Improvements in or Additions to Ships' and other Berths and Furniture.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 1st Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Additions to Ships' and other Berths and
Furniture.
I, WILLIAM PARISH HOSKINS, of Upper Trinity Street, Bordesley, in the
City of Birmingham, Ships' Berth Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to berths or furniture used in confined places or limited
paces, such for example as articles of furniture employed in cabins on board a
ship, in prisons, in railway carriages and the like, although my said improvements
are applicable to articles of furniture where the places or spaces are not confined
or limited such as in dormitories, workhouses, hospitals and the like.
The primary object of my invention is a convertible article of furniture, or an
article of furniture capable of being changed from one thing to another, such as a
ship's berth into a settee, couch, lounge, table, or back or sloping back to a couch,
settee or the like, or the said berth or article of furniture may be folded or
turned up or turned down out of the way, when the space of a cabin, or the space
occupied by the berth or article of furniture is required to be used for another
purpose.
Moreover, the said article of furniture, besides having a folding action, has also
a rotatory one, thus admitting of both sides of the said article of furniture being
utilized, whilst at the same time it is capable of being folded, or the plane of the
same variously changed.
Thus, a berth may be converted into a settee or lounge by revolving the same
upon pivots or trunnion centres disposed upon each side and the middle of the
framing of the said article, or the berth may have its outer side tilted upwards
or slightly elevated for keeping passengers more snug in their berths in rough
weather.
Or the settee side of the article may be made to constitute an upholstered panel
when vertical, and a back rest to a lower settee when the said articles of furniture
are arranged two high.
In carrying out one form of my invention, in connection with a combined berth
and settee, I provide each of the two opposite ends or sides of the framing of the
said article with three equidistant (or other) arranged pivot, trunnion or rest
centres or studs, and with the middle ones thereof disposed preferably at the
centre of the said framing, and about which the said combined article of furniture
revolves or rotates when being converted from one article of furniture to another,
viz., from a berth or bed to a settee or couch.
Now these said pivot centres or studs engage or take within races, channels or
guides, and also within bearing pockets, and each set of which channels, races,
guides or pockets are carried by or formed within a combined bracket, plate or
quivalent, or by separate brackets, plates or equivalents, preferably affixed to
the bulkheads or sides of a cabin, although the same may if necessary be carried
by four-post pillars, uprights, frames or the like.
Some of these channels are of a double order, and open at their meeting ends,
and closed at their other ends.
Others are of a pocket order, and are open at top to nearly the whole of their
lengths, whilst the bracket pockets are open at their tops, and adinit of the studs
or trunnions which take within them making only a vertical movement.

page_text: Thus, the channels or races and also the bracket pockets disposed at each end or
side of the berth framing are three in number, viz., an inner dual race, a middle
pocket-ended race, and an outer bracket pocket.
The inner dual race consists of two guides or channels, one obliquely disposed to
the other, and making the one with the other a figure alike unto the letter V, and
with the meeting entrances of the said guides or channels left open, and preferably
made with leads, whilst their other ends, which come adjacent to the inner end of
the bracket are closed.
The one guide or channel, which I will hereafter call the upper guide or channel,
is disposed horizontally, whilst the other guide, with its mouth presented to the
mouth of the upper guide, is directed obliquely backwards and downwards, and
with the closed ends of the said guide channels coming adjacent to the inner end
of the bracket, so that the open end or mouth of this said dual race is presented
forward.
The middle pocket-ended race has the primary part of the same directed
downwards and forwards, and with the inner end being pocketed and the other end
enclosed, but disposed at a lower plane than the pocket as aforesaid. This said
middle channel or race is clear or open at top, other than at the forward end, or
that end which dips downwards.
The forward and bracket-pocket consists of an open-topped bearing, into which
one of the end pivots, trunnions or stops drop when the article of furniture is
required to be supported and held horizontally.
Now the horizontal top channel of the inner double race, the top pocket of the
middle race, and the bearing of the front bracket are lignable, or are preferably
disposed in a like or the same horizontal plane.
Assuming that the upper side of the article of furniture is a berth or bed
bottom, and the underside a settee, couch or upholstered surface and assuming that
the inner studs are at the ends of the top channels of the inner races, the middle
studs within the top pockets of the middle races, and the outer studs within the
seatings of the pocketed brackets, and when in this position the said framing is
disposed horizontally and is perfectly stable, without any tendency to rock or shift
its position, and is used as a berth or bed.
If the said article of furniture now requires to be converted from a berth to a
settee or seat, then the front of the combined article is lifted (with the inner studs
forming pivots upon which the said berth turns, and with the ends of the channels
of the races forming the fulcra for the pivots or studs to turn upon,) until the
middle studs have been taken from and become clear of the top pockets of the
middle races, and the outer studs clear of the outer bearing pockets. Now pull
bodily forward the combined article, when the middle studs will run down the
channels of the middle races until the same come to the closed bottoms thereof, and
when in this position, the inner studs have been drawn through the whole length
of the upper channels of the inner races, and are clear of their mouth entrances,
whilst the front studs are brought forward and clear of the bearing or rest
pockets.
