Improved Folding Writing Desk or Table.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1896
1655
Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Lert, 3rd Dec., 1890-Accepted, 3rd Mar, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Folding Writing Desk or Table.
WILLIAM CHANCELLOR HAIGH Manufacturer 41 Corporation Street
Manchester do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a writing desk or table which when not
in use will fold or close up into as small a compass as possible. To effect this I
provide, by preference, a shallow box-like contrivance of suitable depth, size and
shape, and fitted with the necessary appliance for hanging against a wall or other
structure having the open part of the box to the front. To this shallow box [
attach a slab, hereafter called the writing slab, this writing slab is hinged or loosely
attached to the box so that when released it falls forward and hangs down. The
writing slab is provided with a loose flap or any other suitable contrivance which
is attached to the writing slab in such a manner that when the writing slab is pulled
forward from the box, the end of this loose flap swings forward and rests on the knees
of the person sitting in front of the contrivance, thus providing a support for the
writing slab and at the same time keeping the shallow box-like contrivance firmly
pressed against the wall or back support, while being used.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1896.
W. CHANCELLOR HAIGH.
I, WILLIAM CHANCELLOR HAIGH of 41 Corporation Street, Manchester,
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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a writing desk or table which when
not in use will fold or close up into as small a compass as possible. To effect this
I provide, by preference, a shallow box-like contrivance of suitable depth, size and
shape, and fitted with the necessary appliance for hanging against a wall or other
structure, having the open part of the box to the front. To this shallow box [
attach a slab,-hereinafter called the writing slab. This writing slab is hinged
or loosely attached to the box so that when released it falls forward and hangs
down.
The writing slab is provided with a loose flap or any other suitable contrivance,
which is attached to the writing slab in such a manner that when the writing slab
is pulled forward from the box, the end of this loose flap swings forward and
rests on the knee of the person sitting in front of the contrivance, thus providing
a support for the writing slab, and at the same time keeping the shallow-box-like
contrivance firmly pressed against the wall or back support while being used.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect, I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, and will now
proceed to describe the same with the figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the desk when closed, and Fig. 2 a perspective.
view of the desk when opened out.
Fig. 3 illustrates a modification.
Fig. 4 shews an isometric end view of the desk and the manner of its use.
In accordance with my invention I employ a box or tray-like structure composed
of part, or hack, (A) and the parts, or end pieces (B). This structure is suspended
from a nail or hook by cord, wire or chain (C), and lies flush with the wall (D) as
shewn in Fig. 4. To the front lower edge of this suspended structure 1 hinge a lid
or writing slab (E), and to the back of this slab link a "strut" or wire-like
support (F).
With the desk closed the said writing slab (E), by reason of the tapering end
pieces (B), lies over the centre of its movement, and therefore rests against the
front of the box and the "strut" (F) lies compactly against the back of such slab
as shewn.
When now it is required to use the desk the user seats himself directly in front
of the desk. He then lowers the writing slab to a writing position, taking hold,
by preference, of the "strut" (F) as a handle, and as the writing slab descends
causing the curvatures (1) and (2) of such "strut" to fit over or on to the knees
or legs as shewn in Fig. 4.
In this way the writing slab is supported by the knees, and the writer supports
his own weight upon the desk. By varying the position of the "strut" from the
vertical to other angles, the height or slope of the writing slab may be varied, but
it is presumed that the whole desk will be suspended at a height suited to the user
which will enable the "strut" to occupy a vertical position.
Within the lower part of the back of the desk I form divisions or spaces for
writing paper, envelopes, and ink wells, with thumb spaces (G) in the front
part (H) for facilitating the removal of the note paper and envelopes. In addition
to such fittings 1 may provide a pen rack and calendar, or 1 may utilise the back
for other useful purposes.
The general outline or shape and ornamentation of the desk may be varied to
Euit better or inferior qualities. The writing slab is fitted with corner pockets (1)
or other means to hold or receive a pad of blotting paper.
In Fig. 3 shew my improved desk made in card-board, and the "strut" (F)
also made in card-board, with the lower edge scolloped out to form the knee
"yoke. This form of desk is extremely light, and is intended more particularly
as an advertising medium, or for bearing printed advertisements upon the back (A)
and "strut" (F).
Although the chief object of any invention is to provide a desk which can be
removed from place to place, or from room to room, and requires no special fixing
but needs only to be suspended from a hook or nail, I may provide the desk with
nail or screw holes and thus allow of its being permanently fixed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is
1. A writing desk or cabinet consisting of a shallow box-like structure (A)-(B),
writing slab (or lid) (E), and "strut" (F), mounted and operating as set forth.
2. A writing slab supported by a "strut" fitting on to the knees of the writer
ns hereinbefore set forth.
3. The construction of desk herein described and shewn in Fig. 3 of the
accompanying drawing, with or without advertisements thereon.
Dated this 30th day of November 1896.
WILLIAM CHANCELLOR HAIGH,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
53 Market Street, Manchester, Agents.