US2731924A - Railway sleeping car - Google Patents

Description

Filed Feb. 14, 1951 "115'" "Hin, y Y.

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@www d@ RAILWAY SLEEPING CAR Harold L. Norby, Chicago, and Basil E. Jones, Flossmoor, Ill., assignors to Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application February 14, 1951, Serial No. V210,921 Claims. (Cl. 10S-315) This invention relates to railway sleeping cars of the type having ensuite bedrooms, each for the accommodation of more than one passenger, and is concerned primarily with the provision of pre-made beds for such rooms.

The invention contemplates a pair of premade beds occupying a space the width and length of a bed, including a lower bed foldable endwise to a position at one end of the space and an upper bed movable directly vertically to a position above the space.

An important object of the invention resides in the provision of a pair of pre-made beds adapted to be disposed longitudinally of a railway car immediately adjacent a side wall, including an upper bed movable directly vertically and having counterbalance mechanism therefor extending longitudinally and disposed in the roof zone over the room ceiling.

One of the principal objects of the invention contemplates a horizontally disposed upper bed movable directly vertically, guided in the tracks at one end and suspended adjacent the four corners thereof by exible connections with overhead counterbalance mechanism.

The foregoing and other and more specic objects of the invention, including the detail mechanisms for effecting them, are attained by the construction and arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a side elevational view in a railway car room including the present bed arrangement showing the beds both occupying the space of one bed length and in inoperative positions disposed horizontally above the space and vertically at one end thereof respectively;

Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the beds in operative positions, clearly revealing the coincident length of the beds and their disposition in the same vertical projection;

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 showing the upper bed guided in tracks at one end and illustrating the mechanism for releasing the locking latches at all four corners of the bed in the raised position, and the hold-down latch at one end in the lowered posinon;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the upper bed at the end containing the guiding rollers;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, looking in the direction of the guided end of the upper bed, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 illustrating the bed in retracted position and showing the longitudinally extending counterbalancing mechanism above the ceiling;

Fig. 6 also is a transverse sectional view but looking in the opposite direction and taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 7*7 of Fig. 5 looking toward the passageway side, showing the extent of the counterbalancing mechanism and illustrating the upper bed in the raised inoperative position, with the vertical guiding track therefor revealed in the lower bed recess;

Fig. 8 also is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 8-8V of Fig. 5 but looking in the Yopposite direc- Nce tion, toward the car side, and revealing the guiding track for the upper bed in this side of the lower bed recess;

Fig. 9 is a detail longitudinal sectional view to larger scale, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, illustrating a p0rtion of the counterbalancing device for the upper bed revealing the mechanism thereof; and

Fig, 10 is a transverse sectional view through the counpensating force on the counterbalance spring.

The invention proposes a railway sleeping car bed arrangement including a pre-made lower and a pre-made upper in substantially the vertical projection 4of the lower, and designed primarily Afor disposition longitudinally of the car adjacent a side wall, with the upper bed being retractible directly vertically to an inoperative position on a horizontal plane in the vertical projection of its operative position, and the lower bed foldable endwise to a and to acccommodate counmay be disposed in full communication ensuite, if desired. The room contains a vertically operable upper bed 17 and an endwise foldable lower bed 18, both of which are disposed immediately adjacent the side wall 11. A seat 19 having a backrest foldable automatically with the lower bed is disposed in the room alongside of the window 12. The backrest is mounted independently of the seat portion for folding movements, as by means of the pivotal support 20 intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof. The upper edge of the backrest in the daytime arrangement of the room bears against the face of the up-I right lower bed 18 at an inclination suitable to seated pasis operatively connected with position to horizontal position for sleeping, the backrest is caused to fold over the seat portion, and when the bed is returned to its vertical condition, the backrest is automatically restored to normal position.

