IMPROVEMENTS IN ADJUSTABLE COVERS FOR VEHICLES AND BOATS AND FOR CERTAIN ARTICLES OF FURNITURE AND DOMESTIC USE, COUNTERS AND SHOP FITTINGS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO COVERINGS FOR AWNINGS, TENTS, AND SHEDS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES, AND TO CURTAIN SHADES AND SCREENS."
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Slater, of Upper Holloway, in the County
of Middlesex, Cabinet Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ADJUSTABLE COVERS FOR VEHICLES AND BOATS AND FOR CERTAIN ARTICLES
OF FURNITURE AND DOMESTIC USE, COUNTERS AND SHOP FITTINGS, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO COVERINGS FOR AWNINGS, TENTS,
AND SHEDS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES, AND TO CURTAIN SHADES AND SCREENS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Slater at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th September 1875.
I, DANIEL SLATER, of Upper Holloway, in the County of Middlesex,
Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ADJUSTABLE COVERS FOR VEHICLES AND BOATS AND FOR
CERTAIN ARTICLES OF FURNITURE AND DOMESTIC USE, COUNTERS AND SHOP FITTINGS,
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO COVERINGS FOR AWNINGS,
TENTS, AND SHEDS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES, AND TO CURTAINS, SHADES, AND
SCREENS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrange-

page_text: ments of adjustable covers for railway trucks, carriages, carts, and wagons
for common roads, tramway cars, omnibusses, and other similar vehicles;
also for boats and for covering corn and hayricks, and for forming
awnings and tents; also sheds for various purposes; also to coverings
for counters and shop fittings, articles of furniture, and of domestic uso,
such as work and writing tables or desks, sewing machines, knitting
machines, ladies' fret cutting saws, coal hods, meat and vegetable dishes,
and is also partly applicable to the mounting or suspending and
manevring of curtains, sunshades, and screens.
One part of my Invention consists of certain peculiar arrangements of
revolving tilt-shaped covers composed either of textile fabric water-
proofed or otherwise, sheet india-rubber, or of wood or metal slats
hinged together, or other suitable flexible material capable of being
readily extended or drawn over the object to be covered, and of being
folded, collected, or gathered together in a small compass when opened.
These covers are secured at one edge to moveable, semicircular, or
curved ends turning on pivots adjustable or not, vertically or hori-
zontally, whilst the opposite edge of the covering is secured permanently
to the front or back edge of the object, whether by elastic or yielding
connections or otherwise. On turning the ends half a revolution the
covering material will be withdrawn and will be gathered together or
hang in one or more folds at the back or front of the object. Counter-
weights or springs are sometimes employed to balance the weight of the
cover when closing or opening.
In some cases the pivotted ends may be hiuged so as to turn down
out of the way, and the same applys to the fixed ends of railway trucks
or other vehicles having high ends, whereby the same may be used
either as raised ended trucks or as low ended trucks for carrying long
overhanging objects. By adapting the pivotted reversible ends to low
ended trucks the same will serve as covered high ended trucks, when
the ends are turned up and the covering is drawn over, and as low
ended trucks when the moveable ends are reversed. Antifriction rollers
are adapted to the surface or edge of the raised fixed semicircular ends
of trucks to facilitate the traverse of the covering over the same, and a
guard or case is provided along one side of the vehicle for the reception
of the folds of the cover when turned back or open.
The before-mentioned elastic connections admit of the yielding of the

