IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH SLEEPING BERTHS FOR SHIPS AND OTHER USES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Lawson of Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Bedstead Manufacturer and Edwin William De Rusett of Anerley
in the County of Surrey Civil Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND CONNECTED WITH SLEEPING BERTHS FOR SHIPS AND OTHER USES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Lawson and Edwin
William De Rusett at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
31st July 1882.
EDWARD LAWSON of Biriningham in the County of Warwick, Bedstead Manu-
facturer and EDWIN WILLIAM DE RUSETT of Anerley in the County of Surrey,
Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH SLEEPING BERTHS FOR
SHIPS AND OTHER USES
-"
Our Invention has reference first to sleeping berths which can be made to fold
up so as to economize space when not in use. Fold up berths as used on board
ships are usually hinged at their inner side to a narrow fixed shelf forming part of
the width of the berth, and the outer side is supported by rods secured overhead
and hooked to the berth. Or the berth is connected to the fixed shelf by sliding
hinges formed of a T shaped piece which slides in a grooved plate so as to allow
the berth to slide on the fixed shelf without becoming disconnected from it; but in
this case the shelf does not add to the width of the berth as the latter slides and
rests on it. The outer side of the berth is supported by rods hanging from over-
head and hooked to the berth. The vertical ledges placed around the berth are
generally called head; foot, and lee boards or rails; they are also hinged to fold
down on the bed or they are made loose and socket on to the berth so that the
berth may take up as small a space as practicable when folded up. They are
sometimes made to fold up with the bedding and sometimes without. There are
certain practical difficulties in fitting such berths in place due to irregularities of
local supports and other causes and more especially where it is desired to arrange
one berth over another; the employment of loose pieces has also to be avoided. It
is with the special object of removing such objections and at the same time of
D11

page_text: introducing important improvements to facilitate the working and fitting that the
first part of our invention has been designed.
a
Where it is necessary for a space to be left for bedding when the berth is folded
up, we sometimes support the berths on the inner side by brackets in which any
suitable part of the frame may rest and slide the required distance, but as the berth
would be apt to slide in the brackets when in use we prevent this by fitting
movable pins in the brackets or by making a hollow in the bracket into which part
of the berth frame may fall, or by securing the outer part of the berth frame to
some stationary object by a socket dovetail, pin or other simple means.
We also
modify these brackets for supporting the inner sides of the berths by introducing
Jink or arm the lower part of which is hinged to the bracket and the upper part to
the ends of the berth or vice versa. The berth is supported by the link or it may
rest on a bracket, and a stop on the outer, part of the bracket prevents the berth
being drawn out more than is necessary for giving space for the bedding when
being folded up; and we retain the berth in its position when down for use by a
pin passed through the link into the bracket or other similar means. Or we effect
the same object by prolonging the link below its lower hinge so that it rests against
the plate of the bracket when the berth is down and a pin secures the link when
the berth is folded. We sometimes support the berth entirely from the bracket by
fitting gudgeons or bosses on the ends of the berth at a suitable distance from the
inner side of the frame and bearing on the bracket past which part of the berth
will overhang. Links as before described connect the inner part of the berth to the
bracket to prevent the berth tilting up when in use. The berth will fold up resting
on the link which will move and allow of sufficient space for the bedding. When
it is preferred to turn the berth down instead of up we omit any fixed stops or
hollow in the bracket so that the link may direct the inner side of the berth past
the outer end of the bracket, but we use pins or other suitable contrivances to
retain the berth in position as required. We sometimes slot the link so that the
gudgeon or boss on the berth may always rest directly on the bracket whether
folded up or not, when the pin or part of the berth frame will slide in the link to
allow of the necessary falling movement of the inner end of the berth when being
folded; the link as, before described prevents the inner end of the berth from tilting
when in use. But we sometimes omit the link for this purpose and place a stop on
the bracket against which the inner edge of the berth presses when in use. We
prefer to fit a buffer on this stop and also in a suitable place when we employ links
so as to avoid jar when the berth is hurriedly lowered for use.
