Improvements in Berths and other Cabin Fittings for Steam-ships and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 1st July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by KATHARINE CORNELIA MUNSON, of Winthrop,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Teacher.]
Improvements in Berths and other Cabin Fittings for Steam-ships
and the like.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide for the use of invalids and persons in
delicate health, an improved berth for steam ships and other water-craft and to
furnish the same with a variety of attachments and conveniences which will tend to
alleviate the discomforts of a sea voyage.
The various devices which are herein set forth may be employed in the same
room and are applied to one or the other of two parallel berths mounted on one
frame, and are designed to promote the comfort of the passengers in case of
sickness.
The berth frame is suspended in such a manner that it will swing freely to
compensate for the rolling motions of the vessel in stormy weather, so that the
berths will not be materially tipped from side to side, and the passenger's strength
exhausted in the mere effort to remain in the berth.
Without limiting myself in the matter of suspension apparatus, or laying claim
to the particular form shown, I prefer the rolling bearings in which a cylindrical
hub attached to the wall or partition forms a firm support for a series of rollers
mounted in an annular bracket on the end of the berth frame. These supporting
trunnions are mounted on slides working in grooved ways fixed to the walls of the
room so that the whole apparatus may be drawn out from the rear wall and held in
position to swing freely or may be pushed back and held firmly.
The berth frame supports the lower berth the upper berth and a canopy over the
latter. Curtains supported by rods enclose each berth separately so as to cut off
the sight of the walls of the room which move relatively to the berths. The
curtains conceal this movement and thus tend to mitigate sea-sickness, besides
giving privacy in either berth when desired.
At the back side of the lower berth I provide a sliding upholstered back support
with a folding arm at each side thereof, and along the front of said berth near the
floor I place a long horizontal step or foot rest, preferably supported on brackets
hinged to the front of the berth so as to turn down for use or to turn up and form a
panel along the front of the berth. With these devices in position the berth or
bed is readily convertible into an arm-chair, in which one may sit at ease with the
same freedom from discomfort because of the vessels rolling which the berth itself
affords. The foot rest is elongated and the chair back movable longitudinally on
ways formed by the rear side rails of the upper and lower berths, and hence the
chair made up as stated, may be located at desired points.
I furnish a fine plush spread for the top of the bed, corresponding in color with
the upholstering of the chair back. This gives to the structure as a whole the
general aspect of a sofa.
The back support is a shallow closet or locker with shelves or compartments for
medicines and the like. The upholstered face of this locker is a sliding door to
cover or enclose these compartments. The arms are pivoted to the edges of the
partitioned back portion and when extended forward they hold the upholstered face
of the device in place so that both parts slide together; but when either arm is

page_text: turned up vertically the front or upholstered face may slide edgewise and expose
the contents of the compartments. When both arms are turned up this face portion
may move away to either side, independently of the sliding movement of the main
portion of the back.
The arms are peculiar, the base portion is pivoted to the back to turn up as
stated, and it folds down against a stop. The upholstered arm-rest is hinged to the
upper edge of this base portion, to fold inwardly toward the opposite arm when in
position for use. These arm-rests turn up edgewise on their hinges before the
entire arm is turned up vertically on its pivot.
In one portion of the sliding back-support I have provided two faucets connected
by flexible tubes with hot and cold water supply pipes of the vessel so that either
These are
hot or cold water may be drawn when desired for any required use.
wholly concealed by the upholstered face of the back when in position. I also
furnish a portable and collapsible bath-tub which may be placed upon the lower
berth and supplied with water from the faucets or otherwise, which will not
be spilled when properly suspended berths are employed. A short section of
rubber tubing may run from the faucets to the tub and to the closet seat to be
described.
In addition to this the berth is provided with a press-button connected by a
flexible wire with a call bell or other signal so that when required an attendant or
officer may be summoned.
Another feature of this invention consists of a stool, commode or water-closet
seat directly connected with the berths. The lower berth is furnished with a spring
or hair mattress, of which a small section near the foot of the bed, is made removable
so as to expose beneath it a closet seat of usual form, on which the removable
section rests. Beneath this is the receiving jar or vessel with a tapering sleeve
leading thereto. Suitable provision is made for removing this vessel for emptying
preferably by hinging a part of the front of the berth. A thick ring of rubber
packing may be interposed between the seat and the vessel and the bottom of the
removable section may be covered with like material. A suitable disinfectant will
be provided and water for cleansing or flushing may be supplied from the faucets
through rubber tubes.
For convenience of access to the seat the lower sheet of the berth may be
furnished with a flap which will turn up to expose the removable section of the bed,
and when turned down may be fastened to the foot portion of the sheet by buttons
or otherwise.
The adjustability of the back enables it to be placed opposite to the seat wheu
desired, thereby affording a support which to invalids or the infirm is of great value.
