IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS AND THEIR FURNITURE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS, WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS AND THEIR
FURNITURE." A communication from abroad by David Huston, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th February 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS'
SLEEPING BERTHS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS
OF SHIPS AND THEIR FURNITURE." [A communication from abroad by David
Huston, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of self-levelling sleeping
berths for ships, in which the berth or bed is suspended from a swinging frame
arranged over the same and adapted to vibrate on both a longitudinal and
transverse axis, the said Invention being also applicable to other parts of ships and
their furniture.
These berths have heretofore been provided with guides at their ends, the friction
of which has often prevented the berth from maintaining or quickly recovering its
horizontal position; and the present Invention has for its object to enable me to
entirely dispense with these guides and thus avoid the friction produced thereby,
and also to so improve the construction of the berth and the method of suspending
or supporting the same, that the liability of its becoming set or jammed in any
particular position within its casing will be entirely avoided.
The said Invention comprises a berth suspended from a frame to which is pivoted
a cross-piece, the transverse portion of which is pivoted within a hanger in a line
at right angles to that in which the longitudinal portion is pivoted to the swinging
Din RJ1

page_text: frame, by which arrangement while the frame is free to vibrate on both a longi-
tudinal and a transverse axis, so as to preserve its equilibrium as the ship or vessel
pitches or rolls, it is nevertheless confined by the pivots on which it is hung, so
as to be thereby prevented from having any movement in a horizontal plane around
a vertical axis, and consequently as the berth is in a great measure controlled in its
movements by the frame from which it is suspended it is prevented from coming
.into contact with the sides of the casing, while the friction is reduced to a minimum
and no obstacle is presented to the free swinging movement of the berth.
The said Invention also comprises the employment in connection with the above
of a double swivel or universal joint applied to the underside of the frame of the
berth which supports the bed-bottom for connecting it with cross beams or some
other stationary portion of the casing, whereby the berth is more effectually
confined in its proper position and yet allowed to conform exactly in its movements
to those of the swinging frame overhead.
The said Invention, furthermore, comprises the combination with the berth of
crossed spiral springs arranged in such a manner as to yield when the berth
vibrates either on its longitudinal or transverse axis and return it to its normal
position when not occupied.
In carrying the said Invention into practice the berth or bed is located within a
casing, and I provide a rectangular frame which is suspended by wire-ropes secured
to its four corners from a frame, which consists of a stout bar or beam extending
longitudinally over the centre of the berth, and provided at each end with a trans-
verse piece forming two branches, to the extremities of which the ends of the wire-
ropes are fastened. A countersunk hole in which a knot or enlargement at the
upper end of the said rope is fitted is intended to be covered by an ornamental
screw-cap, the bottom of which fits tightly against the enlargement of the rope and
serves to hold it in its place. A bar is provided on each side of its centre with an
upwardly projecting portion, and between these two projections is pivoted a cross-
piece, the transverse portion of which is pivoted by means of adjustable screws
within a U-shaped hanger, bolted firmly to the underside of the top or ceiling of
the aforesaid casing and passing through an aperture in the said bar, the pivotal
points of the longitudinal and transverse portions of the said cross pioce being
arranged in lines at right angles to each other, by which construction the aforesaid
supporting frame is permitted to vibrate freely on both its longitudinal and trans-
verse axis so as to preserve its equilibrium as the ship or vessel pitches or rolls,
but is prevented from swinging around in a horizontal plane, and consequently as
the movements of the berth or bed are controlled to a great extent by those of the
said frame overhead from which it is suspended, it is steadied in a great measure
thereby and kept out of contact with the sides of the casing.
One of the said adjustable screws is provided with a handle similar to that of a
vice, by means of which it can be tightened so as to allow the berth to swing
longitudinally with more or less freedom to adapt it to the weight or size of the
occupant, who is thus enabled to instantly adjust this movement to suit the
requirements of the case. If desired, screws similar to those already named may
be employed as pivots for the longitudinal portion of the said cross-piece.