The bed 18 is mounted in a bed pocket or recess 22 at one end of the room, adjacent the partition 16, and in the vertical retracted position is disposed llush with the outer face of the pocket. The side walls 23 and 24 of the bed pocket are spaced apart substantially the width of the bed, with clearance at each side necessary to operation of the bed within the recess. The partition 16 forms the rear wall of the recess. The bed is pivotally mounted at 25 outwardly of the recess by means of ipush rod 33 and may ment of the bed. The

ijection of the lower bed 18, guided 3 brackets for endwise folding movements between horizontal and vertical operative and inoperative positions respectii'ely, and the movements of the bed are counterbalanced 'by meansof coil springs 26 anchored in the bottom of the `bed recess and connected with the bed ythrough the `medium of a cradle ,27 to which the springs are securedand which 'in turn is pivotally connected with the bottom end of 'the bed below the pivotal axis in a manner to utilize the full force-of'thesprings as a counter- .poise for -the bed while maintaining alignment of the springs between their anchorage and the attachment to the bed throughout the full range of movement. Thus counterbalanced by the springs kZ6, the bed may be moved from the vertical 4'position shown in Fig. Jl, about the kpivotal support 25, to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2, where-it is supported adjacent the free end by means of afolding leg `2li mounted in the face of the bed at the side spaced from the side wail it, and at the sidewall bymeans of a folding bracket 29 with a-manually releasable `hold-down device 3i) to prevent retraction of the bed `under the force of the springs 26.

ln the vertical position, the bed is maintained in the -recess'22 bymeans of a retractble latch 3i engageable witha catch 32 recessed inthe end of the bed and releasable by-actuationof a .push rod 33.1nanipulated by means of an operating handle -34 on the vface of the bed. The latch.3i-maintains the bed in fully closed position within the bed recessand is part of a multiple latch assembly, including a second latch 35 mounted on the underside of the upper bed 17. The latch 35 comprises a safety device and is located outwardly of the nal closed position of the lower bed to be engaged inan intermediate position thereof as -the bed is returned to the recess 22 after use when vthe bedding may be disarranged and prevent full entrance into the recess, whereupon this latch will engage the catch 32 to prevent accidental dislodgement of the bed due to train movements. The latch is releasable also by the be prevented from engaging the catch 32 during normal opening of the bed by maintaining the push rod in its outer releasing position by means of the operating handle 34 during the initial opening movebed is provided with a bedding guard 36 at its lower end to prevent -the bedding from escaping into the bed recess in the vertical position of the bed. A pair of cushioned stops 37 located in the bed recess 22 adjacent the respective side walls 23 and 24 in position to engage the edges of the respective sides of the bed are provided to limit inward movement of the bed to a vertical position flush with 4the face of the recess.

The upper bed 17 enters a ceiling recess ft2 in its retracted position, which is continuous with the recess 22 for the lower bed but is open on the side spaced 'from the side wall 1l so that greater head room is afforded in entering and leaving the bed -in its operative position. Thezside wall 43 of the recess is ush with the side wall 23 of the lower bed recess, and the ends of the recess 42 are formed respectively'by the partition 16 and by a drop partition 45 coincident with the folding partition i5. The ceiling 46 of the recess is spaced above the bed in the fully retracted position thereof, but downwardly from the roof structure 14, leaving a space 47 therebetween, and is flat and horizontal throughout substantially its major area but follows generally the curvature of the roof adjacent lthe side wall 1f as at 48. Alongitudinally disposed partition 49, closing the space 47 labove the ceiling, extends downwardly from the roof 14 to a point substantially coincident with the upper edge of the room side of the bed and the ceiling Sti of the room, lthus forming this side of the bed recess but leaving the side of the bed exposed.

The bed 17 operates in a straight vertical path between retracted and operative positions within the vertical proby means'of tracks 51 and 52 recessed in the side walls 23 and 24 of the bed pocket 22. The tracks are rigidly vmountedto provide positive guides against any displacement of the bed in horizontal directions, and the vbed is provided with a pair of guide rollers 53 mounted on the adjacent end of the bed and cooperating with the tracks in a manner to guide the bed in a directly vertical path without friction. The rollers do not of themselves act to support any portion of the vertical load of the bed in'either retracted or operative positions, but are mounted in brackets 54 on the bed which engage stops 55 and 56 mounted in the bed recess 22 on the rear wall Vloto-define the upper and lower limits of bed movement. The rollers are rotatable on axles 57 which, as best shown in Figs. '4 'and 5, are threaded for purposes of adjustmentaxially'to compensate for possible variations in the dimension between opposite guide tracks relative to the width of the vfbed. The axles 57 are each supported in spaced depending flanges integral with the respective brackets 54, and the axial adjustment is made -by means of 'nuts 58 disposed in opposing relation at Vopposite sides of .the :innermost of the vdepending flanges and 'threaded on theiaxle so that by adjusting the position of 4these nuts-on the threaded :portion of the axle, the respective rollers 53 may -be propelled or retracted to deter :mine their spacing inaccordance with the dimension bc- 'tween therguide-tracks. T he axlesareeach lprovided with a hexagonal lhead59 'milar to the nuts 55 to facilitate adjustment. By means of these adjustments, the guide .rollersimay be so ydisposed in relation to the guide tracks as toprevent any lateral-motion of the bed duringnormal operation between the upper retracted position and the lower operative position.

