Improvements in Advertising Desks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1896-Accepted, 20th June, 1896
Improvements in Advertising Desks.
We, JOHN GARRETSON TEN EYCK, and DAVID IRWIN GARRETSON, com-
prising the Advertising Desk Company, doing business at 39 and 41 Cortlandt
Street, New York, in the County, and State of New York, United States of
America, 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 relates to office desks, and particularly that class thereof known
as folding top desks, and the object thereof is to combine with such desks an
improved advertising device or apparatus, so constructed and arranged that in any
portion of the folding top, a set or series of advertisements will be displayed.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following Specification of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, and in which :-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a desk provided with my improvement;
Fig. 2, an end section thereof; and,"
Fig. 3, a section of the folding top or cover on an enlarged scale.
In the practice of my invention I provide a desk A, of the usual form, and having
a folding top B, of any preferred construction.
Within the back of the desk is a vertical and longitudinal chamber C, and the
ends of the desk are each provided with slots or grooves D, in which the folding
top moves, as usual in this class of devices.
Within the chamber C, adjacent to the back E, of the desk is a vertically
movable plate F, which is adapted to be projected through the slot G, in the top
of the desk, and connected with each on the inner corners of the folding top B, is a
cord K, each of which is passed over a pulley L, suitably mounted in the upper
outer corner of the top of the desk or the end pieces thereof, said cords being
carried down and secured to the lower side of the vertically movable plate F.
Secured to the outer surfaces of each of the bars or strips of the folding top B,
are advertising plates M, and each bar or strip may be provided with a series of
advertising plates if desired, and secured to the front side of the vertically movable
plate F, are similar advertising plates N.
The advertising plates M and N, are secured in position by a tongue and groove
construction, and as will be understood are readily removable and interchangeable
and may be exchanged for others whenever desired.
As thus constructed whenever the folding top B, is raised the vertically movable
plate F, will be projected through the slot G, by means of the cords A, as will be
readily understood, and the advertisements thereon will be displayed above the
desk and when the folding top is closed down in the position shown in Fig. 2, the
vertically movable plate F, will be concealed in the chamber C, as is also shown in
said figure and the advertisements on the folding top will be displayed.
It will thus appear that in any position of the folding top my improved desk will
serve as an advertising apparatus, and it is evident that either the folding top B or
the vertically movable plate F, may be provided in the manner described with
advertisement of any desired character class or number.
It is apparent that changes in the form, construction and combination of the
various parts of my improved advertising desk may be made without departing
from the spirit of my invention and I therefore reserve the right to make such
alterations therein as fairly come within the scope thereof.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination in a roll top desk, provided with the usual flexible cover,
having a vertical chamber in the back thereof, of a vertically movable plate within
said chamber, adapted to project through the opening in the top of the desk, and
means for connecting said plate with the flexible cover, whereby when the latter is
raised the plate is projected upwardly, said top being formed of strips, in which
are formed longitudinal grooves, adapted to receive detachable plates, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In the combination with a roll top desk of the usual construction, provided
with a longitudinal chamber in the back thereof, a vertically movable plate within
said chamber and adapted to be projected through a longitudinal slot in the top of
the desk, cords connected with each corner of the plate and running over pulleys
in the ends of the desk, and a folding top of the usual construction provided with
longitudinal chambers therein adapted to receive advertising plate, said cords
connected to the ends of the top, whereby when the top is raised the back plate is
elevated above the desk, said plate also carrying advertising plates removably
secured therein, substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of May 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.