US2470853A - Berth arrangement - Google Patents

Description

May 24, 1949., B. E. JONES 2,470,853 BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. l5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet '2 May 24, 1949 I B. E. JoNEs l 2,470,853

l BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed oct.. 15, 1945 5 sheets-sheet s E, Jme

* w f I l' w l l f L1-3 h I M 1 5; s v f :gli l@ ,(1 I EQ-: j r wwf. f l T; Q I; 'l-- May 24, 1949. B, E. JONES 2,470,853

BERTH ARRANGMENT Filed oct. 15, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 4 l May 24, 1949. B. E. JONES 2,470,853

' BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 54 u lill Patented May 24, 1949 2,470,853`V n BER'rH ARRANG'MENT 'a''il; E...Js1i.s;. ssnopr, @1111; geisha?. t6 .Th PullzmarnCompany, Chieago, Ill., a corporation' oflllinois y Appliatt otber i5, 1945; serial No. 622,335' 1t oli's (o1.105``17) This invention relates to` railway sleeping c'ars` berth. end closure .panels are shown in folded and has particular reference to such cars pOStOhS in the intermediate berth;

equipped with berths arranged in vertical tiersv Fig 2 is` a sectional View transversely of the with the berths of each tier all disposed in paraly berths.. taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 showing, lel.,overlying relationship. 5 tliebjvarious berthsin theiroperatiVe positions:

The invention contemplates berthsdisposedin disposed in Substantially equally SDaCeCl parallel. tiers of three` in which at least certain of 'the overlying relationship andillustrating the berth berths are foldable andlwherein Closure' members end closure members at the aisle position 111.1911612.

are provided atoppsite 'ends' of the berths tol verticaloperative positions extending aboveand close the space therebetween andwhich are fold`- 10 below the. intermediate berth and Clearly yrer..

able toinoperati/e positions when the berths are: Vealing the relation of these. closure members folded. Y u Y with respect to the open portion of the aisle.par.l .The 4principal objectof the invention comprises' tition and theirifunction of closing the spaces bethe provision of ,af foldable -berthha'vingi berth'l tween the variousberthsat this rend; l end closure membershingedlyY mounted thereon" 1.3 Fig .3 Y,also is asectional, View vtransversely of` for pivotal moveme'ntfromifoldedl positions rel'a-V the berthsin their operatii/epositionsbut.taken`A tive to the. berth tofvrticalpositions extending on the line 3T3 of Eig. llandushowing the berth, between the berthaii'd another berth disposed in endlclosure members at the` side wallend of, the parallel relation therewith. berths disposed in. theirA vertical. operative posi.-

p importa'rit object'o'f"the'iiiventiri'is to pro-l 20 tions extendingabove and belowv the intermedivide ja foldable berthhavingberth end closure." ate berth onwhichthey are hinged and providimembers hingedly mounted-'thereon' flor ,pivotalM ingmeans covering the window,.,both in the inf.. movement from foldedfpo'siti'ns4 elativeto'thetermediate. berth and in the lower berth, and, berth to vertical ps'itiiis `exi'le'n'dngj aboveand"y completing the closing of the spaces between the below'theberth'at'frespeetively opposite erid'to 25 various berths at that end: close' thev space betweerithebeth"aridi other"V Fig. 41s. a .sectional View transversely of the, herthsdisposed respet'ivlyabve'andbelow'the vehicle similarto Fig. 1 showing the berths in.y fol'dable berthp elevationbut to a4 largerscale and illustrating the Another and more" spciiic obje't'of the inven'l berths, made up for occupancy with the berthend tion lies in" the provision of 3a' passe'ri'ge'vehicle' 30 closure members alloperatively disposed in their` having aroorn'includinga'tier o f berths 'dis'lo'o''aif` vertioalpositions extending above and below thev parallel toa waub'f therrob'm andexteiidirig" be; intermediate berth and revealing the mannerA of ttve'eda vehicl'side' wall hai/ingle. wndowwtlil" releasably securingthe upright closure membersY in the area'of the berths'ardanfaislepartition'; to the 4 side wall and aisle partition and the dehaving? an openi'g'withiithe 'a'reefoftheb'e'rtl'is"` 35 pending members to the. lower berth; wherein'an'intermediatefberthirth tier ispr'ol Fig. 5, isa fragmentary detail sectional View Vide'd with berth' end clos'xre'inerb'ers" hinge'dlff taken ontheline 5.- 5 of Fig. 4 illustratingaHsec-p. mounted thereon' at' opposite' ends" and' 'movablel tion through the berth frame of the intermediategV frori'ffoldd' psitiiis"r'eiative" to the' berth` t" berth and showing the berth end closure .member vertical positions extending above' ad"below"the" 40 atthelower,.side of.the' berth in its closed inf..v berthdnfla'n'ia'rifto `cover`the"window in "the operative positionv With the releasable securing side wall"`arid"theope u gin' 'the'aisle".partition"A means at the front sideof Athe berth for main-` and'thereby clos'ethespaeeat'the' end'sb'etweeh" taining the closure member invthis position, en,. theintermediate`-bethalndberthsdispsediabove gagedinthe cooperative bracket projecting from andfbeiow' the intermedateberth." p p v`45 the member; p

