U.S. patent application number 09/949598 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for multi-piece accessory tray.
Invention is credited to Dorsey, Michael C., Mendenhall, Andrew, Turner, Dennis M..
Application Number | 20020036416 09/949598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26928060 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020036416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mendenhall, Andrew ; et
al. |
March 28, 2002 |
Multi-piece accessory tray
Abstract
An accessory tray includes a first tray portion and a second
tray portion adapted to be coupled to and decoupled from the first
tray portion. A third tray portion can also be provided for
coupling to and decoupling from the first tray portion. The
accessory tray is adapted to couple to a high chair tray.
Inventors: |
Mendenhall, Andrew;
(Indianapolis, IN) ; Dorsey, Michael C.;
(Brownsburg, IN) ; Turner, Dennis M.;
(Mooresville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG
11 South Meridian Street
Indianapolis
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
26928060 |
Appl. No.: |
09/949598 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60234542 |
Sep 22, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20130101;
A47D 1/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/148 |
International
Class: |
A47B 039/00; A47B
083/02 |
Claims
1. An accessory tray comprising a first tray portion adapted to
mount on a perimeter of a high chair tray, the first tray portion
having a top surface for holding items and a first side and a
second side, a second tray portion adapted to mount on the first
side of the first tray portion, the second tray portion having a
top surface for holding items, and a third tray portion adapted to
mount on the second side of the first tray portion, the third tray
portion having a top surface for holding items.
2. The accessory tray of claim 1, wherein the first tray portion
and mounted second and third tray portions are adapted to cover a
majority of a vertical front portion of the high chair tray
perimeter.
3. The accessory tray of claim 1, wherein the first and second
sides of the first tray portion are formed to include one of a tab
and a slot.
4. The accessory tray of claim 3, wherein the second and third tray
portions are formed to include the other of the tab and the
slot.
5. The accessory tray of claim 1, further comprising a support for
supporting the second and third tray portions relative to the first
tray portion.
6. A multi-piece accessory tray for use with a high chair tray
having a perimeter including a front wall that faces away from a
high chair seat of a high chair to which the high chair tray is
coupled, the accessory tray comprising a first tray piece adapted
to couple to the high chair tray and extend away from a first
portion of the front wall of the high chair tray in a cantilevered
manner, the first tray piece having a first top surface, a vertical
surface extending downwardly from the first top surface, and a set
of tabs extending away from the vertical surface, and a second tray
piece that is attachable to and detachable from the first tray
piece, the second tray piece having a second top surface and a
vertical wall extending downwardly from the second top surface, the
vertical wall being formed to include a set of slots, each slot
receiving a respective tab of the set of tabs to couple the second
tray piece to the first tray piece, the vertical wall abutting the
vertical surface when the second tray piece is attached to the
first tray piece, and the second tray piece extending from the
first tray piece in a cantilevered manner alongside the first tray
piece and alongside a second portion of the front wall of the high
chair tray when the first tray piece is coupled to the high chair
tray.
7. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 6, wherein each tab of
the set of tabs includes a web portion extending horizontally from
the vertical surface and a rail extending vertically from the web
portion, each slot of the set of slots has a receiving portion and
a retaining portion, and as the second tray piece is coupled to the
first tray piece, the second tray piece is first moved along a path
perpendicular to the vertical surface so that the rails move
through the receiving portions of the slots and then the second
tray piece is moved along a path parallel with the vertical surface
so that the web portions are received in the retaining portions of
the slots.
8. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 7, wherein the vertical
wall includes a front surface and a back surface, the front surface
of the vertical wall abuts the vertical surface of the first tray
piece when the second tray piece is attached to the first tray
piece, and the rails abut the back surface of the vertical wall
when the second tray piece is attached to the first tray piece.
9. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 7, wherein the set of
tabs includes a first tab, a second tab that is spaced horizontally
from the first tab, a third tab that is positioned to lie
vertically beneath the first tab, and a fourth tab that is
positioned to lie vertically beneath the second tab.
10. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 9, wherein the rails of
the first and second tabs extend vertically upwardly from the
respective web portions of the first and second tabs and the rails
of the third and fourth tabs extend vertically downwardly from the
respective web portions of the third and fourth tabs.
11. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 9, wherein the vertical
surface of the first tray piece is formed to include a detent that
is located centrally between the four tabs, the second tray piece
includes a catch that is received in the detent to lock the second
tray piece in place relative to the first tray piece, and the catch
is movable out of the detent to unlock the second tray piece from
the first tray piece to permit detachment of the second tray piece
from the first tray piece.
12. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 6, wherein the vertical
surface of the first tray piece is formed to include a detent, the
second tray piece includes a catch that is received in the detent
to lock the second tray piece in place relative to the first tray
piece, and the catch is movable out of the detent to unlock the
second tray piece from the first tray piece to permit detachment of
the second tray piece from the first tray piece.
13. The multi-piece accessory tray of claim 12, wherein the second
tray piece includes a flexible finger, the catch is appended to the
flexible finger, the flexible finger has a locking position in
which the catch extends from the flexible finger into the detent,
and the flexible finger has a releasing position in which the
flexible finger is flexed away from the vertical surface to
withdraw the catch from the detent.
14. An accessory tray comprising a first tray portion adapted to
mount on a perimeter of a high chair tray, the first tray portion
having a top surface for holding items and a first side and a
second side, and a second tray portion adapted to mount on the
first side of the first tray portion, the second tray portion
having a top surface for holding items and a rear wall configured
to lie adjacent the first side of the first tray portion when the
second tray portion is mounted to the first tray portion, wherein
the first side of the first tray portion is formed to include four
outwardly extending tabs, the rear wall of the second tray portion
is formed to include four slots, and each slot is configured to
mate with one of the four outwardly extending tabs.
15. The accessory tray of claim 14, further comprising a third tray
portion adapted to mount on the second side of the first tray
portion, wherein the second side of the first tray portion is
formed to include four outwardly extending tabs and the third tray
portion is formed to include four slots, each configured to mate
with one of the four outwardly extending tabs of the second
side.
16. The accessory tray of claim 14, wherein each of the four tabs
is formed in an L-shape.
17. The accessory tray of claim 14, wherein the rear wall of the
second tray portion is formed to include four lips, each lip
extending into one of the four slots, each lip retaining the tab
when the tab is moved within the slot to a locked position.
18. The accessory tray of claim 14, further comprising a tongue
coupled to the first tray portion, the tongue being configured to
engage the second tray portion when the second tray portion is
mounted on the first tray portion.
19. The accessory tray of claim 18, wherein the first tray portion
includes a wall disposed at an angle relative to the first side,
the wall has a bottom portion, and the tongue extends outwardly
from the bottom portion of the wall.
20. The accessory tray of claim 18, wherein the second tray portion
is formed to include a recess configured to receive the tongue when
the second tray portion is mounted on the first tray portion.
21. The accessory tray of claim 14, further comprising a catch
coupled to the rear wall of the second tray portion and a detent
formed in the first side of the first tray portion, the catch and
detent cooperating to removably lock the second tray portion when
the second tray portion is mounted on the first tray portion.
22. The accessory tray of claim 21, wherein the second tray portion
includes a finger, the catch is coupled to the finger, and the
finger lies in a plane defined by the rear wall.
23. The accessory tray of claim 22, wherein the finger is formed to
move between a locked position, wherein the catch is configured to
engage the detent, and an unlocked position, wherein the catch is
disengaged from the detent.
24. The accessory tray of claim 22, wherein the finger has a first
end, a second end, and two sides, and the first end is appended to
the rear wall.
25. The accessory tray of claim 24, wherein the rear wall includes
a bottom edge, the second end of the finger extends below the
bottom edge, and the second end of the finger is engaged to move
the finger to withdraw the catch from the detent.
26. The accessory tray of claim 24, wherein the rear wall and
finger are formed such that the two sides of the finger are spaced
from the rear wall.
27. The accessory tray of claim 21, wherein the catch and detent
are each substantially cylindrically shaped.
28. The accessory tray of claim 21, wherein the detent is a
hole.
29. The accessory tray of claim 21, wherein the detent is centrally
formed in the first side, substantially between the four tabs.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
60/234,542, which was filed Sep. 22, 2000 and which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an accessory tray, and
particularly to an accessory tray configured to hold items
associated with feeding young children. More particularly, the
present invention relates to an accessory tray that couples to an
existing tray of a high chair.
[0003] Caregivers often lack a handy place to store bottles, juice
boxes, cups, spoons, towels, and/or food items associated with
feeding young children seated in chairs, such as high chairs, while
the caregivers sit or stand alongside the chair during mealtime. In
some environments, a table or kitchen counter may not be near to
the caregiver as the caregiver helps to feed a young child seated
in a chair having a tray. As a result, no convenient place exists
for the caregiver to place those items to be used by the caregiver
during feeding of a young child seated in a chair or other juvenile
seat.
