Improvements in and connected with Military or Travellers' Valises.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept.. 1894
Complete Specification Left, 17th June. 1895-1ccepted, 20th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Military or Travellers'
Valises.
1, PERCY MOLESWORTH SYKES, Lieutenant 2nd Dragoon Guards, (Queen's
Bays) of Elcombs Lyndhurst, in the County of Hants, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved military or travellers' valise which is
readily convertible into a bed or sleeping tent which when used on the ground in the
open air will effectually exclude the moisture of the ground and afford protection
against all conditions of wind or weather.
According to my invention the said valise consists of a sheet of waterproof canvas
or other suitable material provided with a bag or pocket at one of its ends, and so
made that when folded or doubled upon itself the lower portion will constitute a
bottom-sheet upon which the user lies, and the upper portion an over-sheet that is
capable of being supported above him by suitable standards at the head of the bed
in such a manner as to afford the desired protection while leaving ample space
within the bed. These standards preferably consist of metal rods or spikes which
are driven into the ground one near each side of the bag or pocket. The upper
ends of the rods are adapted to enter eyelet-holes in the over-sheet and at the
proper height are provided with collars which prevent the slipping down of the
sheet below its proper position. Double guy-ropes are attached to the upper ends
of the standards or rods and secured to pegs or the like driven into the ground
to firmly retain them in their upright position. The bag or pocket forms a con-
venient receptacle for any articles of clothing of which the occupant divests
himself and when filled with such articles or otherwise it constitutes a comfortable
pillow.
The over-sheet when secured to the standards will be in a downwardly-inclined
or sloping position, that is to say, it will be higher at the head than at the feet,
therefore the occupant of the bed by arranging the foot thereof toward the wind
will present to the same an inclined plane over which it will pass away from the
bed. Moreover the inclined arrangement of the top sheet will facilitate the draining
off of rain or moisture therefrom.
The said over-sbeet at the end which is supported by the standards is provided
with a curtain of waterproof or other suitable material which may be so adjusted or
arranged by the user as to extend around the back and sides of the pillow and far
enough beyond to protect his bead and shoulders from the wind or weather; or it
may be raised out of the way if not required.
The bottom-sheet is furnished with longitudinal side flaps which may be secured
by tapes or cords to the over-sheet. The said bottom-sheet is moreover provided
with a loose lining of baize or other suitable material forming a bag which is open
at one or both ends to permit the temporary insertion of straw or other available
stuffing which will serve as a mattress and this afford additional comfort to the user
of the bed.
By my invention I provide a combined valise and portable bed or sleeping tent
which weighs only a few pounds and which can be quickly and easily unfolded,
and as easily folded up again into a compact shape and can be conveniently carried
on a mule or other animal.

page_text: That portion of the valise which lies in contact with the animal may advan-
tageously be provided with a pad or strip of leather or other similar material to
prevent injury by rubbing or chafing.
My improved convertible valise will serve the purposes of an ordinary valise, viz.
for carrying clothes, kit etc. It can also be used as a bath by digging a shallow
hole in the ground and placing the upper sheet of the valise in said hole to form a
lining therefor which will retain water poured therein.
When the owner is using a bedstead the valise is still useful for when placed on
the bedstead and opened everything is ready for the night.
Dated this 15th day of September 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
i
Improvements in and connected with Military or Travellers'
Valises.
I, PERCY MOLESWORTH SYKES, Lieutenant 2nd Dragoon Guards, (Queen's
Bays) of Elcombs Lyndhurst, in the County of Hants, 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 relates to an improved military or travellers' valise which is readily
convertible into a bed or sleeping tent which when used on the ground in the open
air will effectually exclude the moisture of the ground and afford protection against
all conditions of wind or weather.
According to my invention the said convertible bed or sleeping tent and valise
consists of a sheet of waterproof canvas or other suitable material provided with a
bag or pocket at one of its ends, and so made that when folded or doubled upon
itself the lower portion will constitute a bottom-sheet upon which the user lies, and
the upper portion a cover that is capable of being supported above him by suitable
standards at the head of the bed in such a manner as to afford the desired protection
while leaving ample space within the bed. The bed can be folded into a compact
shape and strapped together conveniently for transport.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the convertible valise and bed or sleeping
tent, when used as a bed, a portion of the side curtain being removed to show the
interior.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same when opened out flat.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same when folded and strapped ready for
transport.
A is the bottom sheet of the bed which is intended to lie on the ground. It is
made of stout waterproof canvas or other material of suitable length and width and
may have a loose lining of baize or other suitable material forming a bag which is
open at one end or at both ends to permit the temporary insertion of straw or other
stuffing to form a mattress and thus afford additional comfort to the occupant of
the bed.
B is a bag, pocket or valise secured to the sheet A at one end thereof and which
when filled with clothes constitutes a pillow for the occupant of the bed. C is a
cover of waterproof canvas or other material of approximately the same width. and
length as the bottom sheet A but thinner and lighter; it is attached to the sheet A
at the end opposite to the bag B. D, D are the standards for supporting the
cover C. These standards preferably consist of metal rods or spikes which are
driven into the ground one near each side of the bag or pocket B. The upper ends

page_text: of the rods are adapted to enter eyelet-holes C¹ in the cover C and at the proper
height are provided with cross bars or their equivalents which prevent the slipping
down of the cover below its proper position. Double guy-ropes E, E are attached
to the upper ends of the standards or rods D and secured to pegs or the
like F F driven into the ground to firmly retain the rods in their upright position.
The bag or pocket B forms a convenient receptacle for any articles of clothing
of which the occupant divests himself and when filled with such articles or otherwise
it constitutes a pillow as before stated.
The cover when supported by the standards as shown is higher at the head than
at the foot, therefore by arranging the foot of the bed toward the wind the cover
will present to the same an inclined plane over which the wind will pass away from
the bed. Moreover the inclined arrangement of the cover will facilitate the draining
off of rain or moisture therefrom.
To the end and sides of the cover is attached a curtain G of thin waterproof or
other suitable fabric or material which may be so adjusted or arranged by
the user as to hang behind the pillow and at the sides of the bed to protect
his head and shoulders from the wind or weather; or it may be raised out of
the way if not required. The cover C may be tied at the sides to the bottom
sheet A by cords H¹.
The sheet A is furnished with longitudinal side flaps A' intended for covering
the occupant of the hed; they may be drawn together by tapes or cords A'.
The combined valise and portable bed or sleeping tent above described weighs
only a few pounds and can be readily transported on the back of an animal.
That portion of the valise which lies in contact with the animal may advan-
tageously be provided with a pad or strip of leather or other similar material to
prevent injury by rubbing or chafing.
My improved convertible valise and bed or sleeping tent will serve the purposes
It can also be used as a bath
of an ordinary valise, viz. for carrying clothes, kit etc.
by digging a shallow hole in the ground and placing the cover of the valise in said
hole to form a lining therefor, which will retain water poured therein.
When the owner is using a bedstead the convertible valise is still useful for when
placed on the bedstead and opened everything is ready for the night.
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 I
claim is :-
1. A convertible valise and bed or sleeping tent comprising a bottom sheet
to which is attached a bag or pocket forming a pillow, a cover attached to the
bottom sheet, and means for supporting the cover at the head of the bed, substan-
tially as described.
2. A convertible valise and bed or sleeping tent constructed substantially as
described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 15th day of June 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.