Improvements in or relating to Sleeping Cars, Ships' Cabins, and other Apartments, either Portable or Fixed, for the Accommodation of Passengers or Guests
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Sleeping Cars, Ships' Cabins,
and other Apartments, either Portable or Fixed, for the
Accommodation of Passengers or Guests
1, LINFORD FITCH RUTH, Manufacturer, residing at South Pittsburgh Street
in Connellsville, in the County of Fayette, State of Pennsylvania, and United
States of America, 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 present invention relates to a sleeping car, which may either be of the type
having the present standard fixed seats, or be convertible, by the manipulation of
car fitted with separate
an attendant while in service, into a so called "parlor
chairs, and in which pneumatic mattresses or cushions shall be employed. The
object of my invention is to provide improved means and facilities for supplying
air to, and discharging it from, the mattresses or cushions, with convenience and
despatch, for firmly supporting and compactly storing the mattresses or cushions,
and the separate chairs when employed, in suitable and convenient positions, when
in and out of use respectively; for effecting a complete separation between
adjoining sections of the car or opening one section to another, as may, from time
to time, be required; and for affording ventilation and light to the upper portions
of the several sections.
The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure is a vertical central sectional view, taken through a portion of a
convertible sleeping and parlor car, illustrating an application of my invention,
and showing the left hand section with the parts in position for use as berths are
made up in a sleeping car, and the right hand section with the parts in position for
day or parlor car service;
Fig. 2, a horizontal, sectional view, taken through one side of the car, with the
parts in the left and right sections in positions corresponding with those shown
in Fig. 1 ;
Figs. 3 and 4, transverse and axial sections, respectively, on an enlarged scale,
through one of the retracting devices of the mattresses;
Fig. 5, a vertical, transverse section, at the line a, a, of Fig. 2, through one of
the sections of the car showing the mattresses as extended for occupancy by
sleepers; Fig. 6, a similar section, at the line y, y, of Fig. 2, showing the mattresses
as collapsed and retracted into their positions when not in use;"
Fig. 7, a vertical, longitudinal section through the car floor, showing, in elevation,
a portion of a system of pipes and valves for the supply and release of compressed
air to and from the mattresses and chair cushions of one section of the car;
Fig. 8, a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, of one of the governing valves
of the air pipe system;
Fig. 9, a sectional plan view showing the air reservoirs and the air pipe system
of two opposite sections of the car;
Figs. 10, 11, and 12, are views, similar to Figs. 7, 8, and 9, respectively, but
showing a modification of the air pipe system and its accessories;
Fig. 13, a vertical, transverse section through one of the swinging partitions
which support the mattresses when extended and form the divisions between
adjacent sections; Fig. 14, a similar section, on an enlarged scale, through a

page_text: portion of the same; Fig. 15, an isometrical view of a portion of the same, showing,
also, portions of the longitudinal mattress bars;
Fig. 16, a horizontal section, at the line z, z, of Fig. 13, through one of the
swinging partitions, when in position to support a mattress, showing, also, a portion
of the adjacent partition, when closed in against the side of the car;
Fig. 17, a vertical, central sectional view taken through a portion of a sleeping
car, illustrating an application of my invention in connection with the present
standard fixed seats; Fig. 18, a vertical, transverse sectional view taken through a
section of the same;
Fig. 19, a view, in perspective, of a chair with pneumatic cushion, adapted to be
folded below a lower berth when not in use; Fig. 20, a side view of the same;
Fig. 21, a vertical, central section through the same; and;
Fig. 22, a central section, on an enlarged scale, through the tubular pivot, and a
portion of the pneumatic cushion of the chair.
The main body of the car to which my invention is applied is, adapted to be
divided into a series of sections or lateral compartments each having proper space
for an upper and a lower berth, and in a convertible sleeping and parlor car, two
chairs are located on the floor of each section, being so constructed that they may
be folded below the level of the lower berth thereof when the latter is adjusted in
position for use. The mattresses or bed cushions, as well as the cushions of the
chairs, when the latter are provided, are air tight bags of rubber or other suitable
material, which are, through suitably controlled connections with a source of air
under pressure, adapted to be inflated and distended when in use, and collapsed aud
retracted for stowage, in small compass, when not in use.
