IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTERS OR FITTINGS OF SHOPS, WAREHOUSES, & OFFICES, FOR ARRANGING, PRESERVING, AND EXHIBITING ARTICLES THEREIN
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Worthington, of Manchester, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTERS OR FITTINGS OF SHOPS, WAREHOUSES,
& OFFICES, FOR ARRANGING, PRESERVING, AND EXHIBITING ARTICLES THEREIN."
Sealed the 18th February 1855, and dated the 2nd September 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Worthington at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd September 1854.
1, JOSEPH WORTHINGTON, of Manchester, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTERS OR FITTINGS OF SHOPS,
WAREHOUSES, AND OFFICES, FOR ARRANGING, PRESERVING, AND EXHIBITING ARTICLES
THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This improvement, applied to the counters used in drapers' or other shops,
warehouses, and offices, consists as follows:-The lid or top of the counter or
other fitting is made so as to open readily, being hinged and lifted when
necessary by means of a quadrant, or by a rack and pinion. The inner side
of of the counter is made to lower down, and the interior is fitted with a series
of moveable shelves or trays, resting on one end on an equal number of gradu-
ated steps or projections to support and keep them apart. When the size of
the counter permits, these shelves are divided in the centre, so that one half

page_text: may be raised at a time; a spring is also fixed to one end of each shelf or
tray, for giving the necessary amount of play for expansion and contraction as
the bulk of the goods increases or decreases. The goods, such as hosiery,
linen drapery, or other articles, are retained by bands, straps, or other similar
arrangements on both sides of these shelves. On opening this counter these
shelves may be readily turned up, one after the other, and the goods are thus
quickly exposed to sight, and may be removed without disarranging the rest.
The side is then raised, and the cover being replaced, the contents are pre-
served from dust and atmospheric influences, and when again wanted may be
quickly found. Whether for retail shops, where goods are sold, or for whole-
sale warehouses, where it is usual to exhibit patterns, this arrangement offers
many advantages. Instead of being applied to counters, this arrangement is
applicable to other fittings, such as ordinary shelves, or for holding papers,
or it may be used specially for arranging, preserving, & exhibiting goods
without reference to use as a counter. In either case pressure is applied
outside, to keep the whole in a compact and tight form, and a lock and key
secures the whole.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Worthington in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd March 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
WORTHINGTON, of Manchester, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Worthington, Her special license that I, the said Joseph
Worthington, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Joseph Worthington, 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 of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COUNTERS OR FITTINGS OF SHOPS, WAREHOUSES, AND OFFICES, FOR ARRANGING,
PRESERVING, AND EXHIBITING ARTICLES THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Joseph Worthington, by an instrument in writing

page_text: under my hand and seal, 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 Joseph Worthington, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
This Invention consists in an improved construction of the counters or other
similar fittings of shops, warehouses, and offices, whereby a series of shelves or,
trays are so arranged as to present a number of superficial surfaces in a com-
paratively small cubical form, so as to obtain an extensive exhibiting surface
in a small external compass, it being of the first importance in most houses
of business to economise space, while it is equally essential to display to the
greatest extent and the best advantage the articles of commerce dealt in.
Now, by my improvements an extensive surface is obtained within a small
compass, so that a great variety of goods, samples, patterns or designs may be
shown in a space not exceeding that of an ordinary counter; for example,
a counter twelve feet in length by four feet in width, and fitted with fifteen
shelves, as shown by Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings, would present a
superficial surface of upwards of one thousand five hundred feet. When used in
retail shops, these improved counters or fittings offer other advantages beyond
that of the extended surface, for the time ordinarily occupied in unfolding,
displaying, and re-arranging goods will be saved, and injury to the goods and
their consequent depreciation in value avoided; and they are peculiarly adapted
for the use of wholesale buyers, where the goods are selected by simple inspec-
tion of samples, by economising time and labour. I will now proceed to
describe my improved construction of counter adapted either for a warehouse-
man or shopkeeper's use, referring to the Drawings hereunto annexed. A, A,
Fig. 1, is the external part of the counter, the upper part or top of which
is made to form a lid; the front of the counter or that part facing the buyer is
hinged at the bottom, so that it may be lowered down. The back of the
counter may be enclosed by panelling, or otherwise shut in.
the counter is raised and the front lowered, as shewn by Figure 1, a series
of shelves B. B, are seen resting upon each other in front, and filling the
interior of the counter; upon both sides of the shelves, with the exception of
the upper one, the goods to be exhibited are arranged, and they may be
readily inspected by raising the shelves. one after another. The particular,
When the lid of

