Year: 1895

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c., Act, 1883), as required by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 4th day of March 1897.
Date claimed for Patent under Sect. 103 of Act,
24th
being date of first Foreign Application (in 24th Oct., 1895
United States of America),
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 25th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 24th July, 1896-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1896
1, PETER FRASER, of No. 609 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, in the County of
Kinge, and State of New York, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to folding berths such as are used in sleeping cars, steam-
boat state rooms, and the like, wherein it is desirable to convert the berths into
Beats for use during the day.
My invention relates more especially to folding berths of that class in which the
lower berth swings up from the horizontal position used at night to an upright.
position for day, and in which the upper berth is stowed away during the day time
in position close behind and parallel with the lower berth. My invention will
be fully hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing the berths made up for night;
Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing them in the same condition;
Fig. 3 is a similar end elevation, but showing the berths folded together in order
to provide a seat during the day;
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively top and end views of the lock for fastening
together the upper and lower berths when not in use;
Fig. 6 is a transverse section thereof on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing the parts however in different positions,
and showing the wie ch for operating them ;
Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing the fastening disconnected and out
of use;
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9 in Fig. 3 on enlarged scale ;
Fig. 10 is a sectional plan of the lower berth in the position of use, the mattress
being omitted;
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the lower part of the folded
together herths of Fig. 3:

page_text: Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on the line 13-13 in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a side or end elevation answering to the lower part of Fig. 2 with one
of the end frames removed;
Fig. 15 is an end elevation illustrating a further development and modificati n
of my invention and the construction of two berths or seats back to back.
Let A designate in general the framing of the berth, which framing may be
more or less built in integral with the walls of the car or ship's state room where
the berth is located if desired, but which for clearness have shown as an
independent frame consisting of end frames A¹ A', and any suitable cross con-
nection between them in the nature of stay bars or other equivalent devices. The
lower beith is lettered B and the upper berth_C. When the two berths are
folded together against each other as shown in Fig. 3, they are held by a catch
device or fastening lettered D, the details of which I will presently describe.
The lower berth is provided at each end with two journals, pivots or supports,
lettered E and F respectively, and consisting of rollers or pins projecting from
suitable brackets or fittings applied to the opposite end portions of the berth.
The journals E which may be designated as "lever journals," are located preferably
at the under side of the berth and somewhat to the rear side of its middle, while
the journals F which may be termed "hinge journals," are located at or near the
middle of the berth and toward its upper side, as shown in Figs. 2 and 14. The
end frames might be formed with curved slots in which the respective journals are
housed and caused to move in determinate paths, somewhat as shown in Fig. 15.
But a much better construction is that shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 14, whereby all
slots are dispensed with, the construction being such that the journals do not
require the presence of slots to guide them in their movement. Hence one part of
my invention provides that when either pair of journals is moving up or down, the
other pair remains motionless in notches or depressions in a suitable bearer or
biacket, so that it cannot get out of place and is made to serve as a pivot around
which the moving pair of journals may travel, and by which they may be guided
in an arc-shaped path of which said pivot is the centre. To this end I construct
the end frames with externally projecting flanges, brackets or ledges which for
convenience I will call bearers, of which one lettered E' is arranged to receive the
journal E when the latter is turned down, while a bearer FI is arranged to receive
the journal F when turned down, and in addition I provide an internal flange
constituting a housing F2 for receiving the journal F when the latter is thrown up
and guiding it to place on a ledge 6 which serves as a support.
These parts are
best shown in Fig. 14. The bearer E' is extended horizontally, having preferably
at its forward end a depression or notch a', and extended thence back to form a
ledge or recess a². The notch a¹ is in position to receive the journal E when the
latter first descends, and serves to hold it there, while it is serving as a hinge
journal or fulcrum around which to swing the berth in order to raise the journal F.
The bearer F is constructed with inclined sides terminating in a recess or housing
adapted to hold the journal F in place while the berth is being turned around it as
a pivot. When the berths are folded together as shown in Fig. 3, the action in
turring down the lower berth B is for it to swing or pivot on the journals F which
rest in the sockets of the bearers F', the jom nals E consequently traveling in an
arc-shaped path until they strike the bearers E' and rest in the notches a¹ therein;
thereupon by pressing down on the front side of the berth, the latter acts like a
lever by turning on the journals E as fulcrums to swing the journals F upward
from the beareis F1, which movement continues until these journals are brought to
the upper housing F2, where the journal strikes against an incline 6, which stops
it, whereupon by a backward push the berth is displaced bodily, the journals E
moving back along the horizontal bearers E' to the position a² Fig. 14, while the
journals F move back into sockets formed in the housings F where they rest ou
supporting ledges thereby upholding the rear of the berth, which has now
reached the position of use shown in Fig. 2.
In case by any possibility the journals E were to escape from the notches a¹ and

page_text: roll back on the ledge a' during the movement of the journals F, the latter on
reaching either end of their movement would strike inclines c' or which form
parts respectively of the bearers F1 and F, and which would serve to force the
berth forward and bring the journals E back into proper place.
