Improvements in or in connection with Drawers, Cases, Tables, and the like, specially applicable for Chemists, Druggists, Surgery, and Hospital Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in or in connection with Drawers, Cases, Tables, and
the like, specially applicable for Chemists, Druggists, Surgery,
and Hospital Purposes.
I RICHARD FRESHFIELD REYNOLDS of 13 Briggate Leeds in the County of
York Pharmaceutical Chemist do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention in the first place refers to drawers such as are used by chemists,
druggists and surgeons for holding chemicals, drugs, bandage lint and other articles,
and has for its object to preserve such articles free from dust, and to permit of the
drawer being closed automatically after having been opened, so that both hands are
left free for carrying any article or substance away from the drawer, and to avoid
any risk of a drawer being left open.
In my invention I make use of a spring for pulling back i.e. closing the drawer.
Now I am aware that springs have previously been proposed to be or have been
used in connection with till (money) drawers, both for opening and closing more or
less partially such drawers in connection with other mechanism for rendering the
tills safe or for registering purposes. My invention refers more especially to the
arrangement and construction of such drawers and the spring, so that no unnecessary
amount of space is lost, and to permit of a spring being used capable of closing
drawers of comparatively great length, whilst allowing such drawers to be fully
opened, but not drawn completely away from the drawer case.
In my invention the depth of the case or case row containing the drawer, is made
greater than the depth of the drawer by the diameter of the spring used for pulling
back the drawer, or slightly greater. On the underside and on the centre line of
the drawer I provide a U shaped cover, extending practically the full length of the
drawer, and just sufficiently large to contain the aforesaid spring. The spring is
attached at its front end to the front end of the drawer, and at its back end to the
back of the case containing the drawer. The depth of the front end of the drawer
is made just slightly less than the full depth of the case, so as to fit readily within
the same.
At the front end of the case, to the right and left of the U shaped spring
cover, I provide two raised ledges, to fill the space between the bottom of the
drawer and the bottom of the case. These ledges, as also a top beading on the
inside of the top of the case, and similar beadings on the sides are set back; so as
to permit the front of the drawer when pulled back, fitting flush with, or being
very slightly set back beyond, the front of the case.
The back end of the drawer projects slightly above the sides, or is provided with
beading; which catching against the top beading at the front end of the case,
prevents the drawer being inadvertently drawn completely out of the case.
As the spring is extended to nearly twice its length when the drawer is fully
pulled out, in order to reduce the excessive extension of the spring, I may use two
springs of different diameters; and connect the one at its front end to the front end
of the drawer, and at its back end to the back end of a tube lying in the space

page_text: between the two springs; and at the front end of the other spring to the front end
of the tube, and at its back end to the back of the case; so that each spring is
extended only about one fourth of its length.
In the case of large drawers, the above arrangement may be modified by having
two springs, one towards each side of the drawer. The case may contain any
convenient number of drawers in a row, and any convenient number of rows.
In place of using a compound spring device as above described, I may use
a volute spring with a very considerable number of turns, so that when the drawer
is closed all the turns lie in one and the same plane; whilst when the drawer is
fully open the spring forms a skeleton cone without unduly straining the elasticity
of the spring.
My invention in the second place refers to a self wiping table or tablet, which
may be used in connection with the above described case of drawers or separately.
This consists of a rectangular slab of glass or other suitable material, which is
enclosed in a case having an opening at one end, from which end the glass slab can
be drawn out, to a greater or less extent as desired. This end of the case may
have a thumb recess cut in it to facilitate laying hold of the slab for the purpose of
drawing it out, or a suitable attachment may be fixed to or formed on the end of
the slab for the same purpose. Just within the open end, the inside of the case is
provided all round with a wiper of cloth, felt, baize, rubber or other suitable
material; which presses all round on the slab so as effectually to wipe or clean the
same as the slab is being drawn out or pushed in, without requiring undue force.
Provision may be made either by beadings, or a catch and recess, or similar device,
to prevent the slab being drawn out too far. This self wiping table may be used
in connection with jewellers cases and for other purposes, though it is more
particularly intended for use in hospitals, surgeries and the like; the dressings
being laid ready on the drawn out slab for the surgeon. It will be understood that
the slab is only pulled out just before use and pushed back after use, so that the
case prevents any accumulation of dust thereon; whilst the act of pulling out
and pushing in the slab ensures the same being wiped immediately before and just
after use.
Lastly my invention refers to means for keeping lint bandages and other articles
in cases free from dust. The following description refers to the self closing
drawers above mentioned, but its application to separate cases or other receptacles
will be evident. The projecting ledge round the front of the drawer, or the before
mentioned beading against which it fits, is provided with a pad or cushion of cloth,
felt, rubber or other suitable material, so that since the spring, even when the
drawer is shut, has a slight tension, the drawer closes air tight against the case.
To permit the passage of pure air to and from the inside of the drawer when closed,
I provide, conveniently on the inside of the drawer, and attached to the front end
thereof, a shallow case or recess, conveniently circular in section; provided with a
tightly fitting cap. This cap and the corresponding portion of the front end of the
drawer are provided with several small perforations to permit the passage of air,
whilst the interior of the case is filled with cotton wool or other suitable filtering
medium. The removable cap permits the filtering medium to be removed to be
cleaned or replaced by fresh material.
