US401438A - Combined sleeping and day car - Google Patents

Description

2 sheets sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H. M. JONES. COMBINED SLEEPING AND DAY GAR. No. 401,438. Patented Apr. 16, 1889.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. M. JONES. COMBINED SLEEPING AND DAY GAIL No. 401,438. Patented Apr..1 6, 1889.

MIA 5885s.; ga INVENTOR ATTORNEY i N, PcnsnsL Phqlo-Lilhogrzphar. Wadainglon, a e

HENRY M. JONES, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

, COMBINED SLEEPING AND DAY CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,438, dated April 16, 1889. Application filed March 31, 188th Serial No. 269,195. (No model.)

To on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY M. JONES, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Day and Sleeping Railway-Coaches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in railroad passenger-coaches designed for use either as ordinary day-coaches or as sleepingcars, and its objects are to so construct such a car that, while it maybe used as an ordinary day-coach and in the manner ordinary daycoaehes are used, it may readily be converted into a sleeping-coach in which each section and each berth is independent of and entirely separated from every other berth and section, the utmost privacy and seclusion being aiforded the occupant of a berth; in which also each section has a small secluded lobby or alcove for the use of the occupants of the section; in which the berths and their bed-foundations or mattresses are so disposed during use as an ordinary day-coaeh that no appreciable portion of the interior space of the coach is out off for use as receptacles for the bedding, but the interior is left free and clear from floor to roof and from side to side, and one which shall be comparatively economical in the absolutelynecessary cost of construction; to which ends it consists in the features and combinations more particularly hereinafter described and claimed.

Imprimis, it may be stated that a special and distinctive feature of my invention is the use of rolling mattresses or bed-foundations both for the upper and lower berths, each mattress or bed-foundation being secured at one end or side to a roller, upon which it is wound when not in use, and from which it is un wound to form the foundation of the bed. In each section are two seats with reversible backs, in order that they may be turned to face in the most desirable way for day travel and use. The upper portion of each back (upper portion when the backs are facing each other) is divided and hinged so as to be extensible, that such part may be turned up ward on its hinges, the backs of the two seats then forming solid walls at the head and the foot of the lower berth. In each section a space of one and a half to two feet, or even more, is left between it and the adjoining section to form a small alcove or dressing-room for such section. The seats are pivoted near to or at what are their back edges when the seats are facing each other in the side frames,brackets or lugs being provided on the side frames for the fronts to rest upon, so as to permit the seats to be turned up against the backs. Beneath one seat in each section, and hidden thereby by day, is the mattress or bed-foundation for the lower berth, secured at one end upon a roller pivoted in the side framings or in any other suitable support. Sear its free end a series of springs having free hook or eyelet ends is secured to the mattress or bedfoundation, these hooks or eyelets taking in hooks or eyebolts, or upon a suitable rod secured upon the under side of the other, or upon an independent base beneath such seat. The bed-foundation or mattress being unwound frcin its roller and its free end so secured to such hooks, &c., forms a spring foundation or mattress for the lower berth.

The upper mattress or bed-foundation is secured along one side to a roller, so as to be wound transversely thereon, said roller being pivoted or journaled upon the side of the car above the window. At either end a rod of a length equal to or slightly greater than the n width of the berth is pivoted. to the side of the car in such way that it can be swung outwardly at a right angle to the car side, therod atthe head and the rod at the end forming the suppoits for the upper berth, the upper mattress or bed-foundation being provided at its ends with springtlnoli s by which it may be secured thereto. Brace-rods pivoted in the ceiling of the car may depend therefrom and engage the berth-supporting rods to steady the same and hold them in proper operative position. hen not in use, all the pivoted rods may be folded against the side or the ceiling of the car, as the case may be, and be secured in position thereto to form part of the ornamentation of the car. The upper mattress or bed-foundation is provided upon its outer side and upon its ends with wings or curtains secured thereto, and these wings or curtains, which, when the mattress or bed foundation is not in use, are rolled up therein and ICC therewith, are provided with hooks or other fastening devices by which they may be secured to suitable bands at or near the top of the berth, to entirely inclose and seclude the same and its occupant. They also afford additional security to the occupant in case of accident and obviate danger of accidental, dislodgment or falling out.

As before stated, a space is left at one end of each section, forming an alcove, lobby, or dressing-room therefor, so that in effect each section may be said to consist, in fact, of the upper and lower berth (or the two seats by day) and such alcove, lobby, or dressing place. A curtain is provided extending the entire length and height of the whole complete section and provided with means by which it may be suspended from arod or other suitable device or devices near the top of the section. Upon the inner side of such curtain at about the height of the lower berth issecured another curtain-a half-curtain, as it may be termed-for covering the front of the-lower berth only, and which may be buttoned or hooked thereto.

