US967278A - Self-leveling cot and the like for ships. - Google Patents

Description

A. L. WERTHEIM.

SELF LEVELING 001" AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14,.1908.

Patented Aug. 16,1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

fil

rm: NORRIS PZfERS c0. WISH!" TO", 0. c.

A. L. WERTHEIM. SELF LBVELING cow AND THE LIKE FOB sHIPs.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 14, 1908. 967,278

5 BHBBTB-BHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS 5a., WASHINGTON, n. c.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

A. L. WERTHEIM.

SELF LEVELING GOT AND THE LIKE FOB SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14 1908. 967,278. Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

' s sums-sum a.

WW: I, r

A. L. WBRTHEIM. SELF LEVELING GOT AND THE LIKE POE SHIPS.

APPLIUA'IION TILED AUG. 14, 1908.

Patented Aug. 16,1910.

w D v THE. NORRIS PETERS co., wasunvoruu, n, c,

A. L.. WERTHEIM. SELF LEVELING GOT AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPS.

Patented Aug. 16,1910.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 14, 1908. 967,278.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' Mia/V4 1m; NORRIS PETERS cm. WASHINGTON, n. :4

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANNE L6WENSTEIN WER'IHEIM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

SELF-LEVELING COT AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANNE LowENsTEIN WVERTHEIM, of 8 Upper Belgrave street, London, England, a princess of the German Empire, have invented new and useful Improvements in Self-Leveling Cots and the Like for Ships; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to improvements in self-leveling cots, bunks, couches, deck chairs and the like for use on shipboard, the object being to provide means whereby they may always be retained in a more or less horizontal position so that the efiect of the rolling of. the ship is overcome and seasickness prevented.

It is well known that a gyroscope, when rotating offers considerable resistance to any attempt to alter the plane of rotation and I propose to utilize oneor more gyroscopes in connection with cots, bunks, and the like in the manner hereinafter set forth, for main taining them in a level position.

According to this invention I provide a cot of suitable dimensions and character which may be suspended in bearing carried by springs with or without a gyroscope. The side one of the said springs may be carried by a frame in which is free to rotate a gyroscope the frame being suspended in gimbal frames, the outer one of which is arranged to swing in bearings suitably supported.

The gyroscope is rotated by any suitable means, a convenient arrangement being to provide magnets, on the frame between which runs an armature formed with or attached to the spinning axle of the gyroscope, the motor thus constituted being c011- nected with a suitable source of electricity so that it can be switched on or off as may be required.

As a modification the gyroscope may be boxed in so as to form with the cot, bunk, or like a self contained combination and they may be supported in gimbals as in the arrangement already mentioned. A further modification consists in suspending the gyroscope in a frame carrying the cot or like in which case the cot or like may be suspended in gimbals. In some cases the gyroscope chamber may be formed to float in water or other fluid contained in a suitable receptacle,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. August 14, 1908.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910. Serial No. 448,603.

provision being made by overturning the top of the container or by other means to prevent the fluid from being thrown out, and anti-friction rollers or the like may be provided where necessary.

Bolts, catches or other suitable means may be provided for keeping the cot or bunk rigid when it is not necessary to provide against the motion of the vessel, the gyroscope being only brought into use as and when required to counteract the rolling and pitching. Springs may be used wherever needed to prevent any too abrupt movement of any part. If desired the cot or bunk may be surrounded by curtains or otherwise so as to move with the cot and thus prevent the occupant seeing the movement of the vessel.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a side elevation partially in section showing one arrangement as applied to a cot or bunk 011 ship board. Fig. 2, shows a second position of the same. Fig. 3, is a sectional plan of the gyroscope arrangement. Fig. 4, is a cross section showing a spring supported device. Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sections in two positions showing the water supported arrangement of the gyroscope chamber. Fig. 7, is a plan of the device shown in Fig. 5 with the vessel omitted. Fig. 8, is a cross section of the device shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 9 shows a side elevation of a cot or bunk wherein three gyroscopes are employed, and Fig. 10, is a plan thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4: the gyroscope a is mounted in gimbal frames 6 supported by side pillars or posts 0 and upon and above the gimbal frames carrying the gyroscope the cot or bunk d is mounted. In some cases, if necessary, the outer gimbal frame may be mounted .and supported upon upper and lower spiral springs c (Fig. 4) whereby the rising and falling motion of the ship is counteracted, while the balance weight is further provided as shown in the drawings.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the cot or bunk is mounted upon the floating cradle h carried within a tank or receptacle '5 having over-turned upper edges j to prevent the water escaping while the cradle 71. contains the gyroscope 70 as shown.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the gimbal frames Z are pivotally supported by the transverse rods 9% connecting the uprights n, the pivotal connections 0 carrying bufier springs 79 to absorb any side shock, whilein this arrangement the cot or bunk is furnished with three gyroscopes two arranged in a horizontal position as at g and one in a vertical position as at r. Catches 8 connected by a rod t may be provided which, when turned into the position shown in Fig. 10, engage one of the t-ransverse members or side rails m for supporting the cot or bunk when the gyroscopes are not rotating. 7

I do not restrict myself to the number of gyroscopes which may be employed, nor do I restrict myself to the particular angle or angles at which they are arranged. Fur thermore, in some cases, the cot or bunk may be entirely spring supported in any convenient and suitable manner and would of course be provided with one or more gyroscopes as hereinafter described.

What I claim as my invention and desire to receive by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a ships bunk of gimbal frames secured to the underside thereof, a gyroscope mounted in said frames, a balance weight connected to one of said frames and means for operating the gyroscope, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a ships bunk, of gimbal frames secured to the underside thereof, spring supporting devices for said gimbal frames, a gyroscope mounted in said frames and means for operating the gyroscopes, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a ships bunk, of gimbal frames secured to the underside thereof, a gyroscope mounted in said frames, yielding supports for the frames and means for operating the gyroscope, substantially as described.

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

ANNE LGWENsTEIN WERTHEIM.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HUGHES, F. H. MAYES.

Images