US2242745A

US2242745A - Desk or table

Info

Publication number: US2242745A
Application number: US209211A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph C Coxhead
Original assignee: RALPH COXHEAD CORP
Current assignee: RALPH COXHEAD Corp
Priority date: 1938-05-21
Filing date: 1938-05-21
Publication date: 1941-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1958-05-20

Description

lMay 2o, 1941,y Rc. COXHEAD 2,242,745

DESK 0R TABLE Filed May 21, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f?? INVENTOR.

BY `ja//J C ox/ead I @Maw Agur, mwd. v /IM'A ATTORNEYS R. c. coxHEAD DESK OR TABLE Filed May 2l 1938 May 20, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw M n0 l u. vvv. Im Ww (L w, lll4 m WM5 mi.

w/oo 4 mh 9 M M ATroRNEYs Patented May 2), 1941 NTD STAT DESK OR TABLE Application May 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,211

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in desks or tables and more particularly to improvements in desks or tables adapted especially for use in Iconjunction with and as supports for typewriting machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a table as described with a sliding drawer having a top pivotally mounted 'thereon at the front end thereof for movement into an inclined plane to serve as an auxiliary desk member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a slidable drawer in a desk, which drawer has the top pivotally mounted to be tilted and which top has the major portion thereof formed of some translucent material.

An additional object of the invention is to provde illuminating means in a. drawer as just described, which illuminating means can be used to illuminate devices resting on the translucent top of the drawer.

In carrying out the foregoing and other objects of the invention, a table is constructed f some suitable material such as steel or other suitable metal, or any other material which has the proper characteristics. In the particular form shown,

the table is constructed of steel with hollow the front end of the drawer. This cover can be tilted to an inclined position and when so tilted, means are provided for supporting the same in such position. IThe principal part of this cover is made of some translucent material, such as ground glass. Mounted in the drawer are `two sockets for the reception of electric light bulbs which can be energized to direct light rays through the translucent top, thereby rendering the top readily usable as a surface for the preparation of stencil sheets and the like. The top of this drawer, of course, can be used as a drawing board or as an auxiliary surface for writing, or for other uses to which a desk is ordinarily put. One rear support of the desk has electric conductors extending upwardly from a socket mounted in the support. A circuit from this common supply line extends to the lamp sockets mounted in the drawer before described.

Other features, objects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the following de- 'tailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating the same:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table or desk embodying the invention and showing parts thereof in adjusted position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a fragment of the desk and showing the drawer with pivoted top in one adjusted position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a still further enlarged section taken substantially on the line Ii-Ll of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, Ill indicates generally a desk or table made lin accordance with the invention. This desk is formedwith four hollow legs I I which support a top I2 preferably having secured on the surface thereof some composition material suitable for use in connectionwith this type of device. legs Il have connectedrthereto end panels I3 and I4 and a Iback panel I5. Extending. between the panels I3 and I-fI and spaced from the back panel I5, is a cross-bar IS. Slidably mounted beneath the top I2 in some Ysuitable fashion,v are end drawers Ii. These drawers may be of any desired number and of any desired shape.

The top I2 of the desk is providedY substantially intermediate the ends thereof with a depressed well,` indicated generally at- I8, which well has parallel side-walls I9, opposite longitudinal extensions defined each by three walls 28, opposite parallel walls 2l and a rear wall 22. The bottomof this well is formed with a plane surface to which can be attached in some suitable fashion a typewriting machine indicated generally at 24, which may be of any desired character, but which in the present illustration is of the typeutilizing arcuate vshaped bars containing fonts of type thereon, which bars can be interchangeable. 'Ihe extensions formedV by the walls 2.6' are provided to receive Vportions of the machine so that the machine can be in a depressed position relative to the top of the table.

Secured to the top of the table is a base 25 and extending upwardly from such base is a exible stem 26 terminating in a socket 21 having a shade 28 secured thereto. This socket 2l serves as a receptacle for an electric light bulb and since stem 26 is flexible, the socket can be adjusted to any desired position to illuminate parts of the top of the desk and the machine. The machine has as a part thereof an electric motor 29 and a spring box 3B, and also, a lamp standard 3| having associated therewith a socket for the recep- In addition, the

tion of a light bulb and an enclosing shade 32 which is adjustable so that desired parts of the machine including the motor and spring box can be illuminated.