LM 1000
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
30 Park Row, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or in connection with Drawers, Cases, Tables, and
the like, specially applicable for Chemists, Druggists, Surgery,
and Hospital Purposes.
I RICHARD FRESHFIELD REYNOLDS of 13 Briggate, Leeds in the County of
York, Pharmaceutical Chemist 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 invention in the first place refers to drawers, such as are used by chemists
druggists and surgeons for holding chemicals drugs bandage lint and other articles
and has for its object to preserve such articles free from dust, and to permit of the
drawer being closed automatically after having been opened, so that both hands are
left free for carrying any article or substance away from the drawer and to avoid
any risk of a drawer being left open.
In my invention I make use of a spring for pulling back i.e. closing the drawer.
Now I am aware that springs have previously been proposed to be or have been
used in connection with till (money) drawers, both for opening and closing more or
less partially such drawers in connection with other mechanism for rendering the
tills safe or for registering purposes. My invention refers more especially to the
arrangement and construction of such drawers and the spring, so that no unnecessary
amount of length is lost, and to permit of a spring being used capable of closing
drawers of comparatively great length, whilst allowing such drawers to be fully
opened, but not drawn completely away from the drawer case.
от
In my invention the depth of the case or case row containing the drawer is made
greater than the depth of the drawer by the diameter of the spring used for
pulling back the drawer, or slightly greater. On the underside and on the central
line of the drawer I provide a U shaped cover, extending practically the full
length of the drawer, and just sufficiently large to contain the aforesaid spring.
The spring is attached at its front end to the front end of the drawer, and at its
back end to the back of the case containing the drawer. The depth of the front
end of the drawer is made just slightly less than the full depth of the case, so as to
fit readily within the same. At the front end of the case, to the right and left of
the U shaped spring cover, I provide two raised ledges or bars to fill the space
between the bottom of the drawer and the bottom of the case. These ledges or
bars, as also a top beading on the inside of the top of the case and similar beadings
on the sides are set back, so as to permit the front of the drawer, when the drawer
is closed, fitting flush with or being very slightly set back beyond the front of
the case.
The back end of the drawer projects slightly above the sides, or is provided
with a beading; which catching against the top beading at the front end of
the case prevents the drawer being inadvertently drawn completely out of
the case.
As the spring is extended to nearly twice its length when the drawer is fully
pulled out, in order to reduce the excessive extension of the spring I may use two
springs of different diameters, and connect the one at its front end to the front end
of the drawer, and at its back end to the back end of a tube, lying in the space
between the two springs; and the other at its front end to the front end of the
tube, and at its back end to the back of the case; so that each spring is extended
only by about one half of its length. In the case of large drawers the above
arrangement may be modified by having two springs, one towards each side of the

page_text: drawer. The case may contain any convenient number of drawers in a row, and
any convenient number of rows.
In place of using a compound spring device as above described, I may use a
volute spring with a very considerable number of turns; so that when the drawer
is closed all the turns lie in one and the same plane; whilst when the drawer is
fully open, the spring forms a skeleton cone without unduly straining the spring.
My invention in the second place refers to a self wiping table or tablet, which
may form part of the fitting of the above described case of drawers; or which may
be used separate in connection therewith. This consists of a rectangular slab of
glass or other suitable material, which is enclosed in a case conveniently formed in
the upper or lower part of the drawer case, having an opening at one end; from
which end the glass slab can be drawn out to a greater or less extent as desired.
This end of the case may have a thumb recess cut in it, to facilitate laying hold of
the slab for the purpose of drawing it out, or a suitable attachment may be fixed
to or formed on the end of the slab for the same purpose. Just within the open
end, the inside of the slab case is provided all round with a wiper of cloth, felt,
baize, rubber or other suitable material, which presses all round on the slab, so as
effectually to wipe or clean the same, as the slab is being drawn out or pushed in,
without requiring undue force. The wiper may be attached to a removable frame,
so that the material forming the wiper may be renewed as required. Provision
may be made by beadings, or a catch and recess, or similar device, to prevent the
slab being drawn out too far. This self wiping table may be used in connection
with jewellers' cases and for other purposes, though it is more particularly intended
for use in hospitals, surgeries and the like; the dressings being laid ready on the
drawn out slab for the surgeon. It will be understood that the slab is only pulled
out just before use, and pushed back after use, so that the wiper and case prevent
any accumulation of dust thereon; whilst the act of pulling out and pushing in the
slab ensures the same being wiped immediately before and just after use.
Lastly my invention refers to means for keeping lint bandages and other articles
in cases free from dust. The following description refers to its application to the
above mentioned self closing drawers, from which its application to separate cases
or other receptacles will be evident. The projecting ledge round the front end of
the drawer, or round the beading against which it fits, is provided with a pad or
cushion of cloth, felt, rubber or other suitable material; so that since the spring,
even when the drawer is shut, has a slight tension, the drawer closes air tight
against the case. To permit the passage of pure air to and from the inside of the
drawer when closed, I provide, conveniently on the inside of the drawer and
attached to the front end thereof, a shallow case or recess, conveniently circular,
provided with a tightly fitting cap. This cap and the corresponding portion of the
front end of the drawer are provided with several small perforations, to permit the
passage of air whilst the interior of the case is filled with cotton wool or other
suitable filtering medium. The removable cap permits the filtering medium to be
removed for cleaning, or to be replaced by fresh material.
