Improvements in Convertible Tables for the use of Invalids and others.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1890-Accepted, 27th Mar 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Convertible Tables for the use of Invalids
and others.
I, JEAN AUGUSTIN GEORGES GAY of 62 Rue Tiquetonne, Paris, France, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in convertible tables of that kind in which
the table top is capable of adjustment at different heights, and either in a horizontal
or variably inclined position, and of being placed either symmetrically or
eccentrically above its pedestal, according to the purpose to which it is to be
adapted.
My invention consists more particularly in the special means by which this
convertibility of the table is effected, the said means being more easy of manipulation
and more simple than those heretofore used for the same purpose.
The table top is jointed to the upper end of an upright post of rectangular section
sliding telescopically in a hollow pillar supported upon a foot, as usual.
The first improvement relates to the means of fixing the table top at any desired
height, and consists of a collar or stirrup-piece fixed to the top of the hollow pillar
and embracing the sliding post in combination with an eccentric jaw journaled in
the ears of the stirrup piece or collar and pressed by a spring into binding engage-
ment with the sliding post, the eccentric being provided with a handle by which it
may be released from engagement in order to permit the free sliding motion of the
post in the hollow pillar.
According to another improvement, the sliding post has a cylindrical cross-head
at its upper end through which passes the spindle forming the axis of oscillation of
the table top, the ends of the spindle being fixed in ears of a bracket upon which the
table top is fitted to slide in the direction of its length. A split collar fixed to
the back embraces the cylindrical cross-head and is caused by a binding screw to
grip it tightly in order to maintain the table top in the horizontal, inclined, or vertical,
position.
Another improvement consists in fitting the table top to slide longitudinally upon
the above mentioned bracket by means of cross bars fixed upon the latter engaging
by their projecting ends in gibs or undercut guide bars fixed to the underside of the
table top. A bolt fixed to the underside of the table top passes through a longi-
tudinal slot in the top plate of the bracket and is provided with a wing nut whereby
to fix the table-top in whatever position it may be adjusted in the longitudinal
direction.
Another improvement relates to the means of attaching an adjustable ledge or rail
along one or both the longitudinal edges of the table so that the ledge may either be
turned up for use or turned back under the table top when not required. The means
of attachment consist of sliding hinge-joints containing a spiral spring confined
between a head on the hinge pin and the opposite end of its socket by which a sort
of clutch on the two parts of the hinge are caused to interlock for the purpose of
maintaining the ledge or rail in whichever of its positions it may be adjusted; the
said ledge or rail when turned back under the table top abuts against under cross
bars or braces fixed to the end of the said table top and forms therewith a sort of
plinth or under frame.
The improvements further relate to various kinds of brakes for checking the descent
of the table top. One form consists of a plate spring fixed to the lower end of the
sliding inner wall of the post and bearing against the hollow pillar in which it slides.
Another form consists of a similar spring let into a recess of variable depth in the
sliding post and backed up, if necessary, by a second spring, the recess being.
1

page_text: deepest at its lower end and of greater length than the spring which when the
table begins to fall becomes wedged in the upper shallower end of the recess whilst
when the table is raised the spring is freed by passing to the lower or deeper end.
Another form of brake consists of a piece of leather fixed by its centre to the
lower end of the sliding post and bearing by its edges against the inside of the
hollow pillar so that the edges of the leather bind against the same on the descent
of the table, but yielding so as to exert but slight pressure when the table is raised.
Another form of brake consists of a leather faced eccentric jaw pivoted to the lower
end of the sliding post and pressed by an adjustable spring into frictional contact
with the inside of the said hollow pillar against which the eccentric binds on the
descent of the tablo whilst offering but little obstruction to upward motion. "Another
form of brake consists of an air check formed by a cupped leather piston on. the
lower end of the sliding post working in a cylinder in the hollow pillar provided
with an air-vent to permit the slow escape of air from beneath the piston, the cupped
leather being free to contract and admit air freely on the ascent.
Another improvement has for its object to prevent the loss of wing nuts, and
consists of a cap or head affixed by a set screw to the point of the bolt so as to
prevent the removal of the wing nut therefrom.
Another improvement relates to the form of the foot or base, and the arrangement
of the rollers or castors thereunder which are placed in positions corresponding to
the extremities of an X-shaped figure so arranged with regard to the table top as
to be more directly beneath the four corners of the table-top and afford greater
stability for the latter, especially when placed in its overhanging position.
Another improvement relates to an extension piece for the table top which is
provided with an adjustable telescopic leg which is adapted to rest on a bed, arm
chair, or other support, the sliding part of the leg being clamped in a split tube
which is pivoted to a socket adapted to slide and pivot upon a horizontal cross rod
attached to the under side of the extension piece.
The improvements further relato to means of mounting other accessories, such as
ink-stands, lamps, or candle-sticks on the table-top and of accommodating them to
various positions of the table-top. As applied to candle-sticks, for example, the
candle holder is supported in a ring which is pivoted on side gudgeons in an up-
right fork pivoted on a vertical axis in a socket carried by a screw-clamp adapted to
grip the edge of the table top, the pivoted fork being secured in whatever position
it may be adjusted by means of a binding screw. By this means, the accessory may.
be attached indifferently to any one of the four sides of the inclined table.