The separately folding arms give a temporary support at each side, and may be
turned up out of the way or turned down as required.
A
I furnish the upper berth with a urinal located at the back side of the berth and
about midway of its length. It is furnished at the top with a suitable cover.
tube extends downwardly to the jar or vessel beneath the lower berth. The parts
may be flushed with a liquid disinfectant when desired, by means of a bottle and
bulb syringe or like devices. The receiving vessels will be held in small compart-
ments or set in shallow sockets so as not to be displaced. Other compartments at
either side of these vessels may receive shoes or other articles all being concealed
by the door which is below the foot-rest.
The receiving vessel rests upon a hinged tray which yields downwardly as the
vessel becomes partly filled and by such movement bears down upon a foot connected
by a lever with a signal rod extending up to the upper berth so that the occupant
may be warned by the position of said rod, or by a bell struck by it before the
vessel overflows. A spring gives a yielding support to the tray.
At the foot of the berth frame, in the angle beneath the upper berth I have
provided a small cupboard designed for a hat box and capable of receiving through
an end door a lady's bonnet or the like, thus utilizing this portion of the space.
The face of this box may be provided with a mirror if desired. Below this small

page_text: cupboard is a transverse shelf preferably upholstered to correspond with the berth
cover, and adapted to support food, dishes, clock or any small articles within reach
from the berth.
At the head of the berth I provide an adjustable head-rest consisting of a border
or frame extending across the head of the berth and along each side of it for fifteen
or twenty inches, pivoted at its ends to the inner face of the side rails of the berth,
and having a stout fabric stretched across and secured to such frame. At each side
of the berth is a cord running through a ring in the bottom of the upper berth and
connected to the head of this frame, so that by drawing on either cord the rest will
be raised obliquely on its pivots to the desired angle, and held by a ratchet and
pawl or any suitable means. When dropped down the frame rests close to the
edges of the berth and the fabric lies flat across the mattress over the lower sheet.
I am not aware of any similar device as a permanent attachment to a suspended
berth prior to my invention.
The devices for locking the berth frame to the partitions consists of two bolts
sliding horizontally in bearings the said bolts are worked by a pivoted lever which
extends up to the upper berth, so that from either berth the said bolts may be
thrown to engage with their sockets in the walls or to be released therefrom, so as
to prevent or permit free suspension as desired. The lever is provided with suitable
catches to hold it in either position.
A folding step similar to the above described folding arm is attached to the foot
of the frame, for more convenient access to the upper berth.
I mount a swinging table on a bent arm working in a vertical socket near the
head of the berth, so that the table may be moved on its pivot to and over the
front of the berth or away to the wall. The table may support food or medicines
but I have specially designed it as a cover for a vomiting pan attached to the front
of the berth in case of sickness. In connection with this I provide a pendent head-
support or flexible sling hanging from a hook in the upper berth bottom and
adapted to slip over the forehead of the invalid and give a much needed support to
the head in vomiting. The sling is removable or may be drawn aside entirely out
of the way when not required for use.
Dated this 1st day of July 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Berths and other Cabin Fittings for Steam Ships
and the like.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., 45 Southampton
Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide, for the use of invalids and persons in
delicate health, an improved berth for steam ships and other water-craft, and to
furnish the same with a variety of attachments and conveniences which will tend to
alleviate the discomforts of a sea-voyage.
The various devices which are herein set forth may be employed in the same
room and are applied to one or the other of two parallel berths mounted on one
frame, and are designed to promote the comfort of the passengers in case of
sickness.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the berth frame with its two berths and canopy
complete.

page_text: frame.
VIEW SHOWing the lower berth and various attachments to the
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central vertical section, seen from the front.
Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line y y of Figure 2 and looking toward
the foot of the berths.
Figures 5 and 6 are details of the adjustable bearings.
The berth frame is suspended in such a manner that it will swing freely to
compensate for the rolling motions of the vessel in stormy weather, so that the
berths will not be materially tipped from side to side, and the passenger's strength
exhausted in the mere effort to remain in the berth.
Without limiting myself in the matter of suspension apparatus, or laying claim
to the particular form shown, I prefer the rolling bearings shown in which a
cylindrical hub a attached to the wall or partition forms a firm support for a series
of rollers mounted in an annular bracket on the end of the berth frame. These
supporting trunnions are mounted on slides c working in grooved ways
fixed to
the walls of the room, so that the whole apparatus may be drawn out from the
rear wall and held in position to swing freely or may be pushed back and held
firmly.
The berth frame supports the lower berth A, the upper berth B and a canopy C
over the latter. Curtains D supported by rods E enclose each berth separately so
as to cut off the sight of the walls of the room which move relatively to the berths.
The curtains conceal this movement and thus tend to mitigate sea-sickness, besides
giving privacy in either berth when desired.
