Improvements in or connected with Ships' or analogous Berths.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Ships' or analogous Berths.
I, EDWARD ROWCLIFFE BILLINGTON, of Cambridge Street, Liverpool, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineer, 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:-
This invention has reference to lee-rails of ships' and analogous berths, and has
for its object, amongst other things, to provide improvements therein by which said
lee-rails may be folded and stowed out of the way when not required.
Under this invention the lee-rails are assumed to be applicable to ships' berths
which are adapted to be folded or stowed against a bulkhead or other vertical
surface, and consists in combining or arranging with or in connection with such,
berths, an outer lee-rail or rails in such a manner, that in the case of the berth.
being folded against the bulkhead or other surface, the lee-rail may be folded
or stowed so as to occupy little space and enable the berth to be neatly and,
closely folded and stowed against a surface, and so that it will in no way interfere
with the berth below.
In the drawings which serve to illustrate my invention, I shew several arrange-,
ments and constructions of lee rails, and these I will now describe, the same letters
or figures of reference being used throughout to denote the same or equivalent,
parts wherever they occur in the different figures.
In the different forms and arrangements of berth lee-rails hereinafter described,
the prevailing object and effect thereof is to provide rigidity and strength combined.
with suitable lightness of construction, when erected, so that when any great stress
or pressure comes upon the weakest end or part they shall be capable of resisting
bending or straining, and without being abnormally heavy or clumsy, and at the.
same time shall be capable of being folded or stowed in connection with the berth
frame, in such a manner, that they form no impediment to the berth being folded.
itself snugly against a bulkhead or other surface, and can be easily and quickly.
erected and folded.
In all the arrangements particularly shewn in Figures 1 to 9, the lee-rails are.
hinged below the level of the berth main frame bars a.
In the arrangement shewn in Figures 1 and 2 the lee-rail, which is generally;
designated e, is mounted to a hinge fixed in a pendant portion of the casting i
forming the corner piece of the berth frame, in which a recess is provided wherein
the vertical end bark of the lee-rail, at its lower part, lies, as shewn, when erected ;.
and it is held in this position by a catch hinged at l', and the end of which passes,
over the pin m on k, which keeps it from moving outwards. The support to the,
lee-rail against inward pressure is afforded by the standard o, fixed to the casting i,
and having a bifurcated end, into which the upright & fits; thus by the standard o
and catch 1, and the general construction and arrangement, the lee rail is enabled
to withstand severe inward and outward stresses. Both ends of the lee rail would
be similar to the construction shewn in these figures.
In the elevation and plan of the modified construction of lee-rail shewn .in,
Figures 3 and 4, the lee rail, and standard o, lic in the same plane, the upright;
bar k in this case being mounted on the underside of the corner casting i by the:
bolt hinge, the end bark of the lee-rail being bent at the bottom, as shewn.
The fastening and support between the lec-rail and the standard o in this case is,
effected by the latch 1, which is hinged at l to one of the knobs of the lee-rail,,
and moves into and out of a gap in the head of the standard o when being.

page_text: fastened or disconnected, the disconnection being effected by throwing up the
catch l.
In the construction shewn in Figures 5 and 6-which are elevation and end view
respectively the lower end of the end upright bar k is bent round, and fits in a
bearing in the berth corner casting i, and is held therein by the plate i*, which is
hinged at to the part; the upper part of the plate 2 is fixed and held by the
screw. The lee rail,is locked with the standard o by a bolt which is held and
slides in the lee rail tube €². It is kept outwards, and in the position shewn in
Figure 5, by the spring p, which lies in an annular space between the rod / and the
interior surface of the rail e², and abuts and presses against a collar 12 thereon.
The bolt is withdrawn by moving back the sliding ferrule or sleeve y on the rail e²,
which is connected to the bolt by the pin q', a longitudinal slot in each side of the
rail e being provided to allow for the movement of said pin.
In the modification shewn in Figure 7, the end bark of the lee rail is bent as
shewn, and is hinged in a corner plate or part 3, which part is in turn secured by
the screw pin and fixed pin, to the berth corner casting i.
The construction shewn in Figure 8 is a modification of the arrangement shewn
in Figure 7, namely, in the mounting or hinging of the end lee rail bar k. In this
case, this bar is straight, as shewn, whilst the part is carried down in bent form,
as shewn. This is the converse of that shewn in Figure 3.