Daren INIS AUEN day 01 Anri I889
Daten LOIS AUEN day of Anri 18891
J. A. G. GAY.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Convertible Tables for the use of Invalids and
others.
I, JEAN AUGUSTIN GEORGES GAY of 62, Rue Tiquetonne, Paris, France, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the 4
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My Invention relates to improvements in convertible tables of that kind in which
the table-top is capable of adjustment at different heights and either in a horizontal or
variably inclined position, and of being placed either symmetrically or eccentrically 5
above its pedestal according to the purpose for which it is to be adapted.
My Invention consists more particularly in the special means by which this con-
vertibility of the table is effected, the said means being more easy of manipulation and
more simple than those heretofore used for the same purpose.

page_text: Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speci-
fication, in which figure 1 is an elevation of the improved table, the table top being in
the horizontal position and in transverse section through the joint upon which it is
oscillated. Figure 2 is an underside or rear elevation of the table top turned into a
vertical position and adjusted in an eccentric or overhanging position with regard to
its pedestal which is represented in vertical section. Figure 3 is a plan of the pedestal,
the table top being removed and shewing the means of adjusting the latter for height.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 shew details, on a larger scale, of the adjustable ledge with which
the table top is provided, when used as a book rest. Figures 7 to 10 show details of
various forms of brake or friction device for preventing the too sudden descent of the
table top. Figures 11 and 12 represent certain improved accessories of the table.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
desired
A is the table top, jointed at C¹ to the upper end of an upright post C sliding
telescopically in the hollow pillar B of the pedestal supported upon a foot B'.
One improvement relates to the means of fixing the sliding upright C at: any
height, and consists of a clamping collar D in combination with an eccentric jaw E
journaled in ears on the collar. The collar D is mounted in a box in the upper part
of the pillar B where it is fixed by screws d, and the eccentric jaw is compressed by a
spring r, placed in any suitable position, into binding engagement with the sliding
post so that the table top is held automatically at any height at which it may be
placed. The eccentric jaw E is provided with a handle E' whereby its grip may be
released to enable the sliding post C to be moved freely up and down in the pillar B.
According to another improvement, the sliding post C has a cylindrical cross-head C
through which passes a central spindle F which forms the axis of oscillation of the
table top A, the table top A being mounted to slide upon a plate P provided with
ears P₁ in which are received the ends of spindle F. A split collar or strap G,
attached at G¹ to the plate P embraces the cylindrical head C, a clamping serew G
passing through ears in the ends of the collar, causing the latter to bind firmly around
the cross head C in the manner of a strap brake whereby to fix the table top securely
in the horizontal, inclined, or vertical, position as desired.
Another improvement consists in fitting the table top A to slide upon the plate P
by means of iron cross bars fixed upon the plate P, their ends being received in gibs
or guides H fixed to the underside of the table top A. The number of the cross-bars h
may be varied, and, instead of being of metal, they may be made of ebonite, horn, or
other material. A bolt I fixed to the underside of the table top traverses a longi-
tudinal slot in the plate P to which the table top is clamped tightly by a wing nut, in
order to fix it in the horizontal direction.
The table top A is provided along one or both its longitudinal edges with an
adjustable book rail K which is hinged to the underside of the table top in such a
manner that it may be fixed either in position for use or turned back beneath the table
top when not required. The means of attachment of this book rail is shewn in detail
in figures 4 to 6 and consists of a bracket or socket L fixed to the underside of the
table top and of a plate M screwed to the book rail K, the plate M carrying a pintle m
which pivots in the box L and is provided with a head m¹ between which and the end
of the box is confined a spiral spring m². By the action of the spring, the plate M is
caused to engage in a notch in the end of the socket L from which it is disengaged
when required by pressing on the head m¹. The rail K is connected to the table top
by two of these spring-locking joints by means of which it may be readily turned
either to the full line or dotted line position shewn in figure 4, in either of which it is
securely retained by the interlocking of the parts as above described, only one of the
two sockets being necessarily provided with a spring. When the book rails K are
turned back under the table top, they abut against cross-bars K' at the ends of the
table-top and together therewith form a sort of plinth beneath the table top.
The improvements further relate to various forms of brake for checking the descent
of the table top when the eccentric jaw E is released. One such means is shewn to
the left in figure 7 and consists of a plate spring U fixed to one side of the sliding

page_text: post and rubbing against the adjacent internal wall of the hollow pillar B. To the
right of the same figure is another form of spring for the same purpose, the spring U
being fitted freely in a recess in the sliding post C, the recess being deeper at the
lower than at the upper end and the spring U being, if necessary, backed up by a
spring u forming an elastic bearing for the spring U₁. When the post C is raised,
the spring U slides into the deeper end of the recess and presses but slightly against
the pillar B but when the post C commences to descend suddenly the spring U¹ is
compressed between the upper shallow end of the recess and the pillar B and by its
pressure against the latter acts as a brake to check the descent of the post C and table
top A.
