WALL-MOUNTED FOLDING TABLE

Abstract

The wall-mounted folding table has a cabinet adapted for mounting on a wall. A table or workbench is enclosed in the cabinet and may be folded outwardly therefrom when desired. Gas springs are provided to assist in unfolding and folding the table. Telescopic legs and adjustable feet are utilized for varying the leg length. Sliding doors are employed as a space-saving function to open and close the cabinet. The sliding doors are fabricated from pegboard so that an array of tools can be hung thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to support structure, and particularly to a wall-mounted folding table that is housed in a cabinet.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In many environments (condominiums, basement workrooms, dormitory rooms, etc.) space is at a premium, and furniture must be chosen that can be accommodated in the usable space. In such instances foldable furniture has been utilized in an attempt to more efficiently use the available space. Often, in such environments a workbench-type structure is needed for supporting thereon materials and tools to be used for a particular endeavor (repair-project, hobby, etc.). Furthermore, the needed tools are usually scattered about and must be found before the aforementioned endeavor can proceed. It would certainly enhance efficiency and effort if a compact workbench were available that could be folded for storage in a cabinet when not in use, and in which the cabinet would also include means for keeping tools in an orderly array. Thus, a wall-mounted folding table solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The wall-mounted folding table includes a cabinet adapted for mounting on a wall. A table or workbench is encompassed within the cabinet walls and may be folded outwardly therefrom when desired. Gas springs are provided to assist in unfolding and folding the table. Telescopic legs and adjustable feet are utilized for varying the leg length. Sliding doors are employed instead of hinged doors as a space-saving function to open and close the front of the cabinet. The sliding doors arc fabricated from pegboard so that an array of tools can be hung thereon.

[0006] Accordingly, the invention presents a wall-mounted cabinet that encloses a table therein. A linkage system is attached to the table and cabinet to permit the table to be folded out of the cabinet for use and folded into the cabinet when not in use. Sliding doors close the cabinet when the table is folded therein for storage, All pivot points are provided with nylon bushings to prevent metal-to-metal contact and thereby reduce friction. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0007] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a wall-mounted, folding table according to the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wall-mounted, folding table of FIG. 1, shown in an unfolded position.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the wall-mounted, folding table of FIG. 1, shown in an unfolded position.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of the wall-mounted, folding table of FIG. 1, shown in a folded position and with the cabinet doors open.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of the wall-mounted, folding table of FIG. 1, shown in a folded position and with the cabinet doors closed.

[0013] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the wall-mounted folding table assembly, generally indicated at 10, comprises a cabinet 12 adapted for mounting on a planar wall surface. The cabinet 12 is preferably of rectangular configuration, having vertical and horizontal peripheral walls W. It should be noted that other configurations (hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) may be employed, if found suitable. The cabinet 12 is formed with an open front and rear and is dimensioned to enclose a folded table F therein. A panel member P is provided to stabilize the table within the cabinet 12, when folded. Upper and lower rails 14 extend horizontally and are coextensive with the width of the cabinet 12 at the open front. A pair of doors 16 is mounted on rails 14 for sliding movement thereon, thereby allowing the open front of the cabinet 12 to be selectively exposed or closed, as desired. The doors 16 are fabricated from pegboard to allow a plurality of tools T to be hung thereon in an orderly array.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the table F comprises a working surface 20 having a rear end 20a mounted for pivotal movement to a support member 22. The support member 22 is mounted to the cabinet 12 in any convenient and suitable manner. In folded position, the working surface 20 will be oriented in a vertical position. When unfolded, the working surface 20 will be oriented in a horizontal position. Support legs 24 are pivotally attached to the underside of working surface 20 adjacent the front end 20b thereof. A linkage system 26 functions to provide stability for the working surface 20 and to insure that the legs 24 remain perpendicular to the floor when the table F is in its unfolded position.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, each leg 24 incorporates a telescopic adjustable section 24a. Each section 24a is provided at its lower end with an adjustable foot 28. This arrangement permits pre-adjustment to allow the working surface to be mounted at either desk or workbench height.

