IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' BERTHS, WHICH INVENTION COMPRISES MECHANISM FOR KEEPING THE SAME LEVEL, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Robert Lake at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th August 1881. A. communication
from abroad by Arthur Morris Crosby, of the United States of America.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' BERTHS, WHICH
INVENTION COMPRISES MECHANISM FOR KEEPING THE SAME LEVEL, AND FOR
SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Arthur Morris Crosby, of
the United States of America.
This Invention relates to a self levelling berth or other structure for ships, and
it has for its object to provide a berth which shall occupy the minimum of space
and which shall combine simplicity of construction and economy in cost.
This improved self levelling berth is suspended by four oblique rods or rigid
hangers arranged in pairs, the rods of each pair extend diagonally from a single
point in the centre of one end of the berth, and are pivoted independently to points
of support beyond the transverse axial line and on opposite sides of the longitudinal
axial line of the berth.
The berth may be of any desired size and construction. The said rigid hangers
are preferably wrought iron rods.
I prefer to make the distance between the points of support of one pair of
hangers about equal to the width of the berth, and to place the points of support
of the other pair of hangers somewhat nearer the longitudinal axial line of the
berth, so as to avoid all danger of friction or chafing of the hangers upon each
other during the movements of the ship, but in all cases the points of each pair of
hangers are placed upon opposite sides of the longitudinal axial line of the berth.
By the above described mode of suspending the berth the effect of double-crossed
hangers is secured, and the hangers being rigid, the tendency to rotate or swing in
either direction is counteracted, and a rocking movement is imparted to the berth
irrespective of the motion of the ship. The said berth is therefore adapted to
occupy the minimum of space without danger of swinging so far as to touch the
wall upon either side during the pitching of the vessel, and the weight of the
berth and its occupant will be entirely below the points of suspension. I may
dispense with springs between the berth and the wall or floor to counteract the
[Price 71

page_text: quick oscillation which would otherwise result from the vessel's movement. If
desired, however, to still further limit the movement of the berth, horizontal springs,
preferably of india rubber, may be interposed between the wall and the berth at
the ends of the latter, the said springs being preferably attached to the underside
of the berth.
The hangers may be used as an aid in entering the berth, and the said hangers
may be bent to avoid a projecting knee or other obstruction without interfering
with the operation of the berth.
Bolts are arranged on the back of the berth and adapted to engage with orifices
in the walls or partitions at the ends to lock the berth and prevent its swinging
motion whenever desirable, as for instance when a person is getting into. or out of
the berth. The said bolts are operated by a lever pivoted to the side of the berth,
the bolts being pivoted to this lever. The said lever is provided with a handle
projecting above the berth, and is held to secure the bolts when the berth is locked
by a ratchet on the side, the said lever being engaged with either of the teeth of
the ratchet by its own elasticity, causing it to spring inwardly against the ratchet
teeth.
It will be seen that these bolts are adapted to prevent any horizontal or vertical
independent movement, of the berth.
It is obvious that the above described mode of hanging the berth is equally
applicable to tables, sofas, or other articles which it may be desirable to make
self-levelling in ships.