AN IMPROVED WASHING STAND COMBINED WITH DRESSING TABLE AND OTHER CONVENIENCES FOR THE TOILET
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Hinde, of 237, Euston Road, London,
Manufacturer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED WASHING STAND COMBINED
WITH DRESSING TABLE AND OTHER CONVENIENCES FOR THE TOILET."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Hinde at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd November 1877.
" AN
WILLIAM JOHN HINDE, of 237, Euston Road, London, Manufacturer.
IMPROVED WASHING STAND COMBINED WITH DRESSING TABLE AND OTHER CON-
VENIENCES FOR THE TOILET."
This Invention of an improved washing stand combined with dressing table and
other conveniences for the toilet consists in a washing stand so arranged as to be
easily closed up from sight, the covering apparatus being trays or useful receptacles for
the articles usually found on dressing tables needed for the toilet, and not, as in the
ordinary construction of covered or closed wash-stands, a mere flap or cover with a
looking glass, as is usual in the common closed wash-stand.
The Invention also consists in mounting this cover or covers so that this shall
slide sideways without disturbing the arrangement of the articles upon it, or rotate
or swing round from a hinge or pivot at one corner when it is desired to use the
washing apparatus.
The apparatus may be made of different materials, according to the limit of price
desired, but as a type the apparatus may be described as follows:-A marble top
of an ordinary wash-hand stand is fitted with a sink basin; over this is the cover,
formed of open trays and small drawers or boxes according to taste; this cover is
made preferably to slide half to the right and half to the left, each half being
supported by means of parallel rods, preferably of metal, which when the cover is
closed slide under the marble top, and when the half cover is drawn out project
through holes from the side of the table and support the half covers; or the half
covers may be hinged or pivotted to partially rotate to the right and left, and so

page_text: expose the washing apparatus for use, but the sliding form is the most convenient.
At the side of the covers are fitted the rails for the towels; behind the marble top,
and raised above it, on one side is a nest of drawers, and the other, apparently so,
conceals the opening for filling a reservoir.with water, which place for filling I
consider the most convenient; or it may be filled from the centre, and the right
and left pedestals may both be drawers; between the nests of drawers or pedestals
the dressing glass is mounted; the apparatus therefore, so far as described, with the
covers closed, something resembles an ordinary dressing table. Below the washing
table top are folding doors, behind one of which is a shelf holding the square or
other shaped waste reservoir, which is made shallower at the back, so as to pass
under the basin where the waste plug is inserted, and then rising up an inclined
plane on the shelf raises the edge of the waste reservoir, so that the full water level
stands at least two inches in the basin; the object of this, in which part of the
Invention consists, is to at once show if the emptying of the waste reservoir has
been properly attended to, and thus give warning to avoid any overflow into
the room.
The clean water supply is contained in a cistern at the back of the marble top,
between the nest of drawers or behind them and above the basin, which is supplied
from the reservoir by a tap; the aperture for filling the reservoir has a stem, with
a button and a float at the lower end, to shew when the reservoir has received its
proper quantity of water.
For the convenience of emptying the waste reservoir a flexible tube of about
15 inches is attached to the reservoir, which is hooked or fastened up by its
unattached end above the waste water level when not in use. The length of the
tube gives facilities for emptying the waste into a pail. Below this waste receptacle
is a commode made to slide forward, and on the opposite side is a shelf for
a chamber utensil, and below the shelf an open space for boots or shoes, or other
articles, fitted to please the purchaser.
The whole apparatus is therefore not much larger than an ordinary toilet table,
and of much the same appearance, contains all the toilet, and useful and necessary
appliances enumerated, with great economy in cost and space.
Various modes of fitting may be adopted, and various other articles may be
added, but the plan described will be found to comprise all that is required with
the greatest convenience.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William John Hinde in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd May
1878.
"AN
WILLIAM JOHN HINDE, of 237, Euston Road, London, Manufacturer.
IMPROVED WASHING STAND COMBINED WITH DRESSING TABLE AND OTHER CON-
VENIENCES FOR THE TOILET."
This Invention of an improved washing stand combined with dressing table and
other conveniences for the toilet consists in a washing stand so arranged as to be easily
closed up from sight, the covering apparatus being trays or useful receptacles for the
articles usually found on dressing tables needed for the toilet, and not, as in the
ordinary construction of cupboard or closed wash-stands, a mere flat or cover with
a looking glass, as is usual in the common closed wash-stand.
The Invention also consists in mounting this cover or covers so that it shall slide
sideways without disturbing the arrangement of the articles upon it, or rotate or
swing round from a hinge or pivot at one corner when it is desired to use the
washing apparatus.
The apparatus may be made of different materials, according to the limit of price
desired, but as a type the apparatus may be described as follows:-A marble top of
an ordinary wash-hand stand is fitted with a sunk basin; over this is the cover,
formed of open trays and small drawers or boxes according to taste. This cover is
made in one form of the Invention to slide half to the right and half to the left,
each half being supported by means of parallel rods of metal or wood, which, when
the cover is closed, slide under the marble top, and when the half cover is drawn
out project through holes from the side of the table and support the half covers;
or in another form of the Invention the half covers may be hinged or pivotted to
partially rotate to the right and left, and so exposed the washing apparatus for use,
but the sliding form is most convenient; at the side of the covers are fitted the
rails for the towels. Behind the marble top, and raised above it on one side, is a
nest of drawers, and the other (apparently so) conceals the opening for filling a
reservoir with water, which place for filling is very convenient; or it may be
filled from the centre, and the right and left pedestals may both be drawers. In
one form I make the whole portion of the other parts, as shown in the Drawings
at h, i, and g', over the tank to slide sideways, so as to expose the aperture for
filling the tank, which is in many respects more convenient, especially for office
work, where this part may be a set of pigeon holes for letters or books, and
enclosed with a pair of doors; between the nests of drawers or pedestals the
dressing glass is mounted. The apparatus therefore, so far as described, with the
covers closed, something resembles an ordinary dressing table. Below the washing
table top are folded doors, behind one of which is a shelf holding the square or
other shaped waste reservoir, which is made shallower at the back, so as to pass
under the basin where the waste plug is inserted, and then rising up an inclined
plane on the shelf raises the edge of the waste reservoir, so that the full water level
stands at least two inches in the basin, the object of this is to show at once if the
emptying of the waste reservoir has been properly attended to, and thus give
warning to avoid any overflow into the room.
The clean water supply is contained in a cistern at the back of the marble top,
between the nest of drawers or behind them and above the basin, which is supplied
from the reservoir by a tap. The aperture for filling the reservoir has a stem, with
a button and a float at the lower end to show when the reservoir has received its
proper quantity of water.
For the convenience of emptying the waste reservoir a flexible tube of about
15 inches is attached to the reservoir, which is hooked or fastened up by its
unattached end above the waste water level when not in use. The length of the
tube gives facilities for emptying the waste into a pail. Below this waste receptacle

page_text: p, boot cupboard.
Having now described the Invention, and a convenient method of arranging the
several parts required for use in the toilet, many or all of which are not in them-
selves novel, I would have it understood that I claim,-
Firstly. The method described of sliding the top covering of a washing stand to
one side or in halves to right and left, substantially as described for the purpose
set forth.
Secondly. The method described of putting aside the top of a washing stand in
one piece or in two halves by rotating them on pivots or hinges for the purpose
described, substantially as set forth.
Thirdly. The method of sliding the portion over the tank for refilling, sub
stantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William John Hinde, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM JOHN HINDE. (L.S.)