Improvements in or relating to Berths for use on Board Ship.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Berths for use on Board Ship.
I, THOMAS CHRISTIE, 2, Surrey Place, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, Solicitor,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention chiefly relates to improvements in ships' berths whereby the same
are enabled to maintain or to approximately maintain a horizontal position at sea
notwithstanding the motions of the ship or other vessel wherein the same are
placed.
This invention consists in the construction and apparatus and several com-
binations and arrangements of apparatus hereinafter described and its nature
and object may be more fully gathered from such description.
I provide apparatus similar to that shewn in the accompanying drawing the
separate parts of which are as follows.
1 is a rod projected from. roof. When cup and pivot joints are used this rod
may be made in two parts joined by a turnbuckle so that pivot may be pro-
jected into cup.
2 is a frame universally jointed to last. It is weighted.
3 is a rod universally jointed to 1 and also jointed to a small flanged wheel
running between centre rod of 2 and a rail hinged to such centre rod.
A ring
running along such centre rod may be substituted for such wheel. Instead of 3
being universally jointed to 1 it may be universally jointed to another rod which
again is hinged to 1-3 in that case being universally jointed to 2. To save side
strain on the hinge the rod so hinged to I may turn between two guides projected
from roof. Such devices are to prevent berth oscillating on its plane.
4 is another rod projected from roof.
5 is part of a hollow sphere swivelled to arm of 4 along continuation of centre
line of 2 when 2 lies horizontally. 5 may be immovably fixed to 4 in which case
a greater part of a sphere and not a mere strip would be required—-the guide here-
after referred to being in that case dispensed with.
A guide with roller bearings swivelled to the longitudinal centre line of 2
engages sides of 5. In front of 5 there is projected from the centre of the frame 2
and between arms of guide a plate carrying two moveable plates each capable of
sliding along rods or guides projected from fixed plate. Between fixed plate and
each of the moveable plates springs are fixed. Two rods one being along
longitudinal centre line of 2 and the other a little to the side, and each in two
parts joined by turnbuckles so that they can be lengthened or shortened so as to
regulate the pressure on 5 are fixed one to each of the moveable plates. Instead
of the surface of being smooth it may be honeycombed in which case instead
of rods in two parts with the moveable plates and springs, rods of some springy

page_text: material such as whalebone or lancewood tipped with steel might be used but
the rods in two parts are preferred as admitting of an easier adjustment of
pressure.
6 is a rod projected from bulkhead in line with longitudinal centre line of 2
when 2 lies horizontally. Duplicate at opposite end.
7 is swivelled to 6 and is a case or frame forming an arc of a circle or part of a
sphere carrying a series of catches which catches are successively engaged by a
tongue projected from and swivelled to 2 such catches successively withdrawing
from the tongue as they are inclined from the horizontal. The catches preferred
are the needles bolts or balls hereinafter referred to. There is a duplicate of 7
at opposite end.
8 is a case similar to 7 swivelled to a rod similar to 6 at the side in a line with
the lateral centre line of 2 when 2 is lying horizontally. There is a duplicate
at opposite or lee side which duplicate may be turned up and held by a hook from
roof when not in use.
9 is an india rubber band attached to 2 and to roof to compensate for greater
weight at head than at foot. Additional bands may be arranged round 1 for
steadying purposes.
10, bent rods (of which there are four) universally jointed to 2. These rods
may also be made straight in some cases. One has a hook on it for the attachment
of 11.
II is a cord opening out into two ends. Both pass through an eye or double
pulley or bulkhead. One end is then attached to 2 at one side. The other end is
then brought across bulkhead when it passes through another pulley and is then
also attached to 2. 11 when pulled tight and attached to hook prevents berth
from oscillating.
