Compact folding furniture pieces

A compact folding furniture piece configured for convenient storage, comprising:

• an object support assembly including an articulated vertebral column positioned between a support mount and a table base and including a spring mechanism, the table base comprising a table top surface;
• the articulated vertebral column comprising multiple vertebral members arranged in lengthwise parallel alignment with one another and operatively connected to one another by multiple connecting members and the spring mechanism;
• the spring mechanism comprising multiple spaced-apart spring mechanism components that cooperate with the operatively connected vertebral members to form a flexible unit including the support mount, the vertebral column, and the table base;
• the support mount being mounted on an upstanding mounting structure such that the support mount is positioned below the table base in a normal position of use;
• the table base having opposite ends between which is located the table top surface, one end of the table base connected to the vertebral column, and the other end of the table base constituting a free end of the table top surface;
• and
• the multiple spring mechanism components exhibiting flexibility properties such that when the support mount is mounted on the upstanding mounting structure, the object support assembly assumes at rest an unfolded state in which the vertebral column is substantially straight to provide a closed table top surface and, in response to an externally applied bending force, assumes a folded state in which the vertebral column is curved to provide a raised, open table top surface on which an object can rest.