Referring to Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, an air supply system is shown in which the
auxiliary reservoir 1, of the air brake apparatus of the car, is connected by a
pipe 2, having a check or non-return valve 3, with an air supply reservoir 4. It
will be obvious that, if preferred, the pipe 2 may be connected with the train pipe
of the brake apparatus, or with any other suitable and preferred source of air
under pressure. The supply reservoir 4 is connected, by a pipe 5, with a main
supply pipe 6, which extends longitudinally below the floor of the car, near its
centre, and is connected, by branch pipes 7, with vertical supply pipes 11, one of
which is provided for each section thereof, and is located behind the inside
panelling of the side frame of the car. The branch pipes 7 are connected, by
pipes 8, controlled by cocks or valves 9, with pipes 10, leading to the cushions of
the chairs of the several sections, and the pipes 11 are connected by short
branches 12, with mattress operating valve devices 13, which are actuated by the
porter or other attendant of the car, to admit compressed air to, and release it
from, the mattresses of the upper and lower berths, to inflate the same for service
and collapse them for stowage when out of use, respectively, as required.
The valve devices 13, one of which is shown in enlarged section in Fig. 8,
consist of a casing in which is fitted a three way cock 14, having a passage way 15,
and a circumferential recess 16, located nearly opposite one end of said passage.
The valve casing is connected, opposite the branch pipe 12, with an ejector
chamber 18, having a discharge pipe 19, leading to a point below the floor of the
car, and is also connected, at right angles to the branch pipe 12, with a supply
pipe 17 leading to a nozzle on one of the mattresses of the section.
A pipe 20
leads from the pipe 11 into the casing, and a pipe 21 leads from the casing, adjacent
to the opening of the pipe 20, into the ejector chamber 18, within which it has a
contracted discharge end or nozzle.
When the cock is turned into the position in which its passage way 15 connects
the pipes 12 and 17, compressed air is supplied to the mattress, and when turned
into the position shown in Fig. 8, in which the passage way 15 connects the pipe 17
and ejector chamber 18, the air is released from the mattress through the pipes 17
and 19, and is exhausted therefrom, with much greater rapidity than if merely
allowed to escape, by the action of the jet of compressed air discharged into the
ejector chainber 18, through the pipe 20, valve recess 16, and pipe 21.

page_text: Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, illustrate a modification of the air supply system, in
which only a single ejector is employed for each section, instead of one for each
mattress of the section as in the instance first described, said ejector being adapted
to exhaust either mattress singly, or both coincidently, as well as to exhaust either
or both of the chair cushions.
The air supply reservoir 4 is, as before, connected by a pipe 5, with a longitudinal
main supply pipe 6, which is, in turn, connected by branch pipes 7, with vertical
supply pipes 11, one of which is provided for each section. The pipe 5 may, if
desired, be fitted with a pressure reducing valve 22, in order that a lower pressure
of air may be employed than that which is normally maintained in the air brake
apparatus. The main supply pipe 6 is also connected, by pipes 8 a, controlled by
valves 9, with pipes 10, leading to the cushions of the chairs of the several sections.
The vertical supply pipes 11, are connected, by short branches 12, with mattress
operating valve devices 13, which are similar, in construction and function, to those
previously described, except as to their relation to the ejector, which is, in this
case, common to both valve devices of the section, as presently to be described.
The cock 14, of each of the valve devices, controls communication between the
supply pipe 11 and a supply pipe 17, leading to a nozzle on one of the mattresses,
and between said pipe 17 and a discharge pipe 19, which is common to both valve
devices, and which leads into an ejector 18 a, located below the floor of the car.
The ejector of each section is connected, by a pipe 25, governed by a valve or
cock 26, which is operated by a rod 27, extending through the floor of the car,
with a longitudinal ejector supply pipe 24, connected, by a pipe 23, with the supply
reservoir 4. The pipes 10, which lead to the chair cushions of each section, are
connected, by pipes 28, controlled by cocks or valves 29, with the ejector, 18 a, of
the section in which they are located.
