US1119466A - Alcove sleeping-car. - Google Patents

Description

' F. E. STEBBINS.

ALOOVB SLEEPING OAR. APPLIoATIoN FILED JULY 27, 1910.

1,1 1 9,466. Patented Deo. 1, 1914.

'l BHEETB-EEBBT 1.

\ F. E. STEBBINS.

ALOOVE SLEEPING OAR.

APPLIoA'rIoN FILED JULY a1, 1910.

1,1 1 9,466, Patented Deo. 1,1914.

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F. E. STEBBINS. ALOOVB SLEEPING OAR. APPLIoATIoN FILED IULM?, 1910.

1,119,466, Patented Dec. 1,1914.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

F. E. STEBBINS.

ALOOVE SLEEPING OAR.

APPLICATION num JULY a7, mo.

Patented Deoul, 1914.

'l SHEETS-SHEET 4.

, i Wfaesses Anl/M@ Wm@ F. E. STBBBINS.

ALOOVE SLEEPING UAR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JULYzv, 1910.

1,1 1 9,466. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

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l .'"55 6/ eo 7 lli /J APPLIOATION FILED JULY 27, 1010.

F. E. STBBINS. ALoovE SLEEPING OAR.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

/wfl n/WJ F. E. STEBBINS.

ALOOVE SLEEPING UAR. APPLICATION FILED JULY a7, 1910.

1,1 1 9,466. Patented Dec. 1,1914.

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FRANK E. STEBBINS, V0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

AICOVE SLEEPING-CAR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application inea :my 27, 1910. serial No. 574,109.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK' E. STEBBINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alcove Sleeping-Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention generically relates to convertible sleeping and day cars of the alcove type, and specifically to certain improvements upon the constructions and arrangements disclosed in Letters Patent Nos. 897,314; 897,315; 897,797; and 897 ,798 of September 1, 1908.

Theiinportant objects or ends attained by the present improvements, as hereinafter set forth, are, to wit: the location of the upper berths nearer the floor of the car when in positions for use so they will be more easily accessible; the corresponding lowering of the lower berths so as to provide ample space between a lower and an upper berth; an improved construction of the upper berth whereby it can be manipulated with greater facility and caused to occupy a position when not in use adjacent the wall and roof of the car and not excessively project inwardly therefrom and. overhang the seats as do the upper berths now commonly used in sleeping cars; improved means in part movable for shutting 0H the alcove spaces from the sections; and the production ofa car having a wide unobstructed space in the top portion thereof, and which can quickly and easily be converted so as alternately to ada t it for day and night use.

The invention consists in certain novelties of construction and combination and arrangements of parts whereby the ends recited are attained.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several examples of the embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best modes of procedure I have so 'far devised for the purpose.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate in plan a car embodying the invention. Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line of Fig. 1 showing two upper berths in end elevations, one at the left raised and the other at the right lowered to a horizontal position, and the corresponding relative positions of two seats one arranged for day use and the other lowered for use by ni ht as part of a lower berth foundation. 'ig. 4 is a cross section of Fig. 1 taken on line y-g/ through two opposite alcove spaces. Fig. 5 is a view in .elevation taken on line z--z of Fig. 1 showing one section and an alcove arranged for night use with the berth curtain removed, and one section as it appears when arranged for use by day. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a so-called section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 showing one seat cushion and back upholstering arranged for day use and the other cushion and back upholstering lowered to form part of a lower berth foundation. Fig. 7 is a cross section of a car showing another embodiment of the inven- `tion,.the dispositions of the upper berths relative to the car walls and roof when in 'r g. 8 is a,

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the numeral 1 designates the car floor; 2, 2, the vertical side walls with windows suitably spaced; 3, the raised deck of a well known construction; 4, 4, the two arts of the roof between the raised deck and) the side Walls; 5, 5, the

'longitudinal deck sills; and 6, the fixed arch rails extending across from one deck sill to the other.

The main portion of the interior space of the car is divided by seat backs or partitions 7, located at right angles to the side walls, and byl fixed partitions 8 abutting the Walls and in line with the seat backs or partitions 7, into a central passageway 9, sections 10, and alcove spaces 11 adjacent the sections. Each section .is provided with two seats facing each other the upholstering of which can be adjusted to form a lower berth foundation for night use, and also with a hinged or pivoted upper berth of novel construction. Referring to the seats, 12 desw.

nates adjustable head rests; 13, movab e back upholsterings; 14:, movable Vseat cushions; 15, movable supports having notches or seats 16, 17 to receive and hold in proper relative positions the back upholstering and 'cushion of each seat, two supports 15 bein provided for each seat one at the seat en an'd one at the car wall; 18, horizontal rails at the car wall and on the seat end which hold the supports 15 in place and also serve to support the back upholsterings and cushions in horizontal positions when lowered; 19, fixed rails or supports on the floor below the front edges of the cushions; 20, seats or recesses in the rails; 22, legs secured to the front under surfaces of the cushion frames; and 23 the fixed seat ends each provided with an arm rest.

