IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henry Birkbeck, of the Firm of Tongue
& Birkbeck, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agents & Engineers, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by François Aristide Chapelle,
Louis Caron, and Alexandre Amiot, Manufacturers, of Paris, in the
Empire of France.
Sealed the 24th January 1862, and dated the 10th August 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henry Birkbeck
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th August 1861.
I, GEORGE HENRY BIRKBECK, of the Firm of Tongue & Birkbeck, of 34,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agents & Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
military and other tents, whereby greater protection is afforded to the occu-
piers from the effects of bad weather or damp ground, together with additional
ease and comfort whilst being occupied. For this purpose when constructing
a tent capable of accommodating four persons three uprights are driven into

page_text: the ground about two feet apart. These uprights may be in two parts, formed
with sockets or joints to connect them together, and are furnished with hooks
near the centre for supporting the metal rods, to which one end of the cloths
or hammocks are attached. The upper ends of the uprights are connected by
tie rods, which also serve to support the outer covering of the tent; the other
end of each cloth or hammock is attached to a metal rod formed with eyes or
other connections at each end; this rod when the hammock is to be used is
firmly secured to the upper edge of the knapsack by straps or other fastenings,
which thus forms a bearing or support for the foot or lower end of the cloth
or hammock, so as to raise it above the ground. Ropes are attached to each
end of the rod which fixes to the knapsack, the ends being tightly stretched up
to a peg, which is firmly driven into the ground. Two or more such cloths
or hammocks may thus be stretched and supported side by side (according to
the number of uprights employed), corresponding ones being stretched and
supported from the central uprights in the opposite direction. Each cloth or
hammock thus supported forms a dry and flexible bed or surface, on which the
soldier or other occupant of the tent can repose with ease and comfort, without
being exposed to the weather or the. injurious effects of lying upon damp
ground, while the space underneath the hammocks forms a shelter for the arms,
ammunition, provisions, or clothes of the occupants. The cloth or cover-
ing of the tent is cut in a rectangular form, so as to shut in the tent at the
side by falling almost close to the side to protect the men against the heat of
the sun, rain, or wind; and the parts thus forming the cover are furnished with
buttons, hooks, eyelet holes, or other fastenings to connect them together, and
the various parts can in case of need be employed as sacks or receptacles for
the use of the commissariat or for baggage. The whole of the parts are
capable of being rolled together to form a package of limited size, which may
be carried on the knapsack. For the use of cavalry or travellers a light
portable metal or other support may be substituted for the knapsack, suitably
constructed to fold up or attach to the hammock. Tents constructed according
to this Invention may be made for one or any larger number of occupants.
by the said George Henry Birkbeck in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th February 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE 3
HENRY BIRKBECK, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, of 34, Southampton

page_text: Buildings, Chancery Land, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents and
Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Henry Birkbeck, Her special licence that I, the said George
Henry Birkbeck, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, 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 "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES," a
communication to me from abroad by François Aristide Chapelle, Louis Caron,
and Alexandre Amiot, Manufacturers, of Paris, in the Empire of France, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, 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
per-
formed, 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 George Henry Birkbeck, 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 thereof, that is to say:-.
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
military and other tents, whereby greater protection is afforded to the occu-
piers from the effects of bad weather or damp ground, together with additional
ease and comfort whilst being occupied. For this purpose, when constructing
a tent capable of accommodating four persons, three uprights are driven into
the ground about two feet apart. These uprights may be in two parts formed
with sockets or joints to connect them together, and are furnished with hooks
near the centre for supporting the metal rods to which one end of the cloths
or hammocks are attached. The upper ends of the uprights are connected by
tie rods, which also serve to support the outer covering of the tent. The other
end of each cloth or hammock is attached to a metal rod formed with eyes or
other connections at each end; this rod when the bammock is to be used is

