MagicGizmo

Tables that turn inside out and shut up into the similitude of a portmanteau have long enjoyed favor with magicians, but most of them have seemed to me rather futile arrangements, without utility, and too often indicating that the exhibitor is hard pressed for excuse to introduce them.

I designed a table of this class, on a different principle to those in common use, and with a specific purpose. It has a desk slope for the purpose of displaying card tricks (Fig. 10), and at the conclusion of the trick, it shuts up with the materials in use inside it. It does not have to be turned inside out or upside down, but is just lifted as it stands, upon the completion of the trick in progress: the top folds inwards along the central line, the underside of the table becomes the outside of the case, into which the legs recede. To a small trick, lacking in “body,” it forms a definite climax. I used it particularly in a trick involving a display of the “Mexican Turnover.”

The table itself measures 30 in. x 26-1/2 in. and stands 24 in. high. This height is effectively increased by the rising of the desk-like panel. The main frame folds in the center and forms a well, two inches deep, within which is a green-baize covered panel, itself folding across the center, hinged to the front, so that it can be raised, and supported by struts, the length of which can be varied to suit requirements.

Two pairs of struts are provided, a short pair for a desk-like slope, spring hinged to the back of the panel, and a longer pair, for an easel-like incline, hinged to the inside of the well. Either pair of struts can be used independently of the others. For inspection of the internal functions, we will remove this panel, as in fact it can be removed in the original, for access to the parts, for setting; the panel slides in and out of clips that are part of the hinges.

It is in two sections, connected only by the baize covering on the front, but derives support on the lower edge from the hinge clips and on the upper edge by the tension of an elastic strap and buckle B. Fig.12. The two halves of the frame are hinged like a book, and a central bolt locks it in the open position. This bolt is attached to one of the sliding frames that lock and release the legs and is operated by the same control.

An additional safety catch to give extra rigidity while in use, is provided on the outside: this is released by a separate projecting lever at the rear. Each half of the framework is closed in with plywood on the under side, forming a bottom to the table well, and the outside wall of the case when folded. Each carries duplicated actions for the folding of the legs within it.

Every one of the four legs is fixed to a wooden bar, running along the ends of the inside of the frame. These are pivoted at the ends, and as they turn, they carry the legs with them. A flexible strap is wound round the bar and attached to a strong spiral spring, at tension, with a fixed point at a convenient distance.

A sliding bar, with proper guides, impinges at each end against metal face plates fixed upon the leg bars, square with the legs themselves, and keeps the same at right angles to the table top when pushed in towards the center, and releases them when withdrawn. These sliding bars are attached by cords to the handles hinged to the sides of the table.

When the handles are pressed down, the cords are slackened and the bars can be pushed in. When the table is lifted by the handles, the weight of the former has the effect of pulling the handles outwards; these in turn pull upon the cords and the leg distending bars are drawn back. Two slots upon the outside of the case, with spring-hinged cover-flaps, permit the passage of the legs as they fly round.

The cover-flaps have eyelets that pass through the plywood when they are folded back against the side of the case: these eyelets are fastened from the inside by pins fixed to small levers, that in turn are connected by thin cords to the opposite halves of the case, the effect being that as the table top closes, a strain is put upon them that gives the pull required for the release.

Fig. 11 shows the legs receding into their recess and the cover-flap following up, and will give a good general idea of the method of folding. Fig. 12 shows the main features of the internal construction, so far as it can be shown without a full set of detailed scale drawings. As the exact construction is a matter of more interest to a mechanic than to a performer I have not attempted more than a bare outline.

Note to Fig. 12.-The panel struts are shown temporarily folded back to leave interior exposed. Their normal position is lying in the reverse direction.