Automaton Table

The table is veneered in a variety of woods including Pau Ferro (Brazilian Rosewood), Quilted Maple, Maple Burl, Ebony, Macassar Ebony, Mahogany, and Maple and includes a variety of stainless steel detailing. The table is approximately 20" square by 28" high.

With a slight press on the top of the table the entire central column rises out of the outer core. As the column rises several other mechanisms activate automatically. The first is a hinged tray that slowly drops down to reveal a polished stainless steel insert and several of the first hidden drawers arrayed throughout the table. Simultaneously a large rectangular box slides out of another section of the column exposing a parquetry panel of Louis Cubes.

There are two hidden drawers behind the hinged tray that are opened with a hidden magnetic key. The bottom of the smaller drawer has a pattern of parquetry Louis Cubes that are visible reflected in the polished stainless steel plate in the tray surface when the drawer is opened. The larger drawer has been fitted with an ebony pen holder for the clients pen collection.

Hidden on the central column is a small button used to activate a set of internal catches and springs that release another secret drawer on the opposite side of the column. This drawer also has a false bottom of the back half of the drawer with a sliding lid.

Hidden inside the top section of the table is a slide out circular puzzle that can be taken out of the table and used separately. There are five rotating rings to this puzzle piece that when aligned correctly will reveal a pattern of Louis Cube parquetry.

Here is a top down view of the parquetry puzzle.

Here is a shot with all the various hidden drawers and buttons opened. Nearly everything that is shown is confined to the upper 10" of the inner cabinet. The lower section of the inner cabinet is filled with a variety of mechanical features that make everything function. The entire table opening system is driven by a single gas piston and a variety of levers and pins activate the opening and closing details. The entire mechanism retracts automatically when the top of the table is pressed down. Once down it locks itself closed with a high load touch latch. This table was designed in concert with the client and the intention was to create a piece of furniture that pushed the boundaries of what could be done mechanically within a highly confined space.