Folding laundry table assembly

Abstract

A laundry table that is easily stowed in a low profile vertically aligned configuration on the side of a washer or dryer unit or in a gap between a side-by-side washer and dryer. The table support is pivotally connected to a narrow rigid arm assembly that fits inside the gap between a side-by-side washer and dryer unit. The arm assembly is perpendicularly aligned and connected to a low profile foot structure that is placed on the ground and in the floor space and under the washer or dryer unit. During assembly, the washer and dryer units are placed over the foot structure so that the arm assembly is supported in a position when the table support is moved between in a vertical stored position and unfolded to a horizontally position along the side of the washer and dryer units and used to sort and hold folded laundry. In a second embodiment, the table support is stowed inside a recessed horizontal cavity formed on the front surface of one or both units.

1 . A folding laundry table for a washer or dryer unit, comprising:
 a. at least one foot designed to fit under a washer or dryer unit;   b. a vertical support perpendicularly aligned and attached to said foot;   c. at least one rotating hub attached to said vertical support, said hub able to rotate between a first to a second position;   d. at least one pivoting arm attached to said hub, said pivoting arm able to be rotated around its longitudinal axis;   e. a table support attached to said pivoting arm; and,   f. whereby when said foot is positioned under a washer and dryer unit and said vertical support is positioned against a vertical surface on a washer and dryer unit, said pivoting arm may be rotated on said hub and said hub may be rotated on said vertical support to move said table support from a folded upright position along a vertical surface and an extended horizontal position.   
   
   
       2 . The folding laundry table, as recited in  claim 1 , further including the washer or dryer unit that includes at least two height adjustable legs that support the washer or dryer unit in an elevated position above the floor, thereby creating a floor gap in which said foot extends. 
   
   
       3 . The folding laundry table, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vertical support comprises two vertical plates with a pivoting hub located at their upper ends. 
   
   
       4 . The folding laundry table, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a second pivoting arm is attached to said hub and a second table support is attached to said second pivoting arm. 
   
   
       5 . A laundry cleaning and folding center, comprising:
 a. a mechanical laundry device used for washing or drying laundry; and,   b. a table support capable of being folded between a first vertical position parallel to a vertical surface on said laundry device and a second horizontal position, that extends horizontally from a vertical surface on said mechanical laundry device.   
   
   
       6 . The laundry cleaning and folding center, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said table support is pivotally mounted on the front surface of said laundry device. 
   
   
       7 . The laundry cleaning and folding center, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said table support is pivotally attached to two brackets mounted on said front surface of said laundry device. 
   
   
       8 . The laundry cleaning and folding center, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said mechanical laundry device includes a front recess cavity in which said table support is disposed. 
   
   
       9 . A laundry device, comprising:
 a. a main housing containing a laundry washing and drying mechanism, said main housing including a front surface;   b. a lower transversely aligned cavity located on said front surface;   c. at least one table support disposed inside said cavity; and,   d. a means for pivotally mounting said table support inside said cavity so that said table support may be moved between a vertical aligned position and flushed with said front surface and a forward extending horizontal position capable of supporting laundry.   
   
   
       10 . The laundry device, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said main housing includes a main opening located on said front surface and above said cavity.