And in order that my invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed may be more readily and clearly understood I have annexed hereto the
accompanying drawing, shewing a surgeon's combined two-drawer case and self
wiping table, constructed in accordance with my invention.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the front end of
the same, one of the drawers being removed.
Fig. 3 is a cross section of the lower part of one of the drawers, and
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sketch of the double spring arrangement.
The same reference letters are used for the same parts throughout the views.
a is the outer case. is a horizontal partition, which leaves a very shallow
compartment on the upper side to receive the self wiping table e. The part of the
case below the horizontal partition b is divided into two compartments by a vertical
partition d, a drawer e being fitted in each compartment. The under side of the
drawer is provided with a U shaped cover f, which is closed at the front end by

page_text: the lower projecting portion of the front end of the case, the back end of the
cover being left open. A spring g is fitted within this cover f, one end of the
spring being attached to the front end of the drawer, and the opposite end to
the back of the case a. The drawer compartment is made deeper than the drawer
by the depth of the cover f. The bottom of the front end of the compartment
is provided with a raised ledge of the same depth as the cover f, and is provided
at the centre with a recess or sunk portion j, to allow for the cover fresting
therein or being slid through the same when the drawer is pulled out by hand or
drawn back by the spring g.
In Fig. 4, shewing the double spring arrangement, g is the ioner spring, attached
at one end to the front of the drawer e, and at the opposite end to the back end
of the tube p, which lies in the space between the inner spring 9 and the outer
spring g'; the latter being attached at one end to the front end of the tube p, and
at the opposite end to the back of the case a.
Near the front end of the table compartment an opening is made in one side of
the case a, through which the wiper i. can be inserted. The wiper may consist
of a single bar i for wiping the top of the glass plate only, or of two bars i. i for
wiping both the top and bottom of the table. The bar or bars are covered on the
side next to the glass table with felt, flannel, rubber or other suitable wiping
material. The bars may be fixed permanently in position, but the removable
arrangement illustrated, allows the wipers to be readily withdrawn for brushing,
cleaning or for renewing the wiping material.
l
The front end of the drawer is provided on the inner side with a narrow
cylinder k and a cap fitting tightly over the same. This cap and the corresponding
portion of the front end of the drawer are provided with openings m for the
passage of air; cotton wool or other suitable filtering antiseptic material being
filled into the cylindrical box k.
and
The projecting ledge n of the front end of the drawer or the beading o provided
round the front end of the case, or both are covered with rubber, felt or other
suitable material, so as to render the joint air tight, and thus prevent the admission
of any air except such as is filtered through the filtering box just described.
The application of this air filtering device to separate cases is shewn in Fig. 5
which is a vertical diametral section of the upper end of a celluloid case
principally used for holding dressing lint. a is the case. k is a shallow circular
tray fitted on or in the top of the case a. lis cap fitting over the top of the
tray k. m are perforations formed or provided in both the cap and the bottom
of the tray k. The filtering antiseptic material is placed in the space between
the cap and the tray.
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. The construction of drawers and cases for the same characterized by a cover
attached to the underside of the drawer enclosing a spring connected at one end
to the back of the case and at the opposite end to the front of the drawer and
raised ledges across the bottom at the front end of the case substantially as
set forth.
2. The construction of drawers and cases for the same characterized by a spring
enclosed in a cover on the under side of the drawer the spring being attached at
the front and back to the front end of the drawer and to the back of the case
respectively, raised ledges and beading attached to the case round the inside at
the front and a projecting flange round the front end of the drawer fitting
against said ledges and beading with interposed air tight closing material
substantially as set forth.
3. A self wiping table or slab, comprising a sheet of glass or other suitable
material enclosed in a case open only at the front end and a wiper of suitable

page_text: material within and close to the said front end of the case, so as to fit and press
against the table or slab and to wipe off any dust from the table or slab as the
same is drawn in or pushed out of the case substantially as set forth.
4. Drawers fitted in cases characterized by the front end being provided with a
flange or heading fitting in an air tight-manner against the front of or against a
flange or beading close to the front of the case and a shallow box or recess formed
on the inside or outside of the front or side of the drawer provided with a
removable cap or cover and filled with cotton wool or other filtering antiseptic
material and having openings provided in both the bottom of the box or recess
and in the cap or cover substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
or
and
5. Cases for holding lint bandages or other articles provided with a perforated
tray fitting the open end of the case and with a perforated cap or lid substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth and illustrated.
6. The combination of self closing drawer or drawers case or cases for the same
and self wiping table all constructed substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth.
7. The combination of the subject matter of Claim 6 and the air filtering device
all constructed substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 13th day of February 1897.
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
30 Park Row, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.