Air is supplied to either mattress of a section by turning the cock 14, of the
valve device 13, into the position shown in Fig. 11, in which communication is
established between the pipes 11 and 17, and air is exhausted from either or both
mattresses, by turning the cock or cocks 14 into position to establish communication
between the pipes 17 and 19, and opening the ejector valve 26, whereupon the jet
of compressed air supplied to the ejector, rapidly draws the air out of the mattress
or mattresses which have been put into communication with the discharge pipe 19.
The exhaustion of air from the chair cushions is similarly effected by opening the
valves 29 and the ejector valve 26.
Each section of the car is provided with two pneumatic mattresses or bed
cushions, 30, similar in construction and operation, one for an upper and the other
for a lower berth. The mattress, in and of itself, is not claimed as of my present
invention, and need not, therefore, be herein described, further than as to its
connection and combination with the air supply system and the devices by which
it is brought into, and maintained in, desired positions for use and for stowage
when not in use.
The mattresses 30, which are indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 18, and
shown in plan in Fig. 2, as inflated and expanded into their positions for use, have
their ends pleated in the general manner of an accordion, so that, as indicated by
dotted lines in Fig. 6, they may be folded compactly together when not in use,
and, during such periods they rest upon, and are stowed on, sills or shelves 31, 32,
located, respectively, above and below the window sashes 33, of the car. The
spaces or recesses 34, 35, in the inside panelling of the car above the mattresses,
afford convenient room for the stowage of pillows and blankets during the day.
The mattresses are connected, on their sides nearest the inside panelling of the
car, with the air supply pipes 17, as shown in Fig. 6, and are connected, on the side
nearest the central aisle of the car, to longitudinal boards 36, which have some-
times been termed "panel rails," and may, for uniformity, be so designated herein.
Each mattress is also connected, on the side nearest the aisle, by a flexible member,
as a cord or chain 37, to a retracting device 38, shown on an enlarged scale in
Figs. 3 and 4, which is fixed to the side of the car, and comprises a spiral

page_text: spring 39, one end of which is secured to a pin 40, fixed to the casing of the
device, and the other to a drum 41,, on which the cord or chain 37 is wound
and to which it is secured. It will be seen that the spring 39, through its con-
nection with the mattress, constantly tends to retract and fold the latter into the
closed position indicated in Fig. 6.
The mattresses 30 are supported, when inflated for use, and the separation
between adjoining sections of the car effected, by panelled partitions 42, two of
which are hinged to the side framing of the car, adjacent to each of the dividing
lines between the sections thereof. The partitions 42 are connected to the side
of the car by hinges 43, and, when swung inwardly on their hinges, fit closely
to the side of the car, so as to apparently constitute the inside panelling thereof,
their inner ends projecting slightly beyond their hinges and fitting in lateral
recesses in posts 44 of the car frame, which extend inwardly beyond the inside
panelling, as shown in Fig. 16, so as to make a neat finish with said posts and
conceal the hinges. When swung outwardly, preparatory to making up the berths,
the two members of each pair of partitions fit closely one against the other and
form the division or wall between the two sections on their outer sides, being held
in position by suitable bolts or latches at their lower ends which engage recesses in
the floor, or, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 16, and 17, when it is desired that one section
shall remain inade up for sleeping purposes, and the adjoining section or sections be
fitted for day use, a single partition 42, at each end of the made up section, serves
to separate it from the open section at each end, the partitions at each end of which
open section are closed up against the side of the car.
The partitions 42 are fitted with vertically sliding panels 45, so located that,
when moved downwardly to their lowest position, they fully expose the window
sashes 33, and are also provided with vertically sliding panels 46, located
above the level of the upper berth, these panels being provided for the purpose of
exposing ventilating window openings 47, in the side of the car, which are fitted
with proper screens or sashes 48. In order to completely separate the sections, at
top, a top board 52, the upper side of which is curved in conformity with the roof
of the car, is hinged to the top of each of the partitions 42, and is dropped down
against the same when closed up to the side of the car, as shown in Fig. 6.