[0004] According to this disclosure, an accessory tray includes a
first tray portion adapted to mount on a perimeter of a high chair
tray. The first tray portion has a top surface for holding items
and a first side and a second side. A second tray portion having a
top surface for holding items is adapted to mount on the first side
of the first tray portion. A third tray portion is also provided
and has a top surface for holding items. The third tray portion is
adapted to mount on the second side of the first tray portion.
[0005] In an illustrative embodiment, the second and third tray
portions each include a set of slots and the first tray portion
includes first and second sets of tabs that are received by
respective sets of slots to couple the second and third tray
portions to the first tray portion. In addition, the second and
third tray portions each include a catch and the first tray portion
includes apertures that receive the catches to lock the second and
third tray portions to the first tray portion. The first, second,
and third tray portions are formed to hold various items, such as
spoons, forks, cups, and bowls, that a caregiver uses when feeding
a child. In addition, the first tray portion includes a towel
bar.
[0006] Features of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of
carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an accessory tray
in accordance with the present disclosure, the accessory tray
including a first tray portion, a second tray portion, and a third
tray portion, the second and third tray portions being configured
to couple to the first tray portion, which in turn couples to a
perimeter of a high chair tray;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the accessory tray
mounted on a front edge of the high chair tray, the second and
third tray portions coupled to the first tray portion on opposite
sides of the first tray portion, and the accessory tray extending
in a cantilevered manner away from the front edge of the high chair
tray;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the first tray portion showing
the first tray portion having a middle section and a pair of wings
extending outwardly from opposite sides of the middle section;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the first tray portion
of FIG. 3 showing four L-shaped tabs extending from a front surface
of each of the pair of wings and showing an aperture formed in each
of the pair of wings between associated pairs of the L-shaped
tabs;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3,
showing a hook of the first tray portion extending over a
perimetral ridge formed in the high chair tray;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second tray portion
having four slots that are configured to receive the tabs extending
from a respective wing of the first tray portion to couple the
second tray portion to the first tray portion, the second tray
portion having a flexible finger positioned between associated
pairs of the slots, a catch being appended to the flexible finger,
and the catch being configured for receipt in the aperture formed
in the respective wing of the first tray portion to lock the second
tray portion in place relative to the first tray portion;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top plan view, with portions broken away,
showing a first step of coupling the second tray to the first tray
portion in which a rear wall of the second tray portion abuts the
front surface of the associated wing and in which the tabs are
received by receiving portions of respective slots;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 7 showing a second
step of coupling the second tray portion to the first tray portion
in which the second tray portion is slid along the wing of the
first tray portion so that the tabs are received by retaining
portions of respective slots;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along line 9-9 of FIGS. 7
and 13, showing two of the tabs of the first tray portion
positioned in receiving portions of associated slots of the second
tray portion;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along line 10-10 of FIGS.
7 and 13, showing the front surface of the wing engaging the catch
to deflect the flexible finger;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along line 11-11 of FIG.
8, showing two of the tabs of the first tray portion positioned in
retaining portions of associated slots of the second tray
portion;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.
8, showing the flexible finger in a locking position abutting the
front surface of the associated wing and showing the catch
extending from the flexible finger into the aperture formed in the
associated wing when the flexible finger is in the locking
position;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a sectional view, taken along line 13-13 of FIG.
7, showing the first step of coupling the second tray portion to
the first tray portion; and
[0021] FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12, showing the
flexible finger of the second tray portion being moved to a
releasing position to withdraw the catch from the aperture to
permit decoupling of the second tray portion from the first tray
portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] An accessory tray 10 includes a first tray portion or piece
12 configured to couple to a front edge or perimeter 14 of a tray
18 of a high chair 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Illustratively, first
tray portion 12 includes a pair of top hooks 15, shown in FIGS. 2
and 5, that engage a top ridge 16 of tray 18 and a bottom hook 17,
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, that engages a bottom of a front portion or
wall 19 of tray 18 to couple tray 10 to front edge 14. As used
herein, directional indications such as "front," "rear," "left,"
and "right" are from the perspective of a caregiver standing in
front of high chair 20, looking in a direction 50, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0023] The manner in which portion 12 couples to tray 18 is
described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/549,759 which was filed Apr. 14, 2000 and which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. However, other manners for
coupling first tray portion 12 to front edge 14 are within the
scope of this disclosure.