The upper berth C is somewhat narrower than the lower berth, and is folded in
an opposite direction therefrom, that is, its rear edge is uppermost when folded, and
is supported by pivots or journals H, which I preferably construct to slide on
upright guiding rods H¹ though they might work in upright slots. These pivots H
are connected by supporting links with the journals F of the lower berth, s that
the rear pivots of both berths are maintained at the same distance apart, and the
upper berth is raised and lowered bodily following the movements of the rear of
the lower berth. Hence in swinging the lower berth around its journals E 80 as
to raise the journals F, the upper berth C is lifted from the position shown in
Fig. 3 to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. To complete the making up of the
upper berth, it is only necessary to swing its lower side forward and upward
thereby bringing it to the horizontal as shown in Fig. 2, it being then supported in
this position by swinging up two uprights K K which are pivoted to the front
portion of the lower berth, so that the front side of the upper berth will be
supported on the upper ends of these uprights as shown. I make the upper berths
with sockets in which the upper ends of the uprights fit. The uprights are
preferably connected together by a longitudinal rod K₁ which comes close beneath
the upper berth, and in practice is used as a curtain rod.
To stow away the berths it is only necessary to first raise the front side of the
upper berth to free the upper ends of the uprights K, then to drop these to place
in the lower berth as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and swing down the
upper berth to the upright position; then by pulling the lower berth forward to
move its journals off from the ledges b', and out of the housings F, so that by
swinging the lower berth on its journals E it is folded partly back, while at the
same time the upper berth descends until the journals F rest on the bearers F, the
weight of the upper berth being utilized in this movement to counterbalance
the weight of the forward portion of the lower berth; the movement is then
finished by swinging the lower berth back about the journals F as a hinge or pivot
until the journals E have moved up to the position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the
upper sides of the berths B C are fastened together by the catch device D. The
paths of movement of the journals F and E are indicated by dotted arcs in Fig. 14.
When the berths have been thus stowed away, it is desirable to provide a seat
or settee, and to this end the under side of the lower berth, which now becomes
the front, is upholstered with a cushion which forms the back of the seat, while
the cushion a forming the bottom thereof is mounted on a seat frame L, which is
connected to the lower herth by links M pivoted preferably to the journals E.
The seat L being turned down to the position shown in Fig. 3, rests upon suitable
supports and forms the bottom of the settee.
Instead of supporting the front portion of the lower berth upon swinging legs,
1 provide ledges for its support, the lower berth being constructed with projec-
tions c on its ends (see Fig. 3) and the end frames A¹ having projections d on their
inner sides on which the projections c rest when the berth is turned down, as clearly
shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
As already stated, instead of providing the upper berth with roller journals at H
traveling in upright slots in the side frames, I prefer to form the journals H as
swiveled sleeves, the construction of which is best shown in Fig. 9, adapted to slide
freely on upright rods H' connected at opposite ends to the fixed portion of the
frame, the journals H being swiveled to the berth C, and having a pivotal con-
vection with the links as clearly shown. It inakes a more sightly, lighter and
stronger structure.
An important part of my present invention relates to means for pressing the
berths B and C closely together so as to stow them away as compactly as possible
when not in use. These berths are provided with the usual spring mattresses or

page_text: bed bottoms, and when folded together the mattresses come together face to face.
In order to make comfortable beds, it is desirable that the mattresses should be of
sufficient thickness to project somewhat above the upper edges of the frames or
body portion of the respective berths, as shown in Fig. 1, and it is one object of
my invention to permit of this and yet to provide means for forcing the projecting
portions of these mattresses back into the berth bodies when the berths are folded
together. To do this requires considerable pressure, as the combined tension of all
the springs in both mattresses has to be overcome simultaneously. To this end
I provide separate means for forcing together the lower sides and the upper sides
(in their upright position) of the respective berth bodies.
For forcing together the lower sides, I provide the links I with projections or lugs I'
on their inner sides, and on the berth C I provide stop projections C¹arranged to be
encountered by the lugs I, so that the latter resist any backward movement of
these lugs, and hence any backward swing of the lower side of the upper berth,
and hold it unyieldingly while the lower berth is being swung back against it.
This construction is best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The projection C¹ is formed
on a plate e let into the wooden frame or body of the berth, and preferably is
formed with a groove el in which the projection 11 may move, thus enabling this
projection to be made longer than it otherwise could. The construction described
holds the lower side of the upper berth and prevents its being swung back by the
tension of the springs of the respective mattresses, as would otherwise occur.
1
For drawing together the upper sides of the respective berths, I have devised a
new catch device D, as best shown in Figs. 4 to 8. This catch device consists of
a pair of toggle levers or links P and Q. The link Q is pivoted at one end to the
berth C, and at the other end is jointed to one end of the link P, while the other
end of this link is adapted for detachable connection to the berth B.