page_text: cover when being drawn over, and facilitates the self-folding or gathering
of the same in its guard or case when opened back, whilst at the same
time a saving in the amount of material required is effected. In all
cases the covering will project over the pivotted ends, and is sometimes
connected to a ring or rings clasping the pivots.
In some cases provision may be made for stretching or straining the
fabric by cords or otherwise so as to hold it securely over the rim or
edge of the two ends. This may be accomplished by what I term a
"tilt strainer," which may consist of cords or metal rods or chains
jointed or otherwise attached to the ends of the hoops to which the
covering is attached by hoops, such rods or chains meeting in the centre
at a lower level, and being drawn and held down by any convenient
mechanical contrivance. In the case of rings clasping the pivots a
simple cord alone or a windlass would suffice. I also propose to attach
rings to the flexible cover and to thread them on semicircular rods made
to reverse by being attached to the pivotted ends or otherwise, so that
on reversing the ends the rods will in fact travel through and gather up
the rings and fabric in lieu of the rings being made to traverse a fixed
rod. By this means I obtain an easier action with less friction. The
same system of travelling rod and rings gathered together by the move-
ment of such rod is equally applicable to curtains, shades, and screens,
the rods being made telescopic or being caused to slide into suitable

page_text: For facility of transport I make the hoops in two halves hinged
together at the centre, and with a view to enabling the hoops to be
separated more or less at their upper ends by the interposition of a
stretcher for straining the covering they may be hinged at or near the
ground, but in most cases the inherent spring of the hoops will answer
as well as or better than hinges.
I also in some cases provide for the gathering of the hoops employed
for tilt covers towards either end of the vehicle when not required for
use, or with a view to straining the cover by the employment of one or
more fixed horizontal guide rods in conjunction with set screws or
equivalent appliances. The hoops may also be adjustable vertically.
The cover may in some cases be attached by rings to horizontal rods
extending from hoop to hoop, and be thus gathered up at one end of
the tilt.
If desired the cover in lieu of being wide and gathered together when
not required for use may be narrower, and remain always distended and
be adjustable in its distended state to any desired position on the hoops,
according to requirement, and there secured by rings and set screws; or
the material itself may be clastic, and be distended or stretched more or
less as required down either or both sides of the supporting hoops, and
when released returning to its original dimensions again.
I also make adjustable coverings supported on arched rods, and
composed of slats of wood or metal hinged or joined together. The ends
of some or all of these slats carry eyes and antifriction rollers, which
embrace and travel along the two outer supports, such supports being
moreover slotted or channel shaped on their inner faces to receive and
guide the ends themselves of the slats.
The coverings herein-before described apply more particularly to the
class of coverings known as tilts, awnings, and the like, but I shall now
proceed to describe certain other varieties of covers which are more
particularly adapted to the covering of articles of furniture and of
domestic use, counters, and shop fittings.
According to one arrangement I employ pivotted reversible ends
similar in principle to those already referred to, the pivots being made
adjustable or not as preferred. To the lower part of the front of these
ends I connect one edge of the cover proper, whilst its opposite edge is

page_text: connected to the fixed back edge or frame of the object to which the
cover is applied.
The cover may consist of four or more strips or slats hinged or joined
together by metal hinges, and the shape of the reversible ends may vary
according to taste. On reversing the ends the cover will hang in a
double fold at the back, one half of its weight being supported by the
frame of the object itself. The connection of the back edge of the
folding cover with the fixed frame should be so made as to afford
freedom to turn or reverso easily by the intervention of a roller or
hinges, the roller tending to start the slats in the proper direction when
commencing to open the cover. On being opened no portion of the
cover and ends will appear above the level of the table or other surface
to which it is applied, thus, in the case of sewing machines and writing
desks, for example, perfect freedom for working is obtained. The same
arrangement is applicable as a cover for metal dishes, coal hods, and
similar articles.
In some cases (as for example where a hand sewing machine is
secured to the table top) the arrangement above described may be used
in a reverse manner or upside down, the tablet being made to turn over
on the pivots so as to bring the under side, to which the machine is
secured, uppermost, whilst the ends remain stationary. In this case
one edge of the cover, which is below, is hinged to the edge of the
tablet, and the other to a bar connecting the opposite sides of the fixed
end pieces.
In some cases I use fixed ends, and so hinge them as to enable them
to fold downwards, and leave the exposed surface clear at the ends
when the cover is opened. The cover in this arrangement slides
vertically at the back of the object, and is drawn over or across the two
ends when elevated; or the cover may be so arranged as to stand up at
the back in a double fold when open, it being attached at the back to
the fixed part of the article, whilst its front edge is free to be lifted by
radial arms or otherwise and passed over to the back. This arrange-
ment would be suitable as a cover for sewing machines of the Wheeler
and Wilson type, wherein the work travels laterally, and may also be
used for dish covers and coal hods.
Another form of cover more particularly applicable to hand sewing
machines, and which may be used as an independent box or receptacle