In the modification shewn in Figures 9 and 94, a construction of locking device
of the lee rail is shewn. This device consists of a bolt fixed in the lee-rail, and
having a gap in its upper side. Into this gap a spring retained catch r drops
when the lee-rail is moved into its vertical or erected position, the catch r being
provided with an aperture at in a line with the path of the bolt l, through
which the bolt passes. The catch is normally pressed downwards by a spring 2,
which is held in the standard o and presses upon the pin in the lower end of the
bolt catch. The standard is made hollow and of suitable form inside to support
the catch r, and allow it to move up and down therein. To unlock the rail the
catch is lifted by the knob, when the lee rail can be removed and folded
downwards and outwards.
The device shewn in Figures 10 and 11 for holding or locking the lee rail,
consists of a locking catch 7, hinged at the upper part to the head of the standard o,
which is provided with a gap at o' to receive the end of the lee rail bar e². It
may be assumed that the lee rail moves up to and away from the standard o from
a hinge below. In action, to lock the lee rail the catch is moved up about its
hinge, and the lee rail is then moved so that the part e² lies in the recess o' when
the catch is lowered and locks the bar. The catch is made double, as shewn,
and by this form provides great strength for resisting outward pressure on the lee
rail.
l
In all of the above described constructions the lee rail assumes the position
shewn in the drawings when the berth is being used. When, however, it is desired
to fold and stow the berth, the lee rail is unlocked, and then folded or moved
outwards and downwards under the berth frame, so that it lies practically flat along
the underside thereof when folded.
In the modification shewn in Figures 12 to 17, the lee rail is adapted to fold
onto the upper side of the berth, that is, in the reverse manner to those set forth
with reference to Figures 1 to 11.
In the modification shewn in Figures 12 and 13, the end vertical bars k of the
lee-rail form the standards, their bases normally resting upon the corner castings i
when in their vertical position, that is, the position for use. These vertical end
bars k are fixed to the end bars of the berth frame a by a link s mounted on a
hinged joint s'. The action in this case is that when the lee rail is to be stowed, it
is moved upwards about the hinges s' (one of which is at each end of the berth),
the rails of the lee-rail thereby taking the horizontal position. In this case the
clothes can remain on the berth when it is in position, the lee-rail lying above
same.

page_text: In the modification shewn in Figures 14 and 15, the lee-rail is supported by
standards or uprights e³, which are mounted on a sleeve or ring e surrounding the
outer side bar of the berth frame, which is round; whilst the end vertical bar k
stands above the casting i, and is locked therewith when the lee-rail is erected
by the thumb screw 1, which screws into the base of the standard k. When this
screw is removed from the bar k, it is prevented from falling out of the casing by
the pin , the side frame bar in this case being hollow, and allowing the up and
down motion of the screw pin l. In action, in this case, when the lee rail is being
raised to the vertical position or folded into the horizontal position, the standards e
move or rock about the outer berth frame tube on which the sleeve e is mounted.
In this case, if the clothes remain on the berth when it is folded, the lee rail will
lie under them when folded down onto same.
The modification shewn in Figures 16 and 17 is of the type set forth with
reference to Figures 12 and 13. In this case the end standards k of the lee rail are
in the form of a bell crank lever, and are hinged at to the upper side of the
casting, and they are extended below at which parts fit in a recess in the
casting, and are held therein by a catch 1, which consists of a latch hinged to
the casting i at . When the lee rail is in the vertical position and locked, it is
firmly held, and prevented from being strained when pressure is brought upon it.
In this case also, both ends of the lee rail are similarly constructed. The position
of the lee rail, when folded, is shewn in dotted lines in the figure.
Figure 18 shews another lee-rail mounted according to the mode set forth with
reference to Figures 12 and 13, that is, the end bars of the lee rail rest upon the
the corners of the berth frame, and are hinged to the berth frame by links s
hinged at s to the outside of the end bars of said frame, and to the lee rail bars k
at s².
The end bars are locked to the corner pieces when in the vertical position
ready for use, by the thumb screw l. When unlocked and stowed, the lee-rail
moves inward in an arc and takes the position shewn by the dotted lines in the
figure, either on the bottom of the berth, or on the top of the clothes thereon when
they are stowed with the berth.
According to another part of this invention, the lee-rails of berths are mounted
on or fixed to the end vertical bulkhead or other surface, that is, not to the berth
itself as those above specified, and as is usually done. Two arrangements of this
mode of mounting the rails are shewn in Figures 19 and 20.
In Figure 19, the lee rail is mounted upon a bar t fixed on the bulkhead or
surface or other support at each end of the berth, and standing away therefrom at
a suitable distance. The rail e is mounted on the bars t by a sleeve n on the
bottom of the main end standards k, which slide on the rods t, the two standards k
being connected together by suitable longitudinal rails or rods. When the berth is
stowed up against the vertical surface, the standards are pushed inwards on the
bars and take the position shewn in dotted lines.
