US2382370A - Railway car ladder - Google Patents

Description

14, 1945- J. K. TULLY ETAL' 2,382,370

I RAILWAY CAR LADDER Filed March 8, 194l a Sheets-Sheet W- 1945- K. TULLY ETAL 2,382,370

RAILWAY CAR LADDER Filed March a, 1941- a Sheets-Sheet s fi- 1945- J. K. TULLY EIIAL 82,3

I RAILWAY CAR LADDER Filed March a, 1941 8S t 1e ets- -Sheet 4 51: is r i z h H i 4 f I ATTORN Aug. 14, 1945. J. K. TULLY EIAL 2,332,370

RAILWAY 04R LADDER Filed March 8, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 v ATTORNEYS g- 1945- TULLY EI'AL 2,382,370

RAILWAY CAR LADDER Filed March 8, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet s 1 J. K. TULLY ETAL 2,382,370

' I RAILWAY CAR LADDER Filed March 8, 1941 8. Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS \l'qmes Jr. Tall BY .5 elf z 'flaerzsera \zasz Z E- Jones ATTORNEY 14} 1945 J. TULLY ErAL RAILWAY CAR LADDER Filed March 8, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet s w A TORNEYS 7 tier to makethe sleeping accommodations Patented Aug. 14, 1945 James K. Tully, Evanston, Leif Andersen, Chicago, and Basil E. Jones, Flossmoor, Ill., assignorsdao The Pullman Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois f v Application March a, 1941, Serial No. 382,306

7Claims. (Cl. 228----f18) A new type of sleeping car known as the coach sleeper has recently been introduced to the travelmg public. This carv is equipped with a plurality of rooms, each of which is'suitable for'accommodating three or six occupants, depending upon the size of the room. Each room is provided with aseat and a berth for" each occupant, and additional equipment, including awash basin, furnishing all possible conveniences to the passengers for both day and night travel. I i j The berths are arranged intiers of three, and there is ample space between'the berths in each sufiiciently roomy and ideally comfortable.

Suitable means are furnished toclo'se' off each room fromthe remainder of the car, so as toprovide adequate privacy to its occupants to permit their using the room floorarea for standingroom while they are dressing and undressingandmaking their toilet at bed tim and upon rising in the morning. i I I Access to'the'intermediate and upper berths is made convenient by a novel ladder, which is placed in position for use only when the berths are made up for-occupancy and is stored in an out-of-the-way placeduring the daytime when the room is in condition for day use. This ladder forms the subject matterof the present invention. One of the principal objectives in the minds of those designing the coach sleeper was to arrange the car so that it could comfortably accommodate the maximum possibl number of cocupants, both for day and night travel, giving each occupant adequate room and everythingessential to assure himof a comfortable trip. Because of the limited space available in thecar, each room necessarily is made no larger than is absolutely nec'essaryfor the intended purposes. The'floor space in each room is ample for all practicalpurposes, but itis essential that itbe kept free from permanent obstructions both in the daytime and atnight, sothat this area can be made available for use by the room occupants;

The ladder, when it is in position to giv access to the upper berths, must not permanently clutter the floor area, but is disposed-to render the floor area available,forstanding'room to those who wishtouseit. i

Among the principal objects of the presentin- Vention, then, are the following:

To provide a safe, convenient ladder giving ready access to the' upper berths; and one which is light in weight and easy to handle; to provide means for supporting the ladder in its position for use; which makes the ladder sturdy and yet simple to install and remove, so as not to require too much of the porters time when making the room up for day or night use; to provide a ladder assembly which permits the ladder very easily and safely to be moved out of the way toclear the floor spaceforuse by any of the occupants with means for holding the ladder in this inoperative position;v and to provide a convenient spacefor storage of the ladder without utilizing any of the revenue earning space in the car.

