Sliding table top

[0001] The Sliding Tabletop is designed to offer access to storage space underneath a tabletop. The best example is with a coffee table/chest seen in Drawing (1). When designing a coffee table/chest with storage space under the tabletop, some problems of convenience arose. The main problem was coming up with a method of opening the top. Hinges, which are frequently used with chests, made access to the storage space difficult when items were on the tabletop. Therefore, the only way to make for convenient storage access was to have a tabletop in which stayed level when open. This removes the need to take all items off the tabletop every time access is needed. Therefore, the sliding tabletop is fixed to the frame of the table with sliders allowing only horizontal motion of the tabletop, parallel to the frame of the furniture. The tabletop is fixed to the frame via the sliding mechanism so that it never comes completely off the frame, but slides enough to give adequate access for storing items in and removing items from the storage space within the table frame(under the tabletop).

[0002] Tables are a part of every household. There are coffee tables, dinner tables, side tables, nightstands, etc... For the purpose of describing this invention, the coffee table provides a great example of a slight design change enhancing usefulness.

[0003] Coffee tables come in many shapes and sizes. In many cases, coffee tables offer more than a tabletop surface. They offer space in which to store items such as magazines, videos, compact discs, video games, etc... This space is generally found under the tabletop and can be accessed through a lifting top or draws located on the four side faces of the coffee table. In my personal use of a coffee table of this type, I frequently pile all types of items on the tabletop like papers, magazines, beverages, candles, and various other stray items. This always created a problem with coffee tables that have tabletops on hinges. With all the items on the tabletop, accessing storage space would always require the removal of such items from the tabletop before lifting it/opening it. This is obviously inconvenient. Coffee tables with draws mean you have to get up and walk around to access space storage space or squirm out of the way if the draws are facing the coach because you would be in the way of the open draws. With these issues in mind, I came up with the sliding tabletop, which allows easy access to storage space under the tabletop without the removal of items resting on the tabletop.

[0004] After living with the inconveniences of most modern coffee tables, I came up with a simple invention to solve their problems and enhance their functionality as well as the functionality of many other types of tables. With the simple attachment of sliding rails connecting the tabletop to the table frame, easy access to storage space under the tabletop can be achieved without having to get up or clear the table surface. The size of the table can vary as can the storage space. (This is not to be confused with tables that expand for the addition of leaves through the use of sliders to extend the table frame).

[0005] Drawing (1): This drawing shows a coffee table/chest. FIG. (1A) shows the tabletop closed while FIG. (1B) shows the tabletop open. FIG. (1C) simply show a front or view with the top closed.

[0006] Drawing (2): This drawing also shows a coffee table/chest but with a multi-dimensional perspective. FIG. (2A) shows the tabletop slid open with a view into the storage space. FIG. (2B) shows the same view with the top closed.

[0007] Drawing (3): This drawing shows a traditional type coffee table with the sliding tabletop. FIG. (3A) shows a side view with the tabletop closed and FIG. (3B) shows the same view with the tabletop slid open. FIG. (3C) simply show a front or view with the top closed.

[0008] Drawing (4): This drawing also shows a traditional type coffee table with the sliding tabletop but with a multi-dimensional perspective. FIG. (4A) shows the tabletop closed. FIG. (4B) shows the tabletop slid open with a view of the small storage space.

[0009] Pictures (1): These pictures show an example of a coffee table/chest with a sliding tabletop. Pictures (1B), (1C), and (1D) show are views of the tabletop slid open. Pictures (1A) and (1E) show the top closed.

[0010] The Sliding Tabletop is a simple invention where a tabletop is connected to the table frame with sliders to allow a sliding motion of the tabletop parallel to the horizontal side members of the table frame as in FIG. (1B) and FIG. (3B). The sliders may be connected to the top of the frame or the inside or outside of the horizontal side frame members. The top half of the slider is connected to the tabletop and married with the bottom half, which is connected to the frame. Different sliders may be used depending on the table specifications. For example, a large table has the potential to have many items on it and requires a slider able to handle a reasonable amount of weigh when the tabletop is slid open. Different sliders also offer a larger opening through which to access the storage space. Many types of sliders are available to address these issues, but as the sliders are not the basis of the claim, there is no point in going through such possible specifications and options. This invention allows for the access of storage space below the tabletop surface without the need to remove items from the tabletop.

[0011] My claim is the design and concept of the Sliding Tabletop for home furnishings; more specifically, the tabletop which moves horizontally and parallel to the table frame via sliding mechanisms, allowing access to space below the tabletop.