The foregoing'fandoth ob ets 'are attained" I 11"ig. fi isajragmentary front elevationalvview byth'e'c'i1s`tr1etio 'ardairjn merit"illiistr'a'ted"l ofthe,intermediateberth frame atl the position.n iri`th`e:aeeonipailing"drawings"inwhi'ohf' ofthe,.securing vmechanism illustrated in Fig. 6.,

Figi' 1 is a"`geheral ciossseet ria'l'viewofk a a.. and showing. the H releasable `hook on the berth, railwairpassehgervehile c-r ueted ae'eord; 50 frame engaged within the projectingvbracket on, aiiew'iththe'preseritiiiveitioh a the berth .end closure member for retaining the. rom` disposed'betweeri asi'dewa A memberin closed position against the bottom side andan aisle' partitimwita'n" "berth'-ex of `the berth; t v, .o tending' transverselyzof 'thevehile betweenthe' a; FigAL 'Tis a fragmentary detail sectional View side 'wall' and .partitoriandafoldableA interme- 55 taken onthe line l-Jl of Fig. 2 illustrating a par-v` diateberthdisposedii inoperativeposition im,- tia,l seetionthrough.the Hend wall ofthe lower mediatelysbenathzthe..uppeberthand a,.sofa. berthmember and showing the arrangement for Seatlwhich, is contertibl'e t,o-.a;.bed. to; proyide a.. releasablysecuring .theend closuremember der. lower.; berth.' ...and ',alL operatively disposed .im pending from the intermediate berth to the. lower, parallel overlying relationship. In this View the 60 berth with the closure member bearing against a stop plate on the lower berth and a wedge plate on the closure member engaged by a rotatable latch for retaining the closure member in operative vertical position;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the securing device illustrated in Fig. 7 from inside the lower berth showing the end closure member disposed between the stop plate on the end wall of the berth and the rotatable latch, with the latch in engagement with the wedge plate on the closure member;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2 illustrating the mechanism for maintaining the berth end closure members at the upper side of the intermediate berth in upright operative position with the closure member shown in vertical position in spaced substantially parallel relation to the aisle wall and a spring pressed catch member pivotally mounted on the closure member releasably engaged with a cooperating bracket on the aisle wall; and

Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the securing device illustrated in Fig. 9 showing the spring actuated catch member pivotally mounted on the berth end closure member engaged over the hook on the aisle partition with which it is adapted to be associated.

