Improvements in Portable Adjustable School Writing Desks.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Portable Adjustable School Writing Desks.
I, JOSEPH LUCIEN CHRÉTIEN, of 15bs Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My present invention has for its object a portable writing desk, the inclination
of the upper surface of which is variable and adjustable, such upper surface being
hinged to the lower part, which is hollow and forms a box or case to contain books
or other articles, which can be used as a substitute for the ordinary book-satchel,
whilst the adjustable upper surface enables scholars or others using it to take the
most convenient and correct position for writing, reading, and the like, either at
school or at home. The apparatus is also provided with an adjustable support upon
the inclined top, to carry books or copies.
The lower box or case is open above, and somewhat lower at the front than at
the back. To its front edge is hinged the board which forms its upper surface, and
is used for writing, or similar purposes. The front edge of the latter is provided
with a projecting rim which prevents papers from falling off. The bottom of the
box is extended forward for a short distance, so that it can be more readily carried,
as a pupil can place the whole under his arm, retaining it in his hand by the
projecting part of the bottom, whilst the upper board is closed down upon the box,
books being provided in front to keep it closed.
The upper hinged board is provided with two parallel rows of holes, extending
from the back to a sufficient distance down, into which fit corresponding pins at the
bottom of a curved metal or other support extending across the desk, and intended
to carry books or papers which are being read or copied. These pins are of
sufficient length to sustain the support at a sufficient height from the inclined
surface to allow the paper or copy-book to pass under it.
When the support described is not being used, it may be placed inside the
lower box, or its pins fitted into two holes provided for them in the back of the
latter.
The required inclination of the upper surface is obtained by means of two curved
stays, one upon each side of the box. The upper end of the left-hand stay is
jointed to the edge of the hinged top, and it has a central curved slot, the upper
edge of which is provided with teeth which engage with a screw or pin fixed in the
side of the lower box. If the hinged top is raised with the band, one or other of
the teeth will engage with the pin and retain the top in its required position.
The right-hand curved stay is similarly jointed to the opposite edge of the top,
and it also has a curved slot, but without teeth, a pressure screw being screwed
through it into the side of the box so as to hold the inclined top firmly at the
desired angle, as for instance, if a pupil should lean too hard upon it.
Dated this 7th day of February 1895.

page_text: Improvements in Portable Adjustable School Writing Desks.
I, JOSEPH LUCIEN CHRÉTIEN, of 15 bis Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Schoolmaster, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is
to say :-
My present invention has for its object a portable writing desk, the inclination of
the upper surface of which is variable and adjustable, such upper surface being
hinged to the lower part, which is hollow and forms a box or case to contain books
or other articles, which can be used as a substitute for the ordinary book-satchel
whilst the adjustable upper surface enables scholars or others using it to take the
most convenient and correct position for writing, reading, and the like, either at
school or at home. The apparatus is also provided with an adjustable support
upon the inclined top to carry books or copies.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my invention.
Figure 1 is a side view of the desk raised, and of the box or case of which it
forms the top; the dotted lines shewing it closed.
Figure 2 is a section, and Figure 3 a plan, of the case closed, shewing the book
support.
Figures 4 and 5 are views shewing the front and back of Figure 3.
a is the lower box or case, open above, and somewhat lower at the front than at
the back. To its front edge is hinged the board 6 which forms its upper surface,
and is used for writing, or similar purposes. The front edge of the latter is
provided with a projecting rim which prevents papers from falling off.
The bottom of the box a is extended forward at c for a short distance, so that it
can be more readily carried, as a pupil can place the whole under his arm,
retaining it in his hand by the projecting part of the bottom, whilst the upper
board is closed down upon the box, hooks k being provided in front to keep it
closed.
The upper board hinged by hinges at d is provided with two parallel rows of
holes m, extending from the back to a sufficient distance down, into which fit
corresponding pins p at the bottom of a curved metal or other support n extending
across the desk, and intended to carry books or papers which are being read or
copied. These pins are of sufficient length to sustain the support at a sufficient
height from the inclined surface to allow the paper or copy-book to pass
under it.
When the support n described is not being used, it may be placed inside the
lower box, or its pins fitted into two holes 1, 1, provided for them in the back of the
latter.
The required inclination of the upper surface is obtained by means of two curved
stays, one upon each side of the box. The upper end of the left hand stay his
jointed at to the edge of the hinged top, and it has a central curved slot, the
upper edge of which is provided with teeth which engage with a screw or pin i
fixed in the side of the lower box. If the hinged top is raised with the hand, one
or other of the teeth will engage with the pin i and retain the top in its required
position. The right-hand curved stay e is similarly jointed at to the opposite
edge of the top, and it also has a curved slot, but without teeth, a pressure screw g
being screwed through it into the side of the box so as to hold the inclined
top firmly at the desired angle, as for instance if a pupil should lean too hard
upon it.
My improved desk and box or case possesses great advantages over the writing
desks and tables ordinarily used in schools. They allow the book or copy book to

page_text: be placed at the most convenient angle for reading or writing according to the
height and sight of the scholar, who moreover can have the same advantages when
at home, as the desk is portable, capable of containing several books-replacing
for this purpose the ordinary satchel.
The principal advantage of my invention is, therefore, to allow the scholar or pupil
to retain his head and body in the proper position, and to arrange his book so that
it is not necessary for him to hold it with his hand, in his different exercises such
as reading, writing, copying, and the like.
I do not confine myself to the precise details and dimensions of the various parts,
which may be varied more or less, but
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 18:-
A writing desk, having an adjustable surface, forming part of a box or case
provided with a support for a book, and serving as a substitute for the ordinary
satchel, the whole so arranged as to ensure the proper position of the person using
it when seated, the proper angle of the adjustable surface being ensured by means
of two curved stays, one of which is toothed to adjust the desk in position, whilst
the other is without teeth but serves to retain the desk in such position by means
of a pressure screw, all substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 25th day of October 1895.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.