AN IMPROVED COMBINED CASE AND DESK FOR HOLDING MUSICAL AND OTHER BOOKS OR SHEETS, PICTURES, AND THE LIKE
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Digby Frederick Shillington at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th December 1876.
DIGBY FREDERICK SHILLINGTON, of 5, Eland Terrace, Wandsworth Road, in the
County of Surrey. "AN IMPROVED COMBINED CASE AND DESK FOR HOLDING
MUSICAL AND OTHER BOOKS OR SHEETS, PICTURES, AND THE LIKE."
This Invention relates to an improved box or case for holding compactly sheets
or books of music or other books or papers, and whose lid or cover may be instan-
taneously converted into a desk or rest for supporting in a convenient position to
be read either or any of the said sheets or books which may be selected and taken
from those in the said book or case.
Various devices have heretofore been adopted with the same object, but they have
been so constructed as to require certain parts to be detached and then adjusted
in different positions whenever the box is to be converted into a desk or rest.
In carrying my Invention into practise I provide a box or case of convenient
dimensions, and which may be of wood, tin, card board, or any other suitable
material; the lid or cover of this box is constructed in two parts, which form a
complete cover, having the appearance of an ordinary lid or cover when the box is
closed, but which by the act of being raised to the required angle form a rest
for the music or book, having a projecting piece or ledge for the lower edge of the sheet
or book to rest upon. The two separate portions of the said lid or cover are so
arranged and fitted together relatively to each other and upon the box, that when
the cover is adjusted to serve as a desk they occupy the inclined or slanting position
most convenient for supporting and presenting to view the book or paper placed
thereon. These two pieces are hinged together on the inside of the cover, and the
small or narrow piece or ledge is hinged or jointed to the box. A recess or notch
is cut in the opposite sides of the said box to receive the lower edges of the two
parts of the cover when the same is raised or opened, and permit them to freely
assume the aforesaid inclined or slanting position.
I form around the lid or cover a rim or flange, in such a manner that while the
lid remains closed it forms a close covering to the box, which effectually prevents
the entrance of dust, and the consequent soiling of the contents of the said box;
this rim or flange does not in any wise interfere with the adjustment of the cover to
form the desk or rest as above described. I connect the said box and cover by
toggle joints or other suitable devices, which permit the ready adjustment of
Din D31

page_text: the said cover, and afford the required support to the same when the cover is
raised. When the said cover is properly adjusted the performer or reader has only
to select his piece of music, book, or paper, from the case, and place it upon the
rest which has been formed by the act of raising the lid or cover as above
described.
This Invention will supply a want long felt, especially amongst musicians,
of a portable cover or receptacle capable of instantaneous conversion into a desk.
The said Invention may be modified in various ways, and may be adapted for
holding various articles, such as photographs, prints, and other sheets, which require
to be preserved in a clean and smooth condition, and to be examined or exhibited
from time to time.