Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1886.
Specification Accepted, 18th Mar., 1887
1 JOHN HARRISON of No. 100 Leadenhall Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, 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 consists in the combination of a writing desk with a typewriting
machine, so constructed that when the desk alone is required the typewriting machine
can, by a simple arrangement, be completely obscured from view, it being so
arranged that the said machine, when obscured by the before mentioned arrangement,
shall not add in any degree to the inefficiency or inconvenience of the writing desk,
when other than typewriting is required.
:
The Invention is arranged that the typewriting machine can be either placed at one
end of the desk in combination with a single set of drawers or escritoire or the said
machine can be placed in the centre of the desk in combination with a double set of
drawers or escritoiré. The typewriter not being required & therefore closed and
obscured, the writing desk presents to all intents and purposes, not only the same
appearance as an ordinary writing desk & escritoiré, but the convenience and efficacy
of the said desk and escritoire for the ordinary requirements of a writing desk remains
wholly unimpaired.
In order that the Invention may be more fully and readily understood reference is
made to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 represents the "Combined desk and typewriter" open, disclosing to view
the typewriting machine & the platform Z upon which the said machine is secured.
The platform Z is connected to the side E E' of the writing desk by hinged joints or
swivel arrangement or any other known device. The further side D D of the plat-
form Z is connected to rods beneath the said platform, to be more particularly

page_text: described hereafter, and by which arrangement the typewriter is obscured from view.
A represents the flap of the writing secured by hinges as in the case of an ordinary
writing desk.
The flap is raised when the typewriter is required. The inner side of the flap A,
towards the lower part is connected by knee joints C C₁ to the rods B B', which latter
are connected also by knee joints N, N' as shown in Fig. 3, to the two rods M O,
MO beneath platform. A suitable framework is arranged to receive & support the
platform Z, & the typewriter secured thereon. A pulley and weight arrangement
is made & attached to the platform Z so that the power required to raise the plat-
form & typewriter into working position is considerably diminished.
Fig. 3
represents the action of rods beneath the platform. The rods B, B₁ are connected to
rods MO, MO, which latter are secured to platform Z at each side the rods MO,
MO being slotted at end M. The end of rods is secured to the side of desk.
Fig. 2 represents the flap A lowered & secured as in the case of an ordinary desk,
completely obscuring the typewriter.
When the typewriter is required to be used, the flap A, owing to the pulley &
weight arrangement can be easily raised. The action in raising the flap A, causes
the rods B, B to be raised. These in their turn act upon the rods M, O & M¹ O' at
the knee joints N, N1, and tend to pull the rods MO, M' O¹ upwards. The slot pin M
slides along the slot at end of rod M. O, and tends to raise the platform Z. The
rods MO, MO beneath the platform Z, being connected, by any known arrange-
ment with the side of desk, the platform Z is thereby elevated to its required height,
when the typewriting machine can be manipulated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is—
1st. The combination of typewriting machine & writing desk.
2nd. The method of raising & lowering the typewriter by the arrangement &
application, before mentioned, of the rods on the toggle or knee joint system.
3rd. The arrangement for completely obscuring the typewriting machine, when not
in use; and that, without impairing in any degree, the efficacy of the desk for all
purposes to which ordinary writing desks are applicable.
4th. The combination of the whole with pulley and weight arrangement for
minimising the power applied in raising, lowering, and maintaining the type-
writer &c. in position.
HUGHES & SON,
5, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.