Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 15th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 18th Jan., 1887.
I ROBERT JOHN PORTEUS of 3 Poplar Crescent Gateshead in the county of Durham
Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The desk consists of two or more standards constructed of metal or other suitable
material with desk top made of wood:
In the accompanying drawings identical parts are identically marked with the same
letters.
To the underneath surface of the desk top I secure two or more picces or flaps of
metal or other suitable material as shewn at "a" "b" and "c" in the accompanying
drawings.
.
These flaps are so fitted to the standard that a bolt passing through the hole "d" can
also enter the irregular shaped slot J K L M of the upper portion of the standard
giving to the flap and desk top such movement as is hereinafter described.
Upon the face of the flap I make a strong wedge E.
The upper edges of the standards are shaped as shewn at F G H I but the position
of the notches and the shape of the curve of such upper edge may vary with the
purpose for which the desk is required.
The uses claimed for my Invention are as follows
(1) Its use as an ordinary sloping School desk.
(2) Its use as a table with flat top.
(3) Its use when the desk top is converted into a back to a neighbouring indepe-
lent seat or form in front.
(4) Its use when the desk top is converted into a back to the seat or form in the
rear.
These results are secured by the different positions of the wedge E in the notches
F G H I and the different positions of the pin P in the slots J K L M.
When by the movement of the desk top and flaps the wedge E and the pin P are
placed in such positions respectively that the flat top can be utilized in the way
desired the pin can be tightened by being screwed into the flap, and so assist the
wedge in making the entire apparatus firm and rigid until such time as a fresh

page_text: position of the flat top is required when the pin can be slacked out and the required
altered position obtained.
Fig. I. shews the position of the wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a
desk.
Fig. II. is a section of standard and flap.
Fig. 3. is a detailed drawing of the flap.
Fig. 4. shews the position of wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a Table.
Fig. 5. shews the position of wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a back
to a seat placed in rear of the desk.
Fig. 6. shews the position of wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a back to
a seat placed in front of the desk.

page_text: I ROBERT JOHN PORTEUS of 3 Poplar Crescent, Gateshead in the County of
Durham Agent 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 :-
The desk consists of two or more standards constructed of metal or other suitable
material with desk top made of wood. In the accompanying drawings identical parts
are identically marked with the same letters.
To the underneath surface of the Desk top I secure two or more pieces or flaps of
inetal or other suitable material such flaps being lettered "a" "b" and "c" in the
accompanying drawings. These flaps are so secured to the desk top as to be con-
veniently fitted to standards and the method by which the flap is so fitted to the
standard as will be seen in the accompanying drawings is as follows:-
In the upper portion of the standard I make the slot J K L M.
In the slot I place the bolt P which passing through the standard is screwed into
the flap A. B. C.
Upon the face of the flap I make a strong wedge E.
The upper edges of the Standards are shaped as shewn at F. G. H. I. but the
position of the notges G H the ledges F. I. and shape of the curve of such upper edge
may vary with the purpose for which the desk is required.
The uses claimed for my Invention are as follows:
1.) Its use as an ordinary sloping School desk.
2.) Its use as a table with flat top.
3.) Its use when the desk top is converted into a back to a neighbouring inde-
pendent seat or form in front.
4.) Its use when the desk top is converted into a back to the seat or form in the
rear.
These results are secured by the different positions of the wedge E in the slots G. H
and on the ledges F. I. and the different positions of the pin P in the slots J. K. L. M.
When by the movement of the desk top and flaps the wedge E and the pin P are
placed in such positions respectively that the flat top can be utilized in the way desired
the pin can be tightened by being screwed into the flap, and so assist the wedge in
making the entire apparatus firm and rigid until such time as a fresh position of the
flat top is required, when the pin can be slackened out and the required altered position
obtained.
To further secure this stability of the top I make the notches G and H slightly
deeper than the length of the wedge so that the bottom of the wedge never rests on the
bottom of the notch. For the same purpose the slot J. K. L. M. is so made that the
bolt P. never rests on the bottom of the slots J and M.
Fig. I. shews the position of the wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a
desk.
Fig. II. is a section of Standard and flap.

page_text: Fig. III. is a detailed drawing of the flap.
Fig. IV. shews the position of the wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a
table.
Fig. V. shews the position of the wedge and pin when the invention is used as a
back to a seat placed in the rear of the desk.
Fig. VI. shews the position of the wedge and pin when the Invention is used as a
back to a seat placed in front of the desk.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
(1.) The adaptation of a School desk to the various purposes herein before described
by the use of a slot in the standard and of a pin working easily therein as herinbefore
described.
(2.) The adaptation of a School desk to the various purposes hereinbefore described
by the use of a wedge with suitable notches and ledges so that the desk top is fixed
firmly by its own weight in the various required positions.
(3.) Such variations of the position of the said slots pins notches and ledges as may
be necessary for the application of my said Invention to any specific purpose.
HARE & Co.,
Agents to the said Applicant.