IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FRAMING OF And in the Furniture for TeNTS.” FRAMING OF AND IN THE FURNITURE FOR TENTS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Ritchie, of Hounslow, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
FRAMING OF And in the Furniture for TeNTS.”
FRAMING OF AND IN THE FURNITURE FOR TENTS."
Scaled the 4th September 1874, and dated the 1st July 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Ritchie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st July 1874.
I, GEORGE RITCHIE, of Hounslow, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
“Improvements IN THE FRAMING OF AND IN THE FURNITURE FOR Tents,” to be
as follows:-
In constructing the framing I incline the poles or supports inwards
from the base and secure them at the top to an open square or other
shaped capping or frame, and strenghten the same with suitable ties and
bracing, the canvass covering being suitably shaped. The framing and
covering and sometimes the poles or supports admit of being packed
away in furniture hereafter described.

page_text: In constructing the furniture I employ a box of suitable size and
shape which opens so as to form flaps for a table, and these are so
constructed as when not used as a table to form a bedstead and seats.
The box is made in two compartments in order that when the upper
compartment is completely turned the inner compartment becomes the
basis of the bedstead, and when partially turned only and closed it
becomes a seat. The inner arrangements are made separately to contain
the canvass of the tent, and the upper space of the box is so constructed
as to pack together conveniently whilst either side of such compartment
is made to form drawers and washstand.
The bedstead when opened is sometimes padded throughout, the
mattrass being secured thereto and forming part of the box. The whole
is fitted and packed together, forming a case resembling an ordinary
box.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Ritchie in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st January 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
RITCHIE, of Hounslow, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Ritchie, Her special licence
that I, the said George Ritchie, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said George Ritchie, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE FRAMING OF AND IN THE FURNITUre FOR TENTS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Ritchic, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,

page_text: or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Ritchie, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:—
In constructing the framing I incline the poles or supports inwards
from the base and secure them at the top to an open square or other
shaped capping or frame, and strengthen the same with suitable ties and
bracing, the canvas covering being suitably shaped. The framing and
covering and sometimes the poles or supports admit of being packed
away in furniture hereafter described.
In constructing the furniture I employ a box of suitable size and
shape which opens so as to form flaps or leaves for a table, and
these are so constructed as when not used as a table to form a bedstead
and seats. The box consists of two principal compartments or members
so constructed that when the upper compartment is completely removed
or is turned round upon the lower compartment, the lower remains as or
becomes the basis of a bedstead. The internal arrangement of the
lower compartment is such as to admit of its containing the canvas
and folding frame of the tent, and those of the upper compartment to
admit of containing drawers, a washstand, or other conveniences, while
on the outside are hinged flaps which lift up and form shelves or
seats.
The bedstead when opened is sometimes padded throughout, the
mattrass being secured thereto and forming part of the box, or sometimes
removeable. The whole is fitted and packed together forming a case
resembling an ordinary box.
The several Figures in No. 1 of the accompanying two Sheets of
Drawings are supplied as illustrations of the manner of carrying into
practice or performing the improvements in the framing of tents.
Figure 1 is a perspective sketch or diagram of the improved framing
of tent with the poles or supports a inclined inwards from the base;

page_text: a*, a*, are joints permitting the poles to fold. Any convenient
description of hinge or joint may be used, but I specially contemplato
the employment of a hinge joint with sliding cover similar to the well-
known folding parasol handle joint. The poles may be secured at the top
to a square or other shaped capping or frame (as employed in my former
Patent, No. 3149, A.D. 1873), or to a cross arm frame as represented.
The construction of this is shewn in the plan view, Figure 2, and
elevation, Figure 3, and further detailed in Figure 3^, in which it will be
seen that four arms are hinged to the base of the dwarf central pole c
for the convenience of folding and packing. The outer ends of these
arms are forked or may be morticed for reception of the top ends of the
poles a which are to be suitably shaped to correspond. A cord is
contemplated for passing round the said outer ends to lie in a groove
prepared for it and bind the parts together.
Figures 4 and 5 are two views shewing a wooden ball or block B with
seats or sockets for the inner ends of four short and separate arms b*
and lower end of the dwarf central pole c, which are intended to fit
therein, and be removeable for packing instead of the folding or hinged
arrangement shewn in Figures 2, 3, and 3*.
Figure 6 is a perspective sketch of another arrangement, namely, the
employment of two long arms & crossing each other, one being halved.
upon the other, and the two being secured together by a thumbscrew b³,
which also passes upwards through both, and on to which the dwarf
central pole is screwed. The construction for fitting together the
arms 2 is illustrated by the Figures next described.
Figure 7 is a plan of the upper arm; Figures 8 and 8^, sections of
same through the lines m, m*, and m², m³, respectively, in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a plan of the lower arm, and Figure 10, a section of same
through the line n, n*, in Figure 9. In these Figures are shown a
metal nut d and washer plate e for the screw b³.
Figures 11 and 12 are two views or diagrams (elevation and section)
shewing construction of the foot or lower rim or extremity of a canvas
or other tent covering, constructed with a series of bags or pockets g of
the same or any convenient material intended more especially in
connection with the inclined disposition or arrangement of poles or tent
supports to serve completely, or in degree as a substitute for the

