Enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top

Abstract

An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top is disclosed. The enclosure system comprises a saddle with a base and two vertical legs having rails sliding through rail guides attached to an enclosure, such that the saddle slidably receives the enclosure. The enclosure can be selectively placed in an open and closed position. The enclosure system is attached to the bottom portion of the table top by a mounting plate attached to the top portion of the saddle. A cut out from the table top is attached to the top of the enclosure, such that the enclosure in the closed position is nearly indistinguishable from the tabletop.

1 . An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top comprising:
 (1) a saddle comprising:
 a substantially rectangular open base; 
 a pair of vertical legs, each vertical leg extending down from an opposite side of the open base and terminating in a lower end; 
 a pair of rails, each of the rails disposed on an inner portion of the vertical leg, substantially parallel to the vertical leg; 
 a bottom support member disposed between the lower ends comprising a latching means; 
   (2) an enclosure suitable for housing electronic equipment comprising:
 a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, each side wall comprising a rail guide disposed on an outer portion of the side wall, the rail guides slidably engaging with the rails; 
 a middle support member disposed between the side walls in a lower portion of the enclosure; the middle support member comprising a catch means for engaging with the latching means and a pass through opening; 
 a top support member disposed between the side walls in an upper portion of the enclosure; 
   wherein the saddle slidably receiving the enclosure such that the enclosure can be placed in an open position and in a closed position;   (3) a spring comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the pass through opening receiving the spring; the proximal end fixedly attached to the top support member; the distal end fixedly attached to the bottom support member, said spring biasing the enclosure towards the open position, wherein the pass through opening receiving the spring;   (4) a mounting plate fixedly attached to a top portion of the open base, the mounting plate for attaching to a bottom of the table top.   
   
   
       2 . An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a gas spring. 
   
   
       3 . An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in  claim 2 , wherein the latching means comprises at least one latch comprising:
 a latch housing;   a spring loaded latch arm pivotally encased in the latch housing, comprising a hook end portion, such that the latch arm can be placed in an engaged position and in a disengaged position by way of applying a downward pushing force on the latch arm;   wherein the catch means comprises at least one C-shaped member securing the hook end portion in the engaged position, and wherein a bottom portion of the middle support member supplying said downward pushing force.   
   
   
       4 . An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in  claim 3 , further comprising a top cover fixedly attached to the upper portion of the enclosure. 
   
   
       5 . An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in  claim 4 , further comprising a cut out from the table top fixedly attached to the top cover.