Improvements in Convertible School Desks.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1899--Accepted, 8th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Convertible School Desks.
I, HENRY ADDISON, of the Firm of H. Addison and Co., Waterloo Works,
Wellington, Salop, School Furniture Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
**
My invention has for its object improvements in convertible school desks
which I call the automatic convertible desk" and which can be converted from
a writing desk to form a table or a back to the seat immediately before it in a
simple easy and effective manner while the inclination of the desk for writing
can be easily and quickly arranged at any desired angle and cannot be jerked
up by the pupils but can be readily lifted up by them without moving from
their seats thereby giving free standing room. The mechanism for holding the
desk at any angle is very simple and free from all complications.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practical effect I have appended hereunto a double sized sheet of drawings
upon which I have illustrated a portion of a school desk with my improvements
applied thereto.
Figure 1 is an end view of a portion of a school desk made according to my
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 with a portion of the top of the desk
broken away.
Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 1 shewing the desk top turned upwards.
Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 3.
In carrying my invention into practice I form the extended arm A¹ of the
standard A with the circular or semi-circular head and around the edge on
the inner face of this head a² I form one two three or more notches or recesses a³.
These notches or recesses are formed with an incline on one side that is the side
farthest away from the front of the desk. Fixed to the underside of the desk
top B is the bracket I) and this bracket is pivotted to the head by the pin or
bolt E. Formed on the face of the bracket 1) which butts against the head a³
is the projection or nose piece which takes into one of the notches or recesses a³
and is held therein by the spring S mounted on the end of the pin or bolt E
between the bracket D and the head e¹ of the bolt as clearly shewn at Figures 2,
3, and 4. To move the desk top B in the direction of the arrow the front
edge is lifted which action causes the nose piece d to slide up the inclined side
of the notch a³ thereby moving or forcing the bracket D along the pin or bolt
or its equivalent E and compressing the spring S. As soon as the nose piece
reaches the next notch or recess it is forced therein by the action of the
spring S thereby firmly holding the desk top at the desired angle. In order
to reverse the angle of the desk top it is pressed in the direction of the arrow
in Figure 2 far enough for the nose piece to clear the notch when the
desk would turn upon its centre pivot the nose piece sliding against the face of
the head a thus allowing the desk top to be tilted to any desired angle. The

page_text: other arm F of the standard A supports the stationary portion f¹ of the desk
top and the shelf H which fits between these arms is provided for the reception
of books etc. Although I have only shewn two notches or recesses a³ one for
supporting or holding the desk top in its normal position and the other for
supporting it in position for use as a table, it will be evident that I may form
three four or more of these notches or recesses around the head a² if desired
for supporting or holding the desk top at various angles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
CLAIMS.
First: The improvements in convertible school desks consisting essentially
in forming one two or more notches or recesses such as a³ on the inner or outer
face of the head of the standard such as A into which a projection or nose piece
forming part of or attached to a bracket such as 1) fixed to the desk top B takes
in combination with the spring S so as to be adjustable to any desired angle in
the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and as shewn
upon the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Second: In convertible desks the means for altering or reversing the angle
of the desk top in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set
forth and as shewn upon the accompanying sheet of drawings
Dated this 7th day of June 1899
By George Barker,
H. ADDISON.
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
Agent for Applicant, 77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.