In the
preferred construction shown the upper berth C is fitted with a metal plate f,
which is formed with a projecting stud 9 on which the toggle arm Qis pivotally
mounted. The toggle arm Q is pivoted to the link P by a pin h, the end of which
projects beyond the pivotal connection, as shown in Fig. 5 The berth B is fitted
with a plate i having fixed to it a headed pin or stud. The end of the link P is
formed with a button hole slot j¹ the smaller end of which is adapted to
engage the stud j, while its larger end is adapted to slip freely over the head of
the stud. In operation, when the berths have been drawn as close together
as is shown in Fig. 7, the toggle links are swung out and the link P is connected by
its button hole slut to the stud j, as shown in that figure. Then a key or wrench R
(Fig. 7) having a cross-head with holes g' and h', is fitted in place in the position
shown in dotted lines, with these holes engaging the projecting en ls of the studs
and respectively. The key or wrench R is the swung around in the direction
of the arrow (Fig. 7), carrying the link Q with it, until the latter link is brought
into the position shown in Fig. 4. In so doing, a powerful leverage is exerted,
which, pulling through the link P draws the berth B toward the berth C against
the tension of its mattress springs. On reaching this position, the axes of the
pivotal studs h, g and ; being in line, or being carried slightly beyond the position
of alignment, the thrust of the mattress springs is taken up in the toggle links, and
has no effect to throw the parts back, so that the key R may be now disconnected
and removed. To lock the parts safely in this position, a locking pin S is applied,
being passed through a hole k (Fig. 7) in a lateral branch of the arm Q, aud
through a hole in the link P, and then screwed into a threaded socket m in the
plate f, as shown in Fig. 6. To prevent this pin being unscrewed and removed, a
hasp n is slipped over the projecting end of the pin 9 with its slotted end embracing
the head of the screw S, and to keep this hasp in place a padlock p is engaged
with an eye in the head of the screw S. The lock device is thus held securely in
this position. Before opening out the berth, the lock device D is disconnected by
first removing the pad-lock p and hasp n, unscrewing and removing the screw S,
and then either by means of the key R or by han 1, swinging the toggle back into
the position shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the slot in the link P is disconnected

page_text: from the stud j¹. The lower berth is then free to be swung outwardly; but in
rler to compactly house the catch device an keep it in compact condition and
out of the way, it is swung to the position shown in Fig. 8, where the holes k l
coincide with a hole o (Fig. 4) in the plate f, and the same screw S is then passed
through the coinciding holes and screwed into the threaded hole or socket 1, the
hasp n being applied if desired, as shown in Fig. 8. This new fastening device
thus serves not only as a catch to hold the parts strongly together, but also as a
powerful toggle compression device for forcibly drawing them together and
Overcoming the tension of the mattress springs.
The seat L is connected to the lower berth B through the medium of the enl
links M, and provided with a fastemug device for holling back the front end of
the seat when it is tilted back from the normal position shown in full les in
Fig. 3 to the position shown in dotted lines. This device may consist of any
suitable catch, being preferably a hook 7 pivoted to the frame or body of the
berth B, and engaging an eye qapplied to the seat body or frame. To prepare
for opening the berths, the seat L is thrown back to the position shown in dotted
lines in Fig. 3, and is fastened back by the hook g, which when the berths have
been opened and the seat L swung underneath as shown in Fig. 2, supports the
front edge of the seat L and keeps it from dropping down. When the berth, are
folded away, it is only necessary to unhook the hooks q and swing the seat L down
to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, at the same time pulling it slightly
forward. To insure that it shall be brought forward far en ugh, the berth boly B
is provided with a block or filling piece r (Fig. 3) which fills up the space between
the rear of the seat L and the lower or front face of the berth body B To
properly support the back of the seat and relieve the links M of carrying its
weight, the filling blocks are provided with projecting flanges or ledges which
come directly beneath the rear edge of the seat when in place, as shown in Fig. 3.
The front of the seat is provided on its lower side with notched fittings or plates s
(Fig. 2) which when the seat is dropped into position, rest on the cross-bar A³,
connecting the side frames A' and forming part of the general framing of the
apparatus. The notches in these fittings by partly embracing the cross-bar, serve
to prevent any accidental forward displacement of the seat such as would release
its rear from the supporting flanges r¹.
It is desirable to provide the upper berth C with head and foot boards, which
should be adapted to stow compactly away with the berth in orler that they
may not occupy space during the day. To this end I provide these boards,
lettered T T in Figs. 1 and 2, with end pivot pieces T', the shape of which is best
shown in dotted lines at the right in Fig. 1, and which are pivoted or hinged on
axes t inside the frame constituting the berth body. When it is desired to stow
away the berths, the head and foot boards are swung down against the mattress,
compressing the mattress into the frame or body of the berth to the position
which for one of the boards is shown at the right in Fig. 1. In this position they
are caught by spring catches t', the one at the left in Fig. 1 being shown in full
lines by breaking away the body of the berth. To release the head and foot
boards, it is only necessary to press back these catches, when the boards fly up to
the upright position, where they are stopped by contact with the ends of the frame
or body of the upper berth.
It is desirable, especially for steamer berths, to provide a rail in order to protect
the sleeper from rolling out in case of the extreme pitching or rolling of the vessel.
Such rails are shown at U U as applied to the upper and lower berths in Fig. 1.
These rails, however, should be capable of being stowed away compactly when the
berths are folded away, and to this end I mount each rail upon parallel links uu
pivoted at u inside the body or frame of the berth, so that by moving the rail
endwise it is swung down to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, as applied
to the rail for the lower berth. One end of the rail is bent down at u² and abuts
against the surface of the berth body to form a stop for limiting the endwise
movement of the rail and holding it in the position where it is required during use.