The invention as disclosed herein is applied to a railway passenger vehicle known as a threetier sleeper, in which berths are arranged in tiers of three disposed in rooms each having one or more tiers of berths so arranged. The accommodations in a vehicle of this type are convertible for day or nigh-t use and the conversion from one type of accommodation to the other, from day to night use or vice versa, may readily be periorrned in a minimum of time. The lower berth is convertible from a bed into a sofa containing a plurality of individual seats for daytime use and the intermediate berth is adapted to be pivoted upwardly into the upper region of the vehicle directly beneath the upper berth so as to provide ample headroom over the sofa. The intermediate berth is supported in a pivotally mounted pan which is adapted to be moved from an upper horizontal position to a depending vertical position when the berth is operatively disposed in the intermediate horizontal position` for use as a bed and which serves the twofold function of supporting the berth and forming one wall enclosing the berth. The intermediate berth assembly is counterbalanced by mechanism completely concealed from the berth and from the room. The present invention might be said particularly to relate to the intermediate berth in conjunction with one or the other of the associated berths inasmuch as the structures comprising the primary features of the invention are adapted to be disposed between the intermediate berth and the respective other berths at opposite ends.

In the drawings I0 represents a railway passenger vehicle having side walls I I and i2, a floor I3 and a roof I4. An aisle partition I5 is disposed in spaced parallel relation to the side wall II defining a longitudinal aisle I6 at one side of the vehicle which communicates with a plurality of rooms at the other side of the partition and with a vestibule (not shown) at one end of the vehicle. A plurality of transverse partitions I'I extend between the side wall I2 and the aisle partition and therewith dene a number of ad- `joining rooms I8. Each partition I1 is provided with an opening I9 extending over a substantial portion of its area intermediate the loor I3 and ceiling 2l so that when the openings are uncovered the effect is had of an open car aiording a view throughout the full length of the vehicle. The aisle partition I5 is provided with an entrance opening 22 from the aisle I6, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, and in addition thereto is provided with an opening 23 extending throughout the intermediate area of the partition in the room so that the room might be said to be substantially open to the aisle on that side. As best shown in Fig. 1, the aisle I6 is provided with a ceiling 20 over which a longitudinally extending air duct 24 is mounted and adapted to supply the rooms I8 with conditioned air. Branch ducts 25 and 26 lead from the main duct to the room areas.

Each of the rooms I8 is equipped with sleeping berths which may be disposed in one or more tiers of three berths arranged respectively at one or both sides of the room entrance 22. Each of the tiers of three berths comprises a fixed upper berth 21, a foldable intermediate berth 28 and a convertible lower berth 29 disposed adjacent to and paralleling the respective transverse partitions I'I and extending substantially from the side wall I2 to the aisle partition I5. The upper berth 21 is disposed above the level of the partition opening I9 and comprises a rectangular frame 30 having a flexible base 3! secured thereto at opposite sides and at the two ends and disposed tautly therebetween to provide a flexible support for a mattress 32. The berth frame 38 is supported at opposite ends upon angle members 33 secured respectively to the side wall I2 and to the aisle partition I5 and to which the frame is rigidly secured.

The lower berth 29 comprises a sofa convertible from a seat for daytime use to provide a bed for night use. The sofa includes a seat 34 and a backrest 35 disposed beneath the level of the opening I9 in partition I'I and both the seat and backrest portion are divided into a plurality of spaces for the individual use of the occupants of the respective berths in the tier as best indicated in Fig. 1. The backrest is pivotally mounted at opposite ends as at 36 for movement from a substantially upright position to a horizontal bed forming position and includes a rectangular frame having side rails 31 and end walls 39 and 40, the latter disposed adjacent to the side wall I2 and aisle partition I5 respectively and all including inwardly extending anges to which a flexible base 4I is secured and maintained taut therebetween for flexibly supporting a mattress 42. The flexible base member il and the mattress are concealed by the backrest 35 in the upright seating I, position of the unit.