page_text: when removed, consists of a rigid sided case of any convenient form,
having a removeable sliding bottom, and one of its closed ends is hinged
either to the cover itself or to the sliding bottom, so as to open like a
door. The sewing machine or other article to be covered is fixed on
the sliding bottom. In order to expose the machine the hinged end is
first opened, and the entire cover then slid bodily from off the bottom,
which runs in grooves inside the cover.
By having a spare bottom to take the place of that on which the
machine is mounted it is obvious that a convenient box or receptacle
will be obtained.
If desired removeable drawers or other receptacles for working
utensils may be fitted in the interior of the said box or cover, so as to
pass along each side of the machine when in its place, and be ready for
use when removed. The hinged door serves to secure the removeable
sliding bottom in its place when closed. This cover is also applicable
where the machine is attached to a table or cabinet.
In some cases the said cover (with or without a hinged door) may be
connected directly to the bed plate itself of the machine by slots or
other suitable contrivance, by which arrangement a smaller cover will
suffice.
I also make portable folding covers for hand sewing machines or
other like articles by hinging the ends to the bottom, whilst the back,
top, and front are also hinged together and connected to the back edge
of the base or bottom; or the ends may be hinged to the top, back, or
front piece. These covers may sometimes be made in cardboard or
other light material, in which case in order to preserve and maintain
their shape strengthening slats may be secured inside, having their ends
bevelled to fit together accurately when folded.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Daniel Slater in the Great Seal Patent Offico 30
on the 27th March 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DANIEL
SLATER, of Upper Holloway, in the County of Middlesex, Cabinet
Maker, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Palent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five,
in the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Daniel Slater, Her
special license, that I, the said Daniel Slater, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Daniel Slater,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ADJUSTABLE COVERS FOR VEHICLES AND BOATS AND FOR
CERTAIN ARTICLES OF FURNITURE AND DOMESTIC USE, COUNTERS AND SHOP
FITTINGS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO COVERINGS FOR
AWNINGS, TENTS, AND SHEDS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES, AND TO CURTAINS, SHADES,
AND SCREENS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Daniel Slater, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Daniel Slater, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
My said Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and
arrangements of adjustable covers suitable for railway trucks, carriagos,
carts, and wagons for common roads, tramway cars, omnibuses, and
other similar vehicles, also for boats, and for covering corn and hay
ricks, and for forming awnings and tents, also sheds for various purposes,
also to coverings for counters and shop fittings, articles of furniture and
of domestic use, such as work and writing tables or desks, sewing
machines, knitting machines, ladies' fret cutting saws, coal hods, meat

