IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SEATS, FORMS, OR BENCHES, AND DESKS OR TABLES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR USE FOR SCHOLASTIC AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO SEATS GENERALLY."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Mellard Reade, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer and Architect, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SEATS, FORMS, OR BENCHES, AND DESKS OR
TABLES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR USE FOR SCHOLASTIC AND OTHER
LIKE PURPOSES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO SEATS GENERALLY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Mellard Reade at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November 1877.
THOMAS MELLARD READE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer and Architect. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SEATS,
FORMS, OR BENCHES, AND DESKS OR TABLES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR
USE FOR SCHOLASTIC AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO
SEATS GENERALLY."
A form or bench constructed according to this Invention consists of a seat formed
of a single plank, or of strips, or laths, or their equivalent, carried at the ends by
transverse bars which are supported by and hinged to parallel vertical bars, forming
supports. The parallel supporting bars are in their turn hinged to a suitable base.
Carried on the base, and between the hinged supports, there is formed a rest or
stop having two inclined sides against which the vertical supports of the seat rest.
By this arrangement the seat, form, or bench is free to cant or swing over trans-
versely.
To provide for longitudinal rigidity and intermediate support I use triangular
stays, which are hinged at their apex to transverse bars under the seat, and at their
base to the under structure or floor, as the case may be. The stays are so hinged as
to work in unison with the hinged vertical bars forming the end.supports.
The base or under structure of the seat may be prolonged and receive vertical
standards; being supports for a slope or desk, which runs parallel with the form or

page_text: bench. The back of each desk has a vertical longitudinal board, or its equivalent,
which serves as a back rest for the next seat in front, and the supports or standards
also carry a longitudinal bar, which serves as a foot rest for the seat in connection
with the desk.
To provide transverse stiffness the desk standards are provided with suitable
webs or feathers; and to provide longitudinal stiffness the feathers of some of the
standards may be reversed, the standards being by preference of + section.
In operation the swinging seat can be brought over towards the desk into a con-
venient position for writing or other purposes, room being thus given between the
seat and the desk, immediately behind, for the passage of the master or other
persons. The seat can be swung back away from the desk, so that the desk imme-
diately behind forms a back rest. The weight of the sitters in both cases keeps the
seat in position. By this arrangement of swinging seat the pupils can sit up to the
desk, stand up for teaching, or walk out, as the case may be, according to the
position of the seat.
A suitable provision, such as a rocking duplex catch, or a pin and chain, may be
provided for securing the seat on either side.
Although I have described my Invention as applied in combination with a desk
particularly adapted for scholastic purposes, I would have it understood that the
arrangement of swinging seat by parallel vertical bars according to my Invention
is applicable to any other description of seat, form, or bench, where a change of
position is desirable; amongst others, I may mention its applicability to table seats
for ships' and other saloons.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Mellard Reade in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th April 1878.
THOMAS MELLARD READE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer and Architect. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO SEATS,
FORMS, OR BENCHES, AND DESKS OR TABLES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR
USE FOR SCHOLASTIC AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN PART APPLICABLE TO SEATS
GENERALLY."
A form or bench constructed according to this Invention consists of a seat formed
of a single plank, or of strips, or laths, or their equivalent, carried at the ends by
transverse bars which are supported by and hinged to parallel vertical bars forming
supports. The parallel supporting bars are in their turn hinged to a suitable-base.
Carried on the base, and between the hinged supports, there is formed a rest or
stop, having two inclined sides, against which the vertical supports of the seat
rest. By this arrangement the seat, form, or bench is free to cant or swing over
transversely.
To provide for longitudinal rigidity and intermediate support I use triangular,
square, or other suitably-shaped stays, which are hinged at their apex to transverse
bars under the seat, and at their base to the under structure or floor, as the case may
be. The stays are so hinged as to work in unison with the hinged vertical bars
forming the end supports.
The base or under structure of the seat may be prolonged, and receive vertical
standards, being supports for a slope or desk, which runs parallel with the form or
bench. The back of each desk has a vertical longitudinal board or its equivalent
which serves as a back rest for the next seat in front, and the supports or standards
also carry a longitudinal bar which serves as a foot rest for the seat in connection
with the desk.
To provide transverse stiffness the desk standards are provided with suitable
webs or feathers; and to provide longitudinal stiffness the feathers of some of the
standards may be reversed, the standards being by preference of + section.
In operation the swinging seat can be brought over towards the desk into a con-
venient position for writing or other purposes; room being thus given between the
seat and the desk immediately behind for the passage of the master or other per-
sons. The seat can be swung back away from the desk, so that the desk
immediately behind forms a back rest. The weight of the sitters in both cases
keeps the seat in position. By this arrangement of swinging seat the pupils can sit
up to the desk, stand up for teaching, or walk out, as the case may be, according to
the position of the seat.
A suitable provision, such as a rocking duplex catch, or a pin and chain, may be
provided for securing the seat on either side.
Although I have described my Invention as applied in combination with a desk
particularly adapted for scholastic purposes, I would have it understood that the
arrangement of swinging seat by parallel vertical bars according to my Invention is
applicable to any other description of seat, form, or bench where a change of position
is desirable; amongst others I may mention its applicability to table seats for ships'
and other saloons.
The nature, object, and purposes of this my Invention having been set forth as
above, I will now proceed to describe in detail how the same may be practically
carried out, and for that purpose I have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings,
which sufficiently illustrate my Invention, to enable any person skilled in the art
to carry the same into practical effect. Like letters and figures marked on the
Drawings denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the various views.
. Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that.―
Figures 1, 14, 1B, and 1° illustrate an end view, partly in section, of a series of
forms, or seats; and desks constructed according to my Invention.