In order to still further steady the berth the underside of its frame is connected
with cross-beams or some other stationary part beneath it by means of a double
swivel or universal joint composed of a cross piece (similar to the cross piece already
mentioned), the transverse portion of which is pivoted between lugs or ears pro-
jecting from a plate secured to the underside of the berth-frame, while the longi-
tudinal portion is pivoted between ears projecting up from and secured to the said
cross beams, a universal joint connection being thus formed by which the berth is
effectually prevented from swinging around in a horizontal plane, but is at the same
time allowed to conform exactly to all of the movements of its supporting frame as
desired;
and by this construction the guides heretofore employed at the ends of the
berth are entirely dispensed with, and the friction thus reduced to a minimum,

page_text: while at the same time the operation of the berth is rendered much more perfect,
and the liability of its becoming set or jammed in any particular position within
the casing is thus entirely avoided.
At the head and foot of the berth are a pair of crossed spiral springs, one end of
each spring being hooked into an eye or staple on the berth-frame and the opposite
end being similarly secured to the side of the casing, the springs when thus
arranged serving to steady the berth and render it less tremulous, and also to
return it to its normal horizontal position when not occupied, as a lateral movement
in either direction will cause a tension to be brought upon one spring of each pair,
and a longitudinal movement in either direction will bring a strain upon one pair
or the other of the springs, as the case may be; and by the employment of these
springs the heavy counterpoise weight heretofore used is rendered entirely
unnecessary.
A berth constructed as above described will preserve its equilibrium or balance
and maintain itself in a horizontal position when occupied independently of tho
ship's motion, thus removing the causes which induce sea-sickness and promoting
the comfort of the occupant.
It is evident that racks for supporting glass-ware, crockery, and similar articles
in ships' cabins, also ships' tables, chairs, settees, and the like, also the floors of state
rooms, may be constructed in a mauner similar to the berth above described without
departing from the spirit of the said Invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th August 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS'
SLEEPING BERTHS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PARTS
OF SHIPS AND THEIR FURNITURE.” A communication from abroad by David
Huston, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of self-levelling berths for
ships or vessels in which the berth or bed is suspended from a swinging frame
arranged over the same and adapted to vibrate on a longitudinal and a transverse
axis.
These berths have heretofore been provided with guides at their ends, the friction
of which has often prevented the berth from maintaining or quickly recovering its
horizontal position, and the present Invention has for its objects to entirely dispense
with these guides, and thus avoid the friction produced thereby; and also to so
improve the construction of the berth and the method of suspending or supporting
the same that its liability to becoming set or jammed in any particular position
within its casing will be entirely avoided. The said Invention comprises a berth
suspended from a frame, to which is pivoted a cross-piece whose transverso portion
is pivoted within a hanger in a line at right angles to that in which the longi-
tudinal portion is pivoted to the swinging frame; by this arrangement the frame
while free to vibrate on both a longitudinal and a transverse axis, so as to preserve
its equilibrium as the vessel pitches or rolls, is nevertheless so confined by the
pivots on which it is hung as to be thereby prevented from having any movement
in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis, and consequently as the said berth is
in a great measure controlled in its movements by the frame from which it is
suspended it is prevented from coming into contact with the sides of the casing,
while the friction is reduced to a minimum, and no obstacle is presented to the free
swinging movement of the said berth.
The said Invention also comprises the employment in connection with the above
of a double swivel or universal joint applied to the underside of the frame of the
berth which supports the bed-bottom for connecting it with cross-beams or some
other stationary portion of the casing, whereby the berth is more effectually con-
fined in its proper position and yet allowed to conform exactly in its movements to
those of the swinging frame overhead.
The said Invention furthermore comprises the combination with the said berth
of crossed spiral springs arranged in such a manner as to yield when the berth
vibrates either on its longitudinal or transverse axis and return it to its normal
position when not occupied.
The said Invention also comprises a novel device for securing the ends of the
cords by which the berth is suspended to the ends of the swinging frame.

page_text: corners from a frame D, which consists of a stout bar or beam b extending longi-
tudinally over the centre of the berth and provided at each end with a transverse
piece forming two branches or arms c, c, to the extremities of which the ends of the
wire ropes or cords a are connected. The ends of the arms c are slightly enlarged,
and are each provided with an aperture for the reception of a flanged nipple 19,
through which the end of the cord a passes, the top of the aperture in the nipple
being countersunk, as seen in Figure 6, to receive the knotted or enlarged end of
the cord; and over this nipple is screwed an ornamental cap 20, which conceals the
end of the cord, and holds it down tightly in its place. The enlarged ends of the
branches c are each provided with an open slot 21, through which the cord a can
be introduced or withdrawn when the nipple is raised up out of its seat, a con-
venient means being thus afforded for connecting or disconnecting the cords without
disturbing the knots or enlargements at their ends. The lower ends of the cords a
are connected in a similar manner with the corners of the frame B, the screw-caps
being here dispensed with.
