Improved Collapsible and Portable Reading Desk.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Collapsible and Portable Reading Desk.
I, RUDOLF FREIHERR VON SCHMIDTHAUSEN-SCHMITZ, of No. 127. Wilhelm
Strasse, Berlin, in the German Empire, Gentleman, a subject of the King of
Prussia, 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:-
My invention relates to a new or improved collapsible and portable reading desk
and the object of it is to provide a device or contrivance of simple construction
such as can be readily folded up or collapsed for travelling purposes.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed
to describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved device, when unfolded and ready
for use.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
My improved device comprises a set of bars. (a da; c d c; b d b) of light wood
or other material connected together in such a way that they form an oblong
frame, which is divided by the bar () into two halves. The two halves are
movable with respect to each other by means of hinges (d2) connecting the
two separate pieces which constitute the bar (d) and which are attached to the
two halves forming the frame.
A projecting ledge is provided at the lower part of the bar (b d, d b) which
serves for preventing the book from gliding off. Rings (o) attached to the side
bars (ab, ab) serve for holding a thick soft cord (S) or a strap with buckle, which
is placed around the neck of the person using the improved reading desk. Suit-
able means may be provided to lengthen or shorten the cord, such for instance.
as an adjustable ring (S) or the like. The supports (e) and (e) with padded
plates (ff) at their lower extremities are also adjustable by means of holes (h)
provided in them and in their guides on the bars (cd; dc; b d and d b) through
which a pin may be passed when in proper position. The padded plates (f f)
rest on the person using the desk. When folding up the desk it will be advis-
able to remove the pins which serve for adjusting the length of the supports (e)
and (e) so as to enable the desk to be folded up to the smallest possible dimen-
sions which will render the desk easily and comfortably transportable. The
supports may if necessary be provided with serrations, a pawl attached to either
of the cross bars serving to engage therewith to lock the supports in their
respective positions.
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:
1. The new or improved collapsible and portable reading desk comprising a
set of bars (a da; c d e; b d b) connected together so as to form two rectangular
frames which are hinged together in combination with adjustable supporting

page_text: bars (e e¹) with padded plates at their lower extremities a projecting ledge for
preventing the book from gliding off and an adjustable cord or strap to be
placed around the neck of the person using the desk the whole arranged and
constructed, substantially as herein described and shown.
2. In a reading desk the combination with the rectangular frame, of the modifi-
cation of serrated supporting bars (e el) and a pair of pawls on one or more of the
cross bars of the desk frame, for the purpose of adjusting the length of the said
bars (e e¹) substantially as described.
נית
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PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.