Improvements in or relating to Revolving Receptacles, Used alone or in connection with Writing Desks, Cabinets, or the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in or relating to Revolving Receptacles, Used alone
or in connection with Writing Desks, Cabinets, or the like.
We, FREDERICK WILLIAM SCHAFER, Managing Director of "The Shannon
Limited" of 14 to 16 Ropemaker Street, in the County of Middlesex, and
ALBERT EDWARD BATSON of the Firm of J. Batson & Sons, of Brewer Street,.
Golden Square, in the County of Middlesex, Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to receptacles of the revolving class, which can be used
for a variety of purposes and to contain many different kinds of articles or goods,
and in particular may be used in the pedestals of desks the receptacles which take
the place of the ordinary drawers revolving to disclose their contents instead of
drawing out.
In carrying out this invention as used for example for papers such as notepaper,
envelopes or books, blotting or reference books and the like, an outer case is
employed which may be rectangular, or if preferred the back portion of it can be
curved to the sweep of the revolving part. The revolving part comprises a back,
which when the case is turned so as to be open for use, closes the receptacle,
leaving the revolving part outside with its contents exposed ready for use; when
it is desired to close the case, the revolving part is turned upon its pivots, and
the back then serves as a door for closing the complete receptacle, the whole of
the contents being then turned inside-the door can be secured by a lock at
oue end.
The pockets, partitions etc., in which the contents are to be bestowed may be
arranged in a variety of ways according to the particular object in view; if the
object is paper and envelopes, suitable partitions are employed, dividing the semi-
circular or approximately semi-circular space formed between the back, and a
curved lower wall into the proper sized spaces to contain the paper etc.; an
arrangement may be provided to contain pen, paper knife and other articles, as
well as ink blotting-pad etc. Behind the divisions for paper etc., may be arranged
pigeon holes or the like.
In one arrangement the semi-circular wall is provided as before, but otherwise
left open and into this, letters for the post, or received, or answered, may be
placed; or again a top may be provided to the semi-circular wall with openings to
receive the ink-pots-in this case the whole receptacle may be shallow.
In another form the outer case may be cylindrical the revolving interior being
divided vertically, the partitions preferably extending across it either parallel to
each other or radiating from the back, instead of from the centre, so as to obtain
as much depth as possible. In the lower part of the outer case may be provided a
drawer to contain ink pot, stamps etc. and this may be so arranged that the lock
upon the drawer will secure the revolving interior when closed, and thus the one
lock will close both the drawer and the cylinder. When intended to be used for
letters an empty inner cylinder may revolve in an outer semi-cylindrical case and
may be provided with a bent glass so as to show the interior and a slot in the top
to receive the letters any convenient opening or other means being provided for
removing the letters from the inuer cylinder; or the inner revolving portion may

page_text: be formed as a semi-cylinder with glass at the closed portion so that when turned
round the letters can easily be removed.
A handy writing desk or table may be made by providing a table with pigeon
holes, drawers, or other receptacles in it, and walls rising from the table, the sides
and back being if desired vertical, and the front inclined towards the top. To the
sides would be pivotted a revolving front which when closed would form the front
of the cabinet and close it in, but when revolved so as to lie more or less
horizontally it would present a writing desk or table while the interior of the
cabinet would be accessible both above and below it. Immediately above it, but
so far back as not to interfere with the use of the writing table may be arranged a
revolving receptacle such as first herein described, but other applications of the
invention may be included in this cabinet. The revolving cover may be provided
in any convenient parts with receptacles adapted to be opened or closed, or brought
into operation or exposed for use by its movement and it may be fitted with a
blotting pad or equivalent, or may have other fittings.
In some cases a series of drawers may be arranged one above the other, the top
ones being preferably of perhaps half the size of the others, taking the place of the
two small drawers frequently used in the upper part of a chest of drawers.
Dated this 11th day of April 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in or relating to Revolving Receptacles, Used alone.
or in connection with Writing Desks, Cabinets, or the like.
We, FREDERICK WILLIAM SCHAFER, Managing Director of "The Shannon
Limited" of 14 to 16 Ropemaker Street, in the County of Middlesex, and
ALBERT EDWARD BATSON of the Firm of J. Batson & Sons, of Brewer Street,
Golden Square, in the County of Middlesex, Cabinet Maker do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to he performed, to be
particularly described and, ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to receptacles of the revolving class which can be used
for a variety of purposes and to contain many different kinds of articles or goods.
In particular they may advantageously be used on the tops of tables or in the
pedestals of desks or the like, the receptacles, which take, the place of ordinary
drawers, revolving to disclose their contents instead of drawing out.
In the accompanying drawings which are all in perspective,
Fig. 1 is a view illustrating one construction of apparatus according to this
invention, supported on a table.
Fig. 2 is a view showing an alternative construction of such apparatus, a part
being broken away to enable the construction to be more clearly seen ;.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a further modification, and
Figs. 5 and 6 another alternative construction, according to this invention.
Fig. 7 is a view of a pedestal containing a series of revolving receptacles.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
With reference first to Fig. 1 A is a cabinet or case, which, in the example
illustrated is of semi-cylindrical form. B is a door arranged as shown to close a
rectangular opening A¹ in the cabinet, and provided with pivot pins B' entering
bearings C in the cabinet and in the table D, by which the latter is supported.
These pivots or equivalent devices are so disposed that the door B can rotate in
the opening A' about a vertical axis such as is indicated by the chain lines in the

