IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTIBLE SCHOOL DESKS OR FURNITURE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Newton, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster,
Gas Meter Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTIBLE
SCHOOL DESKS OR FURNITURE."
Sealed the 22nd November 1878, and dated the 31st May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Newton nt the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st May 1878.
GEORGE NEWTON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Gas Meter Manufac-
turer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTIBLE SCHOOL DESKS OR FURNITURE"
My Invention relates principally to the now well-known class of school furniture
usually or sometimes styled convertible school desks, but is also applicable in part
to other descriptions of convertible tables, desks, or furniture. The said school
desks as usually constructed are provided with tops which can be fixed in different
positions to form either flat tables, sloping desks, or seat backs.
According to my Invention I connect the desk top with the standards or supports
by means of disc joints, which can be tightened by means of bolts so as to retain
the desk top in the required positions with a sufficient amount of rigidity and
firmness. To the under side of the desk top are secured brackets which are formed
with discs; and to the bookboard, or to or on the standards or supports are fixed
corresponding brackets also formed with discs; or the said discs may be formed in
one piece with the standards.
Each disc is formed with an annular projecting bearing surface, which I prefer to
face in a lathe or to otherwise form to a sufficiently true and flat, conical, or other
shaped surface. The discs on the desk top are applied to the discs on the supports
in such a manner as that the bearing surfaces come together, and the parts are
secured by means of bolts passing through the pairs of discs,
D

page_text: Each bolt is tightened by means of a wing nut, or of a nut provided with a
suitable handle or with handles or arms.
Each disc in a joint is formed or provided with a projecting flanch which extends
partly around the disc and acts as a stop.
The movements of the desk top are limited by the flanches or stops coming t
together when the desk top is in one or the other of its extreme positions, as, for
example, when it is in a level position or in position to form an inclined seat back.
Between the two extreme positions the desk top may be fixed in any desired
position.
The said stops may be dispensed with if not considered to be necessary in any 1
case.
The said flanches, or one of them, may also bear the weight of the desk top
instead of the central bolt, and may or may not be faced or turned.
In some cases I may turn a recess in one disc, and a projecting ring upon the
other face, the said ring fitting in the recess, the formation relieving the bolt from 1
the load, and rendering the movements of the parts more smooth and steady.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th November
1878.
GEORGE NEWTON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Gas Meter Manufac-
turer. IMPROVEMENTS IN CONVERTIBLE SCHOOL DESKS OR FURNITURE."
"
My Invention relates principally to the now well-known class of school furniture
usually or sometimes styled convertible school desks, but is also applicable in part
to other descriptions of convertible tables, desks, or furniture. The said school
desks as usually constructed are provided with tops which can be fixed in different
positions to form either flat tables, aloping desks, or seat backs.
According to my Invention I connect the desk top with the standards or supports
by means of disc joints, which can be tightened by means of bolts so as to retain
the desk top in the required positions with a sufficient amount of rigidity and
firmness. To the under side of the desk top are secured brackets which are formed
with discs; and to the book board, or to or on the standards or supports, are fixed
corresponding brackets, also formed with discs; or the said discs may be formed in
one piece with the standards.
Each disc is formed with an annular projecting bearing surface, which I prefer to
face in a lathe, or to otherwise form to a sufficiently true and flat, conical, or other
shaped surface. The discs on the desk top are applied to the discs on the supports
in such a manner as that the bearing surfaces come together, and the parts are
secured by means of bolts passing through the pairs of discs.

page_text: And in order that my Invention may be fully understood I have appended here-
unto a Sheet of Drawings made about half the full linear dimensions, and marked
with letters of reference, corresponding marks indicating the same parts in the
various Figures.
Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of one of the
said disc joints, the remaining Figures being side views, as seen when looking at
one end of the desk.
In the said Figs. a is the desk top, and b is the bookboard, these parts being of
any ordinary or suitable forms and proportions. The said bookboard is secured to
the upper ends of suitable standards, indicated by c in the Drawing. The joint is
formed by two discs e and f. The disc e is cast or formed on a bracket or piece g,
which is screwed or attached to the under side of the top a, and the disc f is formed
upon a bracket h, which is screwed or secured to the book board.
In lieu of this arrangement the disc f may be cast upon or fixed directly to the
upper end c of the standard, and the bookboard be fixed in any suitable manner to
the said standard, or the bookboard may be dispensed with if not required.
The meeting faces of the two discs are turned in a lathe, or are otherwise faced
by means of revolving cutting tools in order that they may fit together with a
suitable degree of accuracy, and that the face of the disc e may revolve in contact
with the face of the disc f when required. A ring turned or formed upon one of
the discs enters a turned recess formed in the other disc.
In the example a projecting ring i upon the disc e enters a recess in the disc f.
The disc e is formed with a portion of a flange k which projects over the upper
edge of the disc f, and the latter disc is formed with a portion of a flange l which
projects across a portion of the edge of the disc e. When the disc e is rotated
upon the disc f these two parts & and 7 come into contact, and thereby act as stops
to limit the movements of the disc e in both directions. A bolt m passes through
the centre of the joint, and is provided with a wing nut n.
In the example two teeth are formed on the flanch 1, and a hinged detent or
pawl o engages with one or the other of these teeth, and thereby sustains the top a
until the nut n can be tightened.
Fig. 2 represents the top a in the level position assumed when a flat table is
required.
When a sloping desk is required the nut n is slackened, and the detent is
disengaged from the lower tooth and is caused to engage with the upper tooth,
which serves as a guide to determine the slope of the top a, which is then in the
position indicated in Fig. 3. The nut n is now tightened, whereby the top is firmly
held in the sloping position.
It will be understood that there are two of the joints, one at or near each end of
the desk, and that both of these joints are slackened and tightened, but it is not
necessary or advisable that both joints should be furnished with the teeth and
detent. The said teeth and detent are only subsidiary to my Invention, and may
be used or not, as preferred.
Fig. 4 indicates the position of the top when turned over to form a back to the
seat.
I have illustrated the form of joint which I prefer to use, but the details may
be varied so long as the two discs and the tightening bolt are retained, as, for
example, the stops k and 7; and the turning or facing of the two discs might be
dispensed with, but the effect would not be so good.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood that I claim,-
First. The disc joint, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated
herein-before, and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The joint consisting of two disc-shaped parts turned or faced, and held
together by means of a tightening bolt, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth and indicated.

page_text: And, lastly. The two discs e and f formed with stops k and 7, fitting the one into
the other, as at i, and provided with a tightening bolt for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Newton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal; this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Signed and sealed by the
said George Newton in
the presence of
HUGH GRANT,
Clerk to Edward K. Dutton,
Agent to the Patentee,
St. Ann's Churchyard,
Manchester.
GEORGE NEWTON. (L.s.)