IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
66
"
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London for an Invention of.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS' SLEEPING BERTHS PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES commu-
nicated to him from abroad by Charles Alexander Milligan of Somerville and
Michael James Killion of Boston Both in Massachusetts, United States of
America, Mechanics
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th June 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & C° Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS'
SLEEPING BERTHS PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
PURPOSES [a communication to him from abroad by Charles Alexander Milligan
of Somerville and Michael James Killion of Boston Both in Massachusetts, United
States of America, Mechanics]
"
This invention relates to that class of ships' berths which swing or are self-
levelling, and consists in a novel construction and arrangement of the parts as
herein-after setforth, by which a more effective device of this character is produced
than is now in ordinary use.
The improved berths are rectangular in form, of the usual length and width,
open at the top and bottom, and suspended at the head and foot on pivotal
supports or journals, which are threaded to form screws and work in corresponding
nuts, fixed in the walls of the state room, the object of the screws being to create
greater friction between the parts and thus prevent the berth from swinging as
freely as it would in case the studs were plain.
The crib consists of a rectangular framework, smaller than, but corresponding in
form with, the interior of the berth, and is formed of side rails, end rails, and slats,
the slats being suspended under the side rails by means of rods, on which they rest,
the rods being attached to the lower ends of springs inserted in vertical holes in
[Price 6d1

page_text: the side rails, the upper ends of the springs being secured to rods resting on top of
said rails.
The crib is suspended in the berth by means of vibratory bars one on either side,
these bars being centrally supported by studs or screws projecting inwardly from
the sides of the berth.
Extending across the crib and connecting its side rails, are three rods or bars.
These bars extend through the sides of the crib and are bent downwardly to pass
below the slats, the outer ends of the bars being inserted in vertical slots in the
ends of the vibratory bars.
One of the rods is elongated on either side of the crib passing through vertical
slots, formed in the vibratory bars, its ends extending into apertures in the sides of
the crib where they are secured to the lower ends of springs, the upper ends of said
springs being attached to the studs or screws, the crib being supported on said
springs and vibrating or oscillating vertically on the rod, which is designed to be
disposed as near as possible to the centre of gravity in the berth when the same is
occupied, or slightly nearer its head than its foot.
Pivoted to the end of the state-room beneath the head of the upper berth there
is a lever provided with an upwardly projecting dog or tooth adapted to engage a
toothed segment or curved rack attached to the lower side of the berth, the inner
end of the lever being prevented from dropping too low, by means of a projecting
stud.
Disposed at the side of the lower berth and arranged in parallelism therewith,
there is a box or case, preferably shorter than the berth, and provided with an
upholstered cover which is hinged or pivotted to the sides of the box. This box
has a false bottom and is enlarged or heightened at its head.
Attached to the pivotted end of the cover by a bar there is a quadrangular plate
arranged vertically within the box and provided with a bar which is pivotted to
the lower forward side of the plate.
Arranged within the box, and when erected resting upon its bottom, there is a
ladder the upper end of the ladder being provided with rings or eyes fitted to slide
on rods, which are attached to the under side of the cover, the lower end of the
ladder being pivotted to the outer end of the bar,
A cord provided with a tassel, passes over a pulley on the end of the state-room
above the head of the berth, thence downwardly through a hole in the outer end
of a lever into the head of the box where it passes under a pulley and is secured
to the lower edge of a plate immediately under the pivot, the cord being provided
with knots which are too large to pass through the hole in the lever.
A cord provided with a tassel is also disposed at the head of the berths and
passes over a pulley, thence downwardly under another pulley in the head of the
box, thence upwardly in said head where it is attached to the upper edge of the
plate.
Pivotted to the lower side of the head of the berth there is a bent lever provided
on its lower edge with teeth or serrations and on its upper edge with studs which
are fitted to work in corresponding holes in the head of the berth
Attached to the outer end of this lever there is a rod connecting it with a
horizontal lever which is pivotted in a clasp attached to the inner side of the
berth.
A horizontally arranged lever pivotted in the clasp is jointed to a lever, its inner
end being also jointed to a vertically arranged rod said last named rod being
connected to a hand-plate disposed on the upper edge of the outer side of the
berth.
Arranged beneath said last named plate, and resting on the edge of the berth,
are two coiled springs acting expansively to elevate the plate and draw up
the rod.
Disposed beneath the lever, immediately under the journal at the head of the
berth, there is a plate securely attached to the end of the state room and provided
with upwardly projecting studs adapted to engage the teeth on the lever.

page_text: Attached to the foot of the box, beneath the bottom, there is a coiled spring
provided with a pulley or sheave, secured to its inner end
A cord is also disposed beneath the bottom, one of its ends being secured to the
plate at a point below the plane of the pivot and between said pivot and another
point, the other end of the said cord passing under a pulley around another pulley,
and being secured to the bottom of the box.
