I need to build a changing station. We have a great location for it
between two walls in our bathroom (they are only about 4 feet
apart). The table will span from the one wall to the other.
We need to be able to remove the table when not in use. It would be
much better if the table top could go down rather than up for
stowing. But the parent carrying a baby, the table must go from the
stowed downward position to the locked horizontal position by a
one-arm movement. So the challenge is how to receive and automatically
support the table top on the right-hand side wall.
Getting the table back to stowing position may require two hands, but
that is fine. We just need to be able to go and change that diaper
without putting the child down first.
Essentially, this is like a door lock. You can close the door by a push. But you need to turn the handle to open it.
I am very open to suggestions for how to obtain this mechanism. The mechanism needs to be fairly strong so it can easily carry a 2-year old troublemaker. Also, it would be great if it can be released from one handle/lever/whatever.
Best Answer
First off I would suggest that you not hinge the top on the narrow end. Instead hinge it along the long side that is against the wall in the alcove. This will make it much easier to swing it up into position. Something like this:
For supporting the hinge up shelf I would have a wood strip mounted into the side walls of the alcove that was positioned in a horizontal manner such that it was located where the top comes when it is hinged up into position. Near the outside ends I would install two striker plates that were basically the same as a regular door plate. You would install the curved side of the striker plate in the down position. Something like this:
The wood strip has two advantages here. First off it allows some clearance of the shelf from the side walls of the alcove. Secondly it makes it easier to mount the door catch than trying to put it into drywall or other wall materials. You may very well find it advantageous to install a continuation of this strip along the back wall of the alcove so you have a decent surface to mount the hinge. The strips can be secured to the walls at the stud locations.
For the catches that you would mount on the bottom of the hinge up shelf you would use a product that looks like this:
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These catches are often called "slam latches" and can be found at trailer parts stores among others. You will want to find lighter duty catches that the spring is not too stiff. A catch designed for a trailer gate that retains a 3000 pound load would be unsuitable for your application.
Obviously the catch tapered part is mounted to align with the door striker plate described earlier. Once you realize that the tongue of the latch sticks out beyond the end of the shelf you can see the reason for the first installed wood strip to provide for clearance as the shelf is swung up into position.
Once the two latches are mounted on the two sides of the flip up shelf you would interconnect the two handles with a light piece of chain that was fairly taught when the shelf latches are in their relaxed position. A pull on the chain from the center should allow both catches to be released to lower the shelf when it has been in the raised latched position. Chain like this is strong but light duty and will not have the tendency to have its links bend while being tugged on.
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