IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL DESKS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Dyson, of Elland, in the County of York, Iron-
founder and Machinist, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL
DESKS."
Sealed the 12th April 1878, and dated the 16th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Dyson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1877.
JAMES DYSON, of Elland, in the County of York, Ironfounder and Machinist.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL DESKS."
This Invention relates to desks used in schools, my object being to render the
same readily convertible into seats and tables. For this purpose the framework or
support is provided with half a clutch or friction box at each end, and to the under
side of the desk are secured castings which carry the other halves of the clutch or
friction boxes. A screwed rod or bolt is secured to one half of the box, and passes
through a hole in the other, and a hand wheel is placed on the end, so that by it
the two halves may be brought into contact, and rendered immoveable. By this
arrangement the desk may be placed at any angle, and rendered perfectly secure.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Dyson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th April
1878.
JAMES DYSON, of Elland, in the County of York, Ironfounder and Machinist.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL DESKS."
This Invention relates to desks used in schools, my object being to render the
same readily convertible into seats and tables. For this purpose the framework or
support is provided with half a clutch or friction box at each end, and to the under
side of the desk are secured castings, which carry the other halves of the clutch or
friction boxes. A screwed rod or bolt passes through a hole in the halves of the
boxes, and a hand wheel is placed on each end, so that by it the two halves may be
brought into contact, and rendered immoveable. By this arrangement the desk may
be placed at any angle, and rendered perfectly secure.
In order that this Invention may be more fully understood, I herein give reference
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Fig. 1 represents an end elevation of desk and seat, the desk portion A being
provided at each end with one half of a clutch B, and on the upper part of the
framework C, at each side thereof, is another half of a clutch or friction box D, shewn
in detail at Fig. 5. A rod E screwed at each end passes through the two clutch
boxes, which are brought into contact and secured by hand wheels F working on
the screwed ends of the rod E. By loosening the friction boxes the desk may be
placed at any angle, as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, and may be used either as a table
or as a seat with back support.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of Fig. 2.
In conclusion I would have it understood that I lay no claim to the moveable
desk, but only to the use of the clutch boxes B, D, rod E, and wheels F for securing
the same in position, substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof,-I, the said James Dyson, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named James Dyson, in the
presence of
A. B. CROSSLEY.
JAMES DYSON. (LS.)