12 is the berth strictly so called. It is of wood or other suitable material. It
gets narrower and shorter towards bottom. At each of the upper corners or as
close thereto as possible is fixed a steel socket into each of which is fitted one of
the middle balls of the rods 10 from which the berth is now depended. From
the sockets downwards the corners of the berth are rounded out or cut away-
this when sockets in from edge and space will not permit of rods being bent
sufficiently to enable berth to keep clear of them to the extent required. The
same restriction of space requires the narrowing and shortening of berth towards
bottom. The edges of berth are or may be continued a little further upwards
from the plane of the sockets but of course with the necessary curve or incline
on them towards the centre when space does not permit them to be vertical. Of
course also the edges cannot be continued upwards at those points where they
would interfere with the rods though the further bending of the rods would enable
the edges to be continued further upwards all round. 12 is or may be weighted.
13 is an oblong frame also universally jointed to the rods 10. It forms the
tops of 16 and 17 hereinafter referred to. It is weighted. The corners of it as
of 2 may be tipped by small cushions preferably india rubber balls with holes in
them.
14 is a cylinder inside of which are a number of balls. Strips are cut opposite
to each other from the sides of cylinder so as to allow balls partially to project.
It is fixed to bottom of 16 when 16 used if not then to floor. When 16 not used
14 may be a solid rod in which case 15 would not have plug inside.
15 is a cap with a short plug inside and neck with ball outside on top. It is
screwed to 14 the plug holding the sides of 14 out. By the ball on top it is
universally jointed to the centre of 13.
16 is an extensible receptacle of an oblong oval or other suitable shape. The
top and bottom parts are of wood and the bottom is fixed to floor. The sides are
of leather, india rubber, canvas or other suitable material strengthened by ribs
or hoops of steel the ribs being joined to the balls in 14.. It is only partially
extended and the space between top and bottom is fitted through a hole in top
(which hole is closed by a screw cap sunk in top) with some sluggish liquid or

page_text: partial liquid such as pulp or a strong solution of sugar and water. 16 is intended
for steadying purposes merely. It is not intended to actively promote levelling
as liquid except perhaps quicksilver is not of itself responsive enough for a berth
though it is thought it will respond readily enough to the impetus given to it by
the berth when the ship inclines whilst resisting any departure of the berth itself
from the horizontal. From the nature of the receptacle however it does not
admit of the berth maintaining a complete level so that for that reason and its
objectionable nature, it may be dispensed with in most cases.
17 are extensible receptacles with sides of leather, india rubber canvas or other
suitable material strengthened by ribs or hoops of steel. In the bottoms are valves.
some opening inwardly and some outwardly. These valves can be fixed so as to
regulate the admission and expulsion of air. The bottoms stand on four feet
which are fixed to deck. Four such receptacles are used two at or near each end
one being on each side of the longitudinal centre line. Instead of such receptacles
pumps similar to bicyle pumps might be used but of course they would require to
be fixed in a suitable position. Their object is to reduce concussion.
The weights are made adjustable so as to provide for the upper portion of body..
being heavier than lower. The amount of weight will depend upon the person
occupying berth.
In arranging the position of the weights (and in them is of course included the
person occupying berth) the principle to be kept in view is that to prevent undue
oscillation the weights are to be distributed evenly round the turning point. It is
necessary however to depart from that principle, by placing the weights or the
greater part of them out from and beneath turning point to increase leverage and
so enable berth the better to overcome friction—the weight beneath also rendering
it more stable as regards the person occupying it if also more liable, to unduly
oscillate on motions of ship. To prevent undue oscillation and also to render
berth more steady parts 7 and 8 of apparatus with their adjuncts have been devised.
Part 5 with its adjuncts has also the same object in. view though its chief object
is to relieve any undue pressure of the tongues on the catches contained in parts 7
and 8. Parts 7 and 8 with the guides also to some extent serve the same purpose
intended to be served by part 3.
The joints connecting 1, 2 10 12 13 and 15 instead of ball and socket are pre-
ferably cup and pivot joints. When cup and pivot joints are used the bent parts
of the rods 10 are uppermost the pivots to sustain 12 being projected upwards.
Except where otherwise stated the apparatus is made of steel or other suitable
material.