page_text: One advantage of this construction is that the rail may be used or not when the
berth is made up, as if its use is not required, it can be dropped in between the
mattress and the berth frame or box in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
In order to provide absolutely against any possibility of the journals F rolling
or slipping off from the ledges by a forward movement of the lower berth,
1 provide self-engaging spring catches adapted when the berth B is pushel back
to bring the journals F onto these ledges to lock the berth fast to the end frames,
and thereby prevent its accidental movement forward. These catches consist of
bolts W W (Figs. 10, 11 and 14) housed in opposite ends of the lower berth B,
and pressed outward by spring tension, and which in the proper position coincide
with sockets in the frames A', the position of which sockets is inlicated at W₁ia
Figs. 3 and 10. In order to connect the two bolts W W to work simultaneously,
I may join them by rods w wo to a lever tol, which is acted upon by a spring w² to
protrude the bolts. When the berth is first turned down it comes to the position
indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10, and in pushing it back as already described to
seat the journals F, the bolts ride over inclines vv, whereby they are pushed back,
aud on reaching the final position they snap into the sockets W. To withdraw
them from the sockets, I provide a hand lever W2 (Fig. 11) connected by a rad
to one end of the lever w¹, so that by pressing the handle of this lever to the right
the bolts are drawn back to unlock the berth.
Fig. 15 shows one suitable method of applying my invention in a sleeping car
In this construction two
where it is desired to place the seats back to back.
complete berth structures are arranged back to back and mounted upon one
combined frame at each end. I have shown the frame as made with a middle
post V, which may be of wood, the end frames being bolted at their respective rear
sides to this post, which post serves as the rear leg for each of the end frames.
This construction provides a compact arrangement of berths for a sleeping car,
the berths being arranged transversely of the car so as to afford a passage way at
the ends of the berths along one side of the car.
Fig 15 also serves to show the application of slots for the journals E F, to
guide them in their movements, the slots being so shaped that only one pair of
journals can be in motion at a time, except during the final operation of bodily
pressing back the lower berth with its two pairs of journals. The slots for the
journals E are shown in this figure as capped over. While slots may thus be used
if desired, yet I consider the arrangement of bearers first described an important
practical improvement, since it avoids much machine finishing of the castings, and
renders any accurate surfacing of the moving parts unnecessary, besides lightening
the structure, and affording greater range for variation in the artistic design of the
end frames.
Dated this 95th day of November 1895.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
I, PETER FRASER, of No. 609 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, in the County of 4
Kings, and State of New York, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 folding berths such as are used in railway sleeping cars 5

page_text: or carriages, steam-boat state rooms, etc., wherein it is desirable to convert the
berths into seats for use during the day.
My invention relates more especially to folding berths of that class in which the
lower berth swings up from the horizontal position usel at night to an upright
position for day, and in which the upper berth is stowel away during the day time.
in position close behind and parallel with the lower berth. My invention will be
fully hereinafter described with reference to the drawing, which accompanied my
Provisional Specification, wherein,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing the berths made up for night;
Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing them in the same condition;
Fig. 3 is a similar end elevation, but showing the berths follel together in order
to provide a seat during the day;
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively top and end views of the lock for fastening.
together the upper and lower berths when not in use;
Fig. 6 is a transverse section thereof on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing the parts however in different
positions, and showing the wrench for operating them;
Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing the fastening disconnected an out
of use;
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9 in Fig. 3 on enlarged scale;
Fig. 10 is a sectional plan of the lower berth in the position of use, the mattress
being omitted;
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the lower part of the folded
together berths of Fig. 3;
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on the line 13-13 in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a side or end elevation answering to the lower part of Fig. 2 with one
of the end frames removed;
Fig. 15 is an end elevation illustrating a further development and modification of
my invention and the construction of two berths or seats back to back.
Let A designate in general the framing of the berth, which framing may be
more or less built in integral with the walls of the car or ship's state room where
the berth is located if desired, but which for clearness I have shown as an
independent frame consisting of end frames A' A', and any suitable cross connection
between them in the nature of stay bars or other equivalent devices. The lower
berth is lettered B and the upper berth C. When the two berths are folded
together against each other as shown in Fig 5, they are held by a catch device or
fastening lettered D, the details of which will presently describe.
The lower berth is provided at each end with two journals, pivots or supports,
lettered E and F respectively, and consisting of roliers or pins projecting from
suitable brackets or fittings applied to the opposite end portions of the berth. The
journals E which may be designated as "lever journals," are located preferably at
the under side of the berth and somewhat to the rear side of its middle, while the
journals F which may be termed " hinge journals," are located at or near the rear
of the berth and toward its upper side, as shown in Figs. 2 and 14. The end
frames might be formed with curved slots in which the respective journals are
housed and caused to move in determinate paths, somewhat as shown in Fig. 15.
But a much better construction is that shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 14, whereby all
slots are dispensed with, the construction being such that the journals do not
require the piesence of slots to guide them in their movement. Hence one part of
my invention provides that when either pair of journals is moving up or down, the
other pair remains motionless in notches or depressions in a suitable bearer or
bracket, so that it cannot get out of place and is made to serve as a pivot around
which the moving pair of journals may travel, and by which they may be gui-led
in an arc-shaped path of which said pivot is the center. To this end I construct
the end frames with externally projecting flanges, brackets or ledges which for
convenience will call bearers, of which one lettered E¹ is arranged to receive the

page_text: journal E when the latter is turned down, while a bearer F¹ is arranged to receive
the journal F when turned down, and in addition I provide an internal flange
constituting a housing F for receiving the journal F when the latter is thrown up
and guiding it to place on a ledge which serves as a support. These parts are
best shown in Fig. 14. The bearer E' is extended horizontally, having preferably
at its forward end a depression or notch a', and exten led thence back to form a
ledge or recess a². The notch a' is in position to receive the journal E when the
latter first descends, and serves to hold it there, while it is serving as a hinge
journal or fulcrum around which to swing the berth in order to raise the journal F.