As it is necessary
to prevent the bed clothes and bedding slipping down. when the berth is being
folded up we sometimes stretch laths between the brackets or supports which we
secure at one end to the brackets by studs and at the other end to a stud plate
which we cause to move by a screw so as to draw the parts tight. We may also
use rods for the same purpose, when we prefer to screw thread the ends and set
them up tight by nuts; or we fit a lath between the brackets or supports and either
secured to them or not as occasion may require; or we fit a rail or lugs to the inner
side of the berth for the same purpose
Having described various methods by which we partially support the inner side
of the berth or entirely support the berth by the brackets we will now describe
how we support the outer side of the berth. We effect this by fixing the head and
foot rails to a support but we hinge them vertically so that when the berth is folded
up they may be turned inwards against the berth bottom. When the berth is
lowered for use pins, dovetails or other similar contrivances attached say to the
berth drop into the head and foot rails so as to steady them and prevent them
swinging and the berth will be supported by thein. Head and foot rails thus
formed we fit in conjunction with any of the brackets before described or we
arrange them to combine the same object as the brackets Sometimes we support
the outer ends of these vertically hinged head and foot rails by a post resting on
the deck; this we prefer to bend and to step in a socket on the deck in a direct
line with the centre of the vertical hinge of the head or foot rail so that all may

page_text: swing together This modification will be useful where the vertical foundation
such as a bulkhead to which the berth is fitted is not of sufficient strength to safely
support it, or where two or more berths are placed one over another. We also support
the outer side of the berth by hinging the head and foot rails to the end of the
berth so that they may fold over on the mattrass or bed; thus when the berth is
down and ready for use these rails may be opened on their hinges and their ends
may hook into eyes fixed to say the bulkhead or upper extended part of the
bracket so that the head and foot rails may entirely support or assist in supporting.
the overhanging or outer side of the berth.. We also fit posts to support the outer
side of the berth resting say on the deck in sockets and hinged to the berth so that,
when it is folded they will lift with it and fold also.. When one berth is placed
over another we prefer to socket the foot of the upper berth on the head of the
lower post. These posts may also serve to secure the head, foot and lee rails in
place. We may use the brackets in conjunction with these posts. Sometimes we
fit a hinged post such as just described about the centre of the length of the berth,
so as to support the lee board or rail which extends say half the length of the
berth. Where the berth can be supported by local work and where head and foot.
rails are unnecessary we use simple sockets in which the berths may rest or we use,
hooks which serve as sockets and allow the berth to be turned either up or down..
We also support the berths by inclined rods from above or below attached to them.
by links, sockets or slides on the rails at the head or foot of the berth frames.,
These rods form part of the berth arrangement so as to avoid any special fitting.
such as would be required were the berth to be supported from the deck below or
above.
We sometimes attach the brackets also the head and foot rails or the inclined.
rods where necessary to pillars placed at or near the inner side of the berth or at
or near the ends and attach the pillars to say the bulkhead or wall but we prefer
to have a sufficiently strong bulkhead or wall to attach the berth and its fittings to,
so as to avoid the use of pillars. We also sometimes make the head or foot rails or
both of the lower berth of sufficient height, or continue pillars off them, and hinge
them as before described so that they support both the upper and lower berth with
or without the aid of brackets. The rails of the upper berth may also assist.
We make all or some of these rails to fold either horizontally or vertically, or
both, to suit our special folding arrangements as before described and we unite
them with themselves and arrange them to add to the support of the berth where
practicable or necessary. We will describe some ways which we employ for these
purposes:-
We hinge or hang the rails by sockets embracing the rods or bars of which the
berth may be formed but so that the rails may fold over each other when necessary.
We prefer to attach some of these rails to one side of the centre of the sockets or to
bend the rails for the same purpose. This arrangement also enables us to adapt
one size of berth frame to suit odd lengths and widths, these extra widths and
lengths being obtained by either bending or attaching the rails as just described.
We unite the rails at or near their corners or points of contact by hook and eye;
the rail with the hook has say elongated sockets instead of round sockets as just
described so that the socket will allow of the rail or rails being lifted and hooked
and then lowered again without there being any loose detached parts.
