Improvements in Collapsible or Folding Furniture.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1895-Accepted, 1st June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsible or Folding Furniture.
I, WILLIAM, HENRY VAUGHAN, of Nos. 332 and 334, Old Street, in the
County of London, Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in collapsible or folding furniture and
has for its object to enable various articles of furniture to be readily folded into a
small compass for transport and as readily expanded into shape for use.
In carrying the invention into effect, a chest of drawers is constructed with a
back of woven fabric or other suitable material and with shelves upon which the
drawers slide,, which shelves are at their ends furnished with studs which engage
vertical grooves formed in the inner faces of the sides of the piece of furniture 80
that when the drawers are removed the shelves may be slidden up to the top.
The studs of the lowest shelf are provided with rollers or buttons the same
being arranged to work within their respective grooves which are undercut,
thereby serving to maintain the rigidity of the piece of furniture, or, the bottom
shelf may be arranged to slide within horizontal grooves formed in the inner faces
of the sides and to be fixed therewith by means of studs or pins and corresponding
recesses and any suitable catches or other devices, whereby the sides are firmly
maintained in position. In the latter case, the front edge of the bottom shelf may
have attached thereto a plinth or bracket pieces.
The sides of the chest of drawers are horizontally hinged at different elevations
so that they may be turned up under the shelves, when the latter are slidden up,
as above stated.
The sides of each drawer are divided and hinged at the centre, in such manner
that they may be folded flat between the back and front, and the bottom, which is
slidden into grooves formed on the inner faces of the sides and front, is fixed in
position by catches or other devices and serves to maintain the rigidity of the
drawer.
The looking glass, mounted upon the upper part of the chest of drawers, is
adapted to be taken off whilst the bracket or back supporting the same is hinged
to fold down upon the top of the chest of drawers, the tops of the small brackets
holding the same in place being hinged to turn up against the back or frame and
the web or supporting part thereof being vertically hinged to fold flat upon the
back, so that the entire device will fold into a small compass upon the top of the
chest of drawers.
When the chest of drawers is expanded for use, the sides are stiffened or tied
with the bottom shelf by means of hinged tie bars which engage pins or studs upon
the back edge of the bottom shelf.
In applying the invention to a wash stand, the back is similarly composed of
woven fabric whilst the front is composed of sliding curtains which enclose the
crockery-ware contents beneath the top.
The shelf or shelves and bottom in this case slide in grooves in a similar manner
to the shelves and bottom of the chest of drawers and the bottom has bracket
pieces fixed to its front edge and holds the sides securely together by the same
means, whilst the back, shelf and brackets are similarly arranged to fold-upon
the top. The towel rail is hinged to one side of the wash stand so as to fold
unwards.

page_text: By constructing articles of furniture in the manner herein before described, a
suite may be made up so as to have the ordinary appearance and rigidity and be of
elaborate finish whilst affording the great convenience that it can be collapsed into
a small. compass so that a number of pieces of furniture may for transport be
packed into an ottoman couch or into a packing case.
Although the invention is described as applied to only two pieces of furnituro
it well be evident that various other articles of furniture may be constructed upon
á similar principle.
'
Dated this. 10th day of October 1894.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
.
13.
Improvements in Collapsible or Folding Furniture.
I, WILLIAM HENRY VAUGHAN, of Nos. 332 and 334, Old Street, in the
County of London; Cabinet Maker, do, hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained, in and by, the following statement:
My said invention relates to improvements in collapsible or folding furniture,
and has for its object to enable various articles of furniture to be readily folded
into a small compass for transport and as readily expanded into shape for use.
In carrying, the invention into effect, a' chest of drawers is constructed with a
back of woven fabric or other suitable material and with shelves upon which the
drawers slide, which shelves are at their ends furnished, with studs which engage
vertical grooves formed in the inner faces of the sides of the piece of furniture, so
that when the drawers are removed the shelves may be slidden up to the top.
The bottom shelf may be arranged to slide within horizontal grooves formed in
the inner faces of the sides, and to be fixed tlierewith by means of studs or pins
and corresponding recesses, and any suitable catches or other devices, whereby the
sides are firmly maintained in position. The front edge of the bottom shelf may
have attached thereto a plinth or bracket pieces.
7.
