Patent Publication Number: US-2006016372-A1

Title: Combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a combination dinette table and computer workstation for use in limited space environments. The combination dinette table and computer workstation has particular utility in providing a combination eating and working area in recreational vehicles and small homes.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Living space is often a premium in many recreational vehicles (RV&#39;s) and small apartments. However, by necessity most RV&#39;s and apartments dedicate an area for a dinette. So, it would be desirable to fill this limited space with a piece of furniture that can serve as both a conventional dining table and a general-purpose workstation.  
      Although many very large RV&#39;s have a built-in workstation, those 34-feet in length or less usually don&#39;t have such a workstation since every square inch of space is needed for some other function. Since a large percentage of all RV&#39;s fit into this size category, it would appear that a market would exist for a product that addresses this space issue.  
      Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved piece of furniture that can serve as a conventional dining table and also be easily and quickly converted to a computer or general-purpose workstation. Furthermore, a product that addresses this need would likely be more attractable if a smaller dining table for two people could still be utilize without disturbing the computer workstation. In this respect, the combination dinette table and computer workstation according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so meets this need.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In view of the fact the Applicant knows of no combination dinette table and computer workstation of the type disclosed to be present in the prior art, the present invention discloses a combination dinette and computer workstation, which meets the need of providing a functional computer workstation in a space limited environment. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that has several novel features that result in a computer workstation that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
      To attain this, a preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a typical appearing RV dining table mounted by means of front and rear support posts from the floor of the RV. However, the top of this table consist of a front and rear table section hinged together with the front table section further having hinged side wing panels fastened to the bottom side and the rear table section having hinged wing supports mounted on each side and a slideable keyboard drawer mounted to the bottom side. The table can quickly be converted into a computer workstation by removing the front support post, folding the front table section back on top of the rear table section, releasing and swinging the hinged side wing panels outward and supporting them by means of swing-out side wing panel supports, and pulling the computer keyboard drawer out from underneath the rear table section. The back of the rear table is further mounted by quick release means to the RV wall to help support the workstation now sitting on the rear support post. Finally, the computer workstation has a swing-out mouse pad and an optional auxiliary shelf that can be mounted at the back of the table near the RV wall.  
      Also, a secondary dining table for use by one or two people is disclosed that can be quickly installed using the front support post without the need to remove the computer from the workstation. To install this smaller secondary dining table, the computer keyboard drawer is pushed in under the rear table section, the front support post in inserted in the provided floor table mount, and the smaller secondary dining table is installed on top of the support post. This table is also supported at the back edge by means of mating alignment support clips mounted on the table and on the front of the rear table section.  
      In a second embodiment of the present invention the combination dining table and computer workstation is supported by means of a free-standing table support frame for use in apartments or smaller homes. The front section of this support frame slides in and out relative to the rear section, so that it is extended outwardly to support the dining table configuration. To convert to the computer workstation configuration, the front table section is folded back on top of the rear table section, the front portion of the free-standing support frame is then pushed backward under the rear table section to fully support the workstation, the hinged side wing panels are swung outward and supported them by means of the side wing panel supports, the computer keyboard drawer is pulled out from underneath the rear table section, and the mouse pad is swung-out into operating position.  
      There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.  
      There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.  
      Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.  
      As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
      It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that provides people living in small quarters a solution for providing a convenient and easy to use computer workstation.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.  
      An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new combination dinette table and computer workstation that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such combinational furniture economically available to the buying public.  
      These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the preferred embodiment of the combination dinette table and computer workstation shown in the dinette configuration, as constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of the present invention shown installed in the dinette area of a recreational vehicle.  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of the present invention as it is being converted from a dinette table to a computer workstation.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the computer workstation of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the computer workstation of the present invention with an auxiliary shelf attached at the rear.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the auxiliary shelf of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the computer workstation of the present invention with a secondary dining table temporarily installed to the front of the workstation.  