page_text: firmly secured to the upper edge of the knapsack by straps or other fastenings,
which thus forms a bearing or support for the foot, or lower end of the cloth
or hammock, so as to raise it above the ground. Ropes are attached to each
end of the rod which fixes to the knapsack, the ends being tightly stretched
up to a peg which is firmly driven into the ground. Two or more such cloths
or hammocks may thus be stretched and supported side by side (according to
the number of uprights employed), corresponding ones being stretched and
supported from the central uprights in the opposite direction. Each cloth or
hammock thus supported forms a dry and flexible bed or surface, on which the
soldier or other occupant of the tent can repose with ease and comfort without
being exposed to the weather or the injurious effects of lying upon damp
ground, while the space underneath the hammock forms a shelter for the arms,
ammunition, provisions, or clothes of the occupants. The cloth or covering of the
tent is cut in a rectangular form, so as to shut in the tent at the side by falling
almost close to the side to protect the men against the heat of the sun, rain,
or wind; and the parts thus forming the cover are furnished with buttons,.
hooks, eyelet holes, or other fastenings to connect them together, and the
various parts can, in case of need, be employed as sacks or receptacles for the
use of the commissariat or for baggage. The whole of the parts are capable
of being rolled together to form a package of limited size, which may be
carried on the knapsack. For the use of cavalry or travellers a light portable
metal or other support may be substituted for the knapsack suitably con-
structed to fold up or attach to the hammock. Tents constructed according
to this Invention may be made for one or any larger number of occupants.
And in order that the Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into practice, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a tent, constructed according to
my Invention, suitable for the accommodation of four persons; Figure 2 is a
plan, showing on one side the cloths or sloping parts which shut up or close
the sides of the tent.
A, A, are three uprights, which are of suitable height formed in two parts,
connected together by the metal sockets at B, to which the hooks b are affixed,
thus forming supports to the tent. The uprights A are driven into the earth
at a suitable distance apart, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The canvas C is
of suitable breadth and length, and each part is furnished at each end with a
rod of iron. The rod D at the head is round; and is formed with eyes or
loops at each end, which are fixed on to hooks b attached to the sockets B.

page_text: The rod D also acts as a tie-piece to ensure the stability of the whole arrange-
ment. The rod D₁ at the foot is flattened, and is fixed to the knapsack I by
means of straps; it is likewise formed with eyes at each extremity, to which
two cords F are attached, which descend at an angle to the ground, to which
they are firmly pegged by the pin G, as shown. The knapsack E is fixed at
the ends of the cords F, and is placed in an inclined position outwards on its
end. The canvas H forming the cover of the tent is cut in the form of a
rectangle, and the parts H' being cut square serve to shut in the tent at the
side by falling almost close to the ground, so as to protect the occupiers of the
tent against rain, wind, or the heat of the sun. The rectangular parts H are
joined, or properly fitted by means of the buttons h, or by hooks or other
fastenings. Each part of the canvas forming the tent is furnished with button
holes on one side and with buttons on the other, and the canvas can, if
required, be employed as a sack for the use of the commissariat. The whole
apparatus of the tent may be rolled up so as to form a package of very limited
size, which may on the march be carried on the knapsack. For cavalry and
for travellers a substitute for the knapsack is provided by means of a light
support of iron which folds up and packs with the hammock.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
CRIRKRECK
H BIRKBECK
(3.0.)

page_text: & Birkbeck, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex. Patent Agents & Engineers, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by François Aristide Chapelle,
Louis Caron, and Alexandre Amiot, Manufacturers, of Paris, in the
Empire of France.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by François Aristide Chapelle,
Louis Caron, and Alexandre Amiot, Manufacturers, of Paris, in the
Empire of France.
Sealed the 24th January 1862, and dated the 10th August 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henry Birkbeck
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th August 1861.
I, GEORGE HENRY BIRKBECK, of the Firm of Tongue & Birkbeck, of 34,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agents & Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
military and other tents, whereby greater protection is afforded to the occu-
piers from the effects of bad weather or damp ground, together with additional
ease and comfort whilst being occupied. For this purpose when constructing
a tent capable of accommodating four persons three uprights are driven into

page_text: the ground about two feet apart. These uprights may be in two parts, formed
with sockets or joints to connect them together, and are furnished with hooks
near the centre for supporting the metal rods, to which. one end of the cloths
or hammocks are attached. The upper ends of the uprights are connected by
tie rods, which also serve to support the outer covering of the tent; the other
end of each cloth or hammock is attached to a metal rod formed with eyes or
other connections at each end; this rod when the hammock is to be used is
firmly secured to the upper edge of the knapsack by straps or other fastenings,
which thus forms a bearing or support for the foot or lower end of the cloth
or hammock, so as to raise it above the ground. Ropes are attached to each
end of the rod which fixes to the knapsack, the ends being tightly stretched up
to a peg, which is firmly driven into the ground. Two or more such cloths
or hammocks may thus be stretched and supported side by side (according to
the number of uprights employed), corresponding ones being stretched and
supported from the central uprights in the opposite direction. Each cloth or
hammock thus supported forms a dry and flexible bed or surface, on which the
soldier or other occupant of the tent can repose with ease and comfort, without
being exposed to the weather or the injurious effects of lying upon damp
ground, while the space underneath the hammocks forms a shelter for the arms,
ammunition, provisions, or clothes of the occupants. The cloth or cover-
ing of the tent is cut in a rectangular form, so as to shut in the tent at the
side by falling almost close to the side to protect the men against the heat of
the sun, rain, or wind; and the parts thus forming the cover are furnished with
buttons, hooks, eyelet holes, or other fastenings to connect them together, and
the various parts can in case of need be employed as sacks or receptacles for
the use of the commissariat or for baggage. The whole of the parts are
capable of being rolled together to form a package of limited size, which may
be carried on the knapsack. For the use of cavalry or travellers a light
portable metal or other support may be substituted for the knapsack, suitably
constructed to fold up or attach to the hammock. Tents constructed according
to this Invention may be made for one or any larger number of occupants.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Henry Birkbeck in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th February 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE 35
HENRY BIRKBECK, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, of 34, Southampton