The object of the toothed segment and lever is to lock the upper berth and
prevent it from rocking, the same office being performed for the lower berth by the
serrated lever and studded plate.
Attached to the rear or, inner sides of the berths there are two vertically
arranged rigid bars, provided respectively at their upper and lower ends with
joints, these bars acting to connect the upper and the lower, berths in such a
manner as to cause them to rock or oscillate in unison, or so that when one of the
berths is locked the other will be held stationary without the use of other
appliances, these bars forming a very important feature of this invention.
From the foregoing it will be obvious that either one, or both, of the berths may
be readily locked or secured in position to prevent it from oscillating or swinging
laterally, and that the crib within the berth being centrally suspended by means
of a rod and springs will have a longitudinal vibratory inovement on said rod as
its centre of motion.
It will also be obvious that the ladder when erected will afford a ready means of
access to the upper berth, and when folded within its box or case the box will
form a sofa or seat which may be used for all the ordinary purposes of such articles.
of furniture.
The ladder is not necessarily used to gain access to the lower berth, and, when
said berth is to be occupied, it may be locked or held securely in position and
prevented from swinging or oscillating by placing the hand on the plate, which
forces down the rod, tips one lever, and acts upon another lever and rod to cause
the toothed lever to engage the studs on the plate, the springs acting expansively
in such a manner that when the plate is released the lever will be elevated thereby
and the berth left free to swing in a manner which will be readily obvious without
a more explicit description.
The pivots or journals are preferably disposed nearest the upper sides of the
ends of the berths so that when the berth is occupied its centre of gravity will be
considerably below its centre of motion the berth being thereby kept in better
position.
To prevent the berth from swinging too freely on its supports a thumb-screw is
fitted into its lower end, this screw being provided with a roller on its inner end
which acts against the end of the state room with a degree of friction' corresponding
to the distance which the screw is turned in or out, as the case may be.
A spring acts contractively to hold the ladder in position when erected, the
tension of the spring being governed by the cord, which may be shortened or
lengthened as required.
It will be obvious that as the cover is turned down to close the box, the pivot
of the bar will pass through the arc of a circle thereby drawing the lower end of
the ladder inwardly against said cover; and also that when the ladder is erected
the bar will keep the lower end of the ladder at a proper distance from the cover,
or in an inclined position.
.
I do not confine myself to the use of the ladder in connection with a ship's
berth, either swinging or fixed, as it will be obvious that it is well adapted for a
great variety of purposes and may be used in sleeping-cars for gaining access to the
upper berth's; also in stores or warehouses for reaching elevated shelves; neither do I
confine myself to the use of the two bars for connecting the berth's, as one or more
may be used, if desired, without departing from the spirit of the improvements.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th December 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SHIPS'
SLEEPING BERTHS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
"
PURPOSES A communication to me from abroad by Charles Alexander Milligan
of Somerville, and Michael James Killion, of Boston, both in Massachusetts, United
States of America, Mechanics;
This invention relates to that class of ships' berths which swing or are self-
levelling and consists in a novel construction and arrangement of the parts as
hereinafter set forth by which a more effective device of this character is produced
than is now in ordinary use
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view representing the ladder erected and the berths in
position for use
Figure 2 is a top view or plan shewing the crib.
Figure 3 is an end view of the heads of the berths, and
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section shewing the method of suspending
the berth in the state room.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A indicates the state-room, B the upper, and C the lower berth.
These improved berths are rectangular in form, of the usual length and width,
open at the top and bottom, and suspended at the head and foot on pivotal
supports or journals which are threaded to form screws and work in corre-
sponding nuts m fixed in the walls of the state-room, the object of the screws
being to create greater friction between the parts and thus prevent the berth from
swinging as freely as it would in case the studs were plain.
The crib consists of a rectangular framework, smaller than but corresponding
in form with, the interior of the berth, and is formed of the side rails D, end rails E
and slats G, the said slats being suspended under the side rails by means of the
rods on which they rest the said rods being attached to the lower ends of the
springs H inserted in vertical holes in the side rails, the upper ends of the springs
being secured to rods / resting on the top of the said rails.
The crib is suspended in the berth by means of the vibratory bars J J one on
either side these bars being centrally supported by studs or screws K projecting
inwardly from the sides of the berth.
Extending across the crib and connecting its side rails D D are three rods or
bars L M N. These bars extend through the sides of the crib, and are bent
downwardly at a to pass below the slats G as shewn in Figure 3 the outer ends
of the said bars L N being inserted in vertical slots y (not shown) in the ends of
the vibratory bars J J
The rod M is elongated on either side of the crib passing through vertical slots b
formed in the bars J J its ends extending into apertures f in the sides of the
crib, where they are secured to the lower ends of the springs O; the upper ends
of the said springs being attached to the studs or screws K the crib being supported
on the said springs, and vibrating or oscillating vertically on the rod M which is
designed to be disposed as near as possible to the centre of gravity in the berth
when the same is occupied or slightly nearer its head than its foot.