In 'the operative position, the upper bed is supported 'at all four corners in a'manner to provide a stable base for the bedding and similarly is retained at all four corners in theretracted position. At the end of the bed adjacent partition 16 -it is supported upon the brackets 56 in the operativeposition, but at the opposite end thc bed is supported Vin a bracketft) mounted on the side wail 11 and by means of 'a strut member 63 at the side facing vthe room. The bed -is provided on its underside with a laterally projecting bracket-including a depending stud 6i. yadapted to enter an opening 62 provided therefor in the supporting vbracket i -as the `bed is lowered 'whereby to Aafford an interengaging connection serving the twofold function ofpositively-preventinglateral movement of this vend of the-bed while ofierng'a solid support against down- 'ward deflection. The strut=63falso serves a. twofold purpose in that it prevents upward movements of this end'of theibedfinaddition to offering a positive support for this side of the lbed where entry -is made by the passenger. lThe strut is pivotally mounted on the side wall of the bed for folding across the bedding when the bed is retracted, butin the operativepositionis disposed upright and is f'detachably Asecured to a fastening member oli on the ccii- 4ing 50 by means ofa releasablelatch member whereby to 4Vact fas a strut infpreventing any vertical displacement -ofthe-bed.

The strut 63 acts as a holddown at that end of the bed, but at the end'in the recess 22 the bed is held down by a releasable spring-pressed catch t66 engageable automatically into-a detent 67 -inithe adjacent side wall of the bed las the bed'reachesitsfinal operativeposition, thereby to `lock this end of the bedfagainst upward movement. The 'catch l"66 is'mounted infthe side'walll24 of'tlte'bed recess and is unique in thatit isde'signed toavoidinterference wi'tlrtheoperation of thelower bed-18 while being adapted 'to automatic engagement with the upper bed. The catch is provided with a tapering surfaceforwardly (see Fig. 7) toprovide for its automatic retraction by the lower bed -as thatbed is folded into thebed recess, pressing the catch out of thepath of movement as the side wall of the bed engages vthe sloping surface. An upwardly receding snrface on the catch (see Fig. 5 provides for its being pressed iout-of-th'erpathof thelowerzedgefof theiupper bed as it is'loweredpastthe catchywhich then springs into the dein the bed recess and similar stops 75 tent 67, with its lowermost surface acting as a positive shoulder to lock the bed in operative position.

The bed 17 is secured adjacent all four corners in the upper retracted position by means of releasable catches which are automatically engaged when the bed is raised. At the bed recess 22, spring-pressed catches 72 and 73 are mounted respectively in the side walls 24 and 23 of the recess in position to lock the bed invits uppermost position. The catch 72 is adapted to enter the same detent 67 as engaged by the lower catch 66, the detent being provided with upper and lower shoulders for engagement by the respective catches, and the catch 73 at the opporigdly supported against any possibility of rattles or vibration in its uppermost position against the limit stops 55 at the opposite end of the bed.

The locking catches are all spring-pressed for automatic actuanon as the bed is raised directly actuating the push rods comprises a pair of bellcranks 79 and 80 pivotally mounted in the bed adjacent respectively opposite ends and to which the rods are operatively connected, and each of the bellcranks operates a pair of push rods at respective ends of the bed. The bellcrank 79 at the end of the bed in the recess 22 operates the push rods 81 and 82 in directly opposite directions transversely of the bed to release the catches 72 and 73 in the side walls 24 and 23 of the bed recess, while the bellcrank 80 at the opposite end of the bed operates the push rod 83 in a direction transversely of the bed at the same time it operates from the underside of the bed by means of a porters berth key.

