IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MAHOGANY AND OTHER WOOD CHAIRS, TABLES, COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES OF FURNITURE
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Reilly, of the New Globe Mahogany Chair
and Cabinet Works, Barrack Street, Hulme, Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF MAHOGANY AND OTHER WOOD CHAIRS, TABLES, COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER
SIMILAR ARTICLES OF FURNITURE."
Sealed the 16th September 1864, and dated the 21st March 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Reilly at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st March 1864.
I, JAMES REILLY, of the New Globe Mahogany Chair and Cabinet
Works, Barrack Street, Hulme, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF MAHOGANY AND OTHER WOOD CHAIRS, TABLES, COUCHES, SOFAS,
AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES OF FURNITURE," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in improved modes of jointing or framing together
the different parts composing the article of furniture.
:
For an ordinary dining room chair I insert one or more metal nuts into
spaces cut out of each tenon of the back rail which is framed into the chair
backs. I then bore holes through the face side of the chair backs and also
corresponding holes in the side rails of the chair, through all of which holes I
pass metal screws into the aforesaid nuts, and turn the screws so as to fix
the back and front of the chair tightly together, the front and back of the

page_text: chair being made in the ordinary manner with the exception of these
alterations.
In another arrangement I frame the front and back parts of the chair in
the ordinary manner, and then frame into the side rails one or more wooden
braces in which are two or more holes corresponding with similar holes in the
back, and through these holes I pass screws having nuts which are screwed
up in the inside of the chair so as to hold the back and front of the chair
firmly together.
It is evident that this system of fastening the back and front of the chair
together by metal screws or bolts can be modified in various ways according
to the form of the chair, and also that the frames of couches, sofas, tables, and
similar pieces of furniture can be fastened together in a similar manner.
The following are a few of the advantages of this Invention:-The articles
are much stronger than those put together in the ordinary manner, and can
be more conveniently bolstered, polished, and finished, and can also be sub-
divided into parts for the convenience of packing, and afterwards be put firmly
together again with ease and efficiency.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Reilly in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st September 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
REILLY, of the New Globe Mahogany Chair and Cabinet Works, Barrack
Street, Hulme, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Reilly, Her special license that I, the said
James Reilly, iny executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Reilly, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MAHOGANY AND OTHER WOOD CHAIRS, TABLES,
COUCHES, SOFAS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES OF FURNITURE," upon the condition

page_text: (amongst others) that I, the said James Reilly, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next, and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Reilly, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say) :-
This Invention consists in improved modes of jointing or framing together
the different parts composing the chair, table, couch, sofa, or other article of
furniture.
In an ordinary dining room or other chair I insert a metal nut into a space
cut out of each tenon of the back rail which is framed into the chair back.
I then bore holes through the face side of the chair back and also cor-
responding holes in the side rails of the chair, through all of which holes I
pass metal screws into the aforesaid nuts, and turn the screws so as to fix the
back and front of the chair tightly together. The front and back of the chair
is made in the ordinary manner, but they are fastened together by bolts, as
before described, instead of dowelling, tenoning, and mortising, as hitherto
adopted.
In another arrangement I frame the front and back parts of the chair in
the usual manner, and also frame into the side rails one or more wooden
braces, in which are two or more holes corresponding with similar holes in
the back rail, and through these holes I pass screws having nuts which are
screwed up in the inside of the brace or braces, so as to hold the back and
front of the chair firmly together.
I do not confine myself to the use of screws and nuts, as in most cases
metal or wood screws only may be employed, the threads being cut similar to
those technically called coach screws, or screws and nuts and screws may
be used in combination.
It is evident that my improved system of fastening the back and front of
the chair together by metal screws and nuts, or screws only, can be modified
in various ways according to the form of the chair, and also that the frames
of couches, sofas,.tables, and other articles of furniture can be fastened together
in a similar manner.
These improvements will be clearly understood by referring to the figures
and letters on the accompanying three Sheets of Drawings, representing some

