Retractable sofa table with extended table surface

Abstract

A seating unit includes a seat frame, a foldable table assembly that includes a foldable panel pivotally attached to its rear edge, a four bar linkage which moves the table assembly between an open position and a closed position, and a roller which controls the rotational movement of the foldable panel about the rear edge of the table assembly. The seat frame includes a seat having a generally horizontal seat surface and a backrest having a recessed area and mounting panels positioned laterally of the recessed area. The foldable table assembly includes a decorative surface and a support surface generally opposed to the decorative surface. The foldable panel has an upper surface and a lower surface generally opposed to the upper surface. The four bar linkage is attached to the table assembly and to the mounting panels of the seat frame and moves the table assembly between a generally upright closed position, in which the table section is nested within the recessed area, and a generally horizontal open position, in which the decorative surface faces and is adjacent the seat surface and the support surface faces upwardly. When the table assembly is in the closed position, the upper surface of the panel is generally upright and confronts the support surface of the table assembly, and when the table assembly is in the open position, the panel is disposed generally horizontally rearward of the table assembly and the rear edge of the panel is free to move upwardly and forwardly.