Knock-Down Footstool: Bolted Metal Legs and Rails Under a Screwed-On Wooden Top (Bolens, 1900)

"The above-described base has the advantage of being a knockdown structure, and thus I provide for economical storage and transportation."

Cut four legs of steel angle to the notebook's length, his corner legs A. At the top of each, cut and bend a small tab inward to make the flange and lug (his b and c), and drill the lug for a top screw. File off sharp edges.

Cut two side rails and two end rails of flat bar, his rails B. Bend each end slightly (his offset ends) so it lies flush inside the leg's angle. Drill matching holes through rail ends and legs.

Bolt each rail end to its leg with a bolt and nut, his bolts f and nuts g. Check the base stands square and level.

Cut and sand a hardwood top, his top C. Set it on the base and drive a screw up through each leg's lug into it, his screws h. Upholster it if you like, as he allows.

**Harry W. Bolens** of Port Washington, Wisconsin, US 640,265, dated 2 January 1900, filed 4 October 1899. He claimed "a footstool-base consisting of legs provided at their upper ends with inwardly-extending flanges as well as horizontal lugs ... apertured for the engagement of top securing devices" and rails between the flanges. His legs and rails were castings, though he does not limit the material; the steel angle and flat bar, the bent lugs, the hardwood top and all sizes are ours.