page_text: of my improved modes of fastening together the frames of articles of furniture
by screws and nuts, or screws only.
Fig. 1 is a plan of a chair, shewing the back legs in cross section, and
Fig. 2, a view of the back rail. In both Figures the tenons of the back rail
are shewn at a, in which are inserted nuts b, which tenons and nuts are
framed into the back legs c, through the face sides of which I bore holes
and also corresponding holes through the back ends d of the shaped side
rails e. Through these holes I pass screws f into the aforesaid nuts b, and
turn the screws so as to fix the back and front of the chair tightly together.
In order to give additional strength when required, I lengthen the back ends
of the side rails, as shewn at g, and fasten them still stronger together by
means of coach screws, one of which is shewn at h. In chairs and other
articles where the tenons are large, two or more nuts may be inserted in each
tenon.
Fig. 3 is a plan of a chair shewing the back legs in cross section with a
brace framed to the side rails and the back and front of the chair fastened
together by means of coach screws. The tenons of the back rail k are framed
into the back legs without the metal nuts, and between the ends of the side
rails I frame a brace l, through which I pass a coach screw m into the back
rail, and through the back ends of the side rails I pass other coach screws n
through the tenons of the back rail k, and into the back, so that when the
screws are turned tightly all the parts are firmly held together.
Fig. 4 is a plan with part in section of a D-seated chair, in which the
side rails o, back legs p, and back rail 9 are held together by screws and
nuts r, and the braces held to the back rail g by coach screws t.
Fig. 5 is a plan with part in section of an O-G-seated chair, in which the
side rails u, back legs v, and back rail w are held together by screws and
nuts and coach screws y.
Fig. 6 is a plan with part in section of an oval-seated chair, to the frame
of which the back legs a¹ and back rail 6' are firmly fastened by the screws
and nuts c¹ and the coach screws d'.
Fig. 7 is a plan with part in section of a chair in which the side rails, back
legs, and back rail are held firmly together by screws and nuts in the following
manner: Through the back legs and into the back rail I pass screws e¹,
having through them holes tapped as nuts, into which nuts are screwed the
screws f¹which pass through the back ends of the side rails g', and when
screwed up hold the parts of the chair firmly together. These improved
screws and nut are shewn enlarged in Figs. 21 and 22, Sheet 2. In all
cases the side rails and other parts against which the heads of the screws

page_text: come in contact are countersunk to make a square surface with the shank of
the screw, and in line with each joint.
Fig. 8 is a view of an easy chair, in which the back and arms are bolted
to the stool or lower part of the chair; Fig. 9, a view of the stool detached,
and Fig. 10 a view of the back. The said back is fastened to the stool by
means of my improved screws and nuts h¹, Fig. 10, similar to those shewn at
el and f1, Fig. 7, and enlarged in Figs. 21 and 22.
Fig. 11 is a view of a chair with shaped side. rails bolted or screwed to the
back legs and back rail in the same manner as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 12 is a view of the back rail; Fig. 13, a view of the back with the back
rail in it; and Fig. 14, a view of the front.
Fig. 15 is a view of a couch, and Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are views
of parts of the same. The back k¹, Figs. 15 and 16, is secured to the frame
by my improved screws and nuts h¹, shewn enlarged in Figs. 21 and 22.
Figs. 23, 24, and 25 are views of easy chairs in the frame without seats
and cushions, and Figs. 26, 27, 28, and 29, parts of the same. The backs
and fronts of these chairs are fastened together by means of my improved
screws and nuts shewn in Figs. 21 and 22.
Fig. 30 is a view of a drawing-room chair; Fig. 31, a view of the same
without the seat; Fig. 82, a view of the back, and Fig. 33 a view of the
front. The back and front of this chair is fastened together by screws and
nuts, or screws only, or screws and nuts and screws combined, as shewn in
Figs. 1 and 2.
In easy chairs in which tenons are employed I use screws and nuts, or coach
screws, and also generally adapt the mode of fastening to the form and
arrangement of the chair.
The articles of furniture fastened together by my improved system of bolting
or screwing the parts together by screws and nuts, by screws only, or by
screws and nuts and screws combined, are much stronger than those put
together in the ordinary manner; can be more conveniently upholstered,
polished, and finished, and can also be subdivided into parts for the convenience
of packing and shipping, and afterwards be again fastened together with ease
and efficiency. When the articles of furniture are not required to be taken
to pieces, I use glue where expedient, in addition to the screws and nuts or
coach screws.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I desire it to be
understood that I do not claim the indiscriminate use of screws or bolts for

page_text: fastening together the parts of articles of furniture, as I am aware that they
have been before used in various ways; but what I do claim is,―
First, the system of fastening the backs and fronts of chairs together by
means of screws and nuts, coach screws only, or screws and nuts and coach
screws combined, as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and also the
application of a similar system to couches, sofas, tables, and other articles of
furniture.
Secondly, the improved screws and nut combined, consisting of a screw
having in it a hole tapped as a nut, through which is passed another screw,
as shewn at e, f, Fig. 7, h, Figs. 10, 16, 18, 20, and 26, and enlarged in
Figs. 21 and 22, and also the employment of these improved screws and nuts
for fastening together the parts of articles of furniture..
"In witness whereof, I, the said James Reilly, have hereunto set my
.
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
by the within-named James
Reilly, in the presence of
E. J. HUGHES,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.
JAMES REILLY. (L.S.)