In Fig. 6 at the right the back upholstering and cushion are shown arranged mr day use. and at the left they are shown in horizontal positions forming part 'of the lower berth foundation. The height of the front top surface of the edge of the rearwardly inclined cushion from the door is about 18,- and it is desirable to have the distance from the floor to .theto surfaces of the back upholstering and cus ion when arranged to form a lower berth foundation about 14. Obviously, the parts are so constructed ,and arranged that this, end can be attained. 'lhe front edge of each cushion is raised withdrawing the legs from their seats, then the entire .cushion is pulled for' ward and dropped so the rear edge of the cushion frame rests upon the rails 18 and the legs support the front edge of the cushion from the door. Each back upholstering is then turned forward, the supports 15 removed and the back upholstering .placedA upon the rails 18 at the rear of the cushion. The top surface of the lower berth foundation is thus in a plane some 4 lower than the-top front surfaces of, the cushionswhen in ositons to be used aslseats..

he hinged or pivoted, upper berth in each section is above and iin line with the seats, and provision is ma e for dropping the berth to a: horizontal `,position for. use

sothat its under surface w1ll lie in a plane,

about or less from the car floor, whereby access to 'the sainev will be facilitated and?? 'its use rendered less objectionable.` 'lhe upper berth is divided longitudinally into two parts so-called inner and outer, which parts are hinged together so the inner may occupy a substantially vertical position adjacent to the car wallwhen closed up,

v and the outer part, turned away from the lower part, occupy a' position at an angle to dit . the lower deck sill. l

The number 24: designates the inner part of the upper berth; 25, the curved or rounded surfacel adjacent the car wall and window; 26, pivotal means or supports at each end of the innerpart, one member of yeach hinged or pivotal means being secured to or in the car wall and 4the other member` to an end of thefsaid inner part, the arrangement ,of the pivotal elements being such that the body et the berth when turned downto position. A flexibleguard 34 is art part and adjacent the roof or' arrasa@ la horizontal position will preferably lie in a plane below the pivotal points and at the requisite distance fromthe car door; 27,

edge of the inner part of the berth and the opposite end secured to a spring drum 30 located on the wall within an alcove space, the said chains or cords passing through and having bearings 31 in the artitions adjacent the plates and roof, as s own in Figs. 3 and l; and 32, 33, respectively, are coperating bolts and sockets of any suitable or well known t pe located in or on the partitions and endY per berth for locking the berth in a raised rovided for theupper berth, its lower edge eing se-` cured to the outer edge of the outer part or hinged leaf and its upper edge provided s of the outer part of the upwith a cord 35 the ends of which terminate v in rings or hooks which engage hooks 36 upon the arch rails, which'hooks are located in line with curtain rod' 37 secured to the arch rails above the alcove spaces. lt will be observed that the outer part or leaf 27 of the upper berth is so hinged to the outer edge of the inner part 24: that a knuckle joint is'formed, that is, the leaf 27 cannot turn whenin the same plane as the outer part over upon the inner part, but onlyaway from it and beyond its outer edge, the

side pieces at the ends of the inner and lOC each end of the leaf, the lower end of the cord being secured to the leaf and the free end provided with a ring or similar device which engages a hook 36, as shown by Figs. 3 and 5. ln vthe samefigures it will be observedv that when the '.upper b erth is folded upthe Hap or leaf 27 occupies a .position back of the deck sill and at an angle to the substantially vertical inner or lower part of the "berth, which dispositions of the parts provide a very wide open space in the top of the car adjacent to and below the deck sills.

'lhe so-called inner. art of the upper berth 4consists of a pane of wood or metal of the length of the berth, but of less width than the entire berth when arranged for use, with end pieces \integral therewith or secured thereto, the inner curved edge being extended to form a side piece, said edge belng located adjacent to the car wall when the said "inner part is in a vertical osition. These-called outer part or hingedv leaf con- 'sists of a' panel of .wood ormetal with end nuance 1,

pieces and a side piece, the end' and side pieces bein substantially at right angles to the pane The spring or other mattress (not shown) for the upper berth may be of any suitable construction, but preferably it is in two arts united and each respectively correspon ing in shape to the outlines of the inner and outer parts of the berth or frame. The parts of the mattress may be detachably secured in osition and the narrower part turned wit the leaf to a position outside the panel of the inner part when the berth is swung up or raised.

