US401314A - Desk or cabinet - Google Patents

Description

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W. H. TRAVIS. DESK 0R CABINET. No. 401,314 PatentedApr. 9, 1889.

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W. H. TRAVIS. DESK OR CABINET. No. 401,314. Patented Apr. 9'. 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

\VILLTAM ll. TRAVIS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR "lO JAMES DENSMORE, OF BROOKLYN, NE\V YORK.

*' DESK OR CABINET.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 401,314, dated April 9, 1889.

Application filed April 20, 1885. Serial No. 162,803. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM II. TRAVIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a certain Improved Desk or Cabinet, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an improved convertible table, which is more especially designed for use for type-writing purposes.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table with the parts in position to receive the type-writing or similar machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a similar view with the parts in position for use as a desk for ordinary writing purposes.

A desk of the ordinary height is not adapted for use with a type-writin g or similar machine, as this would place the latter too high for the operator. 1 therefore construct a desk with two tops of different heights, so that either can be brought into use, as may be desired.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame of the table is composed of the sides A and A and the back connecting-board, B, together with the cross-piecc D at the front. Either of the side boards may be provided with or form part of a chest of drawers, the side frame A in the present instance being provided with such set of drawers of any suitable or convenient construction. Between the two side frames are two movable tops, E and E, the former for the reception of the type-writing or similar machine, while the top E can be brought into use for ordinary writing or other oliice work. .Vhen the top E is brought into position, its upper side is level with and forms a continuation of the side frames A and the set of drawers. This movable top E is provided at its sides near the rear end with guide pins 1), which are adapted to vertical grooves 11 in the side frames, A and A, the upper ends of these grooves being curved, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to form supports for the pins, and consequently for the rear end of the top E when the latter is drawn out to its horizontal position.

To the front of the top E is hinged a flap, F, which, when the board is moved back out of the way to the vertical position shown in Fig. 2, folds up against the said top, and when the latter is brought into its horizontal position the flap assumes the vertical position shown in Fig. 3, resting on the cross-piece D, and forming a support for the front end of the top E.

The lower movable top or shelf, E, is carried by arms or brackets 8, Figs. 2 and 3, which are hinged at e to the side frames, A and A, and this shelf or top E is connected at its rear end by straps, cords, or chains G, which pass over pulleys H, mounted on the side frames, A and A, the other ends of the chains or straps being connected to the rear end of .the top E, so that when the said top E is brought into the horizontal position for using the table for office work the rear end of the shelf E will be allowed to drop, and moving on the hinges e the said shelf will assume the position shown in Fig. 3, and the type-writing or other machine, 0, carried thereby will be out of the way, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. It will thus be seen that the sliding top E itself forms a counter-weight for the hinged shelf.

hen it is desired to bring the type-writing machine into use, the top E is raised at the front and brought to a vertical position and then moved downward to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereby, through the medium of the straps or chains G, the rear end of the shelf E will be raised and the shelf brought to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2, the front end of the said shelf resting on the crosspiece D. In other words, the moving of either of the tops or shelves out of position brings the other thereby into position. The movement of the lower shelf is such that when it is raised the type-writing machine thereon is moved forward toward the front of the desk. as it is elevated. This, it will be seen, is due to the fact that the fulcrum or pivoting point of said shelf is some distance below the level of the latter when elevated.

The shelf is provided with suitable catches lar form of catch, however. \Vhen the shelf E is in the depressed position, its rear end is supported in a cross-strip, I). The shelf E is preferably provided on its surface with hooks or other devices, by which the type-writing or other machine will be firmly secured thereto.

I claim as my invention 1. The herein-described table or desk for type-writing purposes, said table having a movable top,which,when down, is at the proper .the top a hinged shelf, which, when elevated,

is at the proper height for a type-writii'ig machine, the said shelf being hinged near its front, substantially as described, whereby the front edge of said shelf is moved forward toward the front of the desk as it is elevated, as and for the purpose described.

3. The herein-described table or desk for type-writing purposes, said table having a vertically-sliding folding top, which, when horizontal, is at the proper height for use as an ordinary desk, and below the top a hinged shelf, which, when elevated, is at the proper height for a type-writing machine, andqchains, straps, or cords connecting the sliding top and hinged shelf, all substantially as specified.

4. The combination of the side and rear frames of a desk and cross-strips D with

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