In- PROVEMENTS IN. WRITING DESKS AND TABLES
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hermann Schildberg at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st August 1874.
I; HERMANN. SCHILDBERG, of Moorgate Street, in the City of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN. WRITING DESKS AND TABLES," to be as follows:-
-
The object of this Invention is to so construct writing desks and
tables that they may be adjusted to suit the height of any person
whether sitting or standing. To this end the top board of the table or
desk is detached from the box or frame of the desk or table, and is
supported by lovers or legs which are hinged to the underside of tho
top board, and are provided at their lower ends with catches, bolts, or
other analogous devices which take into teeth or recesses, or catch
against horizontal pins fixed in grooves made in the box or lower frame
for the purpose. These lugs or levers are also provided with diagonal
struts, which are hinged thereto for the purpose of supporting them in

page_text: When it is desired to raise or lower the top board of the table it will
be necessary to withdraw the bolts or catches from the teeth, recesses, or
pins against which they bear in order that the feet at the jointed legs
may be moved freely along their grooves over the teeth, pins, or
equivalent devices. This may be effected in various ways either by
means of cords, wires, or levers, or by causing a puff of air to act on
short arms connected with the catches or bolts. This latter plan I
prefer for various reasons, and in carrying out this part of the Invention
I construct a flexible bag or reservoir filled with air and connected by
means of suitable air tubes with the various parts of the apparatus whero
it is required to act. This flexible air bag is located in a recess or box
fixed on the under side of the movable top board, and above it is
arranged a flat plate or disc provided with a button or stud, which
projects up through a hole cut in the top board of the table, so that by
pressing down this stud or button the air bag may be collapsed, and tho
air forced therefrom along the air tubes connected with the catches, bolts,
or other equivalent devices adapted to the lower ends of the hinged legs
or lovers. By withdrawing the catches from the teeth or recesses in the
frame of the table, the top board may be lowered or placed at any
desired inclination. A tray to receive an inkstand, pens, pencil, sealing
wax, and other articles is hinged to the front part of the top board, and
is held in position by means of a pair of jointed levers which are hinged
thereto at one end and to the bottom of the box at their opposite ends,
so that at whatever angle of inclination the top board is set, the front
tray will always remain horizontal. Spaces are left in the lower box or
frame to receivo paper, lotters, documents, and other articles, and for
greater convenience these spaces may be subdivided in any desired
manner.
Below the writing desk drawers may be arranged on cach side, so as
to place the desk at a suitable height for sitting at when at its lowest
position. When the desk is out of use this stop board may be lowered
into a flat position, and then it is secured by two hooks fixed on the
under side, and made to take under a pair of catches fixed in the box,
then the top board is further secured by means of lock and key.