A false roof and a false floor may be fitted up so that apparatus may be fitted up
without injury to vessel.
The catches used in 7 and 8 to engage the tongues may consist of the following
(1) A sheath fixed to case. Sheath may contain ball bearings.
(2) Arms fixed to sheath, which arms may be swivelled to sheath so that they
can turn round when case is turned round and hooked to roof.
(3) Other arms hinged to last and carrying a check to prevent lever swinging
in that direction.
(4) A cross piece fixed horizontally to top of last mentioned arms. Slight
springs are fastened to ends of cross piece and to case to prevent-last mentioned
arms turning too readily.
The weight at
(5) A lever swinging on a knife edge on last mentioned arms.
end of lever is preferably oblong to assist last mentioned arms to turn.
(6) A needle in sheath the point projecting through face of case. The point
of needle may be rounded.
(7) A cord joined to needle, and also by swivel at a point in a vertical line with
hinges of arms, to a heel or arm projecting at right angles from lever.
(8) Two pulleys carried by the first mentioned arms between which the cord
passes.

page_text: (9) Rollers also carried by the first mentioned arms and bearing one on each
side of the cord close to its junction with heel of lever.
(10) Slight springs attached to needle and to sheath to pull needle into sheath.
A guide swivelled to 2 and engaging sides of case carries a tongue which engages
ends of a succession of needles fixed one above the other in the case. When lever
capable of swinging both ways the tongue may be one piece, (though such tongue
is not recommended as it is liable to lock the berth off the horizontal) but when
checks are placed on arms to prevent lever swinging in one direction the tongue is
in two pieces one being hinged to the other. Such hinged piece can only turn one
way so that it can only engage the needles in one direction but when only one
line of needles are used the check only prevents the swing of the lever, and of
course only prevents undue oscillation in one direction. To correct the results
of undue oscillation of the levers two lines of needles are used one line of levers
being checked in one direction the other line of levers in the other. In that case
two tongues are used to engage them part of one tongue being hinged to turn
upwards and engage upwards, part of the other tongue being hinged to turn down-
wards and of course to engage the needles downwards. To maintain the hinged
parts of both tongues and especially of the one turning downwards in the same
plane as the fixed parts springs are used. Checks on the fixed parts prevent the
hinged parts turning in the other direction. When the ship inclines the levers
successively in swinging to the vertical pull out the needles and thus freeing the
tongue enable the berth to maintain its level and by employing two lines of needles
should one of the line of needles, say those engaged by the upward tongue in
case 7 be withdrawn by undue oscillation of their levers any tendency of the berth
to unduly oscillate is to some extent at least corrected by the tongue engaging the
needles downwards in the opposite or duplicate case 7 the levers operating which
needles being checked differently would not unduly oscillate at the same time
as the others.
There is a horizontal cross piece fixed to the end of 6. Instead of springs fixed
to cross piece on arms supporting lever and an oblong weight to lever cords may
be fixed to ends of crosspiece on 6. These cords are taken perpendicularly upwards
when they pass through pulleys on case. They are then taken across to the
arched side of case when they pass through other two pulleys fixed to case. They
are then brought down when they pass through other two eyes or pulleys fixed to
case and are then brought horizontally across and fastened to the ends of cross
piece on arms supporting lever. In this case it is presumed there is only one row
of needles down centre of case. When there are two lines it can easily be seen
that a cross piece like cross piece on 6 only capable of turning can be projected
from case across its centre line when the arms supporting lever on either side could
be operated upon from it. The cords can be crossed when required. Their object
is to assist lever to face line of inclination.
Instead of needles operated upon by levers there may be used a series of balls
preferably made of steel loaded with lead or quicksilver each in its own box and
arranged in arc of a circle so that they can partially protrude and serve successively
as a catch for the tongue until the vessel inclines sufficiently to enable them to
drop back.
