US680208A - Combination furniture. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Aug. 6, I90l.

G Q Q c. & E. sT. HILAIRE.

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& E. sr. HILAIRE. COMBINATION FURNITURE.

(Application filed Nov. 28, 1899.)

'2 shefs-sheet 2.

(No Model.)

l l will 31u/wan fou UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE.

CAMILLE ST. HILAIRE AND ETTIENNE ST. HILAIRE, OE WILSON, MICHIGAN.

COMBINATION FURNITURE.

SPEGIFCAEION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,208, dated August l6, 1901. Application tiled November 28, 1899. Serial No. 738,563. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it 17m/y concern.-

Be it known that we, CAMILLE ST. HILAIRE and ETTIENNE ST. HILAIRE, citizens of the United States, residing at Wilson, in the county of Menominee, State of Michigamhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Furniture; and we do herebydeclare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of our invention is to provide an article of furniture which combines several well-known pieces now in common use; and with this object in view we construct a device such as is described in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate similar parts, in the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of our invention, and Fig. 2 is an end view of our invention when used as one article of furniture and showing other uses to which it may be put in dotted lines.

Referring now to the drawings, in the manufacture of our invention We construct a rectangular base portion a, in the front of which and centrally thereof is a recess b, having vertical dividing-walls c, resulting in inter-` spaces d for the reception of account-books and similararticles. The recessb is bounded at either side by cupboards e, having shelves e', which said cupboards are accessible at the ends of the base-piece ct and may be closed by doors f, having knobs f'. Adjacent each of the cupboards e, forwardly thereof, and also accessible at the ends of the base a are a series of drawers g, arranged one upon another.

Extending longitudinally of the base a is a back board h, extending beyond the ends of the said base. Hinged to the upper edge of the back board 7L is a rectangular portion t', comprising a rear Wallj, at the center of which is mounted a mirror o. At either side of the mirror k are recesses Z, each having a series of transversely-arranged shelves m. Beyond the recesses Zand accessible at the ends of the body z' are cupboards fn, having shelves o and suitable doors u', closing the interspaces.

The top board p of the base portion a is not held rigidly in position, but is held in place by means of hooks q, fitting into sockets fr, which are shown in dotted lines in Eig. 2. To the front portion of the top board p is hinged a board s, which is normally held in engagement with the board p through the medium of a spring u. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.)

When it is desired to use our invention as a desk, the top board p is raised and the spring u turned on its pivot u', allowing the board s to fall. Hooks q are then adjusted in the sockets t, and the base of the board s is allowed to rest above the drawers g, thus holding the top board p at the desired slant. When the desk is put out of use, the board s is again fastened by the spring u, the hooks removed from their supports, and the board t brought down into position upon the top of the base portion o. When it is desired to use the dining-table, the upright body t is swung on its hinges and brought downwardly until the support c rests upon the body portion a, and when in this position a cloth may be spread upon its then upper surface, as is customary in the use of an ordinary table.

If preferred, instead of the employment of ordinary hinges to secure the body i to the back board h spring-hinges may be used, which will greatly lessen the amount of labor required to support the body t when bringing it into the proper position for using as a table.

The 'shelves o may be used for the reception of napkins, dac. The cupboards c may be used for dishes, &c. The drawers g may be used for clothing, and the shelves may be used for toilet articles. In the upper portion of the base portion a and accessible at its front is a drawer fw, in which may be placed tablecloths.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that our invention may be used as a chiffonnier, cupboard, desk, dining-table, or bureau, and when put to the latter use the advantages of the mirror k will be realized.

It will be readily understood that We may make slight alterations in the construction above described without departing materially from the spirit of our invention.

Having now described this construction and operation, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent is- IOO 1. An article of furniturel comprising a lower body portion, an upper body projecting above the lower body portion and having a portion over-hanging the lower body portion,

5 said overhanging portion having hook-receiv- Io adapted to support the forward portion of the top and a spring-catch on the under side of the top for engagement with the support to hold it in inoperative positi'on.

2. In an article of furniture, the combina- I5 tion witha lower body portion of a back portion extending thereabove, an upper body portion hinged to the back portion and overhanging the lower body portion, said upper body being adapted to fold to lie horizontally zo upon the lower body portion, a top for'th'e lower body portion removable therefrom and having hooks, hook-receiving devices onthe back `portion to receive the hooks and hold the top on the lower body portion, hook-re'- ceiving means on the upper body portion to receive the hooks of the top, and hold the top above the lower body portion, a support hinged to the underside of the top to rest on the lower body portion and support the top in an inclined position, and a latch for holding the support in inoperative position.

In testimony whereof we affix our seals and sign our names in the presence of two witnesses.

cAMILLE s'r. HILAIRE. [n s.] ETTIENNE sr. HILAIRE. [Le] Witnesses:

RALPH PRINCE, WILLIAM BALcH.

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