Or we
hinge the hooks to the rails and need not then employ the elongated sockets. Or
we employ a kind of tumbler or hinged connection attached to one or more of the
rails and which will embrace the other by simply folding over it by a vertical or
horizontal movement. Or we use turnbuckles and slotted eyes for the same
purpose. Or we provide open sockets so that as the berth is being lowered into
position for use the rail ends will drop into their sockets at about the same time as
the berth ends do. We avoid the use of pins and chains or any loose parts but
sometimes these may be necessary owing to peculiar circumstances.
Sometimes the berths may have to be fitted in positions where it is not admissable
or advisable to employ more than one bracket or support other than that afforded

page_text: 'by the work against which the berth is fitted; in such cases we should use only
such parts of our arrangements as may be necessary for the object to be attained;
or we may modify our inner or outer supports or both to suit local features or
obstructions. The berths may be made of iron or other suitable material and have
spring, lath, webbing or sacking bottoms. We do not exclusively arrange our
berths to fold up with the bedding but sometimes arrange them to fold up as close
as possible and then simple sockets may support the inner sides, and our outer
supports as described will support the outer sides.
Our Invention relates further to the folding or swinging up of berths against the
deck or beams overhead especially in steerage passenger ships where the berths are
ranged one over another. We binge the berth frames to pendant rods or bars
which may be attached by pins to say the deck or beams overhead taking care to
keep the hinge centres as equidistant as practicable. In order that they may
occupy a minimum space when turned up under the deck we prefer to place the
hinge centres above the berth frames and those of the upper berth nearer to the
berth than those lower down, but we may hinge the pendant supports to the berth
frames direct. We also prefer to hinge the head and foot rails and lee boards to
each other so that they may lie down on the berths simultaneously or afford mutual
support when up. Or we sometimes connect them to the pendant supports so that
when the berths are being swung up against the deck above they may simul-
taneously fold down on the berths with a parallel motion, but we do not confine
ourselves to these methods of dealing with these rails as they may be loose and
-lipped into sockets or may be hinged separately when circumstances so require it..
In order to keep these swinging or hung berths steady we secure them to the
stanchions or other suitable parts of the vessel by clamps, lashings or other devices.
We prefer to fit iron laths to the berth bottoms and to place thein diagonally,
Although our improvements have been specially designed with reference to the
sleeping berths of ships, many of them as will be readily understood can be applied
to sleeping berths in railway carriages and also in barracks and other buildings.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Lawson and Edwin William De Rusett in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 31st January 1883.
EDWARD LAWSON of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Bedstead Manu-
facturer and EDWIN WILLIAM DE RUSETT of Anerley in the County of Surrey,
Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH SLEEPING BERTHS FOR
SHIPS AND OTHER USES"
Our invention has reference first to sleeping berths which can be made to fold up
so as to economize space when not in use. Fold up berths as used on board ship
are usually hinged at their inner side to a narrow fixed shelf forming part of the
width of the berth, and the outer side is supported by rods secured to the ceiling
and hooked to the berth. Or the berth is connected to the fixed shelf by sliding
hinges formed of a T-shaped piece which slides in a grooved plate so as to allow
the berth to slide on the fixed shelf without becoming disconnected from it; but in
this case the shelf does not add to the width of the berth as the latter slides and
rests on it. The outer side of the berth is supported by rods hanging from the
ceiling and hooked to the berth. The vertical ledges, placed around the berth are
generally called head, foot and lee boards or rails; they are also hinged to fold down
on the bed or they are made loose and socket on to the berth so that the berth
may take up as small a space as practical le when folded up. They are sometimes
made to fold up with the bedding and sometimes without. There are certaim
practical difficulties in fitting such berths in place due to irregularities of local
supports and other causes and more especially where it is desired to arrange one
terth over another; the employment of loose pieces has also to be avoided. It is
with the special object of removing such objections and at the same time of.
introducing important improvements to facilitate the working and fitting that the
first part of our invention has been designed.
