A New or Improved Portable Revolving Article of Furniture, Combining a Washing-stand, Dressing Table, Mirror, and Wardrobe, or the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr.. 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Revolving Article of Furniture,
Combining a Washing-stand, Dressing Table, Mirror, and
Wardrobe, or the like.
1, CHARLES FREDERICK TURNBR, of 17, Dunsmure Road, Stamford Hill, in
the County of Middlesex, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the unture of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new or improved portable article of furniture, in which
are combined a washingstand, a dressing tablo a mirror, and a wardrobe, or the like
which can be used as desired either separately, or simultaneously.
In order to put my invention in operation, I tako a circular foundation board,
preferably of wood of suitable diameter and thickness, and another similar circular
board, of the same diameter but which may be of less thickness, which forms the
top of the apparatus, and I connect together these two discs, by three vertical
standards or posts, of sufficient height, and arranged in equidistant positions near
the edges of the discs. I arrange a central frame or chamber, triangular in plan,
and closed at the top and bottom by ends, the centres of which are provided with
pivots or sockets turning in or on corresponding aockets or pivots at the centres of
the top and bottom discs already described, the size of the triangular chamber, in
plan, being such that its corners-which may be rounded-can pass round without
touching the vertical columns or standards.
At one of the sides of the triangular chamber 1 arrange at a convenient hoight
a suitable projecting horizontal bracket or table, which carries a basin, ower, and
the other ordinary fittings of a washiugstand, the contour of the edge of the table
being such that it can pass the standards when the chamber is turned round, aud
one or more similar brackets may also be fixed at different heights to carry other
articles.
In one of the other sides of the chamber I make a door, of such size ns to occupy
as much as possible of the said side, this door giving access to the interior of the
chamber, which serves as a wardrobe and may be fitted with hooks, pegs, and the
other usual accessories of a wardrobe. Instead of making the door in the flat side
of the chamber, the latter may be curved out in plan, to a contour somewhat similar
to that of the table already described, so as to enlarge the interior of the wardrobe,
the enlarged part in no caso projecting sufficiently to prevent the chamber from
passing the standards when turned round.
On the third flat side of the chamber I fix a mirror of any convenient or desired
size.
The arrangement described may be modified more or less. For instance, the
mirror last described may be fixed upon or carried by the flat door of the wardrobe,
and the third side of the triangular chamber may be provided with a bracket or
table similar to that already described, and serving as a dressing table, the usual
adjuncts of a dressing table being also provided if desired.
From the circular disc forming the top, or from one or more rods carried by it,
may be suspended curtains which serve when closed to cover the washing-stand and
the dressing table respectively, but can be drawn open when required.
Round the top disc 1 form an ornamental rim or edge, which serves to receive &
separate shallow basket, to contain soiled linen and the like.

page_text: In order that the entire apparatus may be very portable, the circular ends
forming the top and bottom are made so as to be easily removeable from the
standards upon which they are fitted, and the three sides of the chamber may be
hinged together, and so arranged that they can be folded upon each other so as to
occupy very little space.
The details of construction and arrangement may be varied more or less as may
be found advisable to suit different circumstances. For instance instead of three
sides, the central chamber may have four or more, which may be fitted with other
appliances as well as with washing and dressing tables. In the same way four or
more standards may be used instead of three; and instead of being circular, the
top and bottom may be triangular or polygonal.
The entire apparatus may either be made very plain and simple, or it may be
made as ornamental as desired, and it forms a very convenient article of furniture,
useful not only in private houses, but in public institutions such as clubs and the
like, and for army and navy officers and others.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1896.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Ageuts for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIF
A New or Improved Portable Revolving Article of Furniture,
Combining a Washing-stand, Dressing Table, Mirror, and
Wardrobe, or the like.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK TURNER, of 17, Dunsmure Road, Stamford Hill, in
the County of Middlesex, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manuer the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, and accompanying
drawing, that is to say :-
My invention relates to a new or improved portable article of furniture, in which
are contained and combined separate articles, such as a washing stand, a dressing
table, a mirror, and a wardrobe and closet or the like, which can be used as desired
eitber separately or simultaneously, nud with very great convenience. In putting
my invention in operation, the details of construction may be varied more or less.
For instance, where it is desired that three separate compartments should be used
containing respectively a washingstand, a dressing table, and a wardrobe, I take a
foundation board, circular or of other convenient shape and preferably of wood, of
suitable diameter and thickness, and another similar circular board of the same or
less diameter, but which may be of less thickness and forms the top of tho apparatus.
I connect these two discs together by three vertical standards or posts, of sufficient
height and arranged in equidistant positions near the edges of the discs. Between
these standards arrange a central frame or chamber, triangular in plan and closed
at the top and bottom by circular ends the centres of which are provided with
pivots or sockets, turning in or upon corresponding sockets or pivots at the centres
of the bottom and top fixed discs already described, the size of the triangular
chamber so formed being, in plan, such that its corners which may be rounded-
can pass round when the chamber is turned, without touching the vertical columns
or standards.
The revolving chamber is divided into three compartments by vertical partitions
radiating from the centre where they meet. In one of the compartments of the
chamber I arrange at a convenient height a suitable projecting horizontal bracket
or table, which carries a basin, ewer, and the other ordinary fittings of a