page_text: and vegetable dishes, and is also partly applicable to the mounting or
suspending and manevring of curtains, sun shades, and screens.
One part of my Invention consists of certain peculiar arrangements of
revolving tilt shaped covers composed either of textile fabric water-
proofed or otherwise, sheet india-rubber, or of wood or metal slats
hinged together, or other suitable flexible material capable of being
readily extended or drawn over the object to be covered, and of being
folded, collected, or gathered together in a small compass when
opened.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents an end elevation of one arrange-
ment of this kind of cover applied to a railway truck, and showing the
cover closed; Figure 2 is a similar view showing the cover open.
These covers a are secured at one edge 6 to reversible semicircular or
curved ends c turning on pivots d adjustable or not, horizontally or
vertically, whilst the opposite edge e of the covering is secured to the
back edge of the truck feither by elastic or yielding connections 9 (see
Figures 1 and 2), or by slots h and studs i, as shown in detail at Figure 3,
or they may be otherwise attached or secured. On turning the ends c
half a revolution the covering material a will be withdrawn, and will be
gathered together or hang in one or more folds at the back of the object,
as shown clearly in Figure 2. Counterweights, elastic bands, or springs
may if desired be employed in connection with the reversible ends and
centre pivots to balance the weight of the cover when closing or
opening. By adapting the reversible ends to low ended trucks the same
will serve as covered high ended trucks when the ends are turned up
and the covering is drawn over (see Figure 1), and as open low ended
trucks when the moveable ends are reversed (see Fig. 2). I employ
cords, one end being attached to the inside of the trucks and the other
end to a ring outside below the cloth for the purpose of clasping the
same and keeping it compact when travelling.
The before-mentioned elastic or yielding connections 9 admit of the
yielding of the cover when being drawn over, and facilitate the self-
folding or gathering of the same when opened back, whilst at the same
time, inasmuch as any unnecessary overlap is avoided, a saving in the
amount of material required is effected. I prefer that the covering
should project over the reversible ends, and be connected by loops or
otherwise to a ring or rings k surrounding the pivots, as shown in

page_text: Figures 1 and 2, the said pivots being generally formed with a large
head or book to engage with the lower part of the ring so as to prevent
the ring from slipping off.
In some cases provision may be made for stretching or straining the
fabric a longitudinally by cords or otherwise, so as to hold it securely
over the ends of the vehicle. This may be accomplished either by
simply attaching a cord p, clastic or otherwise, to the ring k (see
Figure 1), such cord being strained and secured in any convenient
manner, or by the use of a semicircular hoop 2 (see Figure 4) jointed or
otherwise connected at its two ends m by cords or metal rods or chains n
to an eye o, which is situate in the centre but at a lower level, such eye
being drawn and held down by a cord p, elastic or otherwise, or by any
other convenient arrangement. The rings & afford additional facilities
for the gathering of the cover, inasmuch as in the act of turning the
3 reversible ends the said rings travel towards the back of the truck (see
Figure 2), thus easing the fabric, and thereby reducing the friction or
wear upon the cover itself.
I claim under this part of my Invention the combination of reversible.
ends c mounted on pivots made adjustable or otherwise, the rings k or
hoop (Figure 4) passing through loops on the ends of the cover and
the yielding connections 9 or their equivalent as applied to a railway
truck, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.
Figures 5 and 6 represent in end elevation and plan a mode of com-
bining a longitudinal bearer for supporting the covering from end to
end along the centre when closed, with the arrangement of reversible
ends referred to in Figures 1 and 2. q is the longitudinal bearer in its
elevated position when the cover is closed, and q' shows the same bearer
when lowered or when the cover is open. In these two Figures I have
not considered it necessary to repeat the cover, as it is clearly shown in
Figures 1 and 2. This bearer is attached at each end to a radial
arm 7, 7ª³, which turns freely on the pivot d, and is situate between the
reversible end c and the fixed end of the wagon, as shown clearly in
Figure 6 at r'. One portion of the inner face of each reversible end is
recessed, as shown in Figure 6, and within this recess is contained the
radial arm. On raising the reversible ends the edges of the said rccess
(shown by a dotted lines in Figure 5) comes in contact with each arm,
and thereby raises the longitudinal bearer into its olevated position, as

