IMPROVEMENTS IN BUREAUS, BOOKCASES, CABINETS, WRITING TABLES, DESKS, CUPBOARDS, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE.
Year: 1877

page_text: $5
LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Foley, of Fisherton Steam Cabinet Works,
Salisbury, in the County of Wilts, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
BUREAUS, BOOKCASES, CABINETS, WRITING TABLES, DESKS, CUPBOARDS, AND
OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE.'
"
Sealed the 12th April 1878, and dated the 17th October. 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Foley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1877.
ARTHUR FOLEY, of Fisherton Steam Cabinet Works, Salisbury, in the County of
Wilts. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUREAUS, BOOKCASES, CABINETS, WRITING TABLES,
DESKS, CUPBOARDS, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE."
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
articles of furniture for the purpose of rendering them more useful and convenient.
These improvements supply a want felt among persons whose business or profes-
sion, either constantly or occasionally, requires the use of a desk for writing; this it
provides by a new or improved more simple construction, being more compact and
containing more conveniences than desks or escretoires hitherto in use, and permit-
ting its combination with other articles of furniture, such as bureaus, cabinets, side-
boards, secretaires, stands, writing tables, desks, chests of drawers, cases, cupboards,
and other pieces of furniture, whether open or enclosed.
The nature or novelty of this Invention consists in making an outer case ruuning
from top to bottom, within which all drawers, table-tops, shelves, and other internal
parts are fitted, and in providing a suitable flap for writing, which does not require
the action and consequent expense of any complicated hinge or hinges, or the cum-
bersome or inconvenient method of drawing out secretary drawers or slides to obtain
a firm and equal bearing, and which flap, when the article is not in use as a desk,
is closed, and adds to the ornamental appearance of the article, as well as locks and
protects the pigeon-holes and other writing appurtenances from dust, et cetera.

page_text: By this new or improved method of construction and combination I do away
with the uccessity for the costly and room-taking folding doors, and thus decrease
the expense and add to the convenience.
What I consider as novel and original in my Invention is,-
First. The improved arrangement and construction of the long discarded writing
bureau, and its combination with bookcases, cabinets, secretaires, and other pieces
of furniture, by means of ends running from top to bottom, and not broken or
separated by table or other tops, shelves or carcases, fixed one upon the other.
Second. The arrangement of a flap resting upon a table part, which does not
require special hinge or hinges, secretary drawers or slides, and the application
of the said flap to the various articles of furniture herein mentioned.
Third. The arrangement of pieces of india-rubber or any suitable substance on
the flap or the table, part or both to prevent abrasion or indentations, and to give an
equal bearing.
I would have it understood that though I have only described the simple forms, I
also claim the same principle as applied to double or consulting desks, and to
bureaus, secretaires, and bookcases having side wings attached thereto, or any other
amplification.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Foley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th April
1878.
ARTHUR FOLEY, of Fisherton Steam Cabinet Works, Salisbury, in the County of
Wilts. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUREAUS, BOOKCASES, CABINETS, WRITING TABLES,
DESKS, CUPBOARDS, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE."
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
articles of furniture for the purpose of rendering them more useful and convenient.
These improvements supply a want felt among persons whose business or pro-
fessions, either constantly or occasionally, require the use of a desk for writing; this
it provides by a new or improved more simple construction, being more compact and
containing more conveniences than desks or escretoires hitherto in use, and permit-
ting its combination with other articles of furniture, such as bureaus, cabinets, side-
boards, secretaires, stands, writing tables, desks, chests of drawers, cases, cupboards,
and other pieces of furniture, whether open or enclosed.
The nature or novelty of this Invention consists in making an outer case running
from top to bottom, within which all drawers, table-tops, shelves, and other internal
parts are fitted, and in providing a suitable flap for writing, which does not require
the action and consequent expense of any complicated hinge or hinges, or the cum-
bersome and inconvenient method of drawing out secretary drawers or slides
to obtain a firm and equal bearing, and which flap, when the article is not in
use as a desk, is closed, and adds to the ornamental appearance of the article, as
well as locks and protects the pigeon-holes and other writing appurtenances from
dust or other impurities.