At the back of the lower berth I provide a sliding upholstered back support F
provided with upholstered face F¹ and having a folding arm G at each side thereof,
and along the front of the said berth near the floor I place a long horizontal step
or foot-rest K preferably supported on brackets hinged to the front of the berth so
as to turn down for use or to turn up and form a panel along the front of the berth.
With these devices in position the berth or bed is readily convertible into an arm-
chair, in which one may sit at ease with the same freedom from discomfort because
of the vessels rolling which the berth itself affords. The foot rest is elongated and
the chair back movable longitudinally on ways formed by the rear side rails of the
upper and lower berths, and hence the chair, made up as stated, may be located at
any desired point.
I furnish a fine plush spread for the top of the bed, corresponding in color with
the upholstering of the chair back. This gives to the structure as a whole the
general aspect of a sofa.
Behind the back support F is a shallow closet or locker with shelves or com-
partments for medicines and the like, and the said back support forms a sliding door
to cover or enclose these compartments. The arms G are pivoted to the edges of
the partitioned back portion F, and when extended forward they hold the
upholstered face of the device in place so that both parts slide together; but when
either arm is turned up vertically the front or upholstered face may slide edgewise
and expose the contents of the compartments. When both arms are turned up this
face portion F may move away to either side, independently of the sliding
movement of the main portion of the back.
The arms G are peculiar, the base portion is pivoted to the back to turn up as
stated, and it folds down against a stop g. The upholstered arm-rest is hinged to
the upper edge of this base portion, to fold inwardly toward the opposite arm when
in position for use. These arm-rests turn up edgewise on their hinges before the
entire arm is turned up vertically on its pivot.
In one portion of the sliding back-support F, I have provided two faucets f
Figure 4, connected by flexible tubes e with hot and cold water supply pipes of the
vessel so that either hot or cold water may be drawn when desired for any required
These are wholly concealed by the upholstered face of the back when in
position. I also furnish a portable and collapsible bath tub.t which may be placed
upon the lower berth and supplied with water from the faucets or otherwise, which
use.

page_text: will not be spilled when properly suspended berths are employed. A short section
of rubber tubing may run from the faucets to the tub and to the closet seat to be
described.
In addition to this the berth is provided with a press-button p connected by a
flexible wire with a call bell or other signal so that when required an attendant or
officer may be summoned.
Another feature of this invention consists of a stool commode or water closet seat
directly connected with the berths. The lower berth is furnished with a spring or
hair mattress, of which a small section I, near the foot of the bed, is made
removable so as to expose beneath it a closet seat K of usual form, on which the
removable section rests. Beneath this is the receiving jar or vessel J with a
tapering sleeve leading thereto. Suitable provision is made for removing this
vessel for emptying, preferably by hinging a part of the front of the berth as at k.
A thick ring of rubber packing may be interposed between the seat and the vessel J
and the bottom of the removable section I, may be covered with like material. A
suitable disinfectant will be provided and water for cleansing or flushing may be
supplied from the faucets through rubber tubes.
For convenience of access to the seat the lower sheet of the berth A may be
furnished with a flap M which will turn up to expose the removable section of the
bed and when turned down may be fastened to the foot portion of the sheet by
buttons or otherwise.
The adjustability of the back F enables it to be placed opposite to the seat K
when desired, thereby affording a support which to invalids or the infirm is of great
value. The separately folding arms & give a temporary support at each side, and
may be turned up out of the way or turned down as required.
I furnish the upper berth with a urinal O, located at the back side of the berth
and about midway of its length. It is furnished at the top with a suitable cover o.
A tube P extends downwardly to the jar or vessel J beneath the lower berth A.
The parts may be flushed with a liquid disinfectant when desired, the receiving
vessels J will be held in small compartments or set in shallow sockets so as not to
be displaced. Other compartments Q at either side of these vessels may receive
shoes or other articles all being concealed by the door k which is below the foot
rest H.
The receiving vessel J rests upon a hinged tray q which yields downwardly as
the vessel becomes partly filled, and by such movement bears down upon a foot
connected by a lever / with a signal rod s extending up to the upper berth so that
the occupant may be warned by the position of said rod, or by a bell struck by it
before the vessel overflows see Figures 12 and 4. A springs gives a yielding
support to the tray q.
At the foot of the berth frame, in the angle beneath the upper berth I have
provided a small cupboard W, designed for a hat box and capable of receiving
through an end door a lady's bonnet or the like, thus utilizing this portion of the
space. The face of this box may be provided with a mirror Y if desired. Below
this small cupboard is a transverse shelf Z preferably upholstered to correspond
with the berch cover, and adapted to support food, dishes, a clock or any small
articles within reach from the berth.