A slight spring attached to inside of lid of box (where balls not en-
gaged back and front) projecting a ring against ball may with advantage be used
Instead of balls cylindrically shaped bolts may be used to shoot backwards and
forwards a plate extending a little above edges of bolt at each end preventing
it from falling out. Ball bearings are placed between bolt and box. At each end
of bolt is a ball castor to engage tongue but where ball castors would render bolt
liable to be unduly pushed in a short spike or pin rounded or slanted to the required
degree, may engage tongue instead of ball castor and when again spike would
make bolt too stiff to withdraw-the tongue may have a roller at its end to engage
pin on bolt. When bolt has a ball castor or pin at each end the apparatus is
adapted so that a tongue will engage same in front or concave side of case and a

page_text: tongue will engage it at back or convex side of case these tongues of course only
engaging in one and of course, in opposite directions. The foregoing different
kinds of catches for engaging the tongues may be combined in one case.
Instead of needles tongues may engage a series of levers the fulcra of which are
closer to the ends engaged by the tongue than to the other ends which other ends
are engaged in the forks attached to levers similar to the levers before described.
Dated this 30th day of November 1899.
I, THOMAS CHRISTIE, 2, Surrey Place, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, Solicitor,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention chiefly relates to improvements in ships' berths whereby the
same are enabled to maintain a horizontal, or approximately horizontal, position
at sea notwithstanding the motions of the ship or other vessel wherein the berths
are placed. It further relates to improvements (as may be gathered from the
drawings and description) whereby space may be economised, and whereby the
berths are prevented, or approximately prevented, from capsizing when unbalanced
as they automatically lock themselves in a horizontal, or approximately horizontal,
position.
The invention consists in the construction of, and the combination and arrange-
ments of the several parts of the apparatus hereinafter described.
In carrying the invention into effect I provide apparatus such as shewn in the
accompanying drawings, upon which are figures and numbers and letters of
reference, the same numbers and letters referring throughout the several views
to the same thing or part.
Fig. is a front elevation of my invention, shewing the position of the berth
when the ship is sailing on an even keel. Fig. 1 is a similar elevation shewing
the position of berth when the ship is inclined. Fig. 1b is an end view, and Fig. 1°
a similar view when the ship is on an even and an inclined keel, respectively,
whilst Fig. 1 shews a variation in the method of depending the berth. Fig.
is an enlarged side and partially sectional view of the case, marked 5, with its
adjuncts--the contents of the separate boxes or compartments of the case being
shewn in the box or compartment immediately above the horizontal, the con-
tents excepting the part a and the arms b being shewn in the box at the horizontal,
and sections of the part a, the arms and the stop lever c in the box immediately
beneath the horizontal.
Fig. 3 shews a cross section of a box or compartment of case 5 with a back view
of front stop lever.
Fig. 4 shews a cross section of a box or compartment of case 5 with a back view
of back stop lever.
Fig. 5 is a front and back sectional view of case 5.
Fig. 6 is a half plan of case 5 (shewing contents of box) and relative guide with
roller bearing and adjuncts.
Fig. 7 is a plan shewing position of the cases 5 and 6 relative to the frame 2.
Fig. 8 illustrates action of tongue and catches when berth is unbalanced.
Fig. 9 illustrates their action when ship is inclined.

page_text: Fig. 10 is a front view of the fixed part of the tongue, and shews how the
hinged parts are arranged to the side of and above each other.
Fig. 11 shews a hook which may be used in place of the cord e.
Fig. 12 shews a complex catch being a combination of bolts and levers.
Fig. 13 shews back end view of a sheath, and Fig. 14 the inner side view of a
side piate both used in connection with the catch shewn in Fig. 12.
Fig. 15 shews the catch in Fig. 12 with an additional lever applied thereto.
The separate parts of Fig. 1 are as follows:-
1 is a rod projected from the roof.
2 is a frame universally jointed to the rod. It may be weighted.
3 is a guiding rod universally jointed to 1, and also jointed to a small flanged
wheel running between centre rod of 2 and a rail hinged to such centre rod. This
device is to prevent the berth oscillating on its plane, that is to say, oscillating
about its rods 1 and 10 in the direction of the arrows Figs. I and I°.
