Year: 1892

page_text: Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side-view.
Figures 6 and 7 are detail views more particularly to be referred to further on.
a designates a flat box to one of the side walls of which is hinged or pivotted a
cover or lid b. This lid serves as a supporting plate or writing table and is for
this purpose preferably covered with cloth on the outside. To the longitudinal
wall opposite to b is pirotted a support or frame c. The upper part c' of this frame
is shown as adapted to be turned back; but whether it actually is so or not will
depend on the space available and other circumstances, and forms no essential part
of the invention. On either side of o are arranged toothed racks pivotted at one
end to c while their opposite ends are pivotted to slotted bars e which are adjustable
upon c by means of thumb nuts f within proper limits or at a given angle to the
frame c. Until the nuts are tightened the racks d are controlled by springs g on
the frame c. By means of these racks the plate b is retained at the desired angle
to the support or frame c. Each of the racks works in a slot formed in the plate b
and engages with pins provided in these slots (Figure 2). The slotted bars e
enable the supports c to be adjusted at the desired angle when it is to be used as a
stand for books or the like, which are then placed upon the small shelf or ledge i.
This ledge i also carries such accessories as ink bottles ka pen box and pen-holders,
pencils etc., resting in suitable slots or notches in bridges provided for the purpose.
To enable, these articles to retain their horizontal position, whatever the position
of the frame e, the ledge or shelf i is hinged or pivotted to, c and in engagement
with one end of a link m the other end of which is pivotted to the box a. By this
means a jointed mechanism or parallel motion is formed in which the part i always
remains horizontal (really parallel with a, but a is supposed to be horizontal) to
whatever position the other sides of the square may be swung.
The ink bottles & if unprovided with a special closing device for themselves,
are, when out of use, closed as follows. On the inner side of the cover b, at the
parts which are situated directly above the ink bottles when it is put down, are
provided india rubber plates or pads n. These, when the desk is closed, tightly

page_text: adhere to the openings or mouths of ink bottles and forin a perfect closing.
Pen-holders and the like are in a similar m Fetained in their positions upon
the rack an india rubber band taking up its position-noross these when the lid
or cover is put down, whereby a yoke shaped spring is expanded. This arrange-
inent is clearly show in Figures 6 and 7.
When the desk is to be folded together, it is necessary first to unscrew the thumb
nats when the desk may be closed as will be readily understood and as clearly.
illustrated. by Figures 4 and 5.
The hooks q serve for keeping the box closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents; and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is.:
1. A writing case or desk which when out of use assumes the shape of a flat box
while when in use its cover or lid being open forms a supporting plate or writing
table and is by means of a support or frame such as c which at the same time forms
a stand for books papers and the liké maintained in the proper inclined position; a:
ledge or shelf such as i suitably pivotted to the support e and carrying the ink, pens-
and other writing accessories is connected by a link with the box in such a manner
that it retains its horizontal position whatever the position of its support substan-
tially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. Ind writing desk or case such as characterized in Claim 1 the provision for
closing the ink bottle or bottles k consisting in the arrangement of elastic plates or
pads n which when the lid or cover is lowered take-up their positions over and are
tightly pressed against the mouths of the ink bottles substantially as described-and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of September 1892.