Library doors ?

[Grahamshed]

In my dim distant younger days I can remember seeing cabinet doors ( usually glazed ) that hinged up and then slid under the shelf that they were somehow suspended from. They were, I think, traditionally used on bookcases and I have always referred to them as 'library doors'. I have been searching for pictures or plans for these as I want to make a cupboard with them but cannot find any mention of them by this name or as 'up and over' doors. I can work out a way to do it easily enough but am not sure how they were originally made.
Any ideas ?

 

[barkwindjammer]

These ?

http://www.achome.co.uk/antiques/vintage_office.htm

 

[Shrubby]

They are often called Barrister bookcases. Some have complex patent door mechanisms, I have a shop cabinet with the same doors, they simply pivot on small steel pins at the top of the flap which slide along grooves run into the cabinet sides. The front of the flap is supported on two pins fixed each side of the cabinet just below the sliding groove
Matt

 

[marcros]

Norm made one of these on a show shown a few weeks back. Might be worth looking on YouTube?

 

[Grahamshed]

Yep, thats the ones. The original mechanisms look quite involved but sliding a pin in a grove is basically what I was thinking of. I tried youtube without any success but I will look for 'Norm'...... I assume that is the new yankee thing ?

 

[barkwindjammer]

I'm guessing its as exactly as Shrubby explained-with possibly some kind of 'scissor-X frame' in brass to make the movement smooth and parallel - ?

 

[marcros]

That was it. He also called it a barrister or barristers bookcase

Edit. Just had a quick look and can't find anything. Iirc though it was a pin in a routed groove.

 

[rafezetter]

Yep, thats the ones. The original mechanisms look quite involved but sliding a pin in a grove is basically what I was thinking of. I tried youtube without any success but I will look for 'Norm'...... I assume that is the new yankee thing ?

"new yankee thing?" get thee hence! Surely you jest Grahamshed ? :lol:

Norm Abram bought some plastic slide mechanisms for the lift and tilt function so they are around.

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

All the Globe Wernickes I have worked on had a roller attached to the top of the door which ran on a track at the top of each cupboard in much the same way that modern cabinet drawers work. the more expensive ones have a canvas roller blind fixed at the back of the cupboard and attached to the top edge of the door so when you pull the door down the canvas is drawn over the books to create a dust cover. A really neat design and I think I am right in saying it was the worlds first modular furniture.