Where it is necessary for a space to be left for bedding when the berth is folded
up, we sometimes support the berths on the inner side by brackets such as those
represented at a in Figures 1, 2 and 3 on which any suitable part b of the berth
frame may rest and slide the required distance but as the berth would be apt. to
slide on the brackets when in use we prevent this by fitting movable pins in the
brackets as at c Figure 1, or hooks as at d Figure 2, or by making a hollow in the
brackets as at e Figure 3 into which part of the berth frame may fall, or by
securing the outer part of the berth frame to some stationary object by a socket,
dovetail, pin or other simple means such as those hereinafter described. 6' represents
the position of the part 6 of the berth frame when it has been slid out for, the
purpose of being folded up. We also modify these, brackets for supporting the
inner sides of the berths by introducing at each end a link or arin the lower part
of which is hinged or secured to the bracket and the upper part to the end of the
berth or vice versa. Figure 4 illustrates this. a is the bracket, f the link or arm
hinged thereto at g. The end of the berth is supported by the link for it may
rest on the bracket and in this case a stop on the outer part of the bracket prevents
the berth being drawn out more than is necessary for giving space for the bedding.
when being folded up; and we retain the berth in its position when down for u e
by a pin not shown passed through the link finto the bracket a or other similar
means. Or we effect the same object by prolonging the link below its hinge gas
shown in Figure 5 so that it rests against the plate of the bracket when the berth
is folded up and a pin h may secure the link when the berth is down; this pin
however will not be necessary when the cot is held in position by head and foot
rails and sockets or other means as hereinafter described. We sometimes support

page_text: "
the berth entirely from the bracket as shown in Figure 6 by fitting gudgeons or
bosses on the ends of the berth b at a suitable distance from the inner side of the
frame and bearing on the bracket past which part of the berth will overhang.
Links as before described connect the inner part of the berth to the bracket to
prevent the berth tilting up when in use. The berth will fold up resting on the
link f which will move and allow of sufficient space for the bedding. When it is
preferred to turn the berth down instead of up (see Figure 7) we omit any fixed
stops or hollow in the bracket so that the link f may direct the inner side of the
berth past the outer end of the bracket, but we use pins h or other suitable
contrivances to retain the berth in position as required. We sometimes slot the
link, as shown in Figure 8, so that the gudgeon or boss i on the berth may always
rest directly on the bracket a whether folded up or not when the pin b or part of
the berth frame will slide in the link to allow of the necessary falling movement
of the inner end of the berth when being folded; the link fas before described
prevents the inner end of the berth from tilting when in use. But we sometimes
omit the link for this purpose and place a stop on the bracket as represented at k
Figure 9 against which the inner edge of the berth presses when in use.
prefer to fit a buffer on this stop and also in a suitable place when we employ
links so as to avoid jar when the berth is hurriedly lowered for use. As it is
necessary to prevent the bed clothes and bedding slipping down when the berth is
being folded up we sometimes stretch laths between the brackets or supports which
we secure at one end to the brackets by studs and at the other end to a stud plate
which we cause to move by a screw so as to draw the parts tight. In Figure 4
Z represents a stud plate secured to the bracket a by a screw m.. n n represent
the studs and o o laths. We may also use rods for the same. purpose and in this
case we prefer to screw-thread the ends and set them up tight by nuts;
Figure 1 represents a rod for this purpose; it passes through the brackets a and is
set up by the nut shown. Or we fit a lath between the brackets or supports and
either secure it to them or not as occasion may require. Or we fit a rail or lugs to
the inner side of the berth for the same purpose; in Figure 10 Sheet 2 lugs for this
purpose are represented at 99; in Figure 18 (Sheet 3) these lugs are shown
connected by a longitudinal bar q¹.
We
in
Having described various methods by which we partially support the inner side
of the berth or entirely support the berth by the brackets we will now describe
how we support the outer side of the berth. We effect this by fixing the head
and foot rails to a support but we hinge them vertically, so that when the berth is
folded up they may be turned inwards against the berth bottom. When the berth
is lowered for use, pins, dovetails or other similar contrivances attached say to the
berth drop into the head and foot rails so as to steady them and prevent them
swinging and the berth will be supported by them. Head and foot rails thus
formed we fit in conjunction with any of the brackets before described or we
arrange them to combine the same object as the brackets (as seen in Figure 28
Sheet 3). The manner in which we support the outer side of the berth by means
of the head and foot rails is represented in Figure 10 (Sheet 2) which shows two
berths one placed above the other; the upper one is shewn folded up and the lower
one down in position for use. bis the berth frame, r the head rail, r' the foot rail
and the lee rail; the head and foot rails rare binged vertically to supports 8
to that when the berth is folded up they may be turned inwards against the berth
bottom as shown at the upper berth; and when the berth is lowered for use (see
the lower berth) hooks.as shown or other contrivances such as those bereinafter
described secure the head and foot rails to the berth frame so that they are
steadied and also support the berth. The lee rail is free to turn on a horizontal
axis around the front bottom rail b' of the berth so as to accommodate itself to
the two positions seen respectively at the upper and lower berths. At the right
hand of the figure we show the swinging foot rail fitted in conjunction with a
bracket and link such as those shown in Figure 4. Sometimes we support the
outer ends of these vertically hinged head and foot rails by a post-scet Figure 10.