The bearer F is constructed with inclined sides terminating in a recess or housing
adapted to hold the journal F in place while the berth is being turned around it as
a pivot. When the berths are folded together as shown in Fig. 3, the action in
turning down the lower berth B is for it to swing or pivot on the journals F which
rest in the sockets of the bearers F¹, the journals E consequently traveling in an
are-shaped path until they strike the bearers E' and rest in the notches a' therein;
thereupon by pressing down on the front side of the berth, the latter acts like a
lever by turning on the journals E as fulcrums to swing the journals F upward
from the bearers F', which movement continues until these journals are brought to
the upper housing F, where the journal strikes against an incline 6', which stops
it, whereupon by a backward push the berth is displaced bodily, the journals E
moving back along the horizontal bearers E' to the position a Fig. 14, while the
journals F move back into sockets formed in the housings F' where they rest on
supporting ledges 6 thereby upholding the rear of the berth, which has now
reached the position of use shown in Fig. 2.
In case by any possibility the journals E were to escape from the notches a¹ and
roll back on the ledge a' during the movement of the journals F, the latter on
reaching either end of their movement would strike inclines c¹ or c which form
parts respectively of the bearers F1 and F, and which would serve to force the
berth forward and bring the journals E back into proper place.
The upper berth C is somewhat narrower than the lower berth, and is folded in
an opposite direction therefrom, that is, its rear edge is uppermost when folded,
and is supported by pivots or journals H, which I preferably construct to slide on
upright guiding rods H' though they might work in upright slots. These pivots H
are connected by supporting links I with the journals F of the lower berth, so that
the rear pivots of both berths are maintained at the same distance apart, and the
upper berth is raised and lowered bodily following the movements of the rear of
the lower berth. Hence in swinging the lower berth around its journals E so as to
raise the journals F, the upper berth C is lifted from the position shown in Fig. 3
to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. To complete the making up of the upper
berth, it is only necessary to swing its lower side forward and upward thereby
bringing it to the horizontal as shown in Fig. 2, it being then supported in this
position by swinging up two uprights K K which are pivoted to the front portion
of the lower beith, so that the front side of the upper berth will be supported on
the upper ends of these uprights as shown. I make the upper berths with sockets
in which the upper ends of the uprights fit. The uprights are preferably
connected together by a longitudinal rod K¹ which comes close beneath the upper
berth, and in practice is used as a curtain rod.
To stow away the berths it is only necessary to first raise the front side of the
upper berth to free the upper ends of the uprights K, then to drop these into the
lower berth as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and swing down the upper
berth to the upright position; then by pulling the lower berth forward to move
its journals off from the ledges 2, and out of the housings F, so that by swinging
the lower berth on its journals E it is folded partly back, while at the same time
the upper berth descends until the journals F rest on the bearers F¹, the weight
of the upper berth being utilized in this movement to counterbalance the weight
of the forward portion of the lower berth; the movement is then finished by
swinging the lower berth back about the journals F as a hinge or pivot until the

page_text: journals E have moved up to the position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the upper
sides of the berths B C are fastened together by the catch device D. The paths
of movement of the journals F and E are indicated by dotted arcs in Fig. 14.
When the berths have been thus stowed away, it is desirable to provide a seat
or settee, and to this end the under side of the lower berth, which now becomes
the front, is upholstered with a cushion which forms the back of the seat, while
the cushion a forming the bottom thereof is mounted on a seat frame L, which is
connected to the lower berth by links M pivoted preferably to the journals E.
The seat L being turned down to the position shown in Fig. 3, rests upon suitable
supports and forms the bottom of the settee.
Instead of supporting the front portion of the lower berth upon swinging legs,
I provide ledges for its support, the lower berth being constructed with projections c
on its en ls (see Fig. 3) and the end frames A¹ having projections d on their inner
sides on which the projections c rest when the berth is turned down, as clearly
shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
As already stated, instead of providing the upper berth with roller journals at H
travelling in upright slots in the side frames, I prefer to form the journals H as
swiveled sleeves, the construction of which is best shown in Fig. 9, adapted to slide
freely on upright rods H¹ connected at opposite ends of the fixed portion of the
frame, the Journals H being swiveled to the berth C, and having a pivotal
connection with the links I, as clearly shown. It makes a more sightly, lighter
and stronger structure.
An important part of my present invention relates to means for pressing the
berths B and C closely together so as to stow them away as compactly as possible
when not in use. These berths are provided with the usual spring mattresses or bed
In
hottoms, and when folded together the mattresses come together face to face.
order to make comfortable beds, it is desirable that the inattresses should be of
sufficient thickness to project somewhat above the upper edges of the frames or
body portion of the respective berths, as shown in Fig. 1, and it is one object of my
invention to permit of this and yet to provide means for forcing the projecting
portions of these mattresses back into the berth bodies when the berths are folded
together. To do this requires considerable pressure, as the combined tension of all
the springs in both mattresses has to be overcome simultaneously. To this end I
provide separate means for forcing together the lower sides and the upper sides (in
their upright position) of the respective berth bodies.