Now turn or revolve the said combined article upon the middle pivots or studs
as centres of motion, until the settee side has been brought uppermost, and when
in this position, the outer pivots or studs, which have now become the inner ones,
are opposite the top channels of the inuer dual races, and the inner studs (now the
outer ones) are clear of the rest pockets.
Now bodily transport the said combined article backwards, when the pivots or
studs coming inwards are traversed along and up the top channels of the inner
races, and the middle pivots or studs are traversed up the inclines of the middle
races, until the same come opposite to the top pockets of the said races thereby
tilting and bringing the central pivots or studs above the planes of the upper
pockets of the middle races, and the outer pivots above and clear of the rest
pockets.
By now dropping the combined article, both the centre pivots and outer studs

page_text: fall and take and rest within the pockets as aforesaid, hence the supporting and
holding of the combined article in a rigid condition and with the settee side at top
or horizontal and uppermost.
Now supposing that the combined article requires to be folded or turned up as a
turn-up berth, then fully tilt the said article upon the now inner pivots or studs as
centres, and with the same resting at the bottoms of the inner ends of the top
channels of the inuer races as fulcra.
To transpose the said combined article so as to make an inclined back or back
rest, and with the settee side to be presented outwards, turn the said combined
article downwards until the same approaches a nearly horizontal plane, but with the
forward and middle pivots or studs clear of their brackets and races.
Then draw bodily forward the combined article, until the inner pivots or studs
come opposite to the entrances of the oblique and back-running channels of the
inner races.
Then push the said combined article backwards, when the inner
pivots or studs of the same will slide down the oblique channel as aforesaid, and
on the said pivots or studs coming at the closed ends of the same, the whole of the
other pivots or studs are clear of their races or rests, when by loosening the berth
the whole swings or depends obliquely downwards, with the inner pivots as the
centres, and the ends of the channels as aforesaid their fulcra or bearings.
Now assuming that the front of the berth requires to be canted, or outer side of
the framing to be higher than the inner, and prevent persons being thrown too
much forward or against the lee-rail in rough weather, the combined article or
berth and settee is placed in its former position, then the same is drawn forward
and lifted, the central studs placed within the upper pockets of the middle races,
and the inner studs in the oblique channels of the inner races, hence the rigid
affixing of the same by two pivots, rests, stops or studs.
When the settee side is in the position of an inclined back rest, I propose that
the settee portion of a lower berth should be presented uppermost.
When as a couch, the backrest part may be removed, and a rising and falling
head or pillow part substituted therefor.
Instead of the said combined article being turned or folded up, it may be turned
or folded down on the same principle.
My said improvements may be applied to cabins fitted with a series of combined
articles or berths, and the whole of the turn-up or turn-down and turn-over or
swing-about combined articles may be folded up or down in front of or partly in
front of each other on the airing, dusting or cleaning the cabin.
I propose to provide the berths or combined articles with lee-rails having
compound sections as described and represented in Figures 12 and 13 of the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 16967 of 1889 as hereafter mentioned, which
consists of a lee-rail, having its lower end connected to an inward part of the
berth framing by parallel and jointed links, so as to admit of the said lee-railing
having a swinging and turn-over action, and to come away from the fore part of
the berth framing to which the same is attached when in its normal or using
position.
Such links may be jointed to the bottoni, top, or intermediate part of a lee
framing.
The lee-rail may be affixed in its using position by dropping portions of the
same into rest brackets, and when out of use and flat on the bed of a berth the
same may be there held by hooking devices or otherwise.
Or the lee may be affixed erect by the lower part of the same dropping within
open-topped socket brackets.
To keep the bedding, bed-clothes and cushions from dropping off the berth or
from the settee side when one or other is turned undernost, I may provide the
framing of the said combined articles with boundary framings or rods, which may
be so constructed as to turn over hingewise, and so confine the said bedding,
bedclothes and cushions.
Instead of the pivots being carried by the framing of the combined berth and

page_text: settee, they may be carried by the bulkheads, and the races and rests by the said
framing.
As a further form of my invention, a combined berth and settee, with a turn-
over action may be constructed, mounted, fitted and provided as follows:-
I provide the two opposite sides of the framing of a combined article with
centrally disposed pivots or centres, and situated also upon the said sides, and near
the ends thereof are studs, adapted to take within pockets or open-sided brackets,
situated upon or carried by plates or the like carried upon the bulkheads opposite
the said sides.
The central pivots take within horizontal plain or gapped slots or channels
carried by brackets affixed to the bulkheads or cabin walls.
Now assuming that the article is being used as a berth and requires to be
couverted into a settee, bodily pull forward the article by making the central
pivots slide rearwards within the slots, and with the outer studs drawn from out.
and clear of the back end brackets with which they have been used.
Now revolve the combined articles upon the centre pivots, and when the settee
side has been turned uppermost, then bodily push back horizontally the combined
article, when the pivot centres will be sliding partly up the bearing slots, and the
outer studs or bearings passed into the brackets or open sided pockets, hence the
rigid affixing of the said turn-over combined article, with the settee side uppermost,
in a horizontal position.
Assuming the said article requires to be canted or tilted, then two or more studs
upon each side will require to be employed, or two or more bracket pockets with
single studs.