page_text: arrangement of the shelves is more clearly shown by the Figures 2, 3, 4, 5,
which represent a fitting box or case for the display of goods; this is constructed
upon a similar plan to the counter, Figure 1. To the back of the counter box
or other fitting is fastened or secured a piece or pieces of wood or other suitable
material, formed into a series of steps or angular recesses C, C, Figure 4.
Rising one above another upon the horizontal planes of these steps, the shelves
B, B, rest. The dimensions of the steps which regulate the distance between
the shelves must depend upon the nature of the articles which the counter is
intended to hold; for example, for lace, &c. they must be made thin and close
to each other, and for textile fabrics a greater distance must be allowed,
according to their bulk. The shelves are kept asunder in front by means of
springs D, D. These may be either flat or spiral, as shewn in Figure 1, and
covered with leather, varnish, or other suitable material, to prevent the metal
oxidizing; or in lieu of metal springs, cylindrical or other shaped pieces of
vulcanized india-rubber, or other similar elastic substance may be used for the
same purpose.
The upper shelf has upon the side next the lid 5 or any other
suitable number of plates E, E, of metal, hollowed into a concave form; these
plates receive the ends of a like number of screws F, F, which pass through
the lid of the counter or other fitting. The screws F, F, have a perforated
round head, and project from the outside of the lid, as shewn by Figure 2.
The object of this arrangement is to afford the means of pressing the shelves
together when the counter is closed; this is done by passing a lever through
the perforations in the screw heads and turning the screws, by which the
shelves are gradually but firmly pressed upon each other. The top shelf
should in all cases be a single piece, but the lower shelves may be divided
into 2, as shewn by Figure 3, or in any convenient manner, according to the
purpose for which they are designed. When it is desired to inspect the con-
tents of the counter, or other fitting, the shelves are lifted and thrown back one
after another, as shown by Figure 5. G, G, are bands of elastic or non-elastic
material, for the purpose of retaining the articles placed upon the shelves in
the places assigned to them, and preventing disarrangement by the movement
of the shelves. The bands are placed across the shelves and fastened to the sides
thereof; other bands G!, G', cross the former at right angles to them. The
number and disposition of the bands must of course depend upon the nature of
the articles to be placed upon the shelves. Hooks, rings, or similar fastenings
may be used instead of bands for retaining the articles upon the shelves.
These counters may be placed back to back, so as to constitute a double counter,
arranged according to my improvements, as above described; also, a counter
or other fitting may be arranged with a series of shelves or shallow trays,

page_text: having a rotary or semi-rotary motion given to them, by which means both
sides of these shelves or trays may be readily inspected. This form of fitting
or show case is adapted either for warehouses, shops, or offices, &c., or for the
use of commercial travellers, and when made of moderate dimensions and
placed on castors may be removed from one place to another with as much
facility as an ordinary table, and by this means a great variety of goods may
be examined by the buyer without trouble to the seller or loss of time in
untying and repacking parcels. Figure 6 of the accompanying Drawings
represents one of the shelves of the improved show case or fitting. The shelf
consists of a morticed frame H, within which is fitted the partition or bottom
I, placed midway between the top and lower sides of the frame II, thus
forming a shallow tray upon either side of the partition I, as shewn by the
dotted lines. The depth of these trays must of course be regulated by the
nature or bulk of the goods to be exhibited in them, but in some cases it may
be convenient to have the means of increasing the depth of the trays at will;
this is done by making the partition I moveable, as shewn by Figure 7, which
may then be taken out or fitted either at the top or bottom of the tray, as desired.
The back part of each of these shelves or trays is hollowed out, as shown at K,
Figures 6, 7, and to the upper and lower edges hinges are screwed, by which the
desired number of shelves are secured together. Figure 8 represents one of
these show cases or fittings complete. L is a base, to which are secured the
standards or pillars, M, M; a side view of one of these standards is shewn by
Fig. 9. N, N, arc rollers or pullies, fitted to the upper and lower parts of the
pillar M. The desired number of shelves or trays H being fitted together,
they are caused to pass over the upper rollers, and descend upon the opposite
side of the standards M, by attaching them to a series of bars of wood hinged
together, which traverse readily from either side on the rollers N, N. Figure
10 represents an end view of a portion of a show case or fitting, shewing the
manner in which the shelves or trays are passed over the upper roller, by which
means both sides of each tray are alternately exposed to view. The top and
bottom shelves or trays of the series are fitted with lids, so that when the whole
of the trays are passed over to one side, the lid of the last shelf or tray is closed,
and the goods within the case or fitting are protected from injury, and at the
same time are ready for inspection, as before. Figure 11 represents an eleva-
tion of the inner side of one of the laths or bars of wood, of which the flexible
band is formed. The ends of each of the bars O are hollowed out at O', so as
to readily pass over the rollers N; a number of these are hinged together, as
shewn by the end view, Figure 12. The width of these bars corresponds to
the depth of the shelves; for light goods, such as lace, gloves, braces, &c., a