The intermediate berth 28 is foldable from the operative position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 to an inoperative position immediately beneath the upper berth as shown in Fig. 1 and includes a hinged- 1y mounted berth supporting pan 45 extending between the side wall I2 and aisle partition I5 from which it is pivotally supported as at 46 and normally disposed above the level of the partition opening I9 as illustrated in Fig. l and indicated Yin dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this upper horizontal @466i ses;

thea-'upper andfintermediate beiftliis'-l and between? 0 i diiigiriihefoideuip'siiibri of the berth; as siiowfi in Fiel 1; l

The iatehiiig: devices?! 0; asbest showiiirilliisisA Qiand 1-0; are mounted uponv the' respective cl sure members 65 andsian'd -each comprise alix-ed e trafila-ei,A i if semir'eci infine I closure; members adiarV4 stantially Vertical-iii parallelrelation to theside-Y 0 atthat'endio-f-tlie' berths ad'acent the aisle par# representative of the condition of the panel 82 with respect to the berth end wall 39, the lower berth is provided with upstanding stop plates in the form of angle members 84 mounted upon the upper surface of the respective end walls 39 and 40 and secured by screws 86 and disposed in position to be engaged by the respective panel members as they are swung to operative positions and thereby limit their final position of movement in regard to the berth end walls to that shown in Fig. 7. As shown in this figure, a rubber bumper 81 is disposed between the berth and closure panel and the stop plate 84.

When the end closure panels are moved to their depending vertical positions indicated, they may each be secured at the respective inner sides by means of a swinging latch member 85 which is pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lower berth end wall for movement from a depending inoperative position to an upright locking position, where it is disposed in engagement with a wedge plate 83 secured on the face of the respective panel members adjacent the lower edge. The wedge plate is shaped for approach by the latch 85 from either side and has its greatest depth at the center locking position of the latch where it is provided with a vertically disposed V- shaped groove 89 which is engaged by a, similarly shaped projection 90 on the latch member to maintain the latch in locking position. The latch is readily releasable since the resiliency of the bumper 8l will permit suflicient deflection of the closure panel to enable the projection 90 to pass the wedge plate, and a thumb piece 9| on the latch provides for its ready manipulation.

The berth end closure panels 8l and 82 are movable from their depending operative positions described, to inoperative positions against the underside of the intermediate berth, as indicated in dotted lines in Figures l and 4, where they are supported during the folding movements of the berth by releasable securing devices best illustrated in Figures and 6. The panels 3l and 82 are each provided with a laterally projecting fixed hasp member 95 at the front edge of the respective panels and adjacent that end thereof farthest removed from the hinge 83 adapted to be engaged by releasable supporting hooks 96 pivotally mounted on the outer face of the intermediate berth frame 5l in position to be engaged with hasps 95 as the panels are swung to horizontal position against the underside of the intermediate berth to maintain the closure panels in their folded inoperative positions bearing against resilient bumpers Sl. The hasp members 95, while projecting laterally from the panels 8| and 82, are bent at right angles as at 98 to provide a portion extending upwardly in the inoperative position of the panels and having an opening 99 through which the hook 96 is adapted to engage in the support of the respective panel members.

From the foregoing it will be seen that closure means are provided for fully enclosing the ends of the lower and intermediate berths and which are foldable into one of the berths when the room is made up for daytime occupancy, but which are readily accessible when the berths are opened for use and easily set up and secured in operative positions. The berths are all adapted to be enclosed by curtains, which have not been shown since they form no part of the present invention but which afford complete privacy and individual access to each of the three berths in the tier. The berths are each provided with a fabric shelf for the accommodation of articles placed thereon by the occupants. In the upper berth the shelf 60, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted at the side wall I2, but in the intermediate berth and in the lower berth the shelves 6I and 62 are mounted upon the berth end closure panel members Gt and 82 respectively, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The shelves, being of fabric, are collapsible when not in use, and when the end closure members are folded to inoperative positions in the intermediate berth, the shelves 6l and 62 are automatically flattened for accommodation in the berth.

What is claimed is:

1. In a passenger vehicle having a lower berth, an intermediate berth and an upper berth all disposed in parallel overlying relationship, said lower berth being convertible into a seat having a seat portion and a backrest and said intermediate berth being foldable to an inoperative position providing headroom above said seat, means for closing the space between the various berths at respectively opposite ends comprising end closure members foldable into the inter-mediate berth in the inoperative position thereof and movable to vertical positions extending respectively between the intermediate berth and the upper berth and between the intermediate berth and the lower berth when all of the berths are disposed in operative positions, means releasably securing the end closure members in vertical position, and means maintaining said members in folded position in the inoperative position of the intermediate berth.