As best shown in Fig. 3,.it will readily be seen that acuation of the lever member 78 will cause the bellcranks 79 and 80 catches out of engagement with the associated detents on the bed to permit withdrawal of the bed from the ceiling recess 42. Similarly, actuation of the mechanism by means of the berth key in the operative position of the bed will cause the push rod 81 to press. the catch 66 from engagement with the detent 67 whenit is desired to restore the bed to its upper retracted position, it being understood that the strut member 63 must first be released from the ceiling catch 64 and folded across the bed before the bed can be raised. Thus, the same mechanism is used to release the bed locking means 1n either the operative or inoperative positions.

The vertical movements of the bed 17 are fully counterbalanced for easy operation by means of mechanism disposed above the ceiling 46, extending lengthwise and operatively connected with all four corners of the bed. The counterbalancing arrangement is shown generally in Figs.`

. 5, 6 and 7, but the structural details of the counterbalance mechanism are best shown in Fig. 9 and in Fig. 10. The counterbalancing power in the mechanism is developed by a pair of torsional springs which are adjustably anchored respectively to a pair of central supporting brackets 91 at one end, and operatively connected at their opposite ends to a winding shaft 92. This winding shaft is comprised of two sections extending through the respective spring assemblies and joined at the center by means of a exible coupling 93 and operating electively as one shaft in the transmission of counterbalancing forces. The winding shaft and all of the associated counterbalancing mechanism parts are carried in the central supporting brackets 91 and in end supporting brackets 94 at respectively opposite ends of the shaft. The brackets 91 and 94 are bolted to an inverted flanged channel member 95 substantially coextensive with the counterbalance assembly and to which the assembly may be preassembled for attachment to the car as a unit. The whole assembled unit is secured to the roof structure 14 through the medium of a longitudinally extending channel member 96 (best shown in Fig. 10), the downwardly presented web of which afords a pad or plate-like surface for the ready attachment of the assembly supporting channel 95 by means of machine bolts or other suitable fastening means.

The shaft 92 is supported in the end brackets 94 in antifriction bearings 97 (see Fig. 9) and similar antifriction bearings support the shaft in spring anchor members 98 carried by the central brackets 91. The spring anchor portion 99 and a spring-pressed pawl 100 pivotally mounted upon the bracket 91 (see Fig. l0) whereby any adjustment of the spring tension desired may be had merely by Winding the anchor member, and which will be maintained by the automatic engagement of the pawl with the ratchet. A removable locking ring 101 secures the anchor 102, and the opposite or outer ends of the respective springs are anchored to collar members 103, as at 104, and these collar members are keyed to the shaft 92, as at pawl for clockwise rotation to reduce the tension, it being understood that ordinarily it will only be necessary to adjust the spring tension at the initial installation, which adjustment will be tained by the ratchet mechanism.

operation and acts to deaden any it is wound up or released by lowering and raising movements of the bed.

The shaft 92 at opposite ends extends beyond the end supporting bearings 9'7 and is provided at each end with a multigrooved pulley 107 keyed to the shaft for rotation therewith and removably secured on the shaft by means of a nut and suitable lockwasher. The respective pulleys are disposed closely adjacent the partitions 16 and 45 in substantially vertical alignment with the opposite ends of the bed 17. Flexible cables 108 and 109 respective grooves of each pulley, and the cables 108 pass directly from the pulleys downwardly for connection with the ends of the bed at side where they are xedly secured by means of clamping brackets 110, while the cables 109 pass under the -rality of -pulleys and -e-xtend horizontally to points inear 4the side of the fbed adjacent the rcar side Xwall 'll'where they pass 'over idler pulleys lll -rnountedion the partitions 16 and '45, thence downwardly ttor-connection with the ends of the bed where they -are ixedly secured by means lof `clamping cbrackets M2. Thus Iall four corners of the bed 'are yconnected with the eounterbalaneing 'mechani sm in a manner whereby equal force is applied tto-cach of the four points. rl-hehorizontalportion-ofthe cable 109 isenclosed `iria'removable housing 113. By the 'arrangc- 'ment of the cable connections'betvt'een the four corners of the :bed and 7the pulleys lil? -as'snowm downward movement ofthe bed 17 Will'cause contraclocliwise rotation of the pulleys, thus building up the force stored in the springs fitlwvhich whereby the springsfeffectively counteibalance the weight of the*bed Vduringboth movements.

