IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING TARLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Swann and Antony Milligan, both of Gravesend
in the County of Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING
TARLES"
Sealed the 1st November 1878, and dated the 21st May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Swann and Antony
Milligan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May
1878.
GEORGE SWANN and ANTONY MILLIGAN, both of Gravesend, in the County of
Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING TABLES."
Our Invention has for its object improvements in folding tables.
We construct a light table capable of being folded or converted into a double
music stand in the following manner :-The central pedestal or leg of the table has
a screw working in it as in a music stool, and the central panel of the table, which
is comparatively narrow, is fixed upon the bead of the screw. The centre panel
has the two flaps (which together with it make up the table top) hinged to it, one
on either side, and these flaps are also supported by brackets or struts passing to a
ring surrounding the pedestal or leg. The ring is able to turn upon the pedestal or
leg, and the brackets or struts are jointed to the ring each at its lower end, whilst
its upper end is jointed to the flap at a distance from the hinges. From this con-
struction it results that when the table top is turned round the centre panel riscs,
and the two side flaps assume inclined positions suitable for supporting music, or it
may be books in a convenient position for reading.
To form ledges to prevent the music or books from slipping off the flaps when
inclined, the outer margin of the flap may be formed as a separate piece, and con-
nected to the flap by hinges, and these margins may be controlled by links passing
from them to the bracket or strut of the flap, and jointed to each. By these means
the margins will, when the flaps are inclined by raising the centre of the table,

page_text: assume a position at right angles or nearly so to the flaps, but when the centre of
the table is lowered the whole of the table top, including these margins, forins one
plane surface, as in an ordinary table.
The arrangement may be modified by making the screw to turn without the
centre panel of the table, this panel being guided as it rises and falls by two side
standards or legs, to which in this case the brackets or struts pass.
Similar arrangements are also applicable where a folding table is formed in con-
nection with other articles of furniture, as for example, a nest of drawers suitable
for a library. In this case a hor working in guides in front of the nest of drawers
takes the place of the centre panel of the table, and it is provided with but one flap,
which, when the centre bar is raised, assumes an upright position, and shuts in the
drawers in front, and when this bar is lowered the flap falls to an horizontal position
ready for use as a table, at the same time disclosing the drawers.
A folding flap table, suitable for fixing against a wall or partition, may be similarly
arranged.
In place of the screw other means may be resorted to for raising and lowering the
flap or bar to which the outer flapor flaps is or are hinged.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Swann and Antony Milligan in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 21st November 1878.
GEORGE SWANN and ANTONY MILLIGAN, both of Gravesend, in the County of
Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING TABLES."
Our Invention has for its object improvements in folding tables.
We construct a light table capable of being folded or converted into a double
music stand in the following manner:-The central pedestal or leg of the table has
a screw working in it as in a music stool, and the centre panel of the tablo, which
is comparatively narrow, is fixed upon the head of the screw.
The central panel
has the two flaps (which together with it make up the table top) hinged to it, one
on either side, and these flaps are also supported by brackets or struts passing to a
ring surrounding the pedestal or leg. The ring is able to turn upon the pedestal
or leg, and the brackets or struts are jointed to the ring each at its lower end,
whilst its upper end is jointed to the flap at a distance from the hinges. From this
construction it results that when the table top is turned round the centre panel rises,
and the two side flaps assume inclined positions suitable for supporting music, or it
may be books in aconvenient position for reading.
To form ledges to prevent the music or books from slipping off the flaps when
inclined, the outer margin of the flap may be formed as a separate piece, and cou-
nected to the flap by hinges, and these margins may be controlled by links passing
from them to the bracket or strut of the flap, and jointed to each. By these means

page_text: the margins will, when the flaps are inclined by raising the centre of the table,
assume a position at right angles or nearly so to the flaps, but when the centre of
the table is lowered the whole of the table top, including these margins, forms one
plane surface, as in an ordinary table.
The arrangement may be modified by making the screw to turn without the
centre panel of the table, this panel being guided as it rises and falls by two side
standards or legs, to which in this case the brackets or struts pass.
Similar arrangements are also applicable where a folding table is formed in con-
nection with other articles of furniture, as for example, a nest of drawers suitable
for a library. In this case a bar working in guides in front of the nest of drawers
takes the place of the centre panel of the table, and it is provided with but one flap,
which, when the centre bar is raised, assumés an upright position, and shuts in the
drawers in front, and when this bar is lowered the flap falls to an horizontal position
ready for use as a table, at the same time disclosing the drawers.
A folding flap table, suitable for fixing against a wall or partition, may be similarly
arranged.
In place of the screw other means may be resorted to for raising and lowering
the flap or bar to which the outer flap or flaps is or are hinged.
In order that our said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effent we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: folding tables, substantially as herein described, and as illustrated by the
annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Swann, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
CODECANTAT
GEORGE SWANE.
T
ATAT (1.5.)