CERTAIN NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TABLES, SASHES, SHUTTERS, AND SLIDING HINGES APPLICABLE TO SUCH SKUTTEES, AND WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE ADAPTED TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1794

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, WE, RICHARD
SWEETNAM, of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, Carpenter and Joiner, and
JOSEPH HIGOS, of Old Palace Yard, in the Parish of Saint Margaret, West-
minster, in the County of Middlesex, Carpenter and Joiner, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did, by
IIis Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirteenth day of August, in the thirty-fourth year of
His reign, give and grant unto us, the said Richard Sweetnam and Joseph
Higgs, His especial licence that we, the said Richard Sweetnam and Joseph
Higgs, during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully
might use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "CERTAIN NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF TABLES, SASHES, SHUTTERS, AND SLIDING HINGES APPLICABLE
TO SUCH SKUTTEES, AND WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE ADAPTED TO OTHER USEFUL
PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, obliging
us, the said Richard Sweetnam and Joseph Higgs, by an instrument in
writing under our hands and seals, to cause a particular description of the
nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,

page_text: to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within one calendar
month after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Richard Sweetnam and Joseph Higgs, do hereby declare that our said Inven-
tion is described in manner following, that is to say:-
First, the frame or platform of the table is dovetailed and blocked firmly
together; the corners of the same are clampt with brass, copper, iron, or any
kind of metal or composition of metal, or vencered with any kind of wood.
The frame or platform of table is tapped at the four corners for a screw or a
nutt of wood, brass, copper, iron, or any kind of metal or composition of metal,
let into the same as a screw. Four feet are turned or made square, or other-
wise, of wood, with a screw at one end out of the same, or with a screw pin
of brass, copper, iron, or any kind of metal or composition of metal, or other
proper substance, fixed to the leg, the table frame, or stand. A ribb or beam of
wood is put across the table frame or platform from side to side in a groove or
rabbitt, and slides backwards or forwards, as occasion requires; to which beam
or ribb is fixed in the centre a screw pin, or swivel, of brass, copper, iron, or
any kind of metal or composition of metal, or other proper substance, on which
is fixed the top leaf or bed of table, and is moreable two ways by means of
the same; 'then to 'this top Joaf or bed of table is hingod the flap, of equal
size, and turns over on the top of the same with a peculiar hinge, going
entirely along the ends of tho two leaves; to prevent the same casting or warping,
and with a spring bolt at the end fastens another table, that has a spring
ketch fixed to it' firinly together, in form as a sott of dining tables. (Now, to
support this "hinged flap, as before described), the top or bed of table with
the flap hinged to it being moveable in two particulars by means of the centro
pin or swivel fixed in the sliding beam or ribb; first, you turn the top.or
leaves of the tablo-round, direct across the frame or platforni; leaving then a
space on each sidle: the same, theu push the two leaves to the furtlier end of
the frame or platform by means of the sliding ribbor berin, then you have
exactly one-half of the top of the frame or platform vacant; on this vacant
space you turn over the hinged flap, making a 'square table equally supported
by-four legs, &c.; and on being reversed back, by the same method, leaves it.in
size of 'a dressing or breakfast table, as before; also with a wedge put between
the leaves you use it to any pitch for a writing desk and within' this:frame
or platform is concealed every apparatus for shaving, dressing, and writing,

page_text: with conveniences for paper; books, and packing up the legs or other imple-
ments belonging to the table. The tables are fastened or lashed to the deck
or floor of a ship by means of a link or chain of brass, copper, iron, or any
kind of metal or composition of metal, or other proper substance, fixed in a
groove in the under side of table, and-by means of a screw at the end of this
link or chain screws or fastens into a nutt let into the deck or floor of a ship
for that purpose, and keeps it secure.
Also their concealed spring hinges, with or without friction rollers, for all
kinds of doors, desks, or any article requiring a hinge: first, a box.or.casing
of copper, brass, iron, or any kind of metal is made with friction rollers on the
top and bottom of the caseing, which is a bolt or carriage of any kind of
metal forced out by means of a spring in this caseing or box. This principal
acting carriage or bolt is connected by one, two, or more joints to another flap
or hinge, to which is fastened the lid or door to be opened, the other part or
box let into the article to which belongs the lid or door; those hinges are
made any size or shape as the article it is intended for requires.
Also their patent spring fastenings for hanging sashes &c.: first, the
meeting rail is ploughed out; one of them has a tongue of brass, copper, wood,
or any kind of metal, which tongue shoots into the other groove in the
meeting rail by means of springs fixed behind the tongue, which when pulled
down fastens the window, and is air-tight; the lines are carried in the surfeit
by means of pulleys. The beads of window are slipped into a dovetail, with
copper, brass, or any kind of metal or composition of metal instead of beads,
screws, or nails. Also their concealed rolling shutters, in various joints, acting
behind the front linings of window or rolling up to the suffeit.
In witness whereof, the above named Richard Sweetnam and Joseph
Higgs have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day Eighth day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and
ninety-four
JOSEPH HIGGS.
(L.S.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Eighth day of September,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Joseph Higgs, came before our
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written. And also the
Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute in
that case made and provided.

page_text: M
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eleventh day of September,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Richard Swetnam also came before
our Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all'and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute in that case made and provided.
lax of Santambor in the voor above writton