From-the foregoing, itwill 1be'seen that there has'bcen provided a bed arrangement including a pre-made endwise :foldablelower Ibed and a-prernade upper bed disposed horizontally which is operable in a straight vertical 'path `in the iplan projection yof ythe lower bed counterbalancedby longitudinallyextending but transversclyop- -erating torsional spring'mechanism operatively connected with the four corners of the bed.

`'What isclaimcd is:

l. yA lrailwaysleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality Vof -walls defining a passenger room, including a 'first -pairof opposite lwalls establishing aiirst dimension of the Vroom and a second pair of opposite ywalls establishing ay second dimension of the room, a lower bed having alength substantially-equal to said first dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthwise along said first dimension with its plan projection extending substantially fully along said first dimension and partially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its operative position level and within said plan'projection, an upper bed of substantially thesame size as the lower bed movable from `an operative 'position occupying the plan projection 'of 'the lower bed on a horizontal plane above the operative position level and below `the inoperativeposition'level ofthe lower bed to an inoperative position'on a horizontal planeadjaccnt said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, positioning means maintaining'theupper bed against horizontal displacement and constraining it tornove in a substantially `accurately Avertical path during movement between its operative and-inoperative positions' whereby the upper bed remains at 'all vvtimes within vthe plan projection of `the Vlower 'bed in operative position, and mechanism operatively connectedwith the upper hed for counterbalancing it kin `its 'movement between operative :and inoperative positions.

2. 'A railway sleeping car'having a ceiling and a plu- 'Walls defining a'passenger room, including a vfirst'pair of opposite walls establishing afirst dimension ofthe room and a second pair of opposite walls establishin'g a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having alength substantially equal to said first dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthwise along said'fn'st dimension with its plan projection extending substantially fully along said first dimension and partially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its operative position level and within said plan projection, an upper bed of substantially'the same size as the lower bed `movablefrom an operative position occupying the Vplan projection ofthe lower bed on a horizontal plane above the yoperative position level and below the inoperative position level of the lower'bed to an inoperative position on a horizontalplane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, positioning means maintaining the vupperbedagainst horizontal displacementand constraining it to move in a substantially is released when the bed is again raised,

disposition .thereof during :tween operative and vinoperative .'positions.

Vfirst pair of opposite walls-establishingza lof vthe room tand aLsecondfpair of .opposite'walls estab- -1ishing a second Vabove the operative yposition level -tive position ylevel and accurately vertical path idurng movement `fbetween :its

operative and inoperative:positions-whereby the upperrbed remains 4at .all 'times within `the 4plan projection of the lower bed in yoperative lposition, and '.counterbalancing mechanism abovezsaid'ceilingof alcngth substantially coincident with the 1length of the upper bed operatively suspending said bed at .all four corners `for horizontal said vertical ymovement be- 3. A railwayvsleeping carJhaVing .a ceiling and aplurality of walls defining .a passenger room, including a first dimension [dimension of the room, a lower bed havinga lengthfsubstantially equal to saidffirsttdimension extending in 'operative position horizontally ylengthwise along Asaid first dimension ,with its lplan projection extending'substantiallyfully along said first dimensionvand ,partially across said secondfdimension and movable vto an inoperative 'position Vprojecting to a level .-above ;its

operative position ylevel -and .within said plan projection, an upper bed of substantially the same size as :the Vlower bed movable from an ,operative yposition occupyingithe plan projection 'of the `lower tbed on ahorizontalplane and below ythe inoperative position level of the lower bed to an inoperative position 0n=a21horizontal plane adjacent said ceiling above Asaid y.lower :bed :inoperative position level, positioning :means maintaining :the upper bed 'placement and constraining accurately vertical ,path during movement between its operative and inoperative positions whereby thefupper'bed against horizontal disit to move ina substantially remains at 'all vtimes within the plan projection of lthe rlower'bed in operativefposition, releasablelocking mem- .bers engageable with the Upper bed `adjacent all -four cornersin-itsinoperative position and releasable locking Vmembers engageable with two of said corners in therop- .erativefposition of'said bed, releasing mechanism mounted in /said upper bed including push rods operable simultaneously v,to retract said first-named locking members in the-inoperative position and to retract the second-named locking members in the operative position, Vand '.counterbalancing mechanism operatively suspending 4said upper -vbed at :all `four 4corners V.position thereof duringsaid'vertical movement between for horizontal disoperativetand inoperative positions.

