WO2006053367A1

WO2006053367A1 - Sit-up sleeping berth for use in ships

Info

Publication number: WO2006053367A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001578
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Anthony Hannah
Original assignee: Peter Anthony Hannah
Priority date: 2004-11-16
Filing date: 2004-11-16
Publication date: 2006-05-26

Abstract

There is a sleeping berth module for installation in a ship. The module includes a support frame (1) which mounts sleeping areas having upper and lower berths (2, 3) of a length less than said support frame and the vertical alignment of said berths (2, 3) being offset in a manner whereby a sit-up space (6) is provided at the head of the lower berth (3) which extends up clear of the upper berth (2).

Description

SIT-UP SLEEPING BERTH FOR USE IN SHIPS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ship furnishings. More particularly, although not exclusively it discloses an improved sleeping berth module for use on navy ships with the aim of improving the quality of life for crews.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, sleeping berths for ship's crews have comprised bunks which are stacked in close vertical alignment one above the other. Uncomfortably, occupants could only "crawl" into the space between two bunks and lie down all the time on their beds. Also with the traditional layout of sleeping spaces in a ship, each bunk is provided with a locker that is usually too small for personal items, clothes and suit. The locker is also sometimes located such a distance from the berth as to cause inconvenience for the ship's crews accessing their belongings. In rare occasions, some ships can only provide a few tables and chairs in the sleeping spaces and hence ship's crews have to share those seats to sit up for writing or reading. Otherwise, they have to use recreational spaces that are often noisy with television and music which affects the needs of privacy and quiet.

Furthermore, with the traditional supply and installation of furniture into a ship, the more separate furniture (ie. berths, chairs, desks and locKers) to be built and installed the greater the cost and time required for the fit out. There is for example additional time and effort, from ship designers' perspective, involved in the design layout for the sleeping spaces. Separate furniture of every type also requires more space in a ship to accomodate it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a sleeping berth module is disclosed for installation in a ship, said module including a support frame which mounts sleeping areas having upper and lower berths of a length less than said support frame and the vertical alignment of said berths being^* offset in a manner whereby a sit-up space is provided at the head of the lower berth which extends up clear of the upper berth.

Preferably said upper and lower berths are also reversed so that the heads of respective berths are adjacent opposite ends of the support frame.

It is further preferred that said sit-up space includes a fold down reading/writing tray together with adjustable light and fan.

It is further preferred that the module include storage cabinets or safe lockers fitted within the support frame and that said cabinets at least in part define the confines of the berths ,

It is further preferred that said sit-up berths are ^"built in modular forms whereby the berths are able to be dismantled for packing, transportation, storage and handling. They should also be adapted for assembly on board ship regardless of whether the ship is new or is being refitted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings in which:-

figure 1 is a perspective view from the top of a sleeping berth module according to a first embodiment of the invention, figure 2 is a front elevation view of the module of figure 1, figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the module of figure 1, figure 4 is a perspective view from the top of a second embodiment of a sleeping berth according to the invention, and figure 5 is a front elevation view of the sleeping berth of figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to figures 1 to 3 the module may comprise a rectangular support frame indicated generally as 1 which with this embodiment may have a length a length of 2600 mm, a width of 750 mm and a height of 2040 mm. Such dimensions however may be changed in accordance with requirements from ship to ship, relevant technical manuals or other authority documents. There are upper and lower berths 2, 3 in modular forms which are bolted to the support frame 1 and defined within the module. These are shorter in length than the frame and are reversed so that the heads abut opposite ends 4, 5 of said module. Because the berths are also offset from vertical alignment the sit-up space 6 at the head of the lower berth 3 can extend up without encroaching on the upper berth 2. The available clearance under the top 7 of the module frame provides the necessary room for a similar sized sit-up space 8 in the upper berth. With this embodiment the available sit-up height for each berth is preferably about 970 mm.

As best shown in figures 2 and 3 each sit-up space is preferably fitted with a modular panel that includes a reading or writing tray 9, angular adjustable light 10, fan 11 and a shelf 12 for personal effects. The tray is preferably hinged to fold upwardly and out of the way against the shelf 11 when not in use. An electrical outlet and a mirror (not shown) may also be fitted as options to the berths.

A modular uniform storage locker 13 is located at the foot of the lower berth 3 together with additional utility storage cabinets 14, 15 (also in modular forms) above the lower sit-up space 6 and over the upper berth. The space underneath the mattress is also preferably utilised as general storage 16. To ease the lift-up of the mattress to access this storage space 16 underneath gas stuts may be provided. These storage spaces preferably extend back the full width of the module and with this embodiment total about 1.6 m.

With the second embodiment of the invention shown in figures 4 and 5 the main components that correspond in function to those of figures 1 to 3 are indicated by the same numbers which however are primed (') to distinguish them.

In this case there is a mounting sub-base 17 for the frame I¹ which is 100 mm in height. This sub-base is designed to adapt to a ships cambers and sheers by trimming on site during onboard installation. The dimensions of this sub- base may be changed in accordance with requirements from ship to ship, relevant technical manuals or other authority documents. There may also be integrated safe lockers 18 and boot lockers 19 fitted above the lower sit up space 6' and under the foot of the lower berth 3' .

Other preferred features of the invention shown in this second embodiment comprise integrated hat/coat hooks 20 and a towel rail 21. Although not shown in figures 4 and 5 an integrated Acurbra or dress uniform hat rack may also be fitted as well as computer sockets in each berth to connect a laptop to the ships power supply.

An upper berth ladder and personal safety belts for rough seas may be fitted to the module although for simplicity of illustration these also are not shown in the drawings.

The currently preferred mattresses for the berths are either a 100 mm thick pocketed innerspring mattress or a foam mattress of similar size.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments disclosed provides a novel and improved sleeping berth and storage module for use in navy ships. Clearly however the examples described are only the currently preferred forms of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a pwerson skilled in the art. For example the dimensions of the modules as well as the number, design and placement of the berths and storage cabinets may change according to application or design preference. Also, while it is currently preferred to construct the module from steel or aluminium sheet the invention extends to the use of other, suitable materials.

Claims

The claims:

1. A sleeping berth module for installation in a ship, said module including a support frame which mounts upper and lower berths of a length less than said support frame, the alignment of said berths being offset in a manner whereby a sit-up space is provided at the head of the lower berth which extends up clear of the upper berth.

2. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower berths are reversed so that the heads of respective berths are adjacent opposite ends of the support frame .

3. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 2 wherein a sit-up space is provided at the head of the upper berth.

4. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 3 wherein said module includes storage cabinets or safe lockers fitted within the support frame, with said cabinets or lockers at least in part defining the confines of the berths.

5. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 4 wherein said module includes a sub-base able to adapt to a ships cambers and sheers by trimming on site during onboard installation.

6. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 5 whereby said module is constructed from component sub-modules to facilitate assembly or dismantling onboard said ship.

7. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sit up spaces are fitted with panels that include a writing tray, light and a shelf for personal effects.

8. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tray is hinged to fold upwardly against said shelf when not in use.

9. The sleeping berth module as claimed in claim 8 wherein a uniform storage locker is located at the foot of the lower berth together with additional storage cabinets or lockers under the lower berth mattress, above the lower berth sit up space and over the upper berth.