CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR BERTHS, CABINS, AND SHELVES FOR SEA-GOING VESSELS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Adrien Bonneville, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 18, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, France,
and 6, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR BERTHS, CABINS,
AND SHELVES FOR SEA-GOING VESSELS."-A communication from Bern-
hard Weisker, residing in the City, County, and State of New
York, United States of America, Gentleman.
Sealed the 29th August 1873, and dated the 13th June 1873.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henri Adrien Bonneville
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 13th June 1873, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRI
ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 18, Rue
de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, France, and 6, Piccadilly, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SUPPORTS FOR BERTHS, CABINS, AND SHELVES FOR SEA-GOING VESSELS,”

page_text: communicated to me by Bernhard Weisker, a person resident in the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America,
Gentleman, and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for
the same, and made solemn Declaration that it is a communication.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, reference being had
to the accompanying Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
The first part of my Invention consists in combining with the berths
or shelves in a vessel two pendulums which swing in planes at right
angles to each other, the main pendulum being suspended from a pin
that extends at right angles across the berth or shelf, so that it allows
the berth or shelf to swing in the direction of its length, while the
secondary pendulum allows the berth or shelf to swing in a transverse
direction. With the main pendulum is combined a guide groove
arranged either above or below, so that while the berth or shelf is
free to accommodate itself to the motions of the vessel, said main
pendulum is steadied in its position and its oscillations are strictly
confined to a plane which is parallel to or coincides with a vertical
plane through the length of the berth or shelf.
The second part of this Invention consists in combining with the
berth of a vessel a balance pendulum and an oscillating frame; said
berth being hung on pivots in the frame in such a manner that the
pendulum forms a counterbalance for the weight of the occupant of the
berth, while the berth is free to accommodate itself to the rolling and
pitching motions of the vessel.
The third part of this Invention consists in combining a balance
weight with a berth which swings on pivots secured in a frame that
oscillates on pivots secured in the sides or ends of the state room; said
balance weight being suspended from and secured to the bottom of the
berth in such a manner that the berth is free to accommodate itself
to the rolling and pitching motions of the vessel, while the balance
weight prevents said berth from tipping over.

page_text: The fourth part of my Invention consists in a hinged flap which
forms the bearings for a pivot from which is suspended the shelf or
other article to be supported, the pins of the hinges of the flap running
at right angles to the pivot supporting the shelf or other article in
such a manner that said shelf or other article is firmly supported, and
at the same time it is free to follow the motions of the vessel and to
retain a vertical position, independent of the constant changes in the
positions of said vessel.
The fifth part of my Invention consists in the arrangement of a floor
in the interior of a vessel; said floor being made to oscillate on pivots
secured in swinging frame, while both the floor and the frame are
subjected to the action of balance pendulums in such a manner that
by said balance pendulums the floor is retained in position against
the weight or pressure which may be brought to bear upon it, while
said floor is free to accommodate itself to the rolling, and also to the
pitching motions of the vessel.
The first part of my Invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the
Drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents a transverse vertical section ;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. In these Figures the letter A
designates the side of a state room in a sea-going vessel. In the side
is secured a pivot a from which is suspended a pendulum B, the lower
end of which is guided in a groove 6 formed in the bottom of the
state room, or in a piece of wood attached to said bottom.
The pen-
dulum B spreads in two or more branches, to which is secured a
frame C that forms the bearings for pivots c from which are suspended
the berths D, D, (one or more). It will be noticed that the pivots c
extend at right angles to the pivot a of the main pendulum B, so
that when the oscillations of said main pendulum take place in a
plane parallel to the length of the berths, the oscillations of the berth
themselves take place in a plane parallel to a vertical cross section
of said berths, and by these means the berths are enabled to retain
a horizontal position while the vessel rolls or pitches. By means of
the guide groove 6 the pendulum B is steadied, and its oscillations
are strictly confined to a plane parallel to the length of the berths.
From the ends of each berth D project arms of which are provided
with holes to engage with the pivots c, so that each berth forms a
secondary pendulum, the speed of the oscillations of which is in pro-
portion to the length of the arms f. With this mechanism are provided

