IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO SHIPS' BERTHS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE USED FOR SEVERAL VARIOUS OTHER USEFUL Purposes
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Isaac Antoine Chomel, of the City and State
of New York, United States of America, but at present of 15,
Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO SHIPS' BERTHS, PARTS
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE USED FOR SEVERAL VARIOUS OTHER USEFUL
Purposes."
Sealed the 8th July 1873, and dated the 10th May 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Isaac Antoine Chomel
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th May 1873.
I, ISAAC ANTOINE CHOMEL, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America, but at present of 15, Water Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO SHIPS' BERTHS, PARTS
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE USED FOR SEVERAL VARIOUS OTHER USEFUL
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of ships' berths
known as equilibrium berths or swinging cots, and consists in a berth

page_text: which is surmounted by a light iron or other framework. This frame-
work carries a bracket in its centre, the berth being suspended from the
deck above by a suitable pin and ball working in a ball-and-socket joint
in the before mentioned bracket. The equilibrium of the berth is
further regulated by an articulated framework, which is hung to each
end of the state room, or to fixed uprights at each end of the berth.
This framework passes underneath the berth. At each end of the
berth and at the bottom of the berth there are attached pins, which
carry antifriction rollers, which rollers work in slots in the framework.
It will thus be seen that the berth is suspended by a ball-and-socket
joint from the deck above, the equilibrium of the berth being regulated
and governed by the swinging frame underneath the berth.
The berth is provided with a locking apparatus, which consists of a
lever, or its mechanical equivalent, which works horizontal rods or
bolts, which bolts can be caused to project at each end of the berth,
where they take into a corrugated provision provided for that purpose
on the state room bulkheads, or the fixed. uprights. The lever working
the bolts is placed in such a position that it can be easily actuated by
the occupant of the berth. The bottom of the berth is made in three
pieces, hinged or jointed together, and so arranged that the upper or
head portion will rise up and form a back rest, the lower or middle
portion rising up and forming a leg and knee rest, being a reclining
chair. The berth sides are fitted with racks which support the bottom
in the before-mentioned position when required. The bracket by which
the bed is suspended may be panelled over, the one side forming a
looking glass, which glass has a hinged cover. The said cover is so
arranged that it can be lowered and form either a table or a reading
desk.
To equalize the weight of the occupant of the berth, and to further
assist and govern the equilibrium of the berth, the head of the berth is
fitted with an adjustablo spring, which compensates for the inequality
of weight of the head and body over the legs of the occupant. The
framework surmounting the bed may be covered over with a suitable
curtain or canopy in the usual manner.
A modification of the herein-before described equilibrium berth or
swinging cot constructed according to my Invention consists in fitting
the bottom of a loose tray with wheels or antifriction rollers, which
wheels or rollers rest on two curved projections or rails attached to and