In figure 8 a device for the same purpose consists of a piece of leather C³ fixed
against the lower end of the sliding post so that its edges grip or become wedged
against the inside of the pillar B during the descent of the table, the leather C
springing to the curved form shewn in dotted lines when the table is raised and then
exerting but little friction against the pillar B.
In figure 2, a brake for the same purpose consists of an eccentric jaw Z pivoted
at in a mortise in the lower end of the post C and made of wood or metal faced
with leather; a spiral spring z', whose stress is regulated by means of an adjusting
screw, exerting constant pressure on the tail of the eccentric jaw Z so as to press it
into contact with the side of the pillar B. By this means, when the table commences
to descend, the eccentric jaw binds against the side of the pillar B so as to permit
the table to descend slowly. When the table is raised the eccentric Z becomes
released and its friction is reduced to a minimum.
Figures 9 and 10 represent, in vertical and horizontal section, a compressed-air
brake. In this case the bore of the pillar B is circular and is lined with a metal
tubo B2 closed at its lower end. The lower end of the post C is provided with a
head packed with a cupped leather C³ acting as an air tight piston in the cylinder B².
The cylinder is provided with an air-hole y which permits the escape of the air
compressed beneath the piston at a regulated speed whilst when the table top is raised
the sides of the cupped leather C³ are free to contract to permit air to pass freely to
the underside of the piston.
In order to prevent the entire removal and possible loss of the wing nuts G³ and I,
the bolts on which they screw are provided with caps D secured by a set screw.
The form of the foot B', which supports the pillar B, is different to that usually
employed. Generally, the foot is in the form of a cross + of which the arms are
at right angles, or in that of an equilateral triangle A. This improved foot is
approximately of the form of the letter X which permits of the rollers or castors
being placed at the points 1 2 3 4, directly corresponding to the four corners of the
table top and consequently forming a base offering a more stable support than when
placed in the form of a lozenge or triangle, this increased stability being especially
important when the table top is placed in the unsymmetrical or overhanging position
shewn in figure 2.
This convertible table may be provided with various accessories, such for example
as an extension piece R which is shewn in figure 2 as adapted for use in connection
with the table top when placed in the horizontal position shewn in dot and dash
lines. This extension is supported at its outer end by a leg p resting upon a bed,
arm-chair, or other support and clamped adjustably by a split tube t pivoted at its
upper end to ears carried by a socket. O sliding upon a horizontal rod n fixed to the
underside of the extension piece R, the socket being secured upon the rod by a
binding screw.
Other accessories, such as ink-stands, lamps, and candle-sticks &c. may also be
adapted to this convertible table.
Figure 11 shews, as an example, a candle stick mounted upon a clamp S adapted to
be fixed upon the edge of the table. In order that the candle stick may be placed
indifferently at any one of the four sides of the inclined table top, the candle holder
is mounted in a ring s journaled in a fork s¹, the fork itself being pivoted on a vertical

page_text: axis which permits of the direction of oscillation of the rings being directed as
required to keep the candle vertical. The pivot is grooved and engaged by a set
screw to retain it in its bearing and enable the fork to be fixed in any position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;
.
1. The combination of the collar or stirrup-piece D with the eccentric jaw E provided
with a handle E¹ and spring for automatically gripping the sliding post C and
maintaining the table top at any desired height, substantially as described.
2. The combination of the cylindrical cross-head C₁, of the sliding post C, and of
the clamping strap or collar G for fixing the table top in the horizontal or in the
inclined position, as required.
1
3. The means of fitting the table top to slide in the horizontal direction upon the
plate P, consisting in cross-bars h engaging in the gibs or guides H, and the
combination with the table top A and the plate P of the binding screw I and slot for
fixing the table top after adjustment as described.
4. The combination of the sliding and pivotal joint L M with or without the
spring m³ for fixing the book lodge K in either of the positions described.
5. The combination with the movable book ledges K with the end crossbars K¹
forming together therewith a sort of plinth beneath the table top, the fixed cross
pieces K¹ forming braces for strengthening the table top as described.
6. The various forms of brakes for checking the descent of the table, consisting
either of springs U or U¹ or of a leather end piece C³ or of an eccentric jaw Z or of
an air piston and cylinder C and B2 acting as described.
7. The combination with the bolts of the stops T for preventing loss of the wing
nuts.
8. The X-shaped form of the foot and the arrangement of the rollers or castors
thereon to form a stable rectangular support or base for the table.
9. The combintion, with a table top of the extension piece R provided with its
support not p, as described.
10. The mode of suspension of ink stands, lamps, candle-sticks, and similar
accessories, in a rings journaled in a fork s pivoted on a vertical axis and secured by
a set screw v, as described.
Dated this ZznⱭ day or January loyv.
Dated this 22nd day 01 January lo.
J. A. G. GAY.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.