4 is a rod projected from bulkhead in a line with longitudinal centre line of 2,
when lies horizontally. Duplicate may be at opposite end:
5 is swivelled to 4 and consists of a case or frame forming an arc of a circle
or part of a sphere carrying a series of catches, which catches are successively
engaged by the tongues projected from and swivelled to 2: such catches succes-
sively withdrawing sufficiently on pressure, in the direction desired, from the
tongue, as they are inclined from the horizontal or rather as the box or compart-
ment in the case containing them is inclined from the horizontal,. thus enabling
the tongue to clear the catch and so leave the berth free to maintain its equili-
brium. The catches preferred are the levers or the combination of levers and bolts
hereinafter referred to. The case shewn is a double case so adapted that a tongue
engages catches in front or concave part of case and a tongue engages catches at
back or convex part of case, the tongues of course engaging in different directions.
Of course with the necessary modifications both tongues may engage catches in
front or concave part of case. There may be a duplicate of 5 at opposite end.
6 is a case, similar to 5 swivelled to a rod similar to 4 at the side in a line with
the lateral centre line of the frame 2 when said frame is lying horizontally. There
may be a duplicate at opposite or lee side.
When the berth is restricted so as to be able to maintain its level in a transverse
direction only, case 5 is dispensed with and case 6 and the guides to engage the
sides of case are preferably not swivelled.
Bent rods 7 (of which there are four) are universally jointed to the frame 2.
These rods may also be made straight in some cases. One has a hook on it for
the attachment of a double cord from bulkhead to prevent berth maintaining its
level. They may be made in several parts and then screwed together, the separate
parts being also pinned together to prevent the screws working loose. They are
made in separate parts so that the rod parts may be passed through the sockets
and the ball parts at their ends be thus inserted in the sockets.
8 is the berth strictly so called. It is of wood or other suitable material, and is
made narrower and shorter towards bottom. At each of the upper corners or as
close thereto as possible is fixed a steel socket into each of which is fitted one of
the middle balls of the rods 7, from which the berth is now depended. From the
sockets downwards the corners of the berthi are rounded out or cut away--this
when sockets in front edge and space will not permit of rods being bent sufficiently
to enable berth to keep clear of them to the extent required. The same restriction
of space requires the narrowing and shortening of berth towards the bottom. The
edges of berth are or may be continued a little further upwards from the plane of
the sockets but of course with the necessary curve or incline on them towards the
centre when space does not permit them. to be vertical. It is evident also that
the edges of the berth cannot be continued upwards at those points where they.
would interfere with the rods, though the further bending of the rods would enable
the edges to be continued further upwards all round. 8, the berth proper, may be
weighted in addition to the weight of occupant. 9 is an oblong frame similar

page_text: to the frame 2 and also universally jointed to the rods 7. It may also be
weighted.
10 is fixed to floor or lower deck and is a rod with ball on top by which it is
universally jointed to the centre of the frame 9.
The berth 8 instead of being placed middlemost may be placed undermost, as
is shewn in Fig. 1d, the rod or support 10 in that case being so adapted that
it may be projected from the side, or continued from the ball of rod 1. The
frame 9 is then depended above the berth 8. This method of depending the berth
is however better adapted for a berth depended at each end, and capable of main-
taining its level transversely only.
As regards the weights before referred to, such weights are made adjustable so
as to provide for the upper portion of the body being heavier than the lower
portion. The amount of weight will depend upon the person occupying berth,
such for instance as his ability to balance himself or not.
In arranging the position of the weights (and by this is of course included the
person occupying the berth) the principle to be kept in view is, that to prevent
or reduce to a minimum the oscillation of berth, the weights are to be distributed
evenly round the turning point. It is necessary however to depart from that
principle by placing the weights or the greater part of them out from and beneath
turning point to increase leverage and so enable berth the better to overcome
friction and other resistance of the parts, the weight beneath also rendering it
more stable as regards the person occupying it. To prevent oscillation or at least
to reduce it to a minimum, and also to render berth more steady or rather to lock
it at, or approximately at, the horizontal, and so prevent it from capsizing when
unbalanced, the parts 5 and 6 of apparatus with their adjuncts have been devised.