4. YA railway-sleeping carhaving a ceiling and afpluralityof -wallsidefining a;passengerroom, including a first .pair of oppositewalls establishing a first dimension of the .room and'a-second-pairof :opposite wallsestablishing a .second dimension :of :the room,

a lower bed having a length substantially equal to 1 said 'first i dimension yextendiing in operative =position.horizontally lengthwise along said first dimension with its plan projection extending substantially Y,fully along :said ,'first dimension Land partially .across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative-positionprojecting toalevel above its opera- `within said plan projection, an upper bedof substantiallyithezsame size as the lower bed rmovablefrom an'operativezposition occupying the plan `iprojectionof l1the2lower-bed onza horizontal plane above the .operative position `level Vpositionlevel of the-lowerbedto anis-operative position and below the vinoperative on a :horizontaljplane adjacent said Lceiling :above said lower bed tinoperative ;position level, positioning vmeans maintaining the upper bed against horizontal vdisplacement and constraining it ;to move Vin a substantially accurately vertical path vduring movement between -its operative and inoperative .positions whereby the -upper bed remains at all times within the plan projection of the lower bed in operative position, said fpositioning means .including vertical .guide tracks `mounted adjacent said plan,projectior1,guiderollersimonnted on lsaid' upper bed and-Operativelvengaged in said tracks for -vertical 75 reciprocatiom ,andi counterbalancing mechanism mounted in the car above sad ceiling of a length substantially coincident with the length of the upper bed operatively suspending said bed at all four corners for horizontal disposition thereof during said vertical movement between operative and inoperative positions.

5. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality of walls defining a passenger room, including a first pair of opposite walls establishing a first dimension of the room and a second pair of opposite walls establishing a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having a length substantially equal to said first dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthwise along said first dimension with its plan projection extending substantially fully along said first dimension and partially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its operative position level and within said plan projection, an upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed movable from an operative position occupying the plan projection of the lower bed on a horizontal plane above the operative position level and below the inoperative position level of the lower bed to an inoperative position on a horizontal plane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, positioning means maintaining the upper bed against horizontal displacement and constraining it to move in a substantially accurately vertical path during movement between its operative and inoperative positions whereby the upper bed remains at all times within the plan projection of the lower bed in operative position, and counterbalancing mechanism operatively suspending the upper bed adjacent all four corners for horizontal disposition thereof during said vertical movement between operative and inoperative positions, said counterbalancing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft of substantially the length of the upper bed operatively mounted in the car above said ceiling and disposed parallel to the length of said bed, a dual pulley mounted on each end of said shaft, individual cables connecting opposite corners of the bed with the pulleys at respective ends of the bed, a torsional spring operatively connected at one end to said shaft and anchored independently of the shaft at its other end, and clutch mechanism operative at said anchored end of the spring to provide for adjustment of spring tension but prevent retrograde movement of the spring.

6. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality of Walls defining a passenger room, including a first pair of opposite walls establishing a first dimension of the room and a second pair of opposite walls establishing a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having a length substantially equal to said first dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthwise along said first dimension with its plan projection extending substantially fully along said first dimension and partially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its operative position level and within said plan projection, an upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed movable from an operative position occupying the plan projection of the lower bed on a horizontal plane above the operative position level and below the inoperative position level of the lower bed to an inoperative position on a horizontal plane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, `positioning means maintaining the upper bed against horizontal displacement and constraining it to move in a substantially accurately vertical path during movement between its operative and inoperative positions whereby the upper bed remains at all times within the plan projection of the lower bed in operative position, and counterbalancing mechanism operatively suspending the upper bed adjacent all four corners, said counterbalancing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft operatively mounted inthe car above said ceiling and disposed parallel to the length of said bed, a dual pulley mounted on each end of said shaft, a pair of cables connecting opposite corners of the bed with the" pulleys at respective ends of the bed, a pair of torsional springs surrounding said shaft operatively connected at their respective outer ends to the shaft and anchored independently of the shaft at their inner ends, clutch mechanism operative at said anchored ends of the springs to provide for adjustment of spring tension but prevent retrograde movement of the springs, and mounting brackets rotatably supporting said shaft in bearings adjacent opposite ends and the center thereof, said clutch mechanism being mounted on certain adjacent the center of the shaft.

7. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality of walls defining a passenger room, including a first pair of opposite walls establishing a first dimension extending substantially fully along said first dimension and partially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its operative position level and within said plan projection, an upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed movable from an operative position occupying the accurately vertical path during movement between its operative and inoperative positions whereby the upper said vertical movement between operative and inoperative positions, said counterbalancing mechanism including a rotatable operating shaft of substantially of the upper bed operatively mounted in the said bed, the bed with said shaft at respective ends and a torsional spring operatively connected at one end to said shaft and anchored independently of the shaft at its other end.

8. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality of walls defining a passenger room, including a first pair of opposite walls establishing a first dimension of the room and a second pair of opposite walls establishing a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having a length substantially equal to said first dimension extending in alon ing substantially fully along said first dimension and partially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its operative position level and within said plan projection,

of the bed,

-an upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed movable from an operative position occupying the plan projection of the lower bed on a horizontal plane above the operative position level and below the inoperative position level of the lower bed to an inoperative position on a horizontal plane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, positioning bed against horizontal displacement and constraining it to move in a substantially accurately vertical path during movement between its operative and inoperative positions whereby the upper bed remains at all times within the plan projection of the lower bed in operative position, and counterbalancing mechanism operatively suspending the upper bed ad- 'J1 jacent '.allsfour corners :for :horizontal disposition thereof .during said ,vertical .movement .between operative .rand inoperative positions, Vsaid counterbalancing .mechanism inclu'ding a rotatable operating'shaft-of substantiallythe rlength of the upperbed operatively mounted;inthefcar 9. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling land a plu- -rality .of walls dening 1a passenger room, including a =iirst`pair of opposite walls establishing a irst dimension of the room and ,a second pairof opposite walls estab- -llshing'a second dimension of the room, a lower bed fhaving a length substantially equal pto said iirst dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthvwise 4along saidrst dimension with its plan projection extending .substantially fully along said first dimension .andpartially across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to a level above its V (operative position level andwithinsaid plan projection, an upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed movable from an operative position occupying the ;plan projection of the lower bed on a horizontal plane above the operative ,position level and below the inoperative position level of the lower bed to an inoperative position on a horizontal plane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, positioning vmeans maintaining the upper bed against horizontal displacement accurately vertical path operative and inoperative during movement between its positions whereby the lupper .bed remains at all times within the plan projection of Vthe lower bed in operative position, and counter-balancing mechanism including a rotatable operating shaft of substantially the length of the upper bed operatively .mounted in the car above the lower bed inoperative po- .sitionleveh said shaft having pairs of cables at the respective ends thereof operatively connected with opposite corners of the upper bed and spring means associated with the shaft cnshioningly supporting the bed.

10. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a .plurality of walls dening a passenger room, including a first pair of opposite walls establishing a rst dimension of the room and a second pair of opposite walls establishing a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having a length substantially equal to said first dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthwise along said rst dimension with its plan projection extending substantially fully along said across said second dimension and movable to an inoperative position projecting to alevel above its operative position level and within said plan projection, an upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed movable from an operative position occupying the plan projection of the lower bed on a horizontal plane above the operative position level and below the inoperative position nlevel of the lower bed to an inoperative position on a .horizontal plane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inoperative position level, positioning means maintaining the upper bed against horizontal displacement and constraining it to move in a substantially accurately vertical path during movement between its operative and inoperative positions whereby the upper bed remains-at all times within the plan projection of the lower bedin operative position, counterbalancing mechanism above said ceiling of-a length .substantially coincident with the Vlength of the upper bed Yoperatively suspending said bed at all. four` corners .for horizontal disposition; thereof `during said vertical: movement between :operative and inoperative and constraining it to move in a substantially f first dimension 'and partially l lwithin thepl'an projection of tpositionsnd means toholddownlthe upper bed in oper- '-'ative;p.osition :against the actionfof the counterbalancing imechanism cornprisingta'detent in .said bed and a catch mounted at theilevehof.theoperativepositionof the upper bed adjacent saidfplan projection and resiliently urged -to extend thereinto for engagement-in saiddetent, said catchbeing located inthepathot movement of the lower rbed to. inoperativei'position .and having a cam surface en- -gageable1bythelower'bed upon movement thereof to in- .:operative position'for'iretraction out of saidplan projecftiorrto avoid interference with the lower bed.

