Table with movable top surface and mechanism for same

Abstract

A table with a moveable table surface includes: a base; a substantially planar table surface having an uppermost visible surface; and a lifting mechanism mounted to the base and to the table surface. The lifting mechanism is configured to move the table between a closed position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed adjacent to and above the base, and an open position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed above and forwardly of its position in the closed position. The lifting mechanism comprises: a front pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface, the front pivot link having a spring extension finger; a rear pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface; and a spring having opposite ends, one of the ends of the spring being attached to the spring extension finger of the front pivot link and the other end of the spring being fixed relative to the table surface.

1 . A table comprising:
 a base;   a substantially planar table surface having an uppermost visible surface;   a lifting mechanism mounted to the base and to the table surface, the lifting mechanism being configured to move the table between a closed position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed adjacent to and above the base, and an open position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed above and forwardly of its position in the closed position, the lifting mechanism comprising:   a front pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface, the front pivot link having a spring extension finger;   a rear pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface;   a spring having opposite ends, one of the ends of the spring being attached to the spring extension finger of the front pivot link and the other end of the spring being fixed relative to the table surface.   
   
   
       2 . The table defined in  claim 1 , wherein the spring extension finger extends downwardly when the table is in the closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The table defined in  claim 1 , wherein the lifting mechanism further comprises a table mounting bracket, and wherein the rear and front pivot links are pivotally attached to the table mounting bracket, and wherein the table surface is fixed to the table mounting bracket, and wherein the spring is mounted on the table mounting bracket. 
   
   
       4 . The table defined in  claim 1 , wherein the lifting mechanism further comprises a base mounting bracket that is mounted to the base, and wherein the front and rear pivot links are pivotally interconnected to the base mounting bracket. 
   
   
       5 . The table defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base mounting bracket includes a stop pin, and wherein movement to the open position ceases when the rear pivot link strikes the stop pin. 
   
   
       6 . The table defined in  claim 1 , wherein the rear pivot link is an angled link. 
   
   
       7 . The table defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front pivot link includes a generally transversely-extending flange. 
   
   
       8 . The table defined in  claim 7 , comprising the reclining mechanism is a first reclining mechanism, and further comprising a second reclining mechanism that is identical to the first reclining mechanism, and further comprising a cross-member that extends between the flanges of the front pivot links of the first and second reclining mechanisms. 
   
   
       9 . The table defined in  claim 8 , wherein the cross-member comprises a hollow tube with flattened ends, and wherein the flattened ends are fixed to the flanges of the front pivot links. 
   
   
       10 . The table defined in  claim 8 , wherein the table is devoid of a cross-member extending between the rear pivot links of the first and second reclining mechanisms. 
   
   
       11 . A mechanism for a table having a table surface that can be moved between a closed position, in which the table surface is positioned above and adjacent to a base, and an open position, in which the table surface is positioned above the base and forwardly of its position in the closed position, the mechanism comprising:
 a base mounting bracket configured to mount to the base;   a rear pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base mounting bracket;   a front pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base mounting bracket, the front pivot link including a spring extension finger;   a table mounting bracket pivotally interconnected with the front and rear pivot links, the table mounting bracket being configured to be mounted to the table surface; and   a spring attached to the spring extension finger and the table mounting bracket;   wherein when the table is in the closed position, the spring extension finger extends downwardly, and the spring is in tension.   
   
   
       12 . The mechanism defined in  claim 11 , wherein the front pivot link includes a transversely-extending flange. 
   
   
       13 . The mechanism defined in  claim 11 , wherein the table mounting bracket includes vertical and horizontal portions, and wherein the front and rear pivot links and the spring are attached to the vertical portion of the table mounting bracket, and the horizontal portion is configured to mount to the table surface. 
   
   
       14 . A table, comprising:
 a base;   a substantially planar table surface having an uppermost visible surface;   first and second lifting mechanisms mounted to the base and to the table surface, the lifting mechanisms being configured to move the table between a closed position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed adjacent to and above the base, and an open position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed above and forwardly of its position in the closed position, each of the lifting mechanisms comprising:   a front pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface, the front pivot link having a transversely-extending flange;   a rear pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface;   the table further comprising a cross-member extending between and fixed to the flanges.   
   
   
       15 . The table defined in  claim 14 , wherein each of the lifting mechanisms comprises a spring having opposite ends, one of the ends of the spring being attached to a downwardly-extending spring extension finger of the front pivot link and the other end of the spring being fixed relative to the table surface. 
   
   
       16 . The table defined in  claim 14 , wherein the cross-member comprises a hollow tube with flattened ends, the flattened ends being fixed to the flanges of the front pivot links.