The mattresses 30, when inflated and expanded for use, are supported in position
therefor on horizontal guides or ways 49, (see Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive), fixed to
the sides of the partitions 42 next the ends of the mattresses, and on short supple-
mental guides 50, in line therewith, which supplemental guides are fitted, with a
slight degree of longitudinal traverse, on the framing or panel pieces to which the
partitions 42, are hinged. The sides of the guides 49 bear against the adjacent
ends of the supplemental guides 50, when the partitions 42 are swung up against
the side of the car, and press them outwardly into the position shown in the upper
right hand portion of Fig. 16, against the tension of plate springs 51, one of which
is fixed to the framing, adjacent to, and bearing against, the outer end of each of the
supplemental guides 50. When the partitions 42 are swung outwardly into position
for supporting the mattresses, the sides of the main guides 49 are moved clear of
the supplemental guides 50, and the springs 51 then force the latter closely against
the adjacent ends of the guides 49, so as to form a continuous guideway or track
throughout the width of the mattress at each end thereof.
The mattresses 30 are supported on the guides 49, 50, through the intermediation
of a series of longitudinal bars 53, one of which is fixed to the panel rail 36, and
the others to the bottom of the mattress, the bars 53 being properly spaced so as to
fit between the folds of the mattress when collapsed and retracted into position for
stowage when out of use, as shown in Fig. 6. The ends of the bars 53 project
beyond the mattress, and bear on the guides, preferably through upper and lower
friction rollers 54, jourualled on their ends, and are provided with hooked pro-
jections 55, to prevent lateral displacemeut. The mattress is held in position,
when expanded for use, by a lock bolt or latch 56, which engages a recess in the
adjacent partition 42. The sections, when made up for night use, are closed in

page_text: front, or towards the aisle of the car, by curtains, suspended from curtain rods 71
in the ordinary manner. By the release of the lock bolt, the retracting device is
permitted to draw the mattress into closed position on the exhaustion of pressure-
therefrom.
Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate the application of my invention in a car having fixed
seats 57, of the present standard pattern. The construction is, in such case, similar
in all essential particulars, to that above described, the modification of specific
structure being as follows. The swinging partitions 42 extend only to the tops of
the seat backs 58, to which they are connected by lock bolts or latches 59, when
swung outwardly from the side of the car. They are, also, recessed to receive a
panel 60, which, when removed, is dropped into the space between two adjacent
seat backs, and allows free access to the entire area of the window sash 33, as shown
on the right hand side of Fig. 17. The guides 49, on which the lower mattress of
the section is supported, are secured to the seat backs 58, and the supplemental
guides 50 not being necessary for the lower mattress, are dispensed with. In all
other respects, the construction accords with that previously described, and does
not, in any wise, involve a departure from its principle of operation or governing
structural features.
Where, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, the invention is applied in a convertible
sleeping and parlor car, that is to say, one which is adapted by manipulation of an
attendant while in service, to be put into condition for use either as a sleeping car,
or a parlor car having separate chairs, each section is provided with two revolving
chairs, so constructed as that, when not in use, they may be folded into such
compass as will enable them to be stowed below the lower mattress of the section,
when the same is expanded into position for use. The preferred construction for
this purpose is shown in Figs. 19 to 22, inclusive, in which the chair is provided with a
tubular pivot 62, adapted to rotate in a bearing on a box or case 63, which is fixed
to the floor of the ear and encloses the air supply pipe 10 of the chair, which leads
from the air supply system, as previously described. The tubular pivot 62 rotates
in a properly packed stuffing box 64, on the supply pipe 10, and is fixed to the
bottom 65 of the chair, its upper end opening into the pneumatic cushion 66.
back 67, and arm 68, of the chair, are connected one to the other so as to form a
single structure, and are coupled to the chair bottom 65, in any suitable manner,
as by pins 69 and hooks 70, so as to be detached from and folded over on the chair
bottom and to rest below the lower mattress, for night service, when the chair
cushion is collapsed by the exhaustion of air therefrom, as shown at the left of
Fig. 1, and in Fig. 5. When any one or more sections are to be used as parlor car
sections, the chair cushions are inflated by opening the controlling valves 9 of the
supply pipes 10, and the backs and arms are adjusted in proper position upon the
chair bottoms.
A special feature of practical value in my invention consists in its ready t
adaptability to sleeping cars of the ordinary types, in which fixed seats are
employed.
The advantages of material reduction of weight, cleanliness of matresses,
improved ventilation of upper berths, complete isolation of adjoining sections, and
facility and rapidity of closing up the mattresses for stowage when not in use,
which are, among others, resultant in the practice of the invention, may thus be
attained at comparatively small expense, without involving the removal or disuse
of parts other than the existing swinging upper berths. In new constructions, the
convertibility of the car from sleeping to parlor car conditions, and vice versa, is
additionally desirable and advantageous.