Slidably mounted substantially midway between the end panels I3 and I4 is a drawer indicated generally at 35. The drawer is composed in part of a shallow tray made up of a bottom 36 and side members 3'I secured. to the bottom by welding or in some other suitable fashion. By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that each side member 3l has a part thereof secured underneath the bottom 36, a right angular part extending upwardly; a horizontal portion 38 and a vertical portion 39 spaced in parallelism to the rst mentioned upright portion. This member 3l serves to support the tray in a suitable slide secured to the framework indicated generally at 4extending downwardly beneath the top I2. The slideway proper is made up of a metallic member having a vertical portion 4I secured to the framework 40 by welding or in any other suitable manner, a bottom horizontal portion 42, a vertical portion 44 in substantial parallelism to the vertical portion 4I and an angular portion 45 extending toward the corner between the parts 4I and 42. The side member 31 is mounted in such fashion that the horizontal part 38 thereof, rests on the bend formed between parts 44 and 45 and the vertical part 39 of the member 3l lies adjacent to the vertical portion 4I of the slide. Secured to the frame 40 immediately above the guideway is an angle bar 46, such bar being located near the front of the desk as indicated in Fig. 3. 'Ihe horizontal expanse oi this angle bar 46 is positioned to overlie the horizontal part 38 of the tray in close proximity to serve as a stop member to prevent tilting of the tray when the same is extended to the Fig. 3 position, and in addition, this horizontal part of the angle bar cooperates with a stop 4l extending upwardly from part 38 to limit outward movement of the tray.

Associated with the tray is a top member indicated generally at 50 (Fig. 3) which top member is made substantially as follows: To an angle bar 5I is secured a metallic member having a horizontal part 52 and a vertical part 54. The vertical part 54 extends upwardly beyond lthe slide member 38 of the tray and is bent over to form a stepped top part 55. The front panel of this top member formed by vertical part 54 extends beneath the angle member 5I and is turned back as indicated at 56, 'I'his extension serves admirably as a handle for the combination drawer made up of tray and top, 'I'he top is pivoted to the side members 31 at the front of the drawer -as indicated at 5l. A strip of leather 58 or other suitable material is positioned along the two sides and the rear of the bottom 36 of the tray to serve as a cushion for the top in its closed position.

Seated in the step formed in the top part of the Itop member and extending completely around the top, is strip cork material or some othersuitable material. This cork stripping 59 serves to form a border for a. panel 60 preferably of ground glass which has the edges thereof resting on felt 6I or some other suitable material, which felt has the inner edge thereof coextensive with the top part 55; it being understood of course, that a relatively large opening is provided in the metallic top to be closed only by the ground glass panel 66. Secured to and extending downwardly from the steps of the top part 55 at opposite sides thereof .are two anglel bars 62 to which are preferably secured props 64. These props are designed to pass through openings 65 in the bottom 36 of the tray and each prop has a notch 66 near the end thereof, of shape and size to engage the edge of the opening 66. When so engaged, or in other words, in the dotted line position of Fig. 3, the props 64 serve to hold the top or cover in an inclined position (the dotted line position Fig. 3). If desired several notches 66 can be provided along the length of the props 64 to permit adjusting the top to any desired angularity.

Extending upwardly from the bottom 3S of the tray is wall member 'I0 having secured thereto a pair of electric light sockets "II, serving as receptacles for electric light bulbs l2. The bottom 36 of the tray is provided with a plurality of relatively small openings 'I4 immediately below the light bulbs to permit the entry of `air into the interior of the drawer. Also the upright parts 54 of the cover member are provided with openings 'I5 for the entrance of air, the various openings cooperating to permit circulation of air through the interior to prevent excessive heat. Secured to the bottom 36 of the tray near the opposite edges thereof, are two leaf springs 'I6 curved upwardly in such fashion that they can rest against the stepped surface of the top 55. These springs act as shock absorbers to prevent the cover being lowered in such fashion as to create a shock or jar which might fracture the glass panel 66. Secured to the inner edge of the cover are two pins or studs 'I'I and adjacent such studs are two spring clips 13. The purpose 0f these members will be explained later.

As before stated, the various legs II of the device are made of hollow steel construction, and

1 due to such construction, an electric feed line extends upwardly in the interior of one of the rear legs II from an electric plug 36 mounted in such leg near the bottom thereof for the reception of a socket 8| on the end of an extension cord. The various wires utilized in providing current carriers for the various devices described hereinbefore are not shown in detail. Suitable conductors for supplying energy to the lamp bulbs 'I2 together with a control switch are provided.