page_text: Invention.
Figure 3 is a section through A, B, Figure 1A.
Figure 4 is an enlarged section through C, D, Figure 1^.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of inclined rest.
Figure 6 is an end view of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an elevation of central standards or supports for desks.
Figure 8 is an end view of Figure 7.
Upon further reference to the Drawings it will be seen that the form or bench
constructed according to this Invention consists of a seat A formed of a single plank,
or of strips, or laths, or their equivalent, carried at the ends by transverse bars B,
which are hinged to parallel rocking bars C, C, forming supports. The parallel
supporting bars C, C', are in their turn hinged to a suitable base D, and between
the parallel bars C, C, there is formed a triangular rest or stop E common to the
bars C, C, and against the inclined sides of which the bars C, C¹, rest, according to
their position. The preferred section of the bars C, C¹, is shown at C, Figure 4, and
a section of the sides of the triangular rest is shown at E, Figure 4. It will be seen
that the inner ribs or feathers of the rocking supports fit into and are steadied by
the grooves on the sides of the triangular rest.. Such groove is provided with india-
rubber or leather é to deaden any concussion that might arise from the swinging
over of the scat.
To provide for longitudinal rigidity and intermediate support I use triangular,
square, or other suitably-shaped stays, such as that shown at F, Figure 2 and
Figure 1°. The triangular stay F is hinged at its apex to the transverse bar G,
which passes under and is fastened to the seat A, and is hinged at its base to a bar H
which is fastened to the under structure or floor.
It will be seen that the triangular stays F are so hinged as to work in unison
with the parallel bars C, C¹, upon the end supports. The base or under structure D
of the seat A inay be prolonged and receive the vertical standards J, which form
supports for a slope or desk K which runs parallel with the form or bench A. The
back of each desk K has a vertical longitudinal board L which serves as a back rest
for the seat in front. The supports or standards J carry a longitudinal bar M
which serves as a foot rest for the scat A. in connection with the desk K.
To provide transverse stiffness intermediate standards J¹ for the desk are pro-
vided with broad webs, as shown at Figure 7.
In some cases the desk K may be provided with a locker R, as shown at
Figure 1.
:
In operation the swinging seat A by an easy parallel movement of any required
throw can be brought close to the desk K, as shown at Figure 1B. This position is
suitable for writing, drawing, or other desk work, and an ample gangway is left for
the teacher to overlook the work from behind. The scholars also have the benefit of
the foot rest M. When the scholars are required to stand, instead of stepping over
the seat A they push it back, and it assumes the position shown at Figure 14, leaving
abundance of standing room between the seat A and the front of the desk K; also
when the seat is in this position the desk in the rear forms an easy sloping back
rest.
A desk constructed according to my Invention unites all the advantages of a
"dual" desk with those of the long desk. It unites all the advantages with less
first cost and is far more lasting and solid, costs less in repairs, and any portion of
it can be renewed independently of the other parts.
Having now described and ascertained the nature and construction of my
Invention, and shown how the same may be carried out into practical effect, I would
have it understood that I do not confine myself to dimensions or to the precise
arrangement and details shown in the Drawings, as the same are capable of modifi-
cation without departing from my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention
and secured to me by Letters Patent, as aforesaid is,-
First. The construction and arrangement of a seat, form, or bench, such as A,

page_text: supported from the under structure or floor by parallel rocking bars, such as C, C₁
having a rest, such as E, and the seat being provided with longitudinal rigidity by
stays, such as F, as described, and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any
modification thereof.
Second. The construction and arrangement of a seat, form, or bench and desk, or
table in connection therewith, as herein-before described, and shown in the
Drawings, or any modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Mellard Reade, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
THOMAS MELLARD (L.S.) READE.