Retractable table and handle system and method of use

Abstract

A retractable table system integrated into luggage is disclosed herein. The table can be retracted and deployed along with the telescopic retractable handle system employed in luggage. The table retracts inside the luggage compartment for storage.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A retractable table system comprising
 a retractable handle supported by two parallel bars and   a table having a top and bottom surface   wherein the table is coupled between the two parallel bars such that the table pivots around an axis perpendicular to the two extendable bars   wherein the table is operable to be fastened in a retractable plane   wherein the table and two parallel bars operates to retract into luggage having a storage compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The table system of  claim 1  wherein the means of coupling the table to the two bars is achieved by two shafts on each side of the table that fit into a receiving port on the inside of each of the two bars that extend to support the extendable handle. 
     
     
         3 . The table system of  claim 1  wherein the table is operable to be fastened in the retractable plane by a connection comprising one or more convex sockets paired with one or more extensions. 
     
     
         4 . The table system of  claim 3  wherein the one or more extensions are comprised of spring extensions. 
     
     
         5 . The table system of  claim 3  wherein the one or more extensions are coupled to one or more of the two parallel bars and the one or more convex sockets are on the table. 
     
     
         6 . The table system of  claim 1 , wherein the means of coupling the table to the two bars is achieved by one shaft expanded at each end and running at least partially through the two parallel bars, wherein the shaft also runs loosely through the table. 
     
     
         7 . The table system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more spring extensions and one or more convex sockets are configured so that the force needed to push the table out of the position that is parallel to the two bars is more than 1 pound but less than fifteen pounds. 
     
     
         8 . The table system of  claim 1  wherein the table contains a cutout that can hold a drink cup and grooves that are configured to run parallel to the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The table system of  claim 1 , wherein a sheath inside the luggage compartment will be configured such that the sheath shields the two parallel bars and the table when the two parallel bars and the table are retracted inside the luggage. 
     
     
         10 . The table system of  claim 1 , wherein the table is sized and the pivoting coupling is configured so that any part of the table is at least two inches away from the retractable handle. 
     
     
         11 . The table system of  claim 1 , wherein inserts can be placed between the luggage and the table so that the table will rest at a desired angle to the ground when the luggage is at rest. 
     
     
         12 . A retractable table system comprising
 an extendable luggage handle having two parallel supports bars and   a substantially rectangular table having opposite short sides that are parallel to the extendable luggage handle and opposite long sides that are perpendicular to the handle   wherein two shafts extend in opposite directions along the same axis off the long sides of the table.   wherein the centerline of the shafts is less than three inches away from one of the short sides of the table and   wherein the shafts fit into receiving ends on the two parallel supports bars and two extensions extend in opposite directions along the same axis off the long sides of the table   wherein part of each extension will fit into a corresponding socket on each of the two bars that extend to support the extendable luggage handle   and wherein the location of the indentations are such that the extensions on the table will align with the indentations when the table is parallel to the two bars.   
     
     
         13 . The retractable table system of  claim 12 , wherein the table has at least one receiving port for a cup and at least one groove that runs parallel to the extendable luggage handle. 
     
     
         14 . The retractable table system of  claim 12 , wherein the extensions are button springs that require a total force between one and fifteen pounds to push the extensions out of the sockets. 
     
     
         15 . The retractable table system of  claim 12 , wherein leveling supports can be fixed to the bottom of the table so that the table rests at the desired angle to the ground when the luggage is at rest. 
     
     
         16 . The retractable table system of  claim 12 , wherein the luggage compartment that holds the two bars is configured with supports that prevent the table from falling out of the retracted plane. 
     
     
         17 . A method of deploying a retracted table system, said method comprising
 disposing a button on an extendable luggage handle to extend the handle,   pulling on the handle to extend the handle, and   allowing the table to fall to a rest.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising an additional step after pulling on the handle to extend the handle, that additional step comprising the step of pushing the table with enough force to disengage the table from a retractable plane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein leveling supports placed under the table so that the table will fall to a rest on the luggage at a desired angle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the force required to disengage the table is more than one pound and less than ten pounds.