Improvements in connection with Portable Tables and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Portable Tables and the like.
i, ARTHUR MOGG BROWN, Engineer, of 128, West Parade, in the County of
Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows: →
This invention has reference to improvements in connection with portable tables
for use particularly as supports for writing or reading, the object being to produce
a table or support which can be placed upon the knee of the user and when so
placed be capable of being used as a portable writing desk when travelling in
a train or in a vessel, or when sitting or reclining in a chair, couch, or the like.
My invention is also applicable to tables or stands for use by invalids or others,
supporting objects where a flat surface is required.
In carrying my invention into effect when constructing a portable or writing
support for use by travellers or for like purposes 1 make the upper portion or
outer surface for carrying the paper or book preferably of a circular form, and
upon the under side i arrange a hinge collapsing V-shaped bracket, the bracket
being made in such a manner as to told down upon the under side of the table
or stand so that it may be packed or stored conveniently in a bag or the like.
I attach the bracket to the under side of the table in one convenient manner
by means of a hinge or hinges which admit of folding in one direction only
and I connect the two portions of the bracket frame together by means of ordinary
hinges, which, while allowing of the bracket to be opened to produce a V shaped
support, will also allow the two portions to be brought together when it is desired to
fold them back upon the under side of the table.
I keep the shaped supports or brackets from opening to too great an extent
by employing butt hinges connecting the two portions together, or by means of
tapes or distance web pieces secured from one member to the other. I make
the supports adjustable when so desired to suit any desired height of working
position.
I allow the V shaped supports to rest upon the knee of the user and upon the
upper or outer surface of the table I place the paper upon which I desire to write,
arranging the supports so that the table can remain fixed against the action of
the hinged supports beneath to suit the inclination of the body or the direction
of pressure from the hand of the writer.
When constructing my improved portable writing table in a manner for
use by travellers I sometimes arrange within the under side of the table flaps or
receptacles for retaining paper, stationery, and the like, making the receptacle
for the stationery on the opposite side of the table to which the supports move
when they are to be collapsed. I make suitable casings or holders within the
under side of the table of a shape to admit of the reception of ink bottles, pens,
or other desired articles, enclosing the whole preferably within a rim or ledge
carried from the under side of the table.
When constructing my improved table for use as a reading table in addition to
a writing pad or desk, I may arrange loops, clips or holders upon the edge or
upper surface of the same for securing books or papers in position which are to

page_text: be read so as to produce a convenient support or holder for the book or paper
for the use of invalids or others.
I do not limit the application of my invention to any particular shape or form
of table, or to any special manner of attaching the folding legs or supports to
the under side of the same, and I make the table of wood, metal, papier-maché,
or other suitable material as may be desired for any particular requirement, and
I may make the top to fold or to be capable of being taken to pieces for con-
venience in packing and carrying when not in use.
Dated this 26th day of August 1899
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in connection with Portable Tables and the like.
I, ARTHUR MOGG BROWN, Engineer, of 128, West Parade, in the County of
Lincoln, 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 has reference to improvements in connection with portable tables
for use particularly as supports for writing or reading, the object being to produce
a table or support which can be placed upon the knee of the user and when so
placed be capable of being used as a portable writing desk when travelling in
a train or in a vessel, or when sitting or reclining in a chair, couch, or the like.
My invention is also applicable to tables or stands for use by invalids or others,
supporting objects where a flat surface is required.
In the two accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings, Figure 1 is a reverse
plan of one form of my improved table showing the supports extended and
Figure 2 is a similar view shewing them folded.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation on the line and,
Figure 4 is an elevation shewing the table top in its ordinary position while
the dotted lines indicate the direction in which it will move.
Figure 5 is a plan of my improved table when constructed with its top surface
free for folding, and
Figure 6 is a plan with the top surface folded and showing also a receptacle
or container for holding stationery.
Figure 7 is a reverse plan of my top folding table showing the legs or supports
folded and
Figure 8 is an elevation showing the upper surface folded but with the
supports or legs extended or open.
In carrying my invention into effect when constructing a portable or writing
support for use by travellers or for like purposes I make the upper portion or
outer surface A for carrying the paper or book preferably of a circular form, and
upon the under side I arrange a hinged collapsing V-shaped bracket B the bracket
being made in such a manner as to fold down upon the under side of the table
or stand so that it may be packed or stored conveniently in a bag or the like.
I attach the bracket B to the under side of the table in one convenient manner
by means of a hinge or hinges C which admit of folding in one direction only
and I connect the two portions of the bracket frame together by means of ordinary
hinges D, which, while allowing of the bracket to be opened to produce a V-shaped
support, will also allow the two portions to be brought together when it is desired
to fold them back upon the under side of the table.

page_text: I keep the V-shaped supports or brackets from opening to too great an extent
by employing butt hinges for connecting the two portions together, by means
of tapes or distance web pieces E secured from one member B to the other B¹.
I make the supports adjustable when so desired to suit any desired height of
working position.
I allow the V-shaped supports B B¹ to rest upon the knee of the user and upon
the upper or outer surface of the table A I place the paper upon which I desire
to write, arranging the supports to suit the inclination of the body or the direction
of pressure from the hand of the writer as shewn in Figure 4.
When constructing my improved portable writing table in a manner for
use by travellers I sometimes arrange within the under side of the table flaps or
receptacles G for retaining paper, stationery, and the like, making the receptacle
for the stationery on the opposite side of the table to which the supports move
when they are to be collapsed. I make suitable casings or holders H within the
under side of the table of a shape to admit of the reception of ink bottles, pens,
or other desired articles, enclosing the whole preferably within a similar rim or
ledge K carried from the under side of the table.
When constructing my improved table for use as a reading table in addition to
a writing pad or desk, I may arrange loops, clips or holders upon the edge or
upper surface of the same for securing books or papers in position which are to
be read so as to produce a convenient support or holder for the book or paper
for the use of invalids or others.
I do not limit the application of my invention to any particular shape or form
of table, or to any special manner of attaching the folding legs or supports to
the under side of the same, and I make the table of wood, metal, papier-maché,
or other suitable material as may be desired for any particular requirement, and
I may make the top to fold or to be capable of being taken to pieces for con-
venience in packing and carrying when not in use.
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 improved portable table having a folding or hinged under support for
resting upon the knee when in use substantially as hereinbefore described and
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a portable table or book or like support the combination of a
pair of
folding bracket like legs or rests with connecting webbing or tape like distance
pieces substantially as herein before described and as illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of a portable table having folding legs
or supports, with a flap or flaps covering a receptacle or receptacles for containing
stationery and other articles substantially as hereinbefore described, and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
TITH
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.