Table For Aircraft Interiors

Abstract

A system and method for providing a table in aircraft is disclosed. The table is able to be deployed out such that it extends across an aisle towards an inwardly-facing seat on the other side. The extension enables passengers sitting in the side facing seat to support articles and otherwise use the extended surface area.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use in an aircraft, the aircraft having a cabin area including a floor area defining an aisle, a forward-facing seat and an aft-facing seat on opposite sides of a table, the forward and aft facing seats being located across the aisle from a side-facing seat, the system comprising:
 a table extension member, the extension member being positionable from a retracted mode where the extension member is at least partially concealed beneath the table, and into a deployed mode where the extension member is extended at least partially out into the aisle to an extent that the extension member is able to support articles for the benefit of a passenger sitting in the side-facing seat.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising:
 a pedestal mounted at a lower end to the floor and at an upper location to a pocket, the pocket being located underneath the table, the pocket at least partially concealing the extension member when the extension member is in the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the table has a table-top, and hingeably-attached tabletop flaps, the tabletop flaps being rotatable up, and lockable so that they are level with the tabletop to increase an overall tabletop size. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the extension member includes oppositely-mounted and hingeably-attached extension flaps, the extension flaps being deployable and lockable so that they are level with the tabletop to increase an overall extension size. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the extension flaps, when in the extension is in the retracted position, are foldable on top of the extension member, and when the extension member is in the deployed mode, the extension flaps are rotatable out and down to create an enlarged extension surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a pedestal mounted at a lower end to the floor and at an upper location to a pocket, the pocket being located underneath the table, the pocket at least partially concealing the extension member when the extension member is in the retracted position.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the extension member is raisable and lockable such that an upper surface of the extension member is substantially level with a table-top surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the extension member upon entering into deployment mode is configured to spring up into the upper surface of the extension member is substantially level with the table-top surface.