The fixed partitions 8 in this example extend from the car walls outwardly as far as the deck sills, or a slight distance beyond them, and at night relatively narrow movable partitions 39 are place upon the top outer edges of the seat backs to entirely shuty oif sections at their ends from alcove spaces.

Each alcove space is provided with a wall ocket 49 and storage cabinet 50 secured to `the wall by hinges 51.l The cabinet occupies a vertical position with its outer surface in line with the outer surfaces of the upper berths when closed, and when opened it is supported by cords 52. The cabinet covers the spring drums when closed.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the constructions and arrangements of the seats are substantially the same as whereby they are convertible to form lower berth foundations in planes below the top surfaces of the cushions when arranged for day use. The upper berths and partitions, however, involve variations in construction andarrangement. Each upper berth is provided at the ends of the edge adjacent the car Wall with metallic arms 53 extended the proper distance into the wall where they are pivoted by journals 54 (the same being accessible from the alcove spaces), the object being to allow the upper berth to turn or swing down to a horizontal position nearer the floor than would be the case with the pivotal points nearer `the edge of the inner part of the upper berth.

In Fig. 7, t e hingedy leaf or outer part 27 of the berth when raised is disposed in a horizontal position back of the deck sill or apron, the outer surface of the leaf being at ri-ght angles to the outer vertical surface of the inner part of the berth, as shown. In

Fig. 8 the leaf 27 has a curved or roundedl outer surface 55. and the locking devices l hold it adjacent the roof and below the deck sill. In Fig. 9 the hinged leaf or outer part 27 when the berth is raised occupies a recess 56 back of the apron or false deck sill 57, as clearly shown in the figure.

In each example the area of the exterior panel of the inner part of the berth when in a vertical position is approximately the same as the'area of the window space, and also the same as the area of the car wall between those hereinbefore describedl does no t objectionably obstruct the view' `lengthwlse of thc interior of the car.

In Figs. 7 and 9 the partitions between the posts and the car wall are cut away for some distance above the seat backs to provide open spaces 59, which open spaces allow a` wider view of the interior of the car than would be possible when partitions such as shown in Fig. 3 are present.

In Fig. 8 the open space 59 extends from the seat back to the leaf 27 of the upper berth when raised. To shut off or completely separate the alcove spaces from the sections by night movable partitions are provided each consisting of an inner leaf 60 and an outer leaf 61 united by hinges 62 which overlap the posts when adjusted upon the seat backs. the hinges aiding by their engagement with the posts to hold the partition in place.

The means for holding the upper berth shown by Figs. 7, 8 and 9 in raised and horizontal positions are substantially the same as those previously described. When the arch rails are located at the under surface of the deck roof, as in Fig. S, the supports for the outer part 27 of an upper berth when lowered may consist of two rods 63 hinged at their lower ends to the outer part at its ends and provided with rings or similar devices at their free ends adapted to engage hooks or similar supports secured to the arch rails. The rods are turned down within the said outer part 27 of the berth when it is to be raised to the car wall and roof.

From the foregoing description taken 1n connection with the drawings it becomes obvious that the ends recited are effectively attained.

Owing to the fixed gage of the track, and the size of tunnels, bridges and cuts. limitations in the cross sectional area of passenger cars are correspondinglv imposed. 'lhe problem is to make the available space within the car most comfortable for passengers. The improvements herein set forth are conducive to this end. `The upper berth 1s l0- cated nearer the floor than in common practice wherebv access to it is not difficult, and the lower berth is also lowered to secure ample head room and air space between the two berths. The construction and locations of the unp'er berths when raised, as hereln described, secure a wide open space in the t'op of the car not possible when the up er berths are closed to lie in oblique planes etween the car walls and the deck sills. ln practice the improvements may be embodied in connection with cars constructed of wood or metal or of both in combination, and the seat` frames, partitions, and upper berth frames may be of metal or other suitable material.

As is evident from an inspection of the drawings, the interior of the car with the improvements admits of effective artistic treatment, and to this end changes in details of construction, in the shapes and proportions o parts, and by additions may be made without constituting substantial departures.