As a further form of my invention, the said turn-over berth with settee may be
arranged, and provided with teeth, projections or like expedients fitted to the inner
side or inner edge of the berth framing, and also to the outer side, and adapted to
engage within recesses or between teeth carried by the bulkheads, or by brackets
on, at or near the bulkheads.
By sliding the berth forward, the locking or fixing expedients are brought clear
of the brackets on the bulkheads, when the same can be rotated or revolved, and
then by pushing the said article backwards the whole become rigidly locked, and
if necessary be there secured by additional locking means.
may
The slots wherein the central pivots work may have pocket bearings, and so may
the channels or openings of the brackets, so that the berth cannot be slid forwards
without being first slightly lifted or turned or prized upwards.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details
herein described with reference to the pockets or races, as I may vary the
positions and shapes of the said races and bearings for guiding and locking without
departing from the nature and object of my invention.
In applying my invention to a table, side-board or rest upon which articles of
food can be served, or for other uses I substitute for a settee or for a berth as the
case may be, a flat board, which may be a permanent part of the article in
question, or it may be an addition, and be fitted thereto by either sliding the same
into position or hinging the same to the framing.
My said invention is an improvement upon Letters Patent granted to me and
bearing date the 13th day of July 1887 No. 9827 and the 28th day of October 1889
No. 16967.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1893.

page_text: Improvements in or Additions to Ships' and other Berths and
Furniture.
I, WILLIAM PARISH HOSKINS, of Upper Trinity Street, Bordesley, in the
City of Birmingham, Ships' Berth 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:-
My invention relates to berths or furniture used in confined places or limited
spaces, such for example as articles of furniture used in cabins on board ship, in
prisons, and in railway carriages and the like, although my said improvements are
applicable to articles of furniture where the places or spaces are not confined or
limited, such as in dormitories, workhouses, hospitals and the like, and which
said invention is an improvement upon former Letters Patent granted to me and
bearing date the 13th day of July 1887 No. 9827 and the 28th day of October
1889 No. 16967.
The primary object of my invention is a convertible article of furniture, or an
article of furniture capable of being changed from one thing to another, such as
a ships berth into a settee, couch, lounge, table, or back or sloping back to a couch,
settee or the like, or the said berth or article of furniture may be folded or turned
up or turned down out of the way, when the space of a cabin, or the space
occupied by the berth or article of furniture, is required to be used for another
purpose.
Moreover, the said article of furniture, besides having a folding action, has
also a rotatory one, thus admitting of both sides of the said article of furniture
being utilized, whilst at the same time it is capable of being folded, or the plane
of the same variously changed.
Thus, a berth may be converted into a settee or lounge by revolving the same
upon pivots or trunnion centres, disposed upon the middles of the ends of the
framing of the said article, or the berth may have its outer side tilted upwards or
slightly elevated for keeping passengers more snug in their berths in rough
weather.
Or the settee side of the article may be made to constitute an upholstered panel,
when vertical, and a back rest to a lower settee, when the said articles of furniture
are arranged two-high.
In carrying out one form of my invention, in connection with a combined berth
and settee, I provide each of the two opposite ends or sides of the framing of the
said article with three equidistant (or other) arranged pivot, trunnion or rest
centres or studs, with the middle ones thereof disposed preferably at the centre of
the said framing, and about which the said combined article of furniture revolves
or rotates, when being converted from one article of furniture to another, viz., fron
a berth or bed to a settee or couch or vice versa.
Now these said pivot centres or studs engage or take within races, channels or
guides, and also within bearing pockets, each set of which channels, races, guides
or pockets are carried by, or formed within, a combined bracket, plate or equivalent,
or by separate brackets, plates or equivalents, preferably affixed to the bulkheads or
sides of a cabin, although the same way, if necessary, be carried by four-post
pillars, uprights, frames, standards or the like.
Some of these channels are of a double order, and open at their meeting ends,
and closed at their other ends.
Others are of a pocket order, and are open at top to nearly the whole of their
lengths, whilst the bracket pockets are open at their tops, and admit of the studs
or trunnions which take within them making only a vertical movement.

page_text: Thus, the channels or races, and also the bracket pockets, disposed at each end
or side of the berth framing are three in number, viz., an inner dual race, a middle
pocket-ended race, and an outer bracket pocket.
The inner dual race consists of two guides or channels, one obliquely disposed
to the other, and making the one with the other a figure alike unto the letter V,
and with the meeting entrances of the said guides or channels left open, and
preferably made with leads, whilst their other ends, which come adjacent to the
inner end of the bracket, are closed.
The one guide or channel which I will hereafter call the upper guide or channel
is disposed horizontally, whilst the other guide, with its mouth presented to the
mouth of the upper guide is directed obliquely backwards and downwards, and
with the closed ends of the said guide channels coming adjacent to the inner
end of the bracket, so that the open end or mouth of this said dual race is presented
forward.
The middle pocket-ended, race has the primary part of the same directed down-
wards and forwards, and with the inner end being pocketed and the other end
enclosed, but disposed at a lower plane than the pocket as aforesaid. This said
middle channel or race may be clear or open at top, other than at the forward end,
or that end which dips downwards.