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of the present invention with a storage area for a secondary dining table.  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective drawing of a second embodiment showing a free-standing combination dining table and computer workstation in a dinette table configuration, as constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11   a  is a perspective drawing of the free-standing table support frame of the present invention as configured to support a dining table.  
       FIG. 11   b  is a perspective drawing of the free-standing table support frame of the present invention as configured to support a computer workstation.  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the free-standing computer workstation of the present invention for use in a small apartment or other confined spaces.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of the second embodiment of the present invention with stand-along legs, shown configured as a computer workstation. 
    
    
      The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1-9 , a preferred embodiment of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of the present invention for use in recreational vehicles (RV&#39;s) is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 .  
      In  FIG. 1 , a new combination dining table and computer workstation  10  of the present invention for use in recreational vehicles is illustrated in the dinette configuration and will be described. More particularly, the combination dining table and computer workstation  10  has a rear table section  12  that is always fixed in one location, and a front table section  14 , which is attached to the rear table section  12  by table-top hinges  24 . The table is shown with optional decorative table molding  15  around the outer edge of the rear table top  16  and front table top  22 , respectively. The front table section  14  has two computer workstation side wing panels  32 , with one being attached to each side of the front table section by wing hinges  34  and folded and held by securing means underneath the front table section. The rear table section  12  has side-panels  28  extending downward on each side to form a keyboard compartment to house a keyboard shelf  30 . Also, a swing-out side wing panel support  36  is mounted by hinge means to each keyboard compartment side-panel  28  for supporting the computer workstation side wing panels  32  in the computer workstation configuration. The rear table section  12  and front table section  14  are supported by means of rear table support post  18  and front table support post  26 , respectively, which are press fitted into floor table mounts  20  on the floor of the RV.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combination dining table and computer workstation  10  of the present invention shown installed in a recreational vehicle. The dining table fits into a RV dinette area arrangement, which typically has booth type seats  38  and located just below a window  40 . In this standard dinette configuration the computer workstation components are pretty much disguised.  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the combination dining table and computer workstation of the present invention as it is being converted from a dining table to a computer workstation. This shows the front table top  22  folded back on top of the rear table top  16  by means of table top hinges  24 . The rear table keyboard compartment side panels  28  are shown with the side wing panel supports  36  folded in and a rear table support post mounting member  49  attached to the bottom of the side-panels  28  and expanding from side-to-side across the rear table section. The rear support post  18  is attached to a rear table upper mount  50 , which is fastened to the bottom surface of the rear table support post mounting member  49 , by press-fit means. A front split table upper mount  46  has two halves, with one mounted to the bottom of each computer workstation side wing panel  32  along the unhinged edge. The two halves of the front split table upper mount  46  are connected together by split upper mount locking means  48  so as to accept and clamp the top of the front table support post  26  in the dining table configuration. In changing to the computer workstation configuration the split upper mount locking means  48  is released, leaving the two computer workstation wing panels  32  free to swing outwardly. Each computer workstation wing panel  32  has an attached table wing support spacer  42  with table wing support alignment pin  44  for use in securing the swing-out computer workstation side wing panels  32  to the table wing support spacer  42  in the computer workstation configuration. A keyboard shelf  30  is attached to the bottom side of the rear table section  12  by means of keyboard shelf mounting brackets  31  with built-in shelf slides  29 . A swing-out mouse pad  51  is attached to the front at one side of the keyboard shelf  30 . A keyboard shelf-locking pin  52  is inserted on one side of the assembly through the side wing panel support  36  and keyboard compartment side panel  28  into the computer shelf  30  to secure the keyboard shelf  30  while the RV is in motion. Finally, female table top alignment clips  53  are attached to the under front side of the rear table section for use in installing a secondary dining table when in the computer workstation configuration without disturbing the computer work area.