Improvements in Adjustable or Self-levelling Sleeping Berths, Platforms, Chairs, Tables, and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Adjustable or Self-levelling Sleeping Berths,
Platforms, Chairs, Tables, and the like.
I, JAMES GOODWIN, of 19 Market Square, Lynn, Massachusetts United States of
America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to adjustable or self levelling sleeping berths, chairs, billiard
and other tables, horse boxes, gun platforms and the like, and comprises improvements
in the apparatus described in the specification of former Letters Patent granted to me
and dated 16th August 1886 No. 10486.
My improved sleeping berth is constructed somewhat of cradle form and is freely
suspended as hereinafter described in such a manner that it will remain horizontal or
nearly horizontal notwithstanding the motion of the vessel.
The body of the berth is made with the bottom corners or edges rounded off so as
to make it of approximately semi-circular form in transverse section.
The ends are made of canvas or stout cloth united to the sides by metal framepieces.
This construction diminishes any shock or concussion due to the berth coming
accidentally in contact with the sides or ends of the cabin.
At each of the four corners of the berth is fixed a bracket with a ball and socket
joint attached thereto and metal suspending rods are connected to these ball and
socket joints for the purpose of allowing the berth to swing freely. These suspending
rods are each provided about midway between their ends with a swivel-joint, above
which joint the upper portions of the rods at each end of the berth come together into
one piece, which is forked and jointed to a bracket or arm fixed to the bulkhead.
The joint on this arm somewhat resembles a universal joint, being composed of a ball
working in a seat which admits of rotative motion and through which ball is passed a
bar which also passes through the two arms of the above mentioned fork piece. The
portions of the suspending bars where they unite with one another, instead of being
vertical, have a bend or inclination away from the berth so that the universal joints at
each end are not immediately over the berth but a short distance from it. This bend
or inclination extends down to the swivel joint where it terminates in a projecting
piece. This projection has a hole drilled therein so as to form a socket into which
the turned down end of a curtain rod can be fitted. The curtains suspended from this
rod will partake of the movement of the berth and prevent the occupant from observing
the motion of the vessel.
In order to steady the motion of the berth I provide on its underside spiral springs
which are connected to the floor of the cabin and which when the berth swings out of
its normal position are extended so that they tend to bring it back to its place as
described in the said former specification. I also provide castors on which the berth
may rest. These castors instead of being fixed directly to the body of the berth are
attached to plate or other springs and fitted with adjusting screws by which the degree
of flexibility of the said springs may be varied.
I also provide a catch or stop which can be brought into play by a cord suitably
placed to be conveniently within reach of the occupant of the berth who by pulling
this cord raises the said stop which engages with a bracket piece on the berth and so
holds the latter firmly in one position.
In fixing a berth of this description in a railway sleeping carriage 1 attach to the
roof of the said carriage a universal joint of the same description as that from which
the ships berth hangs and to this joint I attach a plate or carriage spring from the
extremities of which two rods are connected to the ends of one side of the berth. A

page_text: similar universal joint, springs and rods are also connected to the other side. The
berth thus hangs free to adjust itself to the motion of the carriage while the springs
serve to take up the jar and vibration.
It is obvious that some of the improvements hereinbefore described are also
applicable to chairs tables and other objects.
JAMES GOODWIN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Adjustable or Self-levelling Sleeping Berths,
Platforms, Chairs, Tables, and the like.
?
I, JAMES GOODWIN, of 19 Market Square, Lynn, Massachusetts, United States of
America, Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to adjustable or self-levelling sleeping berths, chairs, billiard
and other tables, horse boxes, gun platforms and the like, and comprises various
improvements hereinafter set forth in apparatus of the kind or class described in the
specification of former British Letters Patent granted to me and dated 16th August
A.D. 1886, No. 10486.
In the accompanying drawing, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation showing my present improvements applied to a
sleeping berth.
Figure 2 is a plan some of the parts being removed.
Figure 3 is a front elevation,
Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section and
Figures 5 and 6 are similar views to Figures 2 and 4 showing details of con-
struction hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
A is the side of the vessel, B, B are the partitions or bulkheads between the
cabins, Cis the sleeping berth, D is the deck or floor of the cabin.
The sleeping berth C is constructed somewhat of cradle form and is freely
suspended as hereinafter described in such a manner that it remains in a horizontal
or approximately horizontal position notwithstanding the motion of the vessel. The
body of the said berth is made with its bottom corners or edges rounded off so as
to make it of a semi-circular or partially semi-circular form in transverse section.
The ends are made of canvas or stout cloth united to the sides by metal frame pieces.
