AN IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE OR CONVERTIBLE TABLE
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE OR CONVERTIBLE TABLE." A communication
from abroad by Armand François Mauchain, of Geneva, Switzerland.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th February 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE OR CONVERTIBLE
TABLE." [A communication from abroad by Armand François Mauchain, of
Geneva, Switzerland.]
This Invention relates to.a table which is capable of being used for a variety of
purposes, as the connection between the table-top or slab and the foot or base is
such as to permit the table-top to assume any desired position, either horizontal or
inclined, and the table-top can be caused to slide upon its foot and thus be adjusted
in the direction of its length, and it may also be adjusted vertically to any required
position. This table can therefore be used as a side-table, a card-table, or a reading
or music desk, and it may advantageously be used in a sick room and for similar
purposes.
A table constructed according to this Invention comprises a foot or base of
suitable form (more or less ornamental), which may or may not be provided with
castors. This foot has an upright portion made hollow to receive a stem or rod,
which carries the table-top or slab; a coiled spring inserted into the said hollow
part of the foot affords freedom in the adjustment of the table. The slab is
supported at the desired height by means of a suitable set-screw, which bears on a
small interior metal-plate. The said slab, instead of being rigidly attached to its
stem or rod, is fixed thereto by a hinge of special construction, which allows the
position of the slab to be varied horizontally, obliquely, or vertically. The said
slab is provided on one or more of its sides with a hinged movable ledge, which
can be laid or turned back underneath the slab and there held by a small hook or
T

page_text: other suitable device; when raised so as to allow the table to be used as a pulpit
or reading desk, or the like, this ledge is held in place by a hook or rotating stop,
which folds inwards when the said ledge is laid or turned back. To effect the
hinge motion of the said ledge or ledges I provide hinges so constructed that the
ledge or ledges of the slab are thrown well backward from the edge of the latter
when turned underneath the same.
The special mechanism serving to connect the slab with its stem or support
comprises a tube of metal, in which a round rod, preferably of wood, is free to
slide; the said rod abuts at each end against brackets, to which the slab is attached
by screws. Thus the slab can be readily adjusted. The tube has a tail-piece which
is solidly let into the leg or stem of the table. Upon the same tube are fixed, by
soldering or otherwise, two rings, which receive between them a two armed collar
made in two parts; the ends of its arms bear, either by screws or springs, against
the underside of the slab, so as to prevent all movement of the same when it has
by long usage become unsteady. This collar is free to move between the aforesaid
rings, so that the slab can be caused to assume any position, straight, oblique, or
vertical. The slab is maintained in position by fixing the two-armed collar by
means of set screws, another screw serving to sustain the aforesaid rings or cheeks
and prevent their giving way under great pressure.
When this table is to be used as a music-stand hinged candlesticks may be
provided, which when not in use may be concealed beneath the slab.

page_text: 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
10th August 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE OR CONVERTIBLE
A communication from abroad by Armand François Mauchain, of
TABLE."
Geneva, Switzerland.
This Invention relates to an improved table, which is capable of being used for
a variety of purposes, as the connection between the table-top or slab and the foot
or base will permit the said table top to assume any desired position, either
horizontal or inclined; the table-top can, moreover, be caused to slide upon its foot
or base, and thus be adjusted in the direction of its length, and may also be
adjusted vertically to any desired position. The said table can therefore be used
as a side-table or card-table, or as a reading or music desk, and it may advan-
tageously be used in a sick room and for similar purposes.
In the accompanying Drawing I have illustrated the construction of my
improved table and shewn it as arranged to serve for various purposes. In this
Drawing,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the table with its top or slab in a horizontal
position, and
Figure 2 is a side or end elevation, partly in section, of the same.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the said table with the table-top inclined to serve
as a reading or music desk, and
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the upper part of the same.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the upper part of the table with its top or slab
adjusted longitudinally upon the foot or base to adapt the said table for use in a
sick room or for lecturing purposes.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter described.
A table constructed according to this Invention has a foot or base a, which is of
suitable form and may be ornamented as desired, and which is provided with
castors if required. This foot has an upright portion made hollow to receive a
stem or rod B, which carries the table-top or slab C; a coiled spring D inserted
into the said hollow part of the foot affords freedom in the adjustment of the
table. The slab C is supported at the desired height by means of a set-screw E,
which bears on a small interior metal-plate at a. The said slab, instead of being
rigidly attached to its stem or rod B in the usual manner, is fixed thereto by a
device of special construction, which allows the position of the slab to be varied
horizontally, obliquely, or vertically. The slab is provided on one or more of its
sides with a hinged movable ledge F, which can be laid or turned back underneath.
the slab and there held by a small hook or other suitable device at b; when raised
(see Figure 3) so as to allow the table to be used as a reading or music desk, or
the like, this ledge is held in place by a hook or rotating stop, which folds inward
when the said ledge is laid or turned back. To permit the adjustment of the said
ledge or ledges I provide hinges of special construction; one of these hinges is
shewn detached and in elevation in Figure 6, in side view, when open or unfolded,
in Figure 7, and in side view, when closed or folded, in Figure 8, these Figures
being drawn to an enlarged scale. The said hinges are so constructed that the
ledge or ledges of the slab will be thrown well backward from the edge of the said
slab when turned underneath the same.
The special mechanism which serves to connect the slab with its foot or support
is shewn separately and on an enlarged scale in Figures 9 and 10, Figure 9 being
a front elevation partly in section and Figure 10 a side elevation.

page_text: This mechanism consists of a tube T of metal, in which a round rod G, preferably
of wood, is free to slide; the said rod abuts at each end against wood or metal
brackets or pieces H, to which the slab is attached by screws. Thus the slab can
be readily adjusted. The tube has a tail-piece I, which is securely fitted in the leg
or stem of the table.
Upon the tube T are fixed, by soldering or otherwise, two rings or plates c, c,
which receive between them a collar or piece K, made in two parts, as shewn in
side elevation in Figure 11; the ends of the arms of the said piece K bear, either
by screws d, d, or springs, against the underside of the slab, so as to prevent
unsteadiness of the same if necessary. The collar K is free to move between the
rings c, c, so that the slab can be caused to assume any position, that is to say,
either horizontal, oblique, or vertical. To maintain the slab in any desired
position the collar K is fastened by means of the set screw V; the screw v serves
to sustain the aforesaid rings or cheeks c, c, and prevent their giving way under
great pressure.
When this table is to be used as a music-stand hinged candlesticks may be
provided, which when not in use may be concealed beneath the slab.
I may vary the shape and dimensions of my improved table and make the same
of any suitable material, so as to adapt the table to any style and to any purpose
for which the same may be required.
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,
First. An adjustable or convertible table, characterized by the mechanism above
described and shewn in the Drawing, which mechanism permits the top or slab to
assume a horizontal, inclined, or vertical position, and to be adjusted longitudinally
with regard to its foot or support in either direction.
Second. In an adjustable or convertible table, the spring in the interior of the
foot or support, the hinged ledge or ledges, and the brackets attached to the slab,
all substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
TITK
TAR