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the computer workstation of the present invention. This more clearly shows the front table top  22 , with computer workstation side wing panels  32  being attached by table wing hinges  34  and the front table split upper mount  46 , folded back on top of the rear table top  16 , with one of the side wing panel supports  36  attached to the keyboard compartment side panel  28  by means of table wing support hinge  56 , and the keyboard shelf locking pin  52  securing the keyboard shelf  30  in place. Also shown is a wall attachment assembly, which includes a plug-in table wall mount  58  mounted to the back panel  67  of the rear table section, and a table wall mount cup  60  with mounting screw  62  that mounts to the RV wall for further stabilizing the assembly, especially when used in the computer workstation configuration where only the rear support post  18  is used. Additionally, two mounting bolts  64  and associated nuts  66  are included on the back panel  67  of the rear table section  12  for mounting an auxiliary shelf.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the computer workstation of the present invention with the side wing panels  32  folded out and the keyboard shelf extended ready to use. Here the rear table section is supported by rear table support post  18  and table wall mounts  58 . The front table top  22  is folded on top of the rear table top  16 , with the two computer workstation side wing panels  32  folded out and supported by means of table wing support spacers  42 . Also, the keyboard shelf  30 , with a built-in front handrail  68  and swing-out mouse pad  51  with mouse pad bolt tie-down means  70 , is shown in the extended position for use with a computer keyboard.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the computer workstation of the present invention with an auxiliary shelf  72  attached at the rear for use with additional peripheral computer components. This auxiliary shelf has a back panel  74 , which can be quickly attached to the back of the workstation. The top of the auxiliary shelf has a hinge  76 , which allows the assembly to be folded up for storage.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the auxiliary shelf of the present invention. This optional apparatus is comprised of the auxiliary shelf  72  attached by hinge  76  means to a back-rail  78 , which is fixedly attached to a back panel  74 . For use, the shelf  72  is rotated upward to a horizontal position and supported by two support panels  80 , which are connected by support panel hinges  81  to the back panel  74 . The support panels  80  are aligned and held in place by alignment pins  82 , which fit into mating holes on the underside of the shelf  72 . The auxiliary shelf can be attached to the back of the computer workstation, as needed, by sliding the operational mounting slots  86  at bottom of the back panel  74  on to mounting bolts  64  and securing the shelf in place by tightening mounting nuts  66 . To store the auxiliary shelf, the shelf  72  is raised upward slightly to free the alignment pins  82 , then the shelf support panels  80  are rotated inward against the back panel  74 , and the auxiliary shelf  72  is folded downward. A tie-down bolt  85  is then placed through tie-down hole  84  in the back panel  74  and screwed into a tie-down nut  83  located on the underside of the shelf  72 . The folded auxiliary shelf can then be stored upside-down under the table by hooking storage mounting slots  88  on the mounting bolts  64  and tightening the mounting nuts  66 .  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the computer workstation of the present invention with a secondary dining table temporarily installed to the front of the workstation. To avoid having to disturb the computer workstation area when it&#39;s time to eat, an optional secondary dining table  90  is provided. This table is supported by the front support post  26  extending upward from the front RV floor table mount  20  and by means of male/female table top alignment clips  54 / 53 , respectively. To install the secondary dining table  90 , the keyboard shelf  30  is pushed in, the support post  26  is placed in the floor mount  20 , the male alignment clips  54  on the back of the table  90  are placed in matching female alignment clips  53  on the workstation table, and the table is pushed downward on to the top of support post  26 . To remove the secondary dining table, this process is reversed.  
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the combination dining table and computer workstation  10  of the present invention with a storage area for a secondary dining table included just below the keyboard shelf  30 . Although the secondary dining table  90  could likely be stored elsewhere in a RV, a convenient storage slot can be provided by extending the rear table keyboard compartment side panels  92  downward and adding table rails  93  to support the secondary table. A lower positioned support post mounting member  94  is shown spanning the width of the assembly. Here, a secondary dining table  90  with attached support frame  96  and upper RV post mount  98  is shown stored upside-down and secured in place by means of a secondary table locking pin  99 .  
