Storage unit with extension mechanism

Abstract

A storage unit comprises an arm assembly that can be stored inside the unit and extended along a range of positions outside the unit and a moveable panel which conceals the interior of the storage unit frame coupled with the storage unit frame by a connector. The storage unit can be integrated into an article of furniture such as a headboard or a chair. A four-bar linkage assembly can be used to connect the moveable panel to the storage unit frame and can permit the panel to remain substantially parallel to the frame along its range of motion.

1 . A headboard for placement behind a seating or sleeping area comprising:
 a storage cabinet comprising a frame and a panel configured to cover a space inside said frame;   an arm assembly comprising a first arm coupled with an inside surface of said frame and a second arm coupled with said first arm,   said arm assembly being configured to move from a retracted configuration wherein said arm assembly is inside said space to an extended configuration;   a table assembly coupled with said second arm of said arm assembly such that when said arm assembly is in said retracted configuration, said table assembly can be located inside said space and when said arm assembly is in said extended configuration, said table assembly can be located above the seating area; and,   a mechanism coupled with said panel and with an inside surface of said frame,   said mechanism being configured to move from a closed configuration in which said panel covers said arm assembly when said arm assembly is in said retracted configuration to an open configuration configured to allow said arm assembly to move between said retracted configuration and said extended configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The headboard of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism comprises a four-bar linkage assembly configured to maintain said panel substantially parallel to a face of said frame when said mechanism moves from said closed configuration to said open configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The headboard of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism comprises a strut configured to support said panel when said mechanism moves between said closed configuration and said open configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The headboard of  claim 1 , wherein said arm assembly comprises a first swivel connector configured to couple said first arm with said inside surface of said frame and a second swivel connector configured to couple said second arm with said first arm. 
   
   
       5 . The headboard of  claim 4 , wherein said first swivel connector comprises a first rotation limiter and said second swivel connector comprises a second rotation limiter. 
   
   
       6 . The headboard of  claim 5 , wherein said first rotation limiter is configured to limit the projection of said first arm to around 33° past an outer edge of said seating or sleeping area and said second rotation limiter is configured to limit the projection of said second arm to around 90° relative to said edge of said seating or sleeping area. 
   
   
       7 . An article of furniture comprising:
 a frame enclosing a storage volume;   an extension mechanism,   said extension mechanism having a first configuration in which the extension mechanism is at least partially retracted within said storage volume and a second configuration in which said extension mechanism is extended from said storage volume;   a panel coupled with said frame configured to cover a face of said storage volume when said panel is in a closed position and being moveable to an open position to permit access to said extension mechanism,   said panel being substantially parallel to said face of said storage volume when said panel is in said open position.   
   
   
       8 . The article of furniture of  claim 7 , said extension mechanism comprising a first arm. 
   
   
       9 . The article of furniture of  claim 8 , said extension mechanism comprising a second arm coupled with said first arm. 
   
   
       10 . The article of furniture of  claim 7 , said panel remaining substantially parallel to said frame when said panel moves between said closed position and said open position. 
   
   
       11 . The article of furniture of  claim 7  comprising an object coupled with said extension mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The article of furniture of  claim 11 , said extension mechanism being configured to hold said object in front of said face of said storage volume when said extension mechanism is in said second configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The article of furniture of  claim 11  wherein said object is a tray assembly. 
   
   
       14 . A support structure capable of stowing an object within a stowage space and of positioning an object for use adjacent a seating area comprising:
 an arm assembly comprising at least two swivel connectors in the same rotational plane;   a mechanism configured to be attached to said stowage space and to move a portion of said stowage space from a first position in which said stowage space portion conceals said arm assembly within said stowage space to a second position in which access is provided to said arm assembly.   
   
   
       15 . The support structure of  claim 14 , said mechanism comprising a four-bar linkage assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The support structure of  claim 14 , said mechanism comprising a strut. 
   
   
       17 . The support structure of  claim 14  wherein said object is coupled with said arm assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The support structure of  claim 17 , said extended configuration of said arm assembly being configured to position said object for use over said seating area. 
   
   
       19 . The support structure of  claim 14 , said stowage space portion comprising a panel coupled with said mechanism and configured to move from said first position to said second position. 
   
   
       20 . The support structure of  claim 14 , said stowage space portion being configured to move from said second position to said first position when said arm assembly is in said extended configuration.