page_text: stops d, e, one of which serves to fasten the main pendulum, while
the other serves to fasten the berth or berths in position, so that in
getting in or out of said berths the danger of tipping over is avoided.
After the occupant of the berth has adjusted his or her body in the
proper position the stops are readily withdrawn, and the berth accom-
modates itself to the rolling and pitching motions of the vessel.
Instead of stops any other suitable mechanism may be applied for
the purpose of stopping or releasing the main pendulum and the berth
or shelf.
The second part of my Invention is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, in
which Fig. 3 represents a transverse section; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal
section. In these Figures the letter A designates a state room, to the
ends of which is secured a frame B which swings on pivots a, a. In
the sides of this frame are secured pivots b, b, which support the
berth C, so that this berth extends in the direction of the length of
the vessel, or parallel to its keel. From the head board c of said
berth extends a rod d which is pivoted to a lever e that extends
from a rock shaft which runs transversely across the state room
near its ceiling, as shown in Fig. 3. On this rock shaft is secured
the balance pendulum D, the lower end of which carries a friction
roller that moves in a channel or groove h. On said pendulum is
secured a weight i which is so proportioned that it considerably over-
balances the weight of the person occupying the berth C, and that
the position of the berth is but imperceptibly disturbed when said
person enters it or leaves it. This object is facilitated by the pro-
portion between the length of the pendulum and that of the lever e,
and by means of my balance pendulum the berth is prevented from
tipping over, or from assuming an inclined position while its owner
enters the same and lays down in it. At the same time the balance
pendulum will freely follow the pitching motions of the vessel, and
consequently the berth is retained in a horizontal position entirely
independent from the changing positions of the vessel. The rod d
which connects the head board of the berth with the lever e is provided
with several holes so that it can be adjusted on said lever, and the head
board of the berth can be raised or lowered to suit its owner.
The third part of my Invention is illustrated in Fig. 5, which
represents a longitudinal section. In this Figure the letter A represents

page_text: horizontal position during all changes, which may take place in the
position of the vessel.
My device can also be used with advantage for supporting chandeliers
or other articles in vessels.
The fifth part of my Invention is illustrated in Fig. 7, 8, and 9,
in which Fig. 7 represents a longitudinal vertical section of this part
of my Invention; Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the same in the
plane x, x, Fig. 7%; Fig. 9 represents a plan or top view thereof.
In these Figures the letters A, A, designates the walls or partitions
which separate the cabin from the remaining portion of the vessel.
In two of these partitions, one opposite the other, are secured pivots
a, a, which support a frame B, so that this frame is free to oscillate
in a plane at right angles to the keel of the vessel. The pivots a, a,
are situated in the lower parts of the partitions A, A, and in the upper
parts of said partitions turn rock shafts b, b, which are parallel to the
pivots and right above them. On the inner ends of these rock shafts
are mounted levers c, c, which connect by rods d, d, with the corners
of the frame B, and on the outer ends of said rock shafts are mounted
pendulums C which carry heavy weights D, and the lower ends of
which are guided in suitable grooves or channels. By means of these
balance pendulums the frame B is free to follow the rolling motions
of the vessel, and at the same time the weights D are so proportioned
that any ordinary weight or pressure brought to bear upon said frame
will not perceptibly change its position. In the sides of the frame B
are secured pivots e, e, which support the floor E, the direction of
the pivots e, e, being at right angles to that of the pivots a, a, so that
while the frame B oscillates in a plan at right angles to the keel, the
floor E oscillates in a plane parallel to the keel; or if desired the
frame may be made to oscillate in a plan at right angles thereto.
In the upper part of two of the partitions A, A, is mounted a rock
shaft F which extends at right angles to the rock shafts b, b, in a
direction parallel to the pivots e, e, and right above the same across
the upper portion of the cabin. On the middle of this rock shaft
is mounted a lever G (see Fig. 7), the ends of which connect by
rods f, f, with the floor E, and on the extreme ends of said rock
shaft are secured two pendulums H which carry heavy weight I, and
the lower ends of which are guided in suitable grooves or channels.
By this arrangement the floor is free to follow the pitching motions

page_text: tially as and for the purpose shown and described.
Referring to Fig. 7, 8, and 9.
1º. The combination of balance pendulums C, H, with the oscillating
frame B, and the oscillating floor E of a cabin in a vessel, substantially
as shown and described.
2°. The rock shafts b, b, F, and levers c, c, G, in combination with the.
oscillating frame B, floor E, and balance pendulums C, H, constructed
and operating substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.