An Improved Portable Combination Writing Desk.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 25th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable Combination Writing Desk.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM POWELL of 5 Hatton Garden, London Wholesale
Jeweller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improved desk is especially adapted for persons travelling, or for use by
persons in bed, or sitting in a chair, as it contains in a portable shallow, and handy
form every convenience for letter writing. It can be used when sitting in a railway
carriage vehicle or chair, as it can be laid on the knees of the sitter, and requires
no table or other support.
It consists of a small covered tray with suitable divisions and recesses for holding
all the articles required in correspondence. These divisions are so arranged that
the articles cannot be displaced, nor can the ink be spilled, no matter in what
position the desk is carried.
The tray contains spaces and recesses fitted to receive, and actually containing
the following articles, namely; note paper, envelopes, penholders or penholder and
pencil, pens, india-rubber, sealing wax, postage stamps, postcards, paper knife, ink,
and foot rule with calendar.
The whole of the contents of the tray are held in place by the cover which is
hinged at the back and shuts tightly over them and is held by a catch, snap lock
or strap. The ink-bottle is furnished with the well known spring cover to prevent
the ink spilling, and is hinged on to the edge of the tray in such a manner that when
not in use it folds over into a recess in the tray, and when required it turns over the
outside of the tray, and is then in an upright position ready for dipping the pen in
its contents.
In addition to the foregoing, other articles may be added or substituted if desired
such as a ruler scissors, telegram forms, carbonised paper for taking copies, and
other similar articles.
Also if preferred a folding projecting ledge may be added to the back of the tray,
to cause an incline to the desk.
The inside or back of the cover is furnished with a sheet of asses skiu or any
other suitable material ruled for memoranda engagements and the like.
The outside of the cover carries a pad of blotting paper secured by leather corner
clips in the usual way.
Dated this 26th day of June 1891
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable Combination Writing Desk.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM POWELL of 5 Hatton Garden London E.C: Wholesale
Jeweller 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 :-
This desk is made of wood or any other suitable material which may be covered
with leather or cloth or paper (A). It is constructed flat thin & rigid so that it
shall be especially suitable for using whilst in a reclining or sitting position.
The desk or tray itself may be of any size or depth but at present I prefer to
make it one inch deep. It is partitioned off to contain any or all of the following
requisites for correspondence to wit-(E) note paper, (G) envelopes, (H) post cards,
125

page_text: (F) telegraph forms, (I) pens, (N) holders, (B) ink, (P) pencils, (R) india rubber,
(J) sealing wax, (S) postage stamps, (K) paper knife, (L) foot rule, (M) calendar,
(L) ruler, (O) scissors & other similar articles. A flat lid (A) is hinged at back
having on its surface a pad of blotting paper (A) & on its other side a sheet of asses
skin (D) or other similar substance ruled for £ s. d., memoranda, addresses & the 5
like. The ink bottle (B) is furnished with the well-known spring cover to prevent
the ink from coming out and is hinged on to the top right hand corner of desk so
that on opening the lid of desk, the ink pot can be turned up and on shutting the
lid it is held in its place and cannot fall over. When not in use it falls over into a
recess in the tray or base. The lid shuts tightly over the contents of the tray 1
holding everything in its respective position and may be fastened by a catch snap
lock or strap (C).
A folding projecting ledge may be affixed to the back of desk, to cause an incline
if desired.
Figure 1 represents desk closed inclined by projecting ledge with ink pot open in 1
position ready for use.
A. Top or lid of desk, covered with blotting pad.
B. Ink pot, open & in position for use.
C. Catch to hold lid closed.
Figure 2. represents desk open showing arrangement of spaces, with inkpot closed 2
& folded in position when desk is closed & not required.
B. Inkpot, closed and folded into desk.
C C. Catch.
D. Asses skin for memoranda etc.
E. Space for note paper.
telegraph forms.
2
F.
32
G. G.
envelopes.
FI.
post cards.
I.
25
pen nibs.
J J.
1:
sealing wax.
Red & black.
3
K.
"
paper knife.
L.
foot rule.
22
M.
"
calendar.
N.
"2
pen holder.
0.
scissors or knife.
"
3
P.
33
pencil.
R.
india rubber.
29
وو
postage stamps.
wafers.
S.
W.
23
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven- 4
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
A. desk, flat, thin & rigid, having an inkstand hinged at one side, folding inside,
with a lid shutting tightly over the contents holding everything in position with a
pad or surface suitable for writing on.
Dated this 26th day of March 1892.
4
FREDERICK WM. POW ELL.