IMPROVED COMBINED TABLE AND WRITING-DESK
Year: 1885

page_text: We, IRA W. MOORE and HENRY SALOMON, of the City County and State of
New York, United States of America, Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature
of our said invention for IMPROVED COMBINED TABLE AND WRITING-DESK, and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
Our invention consists of a simple and efficient contrivance of a writing desk
top stationery rack and ink stand cell under the table top proper which is hinged
to the supporting stand suitably for being raised up and for remaining in an
upright position where it serves the purpose of the ordinary pigeon hole top while
the desk is in use, the said contrivance being such that the writing desk top
assumes an inclined position when the table top is raised to use the desk, and the
contents of the stationery rack and the ink stand are enclosed and securely retained
when the device is adjusted for a table, all as hereinafter fully described reference
being made to the accompanying drawing in which :
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of our improved combined table and writing desk
as adjusted for writing purposes Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation of the same,
also as adjusted for writing purposes and with some parts in section Fig. 3, is
a perspective view of the said combined table and writing desk adjusted for a
table.
On any suitable stand a, having a permanent top b, thereto, we hinge the table
top c, about as shown, that is, about two thirds, more or less of the distance from
the front as used for the desk and on the lower side or bottom of said top to the
back edge of the permanent top b, at d, so that said top c may swing upright and
'come to rest a little back of the perpendicular on the hinges and against a thrust
bearing at e, or further downward along the column a, as at f, and to the lower
side of top c, a little in front of the hinges d, we hinge the writing desk top g,
at h, so that said, desk top which also constitutes the door and bottom of the
stationery chamber i, within the table top, will swing up with the top c, or remain.
resting on top b, when top c, is raised up according as they are fastened or locked
together at j, or not, and when not so fastened the desk -g, is caused to rise into the
sloping condition required for a writing desk, by the rise of the hinges h, in
'consequence of turning on the axis of hinges d; the extent or pitch of this slope is
governed by the distance of the hinges d, and h, apart

page_text: Besides the raising of the desk top in this manner to give it the required slope
for writing, the same contrivance gives said top g, a backward and forward motion
which we utilize for making the table top c, self locking when closed down, and
unlocking when raised, by the application of a stud hook k, to the desk top g, and
projecting into a slot of the top b, to engage or disengage with the ledge l, as
shown in fig. 2, where it will be seen that the hook stud is thrust under the ledge
when the top c, is closed down and is withdrawn therefrom when the said top is
raised up. The tops c, and g, being fastened together at j, when top c, is closed
down, this automatic fastening secures the table top to the stand top b, to prevent
any accidental upturning of the table top when not required.
In the top b, of the stand we make a pocket or cell m, for a receptacle for the
ink stand n, when not in use, where it is safely secured until required, when it is
to be removed after being released by the unfastening of the desk top g, and placed
on said top while in use.
At o, we prefer to arrange drawers in the chamber i, of top c, for pens, pencils
and other articles and above said drawers we arrange shelves or racks p of any
approved form or contrivance for holding paper, envelopes and other articles for
use on a desk
A drawer z, may be arranged in the side of top c, between hinges d, and the
back of said top where the space is not conveniently available for stationery
because of being too low down behind the desk top, said drawer being designed
for a convenient receptacle for chess men, checkers, cards and other devices used
in playing games.
By hinging the table top forward of the back edge the weight rests near the
centre of the base when the top is raised so as to materially lessen the top heavy
thrust backward and enabling a narrower foot base to be used, besides the advantage
of the back part reaching below the hinge joints, a distance which gives practicable
support by the thrust bearing f, for holding the top upright without undue strain
on the hinge joints, and without the use of stays or braces which are otherwise
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1st In a combined table and writing desk, the combination with the top c, having
a stationery chamber between its upper and lower sides, and being hinged on the
lower side, and about midway from its centre to its back edge, to the back edge of
the stand a, b; of the desk top g, hinged at its back edge to the lower side of the
table top forward of the hinge joints connecting the table top and stand, and the
thrust bearing f, located below the top of the stand, and relatively to the
extension of the table-top back of the back edge of the stand substantially as
described.
2nd The improved combined table and writing desk consisting of the stand a, b,
the table top c, hinged to the stand a, b, and the writing desk top g, hinged to the
table top, said table top being adapted to be swung up and to rest in an upright
position, said desk top being adapted to be raised up automatically and be supported
in a sloping or inclined position, and said desk top also having a sliding motion
on the supporting stand, and an automatic locking and unlocking catch 'k, l,
substantially as described.
3rd The improved combined table and writing desk, consisting of the stand a, b,
the table c, hinged to the stand a, b, and the writing desk top g, hinged to the
table top, said table top being adapted to be swung up and to rest in an upright
position and having the chamber and said desk top being adapted to be raised up
automatically and be supported in a sloping or inclined position substantially as
described.
4th The improved combined table and writing desk, consisting of the stand a, b,
the table c, hinged to the stand a, b, and the writing desk top g, hinged to the

page_text: table top, said stand a, b, having an ink bottle receptacle under the writing desk
top, and said desk top and stand having a fastening device k, l, substantially as
described.
.
5th In a combined table and writing desk baving a chambered top for stationery
and being hinged to the stand forward of the back edge for self support when set
upright, said top having a drawer z, located back of the hinges, and opening at the
side of the top for access when the top is raised substantially as described.
Dated the eighth day of Sontember 1885
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Applicants' Agent.