Year: 1888

page_text: I JOSEPH NICHOLS of Cheapside Wire Works, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick Wireworker 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 :-
My invention has for its object improvements in flower and other wire stands
which enables me to collapse them into a very small space for storing away when not
in use and for transport and shipping purposes and has special reference to the
light ornamental wire stands which take up so much room and are liable to damage
during transit.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried into
practice I have appended hereunto a double sheet of drawings upon which I have
illustrated four examples of such stands made to collapse or fold closely together and
from which the principle of construction may easily be extended to other shapes and
designs without departing from the principle thereof.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wire flower stand in its complete state showing
the top tray A the bottom tray B and one of the sides all in position.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same stand showing the same parts A, B and C
and also the other side all complete.
Figure 3 is also an end view of the same parts as seen at Figure 2 but with the
top and bottom trays lifted up ready for separation and packing as hereafter to be
more fully explained.
Figure 4 is the back elevation of a wire flower stand of semi-circular shape in plan
as seen at Figure 6. Figure 5 is an end view of the same.
Figures 7, 8 and 9
for packing.
show the same stand collapsed and ready to bring together
:
Figures 10 and 11 show a very simple skeleton frame of a flower stand the top
being simply dotted into position to make the whole clear while Figures 12 and 13
show the same stand folded together in a very simple manner.
Figures 14 and 15 show an elevation and plan of a small vase or pot stand ready
ready to receive its top or tray and Figures 16 and 17 show the same stand collapsed
ready to pack together.

page_text: I have before remarked that Figures 1 and 2 show a wire flower stand ready for
use and that Figure 3 shows the parts lifted a short distance assunder so that the
mode of securing the parts together may be more clearly seen. The top tray A has
one, two or more bars a' with ends bent downwards which enter into corresponding
sockets c² and c on the side C and C¹ of which there may be any desired number
according to the length or size of the stand. The bottom part of the sides C and C¹
are secured by similar bars 62 which are separate from the lower tray B the hooked
ends of which enter the sockets c³ and c on the sides C and C¹. When these are
lifted apart the two sides C and C¹ pack close to each other and the lower tray B packs
inside the tray A which is the reason for making the bar or bars b¹ separate from the
tray B so that the two come closer together. It will be seen that a number of such
tops of various sizes will come together one inside the other and also the sides so
that the measurement in the case of shipment is enormously reduced.
In the case of the stand shown erected as per Figures 4, 5, and 6 :-The steps or
bracket support D is taken away by the removal of one screw pin d¹ and the
withdrawal of keys h see Figure 18 which are passed through eyes fast to the under
side of the trays parts of the steps or brackets D being embraced by the key. The
threo trays K, K and K are hinged to the back part M at k³, k and ko so that after
the removal of the supports the trays fold down flat upon the back M as shown at
Figure 7. The diagonals N, N1, N2 which are hinged at n³, n, and n³ also fold down
upon the back M. There is also main diagonal bottom stay rods P hinged at p
which likewise turn down flat upon the back M and drop over the hook pin d'
which are fast to D.
The stand shown by Figures 10 and 11 consists of the two ends R and R¹ and the
intermediate frame S hinged to the top of R at r² and the top of R¹ at ³ and of S¹
hinged to R at and to R¹ at with also the two bottom rods S² and S³ also hinged
at each end to R and R¹ the result being that the whole will collapse as shown at
Figure 12 and Figure 13 into a remarkably close space.
The vase or single stand shown by Figures 14 elevation and 15 plan are constructed
of three principal members namely, T one half and T1 and T2 compose each a quarter
and are hinged at t to fold together like leaves as shown by Figures 16 and 17.
The hooked end bars t t t and t drop into sockets as explained for 6² Figure 3 to
hold the parts steady when open.
It will be evident that considerable variation may be made in the arrangement
and details of the fastenings hinges and various parts to suit various designs
and sizes but the instances shown will serve as illustrations of the principle of
construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
The improvements in flower and other wire stands for collapsing into a small
space substantially as herein set forth and shown upon the drawings.
Dated this 19th day of January Loo0.
Dated this 19th day of January loo0.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for Applicant.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for Applicant.