[0024] Illustrative accessory tray 10 includes a second tray
portion or piece 22 and a third tray portion or piece 24 that
couple to first tray portion 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In other
embodiments, tray 10 has a first tray portion 12 and only a second
tray portion 22. It will be appreciated that, according to this
disclosure, tray 10 may have a first tray portion 12 and any number
of additional tray portions or modules that either couple together
or couple to first tray portion 12 to form a single tray assembly
that mounts as a unit to high chair tray 18. In the illustrated
embodiment, second tray portion 22 and third tray portion 24 are
configured to couple with first tray portion 12 such that tray
portions 22, 24 extend in a cantilevered manner away from opposite
sides of first tray portion 12. The coupling of tray portions 22,
24 to first tray portion 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-14, and
is described in more detail below.
[0025] First tray portion 12 is formed to include a towel holder 26
and an item-storage platform 28, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5.
Item-storage platform 28 has a concave top surface 30 formed with
utensil-holding indentations 32, 34. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and
5, indentations 32, 34 are tapered such that inner ends 36, 38 of
indentations 32, 34, shown in FIG. 3, have a greater depth than
outer ends 40, 42, also shown in FIG. 3. Top surface 30 has a
lowermost portion 44, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, that is positioned to
lie between indentations 32, 34. Such a configuration facilitates
placement and retrieval of utensils, such as spoons and forks, from
indentations 32, 34 by supporting outwardly facing utensil handles
at a higher level than the inwardly facing fork or spoon ends.
[0026] Tray portion 12 includes a pair of arms 46, 48 that extend
forwardly from platform 28 and that support towel holder 26 in
spaced-apart relation with platform 28 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Top
surfaces of arms 46, 48 blend with top surface 30 of platform 28
and slope downwardly from surface 30 toward towel holder 26, as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5. Thus, towel holder 26 couples to
distal ends of arms 46, 48 and extends laterally between arms 46,
48 at the front of first tray portion 12.
[0027] First tray portion 10 additionally includes a left wing 52
and a right wing 54, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Wings (or first and
second sides) 52, 54 extend horizontally outwardly from platform 28
and have substantially rectangular, vertical front surfaces 56, 58,
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, wings 52, 54 have generally
triangular upper surfaces such that wings 52, 54 are greater in
thickness at their respective junctions with platform 28 and such
that wings 52, 54 taper from the junction with platform 28 to
respective tips 60, 62.
[0028] Illustrative second tray portion 22 is formed to include a
first cylindrical cavity 64 and a second cylindrical cavity 66, as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6-8. A substantially triangular third
cavity 68 is also illustratively formed in second tray portion 22.
In the illustrated embodiment, first cylindrical cavity 64 is
formed with a larger diameter than second cylindrical cavity 66,
thereby permitting larger jars, bowls, bottles, or cups to be
placed in first cylindrical cavity 64 than can be placed in second
cylindrical cavity 66. However, it is within the scope of this
disclosure to have any number, configuration, or arrangement of
cavities formed in second tray portion 22.
[0029] Third tray portion 24 is illustratively formed to include a
first cylindrical cavity 70 and a second cylindrical cavity 72,
each being of a different diameter, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Third
tray portion 24 further includes a utensil-holding indentation 74.
It is within the scope of the disclosure, however, to have any
number, configuration, or arrangement of cavities and/or
indentations formed in third tray portion 24.
[0030] Second tray portion 22 and third tray portion 24 are
illustratively coupled to and supported by first tray portion 12 on
opposite, left and right sides of tray portion 12. When mounted on
the front perimeter 14 of tray 18, portions 12, 22, 24 extend
forwardly from tray 18 in a cantilevered manner. In addition, the
rear walls of portions 12, 22, 24 match the contour of perimeter 14
and cover a majority of front wall 19 of tray 18 when coupled to
tray 18. Portions 22, 24 each include a wing 25 that extends
horizontally rearwardly and that covers a front corner region 27 of
tray 18. Wings 25 of portions 22, 24 prevent tray 10 from sliding
laterally relative to tray 18 when coupled to tray 18. By having
portions 12, 22, 24 of tray 10 extending forwardly from tray 18, an
infant seated on high chair 20 is blocked by tray 18 from reaching
the items placed on tray 10.
[0031] First tray portion 12 includes two sets of four tabs 80, 82,
84, 86, each set extending from front surfaces 56, 58 of respective
wings 52, 54 as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Second and third
tray portions 22, 24 include vertical, rear walls 76, 78,
respectively, that are each formed to include a set of four slots
88, 90, 92, 94 that receive tabs 80, 82, 84, 86, respectively.