page_text: resting on the deck; this we prefer to bend and to step in a socket on the deck in
a direct line with the centre of the vertical hinge of the head or foot rail as seen in
the figure so that all may swing together. This modification will be useful where
the vertical foundation, such as a bulkhead, to which the berth is fitted is not of
sufficient strength to safely support it; or where two or more berths are placed
one over another; and in this latter case the rod t¹ of the upper. berth may be
supported by a pillar t2 or by a bracket shown in dotted lines at ts or other suitable
support on which it can swing. According to another arrangement we support the
outer side of the berth by hinging the head and foot rails to the end of the berth
so that they may fold over on the mattrass or berth bottom, thus when the berth
is down and ready for use these rails may be opened on their hinges and their ends
may hook into or be attached to eyes fixed to say the bulkhead or upper extended
part of the bracket so that the head and foot rails may entirely support or assist in
supporting the overhanging or outer side of the berth. This arrangement is repre-
sented in side and end view respectively in Figures 11 and 12 (Sheet 3). r is the
head rail (or foot rail) hinged to the end of the berth at u so that it can fold over
upon the berth bottom. When the rail is up (as shown) it is secured at v to an
extension of the bracket a by means of a pin and chain (or other suitable contri-
vances). We also fit posts to support the outer side of the berth resting say on the
deck in sockets and hinged to the berth so that when it is folded they will lift
with it and fold also. When one berth is placed over another we prefer to socket
the foot of the post of the upper berth on the head of the lower post. These posts
may also serve to secure the head, foot and lee rails in place. We may use the
brackets in conjunction with these posts. Figures 13 and 14 (Sheet 4) represent
in side and end view respectively two berths one above another with hinged sup-
porting posts the foot of the post of the upper berth being socketed in the head of
the lower post. Figures 15, 16 and 16a (Sheet 3) represent the manner in which
we connect the supporting post when we wish it to fold up against the side or end
of the berth instead of against the bottom as in Figures 13 and 14 and in Figures.
17 and 18. Figure 15 is a side view, Figure 16 a front view and Figure 16ª &
plan. b is the berth frame, w the post connected by an eye wi to a projection or
journal 62 on the berth frame which it embraces as shown. Sometimes we fit a
hinged post such as just described about the centre of the length of the berth so as
to support the lee board or rail which extends say half the length of the berth.
This is illustrated at Figure 19 (Sheet 2). wis the hinged post at the centre of
the length of the berth to support the lee rail 2 which extends only about half the
length of the berth; the lee rail can be turned round to the other end of the berth
if necessary. Figures 20 and 21 Sheet 3 are views on a larger scale showing the
central post w secured to the berth frame by a pin so as as to fold up with the
berth without being disconnected. Figures 22 and 23 are views showing a
Where the berth can
removable central post secured to the berth frame by a bolt.
be supported by local work and where head and foot rails are unnecessary we use
simple sockets such as those shown at Figures 24 and 25 Sheet 1 in which the
berth may rest, or we use hooks such as shown at Figure 26 Sheet 1, which serve
as sockets and allow the berth to be turned either up or down. We also support
the berths by inclined rods from above, sec Figure 37 Sheet 5, or below, attached
to them by links, sockets or slides on the rails at the head or foot of the berth
frames. These rods form part of the berth arrangements as to avoid any special
fitting such as would be required were the berth to be supported from the deck
below or above.
