Handicap Accessible Laboratory Table

Abstract

A handicap accessible laboratory table is disclosed for use in lectures and laboratory experiments. The table has a base suitable for wheelchair access, a generally planar countertop mounted on at least three telescoping legs, a motor to raise and lower the countertop without requiring locking the legs into position, and a fixed-height sink mounted adjacent to the edge of the countertop and providing clearance for a wheelchair to fit beneath the sink. Optionally, the table can also have a marine edge to control spills, a two-depth sink to allow for handicap access which can have a faucet or a sprayer, a finger guard to protect children's fingers when the countertop is in motion, a storage area for rods, and a key-activated switch or remote for controlling the countertop height.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A handicap accessible laboratory table for use in lectures and laboratory experiments, said laboratory table comprising:
 (a) a base suitable for wheelchair access;   (b) a generally planar countertop mounted on at least three telescoping legs;   (c) a motor to raise and lower said countertop without requiring locking said telescoping legs into position; and   (d) a fixed-height sink disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge of said countertop and mounted to provide clearance below the sink for a wheelchair.   
     
     
         2 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 1  wherein said tabletop comprises a marine edge and a continuous surface. 
     
     
         3 . A laboratory sink having a front, a first depth and a second depth, said second depth deeper than said first depth and located farther from said front. 
     
     
         4 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 1  wherein said fixed-height sink has a faucet. 
     
     
         5 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 1  wherein said fixed-height sink has a sprayer. 
     
     
         6 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 1  wherein said fixed-height sink is surrounded by a finger guard 
     
     
         7 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 1  further comprising a storage area. 
     
     
         8 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 7  wherein said storage area is lockable. 
     
     
         9 . The handicap accessible laboratory table of  claim 1  wherein said motor is controllable by a key-activated switch.