The bar b, which is of the form seen in Figures 1 and 2, is provided on each side
of its centre with an upwardly projecting portion 10, and between these two pro-
jections 10 is pivoted a cross-piece E, the transverse portion of which is pivoted by
means of adjustable screws d, d, within a U-shaped hanger G bolted firmly to the
underside of the top or ceiling of the casing A, and passing through an aperture 15
in the bar b, the pivotal points of the longitudinal and transverse portions of the
cross-piece E being arranged in lines at right angles to each other, by which con-
struction the frame D is permitted to vibrate freely on both its longitudinal and
transverse axes, so as to preserve its equilibrium as the vessel pitches or rolls, but is
prevented from swinging around in a horizontal plane; and consequently as the
movements of the berth B are controlled to a great extent by those of the frame D
overhead, from which it is suspended, it is steadied in a great measure thereby, and
kept out of contact with the sides of the casing A. One of the scrows & is provided
with a handle e similar to that of a vice, by means of which it can be tightened so
as to allow the berth to swing longitudinally, with more or less freedom, to adapt it
to the weight or size of the occupant, who is thus enabled to instantly adjust this
movement to suit the requirements of the case.
If desired, screws similar to those marked & may be employed as pivots for the
longitudinal portion of the cross-piece E, instead of the construction shown.
In order to still further steady the berth B the underside of its frame is con-
nected with cross-beams H, H, or some other stationary part beneath it, by means
of a double swivel or universal joint, composed of a cross-piece I (similar to the
piece E), the transverse portion f of which is pivoted between lugs or ears 9 pro-
jecting from a plate h secured to the underside of the berth-frame B, while the
longitudinal portion & is pivoted between ears projecting up from and secured to the
cross-bars H, H, a universal joint-connection being thus formed, by which the berth
is effectually prevented from swinging around in a horizontal plane, but is at the
same time allowed to conform exactly to all of the movements of its supporting
frame D, as desired, and by this construction the guides heretofore employed at the
ends of the berth are entirely dispensed with, and the friction is thus reduced to a
minimum, while at the same time the operation of the berth is rendered much more
perfect, and the liability of its becoming set or jammed in any particular position
within the casing is thus entirely avoided.
At the head and foot of the berth are a pair of crossed spiral springs K, K, one
end of each spring being hooked into an eye or staple on the berth-frame, and the
opposite end being similarly secured to the side of the casing A, the springs when
thus arranged serving to steady the berth and render it less tremulous, and also to
return it to its normal horizontal position when not occupied, as a lateral movement
in either direction will cause a tension to be brought upon one spring of each pair,
and a longitudinal movement in either direction will bring a strain upon one pair
or other of the springs, as the case may be, and by the employment of these

page_text: springs the heavy counterpoise weight heretofore used is rendered entirely
unnecessary.
A berth constructed as above described will preserve its equilibrium or balance
and maintain itself in a horizontal position when occupied independently of the
vessel's motion, thus removing the causes which induce sea sickness, and promoting
the comfort of the occupant.
It is evident that racks for supporting glass-ware, crockery, and the like in ships'
cabins, ships' tables, chairs, settees, and other furniture, and the floors of state rooms,
may be constructed in a manner similar to the berth above described without
departing from the spirit of this Invention.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,―
First. A berth suspended from a swinging frame supported on two series of
pivots arranged in lines at right angles to each other, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Second. The cross-piece E pivoted to the swinging frame and to the hanger G in
lines at right angles to each other, substantially as set forth.
Third. A berth suspended from a swinging frame in combination with a cross-
piece E pivoted to the frame and to a hanger in lines at right angles to each other,
whereby the frame is allowed to vibrate on both a longitudinal and a transverse
axis, but is prevented from moving in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with the berth-frame of the cross-pieco I pivoted to its
underside and to a stationary part beneath in lines at right angles to each other,
substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination of parts comprising the berth suspended from: an over-
hung swinging frame and the cross piece I pivoted to the berth and to a stationary
part beneath in lines at right angles to each other, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the vibrating berth of the crossed spiral springs
attached thereto and to the casing, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
set forth.
Seventh. The slotted branches or arms c provided with the removable nipples and
screw caps for holding the cords a, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
W ROBT. LAKE. (L.B.)