The above constitutes some of the principal objects and advantages of the present invention, others of whichwill become apparent from the following description and the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a iront'elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention showing the ladder installed in position for giving access to the intermediate and 'upper' berths, and is sh own as it is applied tofai six-occupant room; a i

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of theladder shown applied to a three-occupant. room;

'ladder supportf Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation showing the lower ladder support with the ladder in. its operative position to give access to the upper berths;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. '7, but showing the ladder swung back against the berths;""

' Fig. 9'is an enlarged detail viewof the bracket supporting the upperedge of the ladder; i

'Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective View of the trunnion at the bottom of the ladder;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket which supports the trunnion shown in Fig. 10; i

- Fig. 12 is an' enlarged detail view showing the bottom portion only of the ladder against the stop, which helps to support the ladder in its operative position;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the stop supporting the lower edge of theladder coach sleeper car showing a room made up for section 4888 of the Revised Statutes.

night use with a modified form of the ladder in place for giving access to the upper berths;

Fig. 15 is a vertical transverse sectional view I through the car showing the ladder stored behind one of the seats;

Fig. 16 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through a portion of the car showing the arrangement of seats in one of the rooms with the room made up for day use, with the ladder stored behind the sofa;

Fig. 17. is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket which supports the ladder behind the sofa;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through one of the irooms showing the berths made up for night use, and in broken lines the upper and intermediate berths;

Fig. ;21 is a detailed view of the top pivot and stopused in conjunction with this modified form of ladder;

.Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail view of the extension mechanism on this modified form, of ladder, the view being taken on the line 22-22 of Fig.

Fig. 23 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is an enlargedvertical sectional view taken through the room floor showing the lower pivot for the ladder; and

Fig. 25 is a front elevational view of the top portion of the ladder showing the top pivot and the stop.

This application is a continuation in part of the copending application of Peter Parke, James K. Tully, Leif Andersen and Basil E. Jones, Serial No. 348,670, filed'July 31, 1940.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are selected for the purpose of complying with As shown, the ladder is used in conjuction with berths arranged in tiers of three, but, obviously,it can be used in any other arrangement of berthsv in which there is at least one berth at a' level high enough to require the use of a ladder. Obviously, many modifications may be made in the embodiments disclosed herein Without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. I i

The ladder forming the subject matter of the present invention is sturdy when in position for use and is very conveniently located to make the ascent and descent to and from the upper and intermediate berths safe and easy. This ladder is in place for use throughout the 'entire night, so as not to require the services of the porter in the event an occupant of an upper or intermediate berth wishes to descend, and it is so arranged that it can be moved readily out of the way of those persons using the floor area in the room. In the daytime, the ladder is conveniently stored in an outwf-the-way place behind one of the seats.

For the purpose of illustrating the ladder as it is employed in a coach sleeper, enough of the car with its equipment is shown to bring out the relationship between the ladder and the car equipment.

The preferred form of the ladder forming the subject matter of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 13, inclusive. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the ladder is generally indicated at I29, and comprises a pair of spaced side pieces I30 and I3I connected by a plurality of vertically arranged rungs or steps I32. In Fig. 1, the ladder is shown applied to a six-occupancy room in which are oppositely disposed lower, intermediate and upper berths 81, 89,'and 88, respectively, between which the ladder I29 is mounted.

vThe lower berth 81 is a convertible sofa comprising a seat portion I28 and a back or berth portion 239, the former of which, when in its horizontal positionshown in Fig, 1, supports a mattress (not shown) and forms the berth.

At the lower and upper ends of the side piece I3I of the ladder I29 are fulcrums I33 and I34, which are horizontally offset from each other and about which the ladder pivots from an inclined operative positionshown in Fig. 1 to an inoperative position shown in broken lines in Fig. 3. Stops, generally indicated at I35 and I36 at the top and bottom, respectively, of the side piece I30, help support the ladderin its operative position.

The lowerfulcrum I33 (Figs. 1, 10, and 11) comprises a female bracket I31 mounted on the seat portion I28 of the lower berth or sofa 81 and a male portion or trunnion member I38 secured to the bottom of the ladder at the lower end of the ladder side pieceI 3|.