While I have illustrated and described my invention herein as applied only in a
railroad car, it will be obvious that its aplication is not limited to such specific.
structure, as it may, without variation of structural or operative principle, be
similarly applied in other apartments, either portable or fixed, for the accommoda-
tion of passengers or guests, as, for example, the saloons of excursion or other
steam vessels, parlors or reception rooms of public houses, etc. I do not,

page_text: therefore, desire to limit myself to the specific application herein set forth, and
in referring to a railroad car, I include as the mechanical equivalent thereof, under
my invention, any other apartment or structure in which, by similar combinations
of devices to those described and claimed herein, the same new and useful results
are attainable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an air supply reservoir, a pipe
connecting said reservoir with the pneumatic brake apparatus of a car, a check
valve in said connecting pipe, which is adapted to permit the flow of air from the
brake apparatus to the supply reservoir when the pressure in the former exceeds
that in the latter, and to close automatically and prevent back flow of air from the
supply reservoir whenever the pressure therein is greater than that in the brake
apparatus, an extensible and collapsible mattress connected by piping to said supply
reservoir, and a valve device controlling the supply of air from the reservoir to the
mattress and its exhaust therefrom.
2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an air supply reservoir, an
extensible and collapsible mattress connected by piping to said supply reservoir, a
valve device controlling the supply of air from the reservoir to the mattress and
its exhaust therefrom, and an ejector communicating with the exhaust passage of
the mattress.
3. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an air supply reservoir, two
extensible and collapsible mattresses supported one above another in proper
relation to form upper and lower berths of a section or division of a car, two chairs
having expansible and collapsible cushions and supported upon the floor of the car
within the section, piping connecting the mattresses and chair cushions with the
supply reservoir, valve devices controlling the supply and exhaust of air to and
from the mattresses and chair cushions, an exhaust or discharge pipe common to
the mattresses and chair cushions, and an ejector communicating with said exhaust
pipe.
4. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an air supply reservoir, a
plurality of extensible and collapsible mattresses connected by piping to said
reservoir, a pressure reducing valve controlling the delivery of air from the reservoir
to said piping, valve devices independently controlling the supply of air to the
mattresses and its discharge therefrom, an ejector supply pipe leading out of the
supply reservoir, and a plurality of ejectors, each receiving air from said
ejector supply pipe and communicating with the exhaust passage of one or more of
the mattresses.
5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
supports hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress, guides or
track ways fixed to said supports, and a series of longitudinal bars connected to
the mattress, and having their ends projecting beyond the same, so as to traverse
longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides when the supports are adjusted in
position to support the mattress.
6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
supports hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress, guides or
track ways fixed to said supports, a series of longitudinal bars connected to the
mattress and having their ends projecting beyond the same, friction rollers through
which said longitudinal bars bear on the guides, when the supports are adjusted
in position to support the mattress, and hooked projections on the bars for preventing
their displacement from the guides.
7. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,

page_text: supports hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress, guides
or track ways fixed to said supports, supplemental guides fitted, with a limited
traverse, on the side of the car, springs bearing on said supplemental guides and
maintaining them in contact with the main guides, and a series of longitudinal bars
connected to the mattress and having their ends projecting beyond the same, so as
to traverse longitudinally on, and bear upon, the guides, when the supports are
adjusted in position to support the mattress.
8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
supports hinged to the side of a car, adjacent to the ends of the mattress, guides
or track ways fixed to said supports, members connected to the mattress and
adapted to traverse longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the supports
are adjusted in position to support the mattress, a retracting device for moving
the mattress into collapsed position upon the release of air therefrom, and an
ejector communicating with the release or discharge outlet of the mattress.
9. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a sill or shelf for supporting said mattress adjacent to the side of a car,
when collapsed, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
partitions hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress, and
having panelling closing the space above the supporting sill when moved into
position parallel with the side of the car, guides or track ways fixed to said
partitions, and members connected to the mattress and adapted to traverse
longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the partitions are moved into
positions transverse to the car.