Parts 5 and 6 with their guides (guides swivelled to frame 2 with roller bearings
engaging sides of cases) also to some extent serve the same purpose intended io
be served by part 3, i.e. to prevent berth from oscillating on its plane, as before
mentioned.
Except where otherwise stated the apparatus is made of steel or other suitable
material.
A false roof and a false floor, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is pro-
vided so that apparatus may be fitted up without injury to the vessel, to accomplish
which any well known method may be followed, such as by jamming the false rocf
and floor against the real roof and floor respectively by means of standards (capable
of being elongated by screw pieces or turnbuckles) placed one at each corner.
The catches used in 5 and 6 to engage the tongues may consist of the levers
and accessories described as parts of the case 5 and its adjuncts (Fig. 2). In
Fig. 2, a is a part fixed to case. bare arms fixed to the part a.
Such arms carry
checks to prevent the stop lever after mentioned swinging or rather tumbling in
that direction, such checks being preferably as small, and placed as close to the
centre of the pivot of the stop lever, as possible. Where the back of box or a
division in same does not serve that purpose, such arms also carry checks b² to
limit the extent of the swing or fall of the stop lever in the other direction. The
front and back stop levers are checked so that they can only tumble in opposite
directions to each other.
C
c is a lever (distinguished as the stop lever) swinging or turning on a knife
edge or other suitable pivot (cylindrical pivots with pointed or rounded ends
turning in cylindrical sockets terminating in cups being preferred to any) on.
the arms b. Its fork engages the inner end of the lever next after mentioned.
The weight is at the top end of stop lever and it has a heel or arm c¹ hereinafter
referred to. The front stop lever swings or falls in one direction and the back
stop lever in the contrary direction. A roller may be placed in the fork of stop
lever for the engaging lever, so that when the stop lever is sufficiently well
weighted at top, and the pressure of the engaging lever is light (which may be
obtained by strengthening the springs 9 hereinafter mentioned) the stop lever-may
be enabled to fall away from the engaging lever on the inclination of the vessel,
even although pressed upon by the engaging lever at the time.

page_text: d is a lever (distinguished as the engaging lever) in the part a, one end pro-
jecting outside of.the case. The outer end of lever may be rounded or may carry
a ball castor or roller d¹ to reduce friction with the tongue. This engaging lever
turns on a fulcrum or pivot or pin 2, and as passes through the part a and the
sides of the case it serves also to hold the part a with its attachments in position.
e is a cord joined to engaging lever d and also to a heel or arm c¹ projecting at right
angles from stop lever C. This cord holds stop lever in position, and when slack-
ened by pressure of the tongue i on the engaging lever, it leaves the stop lever C
free to tumble in one direction when it is carried past the vertical by the inclina-
tion of the vessel. When the engaging lever is relieved of the pressure of the
tongue i, and is returned to its position by the springs hereinafter mentioned, the
cord pulls the stop lever C back into its position also, and holds it there until the
tongue i again operating on the engaging lever d leaves it free to fall again. The
cord may be fixed to the stop lever C by being passed through an eye in C¹ running
A small
horizontally from the centre of the end and then slanting downwards.
