Table extension for the handicapped

Claim 2

An extension adapted to be secured to the underside of a table top comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced side frame members forming a housing; b. means for securing the housing to the underside of a table top; c. a first planar member which extends transversely substantially between said side frame members; d. support means in each side frame member for slidably supporting the first planar member; e. a second planar member disposed above and substantially parallel to the first planar member; and f. locking hinge means connecting the planar members along their respective edges, said locking hinge means providing for movement of the planar members from a collapsed position within the housing wherein said second planar member is disposed between said side frame members to an extended position wherein the second planar member can be raised to a position substantially at the same level as the table top to provide an extension to the table top.

Claim 3

The extension set forth in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a longitudinal channel in each frame member and an edge of the first planar member is engagable with one of the channels.

Claim 4

The extension set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking hinge means comprises a pair of opposed Z-hinges and locking means on the first planar member for locking the Z-hinges in an open position whereby the planar members are held in the extended position.

Claim 5

The extension set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 and including means for grasping and moving the planar members from the collapsed position to the extended position and vice versa.

Claim 6

The extension set forth in claim 4 wherein the means for grasping and moving the planar members is a handle secured to the second planar member.

Claim 7

The extension set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 and including at least one cross support member located between and connected to the side frame members.

Claim 8

The extension set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the means for securing the side frame members beneath the table top is an upper support member attached to the top of each side frame member.

Claim 9

An extension adapted to be secured to the underside of a table top comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced side frame members forming a housing; b. an upper support member attached to the top of each side frame member for securing the housing to the underside of a table top; c. a first planar member which extends transversely substantially between said side frame members; d. a longitudinal channel in each side frame member which engages an edge of the first planar member for slidably supporting the first planar member within the housing; e. a second planar member disposed above and substantially parallel to the first planar member; f. a pair of opposed Z-hinges connected to the respective edges of and for moving the planar members from a collapsed position within the housing wherein said second planar member is disposed between said side frame members to an extended position wherein the second planar member can be raised to a position substantially at the same level as the table top to provide an extension to the table top. g. locking means on the first planar member for locking the Z-hinges in their open position whereby the planar members are held in the extended position; and h. a handle secured to the second planar member for grasping and moving the planar members from the collapsed position to the extended position and vice versa.

Claim 10

An extension adapted to be secured to the underside of a table top comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced side frame members forming a housing; b. an upper support member attached to the top of each side frame member for securing the housing to the underside of a table top; c. a first planar member which extends transversely substantially between said side frame members; d. a longitudinal channel in each side frame member which engages an edge of the first planar member for slidably supporting the first planar member within the housing; e. a second planar member disposed above and substantially parallel to the first planar member; f. a pair of opposed Z-hinges connected to the respective edges of and for moving the planar members from a collapsed position within the housing wherein said second planar member is disposed between said side frame members to an extended position wherein the second planar member can be raised to a position substantially at the same level as the table top to provide an extension to the table top. g. locking means on the first planar member for locking the Z-hinges in their open position whereby the planar members are held in the extended position; and h. a handle secured to the second planar member for grasping and moving the planar members from the collapsed position to the extended position and vice versa.

Claim 11

In combination with a table including a table top and supporting legs, a table extension secured to the underside of the table top, said table extension comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced side frame members secured to the underside of the table top and forming a housing; b. a first planar member which extends transversely substantially between said side frame members; c. support means in each side frame member for slidably supporting the first planar member; d. a second planar member disposed above and substantially parallel to the first planar member; and e. locking hinge means connecting the planar members along their respective edges, said locking hinge means providing for movement of the planar members from a collapsed position within the housing wherein said second planar member is disposed between said side frame members to an extended position wherein the second planar member can be raised to a position substantially at the same level as the table top to provide an extension to the table top.

Claim 12

In combination with a table including a table top and supporting legs, a table extension secured to the underside of the table top, said table extension comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced side frame members secured to the underside of the table top and forming a housing; b. a first planar member which extends transversely substantially between said side frame members; c. support means in each side frame member for slidably supporting the first planar member; d. a second planar member disposed above and substantially parallel to the first planar member; and e. locking hinge means connecting the planar members along their respective edges, said locking hinge means providing for movement of the planar members from a collapsed position within the housing wherein said second planar member is disposed between said side frame members to an extended position wherein the second planar member can be raised to a position substantially at the same level as the table top to provide an extension to the table top.

Claim 13

The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein the support means comprises a longitudinal channel in each frame member and an edge of the first planar member is engagable with one of the channels.

Claim 14

The combination set forth in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the locking hinge means comprises a pair of opposed Z-hinges and locking means on the first planar member for locking the Z-hinges in their open position whereby said planar members are held in the extended position.

Claim 15

The combination set forth in claim 9 or claim 10 and including means for grasping and moving the planar members from the collapsed position to the extended position and vice versa.

Claim 16

The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for grasping and moving the planar members is a handle secured to the second planar member.

Claim 17

The combination set forth in claim 9 or claim 10 and including at least one cross support member located between and connected to the side frame members.