2. In a passenger vehicle having a lower berth,

an intermediate berth and an upper berth all disposed in parallel overlying relationship, said lower berth being convertible into a seat having a seat portion and a backrest and said intermediate berth being foldable to an inoperative position providing headroom above said seat, means for closing the space between the various berths at respectively opposite ends comprising a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on the intermediate berth and movable from inoperative folded positions to positions vertically disposed i between the intermediate and upper berths, a

pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on the intermediate berth and movable from inoperative folded positions to positions vertically disposed between the intermediate and lower berths, means releasably securing the end closure members in Vertical position, and means maintaining said members in folded position in the inoperative position of the intermediate berth.

3. In a passenger vehicle having a lower berth, an intermediate berth and an upper berth all disposed in parallel overlying relationship, said lower berth being convertible into a seat having a seat portion and a backrest and said intermediate berth being foldable to an inoperative position providing headroom above said seat, means for closing the space between the Various berths at respectively oppo-site ends comprising a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on the intermediate berth and movable from inoperative folded positions to positions vertically disposed between the intermediate and upper berths, and a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on the intermediate berth and movable from inoperative folded positions to positions vertically disposed between the intermediate and lower berths.

4. In a passenger vehicle having a lower berth, an intermediate berth and an upper berth all disposed in parallel overlying relationship, said intermediate berth being foldable to an inoperative position, means for closing thespace between the `various: berths iat respectively l opposite ends com- :prising a pair f of vend closure fmembers hingedly mountedfonethe intermediate berthfand movable :from inoperative. folded; positionsfto .positions ver- '.ti-eailydisposed between-fthe intermediate and'uDF per berths, and a.-pair of end closure members -hingedlyfrnounted on the intermediate berth-and movable from= inoperative folded positions to po.- Vstions vertically disposed A`between kthe intermeyidiote-and lower berths.

. 5. :In-a passengerv vehicle having a. lower v.bert-h, aninterm-ediate berth and an .upper vberth, all dis- :posed in parallel overlying relationship, said lower' berth being eonvertibleinto aseat having a-seat :portion and abackrest, said intermediate berth :being foldable to an` inoperative position adjacent :the underside -ofthe upper berth toprovide head- .room for said -seatand comprising an assembly including an intermediate berth member and a panhavingits open side facing upwardly when the-.intermediate -berthis disposed adjacent the upper berth, said pan being pivotally mounted for movement froma horizontal position adjacent the upper .bert-loto a Avertical position and said-intermediate berth member being pivotally `mounted inthe pan for movement from a folded :positionimthexpan t ahoriaontal operative position, meanssiorclosinglthe space ,between the fvariousberths atrespectively opposite ends comfprisingapair-of end closure members hingedly mounted cnsaid intermediate berthmember and movable frominoperativc folded vpositions in the intermediate berth to upright-operative positions disposed-between.- saidlberthzmember `and the 11p- :per berth, and a pair of end closure members hingedly `mounted fon the intermediate berth member and -movable'from inoperative folded positions inthe intermediate berth to operativer-p0- sltions vertically disposed between said berth member. and :the lower berth.

.6. .In a passenger vehicle having alower bert-h, an intermediate berth and an upper berth all :disposed in parallel overlying relationship, said intermediateberth v:being foldable to an inoperative position adjacent the underside of the upper berth and comprising an assembly including an intermediate berth member and .a :pan "having its open side 'facing upwardly when the linter- `mediate berth is disposed adjacent the upper berth, said pan vbeing pivotally mounted ,for

movement from a horizontal position adjacent .the upper vberth-to a vertical .position vand sai-d intermediate berth member `being vpivotally lrlounted inthe ,pan for movement from a folded position in thepan to a horizontal operative position, .means 4for closing :the vspace between the various berths at -respectively opposite ends .comprising a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted'on said intermediate .berthmember and movable from inoperativefolded positions in the intermediate berth to upright operative positions disposed between said berth member and the upper berth, a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on the intermediate berth member and movable from inoperative folded positions in the intermediate berth to operative positions vertically disposed between said berth member and the lower berth, means releasably securing said end closure members in. operative positions, and means -rcleasably securing certain of `said end closure members in folded positions relative to said intermediate berth member.