page_text: projecting from the bulkheads supporting the berth, and of such curve
as to allow a sufficient degree of play for maintaining the equilibrium.
This tray is fitted with similar Gross curves or rails, and contains a berth,
which berth is fitted with wheels or rollers working on to the said cross
curves. The combination of the double set of wheels, namely, those
on the tray and those on the berth, forms a universal motion which
preserves the equilibrium of the berth. The locking apparatus and
other details may be similar to the first mentioned arrangement.
In using my improved equilibrium ships' berth the intended occupant
first locks the berth to the bulkheads or uprights by means of the
lever and bolts; the bed is then perfectly fixed; the berth is theu
entered, and if the occupant is desirous of preserving the equilibrium,
he withdraws the bolts and the berth is poised.
My Invention further relates to the use of the regulating bottom to
reclining chairs and couches, also a framework suspended in manner
as before stated may carry a table and chair, or tables and chairs, which
are poised and maintain their equilibrium in manner described.
These modifications may be placed in any convenient position on
board ship.
The apparatus can also be used in any case where it is desirable to
maintain equilibrium.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Isaac Antoine Chomel in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 27th October 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ISAAC
ANTOINE CHOMEL, of the City and State of New York, United States
of America, but at present of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Tenth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Isaac Antoine Chomel, Her
special licence that I, the said Isaac Antoine Chomel, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Isaac Antoine
Chomel, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time.
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for “ Improve-
MENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO SHIPS' BERTHS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY
BE USED FOR SEVERAL OTHER VARIOUS USEFUL, PURPOSES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Isaac Antoine Chomel, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Isaac Antoine Chomel, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
'
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of ships' berths
known as equilibrium berths or swinging cots, and consists in a berth
which is surmounted by a light iron or other framework. This frame-
work carries a bracket in its centre, the berth being suspended from the
deck above by a suitable pin and ball working in a ball-and-socket joint
in the before mentioned bracket. The equilibrium of the berth is
further regulated by an articulated framework, which is hung to each
end of the state room, or to fixed uprights at each end of the berth
and on the same centre line as the ball-and-socket joint. This frame-
work passes underneath the berth. At each end of the berth there are
attached pins which carry antifriction rollers, which rollers work in
slots in the framework, and at the bottom and centre of the berth
there is a guiding pin or rod working in a hole cupped underneath in
the bottom of the framework. It will thus be seen that the berth is
suspended by a ball-and-socket joint from the deck above, the equilibrium
of the berth being regulated and governed by the swinging frame
underneath the berth.
.
The berth is provided with a locking apparatus, which consists of a
lever, or its mechanical equivalent, which works horizontal rods or bolts,
C

page_text: which bolts can be caused to project at each end of the berth, where
they take into a corrugated provision provided for that purpose on the
state room bulkheads or the fixed uprights. The lever working the
bolts is placed in such a position that it can be easily actuated by the
occupant of the berth. The bottom of the berth is made in three picces,
hinged or jointed together, and so arranged that the upper or head.
portion will rise up and form a back rest, the lower or middle portion
rising up and forming a leg and knee rest, being a reclining chair.
The berth sides are fitted with racks which support the bottom in
the before-mentioned position when required. The bracket by which
the bed is suspended may be panelled over, the one side forming a
looking glass, which glass has a hinged cover. The said cover is so
arranged that it can be lowered and form either a table or a reading.
desk.
To equalize the weight of the occupant of the berth, and to further
assist and govern the equilibrium of the berth, the head of the berth
is fitted with an adjustable spring, which compensates for the inequality
of weight of the head and body over the legs of the occupant. The
framework surmounting the bed may be covered over with a suitable
curtain or canopy in the usual manner.
A modification of the herein-before described equilibrium berth or
swinging cot constructed according to my Invention consists in fitting
the bottom of a loose tray with wheels or antifriction rollers, which
wheels or rollers rest on two curved projections or rails attached to
and projecting from the bulkheads supporting the berth, and of such
curve as to allow a sufficient degree of play for maintaining the equi-
librium. This tray is fitted with similar cross curves or rails, and
contains a berth, which berth is fitted with wheels or rollers working
on to the said cross curves. The combination of the double set of wheels,
namely, those on the tray and those on the berth, form a universal
motion which preserves the equilibrium of the berth. The locking
apparatus and other details may be similar to the first-mentioned
arrangement.
:
In using my improved equilibrium ships' berth the intended occupant
first locks the berth to the bulkheads or uprights by means of the lever
and bolts; the bed is then perfectly fixed; the berth is then entered,
and if the occupant is desirous of preserving the equilibrium, he with-
draws the bolts and the berth is poised,

page_text: My Invention further relates to the use of the regulating bottom to
reclining chairs and couches, also a framework suspended in manner as
before stated may carry a table and chair, or tables and chairs, which
are poised and maintain their equilibrium in manner described.
My Invention further relates to the use of the regulating bottom to
reclining chairs and couches, also a framework suspended in manner as
before stated may carry a table and chair, or tables and chairs, which
are poised and maintain their equilibrium in manner described.
These modifications may be placed in any convenient position on
board ship.
The apparatus can also be used in any case where it is desirable to
maintain equilibrium.
The beforegoing being the nature, object, and purposes of my
Invention, I will now proceed to describe more in detail how the same
may be carried out into practical effect, and for that purpose I have
hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings illustrating a ship's equilibrium
berth constructed according to this Invention.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 an outside end view.
Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that the berth a is
hung by a suspension frame b, b', and bracket 2 by a ball-and-socket
joint c and rod c¹ to the deck d overhead; all circular or revolving
movement of the berth a is prevented by connecting the head a¹ and
foot a to an independent frame g by means of guiding pins h, h. The
independent frame g is hung or suspended at k, k', to the corresponding
sides of a room, or to uprights. The frame is composed of two
upright pieces connected by a third under the berth a.
The uprights
are suspended by hooks and eye bolts k, k¹, and the piece underneath is
connected with them by hinges or similar joints at g', g², so that the
entire frame is capable of swinging freely both lengthwise and sidewise,
while slots are cut in the uprights g for the guiding pins h, h¹, to allow
the vertical swing of the berth a. The guiding pins are fitted with anti-
friction rollers. By these means a revolving motion of the berth is
counteracted without interference with vertical, lateral, and longitudinal
swinging, which are alone requisite to enable the berth to take a horizontal
position in all movements of the vessel. In order to keep the berth a
from tipping sideways, and also from striking against the independent
frame g, a guiding rod m is fastened to the bottom of the berth a, running
through a hole cupped underneath in the bottom of the frame. The
uprights of the frame must be set at an obtuse angle to the bottom, so as
to admit of the longitudinal motion, and the ends of the berth at a¹and a

page_text: are cut to a corresponding angle. In order to check too free oscillation of
the berth a, and to counterbalance the preponderance of weight in the
head and body of the occupant, spiral springs o are fastened to the
upper part of the suspension frame b, and connected with the deck or
ceiling above.
It is preferred that the ball-and-socket joint and the hooks and cyc
bolts carrying the independent frame should have one common centre
linc.
The bracket 2 may be fitted with a looking glass 63, the hinged cover
of which 6* will act as a reading desk.
The berth is steadied and locked from oscillation during the entrance
and exit of the occupant by means of the lever and bolt arrangement
1, s, t, which gear into corrugated provisions u, v. The bottom of the
berth is jointed so as to admit of conversion into a lounge or seat a, y, z,
in dotted lines. The suspension frame b may be surmounted by suitable
curtains or canopy.
Having now described and ascertained the nature, object, and purposes
of my Invention, and shown how the same may be carried out into
practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself
to any particular shape, size, or dimension of the equilibrium berth, or
its attendant parts, as the same may be considerably varied without
departing from my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention and
secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid is,―
Firstly. The equilibrium berth or swinging cot a surmounted by the
framework b, carried by and suspended by the bracket 62 and ball-and-
socket joint c and rod c², and regulated by the articulated frame g, as
shown and described in the accompanying Drawings, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Secondly. A berth or cot made to keep its equilibrium by fitting the
bottom of a loose tray with wheels or antifriction rollers, which wheels
or rollers rest on two curved projections or rails attached to and pro-
jecting from the bulkheads. The tray is fitted with similar cross rails
and contains the berth or cot, which is fitted with wheels or rollers
running on the said cross rails, substantially in the manner as set
forth.
1

page_text: Thirdly. The use of the articulated framework to reclining chairs and
couches, also to tables and chairs, to maintain their equilibrium,
substantially in the manner described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Isaac Antoine Chomel, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Twenty-third day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-three.
ISAAC ANTOINE (L.S.) CHOMEL.
Witness,
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUgh,
of 15, Water Strect,
Liverpool.