Improvements in Writing, Card and like Tables.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Writing, Card and like Tables.
WILLIAM ALFRED MANDEVILLE 6 King Square Goswell Road London E.C
Cabinet Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improved table is constructed substantially in practice in the following
manner; a framework supported on legs with a box revolving on pivots fixed within
the said framework. I propose to use it for a writing and card table combined in the
following manner. The box being held to the framework by means of a spring lock
fitted to the side of the box, the bolt and action of the said lock working the reverse
way of an ordinary spring lock, can be opened disclosing the writing table enclosed
within the box. To convert to card table, the box should be closed, the lock released,
and the box revolved to reverse side, which is fitted at present with two flaps hinged
together working on a pivot fixed underneath the bottom flap and secured to the box.
When not in use the flaps are held together in position by means of a screw passing
through them to the box. When the card table is required for use, the screw must be
withdrawn and the flaps swung round at right angles to their original position and
then opened. A small nob being placed on the top flap in such a position that it
should fall into the hole in the box but lately occupied by the screw secures the flaps
from shifting and also the flaps by projecting beyond the outside framework holds
the table top firm.
I do not bind myself to any particular shape or form of table, nor do I bind myself
to any particular number of flaps to the said table. The writing table may not
necessarily be a writing table, but a smoking or any other suitable table.
Dated this 11th day of November 1896.
WILLIAM ALFRED MANDEVILLE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Writing Card and like Tables.
WILLIAM ALFRED MANDEVILLE 6 King Square Goswell Road London E.C.
Fancy Cabinet Manufacturer, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon that is to say :-—
My invention relates to improvements in tables which may or can be used as an
occasionable or tea table and for any other suitable purpose while it can be converted
into a writing desk or table card table stand or tray. My improved combination

page_text: table consists of a framework or outer case carried on a suitable number of legs
encircling an inner case or box and holding the said inner case or box by means of
pivots upon which the inner case or box revolves within the said outer, case. In
reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents the table closed when it
may be used as an occasionable or ten table and for any other suitable purpose.
Figure 2 represents the inner ease or box A A being the two pivots upon which the
inner case or box revolves within the said outer case B is a specially constructed
spring till lock hereafter described. C is an ordinary spring till lock for the purpose
of securing the top flap of the inner case or box D is the opening of the said
top flap E E are the underneath-flaps fitted and secured to the inner case or box
in the manner hereafter described and shewn F F are the stops fitted to the side
of the inner case or box for preventing the said inner case or hox from revolving
beyond the action of a semicircle Figure 3 represents the plan of the outer
bottom of the inner case or box after the said inner case or box has revolved
and the said flapa E E opened G GGG is the inner case or box H is the catch
fitted to the inter case or box and holding the flap or flaps together and to the
inner case or box I is the catch plate on the flap for the reception of the
catch J is a hole in the inner case or box for the reception of a knob fixed to
the flap for the purpose of holding the flaps firmly in position when they are
revolved across the table.
In reference to the action of the table, as shewn in Figure 1 it is an
occasionable or tea table and can be used for any other suitable purpose. To
convert the table into a writing desk work table or other like purpose unlock C
when the top flap will open at D D and is put back. To utilise the underneath flaps.
close the top flap unlock B and revolve the inner case or box. The stops F F Figure 2
prevent the inner case or box revolving beyond the semicircle thus bringing the
underneath flaps to the top. In my Provisional Specification the flaps are held
together by means of a screw passing through them to the inner case or box. I now
purpose using my catch as hereafter described. The flap next to the inner case or
box is held to the case by means of a pivot which is fixed to the flap and passes
through the inner case or box at point K and is pinned within the said inner case or
box. A quadrangular slot L. is worked into the flap from I. to M with the pivot K as
centre as shewn in Figure 3. When the flaps are closed the stop M which is fixed to
the inner case or box comes into contact with the end of the slot at L and within the
slot. By turning the flaps round the stop M catches the other end of the slot as
shewn in Figure 3 thus preventing the flaps from turning beyond the point required.
Release the catch H turn the flaps round and then open them and the knob in the
flap before described by falling into the hole J holds the flaps in position and they by
projecting beyond the outer case form a perfectly rigid and secure table top of
increased dimensions. Figures 4 and 5 shew more fully the nature and construction
of the catch H in relation to the underneath flaps. It is fixed in the outer bottom of
the inner case or box E E being the flaps when closed G the inner case or box H the
catch I the catch plate fixed to the flap into which the catch works O is a spring
fitted at and fixed to the bottom of the open space P of the catch by means of two or
more rivets pins screws or any other suitable fastenings. The spring when the catch
is in operation holds it firmly to the catch plate and when the flaps are released it
holds the catch securely within the open space P which is made for the reception of
the catch thus presenting a flat surface upon which the flap will rest. For the purpose
of raising the catch out of the space P into position there is a hole made as shewn
at 'H' Figure 3 for the purpose of inserting the thumb or finger nail. Figure 6 shews
the spring till lock B and to shew the difference between an ordinary made spring till
lock and my improved lock I have shewn an ordinary made spring till lock in
Figure 7. It will be noticed that the bevelled or half round side of the bolt of
Figure 6 is the reverse of the bevelled or half round side of the bolt of the till lock as
shewn in Figure 7.,
For the purpose of illustration I have shewn the table as an oblong table but it may
be a square oval or any other suitable shape table. Also I have shewn a table made

page_text: with two flaps but it can be made with as many flaps as circumstances may require.
With regard to the catch I do not restrict myself to the particular shape as shewn in
Figures 4 and 5 and also in the event of specially heavy flaps I may use two or more
of the said catches.
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. A table with a combination of flap or flaps attached to the outer bottom of a
revolving inner case or box substantially and for the purposes herein before described
and shewn.
2. The improved spring till lock substantially and for the purposes herein before
described and shewn.
3. The spring catch to hold the flap or flaps substantially as herein before
described and shewn.
W. A. MANDEVILLE.