This construction diminishes any shock or concussion due to the berth coming
accidentally in contact with the sides or walls of the cabin. The berth C is suspended
by means of rods a the lower extremities of which are connected to the said berth
by means of ball and socket joints b. The upper extremities of the said rods are
hinged or jointed at a¹ to cross bars or pieces c which are somewhat in the form of
whippletrees, and the latter are jointed to brackets or arms d fixed to the partitions
or bulkheads B or the sides of the cabin. Each of these joints somewhat resembles
an universal or a partially universal joint, being composed of a balle (as more clearly
shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4) working in a socket or seat f. The said ball is provided
with gudgeons e by means of which it is carried in suitable bearings in a fork c¹
provided on the cross bar or piece c, or a rod bar or spindle is passed through a hole
provided in the said ball and also through holes or bearings provided in the two
arms of the above mentioned fork. f' is a cap which retains the said ball in
position in the socket ƒ and at the same time permits it to move freely therein. It

page_text: will be seen that the ball e is capable of a certain amount of rotative movement in the
socket f, and that the crossbar or piece c can pivot a swing upon the gudgeons e¹
of the said ball thus providing very efficiently for meeting the disagreable sinking
motion often experienced when a vessel is in a heavy sea.
By forming the cross bar or piece c of the shape or configuration shown (instead
of as described in the former Letters Patent herein before referred to) more room is
left for the occupant of the sleeping berth C to rise and the chance of his head
coming in violent contact or collision therewith is entirely obviated, or greatly
diminished. is a curtain rod the extremities of which are secured in any suitable
manner to bosses provided upon the extremities of the cross bars or pieces c.
of the said rods g are provided, one upon each side of the berth C and are intended
for the purpose of supporting a curtain or curtains over the said berth. The curtain
or curtains suspended from the said rods g will partake of the movement of the berth
and prevent the occupant from observing the motion of the vessel.
Two
In order to steady the motion of the berth I provide spiral springs contained in
suitable tubes or casings C and connected to the underside of the said berth and to
the floor D of the cabin, and which when the berth swings out of its normal position
are extended so that they tend to bring it back to its place as described in the said
former specification. I sometimes moreover provide castors or rollers on which the
berth may rest. These castors or rollers instead of being fixed directly to the body
of the berth are attached to plate or other springs and fitted with adjusting screws by
which the degree of flexibility of the said springs may be varied.
is formed longer
k is a cord wire or
k¹ is another cord
of the lever ; and
other handle
for
h, h are catches or stops (more clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6). The catches or
stops h are secured in any suitable manner upon spindles supported in bearings in
eyes adjustably attached to brackets by means of screw threads or otherwise, the
said brackets are firmly secured to the partitions or bulkheads B. j. jare crank
arms or levers firmly secured upon the spindles . The lever
than the lever and is placed at the head of the berth C.
chain coupling or connecting together the said levers j, j
wire or chain one extremity of which is attached to the end
the other extremity whereof is provided with a knob ring or
convenience of operating the device. 1, are pulleys secured to the partition or
bulkhead B over or around which the cord wire or chain k¹ passes. m, in are inclined
surfaces secured to the bottom of the berth C. The handle k² is suitably placed to
be conveniently within reach of the occupant of the berth, who by pulling the said handle
and consequently the cord wire or chain can raise the stops or catches hinto the position
shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1. The inclined surfaces m will then come in
contact with some part of the front surfaces h² of the said stops or catches and slide
or move along the same during the movement of the vessel until they drop into
notches provided therein. By this means I provide for locking, holding or securing
the berth C firmly in one position, and the said stops or catches may be raised into
their operative position for that purpose during any angle of the said berth relative
to the vessel. The stops or catches h are retained in their elevated or operative
positions by securing the cord wire or chain k² to a hook or other suitable device
provided for that purpose. Upon releasing the said cord wire or chain the said stops
or catches will fall back to, or resume their normal positions owing to their weight
and the berth C will be disengaged.
In fixing a berth of this description in a railway sleeping carriage I attach to the
roof of the said carriage an universal or partially universal joint of the same description
as those from which the ship's berth hangs and to this joint I attach a plate or carriage
spring from the two extremities of which two rods are connected to the two ends of
one side of the berth. A similar universal joint, springs and rods are also connected
to the other side. The berth thus hangs free to adjust itself to the motion of the
carriage while the springs serve to take up the jar and vibration.
It is obvious that some of the improvements herein before described are also applicable
to-chairs billiard and other tables and other objects.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
:-
First. The improved means of swinging or hanging a berth or other object com-
prising the connecting rods coupled to the said object by means of ball and socket
joints and to a cross bar or piece by suitable hinges or joints and the universal or
partially universal joints connecting the said cross bars or pieces to the supporting
brackets attached to the partitions or bulkheads substantially as specified.
Second. The peculiarly shaped cross bar or piece whereby the danger of the head
of the occupant coming in contact, there with when rising is obviated or greatly
diminished, substantially as described.
'
Third. The improved frame or rods for carrying or supporting a curtain or curtains
substantially as described.
Fourth. The improved means for locking or securing the berth firmly in one
position, comprising the stops or catches, the levers, and the cords, wires or chains,
substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The improved adjustable or self levelling berth constructed substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 18th day of February 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
.45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.