IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL FURNITURE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Coor Parker, Chairman, and James Stabler,
Manager of the North of England School Furnishing Company, Limited, of
Darlington, in the County of Durham, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SCHOOL FURNITURE."
Sealed the 9th March 1877, and dated the 12th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Coor Parker and
James Stabler at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th
September 1876.
WILLIAM COOR PARKER, Chairman, and JAMES STABLER, Manager of the North
of England School Furnishing Company, Limited, of Darlington, in the County of
Durham, "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL FURNITURE"
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of school furniture known
as convertible desks, whereby the latter can be placed and secured at any desired
angle in a much more simple and effectual manner than heretofore.
According to this Invention the top of the desk is secured to the stand by means
of one or more "iule" hinges. so as to be capable of being placed at any desired
angle and employed either as a table, desk, or as a back to the form attached to the
desk stand. In order to secure the desk when so placed in its position, that portion
of the hinge which is attached to the desk top and which forms the centre plate of
the hinge is provided on its lower or circular edge with three or more notches, into
which fits a small V shaped projection formed on the periphery of an eccentric
carried by a small lever, and which works at right angles to the before-mentioned
centre plate through a suitable aperture formed-in the two outer plates of the hinge.
When the desk has been placed in the desired position and the V shaped projection
placed in the notch in the centre plate, a small catch or lever working through the
hinge at right angles to the eccentric is caused by means of a small spring connected
therewith to enter into a notch formed on the under side of the eccentric, and a nut
or lock is then turned by means of a suitable key to prevent the small catch or
lever from being released.
When it is desired to alter the position of the desk, the nut must be turned and

page_text: the small catch lowered so as to release the eccentric, the V shaped projection being
then withdrawn from the notch in the centre plate of the hinge, when the desk top
is free to be placed at any other desired angle
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lotters Patent filed by
the said William Coor Parker and James Stabler in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th March 1877.
WILLIAM COOR PARKER, Chairman, and JAMES STABLER, Manager of the North
of England School Furnishing Company, Limited, of Darlington, in the County of
Durham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL FURNITURE."
Our said Invention relates to improvements in that class of school furniture
known as convertible desks, whereby the latter can be placed and secured at any
desired angle in a much more simple and effectual manner than heretofore.
According to this Invention the top of the desk is secued to the stand by means
of one or more "rule" hinges, so as to be capable of being placed at any desired
angle and employed either as a table, desk, or as a back to the form attached to the
desk stand. In order to secure the desk when so placed in its position, that portion
of the hinge which is attached to the desk top, and which forms the centre plate of
the hinge, is provided on its lower or circular edge with three or more notches, into
which is fitted a small V shaped projection formed on the periphery of an eccentric
carried by a small lever, and which works at right angles to the before-mentioned
centre plate through a suitable aperture formed in the two outer platos of the hinge.
When the desk has been placed in the desired position and the V shaped projection
placed in the notch in the centre plate, a small catch or lever working through the
hinge at right angles to the eccentric is caused by means of a small spring connected
therewith to enter into a notch formed on the under side of the eccentric, and a nut
or lock is then turned by means of a suitable key to prevent the small catch or lever
from being released.
When it is desired to alter the position of the desk, the nut must be turned and
the small catch lowered so as to release the eccentiic, the V shaped projection being
then withdrawn from the notch in the centre plate of the hinge when the desk top
is free to be placed at any other desired angle.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, we would observe in conclusion that what
we consider novel and original, and therefore clain as constituting the Invention
secured to us by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the
construction of school furniture, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before
described and set forth or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Coor Parker and James Stabler, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Tenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.