The sides of the chest of drawers are horizontally hinged at different elevations
so that they may be turned up under the shelves, when the latter are slidden' up as
above stated.
The sides of each drawer are divided and hinged at the centre, in sucli manner
that they may be folded flat between the back and front, and the bottom, which is
slidden into grooves formed on the inner faces of the sides 'and. front, is fixed
in position by catches or other devices and serves to maintain the rigidity of the
drawer.
}
The looking-glass, mounted upon the upper part of the chest of drawers, is
adapted to be taken off whilst the bracket or back, supporting the same is hinged
to fold down upon the top of the chest of drawers, the tops of the small brackets
holding the bracket or back in place are hinged to turn up against it, and the web
or supporting part of each small bracket is vertically binged to fold flat, upon the
back, so that the entire device will fold into a small compass upon the top of the
chest of drawers.
In applying the invention to a wash-stand, the back is similarly composed, of
woven fabric, whilst the front is composed of sliding curtains, which enclose the
crockery-ware contents beneath the top.
:
TAX
*The shelf or shelves. and bottom in this case slide in grooves in a similar inanner
to the shelves and bottom of the chest of drawers, and the bottom, which has
bracket-pieces fixed to its front edge, holds the sides securely together by the same
means, whilst the back shelf and brackets are similarly arranged to fold upon

page_text: the top. The towel rail is ninged to one side of the wash-stand 80 "BS GO TO
upwards.
And, in order that the said "invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried- into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings,
more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of a chest of drawers constructed
according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side clevation thereof.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section thereof with the looking-glass removed
and the bracket or back and' connected parts folded down.
Figure 4 is a front elevation thereof, but with the drawers removed and the
bracket or back and connected parts, folded down.
Figure 5 is a rear elevation thereof as arranged in Figure 4.
-Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section of Figure 5, but 'showing the plinth and
bottom board partly withdrawn.
Figure 7 is a detailed view of parts.
3
Figure 8 is a similar view to Figure 4, but showing the shelves slidden up and
one of the sides in its folded position.
Figure 9 is a plan of a drawer, with the bottom removed, showing the same
partly compressed.
Figure 10 is a sectional end view,drawn to an enlarged scale, of the end of the
drawer, showing the class of hinge employed in connection therewith, and,
Figure 11 is a face view thereof.
Figure 12 is an elevation of parts drawn to an enlarged scale showing a method
of detachably mounting the glass upon the back or bracket.
Figure 13 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 12,
and,
Figure 14 is a face view of the part carried by the glass.
Figure 15 is a front elevation of a wash-hand stand constructed according to the
present invention.
Figure 16 is a side clevation thereof.
Figure 17 is a plan thereof.
Figure 18 is a vertical transverso section showing the back or bracket and
connected parts folded down on to the top, and,
Figure 19 is a similar view to Figure 15, but showing the device compressed for
transport.
In the several figures like parts are indicated by 'similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 to 14, a represents the sides of the chest of drawers,
and 6 represents the back thereof; which is formed of woven fabric or other suitable
material, and e represents two shelves upon which two of the drawers d slide.
The shelves are at their ends furnished with studs cl, formed with heads &³,
shown more, particularly at Figure 7,"which enter and are held in vertical grooves,
cach of which is formed by a metal fitting a², countersunk in the inner face of the
ide a, and furnished with returned ends a³, which engage the head c² of the stud,
and which arrangement 'constitutes an undercut groove a, whilst the upper part of
the fitting is formed, without the returned-edges to allow of the ready insertion
and removal of the head c' of the studs c'.
'
Eaoh shelf c-is fitted at each end with, two studs c, arranged near to its front
aud back edges, and each side a is provided with corresponding.grooves a* and
Hittings a³
"1
A separate set of grooves a of different lengthalis employed in connection with
each shelf c, and the grooves of each shelf at their lower ends terminate at the
elevation at which the shelves are required to be supported when in use, and the
ends of the grooves a' form supports upon which the heads of the studs rest, by

page_text: which arrangement of parts, when the drawers d are removed, the shelves c
may be
slidden up to the top a', as hereinafter more fully described, into the 'position'
indicated at Figure 8.