page_text: By this new or improved method of construction and combination I do away with
the necessity for the costly and room-taking folding doors, and thus decrease the
expense and add to the convenience.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings I have hereto appended for
the purpose of showing the best modes or methods I am at present acquainted with
for putting the Invention into effect or practice, the same letters and nunerals
indicating the same parts in all the Drawings where shown.
Figures 1, 2, 3 are respectively an end view, with the flap or desk part let down;
a front view, with the flap shown up; and a perpendicular section taken on the
line 1-1, showing flap as raised, all one modification of my new or improved bureau,
secretaire, bookcase, and writing desk.
The ends A running from top to bottom being "dovetail housed," by machinery
expressly made for the purpose, and the shelves when cut to fit are glued and
driven in from the back edge, thus making a framework of unusual strength and
exactness. To this framework the parts B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J are fitted.
The letter D indicates the space enclosed by the flap part C, fitted with pigeon
holes, drawers, ledger places, and other necessary writing appurtenances, and secured
by the cross shelves.
The part B may be fitted up with more pigeon holes and drawers, or with shelves
for books, china, and other articles, and may be left open or enclosed by doors,
curtains, or a flap for writing, whilst standing, as may be desired; or it may be left
off altogether and the top part of A finished with a shelf, between which and the
part D may be fitted a sliding tray to hold papers or other articles, making a more
suitable office and library writing desk.
The part F is fitted as chest of drawers, or with shelves or spaces for books, with
or without doors, or it may be fitted with a cellarette drawer similar to a cheffoniere
sideboard.
The part E or table is used as a rest for the part C when let down, and also for
standing articles on. When C is closed it may project beyond the ends A, or not, as
desired.
The flap C is either fitted on to the table part E or to the ends A. It bears on
the part E at a slightly downward inclination from the horizontal for greater con-
venience in writing. On the front side, when closed at the point where it would
touch the table part E, are inserted pieces of india-rubber, or other slightly elastic
substance, which prevent any indentations or abrasions likely otherwise to ensue
from the part C being dropped suddenly, and which give an evenness of bearing.
The pieces of india-rubber are so contrived as to form part of the carved or other
decorations on the flap C; these pieces of india-rubber may either rest on the table
part E alone, or may act in conjunction with some pieces of india-rubber let into
the table part E.
The parts G, H, and I are respectively hat and coat pegs, umbrella stands, and
handles, which may be affixed at the option of the purchaser.
The part J is a cupboard fitted up for guns or other articles requiring safe
custody.
Figures, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 show perspective views of cabinets, or
similar articles of furniture, arranged and constructed in accordance with my
improvements, corresponding parts being marked with similar letters of reference.
Having thus fully described the said Invention or improvements, and the manner
of performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not confiue myself to
the precise details of form or construction which I have mentioned in the description
of the accompanying Drawings, as many variations may be made without departing
from the main or essential features of my said Invention, but what I do consider
novel and original, and therefore claim is,―
First. The improved arrangement and construction of the long discarded writing
bureau, and its combination with bookcases, cabinets, secretaires, and other pieces

page_text: of furniture, by means of ends running from top to bottom, and not broken or
separated by table or other tops, shelves, or carcases, fixed one upon the other.
Second. The arrangement of a flap resting upon a table part which does not
require special hinge or hinges, secretary drawers, or slides, and the application of
the said flap to the various articles of furniture herein mentioned.
Third. The arrangement of pieces of india-rubber, or any suitable substance, on
the flap or table part, or both, to prevent abrasion or indentations, and to give an
equal bearing.
I would have it understood that although I have only described the simple forms
I also claim the same principle as applied to double or consulting desks, and to
bureaus, secretaires, and bookcases having side wings attached thereto, or any other
amplification.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Foley, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
JAMES P. BARTLETT,
Spring Villa,
Church Fields,
Salisbury.
ARTHUR FOLEY. (L.S.)