Stowable surface

Abstract

A stowable surface including an extending surface support assembly, for use as a table, bed, seat, stand, or other purpose requiring a substantially horizontal surface which folds away. The surface support assembly pivots between a deployed position and a stowed position, the surface support assembly assuming an extended position when deployed and a retracted position when stowed. A locking element is engaged to prevent extension of the surface support assembly when the surface support assembly is stowed. The locking element is moved into a disengaged position to permit extension of the surface support assembly as the surface support assembly pivots during deployment.

1 . A stowable surface comprising: 
 an extending surface support assembly, the surface support assembly pivoting between a deployed position and a stowed position, the surface support assembly assuming an extended position when deployed and a retracted position when stowed; and    a first locking element for preventing extension of the surface support assembly, wherein the first locking element is engaged to prevent extension of the surface support assembly when the surface support assembly is stowed, the first locking element movable into a disengaged position to permit extension of the surface support assembly as the surface support assembly pivots during deployment.    
     
     
         2 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , further comprising a support member connected to the surface support assembly, the support member moving the first locking element into the disengaged position during deployment of the surface support assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , further comprising a first member connected to the surface support assembly and the first locking element, wherein an angle between the first member and the surface support assembly increases as the surface support assembly pivots during deployment, the first locking element being disengaged by the relative movement of the first member and the surface support assembly during deployment of the surface support assembly.  
     
     
         4 . The stowable surface of  claim 3 , wherein the first member comprises a support member at least partly supporting the surface support assembly when in a deployed position.  
     
     
         5 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing assembly, the surface support assembly pivoting to slide into the housing assembly to assume the stowed postion.  
     
     
         6 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , further comprising an extending support member connected to the surface support assembly, the support member assuming an extended position when the surface support assembly is deployed and a retracted position when the surface support assembly is stowed.  
     
     
         7 . The stowable surface of  claim 6 , further comprising a second locking element for preventing retraction of the support member during stowing of the surface support assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The stowable surface of  claim 7 , wherein the support member pivots as the surface support assembly is stowed, the second locking element being disengaged as a result of the pivoting movement of the support member to permit retraction of the support member.  
     
     
         9 . The stowable surface of  claim 7 , wherein the second locking element is disengaged to permit retraction of the support member when the surface support assembly pivots into a substantially vertical position.  
     
     
         10 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , further comprising a third locking element for preventing extension or retraction of at least a portion of the surface support assembly, the third locking element being disengaged manually.  
     
     
         11 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , wherein the stowable surface is deployable by exerting a force at only one point.  
     
     
         12 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , wherein the stowable surface is stowable by exerting a force at only one point.  
     
     
         13 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , wherein the stowable surface is deployable and stowable by exerting a force at only one point.  
     
     
         14 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , wherein all parts of the stowable surface are attached together and deploy together.  
     
     
         15 . The stowable surface of  claim 1 , wherein the stowable surface comprises a table, the table further comprising at least one leaf.  
     
     
         16 . A stowable table comprising: 
 a surface support assembly, the surface support assembly pivoting between a deployed position and a stowed position;    an extending support member connected to the surface support assembly, the support member assuming an extended position when the surface support assembly is deployed and a retracted position when the surface support assembly is stowed; and    a support member locking element disposed in a portion of the extending support member for preventing retraction of the support member during stowing of the surface support assembly,    wherein the support member locking element is engaged to prevent retraction of the support member when the surface support assembly is deployed, the support member locking element movable into a disengaged position to permit retraction of the support member as the surface support assembly pivots during stowing.    
     
     
         17 . The stowable surface of  claim 16 , wherein the support member pivots as the surface support assembly is stowed, the support member locking element being disengaged as a result of the pivoting movement of the support member to permit retraction of the support member.  
     
     
         18 . The stowable surface of  claim 16 , wherein the support member locking element is disengaged to permit retraction of the support member when the surface support assembly pivots into a substantially vertical position.  
     
     
         19 . The stowable surface of  claim 16 , wherein the stowable surface is deployable and stowable by exerting a force at only one point.  
     
     
         20 . The stowable surface of  claim 16 , wherein all parts of the stowable surface are attached together and deploy together.