l1. A railway sleeping carl having a ceiling and a plural- -ityofwallstdefiningapassenger room, including a rst :pair .ofopposite wallsestablishinga first dimension of the :room and-.asecond pair ofiopposite walls establishing a ysecond .dimension of the room, alower bed havinga length substantiallyiequalto said lirst 'dimension extending .inoperativezposition;horizontally lengthwise along said :rst dimension'withits plamprojection extending substan- 4tially vfully alongsaid rst dimension and partially across -said second .dimension `and movable to .an inoperative :position projecting'to 'a level above its operative position .level and within said .planrprojectiom an upper bed of `substantially .the same size as-the lower bed movable Homan-.operativeI position occupying the planprojection `ofthe lower bedtonahorizontal plane above the operative position level' and below the inoperative position level of the lower bedtoxan inoperative position on a horizontal :plane adjacent said ceiling above said lower bed inopera- VAtive position level, :positioning means maintaining the upperibed against horizontal displacement and constraining it toimove'ma-substantially. accurately vertical path. vduringmovementbetween its operative and inoperative -positions'whereby the vupper bed remains at all times the lower bed in operative iposition, ,and counterbalancing mechanism above said ceiling .of a length @substantially corresponding to thc length of thelupper bedroperativclyvsuspending said bed :at all four corners for horizontal disposition thereof during said'vertical movement between operative and in- ;operative positions.

l2. A railway l.sleeping ycar having a ceiling and a pluralityyof wallsdeninga sleeping room, including a -lirst'pairof'opposite walls establishinglaviirst dimension of the room and:secondfpairofopposite walls establish- -ing a second dimension `of the-room, a recess having a horizontalportion in'the ceiling and a vertical portion at one of saidrst pair of walls, a lower bed having a length substantiallyfequalzof said first dimension extending in operative position horizontally lengthwise from said verticalzreccssportion substantially fully along said iirst 7dimension zwith its .plan projection extending partially :across :said f second ldimensioni-and movable to an inop- .erativegpositionfin said vertical recessportion projecting 4to-azlevelabovetits foperativeLposition level and within said '..plan'projcction,anupper bed of substantially the same size aszthelower bed;movable from anoperative position -occupying said :plan projection on a horizontal plane above the operativepositionlevel and below the horizontal recess portion and'said inoperative position level of -theflower bedvtoan inoperative position on a horizontal 1plane inzsaid .horizontal recess portion above said lower ibed inoperative positionlevel, track means in said verticalirecessportion:extendingibetween the Yupper bed operative V.and inoperative position levels for guiding the .upper bed inits movement .between said positions, roller imeans,mounting-*therupper'bed on said traclt means for fmovementitherealong,.rneans formait-training the upper abcd. in horizontalposition duringzsaid movement between aoperativezand finoperative :positions whereby the upper ibed remains:irrhorizontalposition at all times, and mecha- ;,nismfor counterbalancingtthe.upper bed in its movement betweenloperativefand (inoperative positions operatively yconnected tottheupper'ibed byl said maintaining means.

i3. A railway sleeping-car having a ceiling and aplorality of walls deiining a sleeping room, including a pair of opposite walls establishing a first dimension of the room and another pair of opposite walls establishing a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having a sition level, track means extending between the upper bed operative and inoperative position levels for guiding the upper bed in its movement between operative and inoperative positions, roller means on the upper bed engaging said track means for movement of the bed therealong, and mechanism operatively connected with the upper bed for movement whereby the upper bed remains in horizontal position at all times.

14. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality of walls defining a sleeping room, including a pair of opposite walls establishing a first dimension of the room and another pair of opposite walls establishing a second dimension of the room, a lower bed having a length substantially equal to said rst dimension extendan upper bed of substantially the same size as the lower bed extending n operative position on a horizontal plane above the operative position level and below the for guiding the upper bed in Vits movement between operative and inoperative positions, means on the upper bed guide means for movement of the bed mechanism for counterbalancing the upper and inoperative therealong, bed in its nism to the upper bed.

l5. A railway sleeping car having a ceiling and a plurality of walls defining a sleeping room, including a i'irst pair of opposite walls establishing a iirst dimension of References Cited inthe lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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