Typewriter desk

April 18, 1939

B. BARGEN

2,155,293

TYPEWRITER DESK

Sheets-Sheet- 1

Filed Feb. 10, 1938

<img file="US2155293A_D0001.tif" />

April 18, 1939.

B. BARGEN

TYPEWRITER DESK Filed Feb. 10, 1938

2,155,293

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2155293A_D0002.tif" />

<img file="US2155293A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US2155293A_D0004.tif" />

April 18, 1939.

<img file="US2155293A_D0005.tif" />

B BARGEN

TYPEWRITER DESK Filed Feb. 10, 1938

2,155,293

Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US2155293A_D0006.tif" />

vuc'ntoC' /5 r/f/v/v/j/iO /5λgy'/v^

Patented Apr. 18, 1939

2,155,293

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

This invention relates to a typewriter desk of that type for concealing a typewriter when not desired for use and for supporting the latter firmly in extended relation with respect to the 5 top of the desk when the typewriter is to be used.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the class referred to including stationary supporting means for the typewriter when the latter is in extended position for use, and with said means being permanently free of attachment directly or indirectly to the typewriter.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the '5 class referred to including a hinged slidable top section capable of being raised and swung rearwardly to permit of the concealed typewriter to be manually shifted and guided to a position in supported extended relation with respect to the 20 top of the desk, and with said top section being permanently free of direct or indirect connection to the typewriter.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the 25 class referred to including means free of connection to the typewriter for supporting the latter in concealed and extended positions; a desk having no part thereof permanently attached to the typewriter; and a desk having a normally closed ³⁰ typewriter compartment so formed as to require for the typewriter to be manually pulled upwardly at an inclination, manually pulled forwardly horizontally, and manually pushed rearwardly for disposing it in an extended supported 35 position and to require the typewriter to be manually pulled forwardly and lowered at an inclination by gravity for disposing it in concealed position.

The invention further aims to provide, in a 40 manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the class referred to including a typewriter compartment having a normally closed lid free of connection to or with typewriter and capable of being swung to an upstanding position to open the 45 compartment and to provide a copy holder arranged rearwardly of the typewriter when the latter is in extended position for use.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the 50 class referred to or constructed as to permit it to be used from opposite sides whether the typewriter be concealed or in extended position for use.

The invention further aims to provide, in a 55 manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the

8,155,293 TYPEWRITER DESK Bernhard Bargen, Bethel College, Kans. Application February 10, 1938, Serial No. 189,873 4 Claims. (Cl. 312—29) class referred to including a part thereof constituting a copy holder adjustable for distance and height.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the 5 class referred to including means to safeguard the typewriter when the latter moves to concealed position.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the IQ class referred to which eliminates the necessity of clearing the desk before extending or concealing the typewriter.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the 15 class referred to so constructed as to provide ample leg room under the desk top and whereby accessibility is had from either the front or rear thereof.

The invention further aims to provide, in a go manner as hereinafter set forth, a desk of the class referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient for the purpose intended therefor, readily assembled, »5 and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. ’

Embodying the foregoing aims, as well as others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be 30 more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the 35 scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a desk, in accordance with this invention and illustrating that element thereof, in dotted lines, which pro- 4.0 vides a copy holder,

Figure 1A is a rear elevation, upon a reduced scale of the desk shown in Figure 1,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a modified form of desk in accordance with this invention, ₄₅

Figure 3 is a section on line 3—3, Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4—4, Figure 5, with that element of the desk forming the copy holder extended and further showing in dotted lines the typewriter supported in extended rela- _Rntion with respect to the desk, ⁰

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section on line 5—5 Figure 3, ’

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section on line 6—6, Figure 3, ,,

2,155,293 tion 30 and rail 30^a. The desk top portion 31 is arranged upon a pair of spaced parallel slides 35 and to the said slides is fixed the section 33 of a desk top portion 31. When the section 32 is non-extended, it seats on the slides 35.