To the side framing next the central aisle of'the seats of the section half gates or doors are hinged, which may be folded back when desired or be brought together, guarding the section against intrusion by day and forming with the backs a solid surrounding framework for the berth at night. I 7

Between the seats of a section afalse panel is hinged at its top to the side of the car, forming, when lying against such side', a part of the wainscoting or finish thereof. Upon its under side,or to one or both edges, one or more legs are hinged, so that the panel may be swung up and supported to form a table forthe occupants of the section, the legs folding up under or' with the panel when it is folded down against the side ofthe car. In practice, the berths being made up, the lower'one is entered from the side, while the upper is entered from the end opening into the alcove or lobby of the section. As each berth has entirely independent surrounding walls and curtains, each is independent'of all others and its occupant may enjoy perfect. privacy and seclusion. 'The construction thus generally described may be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which is shown so much of a car and'accompanying details as is necessary to illustrate and describe in detail an embodiment of the invention, and in which Figure 1 is a side view or elevation of a'section of the car'by day, the side framing for the seats being removed; Fig. 2, the same by night, the berths being made'up; Fig. 3, an under side plan View of the mattress or bed-foundation for the'upperberths; Fig. 4, a top or plan In the drawings, the reference-nu meral lindicates the side of the car, provided with the usual windows, the space indicated by the dotted line 2 being devoted to a section.

3 3 are the seats, pivoted at 4 in the sides or framings of the seats, their fronts resting on brackets or lugs 30, at either end of each seat there being a side piece or arm, 5, which may be formed with and as partof the framing. The seats are provided with backs 6, the upper part of each back being divided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the part 7 being hinged at the top to the body 6. Each back is secured in position by the brace-arm 8, pivoted to the arm 5, so that the back may be turned over and the seat face .in either direction.

Beneath one of the seats in each section and journaled 'in proper supports, is a roller, 12, upon which is secured at one of its ends the mattress or bed-foundation 11, while beneath the other seat of the section are secured the hooks 19 or other equivalent and suitable fastening devices. Near the free endof the mattress or bed-foundation 11 are secured hooks or eyebolts 20, they being, preferably the free ends or terminations of coiled springs 20, so as to give some degree of elasticity and spring to the bed when in use.

In order to arrange the lower berth for use asja bed, the parts 7 of the backs are turned up, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to form solid head and foot walls for the berth, and the seats 3 are turned up against the backs. The mattress 11 is then unwound from its roller 12 and secured by the hooks or eyebolts 20 on the hooks 19, forming a spring mat-tress or bed-foundation.

It is evident that in lieu of hooks 19 eyebolts might be used, or that a rod might be arranged upon which the hooks should take, and that whichever were used could be fastened directly to the'bottom of the seat or to an independent support arranged beneath the seat.

The mattress or bed-foundation for the upper berth is shown at 13. Along oneof its sides it is fastened to the roller 1 1-, journaledin and 16 upon its on ter side, thesewings 01' ourtains being provided with hooks l8,'bywhich when'the berth is made up they may be attached to suitable rods or rails, 25 and 26, attached to the ceiling or placed beneath it. Pivotally secured to the side of the car and at either end of 13 are rods or arms 21, adapted to be swung outwardly and form the head and foot supports for the berth. Braces 23 are pivotally secured to or from the ceiling for supporting the rods or arms 21, while braces 23, likewise pivoted to or from the ceiling are adapted to extend diagonally to the rods 21 and secure the berth against swinging or longitudinal movement. When not in use, these various rods'or braces are fol'ded'up against the ceiling and held in place there by buttons, rosettes, or hooks .24, the whole being so arranged as to harmonize with or form part of the ornamentation of the car. At one end of each section is a space of one and a half or two feet, or even more, between the seats of one sect-ion and those of the next, forming the alcove or lobby 31, which may be used in day-time for the storage of baggage, 8m, and by night for a private dressing-room.

In making up the upper berth the rods or arms 21 are swung outwardly and then secured in position by rods 22 and braces 23. The mattress or bed-foundation 13 is then un wound and secured by the spring-hooks 17, attached to it at or near its ends to the rods or arms 21, the head curtain 15 and side curtain 16 being hooked upon the rods or rails provided therefor. The occupant then enters the berth from the end opening into the alcove 31 and may then attach the curtain of that end to the rod or rail thereat, entirely inclosing the berth. Loops or button-straps 32 and buttons or other devices having similar functions may be provided on the wings or curtains, by which they maybe secured together at their meeting edges when hooked up in position.

