Improvements in Boudoir Cars.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 3rd Aug., 1897
Improvements in Boudoir Cars.
I, ERNEST FLAGG, a citizen of the United States of America, and by profession
an Architect, at No. 35 Wall Street, in the City, County and State of New York,
in the United States of America aforesaid, 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 following statement :-
1
The object of my invention is to provide boudoir-cars, for railways, with series
of co-operating fixed and movable panels, doors and curtains, in connection with
a number of berths arranged end to end on both sides of the car, whereby enclosed
sections, securing privacy, may be formed at either one side or the other of the
car as desired, without decreasing the number of available berths and seats.
My invention also has for its object to provide wash-basins for the said sections,
the basins and the supply and waste-pipes connected therewith, being arranged
to be shifted from one side of the car to the other, when the sections are changed.
Heretofore there have been several classes of boudoir-cars in use. One class
has a number of berths arranged end to end along both sides of the car, curtains
being hung in front of said berths when being used.
A second class of boudeir-cars is like the one above-named, with the addition
of one or more enclosed permanent sections, or state-rooms, at one or both ends
of the car, near the entrance from the vestibules. Another class has a number of
permanent sections, or state rooms, on both sides of the car at intervals, those
on one side being diagonally opposite those on the other side, a zig-zag passage-
way separating all the sections, or state-rooms, from each other, and running
length wise of the car. Still another class has a straight passage-way running
one half of the length of the car on one side, and then crossing the car and
running one-half of the length on the other side, with compartments opening
off from each passage-way. A variation of this last form is a straight passage
way running on one side of the car for its entire length, and with compartments
opening off therefrom, and all being permanently on one side of the car.
In the classes of boudoir-cars which contain state-rooms, these state-rooms have
been permanently situated, and it has not been possible to shift such state-rooms
from one side of the car to the other, to meet the convenience or wishes of the
passengers. Frequently, passengers wish to have a state-room, with a window
and seats, on one side of the car, for some reason, while others may prefer the

page_text: other side, or it may even be desirable to, shift from one side to another, during
the same journey. In the present classes of cars these wishes cannot be readily
met; but in my improved boudoir-car the changes can be quickly and easily made.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view, in longi-
tudinal section, of a part of my new boudoir-car; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view
on the line ry of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the swinging panels;
Fig. 4 is an end view of a portion of said panel showing wash-basin and the
connection of the supply-pipes for the basin, with the main supply-pipes; Fig. 5
is a top view of the slotted socket extending through the floor of the car; Fig. 6 is
a sectional detail of the upper socket for the swinging frame. Fig. 7 is a top
view of a portion of the floor and of a form of cover plate used when sliding panels
are substituted; Fig. 8 is a partly sectional view showing the sliding panel and
pipe connections; Fig. 9 is a bottom view of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a sectional view
on the lines 10-10 of Figs. 8 and 9; Fig. 11 is a detail, showing the engagement
of the removable panel by the keeper of the sliding panel.
A is the body of the car; B, B, are the upper berths; C, C, are the car seats
which are convertible into berths. D is the passage way between the lines of
berths; E, E, are the seat-backs, defining the ends of the upper and lower berths.
These backs support the usual panels which separate successive upper berths from
each other. There are a number of short longitudinal partitions, F, F, placed
at intervals along the central line of the passage-way. Each of said partitions
is situated about half way across a line, running from the center of one berth
to the center of a berth on the opposite side of the car.
In addition to the short longitudinal partitions F, I have provided a number
of movable panels which may be shifted from the central line of the passage-way
to either side thereof. Two forms of these panels are shown in the accompanying
drawings.
One form consists of a frame which has panels, G, H, both secured at one
end to a central support, I. These supports, I, are secured at the top and bottom
in the center of the passage-way and at points which are substantially in line
with opposite seat-backs, E. At their lower ends, the supports rest in sockets, J,
in the floor of the car. Flanges, K, are formed upon the supports for longitudinally
supporting them. At their upper ends, the supports are held in sockets, L. Pre-
ferably, the supports, I, are tubular, and extend through the bottom of the car,
passing through the sockets, which are also made tubular for the purpose. The
tubular supports, while giving the requisite strength and lightness in construc-
tion, may be used for carrying off the waste-water, as hereinafter described.
By swinging a frame, the state-room may be changed from one side to the
other of the center of the passage-way. In either position, the end of one panel
is flush, or nearly so, with a seat-back, E, and the end of the other panel is flush,
or nearly so, with one end of a short partition, F, thus forming a side wall and a
considerable portion of the longitudinal wall of a state-room.
The state-room may be completed by swinging the next succeeding frame in
the same direction as the first-mentioned frame, and by providing a door or curtain
which extends from the upper end of the short partitions, F, to the tubular
support, I. For this purpose, doors, M, may be provided, said doors being adapted
to swing in both directions. The manner of completing the state-room just
described, can only be used when the panel-frame of the next succeeding state-room
is swung in the same direction, so that that state-room is on the same side of
the car as the first-named room. If successive rooms are desired on opposite
sides, a curtain, N, is hung so as to close the space from the end of the partition F,
to the end of the seat-back. This makes a smaller room than when the doors
are used, but it is necessary in order to keep the main passage-way unbroken.
In every case, however, there will be a state-roon containing one or more
berths on one side of the car, and separated by a passage-way, from one or more
berths on the opposite side of the car.
In my new car, any number of state-rooms can be at either side of the
car,