page_text: washing-stand, the contour of the edge of the table being such that it can pass
the standards when the chamber is turned round. One or more similar brackets
may also be fixed, at different heights, to carry other articles.
One of the other compartments of the chamber I close at its outer side by &
door, this door giving access to the interior of the compartment, which serves as a
wardrobe and may be fitted with hooks, pegs, and the other usual accessories of
a wardrobe. Tho outer side of the chamber in which the door is fitted, may be
curved out in plan, so as to enlarge the intorior of the wardrobe, the enlarged part
in no case projecting sufficiently to prevent the chamber from passing tho standards
when turned round. On the outer side of tho door may be fixed a flat mirror of
any convenient or desired size.
The third, or remaining, compartment of the revolving triangular chamber
may be fitted with a bracket or table similar to that already described, but
serving as a dressing table, the usual adjuncts to which are also provided, if
desired.
From the circular disc forming the top, or from one or more rods carried by
it, may be suspended curtains which serve when closed to cover the washing stand
and dressing table respectively, but can be drawn open when necessary.
Round the fixed top may be formed an ornamental rim, edge, or gallery,
which serves to receive a separate shallow basket to contain soiled linen or the
like.
The accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of my invention, shewa a
Bomewhat modified form of the novel article of furniture which is divided into
four compartments instead of three.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, are perspective elevatious of the several compartments,
shewing respectively a washing stand, a dressing table, a closet with shelves,
and a wardrobe the closed door of which is fitted with a mirror.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section shewing the partitions. In the example shewn
the outer standards and fixed top first described are omitted, the chamber revolving
upon a pivot at its lower end only.
a is the strong foundation board, circular or of other convenient shape, and
preferably of wood of suitable diameter and thickness, b is a similar circular board
of the same or less diameter, and c is a similar board to b (but which may be of
less thickness) which forms the top of the revolving chamber. The discs b and c
are connected strongly together by four vertical ribs or standards d which form
the edges of radial partitions e by which the chamber is divided into four separate
compartments.
The chamber, so divided, turns freely upon a vertical central pivot f (Figure 5)
which is firmly fixed in the foundation board a.
In one of the compartments formed by the partition e, are arranged (as shewn
in Figure 1), at a convenient height, a suitable table or bracket which carries a
basin, ewer, and the other ordinary fittings of a washing stand, one or more
additional brackets at different heights carrying other articles as shown.
38 በ
Another compartment (shewn in Figure 2), of the rovolving chamber, is
provided with a bracket or table similar to that in Figure 1 but sorving
dressing table, the usual adjuncts of a drossing table being also provided, if
desired.
The third compartment of the chamber, (illustrated in Figure 3) is shewn as a
closet, with shelves to contain different articles.
The fourth compartment (shewn at Figure 4) of the revolving chamber, is
closed at its outer side by a door g, giving access to the interior of the com-
partment, which serves as a wardrobe and may be fitted with hooks, pegs, and the
other usual accessories of a wardrobe. On the outer side of the door g may be
fixed as shewn a mirror h.
From the top care suspended curtains i, which serve when closed to cover and
conceal the washing stand, dressing table, and closet, respectively, but can be drawn
back as shewn when it is required to use the compartment.

page_text: k is an ornamental rim or gallery round the top o, which serves to receive the
separate basket 1, to contain soiled linen and the like.
Where it is desired that the apparatus shall be very portable, the top and
bottom discs may be made easily removable, and the sides or partition of the
separate compartments may be hinged so that they can be folded together, aud in
this way they will occupy very little space.
In some cases the upper part may be omitted altogether, so that the whole
apparatus is of much less height-only rising a short distance above the tables or
brackets which support the washing or dressing appliances and the like. In this
case, the high wardrobe-shewn in Figure 4-is omitted, but a simple closet may
be provided in its place.
The bottom or foundation board a is shewn supported upon suitable feet m,
which may be fitted with wheels or castors.
One of the partitious e may be omitted so that a compartment of larger size is
formed, which may be used to contain a mattress and bedding, the compartment
being provided with a door, and the inner end of the mattress being attached to the
partition which forms the back of the compartmont. The mattress is unrolled
when required (the door being open) and is stretched upon the floor. When done
with it is rolled and together with the bedding is shut up in the compartment and
the door closed.
It is evident that the separate compartments may be used and fitted for a very
great variety of purposes, and the novel article of furniture is especially useful
for hotels, steam and other ships, and public buildings, clubs and the like, as well
as for private houses, for army and navy officers, and colonists.
The different parts of the apparatus may be constructed of any suitable
materials, dimeusions, aud proportions, and I do not confine myself to the precise
details of construction and arrangemont, which may be varied more or less
according to the circumstances and conditions in which it is to be used, and the
apparatus may be made very plain and simple, or it may be made as ornamental
as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The novel article of furniture, consisting of a central rovolving chamber
divided by partitions into any desired number of compartments to be used
respectively for washingstand, dressing table, closet, wardrobe, and the like,
substantially as described and illustrated.
2. In combination with the novel article of furniture described in Claim 1, the
curtains, doors, mirrors, and receptacle for linen or other articles, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Dated this 15th day of August 1896.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.