Arranged between and secured to the standards 25, 26 is an inner wall forming member 36 and arranged between and secured to the standards 23, 24 is an outer wall forming member 37. The desk top portion 31 is slidably mounted on the upper ends of the members 36, 37. The lower ends of the members 36, 37 are connected to the cross braces 28, 29. Arranged between and secured to the standards 24, 26 at their upper end portions is a rectangular strip 38 disposed on its lower lengthwise edge, and arranged between the standards 24, 26 above their lower ends is a rectangular strip 39 disposed on its lower lengthwise edge. ,

The strips 38, 39 are secured to the standards 24 26 in any suitable manner. The bottom edge of strip 38 is grooved, as at 40. The upper edge of the strip 39 is grooved, as at 41. Seated in the grooves 40, 41 is a vertical panel 42, which in connection with the strips 38, 39 provide a rear wall forming member indicated at 43. The side edges of the strip 38, at their upper ends are rabbeted as at 44 to provide clearances for the slides 35 when the desk top portion 31 is shifted rearwardly or forwardly with respect to the standards 24, 30 26. The purpose of the members 36, 37 and 43 will be referred to.

The members 36, 31 have their opposed faces thereof provided with spaced aligned headed combined supporting, guiding, coupling and stop 35 elements 45, 46. The elements 45, 46 carried by the member 36 align respectively with the elements 45, 46 on the member 37. Each slide 35 in proximity to its lower edge is formed lengthwise thereof with a pair of endwise aligned, ₄₀spaced slots 48, 49. The slots 48, 49 of one slide 35 aligned with the slots 48, 49 of the other slide 35 The elements 45, 46 respectively extend through the slots 48, 49 and not only support and guide the slides 35, but also couple the slides to the members 36, 37. The elements 45 coact with the forward end walls of the slots 48 and the elements 46 coact with the forward end walls of the slots 49 for limiting the rearward movement of the slides 35. The elements 45 coact with the rear end walls of the slots 48 and the members 46 coact with the rear end walls of the slots 49 for limiting the forward movement of the slides 35. Each slide 35, directly over its slot 48 has connected thereto a headed member 50 which extends through and couples a slotted slidable link 5i with the slide 35. The links 51 are pivotally connected, as at 52 to the. inner face of the section 32 of the desk top portion 31. The pivotal connections 52 between the links 51 and the said section 32 are arranged in proximity to the side edges of such section 32. The links 51 constitute means for maintaining the section 32 of the desk top portion 31 in an upstanding rearwardly inclined position. The section 32 of ₆₅the desk top portion 31 is provided in proximity to the edge 34 with a handle 53 for the purpose of shifting the portion 31 rearwardly to the position shown in Figure 4 and to provide for pulling the portion 31 forwardly to permit of it be- 70 ing positioned in a manner as shown in Figure 3. The inner face of the section 32 of the desk top portion 31 is provided with spaced parallel dovetailed grooves 54, extending from one side edge to the other side edge of such section 32 and 75

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section on line 7—7, i Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a sectional detail of the desk body.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in top plan and partly in section of the compartment or well for receiving the typewriter and illustrating a modified form of abutment for the machine, and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in transverse section of a modified form of base board for the typewriter.

The desk indicated at 12 in Figures 1 and 1A is what may be termed a skeleton type to permit its use from front and rear thereof. The desk illustrated by Figure 2 and indicated at 13 is what may be termed the drawer type. The desk 12 may or may not be provided with a shelf adjacent one end thereof in proximity to its top, but the desk is shown as set up with a shelf 14. The desk 12 at the end where the shelf 14 is ar-. । ranged is open at its front, its rear and the said end or if desired it may be closed at its rear of shelf 14. The desk 13 at one end portion thereof is shown as being set up with superposed spaced shelves 15 for supporting drawers 16.

Each form of desk shown includes a top generally indicated at 17 and the top of one desk is of the same construction as the top of the other desk. The desk 13 at the front of its other end portion has a drop shelf 18 hinged to a rearwardly extending support 19. That end of the desk 13 adjacent the shelves 15 is closed. The desk 12 includes a support 20 positioned therein in the same manner as the support 19 is arranged within the desk 13. The supports 19, 20 are arranged in proximity to the top 17 of the ³⁰ desks and have a like function. Otherwise than that as stated, the desk 12, 13, will be substantially of like construction and the description of one desk will apply to the description of the other ⁴⁰ Each desk includes a pair of spaced parallel end standards, posts or legs 21, 22: a pair of spaced parallel end standards, legs or posts 23, 24: and a pair of spaced parallel intermediate standards, legs or posts 25, 26. The standard ⁴⁵ 25 is arranged relatively to the standards 21, 23 in parallel spaced relation. The standard 26 is arranged relatively to the standards 22, 24 in parallel spaced relation. The distance between the standards 25, 26 and the standards 21, 22 is ⁵⁰ less than the distance between the standards 25, 26 and the standards 23, 24. The standards 21, 22 are connected together by a cross brace 27 in proximity to their lower end. The standards 25, 26 are connected together by a cross brace 28 in proximity to their lower end, and the standards 23, 24 are connected together by a cross brace 29 in proximity to their lower end.

