Combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly
An RV dining table that can be easily and quickly converted into a computer workstation by removing the front support post, folding the front table section back on top of the rear table section, releasing and swinging hinged side wing panels outward and supporting them by means of wing supports, and pulling the computer keyboard drawer out from underneath the rear table section. The back of the rear table is mounted to the RV wall to further support the workstation sitting on the rear support post. Finally, the computer workstation has a swing-out mouse pad and an optional auxiliary shelf that can be mounted at the back of the table near the RV wall. The combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly can also be mounted on a sliding table frame support structure having conventional furniture legs for use in apartments and small homes.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combination dinette table and computer workstation for use in limited space environments. The combination dinette table and computer workstation has particular utility in providing a combination eating and working area in recreational vehicles and small homes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Living space is often a premium in many recreational vehicles (RV's) and small apartments. However, by necessity most RV's and apartments dedicate an area for a dinette. So, it would be desirable to fill this limited space with a piece of furniture that can serve as both a conventional dining table and a general-purpose workstation.
Although many very large RV's have a built-in workstation, those 34-feet in length or less usually don't have such a workstation since every square inch of space is needed for some other function. Since a large percentage of all RV's fit into this size category, it would appear that a market would exist for a product that addresses this space issue.
Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved piece of furniture that can serve as a conventional dining table and also be easily and quickly converted to a computer or general-purpose workstation. Furthermore, a product that addresses this need would likely be more attractable if a smaller dining table for two people could still be utilize without disturbing the computer workstation. In this respect, the combination dinette table and computer workstation according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so meets this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the fact the Applicant knows of no combination dinette table and computer workstation of the type disclosed to be present in the prior art, the present invention discloses a combination dinette and computer workstation, which meets the need of providing a functional computer workstation in a space limited environment. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that has several novel features that result in a computer workstation that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, a preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a typical appearing RV dining table mounted by means of front and rear support posts from the floor of the RV. However, the top of this table consist of a front and rear table section hinged together with the front table section further having hinged side wing panels fastened to the bottom side and the rear table section having hinged wing supports mounted on each side and a slideable keyboard drawer mounted to the bottom side. The table can quickly be converted into a computer workstation by removing the front support post, folding the front table section back on top of the rear table section, releasing and swinging the hinged side wing panels outward and supporting them by means of swing-out side wing panel supports, and pulling the computer keyboard drawer out from underneath the rear table section. The back of the rear table is further mounted by quick release means to the RV wall to help support the workstation now sitting on the rear support post. Finally, the computer workstation has a swing-out mouse pad and an optional auxiliary shelf that can be mounted at the back of the table near the RV wall.
Also, a secondary dining table for use by one or two people is disclosed that can be quickly installed using the front support post without the need to remove the computer from the workstation. To install this smaller secondary dining table, the computer keyboard drawer is pushed in under the rear table section, the front support post in inserted in the provided floor table mount, and the smaller secondary dining table is installed on top of the support post. This table is also supported at the back edge by means of mating alignment support clips mounted on the table and on the front of the rear table section.
In a second embodiment of the present invention the combination dining table and computer workstation is supported by means of a free-standing table support frame for use in apartments or smaller homes. The front section of this support frame slides in and out relative to the rear section, so that it is extended outwardly to support the dining table configuration. To convert to the computer workstation configuration, the front table section is folded back on top of the rear table section, the front portion of the free-standing support frame is then pushed backward under the rear table section to fully support the workstation, the hinged side wing panels are swung outward and supported them by means of the side wing panel supports, the computer keyboard drawer is pulled out from underneath the rear table section, and the mouse pad is swung-out into operating position.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that provides people living in small quarters a solution for providing a convenient and easy to use computer workstation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such combinational furniture economically available to the buying public.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to
In
Referring now to the
Finally,
In use, it can now be understood that the combination dinette table and computer workstation can be easily and quickly converted from a dining table to a computer workstation by unattaching from the front support post and flipping the front table section back on top of the rear table section, releasing the two computer workstation side wing panels and rotating them outwardly, thereby extending the width of the workstation, pulling the keyboard shelf out from under the rear table section, and rotating the mouse pad outwardly. To return the assembly to a dining table configuration the process is reversed.
