IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS ARTICLES OF FURNITURE
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Mead at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th October
1863.
I, JOHN MEAD, of Abridge, in the County of Essex, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS
ARTICLES OF FURNITURE," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is so to construct various articles of portable
furniture that they may be readily folded into a compact form, and be employed
either for general purposes or for use as cabin or camp furniture, my Inven-
tion being particularly applicable to the two last-named purposes. For this
purpose I will describe a piece of furniture of the most simple kind con-
structed in accordance with the chief character of my Invention in having the
capability of folding or closing into a very compact form for stowing away or
transporting from place to place. In constructing a piece of furniture suitable
for being employed as a what-not, stand, or table (for supporting dinner
requisites or other articles) having a recess or shelves underneath the upper
surface so as to form a cupboard or receptacle with open front, I take
two pieces of wood, metal, or other suitable material of a length and width
suited to the size of the upper surface of the intended article. The ends of
these parts are connected together by parts which are hinged or jointed
thereto, the hinged connecting parts having the capability of folding inwards
at or about the centre thereof, so that when the parts are allowed to fold or
close together the parts which connect the ends of the upper and lower

page_text: surfaces together are enclosed between such surfaces in a very compact
manner, the whole of the parts when folded or closed and strapped or other-
wise fastened together occupying very little space; when the upper surface is
raised the connecting parts assume a vertical position, being retained in that
position by bolts, stays, or other means; or they may be kept in an extended
and rigid position by the insertion of a cross piece to form a shelf intermediate
of the upper and lower surfaces. When the article is intended for a stand or
table only the connecting parts and lower surface may be open frames or rods
jointed together, so as to fold in the manner previously described, and the
upper surface may have openings formed therein to receive and support
washing utensils or other articles. Flaps may also be hinged to the upper
surface capable of being fixed in a vertical or other desired position, or for
the purpose of enlarging the upper surface. Seats or surfaces for sitting,
lying, or reclining upon, having folding parts to form the sides, ends, or back, may
be constructed according to my Invention, so that the parts may be capable of
folding or closing in like manner to that previously described to form flat and
compact surfaces when out of use or in transit from one place to another.
Several of such folding parts, constructed according to my Invention, may be
combined together, and hinged or jointed to a series of intermediate surfaces,
which, on being expanded and secured in that position form a series of shelves,
and the spaces between the shelves may be closed in, if desired, by flaps hinged
to the shelves or by other convenient means.