page_text: shown in Figure 5. In cases where a fixed end is used the radial arms
may be slotted at the part where they fit over the pivots d, so as to
enable the bearer to clear the edge of the circular end, and then to drop
into a central notch.
I lay no claim separately to the use of an adjustable longitudinal
bearer mounted on radial arms, but what I do claim is the peculiar
combination of a longitudinal bearer and radial arms, with reversible
truck ends whereby the said bearer is elevated into position by the action
of the reversible ends, substantially as and for the purpose specified;
also the making the radial arms adjustable vertically by slots or
otherwise, as and for the purpose specified.
Figure 7 is an end elevation, with the cover closed, of another
arrangement of adjustable cover suitable for a railway wagon. Figure 8
is a vertical section of the same, and Figure 9 is an end clevation with
the cover open. According to this arrangement I attach rings to the
flexible cover a, and I thread them on semicircular rods c¹ made to
reverse on pivots d either by being attached to the reversible ends c or
otherwise, so that on reversing the ends the rods will in fact travel
through and gather up the rings and fabric, as shown in Figure 9, in
lieu of the rings being made to traverse along a fixed rod. By this
means I obtain an easier action with less friction. It will be obvious
that the same system of travelling rod and rings gathered together by
the movement of such rod through the rings is equally applicable to
suspended curtain shades and screens; for example, the said rod may
be mounted so as to turn on a vertical pivot, the curved rod turning in
or out of a recess made to receive it in the wall. By this means a
semicircular screened space will be provided when required for any
desired purpose, such as for a bath, and when no longer required the
rod will be concealed by being turned into the recess, and the curtain
will hang in loose folds against the wall.
I claim under this part of my Invention the peculiar modo or method
of gathering together and of opening or extending a flexible covering or
suspended curtain by the use of a moveable rod travelling through rings,
substantially as specified.
Figure 10 is a transverse vertical section of a tent or awning a
constructed according to another part of my said Invention, and
Figure 11 is a corresponding side elevation partly in section of the same.

page_text: a represents a textile fabric or tarpauling which is supported upon
hoops 6 in the form of a trough or slotted tube which serve as guides for
enclosing the cords c employed in drawing or withdrawing the covering,
whereby the necessity for pullies is obviated. The said covering is by
preference attached to the hoops by rings d which run freely thereon.
The cord c is secured to the fabric a at or near one edge thereof, say,
for example, at the point e (Figure 10) and passes along the interior of
the slotted tube, as shown clearly in the sectional portions of Figures 10
and 11, and issues from each side of each slotted tube at the point ƒ
(Figure 11). When withdrawn the fabric a is folded, as shown at one
side in Figure 10, and in order to extend the same it is simply necessary
to draw the cords by their opposite ends at c³. The intermediate hoops
6' are merely used as additional supports.
It will be obvious that as the actuating cords are always contained
within the slotted hoops they will be prevented from getting out of
order, and will be also thereby protected from injury.
According to another mode of extending and withdrawing the fabric
a elastic cords may be in some cases attached to the opposite edges of
the material a, and crossing each other inside the tubular slotted or
trough shaped hoops to the opposite sides thereof so as to keep it drawn
close together along the tops of the hoops longitudinally when not in
use, ordinary additional cords being used for drawing down either side
of the material more or less as required, the elastic cords stretching
sufficiently to admit of such adjustment, and instantly gathering the
material together again when released. The same arrangement, but
with ordinary cords crossing each other in the centro inside the slotted
tubular hoops, is applicable to railway trucks, vans, or other vehicles.
For greater facility of transport the hoops may be made in two halves
hinged together at the centre or in sections fitting one within the
other.
The cover in lieu of being wide and gathered together when not
required for use may be narrower and remain always distended, and be
adjustable by the arrangement shown in Figures 10 and 11 in its distended
state to any desired position on the hoops, according to requirement, and
there secured in any well known manner. In this arrangement I
connect the rope at both edges or continuously to the covering so as to
hold the cover to its support.

