Improvements in Writing Tables, Desks, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Writing Tables, Desks, and the like.
We, CHRISTIAN BORM, and LUDWIG BORM, both of 1 and 2 Kaffamacherreihe,
Hamburg, in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturers, 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:-
This invention relates to writing tables, desks and the like, having a plate or
tablet to be used for writing purposes, which plate, when not in use, can be placed
in the interior of the piece of furniture or desk, which may be constructed in box
form, said plate by a turning over motion imparted to the cover filling up the
aperture left thereby and being brought into its proper position for writing upon.
The improvements further consist in making said plate, apart from its capability
of being displaced in an upward and downward direction, so that it can also be
adjusted to an inclination to the horizontal plane and likewise displaced forward
and backward, this being attained by the aid of a simple mechanism.
Referring to the annexed drawing
Fig. 1 shows in lateral section the box shaped part of a writing table or desk
provided with the improved arrangement in a position occupied by the various parts
when closed or not in use.
Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof.
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively lateral sectional view and front sectional view
showing the desk open and plate raised.
Fig. 5 represents.a plan view of Fig. 3 with its plate partially removed.
Figs. 6 and show the arrangement in lateral sectional view with its plate in
inclined position, and
Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate details of the mechanism.
A represents the independent portion of a writing table or desk, or table
constructed in box shape and provided with a cover A' hinged or pivoted at a and
having under its under side compartments to receive stationery or other materials.
B is the inserted plate, which when in lifted position is firmly held against its base
preferably by means of a caoutchouc string b.
Inside the box A at both sides, supports C turnable upon hinges c are provided,
which by the aid of inclined pieces D arranged at the rear end of the cover A¹ are
lifted out of their lower position, shown in Fig. 1, into that shown in Fig. 4, when
the cover is turned into the position shown in Fig. 3. The fingers d of the latter
serve to prevent the supports or ledges C from being turned over too far and will,
on the cover being folded down, replace said ledges in their original position. e is
a helical spring to rest against a projection at the heel of the cover A' this spring
causing the cover A to turn slightly upward at the front end, as soon as the spring
latch (see Fig. 8) has been forced back by an appropriate key or the like.
To place the plate B in an inclined position (Fig. 6) two links g (see also Fig. 11)
secured to the upper side of the plate B at their ends are arranged to run in
guides g and can be hung over hooks or studs h on the cover.
In order to render this latter manipulation easy, the cover A¹ is brought into the
position shown in Fig. 10, whereupon after the hooked ends of the links have been
passed over the studs h, the cover is turned back again (see Fig. 9).
The disengaging of the links and hooks is done in an analogous manner.
Fig. 6 shows the plate B in inclined position. As in this case the front ledge m
of the box A might be a hindrance to the hand an arrangement has been made
whereby the plate B can be drawn forward on the links g and by means of

page_text: ledges be held over and against the ledge m. This position of the plate is shown
in Fig. 7.
The above described arrangement for moving the writing plate B differs from
similar constructions by its great simplicity. All complicated mechanism is avoided
so that failure of action is rendered practically impossible and cheapness is also
secured. Should any disorder in the constituent parts occur, this can be easily
remedied since access can easily be had to all parts and repairs be made by unskilled
persons. Of prominent importance is the ready displaceability of the writing plate
into an inclined or other position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
•
1. A writing table, desk or the like having a box like part A a shifting plate B
so constructed that the upward movement or lifting of said plate and its downward
movement are effected through ledges C by means of angle pieces and fingers
attached to the cover A', substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with the plate B of two links g capable of sliding in
guides and serving to be hooked on to the cover A' whereby the plate B may be
placed in an inclined position and at the same time moved forward and backward
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 4th day of May 1894.
R. HADDAN,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agent to Applicants.