SAFETY STATEROOM LADDERS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, THOMAS JAMES, of 25 Earle Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for SAFETY STATEROOM
LADDERS to be as follows:—
The invention is intended to meet the "upper berth" difficulty in passenger
ships, and consists of a ladder connected to the stateroom bulkhead by means of a
short support with a hinge arrangement so that a passenger can take it down, and,
after using it, put it up against the bulkhead out of the way.
One end of the support is connected to the head of the ladder by a hinge
arrangement, the other end being similarly connected to the bulkhead forming the
foot, or preferrably, the head of the berths, at such a distance from the floor and
berths, that, when put up against the bulkhead, the foot of the ladder will just
clear the floor, and so as to be close to the berths when let down.
When down, the distance of the head is about half that of the foot of the ladder
from the bulkhead, the foot being kept in position by a cord or otherwise. When
put up it is kept against the bulkhead by a hook or catch. One or two hooks are
also fastened to the ladder in such a position as to grip the sides of the berths, for
greater security.

page_text: THOMAS JAMES 25 Earle Street Liverpool Commercial Clerk do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for SAFETY STATEROOM LADDERS and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The invention is principally intended to meet the "upper berth" difficulty in
passenger vessels, and consists of a step-ladder connected to the stateroom bulk-
head by means of a support with a closing arrangement so that it can be drawn
out for use and closed up against the partition out of the way when not required.
In its simpler form it consists of a wooden step-ladder, of the height required,
say six to seven feet, the sides being 3 by 11 inches and placed 6 to 8 inches
apart. The support consists of a strong wooden slab or board, about half the
height of the ladder in length, and its width allowing of its fitting in between the
sides of the ladder. The upper end of this support is connected to one of
the upper steps of the ladder (the step being made extra strong for the purpose) by
butt hinges, and its lower end connected to the partition forming the head or foot
of the aleeping berths in a similar manner, and about three feet three inches from
the floor of the cabin. The hinges are fastened to the front part of, the support
and the underside of the step, and at the lower end to the back of the support.
The support is connected to the partition in such a position with regard to the
berths that the ladder when drawn out, will just clear the sides of the bunks. To
add to its security two strong hooks are fastened to the side of the ladder nearest
the berths in such a position as to grip or clamp the edges of the sides of the
bunks when the ladder is drawn out. When drawn out the head of the ladder
will be about two, and its foot about four and a half feet from the partition to
which it is attached. Its foot is kept at the requisite distance by a cord or chain
or by two rods joined together by a pin so as to have a closing movement, and the
ladder is kept closed against the partition. by a catch, clip, hook and eye, rod and
eyes, or similar or other arrangements. When drawn out the ladder will be
in a slightly more vertical position than its support.
'
The support may also be hung by means of cross garnett or clip hinges to a
metal bar connecting the sides at the upper end or by means of hooks, eyes, or
sockets, fixed to the support and going round the bar. The support may be also
hung to the sides by means of metal pivots and sockets or pivots and centres, or,
instead of a single wide support, an arm or support on each side may be used,
hung on pivots and sockets or pivots and centres.
The support or supports may be attached to the fixture by any of the foregoing
methods.
The ladder, while specially designed for the staterooms of ships, is also intended
for railway sleeping cars, shops, offices, or other places where it can be used when
attached in a certain place.
The dimensions and positions given are not absolute, but are given by way of
illustration, and the materials of construction may be either wholly or partly

page_text: Of
wrought or cast metal, wood, or any other material that the makers or users may
prefer or select. The ladder and support or supports is or are strengthened when
and where required by means of a metal rod or rods connecting the sides by
metal banda, plates, or brackets. ·
and
от
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention an din
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
1. That the ladder does not stand of itself but is attached or connected by
means of a support or supports to a fixture such as a bulkhead, partition, wall &c.
2. That the support or supports is or are preferably, but not necessarily shorter
than the ladder.
3. That the ladder can be drawn out for use or closed up against the bulkhead,
wall &c when not required.