US3321257A - Typewriter desks - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1967 R. T. CARLSON 3,321,257

TYPEWRITER DESKS Filed Oct. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

- RAYMOND T. CARLSQN HIS ATTORNEY y 3, 1967 R. T. CARL-SON 3,321,257

TYPEWRITER DESKS Filed Oct. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I]: l2 l8' INVENTOR. RAYMOND T. CARLSON HIS ATTORNEY United States l ate'n't C) 3,321,257 TYPEWRITER DESKS Raymond T. Carlson, Lookout Mountain, Ga. (R0. Box 82, Lookout Mountain, Tenn. 37350) Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,907 6 Claims. (Cl. 312-196) This invention pertains to typewriter desks. In a more specific aspect the invention relates to a typewriter desk having a pullout shelf within one side thereof on which the typewriter rests.

Normally typewriter desks which have a pullout shelf are of two types. In one type the typewriter is carried on a shelf which is positioned to ride on runners. Metal, nylon and other plastic wheels are attached to the shelf, or to sliding runners within the desk, or both in the known manner employed in filing cabinets and the like. In this type of desk the runners permit the shelf carrying the typewriter to pull out while remaining in the same plane. The second type of pullout shelf is that wherein the shelf changes planes as it is drawn from within the desk. This shelf is of the folding action type. The shelf is pulled out horizontally and then lifted vertically upwardly during withdrawal.

Both of the desks described herein are subject to the same disadvantage, and this is the position of the type writer itself. The pullout shelf is, of course, perpendicular to the desk. The typewriter thereon, consequently, is parallel to the front side of the desk. In other words, in the type of desk having a pullout typewriter shelf, the desk is very close to the typists left or right arm, leaving very little working room. In addition most typewriter desks have a bank or vertical row of utility and file drawers disposed within the desk at its corner opposite the pullout typewriter shelf. Ready access to the file drawers during typing, and restricted or limited working area when the file drawer i opened have been the source of a problem which has remained unsolved for many years.

While no solution to the problem is known, one possibility would be to mount a Lazy Susan type of revolving shelf on the typewriter pullout shelf. However, being round, such a rotating shelf would be difficult to hold in place during the typing operation. According to the practice of this invention means are contemplated for turning the front end of the typewriter away from the desk in a manner whereby it remains in place during use. It has been found that a type of turntable differing from a Lazy Susan can be used. In accordance with this invention there is provided a turntable vertically spaced from the typewriter shelf, but pivotally mounted thereon for horizontal partial axial rotation about said pivot, the turntable being substantially rectangular or square except for a cut-off corner forming a short fifth side. The invention encompasses this turntable in combination with a restraining rnember so disposed on the typewriter shelf as to permit abutment of the fifth side thereagainst during pivotal motion to stop the turntable, the fifth side determining the turntable positioning angle. In addition means are employed opposing the movement of the turntable away from said restraining member during typing.

The various features and advantages of this invention can, perhaps, best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desk as it appears with its typewriter shelf closed, the typewriter being within the desk.

FIG. 2 is the top view of the desk of FIG. 1 with a conventional typewriter shelf in typing position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a desk similar to FIG. 1 with the typewriter positioned according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of the desk of FIG. 3 showing the typewriter shelf of the invention.

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Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a desk 2 having utility drawers 4 and a double file drawer 5. Numeral 6 designates a front of a pullout typewriter shelf, the typewriter being enclosed by a lid 8 having a folding false drawer front 10.

FIG. 2 shows typewriter 12 in position on shelf 14 in the conventional manner. It can be seen that with file drawer 5 open, working space for a typist on chair 16 is extremely limited. This can be contrasted with FIG. 3 which shows a turntable 11 of this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a folding action type typewriter shelf in a right-handed desk, the shelf being on the left. This shelf i pushed downwardly and inwardly to return it inside desk 2. After return of typewriter shelf 14 to its position within the desk, a door 18 hinged by means of pin hinges 19 is closed. The front side of door 18 generally is designed so that when closed it appears that the desk contains drawers. As can be seen from FIG. 3, rather than resting on shelf 14 in the usual manner, typewriter 12 rests on turntable 11.