Pivotted at d to the end of the state-room, beneath the head of the berth B

page_text: there is a lever P, provided with the upwardly projecting dog or tooth e adapted
to engage a toothed segment or curved rack Q attached to the lower side of the
berth as seen in Figures 1 and 3, the inner end of the lever being prevented from
dropping too low by means of a projecting stud g.
At the side of the lower berth C and arranged in parallelism therewith, there is
a box or case R preferably shorter than the berth and provided with the
upholstered cover S which is hinged or pivotted to the sides of the box at j. This
hox has a false bottom n and is enlarged or heightened at its head as shewn at p.
Attached to the lower end of the cover S by the bar q there is a quadrangular
plate T arranged vertically within the box R and provided with the bar which
is pivotted to the lower forward side of the plate as seen at 7.
Arranged within the box and when erected, resting upon its bottom, there is a
ladder W the upper end of the ladder being provided with rings or eyes t fitted to
slide on rods v which are attached to the under side of the cover S the lower end
of the ladder being pivotted at w to the outer end of the bar u.
A cord Z provided with a tassel 2, passes over a pulley 3 on the end of the
state-room above the head of the berth B thence downwardly through a hole in
the outer end of the lever P, into the head p of the box R where it passes under
the pulley 4 and is secured to the lower edge of the plate T as seen at 5
immediately under the pivot J the cord being provided with knots 6 and 7 which
are too large to pass through the hole in the lever P.
A cord Ỷ provided with a tassel 8 is also arranged at the head of the berth,
and passes over a pulley 9, thence downwardly under the pulley 10 in the head p
of the box R thence upwardly in the said head, where it is attached to the upper
edge of the plate T as shewn at 11.
Pivotted at 12 to the lower side of the head of the berth C is a bent lever I
provided on its lower edge with the teeth or serrations 13 and on its upper edge
with the studs 14 which are fitted to work in corresponding holes in the head of
the berth.
Attached to the outer end of this lever there is a rod 15 connecting it with a
horizontal lever 16, which is pivotted in the clasp 17 attached to the inner side of
the berth C.
A horizontally arranged lever 18 pivotted in the clasp 19 is jointed at 20 to the
lever 16 its inner end being also jointed at 21 to a vertically arranged rod 22 the
said rod being connected to a hand-plate 23 arranged on the upper edge of the
outer side of the berth C as best seen in Figures 1 and 3
Beneath the said last named plate, and resting on the edge of the berth, are two
coiled springs 24 acting expansively to elevate the plate and draw up the rod 22.
Beneath the lever I immediately under the journal x (see Figure 3) at the head
of the berth C there is a plate 25 securely attached to the end of the state-room
and provided with upwardly projecting studs 26 adapted to engage the teeth 13 on
the lever.
. Attached to the foot of the box R beneath the bottom n there is a coiled
spring 27 provided with the pulley or sheave 28 secured to its inner end as shewn
in Figure 1.
A cord 29 is also placed beneath the bottom n one of the ends being secured to
the plate T at a point below the plane of the pivot ; and between the said pivot
and the point 11 as seen at 30 the other end of the said cord passing under the
pulley 31 around the pulley 28 and being secured to the bottom of the box as seen
at 32.
The object of the toothed segment Q and lever P is to lock the upper berth and
prevent it from rocking, the same office being performed for the lower berth by the
serrated lever I and studded plate 25.
Attached to the rear or inner sides of the berths B, C there are two vertically
arranged rigid, bars 33 provided respectively at their upper and lower ends with
joints 34 these bars acting to connect the upper and the lower berths in such a
manner as to cause them to rock or oscillate in unison, or so that when one of the

page_text: berths is, locked the other will be held stationary without the use of other
appliances these bars form a very important feature of this invention.
From the foregoing it will be obvious that either one or both of the berths may
be readily locked or secured in position to prevent it from oscillating or swinging
laterally; and that the crib within the berth, being centrally suspended by means
of the rod M and springs O will have a longitudinal vibratory movement on the
said rod as its centre of motion.
It will also be obvious that the ladder W when erected as shewn in Figure 1
will afford a ready means of access to the upper berth, and when folded within its
box or case R (the front side of which is represented in the drawing as removed)
will form a sofa or seat which may be used for all the ordinary purposes of such
articles of furniture.