A small screw, screwed
screw, screwed vertically on to it, holds it in the eye.
vertically on to it, holds it in the eye. Instead of a cord a bent piece or hook
similar to k, shewn in Fig. 11, may be swung on one of the arms 6, to engage the
heel or the tie piece joining the two sides of c, this bent piece swinging clear
of c or the tie piece when released by the engaging lever d. A wing projecting
from the bent piece is engaged by the engaging lever d, the parts a being adapted
to admit of that. A check on the bent piece prevents it from swinging further
than is necessary. f are two pulleys carried by the arms b between which the
cord e passes.
g are slight springs-preferably of india-rubber-attached to the engaging
lever d and to the part a to pull the engaging lever d into the part a. The
strength of these springs is regulated by the leverage that may be exercised by
the berth. It may be of advantage to strengthen them, especially those in case 5,
so as to allow the berth only partially to counter-act the inclinations of the vessel.
h is a guide swivelled to the frame 2 and engaging the sides of the case by
roller bearings h¹. It carries tongues i engaging the ends of a succession of en-
gaging levers d fixed one above the other in the case, one tongue operating the
engaging levers at the front or concave of the case, the other tongue operating the
engaging levers d at the back or convex part of case. Part of one tongue is hinged
to turn upwards and operate upwards, and part of the other tongue hinged to turn
downwards and of course to operate the engaging levers d downwards. To
maintain the hinged parts in position (each tongue having preferably (when
only a single row of catches is used) more than one hinged part arranged to the
side of and one above the other so as to maintain as far as possible the continuity
of contact of the tongue and engaging levers) of both tongues, and especially of
the one turning downwards, springs are used. Checks on the fixed portions
of the tongues prevent the hinged parts turning in the other direction.
method of hinging the tongues as above, enables them to be carried past the
engaging levers d when it is not intended that they should operate upon them.
The
7 are two ball castors interposed between the arms supporting the case and the
bulkhead. These arms may be made in a separate piece from the case to which
they can be afterwards secured. m is a weight at lower end of the case 5, to
assist it to turn.
The sheath a, the' arms b and the stop lever c are first put together, and the
cord e and the springs g fastened to the engaging lever d, and then the cord e
to the heel c¹ on the stop lever c, and the springs g to the sheath a, all this being
done outside the case. This mechanism is then pushed into its box in the case in
which it is held by the pin or fulcrum which passes through the sides of the
case, and through the engaging lever d and sheath a.
When the ship inclines, the stop levers (when unrestricted by their checks
successively in swinging or tumbling towards the vertical) fall clear of the en-
gaging lever d, whereby the tongues i are enabled (by the leverage exercised

page_text: upon them due to the weight of the occupant in the berth-supplemented by any
additional weight-attached to the berth and frames which may be desired and
which may with advantage be added) to turn the engaging levers d far enough
round so as to pass them, and the tongues i thus freeing themselves leave the
berth free to maintain its level. When the berth is unbalanced, or should it
otherwise oscillate, the tongue i presses the engaging lever d but as the stop
lever C is not carried past the vertical so as to tumble on its unchecked side, the
lever C remains in position and stops the engaging lever d from turning further,
and so the tongue i at this particular point is prevented from passing. It will
thus be seen that the berth becomes automatically locked at or approximately at
the horizontal. In order to work properly however the berth requires to be
balanced.
It may be arranged that some of the engaging levers may strike the stop levers
at such an angle, (raising the stop levers a little would do it) that the stop levers
when the berth is unbalanced will act as a partial stop only. This is advisable
in the case of the engaging levers operated upon when the ship is returning to an
even keel in order to avoid any danger of the berth being locked so as to be unable
to return to its normally horizontal position, whilst the partial stops in connection
with the absolute stops would prevent or approximately prevent any oscillation of
the berth.
To relieve the pressure of the engaging lever on the stop lever should it happen
to be pressed down upon it, and so lessen the risk of the engaging lever holding
the stop lever, so as to lock the berth when it should be free to maintain its level,
An example
the most obvious means to follow is to use a combination of levers.
of the method which may be followed where different kinds of catches are com-
bined in one case is shewn in Fig. 12.
a, is a piece which in this case forms a sheath or guide for a needle or bolt dª.
is a tie rod joining the two sides of the stop levere together and serving as
a catch for the hook o to pull the lever e into position again and hold it there..
is an engaging lever.
is the needle or bolt in the sheath. A pin at each side engages, (when the
bolt is pulled into the sheath by the spring g) the extensions of the tongue
and so restores the tongue to position (which it does before the stop lever ci
quite restored to its position) and holds it there, (the tongue being partially
counter-weighted the better to enable it to do so) until the bolt d is again pressed
out by the engaging lever d operated upon by the tongue i. When the stop
lever does not tumble on the hook o being pressed away from it then tongue (75
falls on to c and as it can fall no further its inclined portion prevents the bolt
being pressed further forward and so the berth is locked or approximately locked.