For forcing together the lower sides, I provide the links I with projections or
lugs on their inner sides, and on the berth C, I provide stop projections C¹
arranged to be encountered by the lugs 1', so that the latter resist any backward
movement of these lugs, and hence any backward swing of the lower side of the
upper berth, and hold it unyieldingly while the lower berth is being swung back
against it. This construction is best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The projection C¹
is formed on a plate e let into the wooden frame or body of the berth, and
preferably is formed with a groove e in which the projection I¹ may move, thus
The construc-
enabling this projection to be made longer than it otherwise could.
tion described holds the lower side of the upper berth and prevents its being swung
back by the tension of the springs of the respective mattresses, as would otherwise
occur.
For drawing together the upper sides of the respective berths, I have devised a
new catch device D, as best shown in Figs. 4 to 8. This catch device consists of a
pair of toggle levers or links P and Q. The liuk Q is pivoted at one end to the
berth, and at the other end is jointed to one end of the link P, while the other
end of this link is adapted for detachable connection to the berth B. In the
preferred construction shown the upper berth C is fitted with a metal plate f,.
which is formed with a projecting stud 9 on which the toggle arm is pivotally
mounted. The toggle arm Q is pivoted to the link P by a pin h, the end of which
projects beyond the pivotal connection, as shown in Fig. 5. The berth B is fitted
with a plate i having fixed to it a headed piu or stud j. The end of the link P is
B

page_text: formed with a button hole slot j¹ the s naller end of which is adapted to engage the
stud, while its larger end is adapted to slip freely over the head of the stul. In
operation, when the berths have been drawn as close together as is shown in Fig. 7,
the toggle links are swung out and the link P is connected by its button hole slot
to the stud j, as shown in that figure. Then a key or wrench R (Fig. 7) having a
cross-head with holes g' and h¹, is fitted in place in the position showa in dottel
lines, with these holes engaging the projecting ends of the stuls g and respectively.
The key or wrench R is then swung around in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 7),
carrying the link Q with it, until the latter link is brought into the position showa
in Fig. 4. In so doing, a powerful leverage is exerted, which, pulling through the
link P draws the berth B towards the berth C against the tension of its mattress
springs. On reaching this position, the axes of the pivotal stu lsh, and j being
in line, or being carried slightly beyond the position of alignment, the thrust of the
mattress springs is taken up in the toggle links, and has no effect to throw the
parts back, so that the key R may be now disconnected and removed. To look
the parts safely in this position, a locking pin S is applie l, being passed through a
hole (Fig. 7) in a lateral branch of the arm Q, and through a hole in the
link P, and then screwed into a threaded-socket m in the plate f, as shown in
Fig. 6. To prevent this pin being unscrewed and removed, a hasp n is slipped
over the projecting end of the pin with its slotted end embracing the head of the
screw S, and to keep this hasp in place a padlock p is engaged with an eye in the
head of the screw S. The lock device is thus held securely in this position.
Before opening out the berth, the lock device D is disconnected by first rem ving
the padlock p and hasp n, unscrewing and removing the serew S, and then either
by means of the hey R or by hand, swinging the toggle back into the position
shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the slot in the link P is disconnected from the stul j¹.
The lower berth is then free to be swung outwardly; but in order to compactly
house the catch device and keep it in compact condition and out of the way, it is
swung to the position shown in Fig. 8, where the holes k l coincide with a hole o
(Fig. 4) in the plate f, and the same screw S is then passed through the coinciding
holes and screwed into the threaded hole or socket i, the hasp n being applied if
desired, as shown in Fig. 8. This new fastening device thus serves not only as a
catch to hold the parts strongly together, but also as a powerful toggle compression
device for forcibly drawing them together and overcoming the tension of the
mattress springs.
9
The seat L is connected to the lower berth B through the medium of the end
links M, and provided with a fastening device for holding back the front end of
the seat when it is tilted back from the normal position shown in full lines in
Fig. 3 to the position shown in dotted lines. This device may consist of any
suitable catch, being preferably a hook 7 pivoted to the frame or body of the
berth B, and engaging an eye q' applied to the seat body or frame. To prepare
for opening the berths, the seat L is thrown back to the position shown in dotted
lines in Fig. 3, and is fastened back by the hook g, which when the berths have
been opened and the seat L swung underneath as shown in Fig. 2, supports the
front edge of the seat L and keeps it from dropping down. When the berths are
folded away, it is only necessary to unhook the hooks q and swing the seat L
down to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, at the same time pulling it
slightly forward. To insure that it shall be brought forward far enough, the
berth body B is provided with a block or filling piece (Fig. 3) which fills up
the space between the rear of the seat L and the lower or front face of the berth
body B. To properly support the back of the seat and relieve the links M of
carrying its weight, the filling blocks are provided with projecting flanges or
ledges which come directly beneath the rear edge of the seat when in place, as
shown in Fig. 3. The front of the seat is provided on its lower side with notched
fittings or plates s (Fig. 2) which when the seat is dropped into position, rest on
the cross-bar A, connecting the side frames A¹ and forming part of the general
framing of the apparatus. The notches in these fittings by partly embracing the

page_text: cross-bar, serve to prevent any accidental forwarl displacement of the seat such as
would release its rear from the supporting flanges.