In the use of this invention the ladder W being folded within the box R or the
cover S closed, if now it is desired to get into the upper berth the cord Y is pulled
by the tassel 8, and acting on the plate T operates to turn the said plate on its
pivotal support; and elevate the cover S and its attached ladder as shewn in
Figure 1 the cord Z being at the same time drawn down by the action of the said
plate until the knot 6 is brought into contact with the outer end of the lever P
thereby causing the tooth or stud e to engage the rack Q and lock the upper berth
in position, the lower berth being at the same time secured or held in like position
by means of the bars 33. After the person who is to occupy the berth has entered
it by means of the ladder, the cord Z is pulled upwardly by means of the tassel 2
causing the plate T to revolve in the opposite direction and depress or house the
ladder within the box R the knot 7 on the said cord being at the same time
brought against the under side of the outer end of the lever P and elevating the
same thereby causing the stude to be disengaged from the rack Q and leaving the
berth B free to swing or oscillate.
When the ladder is housed, or its box closed, and the occupant of the upper
berth desires to descend, the ladder may be readily erected by pulling on the
cord Y and the berth locked as before described.
The ladder is not necessarily used to gain access to the lower berth, and when
the said berth is to be occupied, it may be locked or held securely in position and
prevented from swinging or oscillating by placing the hand on the plate 23, which
forces down the rod 22 tips the lever 18 and acts upon the lever 16 and rod 15 to
cause the toothed lever I to engage the studs on the plate 25 the springs 24 acting
expansively in such a manner that when the plate 23 is released the lever I will be
elevated thereby and the berth left free to swing in a manner which will be readily
obvious without a more explicit description.
The pivots or journals are preferably arranged nearest the upper sides of the
end of the berth, so that when a berth is occupied its centre of gravity will be
considerably below its centre of motion the berth being thereby kept in better
position
To prevent the berth from swinging too freely on its supports a thumb screw 35
is fitted into its lower end as seen in Figure 4 this screw being provided with a
roller h on its inner end which roller acts against the end of the state-room with
a degree of friction corresponding to the distance which the screw is turned in or
out as the case may be.
The spring 27 acts contractively to hold the ladder W in position when erected,
the tension of the spring being governed by the cord 29 which may be shortened
or lengthened as required
It will be obvious that as the cover S is turned down to close the box, the
pivot of the bar u will pass through the arc of a circle of which the pivot j is
the centre thereby drawing the lower end of the ladder inwardly against the said
cover; and also that, when the ladder is erected the bar u will keep the lower
end of the ladder at a proper distance from the cover or in an inclined position
as shewn in Figure 1.
I do not confine myself to the use of the ladder in connection' with a ships'

page_text: berth either swinging or fixed as it will be obvious that it is well adapted for a
great variety of purposes and may be used in sleeping-cars for gaining access to the
upper berths, also in stores or warehouses for reaching elevated shelves or the like;
neither do I confine myself to the use of the two bars 33 for connecting the berths
as one or more may be used if desired without departing from the nature of the
invention
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. A state-room A provided with the swinging berths B C connected by one
or more rigid hinged bars 33, whereby when one of the said berths is locked or
prevented from swinging, the other berth will also be prevented from swinging,
substantially as set forth.
Second. The swinging berth B provided with the rack the pivotted lever P
and the cord Z, all combined and arranged to operate substantially as specified.
Third. The swinging berth C provided with the spring plate 23, the rod 22, the
levers 18 and 16, the serrated lever I, and the toothed plate 25, all combined and
arranged to operate substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The box R, the ladder W, the hinged cover S, the plate T, the bar u,
and the cords Z, Y, combined and arranged to operate, substantially as shewn and
described
Fifth. The ladder W, provided with the cord Y, and means for erecting the said
ladder, in combination with means for automatically locking the upper berth B, as
the said ladder is erected, substantially as set forth
Sixth. The spring 27, and cord 29, in combination with the plate T, the cover S,
and the bar u for holding the ladder W in an erect position, substantially as
specified.
Seventh. In a self-levelling berth for ships, a crib provided with the slats G,
springs H, and supporting rods i, l, substantially as shewn and described
Eighth. In a self-levelling berth for ships, the bent rod M extending across the
said berth and suspended in the apertures f by means of the springs O and studs K,
substantially as specified.
Ninth. A self-levelling ships berth provided with mechanism for locking the
same, to prevent it from swinging, and with a bar 33 or means for connecting it
with another berth, and locking or preventing the other berth arranged in the
same state-room from swinging, or causing it to swing in unison, substantially as
set forth.
Tenth. The box of the case R, provided with the head or elevated portion p for
receiving the plate T and its immediate connecting parts, in combination with the
cover S, and the ladder W, combined and arranged to operate substantially as set
forth.
Eleventh. The hinged cover S provided with the rods v, in combination with the
ladder W provided with the eyes t, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. The hinged plate T provided with the pivotted bar u, in combination
with the ladder W, and the cover S, substantially as specified
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Seventh day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.