page_text: Another application of the before-mentioned slotted tubular or trough-
shaped hoops for holding the covor in position and containing the
actuating ropes is shown at Figures 12 and 13, which represent
respectively a side view of one end of a circular ended railway truck,
and an enlarged detail of the mode of securing or holding down the 5
covering to the raised ends of the truck, combined with an internal rope;
b is a curved or semicircular slotted tube which is secured in any con-
venient manner round the edge of the raised end f of the truck. Within
this slotted tube travel freely a number of rings t (Figure 13), which
are secured to the covering a, and within these rings there is threaded 1
the actuating rope c which passes through the tube from end to end,
and is secured to one edge of the covering.
I sometimes make the actuating rope in an endless form and guide it
from side to side of the truck by passing it under suitable guide pullies
at the angles, the said rope being simply secured at one point to the 1
covering and the before-mentioned rings being dispensed with. By this
arrangement I avoid the inconvenience of slack rope and obtain an
inexpensive and simple mode of actuating the cover.
Figure 14 represents the application of a slotted tube as an adjustable
longitudinal bearer or support for the cover a, and also as a means of 20
securing or holding the cover down upon the truck, whilst it at the
same time affords facility for the ready removal bodily of the cover or
for opening the said cover from either side of the truck without
detaching it. This slotted tubular bearer 6 is carried by radial arms 7º
working outside the fixed ends of the truck on a pivot d, as in Figure 5. 2
The cover has a length of rope c or its equivalent secured thereto longi-
tudinally along the centre, which rope is slid inside the said slotted
tubular bearer longitudinally, and thus secures or holds the cover to the
surface of the said bearer, the rope being attached to the under side of
the cover in such a manner as to stand out sufficiently to allow the 80
edges of the slot to interpose between the said rope and the cover.
the cover is secured along its centre it is obvious that facility is thereby
afforded for uncovering a portion of the truck without exposing the
remainder.
As

page_text: I make no claim separately to the use of a slotted tube containing
internal travellers for the purposes specified, but what I do claim under
this part of my Invention is the combination with the said trough-
shaped or tubular slotted hoops or supports of ropes contained inside the
same in conjunction or not with internal or external rings or their
equivalent for the purpose of actuating without the aid of pullies, the
adjustable covers or awnings and holding them to their supports, sub-
stantially as herein-before described.
The coverings herein-before described apply more particularly to the
class of coverings known as tilts, awnings, and the like, but I shall
now proceed to describe certain other varieties of covers which are more
particularly adapted to the covering of articles of furniture and of
domestic use, counters, and shop fittings.
According to one arrangement illustrated by Figures 15 and 16, and
which is more particularly applicable to sewing machine stands I
employ pivotted reversible ends a, the pivots 6 being made adjustable or
not, vertically or horizontally, by the aid of a grooved slide or equivalent
arrangement, as preferred, in order to admit of the cover rising clear of
any obstruction when opening or closing. To the front part of these
reversible ends I binge at c or if of semicircular form at c¹, one edge of
the cover proper whilst its opposite edge is permanently hinged at d to
the fixed back edge or frame of the table or surface e to which the cover
is applied.
The cover may consist of four or more strips or slats 1, 2, 3, 4, hinged
together, and the shape of the reversible ends a whether rectangular,
semicircular, or otherwise will of course regulate the shape of the cover
itself. On reversing the ends the cover will hang in a double fold at
the back (see Figure 15), one-half of its weight being thus supported by
the frame of the table itself. The connection of the back edge of the
folding cover with the fixed frame of the table may be made with the
view to afford greater freedom to turn or reverse more casily by the
intervention of a roller d in lieu of the hinges & (see detail, Figure 17),
the roller tending to start the jointed pieces in the proper direction
when used in the form of narrow slats on commencing to open the cover.
On being opened no portion of the ends or cover will appear above the
level of the table or other surface to which it is applied as is clearly
shown in Figure 15, thus in the case of sewing machines and writing
d

