Collapsible table with foldable end shelves

Abstract

A table suited for shipment in a compact collapsed condition has a top, a back hinged from the rear edge of the top, and opposing side panels hinged from the back. The tables can be erected by a consumer at the point of use, without the use of tools. In one embodiment, particularly useful for supporting a computer, one of the side panels has two shelves which pivot from parallelism with the side panel when the table is in collapsed state, to horizontal positions when the table is used. The upper shelf pivots upwardly, to support a printer of the like. The lower shelf pivots downwardly, either outwardly, or inwardly relative to the end of the table, to support a computer tower.

1 . A table, adapted for shipment or storage in a collapsed state and for use in an erected state, comprising: 
 a top having a front edge, a rear edge, an upper surface and an undersurface;    a back, lying along a plane and connected to the top by hinges in proximity to the rear edge thereof; wherein, when the top is horizontal, the back folds downwardly from the undersurface of the top and becomes perpendicular thereto;    opposing left and right side panels, each panel having an upper end and a lower end; each panel lying along a plane, each panel connected by hinges to the back; and each panel folding outwardly from the back, by moving from a collapsed position parallel to the back to an erected position approximately perpendicular to back;    wherein, the back and the two side panels, when the table is in erected position, support the top on a floor surface so the side panels are vertical and the top is approximately horizontal;    at least one of said side panels having a first shelf; the shelf pivoting upwardly from the side panel when vertical, by moving from a collapsed position where the shelf is parallel to the plane of the side panel to an erected position where the shelf is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the side panel; and,    means for holding the first shelf in said erected and approximately perpendicular position.    
   
   
       2 . The table of  claim 1  wherein said at least one side panel is comprised of two spaced apart legs, one of which is connected by said hinges to the back; and, wherein the first shelf in collapsed position fits within the space between said two legs.  
   
   
       3 . The table of  claim 1  wherein said means for holding the shelf in approximately perpendicular position comprises a support pivotably attached to the panel, wherein the support pivots from a collapsed position parallel to the plane of the side panel to an erected position where the support contacts the underside of said shelf; the support and shelf lying parallel to each other when the table is in collapsed state.  
   
   
       4 . The table of  claim 3  wherein said at least one side panel is comprised of two spaced apart legs; wherein the first shelf and support fit within the spacing of the legs when the table is in collapsed state.  
   
   
       5 . The table of  claim 3  wherein the support and shelf are both pivotable upwardly from the side panel when the side panel is vertical.  
   
   
       6 . The table of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a second shelf, pivotably attached the side panel, wherein the shelf pivots downwardly from the side panel, by moving from a collapsed position parallel to the plane of the side panel when vertical, to an erected position approximately perpendicular to the plane of the side panel; and,    means for supporting the second shelf in said perpendicular position;    wherein, the elevation of the second shelf on the side panel is lower than the elevation of the first shelf.    
   
   
       7 . The table of  claim 6  wherein said at least one side panel is comprised of two spaced apart legs; wherein the first shelf, the support for the first shelf, and the second shelf fit within the space between the legs when the table is in collapsed state.  
   
   
       8 . The table of  claim 6  wherein the second shelf is pivotable from the side panel in opposing directions, to fold downwardly so the shelf projects alternatively inwardly or outwardly from the side panel, when the table is in its erected position.  
   
   
       9 . The table of  claim 8 , wherein the means for supporting the second shelf comprises a plate perpendicularly attached to the end of the shelf which is away from the point of pivoting, the plate adapted from contacting the surface upon which the table sets.  
   
   
       10 . The table of  claim 8 , wherein the means for supporting the second shelf comprises a tensile load bearing member running from the side panel at a point which is higher in elevation than the elevation of the second shelf in its downwardly folded position.  
   
   
       11 . The table of  claim 6  wherein the summation of lengths of the first and second shelf is less than the total length of the side panel; and wherein the first and second shelf lie in the same plane when the table is in collapsed state.  
   
   
       12 . A table, adapted for shipment in collapsed form and for use in erected form while setting on a floor surface, comprising: 
 a back, lying along a plane and connected to the top by hinges in proximity to the rear edge thereof; wherein, when the top is horizontal, the back folds downwardly from the undersurface of the top and becomes perpendicular thereto;    opposing left and right side panels, each panel having an upper end and a lower end; each panel lying along a plane, each panel connected by hinges to the back; and each panel folding outwardly from the back, by moving from a collapsed position where the panel is parallel to the back to an erected position where the panel becomes perpendicular to back;    wherein, the back and the two side panels, when the table is in erected position, support the top on a floor surface so the side panels are vertical and the top is approximately horizontal;    at least one of said side panels having a pivotably attached first shelf and a pivotably attached second shelf; the shelves pivotable downwardly from the side panel, by moving from a collapsed position parallel to the plane of the side panel to an erected position approximately perpendicular to the plane of the side panel; wherein the first shelf is pivotable from a point which is higher in elevation than the corresponding point of the second shelf;    means for holding the first shelf in said approximately perpendicular position, attached to the side panel; and,    means for holding the second shelf in said approximately perpendicular position, resting on said floor surface;    
   
   
       13 . The table of  claim 12 , wherein second shelf is alternately pivotable, so when in said approximately perpendicular position, it selectively projects outwardly from the side panel or inwardly toward the space under the top.