      Referring now to the  FIGS. 10-13 , a second embodiment of the combination dining table and computer workstation of the present invention, primarily for use in small apartments and small floor space homes, is shown. These figures are perspective views of a free-standing combination dinette table and computer workstation, showing the dining table and computer workstation configurations, respectively, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The upper portion of the dining table and computer workstation are the same as disclosed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the exception that the tables are now supported by means of a sliding frame  102  with free-standing table legs  104 .  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective drawing of a second embodiment showing a free-standing combination dining table and computer workstation in a dinette configuration  100  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This shows the hindedly  24  attached rear table top  16  and front table top  22  mounted on top of front and back sliding side frames  106 / 108 , respectively, and front cross frame  114  with attached free-standing table legs  104 . Computer workstation side-wing supports  110  are shown attached to the back support structure side frames  108 . Computer workstation side wing panels  32  are also shown attached to the front table top  22 , by means of table wing hinges  34 , and folded and stored under the front table top  22  in this dining table configuration.  
       FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  are perspective drawings of the free-standing table support frame  102  of the present invention configured for supporting a dining table, in an expanded position and a computer workstation in a compressed position, respectively. The frame has a back stationary frame section  107  and a front sliding frame section  105  and is further comprised of two front sliding side frames  106 , two back side frames  108 , a back cross frame member  112 , and a front cross frame member  114 . These frame members are attached to free-standing furniture type legs  104  at each corner. The table side wing supports  110  are attached to the back side frames  108  by wing support hinges  56  and can be rotated outward, as shown in  FIG. 11   b , for supporting the computer workstation side wing panels  32  in the computer workstation configuration. Back table sliding rail means  116  and front table sliding rail means  118  are shown attached to the back side frames  108  and front sliding side frames  106 , respectively. In The height of the front section  105  top rails  106 / 114  are shown lower than the height of those for the back stationary section  107  rails to accommodate the side wing panels  32 , which are folded under the front table top  22  in the dining table configuration.  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the free-standing computer workstation of the present invention for use in a small apartments or other small homes. This shows the front table top  22  folded back on top of the rear table top  16  with side wing panels  32  extended outward on each side and supported by means of wing support spacers  42 . The assembly is supported by the front and back sliding side frames  106 , 108 . Free-standing table legs  104  are mounted at each corner. Also shown is the keyboard shelf  30 , with front handrail  68 , swing-out mouse pad  51  in the extended operational position, and an auxiliary shelf  72 .  
      Finally,  FIG. 13  is a front view of the combination dinette table and computer workstation of the second embodiment of the present invention with stand-along legs, shown configured as a computer workstation. With the exception of the side panel locking means  120 , which is mounted directly on to the surface of the computer workstation side wing panels  32 , for holding the side wing panels  32  in place when not in use, the top portion of the assembly is the same as disclosed for the RV embodiment discussed in  FIGS. 1-7 . However, in this case the combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly is attached to the free-standing frame  102  discussed in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b . The front view shows the free-standing frame  102 , which is comprised of the back table support structure side frames  108  and the front table support structure sliding side frames  106  with sliding rail means  116 / 118 , back and front cross frame members  112  and  114 , respectively, and four furniture type legs  104 . The sliding keyboard shelf  30  with swing-out mouse pad  51  and the computer workstation side wing panel supports  110  are the same. This second embodiment can likely be made somewhat larger, sized to fit the available space in a small apartment or home, than the RV embodiment.  
      In use, it can now be understood that the combination dinette table and computer workstation can be easily and quickly converted from a dining table to a computer workstation by unattaching from the front support post and flipping the front table section back on top of the rear table section, releasing the two computer workstation side wing panels and rotating them outwardly, thereby extending the width of the workstation, pulling the keyboard shelf out from under the rear table section, and rotating the mouse pad outwardly. To return the assembly to a dining table configuration the process is reversed.  
      While a preferred embodiment of the combination dinette and computer workstation has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as varies varieties of wood, formed plastic, metal, or hard rubber can be used in fabricating the combination dinette table and computer workstation assembly and the assembly can be sized to fit a particular application. Also, the assembly can be adapted for use with various table support structures commonly used in the RV industry.  
      Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.