What I claim is:

l. The Icombination in an alcove sleeping car having a floorand walls, of fixed vertical seat backs located at right angles to the Walls and dividing the floor area into a central passageway, sections and alcove spaces ,adjacent the walls, seat cushions and back upholsterings in the sections adapted to form lower berths, upper berths hinged at the walls above and in line with the lower berths, fixed partitions in line with the seat backs and extending inwardly from the walls substantially to the centers of the berths when lowered and closing the ends of the upper berths when raised, and means for entirely closing the vends of the upper berths from the-alcove'spaces when lowered to horizontal positions consisting of movable partitions in connection with the tops of the seat backs and the fixed partitions.

2. The combination in an alcove sleeping car having a floor and wal-ls, of fixed vertical seat backs` 'located at right angles to the walls and dividing the floor area into a central passageway, adjacent the walls, seat cushions and back upholsterings in the sections adapted to form lower berths, upper berths hinged at the Walls above the lower berths, lixed partitions in line with the seat backs and extending inwardly from the walls and closing the ends of the upper berths when raised, fixed posts in connection with the seat backs and substantially at the centers of the upper berths when lowered, the relation otthe posts to the fixed partitions being such that an open space is provided between a post .and a partition, and movable partitions in connection with the seat backs and posts for closing the openings between the fixed partitions and the posts and also shutting off the ends of the upper `berths when lowered from the alcovespaces.

3. T he combination in an alcove sleeping car having a floor and walls, of fixed vertical seat backs located at right angles to the Ywalls and dividing the floor area into a central pamageway, sections and alcove spaces sections and alcove spaces when arranco and a partition, and movable partitions each conslstlng of two leaves hinged together 1nv connection with the seat backs and posts for closing the openings between the fixed partitions and the posts and also shutting od the ends of the upper berths when lowered from the alcove spaces.

4. The combination with a sleeping car section, of an ,upper pivoted berth comprised of inner and outer panels hinged t0- gether, the inner panel when the berth is raised occupying a position substantially parallel with the car wall, said berth being so pivoted that when turned to a horizontal position it will lie in a plane below the pivotal points, and seat cushions and back upholsterings adapted to be bodily lowered from the positions they occupy by day and supported to form a lower berth below the plane of the seat cushions when arranged for use as seats.

5. The combination with a sleeping car section, of an upper berth with aleaf' hinged to its outer edge, said berth and leaf being adapted to occupy substantially vertical and angular positions when turned up, said berth being pivotedl at the car wall so it may swing to" a horizontal position below the pivotal points, and seat cushions and back upholsterings adapted tov-be bodily lowered below the plane pf the'cushions when arranged for day use and vform a lower berth.

6. The combination with a car, of an upper berth comprised of inner and outer panels' hinged together, the inner panel occupying a position substantially parallel with the wall when raisedand the outer panel turned outwardly being located adjacent the roof, said inner panel being provided with pivotal means so disposed that the berth is turned to a horizontal position it will lie in a plane below the position occupied by its inner edge when raised; movable seat cushionsA and back upholsterings below said upper berth which can bodily be lowered Abelow the plane of the cushions as arranged for day use; and means for supporting the cushions and back upholsterings i'ntheir lowered positions, whereby the upperberth may easily be accessible `and -sutlicient headroom and air space be groisded' between the upper and lower crt l 7. The combination with a sleeping car section having seat backs and seat ends, of cleats on the seat ends and upon the wall, cushions with supports secured at their front under surfaces, supports upon the floor, removable back upholsterings, and means for retaining the cushions and back upholsterings in their proper relative positions by day; the cleats being located some distance below the cushions and adapted to support the cushions and back upholsterings in a bodily lowered position by night to form a lower berth foundation. l

8. The combination with a sleeping car section having seat backs and seat ends, of two back upholsterings, two seat cushions with legs, suports with means to retain the legs, cleats on the seat ends and wall or like supports, and movable supports with notches or seats, whereby the cushions and back upholsterings may be properly `supported for day use and bodily lowered to form a lower berth.

9. The combination with a car having a wall and roof, of an upper berth formed of longitudinal sections or parts hinged toget 1er, and means for pivotally supporting said berth adjacent the car wall, the arrangement being such that when folded up the inner section will occupy a position substantially parallel with the wall and the outer portion or front edge part will occupy a position adjacent the roof of the car and project outside the \inner section.

