinary and preferred form of the invention provision is made for two
berths, i.e., an upper and a lower berth, which arrangement is quite essential to
enable the full carrying capacity of a car to be utilized and in providing for two
berths, the lower one is as usual made somewhat wider than the upper one and
hence when folded should occupy the outside to conceal all the parts which
constitute the operative mechanism and present a regular and pleasing effect.
Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 3, it will be seen that the lower
berth, lettered B, is arranged to be folded up in vertical position, and has its lower
side upholstered to form the back of the settee, shown in Figure 1 and the upper
berth C is arranged to fold with the mattress side facing the mattress side of the
lower berth and parallel therewith, but next to the rear or wall side of the
structure, the berths being held in this position by a suitable catch, such as D or
otherwise.
The lower berth and settee back is provided with two journals or supports, one
formed by a rod or shaft E connected to its lower or front side and having anti-
friction rollers on its end working in an angle slot bearing E' in the walls of the
frame, and the other formed by a similar shaft or trunnion bearings F, secured to
the berth frame at or near the lower or rear side at each end and having anti-
friction rollers thereon working in backwardly curved or inclined slot bearings Fi
terminating at the rear ends in depressions F in which the anti-friction rollers are
seated when the berth is turned down to the position shown in Figures 2 and 4 to
prevent any possible depression of its rear side.
The journals E, which I shall for convenience in distinguishing them and because
they do in some measure form a lever of the berth frame, term lever journals, while
the rear journals F, I shall term hinge journals. The action when the berth is
turned down is for it first to hinge on the journals F until the journals E strike the
horizontal portion or bearing proper of its slot bearing, when said journal E, acting
as a center on which the berth frame pivots, causes the rear end of said berth
frame to be elevated and the journals F travelling up in the inclined slot bearings
will cause the whole berth to move rearwardly until a position is reached where a
slight push will set journals F in the depressions F' and bring the rear edge of the
berth in juxtaposition to the wall.
By arranging these parts as thus described, two additional advantages are
secured, first, and most important, as the berth is folded up, its rear or lower edge
is dropped down to approximately the level of the floor, in order to bring its upper
edge below the level of a window of ordinary height, and secondly, is brought
forward to leave sufficient room behind it for the reception of an upper berth, and
when opened, out, it moves back against the side wall as before stated, thereby
leaving a wider aisle and closing the space which would otherwise be left between
the rear edge of the berth and side wall.
To support the front edge of the berth when unfolded, suitable pendulent legs G
are hinged to its upper or forward edge, and if desired, connected by a cross bar g,
as shown.
The upper berth C is somewhat narrower than the lower berth and is folded
relatively in an opposite direction from the lower berth, that is to say, its rear edge
is uppermost when folded and is supported by trunnion bearings H working in
slots H' in the framing and connected by supporting links I with the trunnion
bearings on the rear or lower edge of the lower berth, thus the rear edges of both
berths are maintained at the same distance apart and the upper berth is accordingly
lowered as the lower berth is folded up, until its upper and rear edge lies sub-
stantially flush with the outer or forward and upper edge of the lower berth when

page_text: folded, and at the same time as the lower berth is turned down, it will raise the
rear edge of the upper berth giving a sufficient clearance or head space in the
lower berth, and further enabling a most important advantage to be secured in that
in an ordinary sleeping car, the upper berth by being raised from below will not
close the upper portion of the window and hence light and air may be admitted to
the upper berth as well as the lower berth, a desideratum, which will be highly
appreciated by those who have from necessity been obliged to occupy an upper
berth in an ordinary sleeper during warm weather.
The lower and forward edge of the upper berth is supported in horizontal
position when unfolded by means of folding arms or supports K, pivotally
connected to the lower berth near the front, and having notches or recesses & in
their upper end adapted to cooperate with projections or trunnions K¹ on the upper
berth near the forward edge, as shown clearly in Figure 2.
Inasmuch as it is desirable that the lower berth when unfolded shall occupy a
position at least as low as the ordinary seats, it becomes necessary to make
provision for lowering or getting the seats or seat, as the case may be, out of the
way, and for this purpose I preferably connect the rear end of rear portion of the
sents to the lever journals of the lower berth by link connections M pivotally
connected to the seats by bearings M' a short distance from the rear edges, the
forward or outer edges of the seats are supported by the framing or projections on
the framing in the ordinary well known manner. With this arrangement, the
edges of the seats nearest the lower berth will abut against the same, and hence as
they cannot move further towards the rear, and cannot move downward because of
the link connections, will be rigidly supported in place against any downward
pressure, but at the same time when the forward edge is raised, the whole seat
structure will readily fold in to the position shown in the dotted lines, Figure 3,
entirely removing it from interference with the berth as the latter is folded
down.
It will be observed that as the lower berth is turned down from folded into open
position, the bearings E will first come to rest at the bottom of the slots E¹ and
acting as the pivot for the berth, by pressing down on the forward edge of the
berth, the rear edge is raised and the bearings. F are caused to travel the inclined
slot bearings F to the position said bearings are to occupy when the berth is in
proper horizontal position. The leverage thus obtained through the employment
of the lever bearings E, materially reduces the labor of unfolding the berths and
enables the rear and upper berth to be raised with the greatest facility and further
through this arrangement and connection with the upper berth, the weight of the
upper berth acts as a counterbalance weight when the berths are being folded and
enables the front edge of the lower berth to be raised with little or no effort to the
folded position.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 6, the seats are located at right angles to
the length of the berth, which arrangement is more especially desirable in car
structures, but the operating mechanism is identical save that the hinged forward
supporting legs for the lower berth are dispensed with and lugs O provided on the
frame for supporting the forward edge of said berth.
In order to support the seat structure in position against the under side of the
berth a spring N, Figure 7, is preferably employed.
In Figure 5, instead of providing an upper berth, a simple framing P is provided
which normally stands in vertical position and against which the lower berth is
folded being adapted for the reception of clothing or other articles which the
traveller may desire to deposit therein. This enables me to provide a closed closet
for the reception of articles during the day and a closet which is open to the
occupant of the berth during the night. Suitable curtains P' may be hung across
the frame P, if desired, to enclose the same at night.
In manufacturing this structure, it is my purpose to use metallic parts as far
as possible and to this end, the berths, as shown in Figure 2, are formed by
metal frames C and sheet metal bottons C³, in which the mattress and springs

