US695810A - Book-rest. - Google Patents

Description

No. 695,8I0.

J. R. HILL.

800K REST.

(Application led may 18, 19012) Patented Mar. I8, |902.,

wwwrun? Uivrrnn Spares Armar OFFICE.

BooK- REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,810, dated March 18, 1902.

Application filed May 181 1901- To all wtont it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN R. HILL, of Vashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Book- Rests; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to book-rests, and has for its object the provision of simple and highly-efficient means to permit of the leaves being readily adjusted to any desired inclination for supporting books in reading and also to permit of conversion into a table.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing in dotted lines the leaves positioned for use as a table and in full lines for use as book-rests. Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through one of the clamps and a portion of its respective leaf. Fig. 4 is a section through the rotary clamp.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a base supporting an upright tubular standard 2, wherein fits a rod 3, secured at its upper end to the under side of a narrow board 4, the latter constituting the center of a table 5. The rod 3 passes through and is designed to be held by a clamp G. This clamp consists of split jaws 7, extending from a disk 8 on the upper end of a sleeve 9, which latter is passed through an exteriorly threaded couplingsleeve lO, screwed into tube 2. On lthe lower end of sleeve 9 is a collar 12, which permits the clamp to rotate axially without interfering with the coupling-sleeve. Rod 3 is raised and lowered to place the table at the desired height by loosening thumbscrew 13, passed through the split jaws.

The table 5 in addition to its central board 4 has two leaves 111, hinged at their inner ends to said board. To the under sides of the leaves are secured depending plates 15, formed with laterally-extending wings 1G, with which engage the opposite grooved faces of a two-part clamp 17, each clamp being mounted on the outer end of one of two links 18. These links at their inner ends are pivoted to the collar 19, permanently secured on rod 3 a short distance below its upper end. Each of the clamps 17 has a thumb-screw 20, by loosening which the clamp may be moved longitudinally of the depending plate 15, so as to position the leaves 1-1 at the desired inclination. This adjustment of position of each leaf may be accomplished by one hand of the operator supporting the leaf on its under side in first loosening and then tightening the clamp against plate 15.

21 designates stop-boards equipped with dowel-pins 22, which fit in corresponding openings in the leaves 14, from which said boards project at right angles. These boards form stops for books resting on the leaves when the latter are set on an incline. When, however, it is desired to convert the device into a table, as for playing cards or other use, the stopboards are removed and placed within pockets 23, depending from the center board 4. These pockets are shown as consisting of wires 21 and central blocks 25, preferably faced with a suitable covering 26 to prevent scratching. From the side edges of each leaf project rounded lugs 27, with which rubber bands 28 may be caused to engage, said bands being designed to hold open a bookl while being read.

29 is a shelf` equipped at its center with a sleeve 30, which fits over tube 2 and rests upon a collar 31. This shelf which is free to rotate may be used to support magazines or small books.

From what 4has been said it will be seen that the rod 3 is permanently secured to the under side of the table,and that the clamp by which the height of the table is controlled is free to revolve in the coupling-sleeve,and that the supporting-links are pivoted at theirinner ends to a collar permanently fastened to the rod, so that the weight of each leaf is directly against this collar. It will also be noted that the adjustment of the leaves may be easily accomplished by one hand of the operator,who supports the leaf by the same hand by which the thumb-screw is loosened and tightened, and that by making the stop-boards removable the leaves may be positioned horizontally IOO for use as a table and the boards placed out of the Way in the pockets beneath the central holding it as against longitudinal movement,

but allowing it to revolve axially, as set forth.

2. The combination with the tubular standard and the hinged leaves, of the rod for supporting said leaves extended into said standard, the coupling fitted in the Lipper end of the latter, the clamp on said rod comprising a split jaw, a thumb-screw, a disk carrying said jaw and having a sleeve extending through said coupling, and a collar on the lower end of said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination With the tubular standard, of the rod, the clamp securing said rod to said standard, means for permitting said clamp to move axially, the table having a central section to which said rod is secured, and leaves hinged to said section, said leaves having depending narrow portions on their under sides, links pivotally secured to said rod at their inner ends, and clamps pivoted to the outer ends of said links for hugging the sides of said depending portions of said leaves, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination With the tubular standard, the rod and the clamp holding the latter in said standard, of the table having acentral section to Which said rod is secured, leaves hinged to said section having depending plates formed With lateral flanges,a collar fast on said rod, links pivotally secured at their inner ends to said collar,tWo-part clamps having grooves in their opposite faces and pivotally secured to the outer ends of said links, and thumb -screWs for binding said clamps against the flanged plates on the end under sides of the leaves, as set forth.

5. The combination With the table having a central section and leaves hinged thereto, of the stop-boards removably secured to said leaves near their outer ends, and pockets on the under side of said central board for holding said stop-boards when not in use, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the table having a central board and leaves hinged thereto,of the stop-boards having pins for fitting in holes in said leaves, and pockets depending from said center board for holding said stop-board when not in use, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN R. HILL.

Witnesses:

GRAFTON L. MCGILL, FRANK S. MAGUIRE.

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