The top 17 includes a stationary portion 30, a stationary rail 30^a and a shiftable portion 3i arranged between the portion 30 and rail 30^a formed of a front section 32 and a rear section 33 which are hinged together, as at 34. The portion 30 is fixedly secured to the upper ends of the standards 21, 22, 25 and 26. The rail 30^a is secured upon the upper ends of the standards 23, 24. The portion 31 is slidably mounted on the upper ends of the standards 23, 24, 25 and 26. The section 32 of a desk top portion 31 is capable of being extended upwardly and at a rearwardly inclination with respect to the section 33. When the desk top portion 31 is in its non-slidable or nonextendible position, it is flush at its front with the front edge of portion 30 and rail 30^a and has its rear edge flush with the rear edge of the por45

2,16 which are adapted to selectively receive a ledge forming member 55 for supporting the copy, when section 32 is employed as a copy holder. The member 55 permits for supporting the copy 5 at the desired height with respect to the copy holder as it is capable of selectively engaging in a groove 54.

Extending upwardly from the strip 39, at a forward inclination to the support 19 or 20, is a front 10 wall forming member 56. The members 36, 37, 43 and 56 coact to provide an open top compartment or well 56^a for concealing the typewriter, when the latter is not in extended relation with respect to the top of a desk. The simuitation 15 of the typewriter is shown in dotted lines and indicated at 58. The member 56 is secured to the strip 39, the support 19 or 20, and the standards 24, 26. The member 56 has secured upon its upper face lengthwise thereof, spaced parallel 20 combined guides and tracks 57 for purpose to be referred to. The tracks 57 extend from the strip 39 to above the inner end of the support 19 or 20. The upper inner corner of the support 19 or 20 is beveled, as indicated at 58. The upper 25 ends of the tracks 57 are rabbeted, as at 59 for receiving the inner end of a support 19 or 20. Secured upon the upper face of the support 19 or 20, are spaced parallel combined guides and tracks 60 having beveled inner ends 61 form30 ing flush continuations of the tops of the tracks 57. The beveled inner end of the support 19 or 20 provides a clearance for a purpose to be referred to.

Secured transversely of the tracks 57, in prox35. imity to their lower ends, is a strip 62 formed on its upper lengthwise edge with spaced resilient or cushioning abutments 63.

The inner edge of the support 19 or 20 is cut out, as indicated at 64, Figure 5 to provide a 40 clearance for the passage of the hand to grip the typewriter to elevate the latter. The support 19 or 20 is arranged between and fixedly secured to the standards 23, 25 and to the members 36, 37 and is flush with the front of the 45 standards 23, 25. The tracks 60 on the support 19 extend to the drop shelf 18 when the latter is in its elevated position. The drop shelf 18 is hinged on support 19, as at 65. Flexible sustaining means 66 for the drop shelf 18 are con50 nected to the standards 23, 25, as at 67 and to the drop shelf 18 as at 68. When the shelf 18 is lowered it forms a support 19 or 20 and provides an outward continuation of the support 19.

Secured to opposed faces of the members 36, 55 37 and rearwardly of and spaced from the support 19 or 20 are sidewise aligned supporting strips 69 positioned below the slides 35 and having their forward ends beveled as at 70 and with a bevel corresponding to the beveled inner ends ₆₀ 61 of the tracks 60. The upper faces of the strips 69 align with the upper faces of the tracks 60. The forward ends 70 of the strips 69 are spaced from the inner ends 61 of the tracks 60.