page_text: depth of one inch will be found sufficient. It is necessary that these bars
should counterpoise the weight of the shelves or trays and the goods placed
therein, in order that the shelves may move freely over the rollers, and require
only a slight force to put them in motion, and also hold them stationary as they
are successively moved over the upper roller, irrespective of any inequality in
the number of shelves or trays upon either side of the pillars M, M.. In order
to effect this, each bar is hollowed out to form a recess or box, as shewn by
Figure 13, in which are placed a number of pieces of metal, corresponding with
the weight of the shelf and the goods shown thereon. In the end view, repre-
sented by Figure 10, seven shelves are shewn upon one side of the standard
M, two upon the other, and one on the upper part of the roller. This Figure
serves to convey an idea of the manner in which the contents of each tray are
successively brought before the eye of the spectator. The covers or lids of the
top and bottom shelves or trays have a knob or handle, by which the lids or
covers are lifted, and which serves as a stop or support for the bottom shelf to
rest upon, when all the shelves are upon one side of the standards M. In
some instances it may be desirable to cause the shelves or trays to traverse to
and fro over the upper roller continually, but without requiring the assistance
of any person to keep them in motion; this may be done by means of a train
of wheelwork or other suitable means, concealed beneath the base, and com-
municating a reciprocating motion to the series of flexible bars attached to the
shelves or trays. By making the pillars or standards sufficiently high, the
series of trays or shelves may always be caused to make a complete revolution,
but then this would be generally found inconvenient for inspecting the
contents, and therefore I prefer that the trays or shelves should make only a
partial revolution. It will be unnecessary to enter into a detailed description
of the mechanism or power employed to give motion to the shelves, as the
means I purpose using are such as are at present in ordinary use, and there-
fore do not form a part of my Invention. One mode of fastening the goods or
samples to the shelves or trays is by hooks or bands of elastic webbing fastened
at one end to the side of the partition or false bottom; to the other end of the
webbing is secured a ring, which is hooked on to a stud cr nail driven into
the opposite side of the partition; by this means the patterns are released
instantaneously, and again confined at will; or by use of any material or other
means of fastening, as the case may require. Figure 14 represents a modifi-
cation of the shelf or tray; it consists of a light frame of wood, strengthened
by two moveable cross bars, and having two longitudinal bars, over which the
elastic webbing is stretched.. The frame may be covered with canvass, and:
then with paper to give it an ornamental appearance. The elastic webbing is.

page_text: fastened at the sides of the frame, opposite the ends of the longitudinal bars,
over which it is stretched. By this arrangement, when goods are placed upon
the shelf, the elastic bands press them tightly against the longitudinal bars,
retaining them securely in their places. Figure 15 represents a shelf or tray
adapted for exhibiting goods or articles which cannot be confined by bands or
fastenings. In this arrangement the shelves are supported upon pivots, and
are poised in such manner as always to maintain a level surface irrespective of
the motion of the frame which surrounds the shelf or tray. P is the external
frame; Q, the shelf or tray. This is supported by a screw at each side of the
frame P. The points of the screw rest against small sockets or pivot plates
fitted in the sides of the shelf Q. These screws may be caused to press with
more or less force against each shelf, and thus regulate its motion; it should;
however, in most cases oscillate freely. The shelf Q is shewn in the Drawing as
having a raised edge or fillet around it. This may be made of greater depth,
according to the nature of the articles to be placed therein. When the
samples or goods are arranged upon the shelves, it is necessary that each shelf
should be on the balance, or, in other words, that the weight upon either side
of the points of support should be equal. In order to compensate for any
difference caused by the unequal distribution of articles upon the shelf, a
leaden weight is secured to cach shelf, which may be moved to and fro, and
thus equalize the weight; when desired, the shelves may be held in any
position or retained at any angle by a handle fitted to the side of the outer
frame, as shown by P', Figure 15. This handle passes through the frame P,
and is screwed into or otherwise secured to the shelf Q, and when grasped by
the person turning the frames, the shelf of each frame may be held either
horizontally or at any angle best adapted to exhibit the goods placed thereon.
The top and bottom shelves of a series fitted in the foregoing manner should
be single pieces of wood or other material, in order to afford a solid basis for
the rotating shelves to rest upon. Although I have described my improve-
ments in reference more particularly to their use in shops and warehouses,
fittings or furniture for banks, railway, mercantile, legal, and other offices
may be constructed on similar principles for retaining and arranging letters,
papers, and other documents therein, especially where a ready reference to a
large correspondence is desirable. But the description herein-before given will
apply equally well to the manufacture of fittings for the latter purpose.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of carry-
ing the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise arrangement of the minor details of the
improvements as herein described and shewn, as these may be varied without

page_text: departing from the principle of the Invention; but what I claim and desire
to secure by these Letters Patent is, the construction of counters and similar
fittings for shops, warehouses, and offices, whereby shelves and trays may be
arranged one above another, and upon fixed or moveable steps and projections,
as above described and represented.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Worthington, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
CHARLES BARLOW.
JOSEPH WORTHINGTON. (L.S.)