Since the machine I8 as before described is of a type employing interchangeable fonts of type mounted on arcuate shaped bars, provision is made for storing a plurality of such arcuate shaped bars in such position as to be readily available. For this purpose the base of the machine is provided with a chamber partially defined by the bottom plate of such base. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the type receptacle comprises a tray IB'I, the front wall of which conforms to the configuration of the base of the machine. This tray has a forward compartment I08 having a plurality of arcuate shaped partitions therein. These partitions define chambers for the reception' of arcuate shaped bars having fonts of type thereon, illustra-ted at H0. tray in a suitable fashion preferably with the aid of spring means for normally forcing the cover upwardly.

The device hereinbefore described possesses many advantages not present in desks and tables heretofore provided for use in conjunction and cooperation with typewriting machines.

The provision of the sliding drawer 35 makes possible several operations by the user of the A cover II2 is hinged to the desk without the necessity of requiring additional equipment at some other point in the room. This drawer when moved to its outermost position provides in effect a desk or table top which can be utilized for writing, for drawing or for other purposes. Furthermore, since the panel 60 is of ground glass and light bulbs 12 are mounted underneath the same, it is possible to obtain an illumination of such panel whereby stencils or other partially transparent or translucent devices can be carefully inspected. To this end the upstanding lugs or pins 11 have been provided, which pins can be engaged by the recesses customarily found in stencils or the like, which are prepared on typewriting machines. The spring clips 'i8 can also be used to secure paper, drawings, or the like to the top of the drawer. The use of the drawer for such purposes is not limited to a position in which the panel 60 extends horizontally, but the top of this drawer can be adjusted angularly (Fig. 3) into such -position as to render inspection and the like more efficient. In such angular position the top of the drawer is particularly adapted for use as a drawing board and can be used either with lights 'l2 energized or not as may be desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides as a unitary structure, a desk or table which possesses advantages not customarily found in office equipment of this type. It will be understood of course, that other modifications beyond those shown in the drawings can be made; in view of which any limitations imposed thereupon are to be only those set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising a table, said table having a slidable drawer intermediate the ends thereof, said drawer being composed partially of a tray, and a cover for said tray, said cover having depending side walls of greater height than the side Walls of said tray, said cover walls fitting closely in the tray walls whereby the cover extends substantially completely across the top of the tra-y, said cover being hinged to the forward end of said tray so that the position of said cover can be adjusted from a horizontal position to an angular position, lateral extensions on the side walls of said tray, and means in said table cooperating with said extensions to support said tray and cover in any position of the cover and to prevent substantial tipping of the tray when the cover is in an angular position, the lateral extensions on the side walls of the tray being extended beyond the inner boundary of the cover tosvupport the drawer with the cover elevated beyond the front of the table.

2,'A device of the character described, comprising a table, said table having a slidable drawer intermediate the ends thereof, said drawer being composed partially of a tray, and a cover for said tray, said cover having dependingzside walls fitting closely in the tray walls whereby the cover extends substantially completely across the top of the tray, said cover being supported by said tray with the top of the cover normally lying in a substantially horizontal plane, said cover being hinged to the forward end of said tray so that the position of said cover can be adjusted from a horizontal position to an angular position, lateral extensions onthe side walls of said tray, and means in said table cooperating with said extensions to support saidvtray and cover in any position of the cover and-jt@ prevent substantial tipping of the tray when the cover is in an angular position, the lateral extensions on the side walls of the tray being extended beyond the inner boundary of theuover to support the drawer with the cover elevated beyond the front of the table.

3, -A device of the character described, comprising a table, said table having a slidable drawer intermediate the ends thereof, said drawer being composed partially of a tray, and acover for said tray, said cover having dependingjside walls fitting closely in the tray walls whereby the cover extends substantially completely across the top of the tray, said cover side walls being pivotally secured to adjacent tray sidewalls near the forward ends thereof so that the position of said cover can 4be adjusted from a horizontal position to an angular position, said cover having a depending front wall forming the front wall of the drawer, lateral extensions on the side walls of said tray, and means in said table cooperating with said extensions to support said tray' and cover in any position of the cover and to prevent substantial tipping of the tray when the cover is in an angular position, the lateral extensions on the `side walls of the tray being extended beyond the inner boundary of theme-over to support the drawer with the cover elevated beyond the front of the table.

RALPH C. COXHEAD.