'7. In a passenger Vehicle having a lower berth, an intermediate berth and -an upper berth all disposed in parallel overlying relationship, said intermediate berth .being :foldable .to `an inopera- -tiveposition, ,meansrfor Vclosingthe space between ythe .various berths at .respectively `opposite ends comprising :end closure .members .foldable 4into 'v5 the intermediate berth :in vthe inoperative posi- .tionfthereof andmovable .t-o verticalpositions extending respectively --between the intermediate berth vandthe upperLberth :and between the intermediate berth and :the lower berth when all .110 ofthe berths aredisposed in operative positions.

i8. .In a vpassenger vehicle having an aisle extending `longitudinally ofthe vehicle adjacent to -one ofthe vehiclesides and a room adjacent to ,the other side with transverse partitionsextend- 15 ing from the yside wall on the room side to the aisle,=said partitions ,with-said side wall deiining the room, theroommeing open Aat the aisle side,

a berth disposed in the upper region of the room,

ya second berth :disposed in parallel yrelation -bef2() neath the rstberth Vin operative position and `fold-able to Ian inoperative position, a .lower berth beneath the secondberth, :and means for closing the space between the various berths at their ends adjacent saidaaisle comprising 4a pair of end v closure members `hingedly Amounted on the `second berth and movable respectively .from inoperative folded positions on the berth tooperative positions, extending vertically between said second .berth and said rst-.named berth and said lower berth disposed lrespectively.above and below. thesecond berth.

9. In a passenger vehicle having Aan aisle eX- tending'longitudinally of the vehicle .adjacent to one of the vehicle'sdes and a room adjacent to the other side with transverse partitions extending lfrom the side wallon the .room side to the aisle, said partitions with said side wall ldeiining the room, the room being open at the aisle side, a-berthdisposed in the upper regionofthe room,

a second berth disposed in parallel relation .be-

yheath .the rstLbe-rth .in operative yposition and fol'dable to an-inoperative position, alower berth -in parallel relation beneath the second berth, means for closing vthe space'between the various berths at respectively opposite ends Icomprising apair of end closurefmembers hingedly mounted on the second shorthand movable from inoperative folded positions in :the berth to upright opera-tive positions `disposed `between the second berth and vthe liirst-named berth, and a pair of lend Aclosure members hingedly mounted on said second berth V.and movable from inoperative folded positions in .ther-berth to operative positions vertically -disposed between said second berth andthe lower berth.

10. In a passenger vehicle having a plurality of berths disposed in parallel overlying relationship, one of said berths ybeing yioldable to an inoperative position, andl a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on said 'foldable berth and movable from folded -positions in said berth to positions at one-end thereof extending vertically between said berth vand other berths disposed krespectively above and below said foldable berth.

. 11. In a passenger vehicle having -a plurality of :berths disposed `in parallel overlying relationship, Ione'oi said fberths being `fcldable toan yinoperative position,andipairs of lend closure members lhingedly mounted -on said foldable berth at respectively opposite vends thereof and movable lfrom-folded -positions'in'the berth to positions extending vertically between said `berthand other berths disposed respectively above and below said foldable berth.

12. In a passenger vehicle having a plurality of berths disposed in parallel overlying relationship, one of said berths being foldable to an inoperative position, and end closure member hingedly mounted on said foldable berth and movable from a folded position in the berth to an upright position extending above the berth at one end, means for maintaining said closure member in upright position, an end closure member hingedly mounted on said foldable berth and movable from la folded position relative to the berth to a vertical position depending from said berth at one end, and means for maintaining said last-named closure member in vertical position, said end closure members serving at least `partially to close the space between said foldable berth and berths disposed respectively above and below the foldable berth.

