US252908A - Table attachment for beds - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

' R. L. STOKES.

TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

No. 252,908. Patented Jan. 31,1882.

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UNITED STATES ATENT Trice.

ROBERT L. STOKES, OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.

TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,908, dated January 31, 1882.

" Application filed December 14, I881. (No model.) I H To all whom t'tmay concern Be it known that I, ROBERT L. STOKES, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Jeffersonville, in the county of Oiark and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table At tachments for Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to those tables which are so arranged as to be temporarily applied to beds, for the purpose of supporting food, medicines, books, &c.; and'the first part of my improvements comprises a novel construction of slotted clamp wherewith the table can be readily and securely fastened to any form of bed-rail, as hereinafter more fully described.

The second part of my improvements comprises a novel combination of bracket, bearings, and set-screw, wherewith the table can be securely maintained either in a horizontal or inclined position, as hereinafter more futly described.

The third part of my invention consists in applying to the table-standard a swivel arm or bracket carrying a lamp, by which arrangement the lightma-y be swung around so as to occupy the most convenient position with reference to the table, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation showing the device attached to the side rail of a bed, the table being shown tilt-ed toward the latter and the lamp-holder being represented in line with the table-bracket. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the upper portion of the device, the lamp-holder being shown swung around nearly at a right angle to its former position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the slotted clamp. Fig. 4 shows the devices for securing the angular adjustment ofthe table. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the upper part ot'the slotted clamp, the screw thereof being sectioned.

The bed'rail A, which may be of any desired size or shape, has fastened to it a clamp composed of a plate, B, pierced with two longitudinal slots, 1) b, which latter are traversed by lugs cc, projecting rearwardly from washers O G, theobject of said lugs being to prevent rotation ofsaid washers when'the thumbscrews D I) are turned. Thesethumb-screws D D engage respectively with bent keepers E E, adapted to grasp the inner side of rail A, as seen in Fig. 3.

Uast with. or secured to plate B is a tubular socket, F, having a thnmh-screw,f, to permit vertical adjustment of a rod, shaft, or standard, G, which standard has either a fixed or shit'table collar, I], supporting a swivel-arm or bracket, I, adapted to revolve freelyaround the spindle g of said standard as soon as the thumb-screw i is slackened. The upper end of arm I is pierced at c" to receive the stem of a holder, J, within which latter is seated any suitable form of lamp or other illuminating device, K. The swivel bearing of arm I supports a socket, L, into which passes the upper portion of spindle g, a thumb-screw, 1, being provided to prevent accidental rotation of said socket. This socket carries a laterally-projecting bracket, N, which is preferably a round rod or bar, as seen in Fig. 4, in order thatjhe boxes or bearings O 0 may turn freely thereon when not restrained by the set screw or screws 0. a table, P, of any suitable size, shape, and material, one edge of said table being provided with a ledge, It, to prevent books, paper, &c., slipping 01? when said table is so inclined as to serve as a desk. (See Fig. 2.)

pable of being inserted in holes pot the table, by which arrangement said ledgemay be readily detached when its service is not needed.

In applying my table attachment to a bed the bent keepers E E arefirst brought to bear against the top and bottom edges and rear side of rail A, as seen in Fig. 3, after which act the retaining devices D D are screwed up, thereby clamping the plate B securely to said rail. Standard G is then inserted in socket F and secured by thumb-screw f, and the swivel-arm I and socket L are applied to spindle g of said standard. The table P being now slipped on the bracket N and lamp K seated in the socket J, the standard G is adjusted vertically, so as to maintain said table at the height most convenient for the occupant of the bed, said standard being secured in this position with the thumb-screwy" and rotation of the socket L being prevented by means of the screw 1.

If it is desired to use the table P as a recep tacle for dishes, &c., it is brought to a level position and secured with the thumb-screw 0, the ledge B being omitted; but when said table is to'be used as a desk or for supporting writing materials, &c., it is inclined at any desired angle, the ledge It being now applied, so as to prevent the books and papers slipping oil.

When used at nightthelampKislighted,and the swivel-armI is swung around so as to bring the light as near the table as may be desired.

From the above description it is evident the keepers E E, slots 1) l), and screws D D ena ble the plate 13 to'be readily clamped to any bed-rail, no matter what size the latter may be, while the thumb screws f i 1 allow any desired range of adjustment.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, in a table "attachment for beds, of slotted plate B b 1), screws 1) D, and keepers E E, said plate being provided with a socket, F, that supports the standard of said attachment, as herein described.

2. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of the round rod or bracket N;bearings O, thumb-screw 0, and table P, which latter is attached to said bearings, as herein described.

3. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of a swivel-arm, I, provided at its free end with a lamp-holder, said arm being applied to the same standard that supports the table-bracket, as herein described.

4. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of standard G, support H, swivelarm I, socket L, bracket N, and table P, the free end of said arm being provided with a lamp-holder, as herein described.

5. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of slotted plate B I) b, washers U c G c, thumb-screws D D, and keepers E E, as herein described.

In testimony whereof I affix my in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. STOKES.

signature Witnesses:

SAM. H. IERIN, J OHN TIIOMLEY.

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