.0. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
panelled partitions, hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress,
sliding panels fitted in said swinging partitions, and movable therein so as to
uncover openings opposite to, and of substantially equal area with, those of the
car window sashes, when moved into position parallel with the side of the car,
guides or track ways fixed to said partitions, and members connected to the inattress
and adapted to traverse longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the
partitions are moved into positions transverse to the car.
11. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
panelled partitions, hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress,
ventilating openings formed in the car above its windows and provided with sash or
screen closure, sliding panels fitted in said partitions and movable therein so as to
uncover openings opposite to, and of substantially equal area with, those of the
ventilating openings, when moved into position parallel with the side of the car,
guides or track ways fixed to said partitions, and members connected to the
mattress and adapted to traverse longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when
the partitions are moved into positions transverse to the car.
12. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a plurality of extensible and
collapsible mattresses, set end to end, pipes for the supply and exhaust of air to
and from the mattresses, panelled partitions, two of which are hinged to the side of
a car, between the ends of two adjacent mattresses, guides or track ways fixed to
said partitions, and members connected to the mattresses and adapted to traverse
longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the partitions are moved into
positions transverse to the car.
13. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a plurality of extensible and
collapsible mattresses, set end to end, pipes for the supply and exhaust of air to
and from said mattresses, panelled partitions, two of which are hinged to the
side of a car, between the ends of two adjacent mattresses, and which have their
ends projecting beyond their hinges, car frame posts, each projecting inwardly
beyond the inside panelling of the car, between the frame members to which two
adjacent partitions are hinged, and having lateral recesses which receive the end

page_text: portions of the partitions in either position thereof, guides or track ways fixed to
said partitions, and members connected to the mattresses and adapted to traverse
longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the partitions are moved into
positions transverse to the car.
14. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an expansible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
panelled partitions, hinged to the side of a car, adjacent to the ends of the
mattress, boards hinged to the upper sides of the partitions and adapted to
substantially close the space between the same and the car roof, when the partitions
.are moved into positions transverse to the car, guides or track ways fixed to said
partitions, and inembers connected to the mattress and adapted to traverse longi-
tudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the partitions are moved into positions
transverse to the car.
15. The combination, substantially as set forth, of two or more pairs of fixed car
seats, an extensible and collapsible mattress supported on the side of the car between
two of said seats, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
panelled partitions hinged to the side of the car adjacent to the ends of the
mattress and fitting over the tops of the adjacent seat backs, when moved into
position transverse to the car, panels closing openings in said partitions which give
free access to the window sashes of the car, when the partitions are moved into
positions parallel with the side of the car, said panels being movable into the space
between two adjacent seat backs, guides or track ways fixed to the seat backs, and
members connected to the mattress and adapted to traverse longitudinally on, and
rest upon, said guides.
16. The combination, substantially as set forth, of two or more pairs of fixed
car seats, panelled partitions hinged to the side of the car, each above a seat
back and fitting over the top of the same, when moved into position transverse to
the car, panels closing openings in said partitions which give free access to the
window sashes of the car, when the partitions are moved into positions parallel
with the sides of the car, said panels being movable into the space between two
adjacent seat backs, an extensible and collapsible mattress supported on the side of
the car between the partitions, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to
and from the mattress, guides or track ways fixed to the partitions, and members
connected to the mattress and adapted to traverse longitudinally on and rest
upon, said guides, when the partitions are moved into positions transverse to
the car.
17. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an extensible and collapsible
mattress, a pipe for the supply and exhaust of air to and from the mattress,
panelled supports hinged to the side of a car adjacent to the ends of the mattress,
guides or track ways fixed to said supports, members connected to the mattress and
adapted to traverse longitudinally on, and rest upon, the guides, when the supports
are adjusted in position to support the mattress, chairs having expansible and
collapsible seat cushions and journalled by tubular pivots on their bases, pipes
communicating with said tubular pivots for the supply and exhaust of air to and
from the seat cushions, and connected backs and arms which are coupled detachably
to the chairs, and are adapted to be folded down thereon below the mattress when
the latter is extended and the seat cushions are collapsed.
Dated Thirty-first day of March A.D. 1896.
Witnesses :-
F. E. GAITHUR.
J. SNOWDEN BELL.
LINFORD FITCH RUTH.