[0017] A pair of gas springs 30 is provided to assist in raising and lowering the working surface 20. A first end of each spring 30 is pivotally mounted to the support member 22. The second end of each spring 30 is pivotally mounted to the underside of the working surface 20. The assist provided by the gas springs 30 requires a user to exert a force equivalent to only 2 lbs. when unfolding the table F and 6 lbs. when folding the table F. The springs 30 also function to hold the table F in a vertical position when folded. A safety latch and handle 32 (shown in FIG. 4) is provided to facilitate operation of the assembly.

[0018] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A wall mounted folding table, comprising: a cabinet defining an enclosure, the cabinet being adapted for mounting on a planar wall surface, the cabinet having an open front and an open rear; a table having a front end, a rear end and an undersurface the rear end being pivotally mounted to the cabinet. a pair of legs pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the table closely adjacent the front end; a pair of gas springs, each of the gas springs having a respective first end and second end, each of the first ends being pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the table, each of the second ends being pivotally mounted to the cabinet; and doors mounted on the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the open front of the cabinet.

2. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 1, wherein each said leg has with a respective telescopic section.

3. The wall-mounted, folding table according to claim 1, wherein each said leg has a respective telescopic section and of the telescopic sections has an adjustable foot.

4. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 1, wherein said doors are mounted for sliding movement for selectively opening and closing the open front of said cabinet.

5. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 1, wherein said doors are fabricated from pegboard.

6. A wall-mounted folding table, comprising: a cabinet defining an enclosure, the cabinet being adapted for mounting on a planar wall surface, the cabinet having horizontal and vertical peripheral walls, an open rear and an open front; a support member mounted to the vertical peripheral walls of the cabinet; a table having a front end, a rear end, a working surface and an undersurface, the rear end being pivotally mounted to the support member, the table having a first, folded position in which the working surface is oriented in a vertical position, and a second, unfolded position in which the working surface is oriented in a horizontal position; a pair of legs pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the table closely adjacent the front end of the table; a pair of gas springs, each of the gas springs having a respective first end and second end, each of the first ends being pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the table and each of the second ends being pivotally mounted to the support member; and a pair of doors mounted on the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the open front of the cabinet.

7. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 6, wherein each said leg has a respective telescopic section.

8. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 6, wherein said leg has a respective telescopic section and each of the respective telescopic sections has a respective adjustable foot.

9. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 6, wherein said doors are mounted for sliding movement for selectively opening and closing the open front of said cabinet.

10. The wall-mounted, folding table according to claim 6, wherein said doors are fabricated from pegboard.

11. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 6, further including a latch for securing said table in the folded position.

12. A wall-mounted folding table, comprising: a cabinet defining an enclosure, the cabinet being adapted for mounting on a planar wall surface, the cabinet having horizontal and vertical peripheral walls, an open rear and an open front; a support member mounted to the vertical peripheral walls of the cabinet; a table having a front end, a rear end, a working surface and an undersurface, the rear end being pivotally mounted to the support member, the table having a first, folded position in which the working surface is oriented in a vertical position, and a second, unfolded position in which the working surface is oriented in a horizontal position; a pair of legs pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the table closely adjacent the front end of the table; a pair of gas springs, each of the gas springs having a respective first end and second end, each of the first ends being pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the table and each of the second ends being pivotally mounted to the support member; a pair of horizontally positioned rails extending across the open front of the cabinet; and a pair of doors mounted on the pair of rails for sliding movement thereon for selectively opening and closing the open front of the cabinet.

13. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 12, wherein each said leg has a respective telescopic section, each of the respective telescopic sections having a respective adjustable foot.

14. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 12, wherein said doors are fabricated from pegboard.

15. The wall-mounted folding table according to claim 12, further including a latch for securing said table in the folded position.

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