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 20, the lee-rail e is hinged to the end bulk-
head or other surface and swings on said hinges. In the construction shewn, the
rail is mounted upon the vertical rod e' at the end nearest the bulkhead or other
surface, the other end having a stud, v, which fits in a corresponding aperture or
seat in a casting ', which is fixed on the outer side bar of the berth frame. The
hinge bar el is of square section at the parts where the bosses or sleeves e of the
lee-rail lie when in its locked position, said sleeves being made of corresponding
size and shape to fit on said square parts. Above these parts the rod is made
round and of diameter equal to the thickness of the square parts across the flats.
When the sleeves e and the rail e are lifted up above said square parts, the lee-rail
can swing about such parts, and when moved inwards, lies flat against the end
bulkhead or other surface to which it may be suitably fastened.
In some cases, the lee-rails may be stowed on the berth above the mattress and
clothes when in position, whilst in others they are adapted to lie under the clothes ;
or again, the clothes may be removed altogether if desired.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The construction and arrangement of mounting of the lee rail and part of the
berth connected therewith, consisting of the bar & mounted to the corner part i of
the berth frame and below the level of the berth, and adapting same to fold under
said berth; as set forth with reference to and shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
2. The construction and arrangement of mounting of the lee-rail and part of
the berth connected therewith, consisting of the vertical lec-rail bar k carried down
below the berth and bent round towards the berth corner, and hinged thereto by a
pin joint or pivot h: as set forth with reference to and shewn in Figure 3 of the
drawings.
3. The construction and arrangement of mounting of the lee rail and part of
the berth connected therewith, consisting of the vertical lee rail bar k carried down
below the berth and bent round towards the berth corner i mounted and supported
therein as set forth with reference to and shewn in Figures 5 and 6 of the
drawings.
:
4. The modified arrangement and construction of the arrangement set forth with
reference to Figures 5 and 6, set forth with reference to Figure 7 of the drawings.
5. The construction and arrangement of mounting of the lee rail and part of
the berth connected therewith, consisting of the vertical lee rail bar & carried
straight down below the berth, and hinged to the standard o which is carried down
and bent round towards the bar kas set forth with reference to and shewn in
Figure 8 of the drawings.
6. In a ship's or analogous berth, a movable lee rail hinged at or to the ends
of the berth, and adapted to move from the vertical into the horizontal position ;
substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 12 and 13, and 16 and 17 of
the drawings also the particular constructions, arrangements, and mountings of
said lee-rails.
7. In a ship's or analogous berth, a movable lee-rail hinged to a round side frame
bar of the berth, and having end vertical members disposed above the outer corners
of the berth frame, and adapted to be locked thereto; substantially as set forth
with reference to Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings.
8. A ship's or analogous berths movable lee rail adapted to be locked in the
corner part of said berth frame by a hinged catch as set forth with reference to
and shewn in Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings.
9. The different constructions and modes of operating the holding and locking
devices and releasing devices of ships' berths and lee rails, set forth with reference
to Figures 1 and 2; Figures 3 and 4; Figures 5 and 6; Figures 7 and 8;
Figures 9 and 94; and Figures 10 and 11, respectively.
10. In a ship's or analogous berth, a movable lee-rail with end members adapted
to rest upon the corners of the berth frame, and connected with said frame by con-
necting hinged bars whereby when the lee-rail is stowed, it lies in a horizontal
position on the berth frame or clothes; substantially as set forth with reference to
Figure 18.
11. A ship's or analogous movable berth lee-rail mounted or supported separately
from the berth, and upon or by the end bulkhead or other surface or support at
the ends of said berth, and adapted to be slid or swung back towards the back side-
surface, or end surface or surfaces or supports, of the berth, and be stowed out of
the way when the berth is stowed or folded; for the purposes specified.
12. The ship's or analogous berth movable lee-rail mounted upon horizontal
supporting bars at each end of the berth on which it is adapted to slide to and fro,
said supporting bars being fixed to the end bulkheads as set forth with reference to
Figure 19.
13. The ship's or analogous berth movable lee-rail, mounted at one end on the
vertical hinge or support fixed to the end bulkheads, and having square parts (or

page_text: parts of equivalent form), and round parts, whereby when the lee-rail is on the
square parts of the bar it is locked, and when on the round parts, it is released and
free to be swung round and stowed against the vertical or end bulkhead or other
surface; as set forth with reference to Figure 20.
Dated this 27th day of March 1893.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.