The forward and bracket-pocket consists of an open-topped bearing, into which
one of the end pivots trunnions or stops drop when the article of furniture is
required to be supported and held horizontally.
Now the horizontal top channel of the inner double race, the top pocket of the
middle race, and the bearing of the front bracket are lignable, or are preferably
disposed in a like or the same horizontal plane.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in perspective the framing
and supporting parts of a convertible sofa-berth, without the lee-rail, and with the
bed and upholstery parts removed, and being constructed and arranged according
to one form of my invention.
Figure 2 represents upon an enlarged scale, a topside plan of the same, showing
the dispositions of the brackets, and the roller pivots resting upon and coming
within the outstanding seatings of the said bracket. The right hand side of the
sofa-berth is shown partly in section, whilst the left hand side is shown partly in
elevation.
Figure 3 represents, partly in section and partly in elevation, a pair of sofa-berths
disposed one above another.
In this view, the bedding is shown upon the upper side, and the upholstery is
upon the underside, and when in this position, the said combined articles of furniture
are used as berths.
Figure represents an inside elevation of one of the supporting brackets
separately.
Figure 5 is an edge view of the top of the bracket.
Figure 6 represents a topside edge view of one of the ends of the sofa-berth
framing separately.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of Figure 6.
Figure 8 represents the sofa-berth in the act of being placed into a position
suitable for the folding or stowing away, as shown by the ordinary dotted lines 1,
whilst the chain dotted lines 2, represent the position which the sofa-berth takes
prior to the same being converted into a sofa. In this view, the lee rail is shown
folded upon the top of the bed so as to be out of the way.
'
Figure 9 represents the pair of berths, Figure 3, converted into a settec, with
the sofa sides of them respectively presented outwardly and uppermost. The one
sofa side forms a back rest, whilst the sofa side of the lower sofa-berth forms a
seat, and in each instance it will be observed that the lee-rail is folded out of the
way at the back of the article.
Figure 10 represents a bracket suitable to be affixed in a middle position within
a cabin, or otherwise to the bulkheads adjacent to the skin of a ship.

page_text: In Figures 1 to 9, a is a rectangular shaped framing, having an outer or front
side a', and an inner side a², with ends a³, each being provided with rest trunnions
or roller pivots 1,2,3, standing outwardly from the outer sides a*, of the said
ends a. These roller pivots or rest trunnions 1, 2, 3, are disposed at distances
from the terminations of the ends, and either take or seat themselves within
concaved cutstanding seatings or pockets, c, d, e, of supporting brackets f
connected through the pivots to the two opposite sides of the berth framing, and
respectively affixed to the bulkheads or cabin walls g, of a berth. The rest
seating e, of each side is simply a semi-circular outstanding flange or open-topped
pocket, whilst the pocket d, which has a race d', and a fulcrum seating 2, is of
such a depth that it is normally clear of the roller pivot 3, so that the frame is
supported at each side by the end pivots b', 2, and the pivot has only the
function of a turning pivot, when the framing of the sofa-berth has been shifted
forward, so as to bring the said pivot onto the fulcrum seating d².
The seating or pocket e, has a race e', and a fulcrum seating or pocket ², within
which latter, the rest trunnion or roller pivot 2, takes, and therein turns, when the
berth is folded or stowed away, as hereinafter described.
In the lee rail, which comes upon the front side a of the framing, is a full-
length lee-framing, consisting of connected-together bars, with the ends of the rail
mounted upon cranked arms ', inwardly pivoted at h³, to the ends a³, of the
framing a, and with the fore parts of them formed with shoulders ³, which
take their bearings upon the top-side of the front rail a'. The said lec rail
may be normally kept in its fencing-in position by gravity, although the same may
be kept in its fencing-in position by screw pins h, or by cottars or other means.
is the berth side of the combined article of furniture, having upon it,
ordinary bedding resting upon a woven wire or other bottom (see Figure 2)
and is the sofa or settee side, which may be upholstered in plush or otherwise as
may be desired.
It will be seen that the roller studs or pins 63, when in their normal positions
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are suspended within the pocket-like recesses d³, that is, there
is a clearance or gap between the bottoms of the pockets and the undersides of
the studs, so that the brackets preferably rest upon the end pivots only.
OPERATION.
Assuming that the sofa-berth is in a position as in Figures 1, 2 and 3, which
represent the article in use as a berth or bed, and that the same requires to be
reversed and converted into a sofa or lounge, the lee rail is turned down upon the
top of the bed as in Figure 8 and then the front part of the framing is taken hold
of and bodily lifted, and the berth tilted, so that the frame turns upon the rest
trunnions or roller pivots 62, within the end bearings or pockets e, as the fulcra, and
the roller pivots 1, 3, are brought clear of the pockets and d, and then, when
thus slightly elevated pull it bodily forward taking the trunnion pivots 62, out of
the pockets e, and through the mouths e³.