The typewriter 58 is to be anchored to a base _6g element or member of slab-like form. With reference to Figure 4, the base element is indicated at 72 and with reference to Figure 10, the base element is indicated at 73. The element 72 is formed from a single piece of any suitable ma70 terial provided in its lower face with spaced parallel guide grooves 74 into which extend the track members 57, 60. With reference to Figure 10, the base element is indicated at 73 and it is formed of upper, intermediate and lower sec75 tions 75, 76 and 77, suitably secured together.

5,293 3

The section 76 is formed of any suitable material having a resilient or cushioning characteristic. The section 77 is formed with spaced aligned grooves 78 into which extend tracks 57, 60. The typewriter is anchored in any suitable manner 5 to and upon the upper face of the base element. The latter is termed a carrier.

The compartment or well 56^a is of substantially triangular contour having an open top which substantially aligns with the support 19 or 20. 10 Access to the compartment 56^a is prevented when the desk top portion 31 is in the position shown in Figure 3 and when said portion 31 is in the position just stated, the parts connected therewith will also be in a position as shown in Fig- 15 ure 3. The section 32 of portion 31 constitutes also a hinged lid for compartment 56^a.

With reference to Figure 9, a modified form of cushioning abutment for the typewriter is shown, and which consists of a strip 79 disposed 20 transversely of and slidably mounted on the tracks 57. Anchored to the outer sides of the outer ones of the tracks 57 are the ends 80 of a pair of controlling springs 81, which have their other ends anchored to the forward edge of the 25 strip 79, in proximity to the ends of the latter as at 82. The forward edge of the strip 79 has secured thereon a pair of spaced cushioning abutments 83, each arranged between a pair of tracks 57. ,₃θ

Secured to the standards 23, 25 and arranged in alignment are stop members 84 for the drop shelf 18, when the latter is moved to closed position, such as shown in Figure 3. The connection 67 for the flexible sustaining means 66 35 are secured to the stops 84.

It will be assumed that the typewriter 58 and the base element which carries it, are in the position shown in Figure 3, the parts 61,70 constituting a switch. When it is desired to use jn the typewriter, the desk top portion 31 is shifted to the position shown in Figure 4, the typewriter and base element therefor are pulled upwardly from within the compartment 56^a to an extent to have the base element at the switch, after which the typewriter is tilted to seat on the “ tracks 60 and it is then in position for use with the rear end of the base element over the switch. Now if it be desired to conceal the typewriter, the base element at its rear is tilted downwardly whereby said element with the typewriter there- ⁶⁰on will, due to force of gravitation, slide down into the compartment 5S^a until its movement is arrested by the shock absorbing means. If it be desired to support the base element or carrier for the typewriter on the tracks 60 and °° strips 69 for the purpose of closing the switch to prevent the accidental return of the typewriter to the compartment 56^a, after the base element has been moved to a position to be supported on ₆₀the tracks 60, the said element and its base element is then pushed rearwardly to an extent to position the rear portion of the base element on the strips 69, as shown in Figure 4, whereby the machine will be supported in extended rela- _rtion with respect to the desk top. Prior to the ° pulling of the typewriter upwardly from within the compartments 56^a, the shelf 18 is lowered to provide a clearance for the base element when the latter moves forwardly on the tracks 60. If 7« desired, after the typewriter has been supported in its extended position with respect to desk top, the shelf 18 may be elevated. However, when lowered, when the typewriter is in position for use, the shelf (8 may be employed for folding 75

2,155,293 papers or for supporting any objects or articles desired by the typist. The tracks 51 and 60 are so related that on the upward inclined and forward pulls of the typewriter from within the 5 compartment 56^a, the base element will travel on tracks 51 and 60.

When shifting the typewriter from its position over the tracks 60 and strips 69 for the purpose of returning it to concealed position within the com10 partment 56^a, it is pulled forwardly to an extent from over the strips 69 to a point whereby the inner end of the base element will be at the inner end of the tracks 60 or rather over the switch. The base element is then tilted to seat on the 15 tracks 51. The base element is then released and moves downwardly by gravitation until it abuts the cushions 63 or 83. The operator may hold the base element if desired when it moves downwardly to prevent excessive speed thereof.

The section 33 of the top portion 3i may have secured thereto ink wells or have removably mounted thereon, ink containers or other appliances to be used by the typist. When the desk is open to obtain access to the typewriter, it is not 25 necessary to remove any of the articles mounted or carried by said section 33.