Concealable desktop workspace

Abstract

A concealing cover for a desktop workspace. The cover panel is supported above an interior working surface and is operable between an open position and a closed position. A translating mechanism couples the cover panel to a desktop and may be configured so that the operation of one cover panel will move a second cover panel in the same relative direction to open or close the cover panels to conceal or open the desktop workspace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A concealable desktop comprising:
 a substantially flat interior desktop surface;   a cover panel, operable between an open position and a closed position; and   a translating mechanism operatively coupled to the interior desktop surface and the cover panel such that the cover panel is supported as it is moved laterally between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The concealable desktop of  claim 1 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a guide assembly interconnected with an aft end of the interior desktop and an aft end of the cover panel.   
     
     
         3 . The concealable desktop of  claim 2 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a roller attached to a forward end of the interior desktop surface, the roller having an outer surface configured to support a bottom surface of cover panel.   
     
     
         4 . The concealable desktop of  claim 3 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a cable carried over a pulley such that operation of a first cover panel will move a second cover panel in the same relative direction.   
     
     
         5 . The concealable desktop of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a left cover panel and a right cover panel.   
     
     
         6 . The concealable desktop of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a plurality of legs extending from a bottom surface of the interior desktop surface.   
     
     
         7 . The concealable desktop of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an aft stop extending along a back edge of the interior desktop surface.   
     
     
         8 . The concealable desktop of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a lateral stop extending along a side edge of the interior desktop surface.   
     
     
         9 . A desk comprising:
 a substantially flat interior desktop surface carried on a support platform;   a left and a right cover panel operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the interior desktop surface is covered in the closed position and uncovered in the open position;   a translating mechanism operatively coupled to the interior desktop surface such that the left cover panel and the right cover panel are supported as they are moved laterally between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         10 . The desk of  claim 9 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a guide assembly interconnected the interior desktop and the cover panel.   
     
     
         11 . The concealable desktop of  claim 10 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a roller attached to a forward end of the interior desktop surface, the roller having an outer surface configured to support a bottom surface of the left and the right cover panels.   
     
     
         12 . The concealable desktop of  claim 11 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a cable carried over a pulley such that operation of a first cover panel will move a second cover panel in the same relative direction.   
     
     
         13 . A desktop cover, comprising:
 a cover panel having a translating mechanism to operatively coupled the cover panel to a desktop surface such that the cover panel is supported above the desktop surface as it is moved laterally between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The desktop cover of  claim 13 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a guide assembly configured to be interconnected between the desktop and the cover panel.   
     
     
         15 . The concealable desktop of  claim 14 , wherein the translating mechanism further comprises:
 a roller configured to support a forward end of the cover panel above a forward end of the desktop.