Reference desk construction

Claim 2

Means for securing a generally flat member to a frame having a flange portion, said means comprising at least one retainer pivotally attached to a face of said flat member adjacent said flange portion, said retainer including an engaging portion and being pivotable between a first position where said engaging portion extends toward and in tight engagement with said flange portion and a second position where said engaging portion is spaced from said flange portion, said engaging portion including a surface which slants from said face toward and is moved into binding engagement with said flange portion solely by pivoting said retainer to said first position.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1, wherein said flat member is above said flange portion of said frame, and said slanting surface extends under said flange portion when said retainer is in said first position, the slanting of said surface compensating for misalignment between said flat member, frame and retainer.

Claim 4

Means for securing a generally flat member to a frame having a large portion, said means comprising at least one retainer pivotally attached to a face of said flat member adjacent said flange portion, said retainer including at one end thereof an engaging portion and being pivotable between a first position where said engaging portion extends toward said flange portion and a second position where said engaging portion is spaced from said flange portion, said engaging portion including a surface which slants from said face toward and into binding engagement with said flange portion when said retainer is in said first position, and a bent portion at the opposite end from said engaging portion, said bent portion having a hole to receive a tool for pivoting said retainer.

Claim 5

Means for securing a generally flat member to a frame having a large portion, said means comprising at least one retainer pivotally attached to a face of said flat member adjacent said flange portion, said retainer including at one end thereof an engaging portion and being pivotable between a first position where said engaging portion extends toward said flange portion and a second position where said engaging portion is spaced from said flange portion, said engaging portion including a surface which slants from said face toward and into binding engagement with said flange portion when said retainer is in said first position, and a bent portion at the opposite end from said engaging portion, said bent portion having a hole to receive a tool for pivoting said retainer.

Claim 6

A reference desk comprising lower support means, generally horizontal frame means positioned over and secured to said lower support means, generally horizontal top means positioned over and secured to said frame means, said frame means having oppositely disposed surfaces which are generally similar, and said top means is secured to either of said surfaces and said support means is secured to the surface opposite to that to which said top means is secured.

Claim 7

A reference desk comprising lower support means, generally horizontal frame means positioned over and secured to said lower support means, generally horizontal top means positioned over and secured to said frame means, said frame means having oppositely disposed surfaces which are generally similar, and said top means is secured to either of said surfaces and said support means is secured to the surface opposite to that to which said top means is secured.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said surfaces comprise generally horizontally extending flanges, and said top means is secured to said frame means by retainers connected to said top means and engageable with either of said flanges.

Claim 9

A reference desk adapted to be secured to either the right side or the left side of a drafting table and thereby form either a right-hand or a left-hand arrangement, said desk comprising lower support means, frame means positioned over said lower support means and secured thereto, and top means positioned over said frame means and secured thereto, said frame means having one position when in one of said arrangements and having an inverted position when in the other of said arrangements, said frame means having oppositely disposed generally similar surfaces, and both of said surfaces having means to connect either said lower support means or said top means thereto and thereby enabling said inversion.

Claim 10

A reference desk adapted to be secured to either the right side or the left side of a drafting table and thereby form either a right-hand or a left-hand arrangement, said desk comprising lower support means, frame means positioned over said lower support means and secured thereto, and top means positioned over said frame means and secured thereto, said frame means having one position when in one of said arrangements and having an inverted position when in the other of said arrangements, said frame means having oppositely disposed generally similar surfaces, and both of said surfaces having means to connect either said lower support means or said top means thereto and thereby enabling said inversion.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said lower support means comprises two separate members, one of said members having means to connect said one member to said drafting table and being adapted to abut said drafting table and the other of said members being remote from said drafting table in either of said arrangements.

Claim 12

Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein one side of said frame means adjacent one end thereof has means to connect said frame means to said drafting table and is adapted to abut said drafting table in both of said arrangements, said frame means including a drawer which opens from said one side and is located adjacent the other end thereof in both of said arrangements.

Claim 13

A reference desk adapted to be secured to either the right side or the left side of a drafting table and thereby form either a right-hand or a left-hand arrangement of said desk and table, said desk comprising lower support means, frame means positioned over said lower support means and secured thereto, and top means positioned over said frame means and secured thereto, said frame means having one position when in one of said arrangements and having an inverted position when in the other of said arrangements, said frame means having oppositely disposed, generally similar surfaces, and means for connecting either of said surfaces to either said lower support means and said top means and thereby enabling said inversion, one side of said frame means adjacent one end thereof being adapted to abut said drafting table in both of said arrangements, said frame means including a drawer which opens from said one side and is located adjacent the other end thereof, said drawer being inverted relative to said frame means when said frame means is inverted to form said other arrangement.

Claim 14

A reference desk adapted to be secured to either the right side or the left side of a drafting table and thereby form either a right-hand or a left-hand arrangement of said desk and table, said desk comprising lower support means, frame means positioned over said lower support means and secured thereto, and top means positioned over said frame means and secured thereto, said frame means having one position when in one of said arrangements and having an inverted position when in the other of said arrangements, said frame means having oppositely disposed, generally similar surfaces, and means for connecting either of said surfaces to either said lower support means and said top means and thereby enabling said inversion, one side of said frame means adjacent one end thereof being adapted to abut said drafting table in both of said arrangements, said frame means including a drawer which opens from said one side and is located adjacent the other end thereof, said drawer being inverted relative to said frame means when said frame means is inverted to form said other arrangement.

Claim 15

Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said frame means includes tracks for supporting said drawer, said tracks being detachably mounted in said frame means and being inverted relative to said frame means when said frame means is inverted.

Claim 16

The combination of a drafting table and reference desk, said table and desk forming alternatively both left and right-hand arrangements, said drafting table comprising a pair of pedeStals and a drawing board mounted on said pedestals, said reference desk comprising a pair of support means, one of said support means alternatively secured to one side or the other side of said drafting table, the other of said support means being remote from said drafting table, frame means, one same side thereof being secured to said drafting table, and a top, said support means and said top being secured to opposite surfaces on said frame means in the left-hand arrangement, and said support means and said top being secured to said surfaces of said frame means in reverse position of the left-hand arrangement to form the right-hand arrangement.

Claim 17

The combination of a drafting table and reference desk, said table and desk forming alternatively both left and right-hand arrangements, said drafting table comprising a pair of pedeStals and a drawing board mounted on said pedestals, said reference desk comprising a pair of support means, one of said support means alternatively secured to one side or the other side of said drafting table, the other of said support means being remote from said drafting table, frame means, one same side thereof being secured to said drafting table, and a top, said support means and said top being secured to opposite surfaces on said frame means in the left-hand arrangement, and said support means and said top being secured to said surfaces of said frame means in reverse position of the left-hand arrangement to form the right-hand arrangement.

Claim 18

Means for securing a desk top to a desk frame having a flange, said means comprising a retainer formed of sheet metal, said retainer having one portion adapted to be pivotably secured to said top and a second portion having an inclined edge, said portions being perpendicular to each other, said edge being inclined with respect to said one portion and adapted to tightly engage said flange.

Claim 19

Means for securing a desk top to a desk frame having a flange, said means comprising a retainer formed of sheet metal, said retainer having one portion adapted to be pivotably secured to said top and a second portion having an inclined edge, said portions being perpendicular to each other, said edge being inclined with respect to said one portion and adapted to tightly engage said flange.

Claim 20

Means as in claim 12, further comprising a third portion adapted to be engaged by a tool for pivoting said retainer, said third portion being perpendicular to said one and second portions.