For greater privacy and seclusion acurtain, 28, may be used, covering the entire front of the whole section, both upper and lower berths and the alcove and lobby, as seen in Fig. 5 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2. On its inner side at about the height of the lower berth a halfcurtain, 28, is attached thereto, covering ti; front of the lower berth only.

To each seat is hinged or pivoted a halfgate, 27, which, when shut at night, aids in forming a solid front for the lower berth, and if used by day protects the section against intrusion.

Between the seats is a false panel, 0, hinged at its top to the side of the car and adapted to lie thereagainst and form apparently part of the wainscoting. Upon its under side is hinged at the lower end a leg, 10, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1,) lying in a suitable recess or groove when the panel is folded back. The panel being swung upward and outward on its hinge, the leg-1O drops down and supports the free end of the panel, the whole then forming the table 9 in Fig. i be tween the seats 3 3.

The body of the car is composed of a number of such sections, while the proper dress ingrooms and closets should be located at either end upon one side of the entrance-aisle, while upon the other should be located bathrooms, especially in cars designed for long through trips. Tanks for containin g a proper supply of water for both the dressing and bath rooms may be made of boiler or galvanized iron, or of other suitable material and located over the dressing and bath rooms and aisle at either end. For such cars it is also preferable that hot as well as cold water should be supplied, which may be done by connecting a proper hot-water tank, say, of the usual cylindrical pattern with the water-' tank and passing the water thereto and therefrom through a coil in the heater for the car.

This construction, it is seen, enables the car to be used in the day-time as and exactly in the way an ordinary day-coach is used, the seats being capable of being turned and arranged so as to best suit the necessities or wishes of the occupants. In use as a daycar no considerable portion of the ear is cut off for the storage of bedding, but the interior is mainly left free from floor to roof, insuring greater air capacity and better ventilation. At night each berth is perfectly secluded, affording the occupants the greatest possible privacy. The car is readily and easily trans formed from a day-coach to a sleeping-car, while the necessary cost of construction is brought down to the lowest limit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination of the seats of a section, the seats being pivoted at or near their rear edges in the seat-frame and adapted to fold up against the seatbacks, a mattress or bed-foundation secured to a roller journaled under one seat, and upon which the mattress or bed-foundation may be wound, fastening devices upon the other end thereof, and coact ing fastening devices secured beneath the other seat, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a car-seat, of a seat portion, 3, pivoted at or near one edge in the seat-frame, and a back having its base or foundation vertically divided through a portion of its width, such division dividing the cushioned front or front proper thereof into two parts, one permanently or rigidly secured to such base or foundation and the other part, 7, being secured thereto by single hinges at the top of the back, whereby the part 7 may be turned outwardly and overupon the top of the back to extend it upwardly, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a roller pivot-ally secured or journaled upon the side of the car, a mattress or bed-foundation secured at one side thereto and provided with hooks upon or near its ends, arms or. rods pivotally secured to the side of the car-one at either end of the mattress or bed-foundation-and adapted to be turned outwardly from the side of the car to support the mattress or bedfoundation, rods 22, pivoted to and in use depending from the ceiling to support such rods or arms, and diagonal braces 23, also pivoted to and depending from the ceiling to steady the same, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the rolling mattress or bed-foundation, of side and end wings secured thereto along one edge and adapted to be folded and rolled therewith, and provided with fastening devices along or near the opposite edges, whereby they may be secured in position to surround and form the walls of a berth, substantially as set forth.

5. The combinatiomwith the seats of a section, of half-gates hinged to the side framings of the seat, a half-gate on either side, and adapted'to be closed to form a solid front frame for the lower berth, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of the upper rolling mattress, 13, provided with hooks 17, supporting-rods 21 therefor pivoted each at one end to the side of the car, the brace- rods 22 and 23, pivoted at one end to the ceiling and depending therefrom to support and brace the rods 21, and the catches 24c, for holding the bracerods, when not in use, against the ceiling or root, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the upper rolling 15 mattress, 13, of end wings, 15, and side Wing, 16, each secured thereto along one edge and provided along their opposite edges with fastening devices 18, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 20 presence of two witnesses.

HENRY M. JONES.

\Vitnesses:

Z. F. WVILBER, B. L. PoLLooK.

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