IMPROVEMENTS IN MIRRORS OR LOOKING-GLASSES."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MIRRORS OR LOOKING-GLASSES." A communication from
abroad by Pierre Leopold Brot, of Paris, France, Looking-glass Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th January 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MIRRORS OR LOOKING-
GLASSES.
A communication.
'
This Invention relates to a mirror or looking-glass provided with shutters or
wings, which are rendered movable by means of suitable joints or hinges. These
movable shutters or wings, which are also fitted with glasses or mirrors, multiply
the repetition of the reflections, and thus permit of seeing oneself on many sides
without change of position by inclining the said shutters or wings more or less in
relation to the main or central looking-glass, to which they are attached by hinges
or otherwise.
This peculiar arrangement of a mirror or looking-glass with movable shutters
may be applied to various articles of furniture, such as drawers, toilet tables, ward-
robes, and the like. I may construct the framing of these mirrors of wood, metal,
or other suitable material.
This mirror or looking-glass with movable shutters or wings may be mounted
and arranged in any convenient manner. For example, I may make the main or
central mirror or glass of a size double that of the shutters or wings, so that in
closing the latter they will exactly cover the said looking-glass, each of the two
shutters covering one-half of the same. I am aware that this arrangement
necessitates the employment of a central glass of large size, so that the shutters
may be large enough to produce the desired effects of reflection. To obviate this
inconvenience I adopt the following construction, that is to say:-The main or
central glass is made of the same size as each of the two shutters or wings, which

page_text: are attached to it in such manner that when the parts are closed or folded together
the whole forms three thicknesses, namely, the central mirror and the two shutters,
one of which closes over the other. The hinges whereby these shutters are attached
to the central mirror are so arranged as to permit this folding, that is to say, those
of the shutter nearest the central mirror leave no space between this mirror and
shutter, while those of the other shutter leave a space or play between the parts
sufficient to permit this shutter, to close over the other.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th July
1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MIRRORS OR LOOKING-
GLASSES. A communication to me from abroad by Pierre Leopold Brot, of Paris,
France, Looking-glass Manufacturer.
"
This Invention relates to a mirror or looking-glass provided with noveable glazed
shutters or wings. These moveable glazed shutters or wings multiply the repetition
of the reflections, and thus permit of seeing one's self on many sides without
change of position, by inclining the said shutters or wings more or less in relation
to the main or central looking-glass, to which they are jointed or hinged.
This peculiar arrangement of a mirror or looking-glass with moveable glazed
shutters, as herein-after. described, may be applied to various articles of furniture;
such as drawers, toilet tables, wardrobes, and the like.
According to my Invention for obtaining the desired effect of reflection I make
the main or central glass very wide, so that the wings or shutters may have a
suitable width to permit of seeing one's self conveniently. To obtain this result I
employ a special construction of the shutters or wings, by which they are of the
same width as the main or central looking-glass, and can then turn back one upon
the other. In this way mirrors of very small size can be made, with which never-
theless very good effects may be obtained.
<<
In order that my said.Invention may be fully understood, I have illustrated in the
accompanying Drawing a piece of furniture known as a Psyche," to which I have
applied the said Invention.
Figure 1 is a front view of this piece of furniture, the shutters being closed;
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a front view shewing the shutters open; Figure 4 is a plan, also
shewing the shutters open.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
, a, are feet supporting the said piece of furniture; b is the main or central
looking-glass, fixed rigidly on the feet a by means of bolts or pins.; c, c, are moveable
shutters or wings, each fitted with a looking-glass; d, d, are turned columns,
sculptured or otherwise ornamented. These columns are traversed by rods screwed
at each end. One of the screwed ends serves to keep the columns on the foot a, and
the other serves to receive a button e to retain the shutter or wing when it is
placed at the desired angle. f, f, are joints screwed to the top and bottom of the
said shutters or wings. They are constructed in such a manner that the said
shutters or wings can be turned back one upon the other, as shewn in Figure 2.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim a looking-glass or mirror with glazed moveable wings or
shutters, capable of turning back the one upon the other, by means of peculiar

page_text: joints or hinges, over the main or central glass, as above specified, the said mirror
being capable of application to various articles of furniture, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
177M DAD
WN. ROD. LAKE.
(L.S.)