The male portion I38 comprises an angle member I39 below which projects a boss I40, which is adapted to fit into the female slot I4I of the female bracket I31. A pair of lugs I42 extend radially outwardly from the sides of the boss I40.

'Ihefemale bracket I31 comprises a horizontal portion I43 and av projection I44 providing the female slot MI. The upper surface I45 surrounding the female slot MI is inclined from the horizontal, as best shown in Fig. 11, and a pair of radially disposed indentations I46 are provided in this inclined surface I45. These indentations are arranged to receive the lugs I42 when the trunnion member is in place in its female portion and the ladder is swung'back against the berths 81, 89, and 88 to its inoperative position. v I

As best shown in Fig. 7, the lugs I42 are supported on the upper inclined surface I45 when the ladder is in its operative position. During movement of the ladder from the operative position to its inoperative position shown in Fig. 8 and in broken lines in Fig. 3, the lugs I42 ride on the inclinedsurface I45 until the ladder is swung back against the berths, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, in which position the lugsl42 are seated in theindentations I46, as best shownin Fig. 8. In this position, the ladder is held against the berths by the cooperation between the lugs and the indentations.

At the top of theladder adjacent to the side piece I3I is a female bracket I41(Fig. 1) attached to the outer edge of the upper berth 88 and extending outwardly therefrom. An upper trunnion I48 is secured to the side piece I3I and cooperates with the bracket pivot of the ladder.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 9, the upper female bracket I41 com-prises a horizontally extending portion I41, atthe 'rear'edge of which i a flange I49 by which the bracket is secured to thefed-ge of the-berth 88, and at the forward end of which is a curved member I50 forming a slot I5I. The curved member I50 terminates at I52 in spaced relation to the end of the horizontal portion I41 of the bracket to I41 to form'the upper extends from the end of the horizontal portion I41 of the bracket into-the slot I 5I and partially closes the opening I53. This pin I54 passes through an opening in the end I55 of the horizontal prtion I41', of thebracket and is guided by guide members I56 and I51 in the horizontal portion I41 of the bracket. The pin I 54 has a shank I58 of alesser diameter than the pin, about whichis placed a coil compression spring I59,

which is seated between the guideql51 and a shoulder I60 formed at the rear edge of the pin I54. This spring urges the pin I54 outwardly to partially closelthe opening I53 in the slot II, as

shown in Fig. 9. A slot I6I in web I62 of the L horizontal portion I41 of the bracket receives a lug I63 projecting downwardly from the pin I54 through the slot I6 I so that the travel of the pin I54 is limited by the restricted travel of the pin I63 inthe slot 'I6I. Pin I63 also serves as a release knob (Fig. 1) which can be manipulated by vhand to forcerthe pin. I54: back into the horizontal portion I48 of the bracket I41 against the force of spring I59 to clear the opening I53 in slot I5I. I

- Referring to Fig. 1,.the upper trunnion member I48 fits into the female slot I5I of the upper bracket I41, and,- when it is in place, the pin I54 partially closes theopening I53 behind the'trunnion member I48 to lock it in place.

The ladder I29. is portable and is installed'only when the berths are. made up for occupancy. When installing the, ladder for use, the lower trunnion I38 is inserted inthe female bracket I31. The pin I54 in the upper. bracket I41 is forced back to clear the opening I 53 (Figs 9'), and

then the" upper trunnion member I48 is passed through this opening I53 into the slot I5I. pin I54 is then allowe d to return to'its normal position to .partiallyyclose the opening I53 and .lock the trunnion member I48 inplace. "The lowerberths 86' and 81'. respectively. and they are aligned with thevbrackets I31 and I41 so that the ladder I26, when in its operative position, assumes a right angle relationship with the general plane of the berths. 'The upper stopl.I35 is best shown in Fig. 4. A rubber bumper I64 is placed on the upper extremity of. the side-piece I30. and itengages the. outer edge of the upper stopl35 to form a cushion between the ladder and the stop. I

The lower stop l36 is best shown inFigs. 1, 5, 12, and 13,, and comprises a channel shaped member I65 having an end piece I66 (Fig. 13). This member is secured to the lower berth 81. and is so arranged that a horizontal projection I61 (Fig.

