US34448A - Improved school-desk - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC JAMES S. RANKIN, OF MADISON, INDIANA.

IMPROVED SCHOOL-DESK.

Specification forming part of Letters ?atent No. 34,448, dated February 18, 1862. q

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. RANKIN, of Madison, in the County of Jefferson and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in SchoOl-Desks; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention consists in so connecting a series of desks and seats together by a central beam as to render two feet or supports sufficient for each desk, thus simplifying the construction and reducing the cost of the same.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of a desk and seats contiguous. Fig. 2 is a Vertical projection or end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a series of desks and seats connected as above described.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in all the drawings.

A A are the two uprights or legs, to which the end brackets B B are secured. On these are supported the desks C. Underneath the desk-cover Cis a shelf D, for receiving books, slates, c. E is the back board, slightly inclined and secured to uprights A A. F is the Seat, also secured to uprights,and supported on curved end brackets (of Wood) G G. H H are strips, one above and the other beneath the seat F, the object of which is to stiffen the whole desk and seat.

Transversely of each desk, but longitudinally of the Series, the connecting-beam I is laid, being secured to the seats F,-to the backs E E, and to the upper strips H H. The shelves D D underneath the desks O C rest on this longitudinalconnecting-bearn and are secu red thereto.

Each desk and Seat accommodates two pupils, Who are divided by the longitudinal beam above' mentioned, and the space between C and D is divided into two by a Small partition Vertically above and over the beam I. The whole series of desks being connected together by the beam I, as above described, each desk Stands firmly, although only having two uprights or feet. I would remark here, however, that without prej udice to my claim for constructing desks With only two feet I reserve the right, if needful, of sup porting the Seat F in the middle by a prop Or'foOt to prevent sagging from the Weight of the pupils seated thereon. It is unnecessary, however, (and herein is one of the advantages pertaining to my invention,) when the desks are thus connected together, to fasten them down to the floor, unless, perhaps, at each eX- tremity of the series, as the Weight of the Whole is suflicient to prevent their being moved from their places by the pupils. Con trarily, by grown people the series could easily be removed for convenieuce of cleaning, if required.

The advantages of my inveution are, first, simplicity and case of construction; second,

economy in material and labor; third, con-.

venience to pupils from the absence of superfluous and interfering legs preventing easy access to the seats; fourth, convenience to those engaged in cleaning the rooms, the broom passing easily between and under the desks, being unobstructed by legs and props, and, further, the whole being easily removed and replaced. These advantagesare great, and can be appreciated both by pupils and teachers.

I disclaim connecting desks together by means of iron bolts or other niere braces which do not enter into Or make part of the framing of the desks.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Building the frame-work of a series ot' school-desks on a continuous central wooden joist or beam I, running fore and aft, the desks and joist being mutually framed into each other, substantially as herein set forth.

JAMES S. RANKIN.

Witnesses':

WM. CLOUGH, JOHN W. VERRY.

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