page_text: r
desks, for example, perfect freedom for working is obtained. The same
arrangement may be applied as a cover for coal hods and other receptacles
of square form.
I
may here observe that I make no claim to the use of reversible ends
with a falling hinged cover for cabinet furniture, but what I do claim
as this part of my Invention is, the permanently attaching or hinging of
the one edge of the said hinged cover to the edge of the table itself or
to a roller attached to the table, whilst its opposite edge is hinged to the
reversible ends only, whereby I obtain the advantage of a reduction of
the weight to be lifted when closing, and at the same time, as the cover |
hangs in a double fold at the back, it will clear the floor, which in many
cases it could not otherwise be made to do, whilst by the use of the
roller da more certain and easy action is obtained.
I also claim the making the pivots adjustable vertically or hori-
zontally, as and for the purpose specified.
1
In some cases (as for example, where a hand sewing machine is secured
to the table top) the arrangement above described may be used in a
reverse manner or upside down. Figure 18 is a cross section of such an
arrangement, with the article covered; Figure 19 is a similar view,
showing the article exposed and brought to the surface; and Figure 20 2
is a plan of Figure 18. The tablet or table top e is made to turn over
on the pivots b, so as to bring the under side to which the machine or
other article is secured uppermost, whilst the ends a remain stationary.
In this case one edge of the cover, which is here shown as composed of
narrow jointed slats g, and which is situate below the table, is hinged 2
ath to the edge of the reversible tablet e, and the other edge of the
cover is attached at i to a rail k connecting the opposite sides of the
fixed end pieces or standards a. The slats y in passing to and fro work
between the end standards, and traverse under or around the projecting
part 1, which forms a rebat, and receives and forms a stop to the ends of 8
the said slats. If desired the cover g, with or without rigid ends, may
bc hinged at i, so as to hang down when open, thus affording room for
the knees of the operator, and be locked at when closed.
I claim under this part of my Invention the combination of a re-
versible tablet and suspended cover, when arranged as herein-before 3
described and illustrated by Figures 18, 19, and 20.
Figures 21. 22. and 23 represent an arrangement of cover with hinged

page_text: ends, the cover being made to slide down bodily behind the article of
furniture when open, it being guided by pins o working in vertical slots p
in the back of the article (see Figure 23). The slats forming the cover
are provided with projections q at their extremeties for the purpose of
holding the hinged ends a in their upright or closed position. In cases
where the cover is longer than the height of the article will receive, the
excess may be allowed to fold over at the back, as shown in Figure 23.
The ends a are so hinged at m that on being turned down they will form
horizontal extensions in a line with the table top, as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 21. By this arrangement I am enabled to dispose of the
open cover in a more convenient manner.
I would hero observe that I lay no claim either to the hinged ends or
to the flexible cover separately; but what I do claim is, the combination
of the sliding flexible cover made to slide down the back of the article
with the hinged ends clasped by the said cover, so as to be held in
their vertical position when closed, substantially in the manner herein-
before described and illustrated by Figures 21, 22, and 23, of my
Drawings.
Another form of cover, more particularly applicable to hand sewing
machines, is represented in end view open at Figure 24, and in partial
side elevation closed at Figure 25. This arrangement consists of a rigid-
sided cover a of any convenient form, having a removeable sliding
bottom 6, and with one of its closed ends c hinged as a door at d, either
to the cover itself, as shown, or to the end of the sliding bottom 6 if
3 preferred. The sewing machine or other article to be covered is fixed on
the sliding bottom, and in order to expose the same the hinged door c is
first opened and the entire cover a then slid bodily from off the bottom,
which runs in a groove worked in the cover.
By having a spare bottom to take the place of that on which the
machine is fixed, it is obvious that a convenient box or receptacle for
other purposes will be obtained.
If desired removeable drawers or other receptacles e, e, for containing
working utensils may be fitted in the interior of the said box or cover,
so as to pass along each side of the machine when in its place, and be
ready for use when removed. The said two drawers are connected
together at the back by a cross piece f, so as to leave a space for the

page_text: machine between them. The hinged door serves to secure the remove-
able sliding bottom in its place when closed. This cover is also
applicable where the machine is attached to a table or cabinet, in
which case the sliding bottom 6 or its equivalent would be permanently
attached to the top of the table.
In some cases the said cover with its hinged door may be connected
directly to the bed plate itself of the machine by slots and headed pro-
jections, it being kept in its place by the hinged door when closed as
before.
I lay no claim to the separate use of a sliding case or cover for the
purpose specified, but what I do claim as this part of my Invention is,
the peculiar arrangement for securing the said case or cover to the sliding.
bottom or other surface carrying the object to be covered by means of a
door connected with the said case or cover, substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Daniel Slater, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
DANL. SLATER. (L.S.)
Witness,
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
14, Southampton Buildings,
W.O.