1) of the ladder rests against the end I66 of the member I65. A rubber bumperI68 is mounted onthe ladder, and it engages the end I66. of th stop member I65 to form a cushion,

Referring againv to Fig. .11, as previously explained, the top surface I45 of the projection. of the female bracket is inclined. its the ladder is rotated from its operative to its inoperative position, the lugs I 42 (Figs. 7 and on the lower trunnion of the ladder ride up this inclined surface. The weight of the ladder lowers the lugs I42 into the indentations I46, and when the lugs The are in this position the ladder islocked in' its inoperative position; To unlock the ladder and to return it to its operative position, one need merely. grasp the side piece I of the ladder and rotateit toward (the stops I and I36. Only a slight force is required to raise thelugs I42 out of the indentations I46. The inclination of the .top surface I on; the female bracket tends to I urge the ladder toward its operative position at all times when the lugs I42 are supportedon the inclined surface out of their seated position in the indentations I46. I

In a three-occupancy room, there is only one bank of berths and the room is correspondingly narrower. In this. condition, the ladder when in its operative position spans the space between the berths and the opposite room partition 84. (Fig. 2) .The ladder is mounted in exactly the same manner as previously described, but in thisinstance the stops I35 and I36 are mounted directly on the. partition 84.

A modified form of ladder is shown at 353 in.

ered against the top of the ladder in the position shown in dotted lines 358 inFig. 20. II I I I The extension member 351 comprises a pair of rods 359 and 360, connected at thetop by a U- shaped' member 36I having upwardly extending arms 362 and 363 with'a reinforcing member 364 I connecting arms .362 and 363 slightly below their free ends. 88 (Figs. 14 and 20) a bracket 365 is secured having an outwardly extending projectionfl366 on the end of which is asocket 361 adapted to receive the free end of (arm 382 of the ladder extension 351. surface ofthe socket 361 toprevent rattling; I

At the lower end of ladder side 355 is a pivot member 368 having a downwardly extendingmale portion 369 adapted to fit intothe female portion 310 (Figs. 19 and 24), recessed intothe car floor5l. I I M.

Onthe front edge of the second upper berth (in. this instance, referredto as 88' in Fig; 20)

in the six-occupant room is attached a ladder stop 31I, against which the upwardly extending arm 363 ofladder extension 351 rests whenfithe ladder is being supported in its operative position The upper end of arm 363 may be padded at 330, where it engagesthedadderstop 31I, so as to eliminate noise. 1 Stop-31-I (Fig. 25) is ap plied to the partition wall across from the 'berths in the case of the three-occupant roomsi Also,

in the, case of the threeoccupant rooms, the ladder extension rod 359 is. straight to the end thereof. I I

When the ladder is in position for use, it assumes the position shown'in Fig. 14, obstructing the floor area foranyone attempting to use the toilet facilities. A person desiring to use, the

floor area or the toilet facilities merely rotates the ladder against the berths about the socket 361 and pivot point 368 at the top and bottom, respectively, of the ladder, as shown in dotted lines 312 in Fig. 18, thereby placing the ladder out of the way. In this manner, the ladder may very readily be placed in position for persons desiring to ascend or descend from the intermediatebrupper berths, and yet may be moved out I of Way of p sons desiring to j t floorarea. I I I I I To the front edge of the upper berth A fiber bushing 361' lines the inner in Figs. 22 and 23.

= 'The adjustable extension member 351 at the top of the ladder isilowered to the dottedline "position 358 (Fig. 20) when there is no further use for the ladder and it is to be placed in storage. "Rods 359 and 36o-pass through collar members'313 and 313, respectively (Fig, 19), the latter of which are attached to the sides 355 and 354, respectively, of the ladder by brackets 314, best shown in Figs. 20 and 23.