Receipt of tabs 80, 82, 84, 86 in slots 88, 90, 92, 94 of rear wall
76 couples portion 22 to portion 12 of tray 10, and portion 24 is
coupled to portion 12 of tray 10 in a similar fashion. Tabs 80, 82,
84, 86, therefore, permit second and third tray portions 22, 24 to
be coupled to and decoupled from first tray portion 12. It is
within the scope of the disclosure for slots 88, 90, 82, 94 to be
formed in wings 52, 54 instead of rear walls 76, 78 and for tabs
80, 82, 84, 86 to be appended to rear walls 76, 78 instead of wings
52, 54.
[0032] The description below of the manner in which second tray
portion 22 couples to and decouples from first tray portion 12,
with reference to FIGS. 6-14, applies as well to the manner in
which third tray portion 24 couples to and decouples from first
tray portion 12, unless specifically noted otherwise. Tabs 80, 82,
84, 86 are each L-shaped and include cantilevered web portions 81,
83, 85, 87, respectively, that extend substantially perpendicularly
from front surface 56. Tabs 80, 82 include rails 104, 106 that
extend upwardly from the distal tip of web portions 81, 83,
respectively, in spaced-apart relation with wall 56 as illustrated
in FIGS. 6, 9, and 11. Tabs 84, 86 include rails 108, 110 that
extend downwardly from the distal tip of web portions 85, 87,
respectively, in spaced apart relation with wall 56. Rail 108 is
positioned to lie vertically beneath rail 104 and rail 110 is
positioned to lie vertically beneath rail 106. In addition, rail
104 is spaced apart horizontally from rail 106 and rail 108 is
spaced apart horizontally from rail 110.
[0033] Slots 88, 90, 92, 94 formed in rear wall 76 of second tray
portion 22 include enlarged receiving portions 96, 98, 100, 102
that are sized and configured to permit insertion therethrough of
rails 104, 106, 108, 110, respectively, and retaining portions 112,
114, 116, 118 that are sized and configured to receive web portions
81, 83, 85, 87, respectively. Retaining portions 112, 114, 116, 118
are dimensionally smaller than receiving portions 96, 98, 100, 102,
and do not permit insertion or passage therethrough of rails 104,
106, 108, 110. Slots 88, 90, 92, 94 are configured to substantially
resemble keyholes.
[0034] Tray portion 22 couples to tray portion 10 in two steps. In
the first step, rails 104, 106, 108, 110 are inserted through
receiving portions 96, 98, 100, 102 of slots 88, 90, 92, 94,
respectively, so that tray portion 22 is in an intermediate
position having front surface 56 abutting rear wall 76 and having a
side wall 122 of second tray portion 22 spaced apart from arm 46 as
shown in FIGS. 7. In the second step, tray portion 22 is slid in
the direction indicated by arrow 120, shown in FIG. 7, along wing
52 so that web portions 81, 83, 85, 87 are received in retaining
portions 112, 114, 116, 118, respectively, and so that tray portion
22 is in a coupled position having side wall 122 abutting arm 46 as
shown in FIGS. 8.
[0035] In the coupled position shown in FIG. 8, second tray portion
22 is prevented from being pulled perpendicularly from front
surface 56 of first tray portion 12 by the interaction of L-shaped
tabs 80, 82, 84, 86 with rear wall 76. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 13,
rear wall 76 of tray portion 22 includes four lips 124, 126, 128,
130 that are adjacent respective retaining portions 112, 114, 116,
118 of the associated slots 88, 90, 92, 94. When tray portion 22 is
in the coupled position, lips 124, 126, 128, 130 are positioned to
lie between front surface 56 of wing 52 and respective rails 104,
106, 108, 110. The space defined between rails 104, 106, 108, 110
and front surface 56 is sized to receive lips 124, 126, 128, 130
with only a minimal amount of clearance, if any, therebetween. In
addition, the vertical thickness of web portions 81, 83, 85, 87 is
approximately the same size as the vertical gap of retaining
portions 112, 114, 116, 118 of slots 88, 90, 92, 94,
respectively.
[0036] To decouple second tray portion 22 from first tray portion
12, second tray portion 22 must be moved from the coupled position,
shown in FIG. 8, back to the intermediate position, shown in FIG.