Now allowing the front of the sofa-berth to slightly fall and by continuing the
pull, the said turning pivots 3, slide down the races d', into the fulcrum pockets d²,
at the ends of them, when the sofa berth is in the position represented by the
chain-dotted lines 2 in Figure 8, and when in this position, the pivots 1, 2, are
clear of the rest seatings or pockets e and e, and the sofa-berth can now be freely
rotated or turned about the pivots 3, as centres, and when the settee side k has
been brought uppermost, then the movable article is pushed bodily backwards, and
at the same time the front is slightly raised, when the roller pivots b², pass inwardly
through the mouths ea, into the seatings or pockets e, and when the sofa berth has
been fully pushed home to the ends of the said pockets e, the front of the article
is dropped and the roller pivots b, take into and rest within the seatings e, hence
the supporting of the sofa-berth with the sofa side uppermost.
In converting the article again into a berth the same operation as described
would be repeated.

page_text: To fold up or stow away the sofa-berth from the position represented in
Figures 1, 2 and 3, first turn over the lee rail /, upon the bedding i, then slightly
lift the front of the sofa-berth and pull the same forward, until the roller studs ²,
come opposite to the mouths et, of the races el, of the pockets or recesses e, as
in the full lines in Figure 8. Now allow the sofa-berth to slide or run back
full home, and when the roller pivots 3, are within the end seatings, then
fold the berth up into the position represented by the dotted lines marked 1 in
Figure 8.
To convert the pair of two-high sofa-berths Figure 3 into a settee with back-
rest, turn the sofa sides uppermost as before, then place the upper sofa-berth in a
position for folding but instead of folding up, let the same fold down, when the
said upper sofa berth assumes the position as in Figure 9, and forms the back rest
to the couch or settec.
Now assuming that the front of the berth requires to be canted, or outer side
of the framing to be higher than the inner, to prevent persons being thrown too
much forward or against the lee-rail in rough weather, the combined article or
berth and settee is placed in its normal or horizontal position, then the same is
lifted and drawn forward and the central studs, are taken into the bottoms of
the pockets or gaps d; of the middle races d' and the inner studs 6, into the
oblique channels e, of the inner races e, hence the rigid affixing of the same by
two pivots, rests, stops or studs, as represented in Figure 11.
When the settee side is in the position of an inclined back rest, I propose that
the settee portion of a lower berth should be presented uppermost.
When as a couch, the backrest part may be removed, and a rising and falling
head or pillow part substituted therefor.
Figure 12 represents a diagramatic section of a berth, or a combined berth
and settee, having a rising and falling head or pillow, and Figure 13 is a plan of
the same.
ais berth framing, the end supporting brackets, is the body of the mesh,
the head part thereof, carried by a supplementary and rising and falling frame,
jointed at, to the framing a, aud with the said framing laterally stayed by a
set-down stretcher j
The framing, may be clamped or affixed in any position by a cross-cottar, bolt
or other suitable means.
The dotted lines represent the position which the pillow portion of the mattress
takes when the supplementary framing part is turned down flat.
My said improvements may be applied to cabins fitted with a series of combined
articles or berths, and the whole of the turn-up or turn-down and turn-over or
swing-about combined articles may be folded up or down in front of or partly in
front of each other on the airing, dusting or cleaning the cabin.
Instead of attaching the brackets, to the sides or bulkheads of a cabin,
the same may be supported from standards or portable rests, as represented in
Figure 14.
a is the framing, the supporting brackets, m are the post supports, and m' are
the head or foot framings, constructed from laths or upright rods, as in the lower
berth, or in the form of a wood pauel, as in the upper berth, and which framings m³,
carry the supporting brackets f
In applying my invention to a table, side-board or rest upon which articles of
food can be served, or for other uses I substitute for a settee or for a berth as the
case may be, a flat board, which may be a permanent part of the article in question,
or it may be an addition, and be fitted thereto.
Figure 15 represents a combined article, such as last described.
a is a supporting framing, carried by brackets, and with one side fitted with a
table top, and the other side with bedding i. The mode of converting and
affixing is the same as already described with respect to a sofa-berth.
Instead of the studs or the roller studs being carried by the ends of the
framings, they may be carried by the supporting brackets attached to the bulkheads,

page_text: or to standards, and the races and rests may be attached to, or form a part of
the ends of the turn-over framing, carrying upon one side a bed and upon the
other side a settee.
Figure 16 represents the framing of such a combined article as last referred
to, and Figure 17 is a front view of one of the end brackets attached to the
bulkhead.
Figure 18 represents a topside plan of Figure 17, and Figure 19 is a topside
plan of one end of the framing of a berth or combined article.
In Figures 16 to 19, a is the framing, with sides a², and ends a³, each of the
latter carrying brackets,, with rest and turning inverted pockets c, d and e,
formed within them. The inverted pocket c, is a double crown or stop one with
double bearings c', c², and is adapted to cup over the stop stud or roller 6', whilst
the pocket d, has a turning bearing d², a race d', and a mouth d. The other
pocket e, has a turn-up and turn-down bearing e², a race e', a bearing race e', and a
mouth e³.
Assuming the parts to be in the positions represented in Figure 16, to convert
the berth from the bed side represented in dotted lines i, to the settee side
represented by the dotted lines k, the front or lee rail side 4, of the framing is
raised to a position with the inverted pocket c, clear of the end or roller studs b',
and with the said frame turning upon the inner end rollers or pivots 62, as fulcra,
and with the roller studs or pins, coming in front of the mouth d', of the
pocket d. By now drawing the framing of the combined article bodily forward,
the mouths, of the inverted pockets d, are taken over the roller studs 6³, and the
said mouths slid up to the bearing ends d, and at the same time, the pockets e, are
slid from off and clear of the studs 62, so that the combined article can now revolve
upon the centre pivots 63, with the parts, of the pockets d, as bearings.