page_text: of ordinary construction may be placed, the, berths in effect, being metallic pan-
like receptacles for the mattress, thus not only is the structure rendered
substantially fire-proof, but it is, conducive to cleanliness and may be made to
occupy very much less space than has heretofore been deemed necessary.
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. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having the upwardly
and rearwardly inclined slot bearings, of the berth having pivot journals or
supports resting in said slot bearings, the lever journals forward of said first
mentioned journals cooperating with the frame and forming a lever pivot for
the berth, as it is turned down whereby the first mentioned journals are caused
to travel in their slot bearing and move the berth rearwardly; substantially as
described.
2. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having the upwardly
and rearwardly inclined slot bearings, of the berth having the journals working
in said bearings, whereby its rear edge may be guided from a lower position to
a higher and more rearward position and the lever journals on the berth forward
of, said first mentioned journals with horizontal bearings on the frame for
cooperation therewith,.. whereby as the berth is turned down to horizontal
position, the lever journals cooperating with the horizontal bearings will cause
the rear journals to traverse the slot bearings and move the berth towards the
rear.; substantially as described.
3. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having the upwardly
and rearwardly inclined slot bearings, terminating in seats at the upper end of the
folding berth, having the pivoted journal supports at the rear edge working in said
inclined slot bearings and cooperating with the seats at the upper end of the same
to support the rear edge of the berth with means for supporting the front edge of
the berth; substantially as described.
4. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having bearings for the
lever. journals, of the lower berth having lever journals at an intermediate point
cooperating with said bearings, a movable upper berth having means for supporting
its forward edge, and link connections between its rear side and the rear side of the
lower, berth in rear of the lever journals, whereby the upper berth operates as a
counterweight for the front of the lower berth and whereby the upper berth: is
elevated to the proper level as the lower berth is turned down into horizontal
position; substantially as described.
5., In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having bearings for the
lever journals, the lower berth and lever journals thereon at an intermediate point
cooperating with said bearings, of the upwardly extending links connected to the
berth in rear of the lever journals, the upper berth pivotally connected with the
upper ends of said links to swing down into vertical position and ineans for
supporting the front edge of the berths when in horizontal position; substantially
as described.
6. In a folding, berth, the combination with the framing having the bearings for
the lever journals and vertical guide bearings for the rear edge of the upper berth,
the lower berth and lever journals secured thereon at an intermediate point and
cooperating with the bearing on the frame, of the links connected to the lower
berth in rear of the lever journals, the upper berth guided in its vertical movements
by the guide bearings in the frame and pivotally supported on the upper ends of
the links and means for supporting the front. edges of the berths in horizontal
position; substantially as described..
7. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing and, lower berth having
the lever journals at an intermediate point cooperating with horizontal bearings in
the framing, of the seat and the links pivotally connecting said seat and lever
journals, whereby said seat: may be folded against the forward and underside of

page_text: the berth as the latter. is turned down to horizontal position, with means for
supporting said berth in horizontal position; substantially as described.
8. In a folding berth, the combination with the frame having the horizontal
bearings, for the lever journals and the upwardly and rearwardly inclined bearings,
as described, the lower berth having the journals cooperating with both said sets
of bearings, of the links pivotally connected to the rear portion of the berth, the
upper berth pivotally connected to the upper end of said links and guided by the
framing and the pivoted supports for connecting the forward portions of the berth;
substantially as described.
9. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having the horizontal
bearings for the lever journals and the upwardly and rearwardly inclined bearings
terminating in a seat at the rear end for the pivot journals, of the lower berth
having the intermediate and rear journals, as described, cooperating with said
bearings and seats, respectively, the upwardly extending links pivoted to the rear
portion of the lower berth, the upper berth pivotally supported at the rear portion
on the upper ends of said links and guided by the framing, whereby it may swing
down between the links into vertical position and the arms pivotally connected to
the front portion of the lower berth and cooperating with projections on the front
of the upper berth to support the latter; substantially as described.
10. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing having the horizontal
and upwardly and rearwardly inclined bearings at the bottom, as described, and the
vertical guide bearings at the top of the lower berth having the intermediate and
rear journals cooperating with said bearings, the upwardly extending links, the
upper berth having the journals connected with said links and extended into the
vertical guide bearings, the support for the front edge of the lower berth and
the folding supports for connecting the front elges of the upper and lower berths ;
substantially as described.
11. In a folding berth, the combination with the framing and the lower berth
pivotally connected with and bodily movable with relation to said framing, of the
upper berth, guided by the framing, link connections between the rear edges of
said berths and folding supports for their forward edges; substantially as
described.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.