Improved Parallel Bars Convertible into a Table or Desk.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 14th May, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Parallel Bars Convertible into a Table or Desk.
I, BERNHARD HAGEN, Mechanic, of 50 Zimmerstrasse, Berlin, Germany do
hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
My present invention consists of the combination of parallel bars for gymnastic
purposes, with a top plate, which may be secured to said bars in various manners so
as to form, either a table for children or adults, or a reading or writing desk, and
whereby means are provided in the latter case, to allow of one part of the said
desk, being arranged horizontally for the reception of a lamp.
The device consists mainly in the combination of two parallel bars mounted on
telescopic uprights, means for varying the distance of the said bars from each
other; suitable means for affixing the same in any desired position vertically, and
a top or table plate having bands or collars by means of which it may be secured to
the said bars.
In order to make this description more easily intelligible, I refer to the
accompanying drawings in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the
several views.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device arranged as a table.
Fig. 2 is
side elevation of the same as desk.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of Fig. 2 and
Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of the apparatus, when arranged as a rack.
The horizontal bars G G are attached by means of collars H H (Fig. 3) to the
uprights E E, which are adapted to slide in the hollow standards D D. The latter
are provided with feet A A, each pair being rigidily connected by a bar B, whilst
the distance between the two pairs may be varied by means of the sliding con-
necting rods C adapted to slide into or out of each of two opposite feet. The
rods EE are each provided with a series of perforations, corresponding to similar
perforations in the standards D so that the said bars E may be fixed in any desired
position vertically by inserting a pin F into any one of said perforations. The
top plate or table J is attached to said horizontal bars G G at the lower side
(Fig. 2) by means of two bands or collars K K enclosing the bar and having flanges
which may be screwed to the underside of the top plate or table, or attached in
any other suitable manner. One band or collar L will suffice to attach the table
to the second bar, such collar however not being screwed, or otherwise attached to
the underside of the table, but to a small plate M, adapted to slide on the
underside of the table in a groove N, in order to allow of a suitable variation of
the incline of the top plate, when the device is used as a desk. A ledge O is
provided at the bottom edge of the plate J whilst at the top, preferably the right
hand corner is cut out rectangularly and hinged to the plate so that the piece J
(Fig. 2) can fall back into a horizontal position, in which it is held by a pivoted
catch having one end Q bevelled and on which the flap J' may rest.
position a lamp may be arranged on said flap. When the device is being used as a
table the flap J' may be held or retained on a level with the plate J by turning
the end P of the catch underneath the same.
The device is manipulated in the following manner :-
In this
For use as parallel bars, for gymnastical purposes, the bars are drawn a suitable
distance apart, and fixed at a suitable height by means of the pins F. To convert
the said parallel bars into a table, the plate J is attached to the horizontal
bars G G by means of the collars K and arranged at a suitable height. To form
a desk, the bar G, to which is attached the sliding plate M, should be raised and

page_text: fixed at such height as to give the desk the proper incline and if thus desired, the
flap J may be let down onto the bevelled edge Q of the pivoted catch, for the
reception of a lamp.
▸
It is obvious that the flap J' might be made to extend along the whole top of
the plate J instead of being only at one corner-in which case the same would
have to be supported on two catches PQ-without departing from the nature of
my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is performed, what I claim is :-
1). The combination of the horizontal parallel bars, the vertically adjustable
uprights, the top or table plate, and means for connecting same to the horizontal
bars substantially as described.
2). The combination of the parallel bars, the uprights attached to same, the
hollow standards in which said uprights slide, suitable feet to said standards, the
table plate, the collars K K, the sliding collar L and means for retaining
the uprights vertically, substantially as described.
3). The combination of the parallel bars G G, the uprights E E attached to
same, the hollow standards D D in which said uprights slide, the feet A, the table
plate J having hinged part J', the catch pivoted to said table plate and having
bevelled edge Q and straight edge P, the collars K K, the sliding collar L, and
means for retaining the uprights substantially as described.
4). The combination of the parallel bars G G, the uprights E E, attached to
same, the hollow standards D D in which said uprights slide, the feet A, the sliding
connecting bar C, the table plate J, the collars K K and the sliding collar L, for
securing said plate to the parallel bars and means for retaining the uprights
vertically substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of April 1892
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.