Turntable 11 is substantially either rectangular, or square, except that it has one corner cut off to form a short fifth side s. When partially rotated in a clockwise direction, turntable 11 moves until short side 3 abuts against a vertical upright member such as strip 20. The fifth side is at the back, considering that the typist sits in front of the typewriter, and nearest the leading edge 13. A catch can be attached to the underside of turntable 11 to engage a keeper in shelf 14. Preferably, however, pivot 17 is so placed off center that forward motion created by typing does not drive the turntable back to its original position as would be the case if the pivot were in the center. The turntable thus is in pivotal engagement with the original typewriter shelf.

Desirably the pivotal engagement of the turntable with the shelf is accomplished by the use of two washers (not shown), eliminating concentrated drag. The turntable is held by a bolt or other means through the washers. Turntable 11 is thus vertically spaced but pivotally mounted on shelf 14 for horizontal motion until it engages a strip or other restraining member 20. While not necessary, a friction catch 22 can be placed within turntable 11 to engage restraining strip 2! in order to further oppose the movement of the turntable away from the restraining member during typing. A preferred catch would be a bullet catch or ball strike catch. However a magnetic catch, elbow catch or thumb latch can be used.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is shown (without the typewriter) in FIG. 4 wherein the turntable is designated 30. Shelf 32 is a pullout typewriter shelf carried by nylon or ball bearing drawer slides 31 in the usual manner employed in dishwashers, refrigerators, and the like, the slide means consisting of mounting brackets, roller brackets and self-aligning tracks, preferably triroller drawer slides. In this type of pullout shelf, the restraining member for short side s desirably is the shelf front 34. This is convenient since such pullout shelves generally have false drawer fronts. False drawer front 34 thus serves an ornamental purpose as well as a useful purpose in restraining further rotation of turnable 30.

In either a right-handed or a left-handed desk, the short side s is at the front corner nearest the leading edge 34, considering the typewriter position. It is generally desirable to glue a felt pad 35 to the shelf beneath the turntable but away from the pivot. This felt member partially supports the turntable, quieting typing noises, and making the turntable move more smoothly.

Again the pivot point is placed off center to resist rotation of the turntable during typing. In the case of a socalled right-handed desk, with the typewriter shelf on the left, the pivot point will be in, or on the line bordering, the second quardant, considering the turntable, viewed from above and in front of the desk, as being divided into four quadrants. Preferably, the pivot point will be on the border line, which will place it on one center line but not on the other. Thus when viewed from the front of the desk, the pivot point will be on a line equidistant between the turntable sides but in back of a line equidistant between the front and the back of the turntable, desirably closer to the back than to the center.

In a left-handed desk; where the typewriter shelf and its turntable are on the right, the short fifth side will still be at the front outside corner relative to the typewriter. In his instance, however, the pivot point will be in the first quadrant or on the border thereof. It is still preferred that the pivot be on a line equidistant between the sides of the turntable but closer to the back than to the center.

