An Improved Adjustable Easel for Holding Matter to be Read or Written upon in a Convenient Manner without the Assistance of the Hands.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Nov., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Adjustable Easel for Holding Matter to be Read or
Written upon in a Convenient Manner without the Assistance of
the Hands.
1, WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS, of Legge Lane, Birmingham, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the production of a suitable adjustable easel, or
apparatus for holding books, periodicals, and papers of all kinds while being read,
or written upon, or otherwise referred to.
The invention consists of a standard composed of any suitable material, widened
at its base to prevent lateral oscillation, and having at its back a folding leg,
whereby, when resting on a table it can be maintained at any convenient angle in
front of the reader.
On this standard is pivoted, or clipped a suitable desk which is capable of sliding
up and down, to the extent of the standard's length.
At the two extreme ends of this desk are holes, hooks, or slots through which is
passed a suitable band, chain, or cord, which latter is carried round the neck of
the user, in such a way that its tension ends being secured to the desk placed at
a certain distance from the base of the standard, the weight of the apparatus,
or book, or other matter carried thereon will cause it to press gently against the
chest, or body of the user, holding it thus conveniently without the assistance of
the hands.
To further facilitate the holding of the book, or periodical a suitable swinging
finger, or catch is provided in the upper portion of the standard which moves
vertically according to requirements.
The bottom portion of desk may be provided with two swinging fingers, or a
band of elastic stretched across it face to hold down the leaves of the book, or
periodical.
A pencil and non-spilable ink bottle may be attached to the desk, by means of
elastic bands or clips if required.
For the purpose of rendering the apparatus more portable, the desk may be
made to turn on the standard, and be so arranged, or folded as to occupy the
minimum amount of space.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1891.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Adjustable Easel for Holding Matter to be Read or
Written upon in a Convenient Manner without the Assistance of
the Hands.
I, WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS, of Legge Lane, Birmingham, 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 :-
This invention has for its object, the production of a suitable adjustable easel, or
apparatus for holding books, periodicals, and papers of all kinds, while being read,
or written upon, or otherwise referred to.
The invention consists of a standard, composed of any suitable material, widened
at its base to prevent lateral oscillation, and having at its back a folding leg or

page_text: lege, whereby when resting on a table, it can be maintained at any convenient angle
in front of the reader..
On this standard is pivoted, or clipped a suitable ledge or desk, which is capable
of sliding up and down in a slot formed in the standard. At the ends of the ledge
or desk, holes, hooks, or slots are provided, through which is passed a suitable
adjustable band or cord; which latter is carried round the neck of the user in such
a manner as to cause the base of the apparatus to press gently against the chest,
or body of the user, thus holding the book or other matter conveniently without
the assistance of the hands.
To further facilitate the use of the apparatus a suitable swinging and sliding
finger, or catch is provided in the upper portion of the standard which can readily
be adjusted over the leaves of the book or periodical according to requirements.
The ledge or desk may also be provided with a band of elastic stretched across
its face for the same purpose.
A pencil and non-spilable ink bottle can readily be attached to the ledge or desk
by means of elastic bands or clips if required.
For the purpose of rendering the apparatus more portable, the ledge or desk can
be made to turn on, and fold in line with the standard, thus occupying the
minimum amount of space.
The accompanying drawings will enable my invention to be more readily
understood:
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of the apparatus complete, and
Fig. 2, shows the apparatus folded for portability.
a, is the standard; %, the base piece, or rest; c, the slot in which slides the ledge
or desk d, by means of the pivot e, which is provided with a nut and thumb screw
at the back, whereby the ledge or desk can be adjusted in any convenient position;
, is the finger or catch which swings on the pivot g, and is capable of sliding in the
slot c, to adapt itself to various sizes of books, and further facilitate turning over
the leaves of a book or periodical; h, h, are the folding legs composed of suitable
material, preferably wire, the free ends of which (when they are not required) are
sprung into small hooks in the back of the standard,-the ends being pinched
together, on regaining their normal expansion are securely held in said hooks;
i, i, are the holes at ends of ledge or desk, and k, the cord or band, one end of
which may be permanently secured, while the other end is secured to the length
required, by knotting it according to the position in which the user wishes to carry
the apparatus.
This cord or band is shown in Fig. 2, coiled conveniently round the upper
portion of the standard,-, shows the elastic band across the ledge or desk, inside
which the book, or periodical may be placed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein shown, as the same may
be varied without departing from the principle of my invention,-for instance the
desk may be made to slide without the slot and pivot arrangement,-what I
claim is :-
First. The use of apparatus for the purpose of holding books, periodicals, and
such like matter, constructed, arranged, and applied in the manner substantially as
herein specified.
Second. In apparatus used for the purpose of holding books, periodicals, and
such like matter, the combination formed by the standard a, the sliding desk d,
swinging and sliding finger g, cord k, and folding legs h, h, in the manner
substantially as herein specified and set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of Naramban 1001
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.