page_text: Buildings, Chancery Land, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents and
Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Henry Birkbeck, Her special licence that I, the said George
Henry Birkbeck, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, 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 "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENTS FOR MILITARY AND OTHER PURPOSES," a
communication to me from abroad by François Aristide Chapelle, Louis Caron,
and Alexandre Amiot, Manufacturers, of Paris, in the Empire of France, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, 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 per-
formed, 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 George Henry Birkbeck, 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 thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
military and other tents, whereby greater protection is afforded to the occu-
piers from the effects of bad weather or damp ground, together with additional
ease and comfort whilst being occupied. For this purpose, when constructing
a tent capable of accommodating four persons, three uprights are driven into
the ground about two feet apart. These uprights may be in two parts formed
with sockets or joints to connect them together, and are furnished with hooks
near the centre for supporting the metal rods to which one end of the cloths
or hammocks are attached. The upper ends of the uprights are connected by
tie rods, which also serve to support the outer covering of the tent. The other
end of each cloth or hammock is attached to a metal rod formed with eyes or
other connections at each end; this rod when the hammock is to be used is

page_text: firmly secured to the upper edge of the knapsack by straps or other fastenings,
which thus forms a bearing or support for the foot, or lower end of the cloth
or hammock, so as to raise it above the ground. Ropes are attached to each
end of the rod which fixes to the knapsack, the ends being tightly stretched
up to a peg which is firmly driven into the ground. Two or more such cloths
or hammocks may thus be stretched and supported side by side (according to
the number of uprights employed), corresponding ones being stretched and
supported from the central uprights in the opposite direction. Each cloth or
hammock thus supported forms a dry and flexible bed or surface, on which the
soldier or other occupant of the tent cau repose with case and comfort without
being exposed to the weather or the injurious effects of lying upon damp
ground, while the space underneath the hammock forms a shelter for the arms,
ammunition, provisions, or clothes of the occupants. The cloth or covering of the
tent is cut in a rectangular form, so as to shut in the tent at the side by falling
almost close to the side to protect the men against the heat of the sun, rain,
or wind; and the parts thus forming the cover are furnished with buttons,.
hooks, eyelet holes, or other fastenings to connect them together, and the
various parts can, in case of need, be employed as sacks or receptacles for the
use of the commissariat or for baggage. The whole of the parts are capable
of being rolled together to form a package of limited size, which may be
carried on the knapsack. For the use of cavalry or travellers a light portable
metal or other support may be substituted for the knapsack suitably con-
structed to fold up or attach to the hammock. Tents constructed according
to this Invention may be made for one or any larger number of occupants.
And in order that the Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into practice, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a tent, constructed according to
my Invention, suitable for the accommodation of four persons; Figure 2 is a
plan, showing on one side the cloths or sloping parts which shut up or close
the sides of the tent.
A, A, are three uprights, which are of suitable height formed in two parts,
connected together by the metal sockets at B, to which the hooks b are affixed,
thus forming supports to the tent. The uprights A are driven into the earth
at a suitable distance apart, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The canvas C is
of suitable breadth and length, and each part is furnished at each end with a
rod of iron. The rod D at the head is round, and is formed with eyes or
loops at each end, which are fixed on to hooks b attached to the sockets B.

page_text: The rod D also acts as a tie-piece to ensure the stability of the whole arrange-
ment. The rod D¹ at the foot is flattened, and is fixed to the knapsack I by
means of straps; it is likewise formed with eyes at each extremity, to which
two cords F are attached, which descend at an angle to the ground, to which
they are firmly pegged by the pin G, as shown. The knapsack E is fixed at
the ends of the cords F, and is placed in an inclined position outwards on its
end. The canvas H forming the cover of the tent is cut in the form of a
rectangle, and the parts H¹ being cut square serve to shut in the tent at the
side by falling almost close to the ground, so as to protect the occupiers of the
tent against rain, wind, or the heat of the sun. The rectangular parts H are
joined, or properly fitted by means of the buttons h, or by books or other
fastenings. Each part of the canvas forming the tent is furnished with button
holes on one side and with buttons on the other, and the canvas can, if
required, be employed as a sack for the use of the commissariat. The whole
apparatus of the tent-may be rolled up so as to form a package of very limited
size, which may on the march be carried on the knapsack. For cavalry and
for travellers a substitute for the knapsack is provided by means of a light
support of iron which folds up and packs with the hammock.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Henry Birkbeck, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
G. H. BIRKBECK. (L.S.)