Referring again to FIG. 4 a hole 36 is provided for a cord in the case of an electric typewriter. The figure also shows the action of lid 8 and front 10 which hide the typewriter when the shelf is closed. It is obvious that whether the turntable is rectangular or square will depend upon the width of the pullout shelf. If the shelf is considerably wider than the depth of a typewriter, the width of the turntable can be somewhat less than the width of the typewriter shelf. Normally, however, the pullout shelf will not be wider than necessary. Moreover the turntable generally will be no wider than the shelf upon which it is carried, because in the absence of special design features it would be impossible to pull out the shelf. The turntable is thus shaped for overlying marginal registration with the shelf, the edge of the turntable being directly above the side of the shelf. Other modifications will be apparent from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the drawings. For example rather than a strip of wood, any type of restraining member can be used such as a block, metal L-shaped bracket, etc. In addition if a metal desk is used instead of a wooden desk, the turntable restraining member will be an upstanding flange along the front side of the pullout shelf. Such variations are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a desk having a pullout typewriter shelf disposed within one side thereof the combination of a turntable vertically spaced from the shelf but pivotally mounted thereon for horizontal movement about said mounting pivot, the pivot being positioned ofi center, the turntable being substantially rectangular or square except for a short fifth side formed by a cutoff corner, with a vertical upright restraining strip disposed on said shelf and so attached to the shelf as to permit abutment of the fifth side thereagainst during pivoting to stop the turntable, the fifth side and the strip determining the ultimate turntable position, and means opposing movement of the turntable away from said restraining member during typing.

2. The desk of claim 1 wherein the pullout shelf is in self-aligning tracks in the left hand side of the desk;

wherein the fifth side is at the front corner, considering the typewriter position, nearest the leading edge of the pullout shelf; wherein the restraining strip against which the fifth side abuts is a false drawer front secured to the pullout shelf at its leading edge; and wherein the pivot is placed in the second quadrant, considering the turntable when viewed from above as being divided into four quadrants.

3. The desk of claim 1 wherein the pullout shelf is in self-aligning tracks in the right hand side of the desk; wherein the fifth side is at the front corner, considering the typewriter position, nearest the leading edge of the pullout shelf; wherein the restraining strip against which the fifth side abuts is a false drawer front secured to the pullout shelf at its leading edge; and wherein the pivot is placed in the first quadrant, considering the turntable when viewed from above as being divided into four quadrants.

4. The desk of claim 1 wherein the pullout shelf is in self-aligning tracks in the left hand side of the desk; wherein the fifth side is at the front corner, considering the typewriter position, nearest the leading edge of the pullout shelf; wherein the restraining strip against which the fifth side abuts is a false drawer front secured to the pullout shelf at its leading edge; and wherein the pivot is placed on a line equidistant between the sides of the turntable but closer to the back than to the center, when viewed from the front of the desk.

5. The desk of claim 1 wherein the pullout shelf is in self-aligning tracks in the right hand side of the desk; wherein the fifth side is at the front corner, considering the typewriter position, nearest the leading edge of the pullout shelf; wherein the restraining strip against which the fifth side abuts is a false drawer front secured to the pullout shelf at its leading edge; and wherein the pivot is placed on a line equidistant between the sides of the turntable but closer to the back than to the center, when viewed from the front of the desk.

6. The desk of claim 1 wherein the pullout shelf is a folding action type in the left hand side of the desk; wherein the fifth side is at the back nearest the leading edge of the pullout shelf, considering the typewriter position, wherein the restraining strip against which the fifth side abuts is a vertical upright forming a back wall behind the typewriter; and wherein the pivot is placed in the second quadrant, considering the turntable when viewed from above as being divided into four quadrants.

References Cited by the Examiner CHANCELLGR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A DESK HAVING A PULLOUT TYPEWRITER SHELF DISPOSED WITHIN ONE SIDE THEREOF THE COMBINATION OF A TURNTABLE VERTICALLY SPACED FROM THE SHELF BUT PIVOTALLY MOUNTED THEREON FOR HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID MOUNTING PIVOT, THE PIVOT BEING POSITIONED OFF CENTER, THE TURNTABLE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR OR SQUARE EXCEPT FOR A SHORT FIFTH SIDE FORMED BY A CUTOFF CORNER, WITH A VERTICAL UPRIGHT RESTRAINING STRIP DISPOSED ON SAID SHELF AND SO ATTACHED TO THE SHELF AS TO PERMIT ABUTMENT OF THE FIFTH SIDE THEREAGAINST DURING PIVOTING TO STOP THE TURNTABLE, THE FIFTH SIDE AND THE STRIP DETERMINING THE ULTIMATE TURNTABLE

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