To fix the framing in its converted position, with the settee k, uppermost, and
the bedding i, underneath, turn the same, and allow the framing to slightly fall,
then slide the said framing slightly forward, until the pockets e, pass over the
rollers, and the pockets d, leave the rollers d³, whilst the bearing pockets cl, of
the double crowns c, cup over the roller studs or pins 62, hence the affixing in a
horizontal position of the settee side of berth.
Assuming that it is required to stow away the berth, or to form a back to a
settee, and that the parts are in the positions represented in Figure 16, lift the
front 4, of the berth clear of the rollers'b', as aforesaid, push bodily rearwards
the frame, until the bearings e², of the pockets e, drop onto the studs 6², when the
pockets d, become clear of the studs 3. When in this last named position, the
berth or combined article can be turned up or down upon the studs b², as fulcra and
the studs e, as bearings.
As a further form of my invention, a combined berth and settee, with a turn-over
action may be constructed, mounted, fitted and provided as follows:
I provide the two opposite sides of the framing of a combined article with
centrally disposed pivots or centres, and situated also upon the said sides, and near
the ends thereof are studs, adapted to take within pockets or open sided brackets,
situated upon or carried by plates or the like carried upon the bulkheads opposite
the said sides.
The central pivots take within horizontal plain or gapped slots or channels carried
by brackets affixed to the bulkheads or standards.
Figure 20 represents a transverse vertical section, showing the end supports, and
one set of the rollered pivots on the frame.
Figure 21 represents a plan of the bracket supports on the bulkhead.
Figure 22 represents a topside plan of one of the ends of the framing of the
combined article.
In Figures 20 to 22, a is the framing, the supporting bracket, with open-sided
outside pockets c and e, and a middle open-topped pocket d, into which pockets,
which are carried upon the brackets at each end of the framing, roller studs or
pins b¹,63,6³, respectively take. The pockets c and e on each side are alike in
3.
B

page_text: construction, and have bearings c² and e¹, and entrances or open mouths e², c²,
whilst the pockets d, have open mouths d', bearing pockets d', races dª, and
clearance pockets d³.
Now assuming that the article is being used as a berth and requires to be
converted into a settee, bodily pull forward the article by making the central
pivots 6, slide forward within the pockets d, and with the outer studs drawn from
out and clear of the fore and back end brackets with which they have been
used.
Now revolve the combined articles upon the centre pivots 6³, within the sinkings
or bearings d, and when the settee side has been turned uppermost, then
bodily push back horizontally, the combined article, when the pivot centres will be
sliding partly up the bearing slots, and the outer studs or bearings passed into the
brackets or open sided pockets, hence the rigid affixing of the said turn-over
combined article, with the settee side uppermost, in a horizontal position.
Assuming the said article requires to be canted or tilted, then two or more studs
upon each side will require to be employed, or two or more bracket pockets with
single studs.
Figure 23 represents a still further form of mounting for berths and combined
articles of furniture such as described.
In this arrangement, the change of position, prior to reversing, is carried out
without lifting the framing, that is to say, the framing can be bodily traversed
without lifting, and the pivot turning studs taken into sunken seatings.
Thus, a is the framing, carrying pivots 1, 63, 63, and fare supporting brackets
located at each end of the combined article, and having extensions, supports or rest
brackets c, d and e.
In this form, the end rests are slightly inclined to keep the framing rigidly in
position, and the same may be there affixed by cross pins, cottars or the like taking
into the bulkhead, if carried by the framing, or into the framing, when carried by
the bulkhead, or by brackets carried by the bulkheads.
Figure 24 represents a further modified form of my invention, in which the
outstanding seatings or pockets are open topped and the turning pivots normally
locate themselves outside the fulcrum seatings.
is a bracket having outstanding and open-topped seatings with pockets c, d, e, e²
whilst each end a³ of the framing a has roller pivots or rest trunnions 61, 6², 6³, as
before.
Assuming now that the framing carries a bed upon one side i, and is upholstered
for a couch or sofa on the other side k, and assuming that the sofa berth requires
to be reversed or the bed side replaced by the couch, first lift the front of the sofa
berth into the position as represented in dotted lines, then draw the sofa berth
forward until the roller pivots, nearly enter the pocket seatings e of the bearings e.
This done, drop the frout of the sofa berth and tilt the inner end and run the
pivots 63, to the ends, of the races d; when in this position the roller pivots b', b,
are clear of the outstanding seating parts, when the sofa berth can be rotated or
turned round upon the pivots b³, as centres. When turned round or the settee side
brought uppermost, then push it backwards and drop the inner end roller studs 6,
into the bearing pockets e, and when pushed fully back and whilst still in a slightly
oblique position, the roller pivots ', can then be dropped into the seatings c.
When a back rest is to be made of the settee side of the convertible article, or
the berths are to be stowed away, then the pivots 62, are made to take into the
pockets and the sofa hangs down as in Figure 9, or folds up as represented by
the dotted lines 1, in Figure 8.
