An Improved Desk.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Desk.
1, LOUIS ATZERT, of Cassel, Germany, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a desk fitted with lever arms, and supports in such a
manner as to serve a variety of purposes viz. :-A writing or reading desk as well
as a music stand and painters easel. It also makes a capital table for invalids while in
bed. A rectangular wooden pannel forms the desk proper, at the back of which is
fixed two wooden racks. At the base of the desk is hinged a light wood frame,
carrying upon its outside faces on each side, two lever arms connected to each other
respectively by transverse rods. These arms are of different length viz. two short
arms, and two long arms, the latter be slotted to receive a projection from the short
arms which projection is cut with a screw upon it and fitted with a butterfly nut.
Upon the inside edges of the wooden frame afore mentioned is pivoted a light rod
bent in a rectangular form and capable of folding within the said wooden frame. The
lever arms before referred to, also fold up so as to lie flat within the thickness of
the desk, so that no projections are made when the desk is folded up. When the
desk is simply required to form a slope upon the table, the wooden frame lies upon
the table, and the desk is supported by the bent rod fitted in to the rack at the back
of the said desk. When it is required to raise the desk altogether from the table
or bed, then the parts which rest upon the said table or bed are the wooden frame
and the long-armed lever; the short arm supports the said frame, while the light
bent rod supports the desk.
As my improvements are capable of some modification without departing from
the principle thereof, I do not restrict myself to materials, dimensions, or to the
precise form or placement of the several parts thereof.
Dated this 94th day of June 1890.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Desk.
I, LOUIS ATZERT, of Cassel, Germany, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of a desk fitted with lever arms and supports in such a
manner as to serve a variety of purposes, it may be used for instance as a writing
or reading desk or as a music stand &c. It may also be converted into a table for
invalids when in bed.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a rectangular wooden pannel which
forms the desk proper and at the back of which are fixed two wooden racks. At
the base of the desk is hinged a light wooden frame, carrying upon each outer side
two lever arms connected to each other respectively by transverse rods.
These four arms are of different length and comprise two short, and two long arms,
the latter being slotted to receive a screw threaded projection from the short arms,
which projection is furnished with a fly nut.
Upon the inside edges of the wooden frame above mentioned is pivotted a light
rod bent at right angles, and capable of being folded within the said frame. The

page_text: lever arms before referred to can also be folded so as to lie flat within the thickness
of the desk. When the desk is simply required to be arranged in a slanting
position upon a table, the wooden frame rests upon the table and the desk is
supported by. the bent rod fitted in to the rack at the back of the said desk.
When the desk is extended in a raised position above a table or bed, the parts
which rest upon the said table or bed are the wooden frame and the long armed
lever, the short arm supporting the frame while the light bent rod supports
the desk.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I will describe the
same with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
the
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my improved desks and
Fig. 2 is a front view thereof.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are views showing different positions of the desk according to
purpose for which it is required and
Fig. 6 is a detail.
a represents the wooden panel or desk proper to the back of which are fixed two
wooden racks bone on each side. e is a light frame preferably of wood hinged
at c¹ to the base or front part of the desk. This frame carries upon each outer
side two lever arms de preferably of metal connected to each other respectively by
two rods d¹, e'. The arms d are shorter than the arms e and the latter are each
provided with a slot through which passes a screw threaded projection g of the
short arms d. These projections are each provided with a fly nut h for fixing the
arms at any required angle. i is a light rod pivoted at to the inside of
the frame c and bent at right angles as shewn in dotted lines Fig. 2. The horizontal
and free part of this rod enters one of the notches in the racks b, b, and supports
the desk at any required angle.
To prevent the desk from shifting when in use the rod e¹ may be provided with
two hooks k, one of which is shewn in Fig. 5 which are capable of being clamped
to the edge of the table or other support upon which the desk rests. A ledge or
support a¹ is fitted removably in a grove formed in the front edge of the desk a.
I is a wooden block provided with a spring clip m for securing it to the desk a and
which may be used for the purpose of carrying an ink bottle n.
I may likewise
provide my improved desk with a socket or universal joint to support a reading
lamp.
The metal arms e are furnished with leather discs o by means of which they bear
upon the table, these discs being provided in order to avoid the latter being
scratched.
Figs. 1 and 2 and Fig. 5 illustrate respectively a desk in position for reading or
writing in an erect and in a seated posture, while Figs. 3 and 4 show the same
converted into a music stand or easel and an invalid's table for use by bedridden
'patients..
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
The improved universal desk arranged, constructed, and operating substantially
as, and for the purpose described
Dated this 24th day of March 1891.
is 24th day of March 1891.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.