We sometimes attach the brackets also the head and foot rails or the inclined
rods where necessary to pillars, see x Figure 27 Sheet 3, placed at or near the
inner side of the berth or at or near the ends, and attach the pillars to say the
bulkhead or wall, but we prefer to have a sufficiently strong. bulkhead or wall to
attach the berth and its fittings to so as to avoid the use of such pillars. We
also sometimes make the head or foot rails or both of the lower berth of sufficient
height, or continue pillars off them, and hinge them as before described, so that

page_text: they support both the upper and lower berth with or without the aid of brackets.
The rails of the upper berth may also assist. Figure 28 Sheet 3 illustrates this;
y is a pillar continued up from the head or foot rail into which it may socket or be
otherwise suitably connected at y; it may also when thought desirable be
continued down to the deck as indicated at y²; the rail support s may also
be continued up to the upper berth if desired as indicated at 8'. Figure 28 also
illustrates the manner in which we may combine the bracket for the berth to slide
upon with the bracket by which the hinge or support s of the head or foot rail is
carried. The end b of the berth frame rests as shewn upon a flauge a of the
combined bracket.
.
We make all or some of these rails to fold either horizontally or vertically or
both to suit our special folding arrangements as before described and we unite
them with themselves and arrange them to add to the support of the berth where
We will describe some ways which we employ for these
practicable or necessary.
purposes.
We hinge or hang the rails (as seen in Figures 11, 12, 17 and 18 Sheet 3 and in
the upper berth of Figures 13 and 14 Sheet 4) by sockets embracing the rods or
bars of which the berth may be formed but so that the rails may fold over each
other when necessary.
We prefer to attach some of these rails to one side of
the centre of the sockets, or to bend the rails for the same purpose, as seen in
the lower berth of Figures 13 and 14 Sheet 4. This arrangement also enables us
to adapt one size of berth frame to suit odd lengths and widths these extra
widths and lengths, being obtained by either bending or attaching the rails as
just described. We unite the rails at or near their corners or points of contact
by hook and eye as shown at Figure 29 Sheet 3; the rail with the hook has say
elongated sockets z instead of round sockets as just described so that the socket.
will allow of the rail or rails being lifted and hooked and then lowered again
without there being any loose detached parts. Or we hinge the hooks to the
rails and need not then employ the elongated sockets. Or we employ a kind of
tumbler or hinged connection as shown at 2¹ Figures 30 and 31 Sheet 1 (also
seen in Figures 10 and 18) attached to one or more of the rails and which, will
embrace the other by simply folding over it by a vertical or horizontal movement.
Another form of tumbler is shown at z¹ Figure 14 (Sheet 4) which is arranged to
turn over on its axis and embrace the rail. Or we use turnbuckles and slotted
eyes as seen at 22 Figures 13 and 14 for the same purpose. Or we provide open
sockets such as that represented at Figure 32 Sheet 1 so that as the berth is
being lowered into position for use the rail ends will drop into their sockets at
about the same time that the berth ends do. We avoid the use of pins and
chains or any loose parts but sometimes these may be necessary owing to peculiar
circumstances.
Sometimes the berths may have to be fitted in positions where it is not
admissible or advisable to employ more than one bracket or support other than
that afforded by the work against which the berth is fitted; in such cases we
should use only such parts of our arrangements as may be necessary for the object
to be attained; or we may modify our inner or outer supports or both to suit
local features or obstructions. The berths may be made of iron or other suitable
material and have spring, lath, webbing or sacking bottoms. We do not exclusively
arrange our berths to fold up with the bedding but sometimes arrange them to
fold up as close as possible and then simply sockets such as that shown at
Figures 24, 25 and 33 Sheet 1 may support the inner sides, and our outer supports
as described will support the outer sides. In Figure 34 Sheet 5 we show a berth
frame suitable for receiving wooden head, foct and lee rails or boards and in
Figure 35 we show a berth fitted with such rails and closed up. The berth frame
is shown as supported at the inner side by brackets of the character of those
shown in Figure 4 Sheet 1. Figure 36 Sheet shows the berth with the wooden
head and lee boards unfolded and a lath berth bottom. Figure 37 shows a berth
the outer side of which is supported by an inclined rod at one end and by a

page_text: bulkhead at the other; and with a lee board extending about half the length of
the berth arranged to shift to either end as hereinbefore described with.reference
to Figure 19. Figure 38 shows the berth Figure 37 with the rails lowered ready
for the berth to be folded up and with the lee rail shifted to the opposite end.