In Figure 25, the couch berth is capable of being made to extend itself forwardly
beyond its normal position, so that nearly the whole breadth of the settee side may
be utilized for sitting, lying or reclining upon. It will be seen that in the
illustration Figure 9 the seat space is limited hence the necessity for bringing the
said seat forward.
I
is a bracket with lower seatings or rests c, d, and e, which are practically

page_text: the same as those described in the first arrangement, whilst situated above these
said rests or seatings, are supplementary ones c, d and e.
6, 63, 6, are the roller pivots upon the ends a³, of the berth framing a as before,
so that when the sofa berth is required to be used as a settee then it is lifted, using
the pockets and rollers as means for prizing the same from out of the lower rests or
pockets and is drawn into the upper ones, and when in the position represented
makes the seat come forward beyond its normal position and thereby increases the
seat space of the settee to an extent equal to the distance between the upper and
lower seatings. The dotted lines represent the normal position of the framing.
Figure 26 represents a modification of the arrangement shown in Figures 20
to 22. In this form of my invention, instead of employing end rest pockets, I
employ pegs or teeth, which engage with eyes, openings, gaps or sockets on the
framing.
Figure 27 represents a topside plan of one of the end brackets affixed to the
bulk head, one of which brackets is located at each end of the framing, a portion
of one end of which is represented in plan in Figure 28.
a is the framing, with sides a², and ends a³, which latter carry outstanding eyes
or sockets 1, 2, and a turning roller 63, the latter taking into an open-topped
pocket d, whilst the former receive or take onto pegs or teeth e, e, carried by the
brackets, on the bulkhead.
The berth is reversed in the same manner as the forms represented in Figures 20
to 23, and when the said combined article is required to have a turn-up or turn-
down action, for stowing-away or for forming a back rest, the eyes b³, or the pegs
or teeth e may have a swivelling action.
Instead of the eyes being carried by the framing and the pegs by the bulkhead,
the former may be carried by the bulkhead and the latter by the framing, as
represented in plan in Figures 29 and 30.
Figure 31 represents a transverse vertical section of a still further form of my
invention, in which the end studs or pivots on the berth framing take and rest upon
swinging or removable pawl and jointed bearers, which, when turned out of the
path of the said studs, admit of the article having a reversible action.
Thus, a is the framing, having its ends a³, fitted with studs or pins b', ², taking
respectively upon end brackets e, and e, jointed at 2 and e², and resting within
recesses c³, e, and with the ends c, e, abutting against stops e, e, and with the
middle stud or roller ³, taking into an open topped turning pocket d³.
It will be seen that when these jointed bearers are in the positions shown in
dotted lines, the combined article is capable of being rotated. Thus, to convert
the combined article from the bedding side i, to the upholstered side k, first elevate
the front of the framing upon the pivot 6, then throw back the bearer c, into the
position represented in dotted lines, then, by tipping the other end and throwing
the bearer e, back, so as to leave open clearances for the studs b', 62, the article can
be converted, or this conversion may be accomplished by rotating the framing,
until the roller 6' strikes the underside of the bearer e, and throws the same out of
its stop position.
Figure 32 represents a still further form of my invention. In this arrangement
the connection and disconnection of the berth, with its fittings, is made by a
longitudinal sliding movement.
Thus, the berth is made fast or prevented from rotating, and also freed for
revolving, by bodily sliding the said berth or combined article in the direction of
its length, so as to engage or dis-engage the said frame with or from pegs or
framings attached to the bulkheads or cabin walls.
a is the framing, with the end a³, fitted with sockets c and e, upon the opposite
sides of a centre or rollered pivot d, and with the said pockets c and e, arranged to
receive conical pegs or teeth 6, 63, and with the pivot or rollered pivot d, resting
within a bracket or open-topped bracket b³, carried by a bracket, in common with
the pegs or teeth 6', 62. The other end a¹, of the berth framing a, carries a pivot
or rollered pivot d¹, (alike unto the pivot d, upon the other side), and taking into a

page_text: bracket or open topped bracket 3, attached to a bracket, carried by the bulkhead.
Disposed upon the two opposite sides of the pivot d, on the a' end of the berth, are
outstanding stop arm el, el, adapted to engage with outstanding brackets 64, 65, when
the frame is in the position represented, and to be clear of them, when pulled
forward in the direction indicated by the arrow, and which brackets, are
carried by the bracket f, in common with the bracket 3.
Now assuming that the berth framing is in the position represented, then the
whole is made rigid by the brackets e and e, engaging on the pegs, b², and the
ends of the arms and e¹, coming over and upon the ends of the outstanding
brackets b', .