page_text: ordinary pegs by filling them with stones, ballast, sand, or whatever the
locality and circumstances will convenienly permit, the object being to
save the carriage of some of the usual appliances or apparatus for fixing
for erection which would occupy more space or room in the box.
The several Figures in No. 2 of the accompanying two Sheets of
Drawings are supplied as an illustration of the manner of carrying into
practice or performing the furniture portion of the Invention.
The Figures 1 to 9 are a series of perspective views or sketches, and.
Figure 10, a geometrical vertical cross section.
Figure 1 shews the improved box furniture or apparatus complete.
In respect of the principal members or parts of which it is constructed
or into which it is primararily separable, it may be described as a lower
compartment or box containing a drawer with hinged sides with hinges
near the bottom and capable of letting down, but in the elevated position
forming two (of the four) walls or sides extending upwards, the other
two sides being formed or supplied by two checks or sides extending
downwards from and below the body of an upper and removeable
compartment or box, and serving as legs on which it, the upper com-
partment or box, may stand when removed from the lower. By
dovetailed or other clasping fittings two removeable table leaves or
sliding covers fit on to the top and hold up (from falling) the hinged
sides of the lower compartment. These covers occupy about two-thirds
of the top surface, the remaining or central part being covered by a
removeable cover with four metal pins or rods on the under side which
fit into holes and secure the apparatus together. The construction and
purpose of the upper and lower compartments or members, and of their
several parts or pieces as intended to be used, some or sometimes
separately, and some or sometimes in combination, will be understood
from the remaining Figures and description.
Figure 2 shews the table leaves or covers a, above referred to, slided
outwards a little, the central part 6 having been removed for this
purpose (so as to unlock or clear its pins or rods from the holes in the
covers a through which they pass), and replaced and pushed fully down
to bring its top surface flush with the covers a. This position affords an
extended table surface.
Figure 3 shews the covers a in same position as the last, but the
central part 6 with its legs c standing in other holes or places to miss it

page_text: above the general level for convenience as a book rest or shelf. When
completely removed and placed on the ground this central part may
serve as a stool or scat.
Figure 4 is a detached view of one of the covers a shewing the
dovetailed ledges or bottoms & with which these covers are furnished on
the under side for locking or clasping the parts together.
Figure 5 shews the furniture with both the covers a, a, and 6 removed
and with the hinged side flaps or seats e extended and kept extended by
iron rods or legs f, which when these side flaps are in the closed up
position pack up or lie behind them.
Figure 6 is what I term a key Figure explaining particularly how the
two principal members or parts fit together and are removable from cach
other. The general outline of the upper compartment is shewn in dotted
lines and the lower compartment is shewn in full lines. The lower
compartment is represented with its two side walls gas in the act of
being let down upon their hinges; also the seats e extended; also the
drawer i (for holding tent frame) partly opened; also the bedding is
shown in the folded up position.
Figure 7 is a detached view of the upper compartment in which are
indicated the fittings before enumerated, and which, or some of which, a
particularly the washstand are removeable. Underneath some of the
trays or fittings is a wagon space available for clothes or other use.
Figure 8 is a detached view of the mattrass or bedding ; this may if
desired be affixed to the framing of the lower compartment.
Figure 9 is a view representing the lower compartment with its side
walls in their fully expanded position, the parts e in that position
serving as legs for their support; also that the walls or sides g are
covered internally with a canvas or webbing or other covering g*, so as
to form pockets into which blankets, sheets, pillows, or other articles
may be packed. The geometrical cross section Figure 10 is furnished
in aid of the perspective Figures in explaining the general construction
of the apparatus. The bedding is removed, the space for same being
marked *; the fittings of the upper compartment are removed, the table
leaves or covers a are shewn extended, and the book rest b elevated.
Behind the drawer i is shown a space i* available for any use which its
size permits; is a hinged door (to this space) opening downwards,

page_text: It remains to state that the upper member, compartment, or box
instead of being constructed to slide over and fit on to the lower as
represented in the Drawings, and herein above particularly described,
may be pivoted on to the lower, and by a quarter revolution be turned
to lie crossways over the same, the upper being available as the bed and
the lower as its basis or support.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and manner
in which the same is to be performed, I claim the several separate
improvements and any and all convenient combinations in improve-
ments in the framing of and in the furniture for tents, substantially as
herein described and as represented in the Drawings.
In witness whereof I, the said George Ritchic, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this First day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-five.
GEORGE RITCHIE. (LS)