While a preferred embodiment of the combination dinette and computer workstation has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as varies varieties of wood, formed plastic, metal, or hard rubber can be used in fabricating the combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly and the assembly can be sized to fit a particular application. Also, the assembly can be adapted for use with various table support structures commonly used in the RV industry.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly for recreational vehicles (RV), comprising:
- a rear table section, said rear table section being attached by rear support post mounting means to a first RV floor mount;
- a keyboard compartment extending downward from the bottom of said rear table section;
- a keyboard shelf slideably mounted to the under side of said rear table section, said keyboard shelf contained within said keyboard compartment, said keyboard shelf being extracted from said keyboard compartment for use when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation;
- a keyboard shelf locking pin slideably inserted through a hole in one side of said keyboard compartment into an aligned mating hole in the edge of said keyboard shelf for securing said keyboard shelf in the stored position;
- a front table section extending outward from said back table section, the back edge of said front table section hingedly attached to the front edge of said rear table section, said front table section further supported by front support post mounting means to a second RV floor mount, said front table section being folded back on top of said rear table section when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation;
- a side wing panel hingedly attached to each side of said front table section, said side wing panels being folded under said front table section and secured by a panel locking means when said assembly is configured as a dinette table, said side wing panels being folded outwardly when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation, thereby providing a wider work surface;
- a side swing panel support hingedly attached on the outside surface on each side of said keyboard compartment, said side wing panel supports being extended outward under said side wing panels, thereby provided support for said side wing panels; and
- a swing-out mouse pad attached by bolt tie-down means near one edge of said keyboard drawer.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said rear support post mounting means further comprises:
- a support post mounting member attached to the bottom and expanding the width of said keyboard compartment;
- a RV rear table upper mount attached to the bottom surface of said support post mounting member; and
- a mounting post inserted between said rear table upper mount and said RV floor mount, thereby supporting said rear table section in place.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said front support post mounting means of said front table section comprises a split upper mount with locking means for both connecting a front support post to said front table section and to provide said panel locking means for securing said side wing panels underneath said front table section.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said rear table section is further supported by attaching two pluggable wall mount posts to the back of said rear table section, said pluggable wall mount posts being aligned with and inserted into wall mount cups on the wall of a RV.
5. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising table wing support spacers and alignment pins mounted on the under side of said side wing panels, said alignment pins for inserting into mating holes on the top edge of said side wing panel supports, thereby properly aligning and supporting said side wing panels when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a foldable auxiliary shelf is attached by bolt and nut means to the back side of said rear table section, said auxiliary shelf extending outward above said computer workstation for holding peripheral components, said auxiliary shelf capable of being mounted upward from said back of said rear table section for use or downward behind said rear table section for storage.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly is fabricated from materials from the group consisting of: wood, molded plastic, metal, and hard rubber.
8. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said assembly is changed from a dinette table configuration to a computer workstation configuration according to the steps comprised of:
- releasing said locking means on said split upper mount of said front table section, thereby freeing said front support post;
- holding said side wing panels in place while folding said front table section back on top of said rear table section;
- removing said front support post from said second RV floor mount;
- folding said side wing panel supports outward to be perpendicular with the sides of said keyboard compartment of said rear table section;
- folding said side wing panels outward on top of said side wing panel supports, aligning said alignment pins on said wing support spacers with said mating holes on top edge of said side wing panels;
- pulling said keyboard drawer outward from said keyboard compartment; and
- loosening said bolt tie-down means and rotating said swing-out mouse pad outwardly into operating position and retightening said bolt tie-down means to secure said mouse pad.
9. A combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly with a secondary dining table for recreational vehicles (RV), comprising:
- a rear table section, said rear table section being attached by rear support post mounting means to a first RV floor mount;
- an open front storage compartment attached to and extending downward from the bottom of said rear table section for housing a keyboard shelf and for the storage of a secondary dining table, said open front storage compartment being formed by side walls and a rear table support post mounting member extending across the bottom of said storage compartment between said side walls, said storage compartment further having support rails mounted along the bottom of each said side wall for supporting a secondary dining table when being stored, and two female table top alignment clips mounted along the front top edge of said open front storage compartment for use in attaching said secondary dining table;
- a keyboard shelf slideably mounted to the under side of said rear table section, said keyboard shelf contained within the upper portion of said storage compartment, said keyboard shelf being extracted from said storage compartment for use when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation;
- a keyboard shelf locking pin slideably inserted through a hole in one side of said keyboard compartment into an aligned mating hole in the edge of said keyboard shelf for securing said keyboard shelf in the stored position;
- a front table section extending outward from said back table section, the back edge of said front table section hingedly attached to the front edge of said rear table section, said front table section further supported by front support post mounting means to a second RV floor mount, said front table section being folded back on top of said rear table section when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation;
- a side wing panel hingedly attached to each side of said front table section, said side wing panels being folded under said front table section and secured by a panel locking means when said assembly is configured as a dinette table, said side wing panels being folded outwardly when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation, thereby providing a wider work surface;
- a side swing panel support hingedly attached on the outside surface on each side of said storage compartment, said side wing panel supports being extended outward under said side wing panels, thereby provided support for said side wing panels;
- a swing-out mouse pad attached by bolt tie-down means near one edge of said keyboard drawer;
- a secondary dining table slidably stored in said open front storage compartment to be used for eating when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation, said secondary dining table further comprising: a table top surface; a support frame attached to the bottom of said secondary dining table; an upper RV post mount attached to the bottom surface of said secondary dining table; and two male table top alignment clips attached to the back edge of said secondary dining table for temporarily attaching said table to said computer workstation; and a secondary dining table locking pin slideably inserted through a hole in one side of said open front storage compartment and into a mating hole is the front side of said secondary dining table for securing said secondary dining table in the storage position.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said rear support post mounting means further comprises:
- a RV rear table upper mount attached to the bottom surface of said support post mounting member; and
- a mounting post inserted between said table post mount and said first RV floor mount, thereby supporting said rear table section in place.