10. The combination with a car having a wall and roof, of an upper berth formed of longitudinal sections or parts hinged together, and means for pivotally supporting said berth adjacent the car wall; the arrangement being such that when folded up the inner section will occupy a `position substantially parallel with the car wall, and the outer or front edge lportion will occupy a position adjacent the roof of the car and project outside the inner section; means be- .ing provided for locking said front edge or part in its raised position.

11. The combination with a car having a wall and roof, of an upper berth made in two parts, one wider than the other, and each of the length of the berth, and hinged together; and means for pivotally supporting the berth adjacent the wall; the arrangement being such that the wider part shall fold to a substantially vertical position and the narrow part occupy a position at an angle to thc wider part and outside of it and beneath the roof.

gularly disposed to the inner part and extending outside the same, and both parts being bounded b the partitions at their ends.

13. The com ination with a car having a wall and roof, of an upper berth composed of a lurality of pahels or pieces and hinged toget er, the inner panel being pivoted to the car and the outer piece hinged so it can turn away from the inner panel; said berth when turned up having the inner panel substantially vertical and the outer piece lying turned out from the plane of the inner panel, and means for holding the partsof the berth in their raised angular and lowered horizontal positions.

14. The combination with a car having a wall and roof, of a berth comprised of a plurality of parts, inner and outer, of substantially the length of the berth and hinged together, the inner part having arms pivoted at the wall by pivots or hinges so located that when lowered the body of the berth will lie in a horizontal plane below the pivotal points, and when swung up the inner part will be in a substantially vertical plane and above the pivotal points, and the outer part turned out at an angle to the inner art will lie below the roof;

15. he combination with a car having arch rails and supporting devices in connection therewith, of a pivoted upper berth havinv a main inner part provided with a leaf hlnged to turn only from a position in the same plane as the main panel of the berth to a position outside the said main panel, and supports secured to the leaf of the berth and adapted to engage the said supporting devices in connection with the arch rails whereby the leaf is held in line with the main part of the berth.

16. The combination with a car, of a pivoted upper berth having an inner part and a hinged leaf, cords or chains secured to the inner part and to the car for holding the inner part in a horizontal position when lowered, and means for supporting the hinged leaf in line with the inner part, said leaf in its raised position being located outside the inner part.

17. The combination with a car, of a pivoted upper berth co-mprising an inner part and a leaf hinged to said inner part so as to forni a knuckle joint, means for holding the leaf in line with the inner part when the berth is lowered to a horizontal position for use, and cords or chains connected to the berth and to spring drums for holding the berth in its lowered horizontal position, the leaf being turned away from and located outside the panel of the innerI part when the berth is raised.

18. The combination with a car, of an upper berth comprising an inner part with a l 1 tudinal berth hinged tothe inner part so said outer part can be turned to a position at right angles to the panel ofthe inner part; said berth when swung up occupying substantially vertical and horizontal positions adjacent the,`

wall/and the roof of the car,'the said outer part being turned away from and disposed substantially at right angles to the inner part, and means for holding said inner and outer parts in their said relative positions when raised.

19. The combination with a car, of an upper berth comprising a panel hinged at its inner edge so as to lie adjacent the car wall, and a front part pivoted to the panel portion to increase the width of the berthland which front part can be shifted or turned away from the panel so the latter can fold to a substantially vertical position below the roof; and means for supporting the front part from the roof when the berth is in use.

20. The combination with a car having a wall, roof and depending deck sill or apron5 cf an upper berth longitudinally divided into a plurality of parts hinged together, the

front edge piece swinging outwardly from the plane of the inner piece and when the yberth. is folded up occupying a position back of the deck sill or apron and. at an angle to and outside the inner piece. f 21. The combination with a car having a Wall, roof and deck sill or apron, of an upper berth comprised of a plurality of longiarts united, as bly hinges, and said ivoted at the wa l; the inner part when iolded up being substantially vertical and the outer part lying at an angle to the animee plane ofthe inner part and with the outer' edge adjacentthe deck sill or. apron, whereby a continuous surface is presented between the deck sill or apron and the top of the inner part of the berth.

22. The combinationwith a car having a A wall and roof, ofan upper berth formed of longitudinal sections or parts hinged together, each of said sections or parts having end pieces and means for pivotally suplport-4 nally divided and hinged together, the outer part or leaf of the berth when raised lying outside thel inner part and when the berth is lowered being in line with the inner part, and means in connection with' the leaf and arch rails for suppo-rtingthe said leaf in a horizontal position.

in testimony whereof I ax my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK n. sinnnins.

Witnesses Y WILLIAM Bnown, il?. A. Mmmm.

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