When the stop lever falls, the tongue also falls and thereupon the bolt (*
can be pressed far enough forward by the engaging lever to enable the tongue i
to clear the latter and allow the berth to maintain or approximately maintain
its level.
C
g is the spring attached to the sheath a, and to the hook o to pull the bolt d
n is the side plate
into the sheath a, on the pressure of the tongue being removed.
screwed to the side of the sheath a.
Instead of the cord e to pull the stop levere into position again, there may be
used the parto which is an extension of the bolt with a hook at the end.
In Fig. 14, n is the side plate (inner side view) attached to the sheath. n¹ is
the socket for one of pivots of the tongue d³, and n² is a socket for one of the
pivots of c.
It
In Fig. 15 do is another lever pivoted from an extension of the sheath a.
It is engaged
hangs down through the bifurcated portion of the extension o.
underneath but as close to the centre of its pivot as possible by the inclined
portion of the bolt . Its lower end engages the lever er tongue d³. When
the tongue falls, and as their is nothing then to prevent the lever 6 from being
turned upwards, the bolt & can then be pushed far enough in to enable the lever d

page_text: to be turned far enough round to free the tongue i. On the bolt d being pulled
into the sheath a again, the lever falls back into position again by its own
weight (but preferably counter-weighted), though to ensure that it will do so
before the lever or tongue rises to prevent it a piece is curled upwards from its
pivot which is engaged by a piece o affixed to the side of o, so as to turn it into
position.
Such locks are put together outside and pushed into their compartments (the
last from the back) where they are held by the pin d².
Bands of india-rubber may be attached to roof and to frame 2 to assist in steady-
ing the berth, or the joints may be enlarged. When the locking apparatus is
used in connection with a berth pivoted at each of its ends and the locking
apparatus is placed above the foot end, the pivot or joint at the top end is pre-
ferably made much larger than the pivot or joint at the foot end.
Case 6 and its adjuncts is similar to case 5 and its adjuncts before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is---
1. A berth for use on board ship, the several parts of the berth being con-
structed, combined and arranged to operate, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In a berth for use on board ship, the combination with the berth proper,
of means whereby said berth maintains a horizontal or approximately horizontal
position notwithstanding the motion of the vessel, said means consisting of an
upper frame universally jointed to a rod or bracket depending from the cabin
roof, a guiding rod (to prevent oscillation on its plane) jointed to said bracket,
upright rods jointed at their higher ends to said frame and to the berth proper,
the latter being narrower and shorter towards the bottom, and so jointed that
the weight of the occupant may be placed sufficiently far beneath said points of
attachment, a frame similarly constructed to the upper frame jointed to the lower
ends of said upright rods, or above the berth proper, an upright rod or bracket
secured upon the floor or to the side of the ship or to the first named rod or bracket,
and a talse roof and false floor or part thereof, substantially as described.
3. In a berth for use on board ship the combination with a berth carried as
described, or any berth capable of swinging, and having a guide and tongues
joined to said guide, of means for automatically locking the berth in a horizontal
or approximately horizontal position, said means consisting of a case carrying, in
a series of radially arranged compartments therein, a series of pivoted levers
projecting from the case and adapted to be acted upon by either of the tongues
carried by the guide, a bolt and pivoted stop levers actuated by the force of
gravity and by the engaging levers, or the bolt when the bolt is used, cords or
hooks connecting the engaging levers and stop levers, or when the bolts are used
connecting the bolts and stop levers, check arms for limiting the travel of the
stop levers, and springs for returning the engaging levers or the bolts and other
levers to their original position.
1000