An Improved Guard for Ships' Tables.
Year: 1896

page_text: An Improved Guard for Ships' Tables.
I, ROBERT COCHRAN MCCUNN of 138 Darnley Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow,
Cabinet-maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of guard or guard rail for
ships' tables.
The new guard is made collapsible so as to fold up into small space when not
required. The guard can also be fitted to the table very easily.
In carrying out my invention I make the guard preferably, in two portions, each
portion consisting of four members which are hinged or jointed together at their
extremities. The two portions are joined together by means of elastic connections
such as india-rubber cord, elastic, or springs.
The outer member of each portion is made deeper than the rest so as to catch on
the edge of the table.
These outer members can also be held to the table by means of metal or other
catches.
With this arrangement the elastic connections enable the two portions to be readily
fitted in place on the table. The hinging or jointing of the members also enables each
portion to be easily collapsed or folded up when not required.
If desired the guards can be made in a single portion.
Each portion may have removable cross pieces for holding glasses.
Dated this 1st day of June 1896.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.
I, ROBERT COCHRAN MCCUNN of 138 Darnley Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow,
Cabinet-maker, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 relates to an improved construction of guard or fiddle for ships'
tables.
The new guard is made collapsible so as to fold up into small space when not
required. The guard can also be fitted to the table very easily.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 is a plan and Fig. 2 an end view showing the guard fitted on a table a.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the guard collapsed.
In carrying out my invention I make the guard, preferably, in two portions, b, c,
each portion consisting of four members 61, 62, 63, 64, and c', c², c³, c, which are hinged
or jointed together at their extremities. e are the hinges. The two portions b, c,
are joined together by means of elastic connections such as pieces of elastic d, or

page_text: india-rubber cord, or springs. The pieces of elastic are firmly secured to the
members 6 b², c¹, c².
The outer member (b, c,) of each portion is made deeper than the rest so as to catch
on the edge of the table."
These outer members can also be held to the table by pieces of metal or other
catches which grip on the underside of the table as shown at Fig. 2.
With this arrangement, the elastic connections d enable the two portions to be
readily fitted in place on the table. The hinging or jointing of the members also
enables each portion to be easily collapsed or folded up into small compass when not
required as shown at Fig. 3.
Each portion may have removable cross pieces f, g, for holding glasses and these
cross pieces may be held in position by buttons or catches h of any suitable shape or
design. The dotted lines h¹ Fig. 1, show an oblong shaped button.
The view Fig. 14 shows a form of cross piece g which is provided with plates g', 9²,
at each end, the plate g¹ being pivoted to the bar whilst the plate o has a slot g³ in
it through which a pin or screw is passed into the member 6. This arrangement
permits of the folding up of the guard without removing the cross pieces.
If desired the guard can be made in a single portion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
consider novel and desire to claim is :-
1. A collapsible table-guard constructed of members hinged or jointed together,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. A collapsible table-guard, such as claimed in Claim 1, made in two portions
connected together by elastic connections, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 9th day of July 1896.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.