13. In a passenger vehicle having a plurality of berths disposed in parallel overlying relationship,

one of said berths being foldable to an inoperative position, a pair of end` closure members hingedly mounted on said foldable berth and movable from folded positions in the berth to upright positions extending above the berth at respectively opposite ends thereof, means for releasably maintaining said closure members in upright position, a second pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on the foldable berth and movable from folded positions relative to the berth to vertical positions depending from said berth at respectively opposite ends thereof, and means for releasably maintaining said second pair of closure members in Vertical position, all

of said end closure members serving at least parg tially to close the space between said foldable berth and berths disposed respectively above and below the foldable berth.

14. In a passenger vehicle having an aisle extending longitudinally of the vehicle adjacent to one of the vehicle side walls, a partition paralleling said wall deiining the width of said aisle, a room adjacent to the other side with transverse partitions extending from the side wall on the room side to said aisle partition, said last-named side wall, the transverse partitions and the aisle partition dening said room, said aisle partition being open over a substantial portion of its area within the limits of said room, a plurality of berths in the room disposed in parallel overlying relationship adjacent to one of said transverse partitions, one of said berths being foldable to an inoperative position, an end closure member hingedly mounted on said foldable berth and movable from a folded position in the berth to an upright position extending above the berth at the end thereof adjacent to the aisle partition, means for releasably securing the closure member to said aisle partition to maintain said upright position, a second closure member hingedly mounted on the foldable berth and movable from a folded position relative to the berth to a vertical position depending from said berth at the end thereof adjacent the aisle partition, and means for releasably securing the second closure member to maintain said vertical position, said closure members serving at least partially to close the space between said foldable berth and berths disposed respectively above and below the foldable berth and with said aisle partition fully `Closing 7 15. In a passenger vehicle having an aisle extending longitudinally of the vehicle adjacent to one of the vehicle side walls, a partition paralleling said wall dening the width of said aisle, a room adjacent to the other side with transverse partitions extending from the side wall on the room side to said aisle partition, said last-named side wall, the transverse partitions and the aisle partition defining said room, said aisle partition being open over a substantial portion of its area within the limits of said room between said transverse partitions, said last-named side wall having a window therein disposed in the area between the transverse partitions, a plurality of berths in the room disposed in parallel overlying relationship adjacent to one of said transverse partitions and extending substantially continuously between said last-named side wall and the aisle partition, one of said berths being foldable to an inoperative position, a pair of end closure members hingedly mounted on said foldable berth and movable from folded positions in the berth to upright positions extending above the berth at respectively opposite ends adjacent to said lastnamed side wall and the aisle partition respectively, means for releasably securing the closure members in their upright positions to said side wall and aisle partition respectively, a second pair of closure members hingedly mounted on the foldable berth and movable from folded positions relative to the berth to vertical positions depending from the berth at respectively opposite ends thereof adjacent to the last-named side wall and aisle partition respectively, and means for releasably securing said second pair of closure members in vertical position, said closure members serving at least partially to close the space between the foldable berth and berths disposed respectively above and below the foldable berth, the open area of -said aisle partition in the region of the berths being fully closed by the closure members at that end of the berths and said window being fully covered in the region of the berths by the closure members at that end of the berths.

16. A berth assembly comprising a berth pan pivotally mounted at one side for movement from an out-of-the-way horizontal position to a vertical position, a berth pivotally mounted in the pan at the side opposite said one side and movable from a folded position in the pan when the pan is horizontal to a position substantially at ninety degrees to the pan in the vertical position thereof, and pairs of end members pivotally mounted on said berth at respectively opposite ends for movement from folded positions relative to the berth to vertical positions extending respectively above and below the berth, said members in their fol-ded positions being receivable into said pan with the berth.

BASIL E. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED e following references are of record in the

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