11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said front support post mounting means of said front table section comprises a split upper mount with locking means for both connecting a front support post to said front table section and to provide said panel locking means for securing said side wing panels underneath said front table section.
12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said rear table section is further supported by attaching two pluggable wall mount posts to the back of said rear table section, said pluggable wall mount posts being aligned with and inserted into wall mount cups on the wall of a RV.
13. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising table wing support spacers and alignment pins mounted on the under side of said side wing panels, said alignment pins for inserting into mating holes on the top edge of said side wing panel supports, thereby properly aligning and supporting said side wing panels when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation.
14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a foldable auxiliary shelf is attached by bolt and nut means to the back side of said rear table section, said auxiliary shelf extending outward above said computer workstation for holding peripheral components, said auxiliary shelf capable of being mounted upward from said back of said rear table section for use or downward behind said rear table section for storage.
15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said assembly is changed from a dinette table configuration to a computer workstation configuration according to the steps comprised of:
- releasing said locking means on said split upper mount of said front table section, thereby freeing said front support post;
- holding said side wing panels in place while folding said front table section back on top of said rear table section;
- removing said front support post from said second RV floor mount;
- folding said side wing panel supports outward to be perpendicular with the sides of said keyboard compartment of said rear table section;
- folding said side wing panels outward on top of said side wing panel supports, aligning said alignment pins on said wing support spacers with said mating holes on top edge of said side wing panels;
- pulling said keyboard drawer outward from said keyboard compartment; and
- loosening said bolt tie-down means and rotating said swing-out mouse pad outwardly into operating position and retightening said bolt tie-down means to secure said mouse pad.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said secondary dining table is installed on said assembly while configured as a computer workstation according to the steps comprised of:
- pushing said keyboard shelf into said open front storage compartment;
- removing said secondary dining table locking pin, thereby freeing said secondary dining table in said open front storage compartment;
- removing said secondary dining table from said open front storage compartment;
- inserting said front support post into said second RV floor mount;
- aligning said male table top alignment pins on said back edge of said secondary dining table with said female table top alignment clips mounted on said front edge of said open front storage compartment and inserting and pushing said pins together; and
- lowering said upper RV post mount on to the top of said front support post, thereby securing said secondary dining table in place.
17. A stand-along combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly for use in small area living accommodations, comprising:
- a table support frame for supporting a dinette table in the expanded position and a computer workstation in the compressed position, said table support frame further comprising:
- a back stationary frame section;
- a front sliding frame section attached to said back stationary frame section by sliding mechanism means; and
- a table leg attached at each of four corners of said table support frame;
- a rear table section attached to the top of said back stationary frame section of said table support frame;
- a keyboard compartment extending downward from the bottom of said rear table section;
- a keyboard shelf slideably mounted to the under side of said rear table section, said keyboard shelf contained within said keyboard compartment, said keyboard shelf being extracted from said keyboard compartment for use when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation;
- a front table section extending outward from said back table section, the back edge of said front table section hingedly attached to the front edge of said rear table section, said front table section further supported by the front section of said table support frame in the expanded position, said front table section being folded back on top of said rear table section when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation;
- a side wing panel hingedly attached to each side of said front table section, said side wing panels being folded under said front table section and secured by a panel locking means and rested on said adjustable levelers when said assembly is configured as a dinette table, said side wing panels being folded outwardly when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation, thereby providing a wider work surface;
- a side swing panel support hingedly attached on the outside surface on each side of said front section of said table support frame, said side wing panel supports being extended outward under said side wing panels in the computer workstation configuration, thereby provided support for said side wing panels; and
- a swing-out mouse pad attached by bolt tie-down means near one edge of said keyboard drawer.
18. The assembly of claim 17 further comprising table wing support spacers and alignment pins mounted on the under side of said side wing panels, said alignment pins for inserting into mating holes on the top edge of said side wing panel supports, thereby properly aligning and supporting said side wing panels when said assembly is configured as a computer workstation.
19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein a foldable auxiliary shelf is attached by bolt and nut means to the back side of said rear table section, said auxiliary shelf extending outward above said computer workstation for holding peripheral components, said auxiliary shelf capable of being mounted upward from said back of said rear table section for use or downward behind said rear table section for storage.
20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said assembly is changed from a dinette table configuration to a computer workstation configuration according to the steps comprised of:
- folding said front table section back on top of said rear table section;
- releasing said panel locking means on said front table section;
- folding said side wing panel supports outward to be perpendicular with said front section of said table support frame;
- folding said side wing panels outward on top of said side wing panel supports, aligning said alignment pins on said wing support spacers with said mating holes on top edge of said side wing panels;
- pulling said keyboard drawer outward from said keyboard compartment; and
- loosening said bolt tie-down means and rotating said swing-out mouse pad outwardly into operating position and retightening said bolt tie-down means to secure said mouse pad.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2006
Inventor: Jack Younse (Allen, TX)
Application Number: 10/894,131
International Classification: A47B 23/00 (20060101);