Referring to Fig. 22, the collar member 313 surrounds the rod 359, and adjacent to the lower 'end'of collar 313 is a notch 315. A block 316 is inserted in the hollow rod 359 and is held in placeby a screw 311. Directly below the block 313 a spring 318 is pivoted to the rod 359 at 319, so that the spring 313 pivots about a horizontal axis. One arm 380 of spring318' extends upwardly and is held by block 316, as best shown The other arm 38I of spring 318 extends downwardly from the pivot point 319, and engages a latch member 382 pivoted at 383to the rod 359. The lower end of arm 38! of the spring 318 is secured to the latch'm'ember 382'. The-latch 382 projects forward at 384 and protrudes beyond the periphery of rod 359 through a slot 385 in the rod. A fiber bushing,

388' is inserted between the rod 359 and the collar 313 adjacent to the lower end of the collar, and a-similar bushing 38B is placed between the rod 359 and the collar 313 adjacent to the top of the-collar. These bushings provide a tight fit and prev'entrattling of the ladder parts. Latch 382 locks the extension member 351 in raised position by means of the protruding mem her 384 of the latch extending into slot 315 of thecollar 313.- When it is desired to lower the extension member 351, latch 382 is rotated in a clockwise direction about pivot point 383 by applying a pressure to. lever 381 on the end ofthe latch, thereby unlocking the extension'member 351 and allowing it to be lowered to the dotted line position 353 shown in Fig. 20. A nut 388 is placed over the lower end of rod 359, so as to limit the upward movement of rod 359 by abutting against-the end of collar 313. A bearing member'389 is provided between the lever '38! and the nut 389 at the lower end of the assembly against which latch 382 may bear. I

- A pin 589 (Figs. 20, 22 and 23) passes through a'slot in the collar and in the rod and locks the extension member 351 in its raised position. A chain 5" secures the pin 539 to the ladder at 512. A collar 313 (Fig. 19), similar to collar 313, is located 'onthe other side of the ladder. A plurality of openings 391 (Fig. 20) isplaced in the sides 354 and 355 of the ladder to permit the ladder to be more easily grasped and to greatly lighten theweight of the ladder. When the ladder is in place for use, asshown in solid lines in Fig. 18, the lighting fixture I0! is adapted to direct a beam of light downward onto the ladder to illuminate it for the occupant. Referring to Figs. and 16, the ladder 353 is storedbehind one of the sofas 81. A bracket 518 (Figs. 15-18, inclusive) having a horizontal surface 519 across its top issecured to the room partition 84 adjacent to the fioor by, means of screws or rivets passing through flanges 580 and 58'! at the top and bottom, respectively, of the bracket 518. The ladder 353 is placed crosswise of the car behind the sofa with the ladder rungs extending vertically, and the lower end of the ladder is supported on the housing l'l5covering theheating pipes, and the ladder adjacent to its upper end is supportedon the horizontal surface 519 of the bracket 518. The sofa back 239, when in its upright position fastened against the room partition 84,'holds the ladder securely against the partition and-prevents rattling thereof.- When it isdesired to-remove the ladder from end of said side piece and the other being stationarily mountedadjacent thereto, a pivot support at the top of said side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being attached to said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto and adjacent to the upper berth, said pivot supports being horizontally offset from each other, thereby mounting said side piece in an inclined position, the ladder pivotally swinging about said side piece from an inoperative position adjacent to the berth to an operative position projecting'at a right angle from the berth, and means limiting the swinging movement of the other sidepiece for supportin the ladder in operative position.