The bottom or bottom shelf c, is arranged to slide into position. in horizontal
grooves a formed in the inner faces of the sides a, and it is provided with headed
studs, which engage the hooked lower ends of the tie bars as, which at their
upper ends are pin-jointed to the sides a, by which means it is fixed against
accidental movement, and, when the chest of drawers is expanded, the sides are
stiffened and at the same time tied with the bottom.c, whereby the sides a are
firmly maintained in position, as shown more particularly at Figure 5, or any other
suitable catches or fastening means might be employed in lieu of the tie bars a; to
fix the bottom c* in position.
The frout edge of the bottom shelf e* has fixed therewith a plinth or bracket
pieces c, furnished with holes or recesses c*, which engage corresponding pegs
or dowels a' on the front edges of the sides a, and thus materially assist to tie the
sides together.
The sides a of the chest of drawers are horizontally divided and hinged at.a",
but at different elevations, so that they, the sides a, may be turned up under the
shelves c, as represented at Figure 8, when the latter are slidden up as hereinbefore
described.
The sides or ends of each drawer d are vertically divided at their centres and
hinged at d, whilst at d they are hinged to the front and back so that the ends d'
may be folded flat between the front and back of the drawer d, as will be seen
more particularly upon reference to Figure 9, where the drawer is shown partially
compressed.
It is necessary that at the central divisions of the sides d', the hinges d'
employed should be of such a character that, when the drawer dis expanded, the
hinges d will lie perfectly flush therewith, whilst at the same time they will
admit of the two parts d' folding flat when the drawer is compressed, and, for this
purpose, a hinge, such as that represented at Figures 10 and 11, is preferably
employed.
The sides or ends of the drawer near to the bottom are formed with horizontal
grooves d³ extending from the rear to the inner face of the front thereof, whilst a
corresponding groove is formed in such inner face, and the bottom of the
drawer d is slidden into position in these grooves until it abuts against the front of
the drawer, and it is then locked in position by means of a book d³ or other suitable
fastening carried by the back of the drawer engaging a headed stud or like device
upon the bottom d, this arrangement materially assisting to maintain the rigidity
of the drawer d.
3
In order to conceal the joint between the front of the drawer d and the sides or
ends d' when the drawer is expanded, the front of the drawer d is at its ends formed
to overlap the sides or ends d' as shown more particularly at Figure 9.
The looking-glass e mounted upon the upper part of the chest of drawers is
adapted to be taken off whilst the bracket or back a supporting the same is by
long hinges a (concealed by the brackets 410) fastened to the top a' of the chest
of drawers so as to fold down thereon, and the tops a* of the small brackets a¹º,
serving to hold the back or bracket as in its vertical position, are hinged to turn up
against the back or frame a³ as indicated by the dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2,
and the web or supporting part thereof is vertically hinged to fold flat upon the
back a as indicated by the dotted lines at Figures 1 and 2, so that the entire device
will fold iuto a small compass upon the top a¹ of the chest of drawers, as shown at
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.
In order to facilitate the removal and placing in position of the glass e, any well-
known form of mounting may be adopted, and that represented at Figures 12, 13
and 14 is a convenient device to be employed for that purpose.
carried
This device consists of a wedge-shaped and pivotally-mounted socket a
by the back or bracket a³ and a corresponding wedge-shaped projection e¹oarried

page_text: by the glass e, a turn button or stop 2 carried by the glass e being: employed to
come against the underside of the socket as* and prevent the accidental separation
of the parts.
When it is desired to collapse the chest of drawers for transport, the drawers d
are first removed, the bottoms d thereof are slidden out of the grooves, when the
drawers may be compressed, in the manner represented at Figure 9; the glass e is
then removed, the parts a al are folded on to the back a,the latter is folde
down on to the top a', the plinth. c** and bottom board c* are then removed, the
shelves care slidden up to the underside of the, top a', and the sides a are then
folled under the shelves e as indicated at Figure 8, wherein one of the sides a has
been so folded.
The flexible back & may then be lapped around the folded parts and such parts
together with the loose parts, namely, the looking-glass, the drawers and the plinth,
may be conveniently packed into a case of comparatively small compass.
"In the example, given at Figures 15 to 19, which represents the application of
the invention to a wash-haud stand, the parts are similar to those hereinbefore
described with respect to the chest of drawers, that is to say, the back is
composed of woven fabric, but in this example the front is closed by curtains d*
mounted with capability of sliding upon a rod a extending across the front of the
device, and by which means the crockery-ware or other contents beneath the top a¹
are enclosed.
