AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF COMBINED WRITING TABLE AND SECRETAIRE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Holroyd Smith, Wire Manufacturer, and John
Taylor Simpson, Cabinet Maker, both of Halifax, in the County of York,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF COMBINED WRITING
TABLE AND SECRETAIRE.”
Sealed the 24th November 1876 in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor,
t
Sealed the 24th November 1876 in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor,
and dated the 6th May 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Holroyd Smith and
John Taylor Simpson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
6th May 1876.
MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, Wire Manufacturer, and JOHN TAYLOR SIMPSON,
Cabinet Maker, both of Halifax, in the County of York. "AN IMPROVED CON-
STRUCTION OF COMBINED WRITING TABLE AND SECRETAIRE."
Writing desks or secretaires of the class to which this Invention relate consisted
as heretofore made of one main part and three or more folding parts, one of such
parts being a folding table; the remaining two folding parts are provided with
compartments and act as doors for closing upon the first or main part, and which is
the principal receptacle for papers or books. Desks or secretaires so constructed
are very costly, and the object of this Invention is to construct a desk and folding
secretaire of more simple arrangement and at a greatly reduced cost.
Wo provide an ordinary writing table supported by a narrow central stem or
web which connects the table and feet thereof. We hinge or pivot to the table and
to the feet two wings provided with receptacles for papers and books. When the
desk is not in use the wings are closed under the writing table and upon the feet
or support, the whole forming a rectangular figure. When the desk is in use the
wings are opened, affording space for the feet of the user, and the compartments
formed in the interior of the wings are within reach, one wing on the right hand
the other on the left hand, whilst the top surfaces of the wings afford additional
table surface for letters written or papers being referred to.

page_text: Figure 1 is a front elevation of writing table; Figuro 2 is an end elevation;
Figure 3 is a front elevation of one of the "wings" detached; Figure 4 is a plan of
table, partly in section, shewing method of hinging the wings; Figuro 5 is an
obliquo view of complete desk "open"; Figure 6 is a liko viow of complete desk
when "closed."
At A (Sheet 1) is an ordinary writing table; the top may be raised to any angle of
inclination, as shewn by dotted lines; the table is supported by the central stem or
web B (and back board B¹), which also connect the table A and the feet C; D, D,
aro the wings or secretaire provided with receptacles for books, and are hinged or
pivoted to the table A and feet C by means of pivot hinges d, d, (see also
Sheet 2,) on which the said wings are free to move on the arc of a circle.
When the desk or secretaire is to be used the wings D, D, are opened, sco
Figures 4 and 5, affording space for the feet of the user or writer. The compart-
ments and drawers 7, 8, 9, 10, are within reach, one wing on the right hand the
other on the left hand, whilst the top surfaces 11, 12, afford additional table surface
for letters written, or for papers or books being referred to or in use. When the
desk and secretaire is not in use the wings D, D, fold under the table A, occupying
and wholly closing the "knco hole" or space F, as shewn by Figure 6.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this our said Invention,
together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, we would havo it understood that wo lay no claim to
any of the parts when considered separately, nor do we claim generally hinged and
folding wings having compartments or drawers for storage of papers and books;

page_text: but what we do claim is, the writing table and folding wings (or secretaire) when
combined and arranged in the manner herein described and shown by Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Michael Holroyd Smith and John Taylor
Simpson, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fourth, day of
November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
said Michael Holroyd Smith and
John Taylor Simpson, in the
presence of
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Patent Agent,
Halifax & Blackburn.
M. HOLROYD SMITH. (L.S.).
J.T. SIMPSON.
(LS.)