:
Our invention relates further to folding or swinging up berths against the deck
or beams overhead especially in steerage passenger ships where the: berths are
ranged one over another. We hinge the berth frames to pendant rods or bars
which may be attached by pins, hooks, and eyes or other similar contrivances.
overhead to say the deck or beams, taking care to keep the hinge centres as much
in line as practicable. In order that they may occupy a minimum space when
turned up under the deck we prefer to place the hinge centres of the upper berths
above the berth frames and to hinge the pendant supports to the frames of the
bottom berths direct. In order to keep these swinging or hung berths steady we
secure them to the stanchions or other suitable parts of the vessel by clamps,
lashings or other devices. We prefer to fit iron liths to the berth bottoms and to
place them diagonally.
This part of our invention is illustrated in Figures 39 to 43 Sheet 4. Figure 39
is an end elevation of a set of swinging berths. Figure 40 is a plan of the same,
the left hand half of the figure showing the head, foot and lee rails folded up ready
for the berths to be swung up, and the right hand half of the figure having these
rails removed, the webbing and frame being seen. Figures 41, 42 and 43 represent
details on a larger scale. A A are the berth frames hinged at B B to pendant
rods or bars CC which are attached by looks and eyes D D to the deck or beam
overhead. E is a lanyard securing the set of berths when down to a flush ring F.
The position of the berths when swung up is shown in dotted lines in Figure 39.
The part B (see Figure 41) by which the berth frame is hinged to the rod or bar C
may either be riveted rigidly to the berth frame or be a link. G G Figure 39
represents the usual table and seat accommodation for steerage passengers.
We prefer to make the berths in sets of four (more or less) on each tier and to
connect each set to that adjoining it on the same tier by means of turnbuckles as
shown in Figures 42 and 43, Figure 42 being a plan and Figure 43 an elevation,
or by other suitable fastenings.
The manner in which we prefer to connect the head, foot and lee rails to the
berthis is seen in Figure 41. The lee rail 2 is hinged to the berth frame bas
shown so as to fall over upon the berth and the head rail r (and also the foot
rail) is likewise hinged to the berth frame but at a higher level than the lee
rail so as to fold over upon the lee rail. When the berth is arranged for use the
head and foot rails are secured to the lee rail by drop hooks z'.
Although our improvements have been specially designed with reference to the
sleeping berths of ships, many of them as will be readily understood, can be
applied to sleeping berths in railway carriages and al-o in barracks and other
buildings.
Having now described the nature of our said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed We declare that we claim :-
First Supporting or assisting in supporting the inner side of the berth frames
upon brackets in combination with links or arms hinged thereto and connected
with the berth frame substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
Second: The several arrangements for supporting and securing the inner sides
of berth frames illustrated respectively in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and
hereinbefore described.
Third Fitting fold up berths with means such as laths, lugs, rails or rods for
preventing the bedding and bed clothes slipping down when the berth is folded
up, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth Fitting the head and foot rails of fold up berths to a support by
vertical hinges so that when the berth is folded up they may be turned inwards
against the berth bottom substantially as herein before described.
Fifth-Supporting vertically hinged head and foot rails by a post stepped in

page_text: a socket so as to swing with the head or foot rail substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Sixth-The arrangement represented in Figure 28 in which the hinge or
support of the vertically hinged head or foot rail and the berth frame are both
supported by one combined bracket.
Seventh Supporting the outer side of fold up berths by posts which are
hinged to the berth and stepped in sockets so that when the berth is folded up
they lift with it and fold also substantially as hereinbefore described.
Eighth-Fitting fold up berths with a hinged supporting post near the centre
so as to support a lee board or rail which extends about half the length of the
berth substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
:-
Ninth Constructing berths so that they may be swung up against a deck or
other part overhead substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in
Figures 39 to 43.
In witness whereof I the said Edwin William De Rusett for myself and on
behalf of the said Edward Lawson have hereunto set my hand and seal
this thirtieth day of January One thousand eight hundred and eighty
shuon
E. W. DE RUSETT (L.S.)