page_text: while the number of berths which are not included in state-rooms will not be
decreased.
If the state-rooms are all on one side of the car, the passage-way will be in a
direct line throughout the car; if rooms are on both sides of the car, the passage-
way will be more or less irregular.
I have also shown another arrangement of moveable panels for shifting the
state-rooms. Referring to the lower portion of Fig. 1, O is a panel which is
arranged to slide across the passage-way, being suitably supported for that purpose,
in any of the ordinary ways applicable to sliding panels for example, suspended
from an overhead rail or track extending across the car. P is a panel which is
removed to allow panel O to slide, and is then replaced. The sliding panel, O,
and removable panel P, may be substituted for the swinging frames hereinbefore
described.
Each of the state-rooms may be provided with wash-basins, having faucets and
connections with a water-supply. The state-rooms being arranged to be shifted,
the basins and connections must also be shifted with them. This may be done
by securing the basins, Q, to the movable panels.
In the case of the swinging-frames, first described, the basin may be secured to
either panel G or panel H, or to both. The waste-pipe R may open directly into
the tubular support, I, and discharge therethrough. A circular slot, S, is cut in
the floor of the car, through the socket, J, to allow the passage of flexible supply-
pipes, T and U, for hot and cold water, which are connected to the main
supply-pipes, t, and u, extending lengthwise of the car and underneath the same.
V and W are the faucets for supplying hot and cold water to the basin. The
slot S is covered by the flange, K, through which holes are tapped for the passage
of the pipes, T, Ŭ.
When the sliding panels, O, are used, the basin is attached directly to the
panel, O, and is slid across the car with the panel. A slot, Y, is cut in the floor
of the car, in this connection, and is partially covered by a plate, Z, which plate
is independent of the panel, O. In order to slide the basin across the car, the
removable panel, P, is taken away, and is replaced when the panel, O, is in its
new position.
The waste-pipe, R, can, if desired, discharge directly through the socket, J;
similarly, the supply pipes T and U, can be housed in the tubular support, and,
in the latter event, the holes through the sockets may be dispensed with..
The swinging panels, G, are provided with locks, or latches, A', and the ends
of the seats, E, and partitions, F, are provided with corresponding keepers,
whereby the sections may be locked in position. The removable panel, P, may
also be provided with a lock, or latch, for the same purpose. B', B', are flexible
strips, preferably of rubber, secured to the edges of the movable panels and doors,
for closing the spaces between the adjusted parts, assuring privacy. C¹, C, are
metallic keepers attached to the sliding panel, O, at opposite sides of the basin.
They hold the removable panel, P, in position at one of its edges, the other edge
being locked to the partition F.
When the sliding panels, O, are substituted for the swinging frames, I may
employ a somewhat different arrangement of floor-slot and cover, for the water-
supply and discharge-pipes. Referring especially to Figs. 7-10, inclusive, it
will be seen that the cover plate, Y, is longer and wider than the slot Z, which
it covers. The plate, Y, has a limited sliding movement lengthwise of the slot.
It is provided with openings through which the supply and discharge pipes pass,
and carries cross-braces, DI, D', upon its under side. The plate is held in place
(but is free to slide lengthwise of the car) by a bottom-plate, E¹, secured to the
cross-braces by screws. Said bottom-plate is wider than the slot, Z, and is pro-
vided with a rectangular opening for the passage of the pipes.
If it is desired to slide the panel, O, and basin, Q, to, the other side of the
the panel, P, is first withdrawn from the keeper, C¹ and pushed or drawn back
far enough to permit the basin to pass. Then the panel, O, is slid as desired,
car,

page_text: 1
'
and the cover-plate, Y, is also slid across the car as far as the cross-braces, D¹,
permit. The panel, P, is then pushed back to its original position, engaging the
keeper, C¹, which is opposite the keeper which it first engaged..
Any suitable devices for supporting or guiding the upper end of sliding
panel, O, may be employed.
The details of construction hereinbefore described may be departed from as
experience and skill may suggest; but still be within the limits of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a boudoir-car, two berths or seats, one at each side of the car, a passage-
way between the berths, a longitudinal partition placed near the center of the
passage-way and at or near the central line of the two opposite berths, and movable
panels adapted to extend from one end of the short partition to one end of either
one of two opposite berths; in combination with a movable curtain or panel
extending from the other end of the said short partition, to either of the opposite
ends of the said berths, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a boudoir-car, two berths or seats, one at each side of the car, a passage-
way between the berths, a longitudinal partition placed near the center of the
passage-way, one or more movable panels adapted to extend from one end of
the short partition to one of the opposite ends of the berths, a basin secured to
one or both of the panels and movable therewith, and supply and waste connections
movable with the basin, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a boudoir-car, two berths or seats, one at each side of the car, a passage-
way between the berths, a longitudinal partition placed near the center of the
passage-way, a frame consisting of two panels secured together at an angle to
each other, and arranged to swing upon a pivot which is between the opposite
ends of the berths, a basin secured to the inner part of the frame and movable
therewith, and supply and waste-connections movable with the basin, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
4. In a boudoir-car, two berths or seats, one at each side of the car, a passage-
way between the berths, a longitudinal partition placed near the center of the
passage-way, a movable panel at each end of the berths, adapted to extend part
way across the passage-way, additional panels extending from one or both ends
of the longitudinal partition to meet the movable panels extending from the ends
of the berths, and a door or curtain for the said compartment, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
5. In a boudoir-car, two berths or seats, one at each side of the car, a passage-
way between the berths, and co-operating panels for enclosing one only of said
berths and a portion of the passage-way into a compartment, the arrangement
being such that either one of said berths may be enclosed; all in combination with
a movable basin, having one or more faucets, and connecting pipes from a supply-
pipe to said faucets, substantially as and for the purpose described.
1
6. In a boudoir-car, two berths or seats, one at each side of the car, a passage-
way between the berths, and co-operating panels for enclosing one of said berths
and a portion of the passage-way into a compartment, the arrangement being
such that either of said berths or seats may be enclosed, substantially as and
for the purpose described.