It is desirable to provide the upper berth C with head and foot boards, which
should be adapted to stow compactly away with the berth in order that they may
not occupy space during the day. To this end I provide these boards, lettered T T
in Figs. 1 and 2, with end pivot pieces T', the shape of which is best shown in
dotted lines at the right in Fig. 1, and which are pivoted or hinged on axes t
inside the frame constituting the berth body. When it is desired to stow away
the berths, the head and foot boards are swung down against the mattress, com-
pressing the mattress into the frame or body of the berth to the position which for
one of the boards is shown at the right in Fig. 1. In this position they are caught
by spring catches t', the one at the left in Fig. 1 being shown in full lines by
breaking away the body of the berth. To release the head and foot boards, it
is only necessary to press back these catches, when the boards fly up to the upright
position, where they are stopped by contact with the ends of the frame or body of
the upper berth.
It is desirable, especially for steamer berths, to provide a rail in order to protect
the sleeper from rolling out in case of the extreme pitching or rolling of the vessel.
Such rails are shown at U U as applied to the upper and lower berths in Fig. 1.
These rails, however, should be capable of being st wed away compactly when the
berths are folded away, and to this end mount each rail upon parallel links u u
pivoted at u inside the body or frame of the berth, so that by moving the rail
endwise it is swung doan to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, as applied
to the rail for the lower berth. One end of the rail is bent down at and abuts
against the surface of the berth body to form a stop for limiting the end wise move-
ment of the rail and holding it in the position where it is required during use.
One advantage of this construction is that the rail may be used or not when the
berth is made up, as if its use is not required, it can be dropped in between the
mattress and the berth frame or box in the position shown in dotted lines on
the lower berth in Fig. 1.
In order to provide absolutely against any possibility of the journals F rolling
or slipping off from the ledges by a forward movement of the lower berth,
1 provide self-engaging spring catches adapted when the berth B is pushed back
to bring the journals Fonto these ledges to lock the berth fast to the end frames,
and thereby prevent its accidental movement forward. These catches consist of
bolts W W (Figs. 10, 11 and 14) housed in opposite ends of the lower berth B,
and pressed outward by spring tension, and which in the proper position coincide
with sockets in the frames A¹, the position of which sockets is indicated at W' in
Figs. 3 and 10. In order to connect the two bolts W W to work simultaneously,
I may join them by rods W W to a lever ¹, which is acted upon by a spring w
to protrude the bolts. When the berth is first turned down it comes to the position
indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10, and in pushing it back as already described to
seat the journals F, the bolts ride over inclines vv, whereby they are pushed back,
and on reaching the final position, they suap into the sockets W. To withdraw
them from the sockets, I provide a hand lever W' (Fig. 11) connected by a rod v
to one end of the lever w¹, so that by pressing the handle of this lever to the right
the bolts are drawn back to unlock the berth.
Fig. 15 shows one suitable method of applying my invention in a sleeping car or
In this construction
carriage where it is desired to place the seats back to back.
two complete berth structures are arranged back to back and mounted upon one
combined trame at each end. I have shown the frame as made with a middle
post V, which may be of wood, the end frames being bolted at their respective
rear sides to this post, which post serves as the rear leg for each of the end frames.
This construction provides a compact arrangement of berths for a sleeping car, the
berths being arranged transversely of the car so as to afford a passage way at the
ends of the berths along one side of the car.
Fig. 15 also serves to show the application of slots for the journals E F, to guide

page_text: them in their movements, the slots being so shaped that only one pair of journals
can be in motion at a time, except during the final operation of bodily pressing
back the lower berth with its two pairs of journals. The slots for the journals E
are shown in this figure as capped over.
While slots may thus be used if desired,
yet I consider the arrangement of bearers first described an important practical
improvement, since it avoids much machine finishing of the castings, and readers
any accurate surfacing of the moving parts unnecessary, besides lightening the
structure, and affording greater range for variation in the artistic design of the
end frames.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a folding berth having end frames and a tilting or swinging berth, the
construction of the berth with projecting journals at its ends, and the end frames
with fixed rests or bearers adapted to engage said journals and retain each pair
stationary while the other pair is swinging up or down, whereby the moving pair
is confined to an arc-shaped path, and the said bearers being arranged to simul-
taneously support both journals when the berth is tilted to an intermediate
position, so that when moving the berth in either direction it first turns on one pair
of journals until said position is reached, and then turns on the other pur,
substantially as specified.
2. In a folding berth, the combination with a berth having at its ends rear hinge
journals and lever journals forward thereof, of end frames having each a hearer
for receiving the lever journals in their lower position, and a bearer for receiving
the hinge journals in their lower position, aud said bearer, arranged to simul-
taneously support both journals when the berth is tilted to an intermediate position,
so that when moving the berth in either direction it first turns on one pair of
journals until said position is reached, and then turns on the other pair, substantially
as specified.
3. In a folding berth, the combination with a berth having rear binge journals
and lever journals between said hinge journals and the front of the berth, of end
frames having each a bearer for receiving the hinge journals in their lower
position, a ledge for receiving and supporting the hinge journals in their upper
position, and a bearer at an intermediate level for receiving the lever journals in
their lower position, substantially as specified.
4. In a folding berth of the character describe 1, the construction of the bearer
for the lever journals with a rearward extension adapted to permit the berth to be
moved bodily backward to seat the hinge journals on their supporting ledges while
continuing the support of the lever journals on their bearers, substantially as
specified.
