Retractable table

Abstract

The retractable table has a single, centrally disposed, vertical lift column formed of a relatively large number of relatively short sections. The relatively short sections permit the table to retract into a relatively shallow receptacle, thus obviating need for a deep well to house the column when retracted. Column actuation may be achieved by various principles of operation, including hydraulic cylinders and helically threaded sections which are rotated to extend and retract the tabletop. The table has an anti-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the tabletop relative to the underlying receptacle in which it stores. The retractable table may be provided as a “drop-in” installation, with the installer needing only to cut the required opening in the deck or floor of the vehicle in which the table is being installed, run appropriate wiring, and secure the table and its mechanism and receptacle in place.

1 . A retractable table, comprising: 
 a floor installation base having: 
 a peripheral floor attachment flange having at least an upper surface;  
 a shallow tabletop recess defined within said floor installation base, and depending below said floor attachment flange;  
 a lift strut receptacle disposed within said floor installation base, and depending below the tabletop recess;  
   a single lift strut having a plurality of concentric, telescoping lift strut segments retractably extending from said lift strut receptacle;    a power package affixed beneath said floor installation base, and communicating with said lift strut; and    a table top having at least an upper surface, the table top being disposed atop said lift strut, the upper surface of the table top being disposed substantially flush with the upper surface of said floor attachment flange when said table top is completely retracted.    
   
   
       2 . The retractable table according to  claim 1 , further including: 
 an outer sleeve concentrically disposed about said lift strut, the outer sleeve having: 
 a plurality of concentric, telescoping outer sleeve segments; and  
 means for precluding relative rotation between each of said outer sleeve segments.  
   
   
   
       3 . The retractable table according to  claim 2 , wherein said lift strut and said outer sleeve each comprise: 
 a base segment extending from said lift strut receptacle;    a top segment affixed to said table top; and    a plurality of intermediate segments between the base and top segments.    
   
   
       4 . The retractable table according to  claim 2 , further including overextension stop means disposed upon each of the segments of said lift strut and the segments of said outer sleeve, for precluding separation of adjacent and mating said segments from one another.  
   
   
       5 . The retractable table according to  claim 1 , wherein said power package comprises a hydraulic pump and reservoir driven by an electric motor.  
   
   
       6 . The retractable table according to  claim 1 , wherein said lift strut comprises a plurality of concentric, helically threaded, rotationally extendable and retractable lift strut segments.  
   
   
       7 . The retractable table according to  claim 6 , wherein said power package comprises an electric motor rotationally driving said lift strut for the selective extension and retraction thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A retractable table, comprising: 
 a floor installation base;    a tabletop;    a single lift strut disposed between said floor installation base and said table top, the lift strut having a plurality of concentric, telescoping lift strut segments;    an outer sleeve concentrically disposed about said lift strut, the outer sleeve having: 
 a plurality of concentric, telescoping outer sleeve segments; and  
 means for precluding relative rotation between each of said outer sleeve segments.  
   
   
   
       9 . The retractable table according to  claim 8 , wherein said for means precluding relative rotation between each of said outer sleeve segments is selected from the group consisting of mating keys and channels on adjacent segments and closely fitting, non-circular segments.  
   
   
       10 . The retractable table according to  claim 8 , further including overextension stop means disposed upon each of the segments of said lift strut and the segments of said outer sleeve, for precluding separation of adjacent and mating said segments from one another.  
   
   
       11 . The retractable table according to  claim 8 , wherein said floor installation base further includes: 
 a peripheral floor attachment flange having at least an upper surface;    a shallow tabletop recess defined within said floor installation base, and depending below said floor attachment flange;    a lift strut receptacle disposed within said floor installation base, and depending below said table top recess, said lift strut retractably extending from said lift strut receptacle of said floor installation base; and    a power package affixed beneath said floor installation base, and communicating with said lift strut;    wherein the table top has at least an upper surface, the table top being disposed atop said lift strut, the upper surface of the table top being disposed substantially flush with the upper surface of said floor attachment flange when the table top is completely retracted.    
   
   
       12 . The retractable table according to  claim 11 , wherein said lift strut and said outer sleeve each comprise: 
 a base segment extending from said lift strut receptacle;    a top segment affixed to said table top; and    a plurality of intermediate segments disposed between the base segment and the top segment.    
   
   
       13 . The retractable table according to  claim 11 , wherein said power package comprises a hydraulic pump and reservoir driven by an electric motor.  
   
   
       14 . The retractable table according to  claim 8 , wherein said lift strut comprises a plurality of concentric, helically threaded, rotationally extendable and retractable lift strut segments.  
   
   
       15 . The retractable table according to  claim 14 , further including an electric motor rotationally driving said lift strut for the selective extension and retraction thereof.  
   
   
       16 . A retractable table, comprising: 
 a floor installation base;    a tabletop;    a single lift strut disposed between said floor installation base and said tabletop, the lift strut having: 
 a plurality of concentric, helically threaded, rotationally extendable and retractable lift strut segments;  
 a base segment extending from said floor installation base;  
 a top segment affixed to said table top; and  
 a plurality of intermediate segments disposed between the base segment and the top segment.  
   
   
   
       17 . The retractable table according to  claim 16 , further including an outer sleeve concentrically disposed about said lift strut, the outer sleeve having: 
 a plurality of concentric, telescoping outer sleeve segments; and    means for precluding relative rotation between each of said outer sleeve segments.    
   
   
       18 . The retractable table according to  claim 17 , wherein said means for precluding relative rotation between each of said outer sleeve segments is selected from the group consisting of mating keys and channels on adjacent segments and closely fitting, non-circular segments.  
   
   
       19 . The retractable table according to  claim 17 , further including overextension stop means disposed upon each of said segments of said lift strut and of said outer sleeve, for precluding separation of adjacent and mating said segments from one another.  
   
   
       20 . The retractable table according to  claim 16 , wherein said floor installation base further includes: 
 a peripheral floor attachment flange having at least an upper surface;    a shallow tabletop recess disposed within said floor installation base, and depending below said floor attachment flange;    a lift strut receptacle disposed within said floor installation base, and depending below said table top recess, said lift strut retractably extending from said lift strut receptacle of said floor installation base;    an electric motor rotationally driving said lift strut for the selective extension and retraction thereof;    said table top having at least an upper surface, said table top being disposed atop said lift strut, the upper surface of said table top being disposed substantially flush with the upper surface of said floor attachment flange when said table top is completely retracted.