7, so that rails 104, 106, 108, 110 are aligned with respective
receiving portions 96, 98, 100, 102 of slots 88, 90, 92, 94. After
tray portion 22 is moved to the intermediate position, tray portion
22 is then pulled perpendicularly way from front surface 56 of wing
52, thereby moving rails 104, 106, 108, 110 into and through
receiving portions 96, 98, 100, 102 of slots 88, 90, 92, 94.
[0037] The present disclosure further contemplates a lock mechanism
to removably lock second tray portion 22 in the coupled position
relative to first tray portion 12. Illustratively, the lock
mechanism includes a catch 132 that is formed as part of tray
portion 22 and a detent or aperture 134 that is formed in front
surface 56 of wing 52. It will be appreciated that other locking or
securing mechanisms are within the scope of this disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 6, 12, and 14, tray portion 22 includes a flexible
finger 136 to which catch 132 is mounted. Flexible finger 136
extends vertically and is positioned to lie between slots 88, 92
and slots 94, 96. Illustrative catch 132 is a cylinder that extends
horizontally away from finger 136.
[0038] Finger 136 is appended at its upper end to rear wall 76 and
a lower end 137 of finger 136 extends downwardly beyond a bottom
edge 139 of wall 76 and is engaged by a user's finger to flex
finger 136 from a locking position, shown in FIG. 12, to a
releasing position, shown in FIG. 14. A pair of vertical slots 135
are defined between rear wall 76 and respective sides of finger 136
as shown best in FIG. 13. When tray portion 22 is in the coupled
position and finger 136 is in the locking position, finger 136
abuts front surface 56 and catch 132 is received in aperture 134 to
prevent tray portion 22 from shifting laterally out of the coupled
position. When finger 136 is flexed to the releasing position,
catch 132 is withdrawn from aperture 134 allowing tray portion 22
to be moved from the coupled position to the intermediate
position.
[0039] When second tray portion 22 is in the intermediate position,
catch 132 is offset from aperture 134, as shown in FIG. 13, and
engages front surface 56 of wing 52 to flex finger 136 away from
wing 52, as shown in FIG. 10. When tray portion 22 is moved
relative to tray portion 12 in direction 120 from the intermediate
position to the coupled position, catch 132 aligns with aperture
134 and finger 136 moves automatically from its flexed, releasing
position to its unflexed, locking position as shown in FIG. 12, so
that catch 132 moves into aperture 134. As noted above, catch 132
can be removed from aperture 134 by pulling and flexing finger 136
as shown in FIG. 14. Thus, after removal of catch 132 from aperture
134, second tray portion 22 can be decoupled from first tray
portion 12. Decoupling of second tray portion 22 and third tray
portion 24 from first tray portion 12 permits any of first, second,
and third tray portions 12, 22, 24 to be placed in a dishwasher for
easy cleanup.
[0040] First tray portion 12 includes tongues 138, 140 that extend
laterally outwardly from arms 46, 48, respectively as shown in FIG.
6 with regard to arm 46. When second and third tray portions 22, 24
are coupled to first tray portion 12, additional support is
provided by tongues 138, 140. Furthermore, tongues 138, 140 assist
with retaining second and third tray portions 22, 24 in their
mounted position and thereby preserve the integrity of web portions
81, 83, 85, 87, rails 104, 106, 108, 110, and lips 124, 126, 128,
130 in the event second or third tray portions 22, 24 are
improperly pulled apart from first tray portion 12. As can be seen
in FIG. 6, a notch or recess 142 is formed in side wall 122 of
second tray portion 22. When tray portion 22 moves from the
intermediate position into the coupled position, tongue 138 mates
with notch 142 such that only a minimal amount of clearance, if
any, exists between the edges of wall 122 that define notch 142 and
tongue 138 as shown, for example, in FIG. 11. Similarly, side wall
123 of third tray portion 24 is formed to include a recess 144, as
shown in FIG. 1. Recess 144 mates with tongue 140, shown in FIG. 3,
when tray portion 24 is moved from its intermediate position to its
coupled position.
[0041] Second and third tray portions 22, 24 each include an
additional tongue 146, shown in FIGS. 6-8 with regard to tray
portion 22, that extends horizontally from respective rear walls
76, 78 in a cantilevered manner adjacent to bottom edges 139 of
walls 76, 78. When tray portions 22, 24 are coupled to tray portion
12, tongues 146 are positioned to lie beneath the bottom of front
wall 19 of high chair tray 18 to further support tray 10 relative
to tray 18.
[0042] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations, and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
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