US49428A - Improved folding desk - Google Patents

Description

UNITED `STATES J. F. MCNEE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPRovED FOLDING DESK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,428., dated August 15, 1865.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. MGNEE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Folding Desk; and I do hereby declare the following` to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My improved desk consists of pieces hinged and otherwise connected together and arranged for being folded, substantially in the manner described hereinafter, so that the desk may be made to assume the form and afford the conveniences of an ordinary writing-desk, and, when notreqnired for use, may be so folded as to occupy but little space, thus rendering it especially applicable for use in the army and in offices and dwelling-houses where an ordinary desk required for temporary use only would be iu the way.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner ot' constructing the same.

On reference to thcaccompanying drawings, which form a part ot' this specification, Figure l isa vertical section of my improved folding desk; Fig. 2, the same as the desk appears when folded; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section of the desk on the line 1 2, Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 a front ,View of Fig. 2.

Similar' letters referto similar parts throughout the several views. A

A represents the back of the desk, and to this back are permanently secured the two rear legs, B B.

To a rib, u, secured to and projecting from the back A, the bottom c is so hinged, atb, that it can he permitted to fall to the position shown in Fig. 2, under the circumstances described hereinafter. Two pieces, I) D, are hinged to the y back A, one near each end of the same, and

form the two ends of the desk, the hinges (l of these pieces being so arranged that the latter can be folded toward each `other and occupy a position against the back A.

A longitudinal strip, E, is permanently secured to the upper edge ofthe back A, and to this strip another strip, F, is hinged, the latter being hinged ath to the inclined top g of the desk, this top resting ou the end pieces, D D, und on the front strip, H, which is hinged at t' to the bottom C of the desk.

To each of the front legs, I, is secured a piece, j, which is hinged to the back A in such a manner that the said pieces j, with their legs, can

be folded toward each other and against the back A, in which case the frontand rear legs are in a line with each other, as seen in Fig. 4.

A strip, J, is hinged at m to the bottom G of the desk, each end of this strip fitting into a recess cut in the upper portion ot' one of the front legs.

When my improved desk is arranged for use the several parts occupy the relative positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the front legsbe-` ing maintained in their proper position in one y direction by the strip J and the other'by strips n n, one of which is secured to each end of the bottom C of the desk, and the end pieces, DD, v

and against the back A, after which the bottom C, with the strips connected to the same, will fall to the position seen in Fig. 2. Theend pieces, D D, are then folded toward each other and against the back A, therebypermitting the top G to fall and assume thevertical posi tion shown in Fig. 2.

It will be evident that as the desk, when i i thus folded, occupies but little space it is well adapted for transportation for use in thearm y and for small otiices, as well as `for dwellinghouses where an ordinary desk requiredft'or temporary usewould be in the way. ,A

When the desk is required for a permanent fixture the legs may be dispensed with'a'nd the back A secured to a wall. i

I claim as myinvention and desire to secure i by Letters Patent--` l i v A desk composed of pieces hinged and otherwise connected together and arranged for be` ing folded, substan tially as and for the purpose herein set forth. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

JAMES E. MGNEE.

Witnesses: l

CHARLES E. Fos'rER` l JOHN WHITE.`

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