Convertible folding table-carrel unit

Claim 1

A convertible table-carrel unit comprising: a. a top section having a back edge and opposite end edges; b. base means for supporting said top section in a generally horizontal plane; c. a pair of side walls having inner and outer surfaces, said side walls being oppositely hinged to said top section along lines adjacent and parallel to said end edges for upward and outward pivotal movement from inward, closed storage positions, folded downwardly with said inner surfaces against and parallel to said top section, to open parallel carrel forming positions perpendicular to said top surface along the ends thereof; d. a back wall member pivotally connected to said top section for movement between an open, carrel-forming position in which it is vertically disposed along said back edge of and extends partly below said top section, and a closed, table-forming position in which it overlieS the side walls in their inwardly and downwardly folded storage positions; e. a peripheral frame secured to the edges of said back wall member, which in the closed position of the back wall member extends downwardly to hide the edges of the side walls and top section, the opposite ends of said peripheral frame providing stop members having inner surfaces thereon and extending forwardly from said back wall member in the open position thereof, the distance between the inner surfaces of said stop members being the same as the distance between the outer surfaces of said side walls in the open positions thereof so that in the open position of said back wall member said stop members limit said upward and outward movement of said side walls; f. shelf means hinged longitudinally to said back wall member for pivotal movement between a closed position parallel thereto and an open position extending horizontally forward from said back wall member in the open position thereof, between said side walls, the length of said shelf means being the same as the distance between the inner surfaces of said side walls in their open positions, whereby said side walls are gripped between said stop members and the ends of said shelf means in the open position of said back wall member, said side walls, and said shelf means; g. and means carried by said side walls on the inner surfaces thereof for limiting the forward pivotal movement of said shelf means.