Improvements in the Construction of Writing Desks.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left 14th Dec. 1807 Accented 29th Jan 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Writing Desks.
I, CARL SCHWINGE, of 53, Kaiser Strasse, Frankfurt, O.M., in the Empire of
Germany, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention. to be as,
follows:-
i
This invention refers to that kind of writing desks, having partitions enclosing
casements on both sides and provided with drawers or compartments.
In order to use the entire depth of these partitions, and to obtain a double row
or set of drawers, it has hitherto been necessary to make the drawers in two halves
placed behind each other along an upright board, and to make the whole of the
upper part of the writing desk movable. According to this arrangement when
the desk was in use, the upperside of the desk had to be moved back, so far that
the front portion of the drawers laid open could be turned to the side on hinges.
This method of construction had the disadvantage that the movable upper part
was heavy and difficult to move, also when the writing desk was open it had not
a neat appearance, and especially the portion which had to be pushed back, stood
free and unsupported over the back of the writing desk frame or support and in
consequence, could not be loaded heavily with books or the like.
A further disadvantage by this arrangement was, more room was required for
the desk, as it could not be placed with its back close to the wall of the room, but
had to be kept away from the wall as far as the movable upper part required.
By my invention these disadvantages are removed, the upper part of the writing
desk is secured to the lower part or frame while the casements in the partitions
on either side are made movable.
In order to utilize the casements in the partitions, they are drawn out of the
partitions so far that the hinges are clear of the framework, thus admitting the
front portion of the casements to be turned aside.
The upper part of the desk rests upon and is secured to the side frames of the
desk on which are formed projections or runners for the casements containing the
drawers to slide upon, rollers being by preference suitably attached underneath
the casements. Each casement is divided into two portions which are joined on
one side by hinges, the other side may be secured by any simple arrangement
such as a latch, so that the front portion cannot possibly be turned back on the
hinges until the latch or the like is liberated.
The inner sides of the framework of the writing desk may be entirely filled in,
or left open if desired, providing necessary cross supports or bindings are left, which
also serve as guides for the respective casements, which are provided with semi-
circular openings at the joining between the front and back portions.
The casements are brought into position so that the drawers may be used by
pulling the casements forward by a handle to the point required, then unloosing
the respective latches and turning the front portions back on their hinges.
Dated this 16th day of March 1897

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of writing Desks.
I, CARL SCHWINGE, of 53, Kaiser-strasse, Frankfurt-on-Main, in the Empire
of Germany, Merchant, 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 invention refers to that kind of writing desk having side frames enclosing
casements on both sides and provided with drawers or compartments.
In order to use the entire depth of these side frames and to obtain a double row.
or set of drawers, it has hitherto been necessary to make the drawers in two halves
closed in front and behind and placed one in front of another and hinged together
along a vertical edge and to make the whole of the upper part of the writing desk
movable. According to this arrangement when the desk is in use, the upper side
of the desk had to be moved back so far as to expose the front portion of the
drawers to enable them to be turned to the side on their hinges.
This method of construction had the disadvantage that the movable upper part
was heavy and difficult to move and had not a neat appearance when the writing
desk was open and especially that the portion which had to be pushed back, stood
free and unsupported over the back of the writing desk frame or support and in
consequence could not be loaded heavily with books or the like.
A further disadvantage of said arrangement consisted in that more room was
required for the desk, as it could not be placed with its back close to the wall of
the room, but had to be kept away from the wall as far as the movable upper part
required.
By my invention these disadvantages are removed, the upper part of the writing
desk being secured to the lower part or frame while the casements in the side
frames on either side are made movable.
In use the casements in the side frames are drawn out so far that the hinges
come clear of the framework, thus admitting the front portion of the casements
to be turned aside.
A horizontal section of the under part of such a writing desk is shown in the
accompanying drawings from which the improvement may be clearly seen.
The upper part of the desk rests upon and is secured to the side frames C of the
desk on which are formed projections or runners for the casements containing
the drawers to slide upon, rollers being by preference suitably attached underneath
the casements. Each casement is divided into two or more portions A and B
which are joined on one side by hinges G; the other side, namely, the one turned
to the person using the desk may be secured by any simple arrangement such as a
latch H so that the front portion B cannot possibly be turned back on the hinges
until the latch or the like is liberated.
The rear sides of the framework of the writing desk which are turned to the wall
of the room may be entirely filled in, or left open if desired, providing necessary
cross supports or bindings K are left, which also serve as guides for the respective
casements, which latter are provided with semi-circular openings F at the juncture.
of the front and back portions.
The position of the casements when open that is to say when in a position for
use is shown on the left hand side of the drawing. The casements are brought
into position when it is desired to obtain access to the drawers by pulling the case-
ments forward by a handle to the point required, then unloosing the respective
latches H and turning the front portions back on their hinges.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said.
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
A writing desk having casements formed of two or more parts connected by
hinges (G) and arranged in the side frames of the desk in such a way as to be
capable of being drawn out, whereby in order to make use of the drawers in said
casements the latter may be pulled forward out of the side frames, and after a
fastening device, latch (H) or the like has been unfastened the one portion (B) of
the casement may be turned or swung back on the rear portion (A) of the case-
ment; substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying
drawing.
Dated this 19th do. of Desemba 1907
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.