Assuming that the combined article requires to be changed from a bed to a
settee, then turn over the jointed pawl stop n, from its confining or blocking
position, and this done, draw the berth bodily forwards in the direction of the
arrow, when the sockets cand e will be taken clear of the pegs 1, 2, and the
bracket arms e, el, clear of the brackets 4, 6, and with the central pivots d, d',
resting within their sockets 63. Then rotate or revolve the frame a, upon the said
axes d, d, until the settee side becomes uppermost and this done, slide the combined
article back again to its normal position, with the socket e and e, taking over the
pegs 1, 2, and the bracket arms e, el, coming over and within the path of the stop
brackets, hence the rigid affixing of the combined article, which is prevented
from again sliding longitudinally by turning back the pawl stop n to its former
position, and with the same coming between the carrier bracket, and the
outstanding arm e¹.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to.the precise details herein
described with reference to the pockets or races, as I may vary the positions and
shapes of the said races and bearings for guiding and locking, without departing
from the nature and object of my invention.
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 :-
First. A combined and convertible sofa-berth, consisting of a frame, upholstered
upon one side, and provided with bedding upon the other, and with the opposite
ends or sides of the framing fitted with rest and turning pivots, which respectively
rest within seatings of, and turn and work within races and bearings of, outstanding
portions of supporting brackets, substantially as described and set forth in Figures
to 15.
Secondly. A combined and convertible sofa berth having turn-over, turn-up,
turn-down and tilting actious, and with the said article having a frame for receiving
bedding upon the one side, and being upholstered upon the other, and with each of
the opposite ends or sides being provided with three rest-trunnions, studs or roller-
pivots, which take and rest within seatings, and work and turn within races and
bearings, of portions or outstanding portions of supporting brackets, substantially
as described and set forth in Figures 1 to 15.
Thirdly. The employment in connection with, or with the opposite ends or
opposite sides of, combined and convertible sofa-berth, having a turn-over action,
or turn-over, turn-up and turn-down actions, or turn-over, turn-up, turn-down and
tilting actions, of two sets of three rest-trunnions, studs, roller pivots, or equivalents
. either carried upon parts of the framing of the said article, or upon brackets
supporting the said article, substantially as described and set forth.
Fourthly. In a sofa-berth, having turn-over, turn-up, turn-down and tilting
actions, the combination with the framing a, of rest-trunnions or roller pivots,
located upon the outer sides a', of the ends a³, of the said framing, and adapted to
seat themselves upon, take and work within, and be supported by, outstanding
pocketed or recessed portions c, d, d², d³, e, e¹, e, e³, of supporting brackets f
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1 to 15.
Fifthly. In a sofa berth, the combination with the carrying framing, having upon

page_text: the outer sides of each of its ends, outstanding rest-pockets, races and bearings, of
three rest-trunnions or roller pivots, carried by end supporting brackets, upon which
pivots the said framing turns and is supported, substantially as described and set
forth in Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Sixthly. In a sofa-berth having convertible and turu-up actions, the combination
with the framing a, having roller pivots or rest-trunnions 61, 62, 63, at each end, of
open-sided or open mouthed bearing pockets c, d and e, substantially as described
and set forth in Figures 20, 21 and 22.
Seventhly. In a sofa berth, the combination with a framing having three rest
trunnions or roller pivots upon the outer sides of each of its ends, of supporting
brackets having outstanding seatings, races and bearings c, d, e, substantially as
described and set forth in Figures 23 and 24.
Eighthly. In a sofa-berth, having turn-over, turn-up, turn-down, tilting and pull-
out actions, the combination with a framing having three rest trunnions or roller
pivots 6, 3, 6, upon the outer sides of each of the ends, supported by and working
and turning within outstanding portions c, d, e, of supporting brackets of
supplementary seating and rest brackets c, d, e, for bringing forward the said
sofa-berth, substantially as described and set forth in Figure 25.
Ninthly. In a sofa berth, the combination with a framing having eyes b¹, b², and
a pivot centre 63, upon each of its ends, of hook and pocketed bearings c, d and e,
carried by supporting or end supporting brackets f, substantially as described and
set forth in Figures 26 to 28.
Tenthly. In a sofa berth, the combination with a framing having hooks and a
pivot centre upon each of its ends, of eyed and pocketed bearings carried by
supporting or end supporting brackets f, substantially as described and set forth in
Figures 29 and 30.
Eleventhly. In a sofa berth, having a turn-over action, the combination with a
framing a, having rest trunnions or roller pivots 61, 62, 63, at each of its ends, of
pocket middle bearings d, and hinged or removable supporting bearers c and e,
carried by the end supporting framings, substantially as described and set forth in
Figure 31.
Twelfthly. In a sofa berth having a turn-over action, the combination with a
framing having sockets and a pivot upon one side or end and arms and a pivot
upon the other side or end, of turning brackets or open seatings and rest or stop
brackets or projections, carried by the end supporting brackets, substantially as
described and set forth in Figure 32.
Thirteenthly. The improvements in the construction, mounting, fitting and
working of convertible turn-over sofa-berths or articles of furniture, or both turn-
over, turn-up and turn-down or adjustable combined articles of furniture,
substantially as described and set forth in the several figures of the drawings.
Fourteenthly. A lee-rail for berths or combined and convertible sofa berths,
consisting primarily of a rigid framing, with the ends mounted upon cranked arms,
inwardly connected and jointed to the ends of the berth framing, whereby the same
admits of being folded upon the bedding when out of position, substantially as
described and set forth in Figures 2m 3m 8 and 9.
Dated this 20th dow of June 1801
WILLIAM PARISH HOSKINS,
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.