IMPROVEMENTS IN CARD TABLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Antony Lampre, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of
France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARD TABLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Antony Lampre at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th May 1877.
ANTONY LAMPRE, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of France.
MENTS IN CARD TABLES."
" IMPROVE-
This table, like ordinary tables, is borne either on four legs or on one central one;
at the upper part of the table four cross beams or bars bear an upper table
supporting the movable top forming the card table; or this support may be replaced
by a traverse in whose centre is the pivoting axes.
Beneath, the table has one or more drawers, whose dimensions are regulated so as
not to interfere with the movement of the table top or of the central axis.
The movable top consists of a square table, in whose centre is a round metal
shaft entering the central traverse of the frame of the table; this pivot bears at its
end a screw thread to receive the bolt which fixes the table to the frame, whilst
allowing it the requisite motion for the development of the table. This development
comprises a rotary displacement of 45 degrees, which is restricted by 4 blocks placed
beneath the movable top, and which abut against the central traverse when the top
of the table has reached its proper position.
Each side of the movable top bears a flap representing an equilateral triangle
exactly the size of a fourth of the table; these flaps are fixed to the sides of the
table by means of hinges of special construction, and which present the greatest
solidity.
The hinges are T shaped and are double jointed, the joints sloping and diverging
from the centre respectively right to left, and vice versa.
The branches or arms, of
which there are three, serve to connect the flaps to the table. These flaps when
unfolded make a double top.
In making use of the table the movable top is turned the eighth of a circle, the

page_text: flaps are unfolded and rest in their centre on the plain surface of the head of the
feet which supports them, and they are perfectly sustained without straining the
hinges in any way.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Antony Lampre in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd November
1877.
ANTONY LAMPRE, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of France.
MENTS IN CARD TABLES."
"IMPROVE-
The card table (forming the subject of the present Invention), which is a folding
one, as will be observed on reference to the accompanying Drawings, and, like
others, stands on four legs A, A, A, A, is shown closed, Fig. 1, open in Fig. 2, Fig. 3
being a peculiarly constructed hinge to assist in the development of the table, and
which will be hereafter described. At the upper part of the legs the cross
bars B, B, B¹, B¹, are fixed, these support an under table destined to maintain the
movable top forming the card table.
The under table may be replaced by the traverse C, intended to receive in its
centre the shaft E forming the pivot of the movable top.
The under table may be supplied with one or more drawers, whose length would
be, regulated so as not to interfere with the pivot E of the movable part. In lieu
of four legs the table may be supported by one single one placed in the centre.
The movable part consists simply of a square table bearing in its centre a round
metal shaft E placed in the centre of the frame of the table; at the end of the shaft
or pivot is a screw hole for the reception of a screw for fixing the card table to the
frame, allowing it at the same time all the necessary play for unfolding. This move-
ment comprises a rotary displacement of 45 degrees, which is limited by four small
blocks G placed beneath the movable top, and which rest against the central traverse
when the table is quite opened.
Each side of this top bears a flap D, D', forming an equilateral triangle exactly
one-fourth the size of the top; these flaps are fixed to the sides of the table by
means of hinges, as represented by Fig. 3 and letter H in Fig. 2, these are specially
constructed as offering the most solidity, and are most suitable for the purpose.
These hinges are T shaped and are double jointed, the joints sloping and diverging
from the centre respectively right to left, and vice versa.
The branches or arms, of
which there are three, serve to connect the flaps to the table.
It will be observed that by the employment of the flaps a surface is obtained
when they are unfolded which is double that of the table when closed, and by this
method of construction the table, when not in use, merely occupies the space of a
small table.
When the table is to be used for playing the movable top is turned the fourth of
a circle, the flaps are unfolded, and they rest on their centres on the plain surface of
the heads of the legs, which then support them; the flaps are firmly held without
straining the hinges in the least. The playing surface of the table is covered
with cloth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Antony Lampre, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord One
ANTONY LAMPRE. (L.S.)