5. In a folding berth of the character described, the construction of the housings
for receiving the hinge journals in their upper position, the same comprising a
supporting ledge for the journal and an inclined rib above the path of the journal
and adapted to guide it onto said ledge, substantially as specified.
6. In a folding berth, the end frames having bearers E F1 and F², the bearer E¹
extending rearwardly and the bearers F and F formed with inclines as c¹ and c
respectively, adapted to replace the journals F in case by accidental backward
movements of the journals Ethey should diverge from their proper path, substantially
as specified.
7. In a folding beith of the character described, the application of spring
catches to the berth adapted to lock it to the end frames upon the displacement of
the berth to its final position, substantially as specified.
8. In a folding berth of the character described, spring catches applied to the
berth and adapted to lock it to the end frames upon the displacement of the berth
to its final position, consisting of bolts housed in the berth, a spring for pressing
them out, niechanical connections for ensuring their simultaneous movement, and on

page_text: the end frames inclines for thrusting in said bolts, and sockets coinciding with said
bolts, in the final position of the berth, substantially as specified.
9. In a folding berth, the tilting lower berth having journals F F at its rear side,
links pivoted thereto and extending upward, and an upper berth having journals H H
at its rear, pivoted on said links, and constructed as swivel sleeves, and upright
guide-rods H H₁ fixed on the side frames, and receiving the sliding sleeves of said
journals H H, substantially as specified.
10. In a folding berth wherein the upper and lower berths are folded flat
together in such minner as to compress the springs of the mattress of either berth,
the provision of a catch device adapted to forcibly draw together the respective
berths, constructed with means for fastening or locking them in place when brought
together, substantially as specified.
11. In a folding berth wherein the upper and lower berths are folded flat
together in such manner as to compress the springs of the mattress of either berth,
the construction of a catch device for drawing them together with toggle links
connected pivotally to one berth and detachably to the other, and a lapted to be
swung around so as to forcibly draw the two berths together, with means for
locking the toggle links in place to hold the berths together, substantially as
specified.
12. The toggle arm Q pivoted to the berth C, a toggle link P jointed to said
arm Q at one end and adapted at the other end for separable connection with a
stud on the berth B, whereby on turning the arm Q the toggle is collapsed to
draw the berths together, and locking means for fastening them in this position to
hold the berths when drawn together, substantially as specified.
13. The toggle arm Q pivoted to the berth C on a stud g, a toggle link P jointed
to the aim Q by a pin h at one end and constructed at its other end for separable
connection with a stud j on the berth B, and an operating key R constructed to
engage the arm Q and adapted on being turned to swing this arm around to draw
the berths together, substantially as specified.
14. The toggle arm Q pivoted to the berth C on a stud g, a toggle link Pjointed
to the arm Q by a pin h at one end and constructed at its other end for separable
connection with a stud j on the berth B, and having a central hole 1, a socket m
applied to the berth C, a socket k in the arm Q, and a locking pin adapted to lock
together the hole l, socket k and socket m to retain the catch device in the clo ed
position, substantially as specified.
15. The tuggle arm Q pivoted to the berth C on a stud g, and having a lateral
socket k, a toggle link P jointed to the arm Q at one end and constructed at the
other for separable connection with a stud on the berth B, and having a central
hole l, a socket o applied to the berth C, and a locking pin S adapted when the
device is out of use to be thrust through the coinciding holes l, k and o to lock the
parts of the catch device together when out of use.
16. In a folding berth wherein the upper and lower berths are folded together
face to face so as to compress their mattresses against the tension of their mattress
springs, the combination of upper suspensory pivots for the upper berth, and means
for preventing the lower side of said berth from swinging away from the upper
berth, consisting of a stop projection on the lower portion of said upper berth, and
a stop projection co-operating therewith and arranged to the rear of said projection,
substantially as specified.
17. The means for preventing the lower side of the upper berth from swinging
away from the lower berth, consisting of end projections C₁ on the upper berth,
and inwardly projecting lugs 1' on the links I in the rear of said projections,
substantially as specified.
18. The lower berth adapted to swing upwardly and backwardly to form on its
lower side the back of a settee, the seat of said settee suspended at its rear portion
from said lower berth, a fastening device for attaching its front portion to said
berth, and a framing constructed with supports for said settee when turned down,
substantially as specified.

page_text: 19. The lower berth adapted to swing upwardly and backwardly to form on its
lower side the back of a settee, with the seat of said settee suspended at its rear
portion from said lower berth, filling pieces on the lower berth for preventing the
rearward displacement of said settee when in use, and supports for the front and
rear portions of said settee, substantially as specified.
20. The described construction of filling pieces r on the lower berth for preventing
the rearward displacement of the settec, projecting ledges from said filling
pieces for supporting the rear of the settee, notched plates & under the forward
portion of said settee, and the framing formed with a transverse bar A³ adapted to
be engaged by said notched plates.
21. In a folding berth, a head or foot board T having end pieces T¹ extending
inside the berth body and pivoted thereto, combined with catches t' pivoted to the
body and adapted to engage and hold down said board.
22. In a folding berth, a side rail U, and parallel links uu pivoted to said rail
at one end, and pivoted to the berth body at the other, whereby by swinging said
rail end wise it may be housed inside the berth body.
Dated this 24th day of Lule 1904
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.