At the head of the berth A, I provide an adjustable head rest R, consisting of
a border or frame extending across the head of the berth and along each side of
it for about fifteen or twenty inches, pivoted at its ends to the inner face of the
side rails of the berth, and having a stout fabric stretched across and secured to
such frame. At each side of the berth is a cord S, running through a ring in the
bottom of the upper berth and connected to the head of this frame, so that by
drawing on either cord the rest R will be raised obliquely on its pivots to the
desired angle, and held by a ratchet and pawl or any suitable means.
When
dropped down the frame rests close to the edges of the berth and the fabric lies
flat across the mattress over the lower sheet. I am not aware of any similar device
as a permanent attachment to a suspended berth prior to my invention.

page_text: The rear view Figure 2 represents the devices for locking the berth frame to the
partitions which consists of two bolts h sliding horizontally in bearings i the said
bolts are worked by a pivoted lever m which extends up to the upper berth, so
that from either berth the said bolts may be thrown to engage with their sockets
in the walls or to be released therefrom, so as to prevent or permit free suspension
as desired. The lever is provided with suitable catches to hold it in either
position.
A folding step similar to the above described folding arm G is attached to the
foot of the frame, for more convenient access to the upper berth, see Figures 1
and 4.
I mount a swinging table T on a bent arm u working in a vertical socket U
near the head of the berth so that the table may be moved on its pivot to and
over the front of the berth or away to the wall. The table may support food or
medicines, but I have especially designed it as a cover for a vomiting pan attached
to the front of the berth in case of sickness. In connection with this I provide a
pendant head-support or flexible sling V hanging from a hook in the upper berth
bottom and adapted to slip over the forehead of the invalid and give a much-needed
support to the head in vomiting. The sling is removable or may be drawn aside
entirely out of the way when not required for use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The combination of a sleeping berth with a back support mounted upon
the rear rail of the berth frame leaving the berth unobstructed, and with arms
pivoted to such support, whereby the berth is convertible into an arm chair or sofa,
substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination of a sleeping berth with a back support made adjustable
along the rear side thereof to different positions, and provided with pivoted arms,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination of a sleeping berth with a longitudinally adjustable
back therefor, provided with compartments and with a sliding front or cover for
such compartments substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination of a sleeping berth with a longitudinally adjustable
back therefor having pivoted arms as described and with a step or foot rest supplied
to the front of said berth for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. The combination of a sleeping berth with a back therefor, arranged to
slide along the rear rail of the berth and with arms pivoted to the edges of such
back and provided with arm-rests hinged to fold inwardly on said arms, substan-
tially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination of a sleeping berth provided with a spring or stuffed
mattress with a stool or closet seat K, and a permanent sleeve j and a removable
jar or pan J below it, all located within the berth frame and with a removable
section of such mattress serving to cover and conceal such seat, substantially as
set forth.
Seventh. The combination of a sleeping berth having a stool or closet seat and
jar located within it, with a mattress having a removable section with wooden
bottom constituting a cover over said seat or jar, and an adjustable back support
which may be placed opposite said seat, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The combination with a pair of suspended sleeping berths of a urinal
fixed within the frame of the upper berth, a discharge pipe leading therefrom, to a
concealed receptacle in the frame of the lower berth and a cover for the said urinal
substantially as set forth.
Ninth. The combination of a suspended berth frame with lower and upper
berths A and B and a canopy C, with curtain supports along its edge, and with
curtains connected to the said parts to enclose the berths when desired substantially
as set forth.

page_text: Tenth. The combination of a suspended berth having a chambered longitudinally
adjustable back-support with faucets f fixed within such chamber and with flexible
tubes connecting said faucets with a source of water supply, substantially as set
forth.
Eleventh. The combination of a suspended berth frame and two berths mounted
thereon with an adjustable head-rest R having its frame connected pivotally to the
sides of the lower berth, and provided with a hoisting cord running through a ring
beneath the upper berth, whereby the occupant of the lower berth may elevate the
head-rest obliquely, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. The combination of a suspended berth with a table T swinging hori-
zontally on an arm pivoted to the front of the berth frame substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination of a suspended berth frame and the upper and
lower berths upon it, with a pivoted locking lever m extending within reach from
both berths, and two sliding bolts h adapted to secure the said frame at its lower
portion to the walls of the room at each end of the berth, or disengage it, as
desired, substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth. The combination with a suspended berth of a flexible depending
sling V secured in the supporting frame above each berth and adapted to serve
as a temporary support for the head of an invalid, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenth. The combination with a pair of suspended sleeping berths placed one
above the other, and with a urinal fixed within the upper berth frame, of a pipe
leading thence to a receiving vessel enclosed beneath the lower berth a yielding
platform on which the said vessel stands, and a signal apparatus, connected with the
said platform and actuated therefrom, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 29th day of April 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.