The shelf o, or there might be more shelves than one, is furnished with headed
studs c, the heads of which slide in vertical grooves a formed by metal
fittings a in a similar manner to that described with respect to the previous
figures, and the bottom.c* is similarly mounted in horizontal grooves a³ formed in
the sides a, but in lieu of the plinth e" extending right across the front of the
article in this case, bracket pieces c* are substituted therefor, but the holes or
recesses o* in the inner faces of the bracket pieces e* and the corresponding pegs
or dowels a' on the front edges of the sides a are identical with those hereinbefore
described with respect to the previous figures, and the sides a are thus in a like
manner beld securely together The back as, shelf a and bracket a¹º are
constructed to fold in a similar manner, and the bracket a is provided with a peg
to engage a corresponding recess in the shelf a10*, when the parts are in their
expanded position, whilst the hinge a connecting the back a with the top a¹ is
placed in such a position that it is concealed by the bracket a¹º.
The towel rail a" is mounted upon arms a which are hinged to one of the
sides a in such manner that the device will fold up against the same (as indicated
by the dotted lines in Figure 15), when the wash-hand stand is collapsed for
transport.
The wash-hand stand is collapsed for transport in a similar manner to that
described. with respect to the previous figures (when it will assume the form
indicated at Figure 19) so that it is unnecessary to again enter into detailed.
description of the method of folding.
By constructing articles of furniture in the manner hereinbefore described, a.
suite may be made up so as to have the ordinary appearance and rigidity and
be of elaborate finish, whilst affording the great convenience that it can be
collapsed into a small compass, so that a number of pieces of furniture may for
transport be packed into an ottoman couch or into a packing case.
Although the invention is described in connection with only two pieces of
furniture, it will be evident that various other articles of furniture may be
constructed upon a similar principle.
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. In an article of furniture, the combination of a top, sides fixed with the top
but horizontally hinged at different elevations, vertical grooves formed in the

page_text: inner faces of the sides, one or more shelves at the ends provided with studs
engaging the vertical grooves of the sides, and means located near the bottom
of the article for holding the sides in position, substantially as herein shown
and described, and for the purpose stated.
2. In combination with an article of furniture formed with folding sides,
vertical undercut grooves formed in the inner faces of the sides, one or more
shelves, and headed studs upon the ends of the shelves to engage the grooves
of the sides, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose
stated.
•
3. In an article of furniture, the combination of a top, sides fixed with the top,
but horizontally hinged at different elevations, vertical grooves formed in the
inner faces of the sides, one or more shelves at the ends provided with studs
engaging the vertical grooves of the sides, borizontal grooves in the inner faces
of the sides located near to the bottom, a bottom board or shelf adapted to slide
into such grooves, a plinth or bracket pieces upon the front of the bottom board
or shelf, holes or recesses in the inner face of the plinth, corresponding holes,
pegs or dowels on the front edges of the sides, and means for locking the bottom
board or shelf in position, substantially as herein shown and described, and for
the purpose stated.
4. In an article of furniture, the combination of a top, sides fixed with the top,
but horizontally hinged at different elevations, vertical grooves formed in the
inner faces of the sides, one or more shelves at the ends provided with stud's
engaging the vertical grooves of the sides, means located near the bottom of the
article for holding the sides in position, a back.or. bracket hinged to. fold on to
the top of the article, and a supporting bracket, the shelf and web of which are
hinged to fold on to the back, substantially as herein shown and described, and for
the purpose stated.
5. In an article of furniture, a collapsible drawer formed with sides vertically
divided and hinged in such manner that they are adapted to fold flat between
the front and back, horizontal grooves forined in the inner faces of the sides' and
front, a. bottom board adapted to slide into, such grooves, and, means for
retaining the same in position, substantially as herein shown aud described, and
for the purpose stated.
6. In an article of furniture, the combination of a top, sides fixed with the top,
but horizontally hinged at different elevations, vertical grooves formed in the
inner faces of the sides, one or more shelves at the ends provided with studs
engaging the vertical grooves of the sides, means located near the bottom for
holding the sides in position, a flexible back and means for enclosing the front,,
substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose siated!
Dated this 09-1 dow of Ten 1905