Hinge suggestions please

[Blokky27]

Hello all

My aging father has a nice cherry wood coffee table 4' x 2' and about 18" high. He eats all of his meals on his lap sat on the sofa in front of it, and regularly spills the plate all over himself despite having a lap tray.

He has asked me to make him a new table that's higher so he can still eat from the sofa but on a table. Problem is the table will then be too high when he's not eating.

My thoughts therefore are to cut out a piece of the top, and have this hinged so it can swing up and towards him to eat off and then stow back in place for the rest of the time.

Has anyone done anything like this and/or could you suggest any hinge types or solutions that will be sturdy enough for the weight of the piece of wood plus him eating - cutting down on his food etc.

Edit - found something similar online - photo attached. So it's quite possible, but what type of hinges are these? I need something that will lock in place and preferably be easy to release and return after use. Dampened so it doesn't go back quickly and catch his fingers would be a bonus!

Thanks

 

[blup]

A hinge wont help if you re after a table that works at two different levels. I doubt he will stop spilling his food if he has to reach higher. Have you considered a social services assessement, they offer practical solutions for quite a lot of day to day things

 

[Blokky27]

Hi Blup

I truly appreciate your input re social services, but he's just a bit of an odd ball and puts his plate on something else on top of the laptray. If it was all on a table at eating height then he'd be so much happier. Also having something done for him by family would mean way more to him too. Did you see the attached photo (I may have added it after your reply) - this shows what I'm after...

Thanks

 

[Blokky27]

I could obviously just buy him the table in the photo or similar, but he loves his existing table, which he has sat infront of with my late mother for the last 40+ years...

 

[robinbanks]

When my pa was in care he had a table with wheels and a height adjuster mechanism that was supported from only one side so the wheels could roll under his bed and the table set to whatever he wanted

Could you find one of those mechanisms and "personify" it by making a top?

Search eBay for "over bed table" to get an idea of what I mean

 

[Blokky27]

Thank you- also a good suggestion but don't think dad would want an extra table there. Google image search has come to the rescue and I found the right items on Amazon. Simples.

 

[blup]

You might be able to add adjustable legs, ikea do them.

OLOV white, Leg, adjustable - IKEA

OLOV white, Leg, adjustable. Mix and match your choice of table top and legs. By buying them separately, you can create a combination with design and size that fits perfectly into your available space.

www.ikea.com

 

[foxhole]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Folding-Hardware-Fitting-Furniture-Accessories/dp/B08GSK7TXZ/ref=asc_df_B08GSK7TXZ?mcid=6363554934153735bbe09b8e82405e6d&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697220189223&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12966240961335157872&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006637&hvtargid=pla-1131526588945&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

[Blokky27]

This is exactly what I've bought FH.