'2. Foruse in providing access to and from an upper berth in a'vehicle, a ladder comprising spaced side pieces supporting a plurality of rungs, a pivot support at thebottom of one side piece including a, male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being fixed on the lower end of said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto, a pivot support at the top "of said side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being attached to said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto and adjacent to the upper berth, the respective portions of each pivot support being separable from each other whereby the ladder may be removed, the stationarily mounted portions'of said pivot supports being' 'horiz'ontally offset from each other whereby said side piece "is mounted in an inclined position, and the ladder pivotally swinging about said side piece frorrian inoperative position adjacent to the berth to an operative positionprojecting me; right angle from the berth, and means limiting the swinging movement of the other side piece for supporting the latter in operative position. 3. For use in providing access to andirom an upper berth in a vehicle, a ladder comprising spacedside pieces supporting a plurality of rungs, a pivot support at the bottom of one side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being fixed onthe lowerend of said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto, a pivot support at the top of said side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions beingattached to said side piece and the moved, the stationarily'mounted portions of said pivot supports being horizontally offset from each other whereby said side piece is mounted in an inclined position, and the ladder pivotally swinging about said side piece from an inoperative position adjacent to the berth to an operative position projecting at a right angle from the berth, means locking the respective portions of each pivot support together, and means limiting the swinging movement of the other side piece spaced side pieces supporting a plurality of rungs and including an extensible and retractible mempiece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being fixed on the lower end of said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto, a pivot support at the top of said side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being attached to said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto and adjacent to the upper berth, said pivot supports being horizontally oifset from each other, thereby mounting said side piece in an inclined position, the ladder pivotally swinging about said side piece from an inoperative posi tion adjacent to the berth to an operative position projecting at a right angle from the berth,

means limiting the swinging movement of the other side piece for supporting the ladder in operative position, and means holding the ladder in inoperative position.

5. For use in providing access to and from an upper berth in a vehicle, a ladder comprising spaced side pieces supporting a plurality of rungs and including an extensible and retractible member projecting upwardly from the ladder, a pivot support at the bottom of one side piece-including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being fixed on the lower end of said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto, a pivot support at the top of said side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being formed on said member and being thereby attached to said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto and adjacent to the upper berth, said pivot supports being horizontally ofiset from each other, thereby mounting said side piece in an inclined position, the ladder pivotally swinging about said side piece from an inoperative position adjacent to the berth to an operative position projecting at a right angle from the berth, and means limiting the swinging movement ofthe other side piece for supporting the ladder in operative position, said member being retractible and extensible to engage and disengage the portions of the pivot support at the top of the first named side piece whereby the ladder may be mounted and removed.

6. For use in providing access to and from an upper-berth in a vehicle, a ladder comprising female portion, one of said portions being formed ber projecting upwardly from the ladder, a pivot support at the bottom of one side piece including i a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being fixed on the lower end of said side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto, a, pivot support at the top of said side piece includinga male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being formed on said member and being thereby attached to said'side piece and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto and adjacent to the upper berth, said pivot supports being horizontally ofiset from each other, thereby mounting saidside piece from an inoperative position adjacent tothe berth to an operative position projecting at a right angle from the berth, means limiting the swinging movement of the other side piece for supporting the ladder in operative position, said member being retractible and extensible to engage and disengage the portions of the pivot support at the top of the first named side piece whereby the ladder may be mounted and removed, and means latching said member in its position in which the portions of said last named pivot support are engaged for mounting the ladder.

'7. For use in providing access to and from an upper berth in a vehicle, a ladder comprising spaced side pieces supporting a plurality of rungs and including an extensible and retractible member telescopically mounted on the side pieces and projecting upwardly from the ladder, a pivot support at the bottom of one side piece including a male portion and a female portion, one of said portions being fixed on thelower end of said side piece ,and the other being stationarily mounted adjacent thereto, a'pivot support at the top of said side-piece including a male portion and a inoperative position adjacent to the berth to an operative position projecting at a right angle from the berth, means limiting the swinging movement of the other side piece for supporting the ladder in operative position, said member being retractible and extensible to engage and disengage the portions of the pivot support at the top of the first named side piece whereby the ladder may be mounted and removed, and means latching said member in its extended position.

JAlVIES K. 'I'ULLY. LEIF ANDERSEN. BASIL E. JONES.

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