page_text: figure. Each side of the revolving door carries a semi-circular platform B'; or the
two semi-circular platforms can be combined in such a manner as to constitute a
circnlar turn-table, from which the door B shall extend upward as a central
partition.
When the door is in one of the two positions it normally occupies, one of these
positions being that in which it is shown in Fig. 1, the cabinet is closed and the
articles carried upon one of the semi-circular platforms B are concealed within the
cabinet A; but by rotating the door through an angle of 180° about the vertical
axis indicated by the chain line, the articles on the shelf B2 inside the cabinet are
brought outside and conversely the other shelf is turned inside. The opening or
door-way A', opened by movement of the door from the position in which it is
shown in Fig. 1' is of course closed again when the door is moved as described from
that position through 180°. The top A of the cabinet A may be exten led as
indicated by dotted lines so as to have a circular form, or it may be simply semi-
circular so as merely to cover the top of the cabinet. B' is a frame on one of the
shelves to hold glasses and the like in place upon it.
In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the semi-cylindrical cabinet A is of greater
height in proportion to its diameter than that in the preceding example, and
instead of being supported on a table is carried upon a cylindrical pedestal D, in
which is a sliding drawer D'. Within the casing A is pivotted a drum arranged to
revolve about an axis whose position is indicated by the chain line, the apparatus.
being provided with pivots such for instance as are hereinbefore described with
reference to Fig. 1. This drum is constituted by circular top and bottom
plates B B connected by the semi-circular wall B and vertical partitions B,.
which latter may be arranged as shown to extend across the plates B3 B4 from the
wall B³ in planes radial to some line outside the circles of the plates B³ B* or may
be parallel to each other, or otherwise disposed.
A modification of this construction is one which is adapted for use as a letter-
box, aud in which the revolving portion is cylindrical instead of semi-cylindrical,
and provided with a glazed window, or it may have the whole or a portion of its
curved wall formed of glass to show the interior, and a slot in the top for the
reception of letters, there being a convenient opening to enable the letters to be
removed from the cylinder when the drum is rotated to a predetermined position..
In the normal position the slot in the drum coincides with the slot in the casing-
through which the letters are admitted.
In Figs. 3 and 4 a semi-cylindrical cabinet A is provided with a pivotted
revolving door B of the kind described with reference to Fig. 1, but having a.
basket E (Fig. 4) attached to one side of it.
Fig. 3 illustrates the door in one of its two normal positions in which the
basket E is turned into the interior of the apparatus. In Fig. 4 the door is
indicated by dotted lines in the position intermediate between that in which it is.
shown by full lines in Fig. 3 and by, full lines in Fig. 4. When the door is placed
as shown in Fig. 4 the basket E is upon the exterior of the apparatus so that its.
contents are readily accessible. A³ is a slot made in the top of the cabinet A so
that letters and the like delivered therethrough fall into the basket when the door
is constituted as shown in Fig. 3 and afterwards can be readily removed from the
apparatus by turning the door to bring the basket E outside as in Fig. 4.
In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the revolving door B carries on both
sides thereof a shelf B' as in Fig. 1; the pedestal D is provided with a semi-circular
pivotted drawer D shown open in Fig. 5 and closed in Fig. 6.
The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 may very conveniently serve
for a stationery cabinet; receptacles for ink pots and pens can be provided in or
upon it,
Fig. 7 illustrates a cabinet A fitted with a series of semi-circular drawers D'each
pivotted in the front wall of the cabinet so as to rotate about an axis indicated by
the chain line in the figure. Some of the drawers are shown open and others
shut. Each drawer is provided with a flat portion B pivotted on the axial line C

page_text: to the front plate of the cabinet, a semi-circular platform projecting from the lower
portion of that plate and carrying a semi-circular wall B. When any drawer is
open the semi-circular portion extends outwards from the front of the cabinet as
shown for instance in the case of the uppermost drawer in Fig. 7; when it is closed
the flat portion B is level with the front of the cabinet as shown in the remaining
drawers.
Although in the majority of the examples illustrated the cabinets and the like
are shown as being circular or semi-circular, they may be of any other desired form
wherein sufficient space for the rotation of the door or drawers or similar movable
parts is afforded; and instead of a single cabinet being provided with a single door
or drawer or other rotating device, two or more such devices and their
appurtenances may be fitted in a writing desk, cabinet or other article of
furniture.
If desired pigeon-holes, partitions, supports or receptacles other than the
shelves or desks hereinbefore referred to, can be provided at one or both sides
of the revolving door to suit the apparatus for which the device is intended to be
utilised.
In apparatus such as is illustrated in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7 a single lock may be
arranged in the manner well understood to lock all the movable portions of the
apparatus.
Although in the apparatus hereinbefore described the axis of rotation is
indicated as being vertical, it need not necessarily be so; for instance a device
such as is illustrated in Fig. 2 might be used with the axis of rotation horizontal,
so as to serve, if the partitions B were removed, as a letter box.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is ;-
1. The combination with a table, desk, cabinet, or other article of furniture of
a revolving door or partition such as B pivotted in an opening and carrying at one
or both sides thereof a shelf receptacle or support for the purpose described.
2. The combination with a table, desk, cabinet, or other article of furniture of
a revolving drum or the like with or without partitions such as B substantially as
described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination with a table, desk, cabinet, or other article of furniture of
a revolving drawer substantially as described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 or
Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete cabinet
or article of furniture substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 1 or
Figure 2 or Figures 3 and 4 or Figures 5 and 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 11th day of January 1897.
F. W. SCHAFER.
ALBERT E. BATSON.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicants.