U.S. patent application number 10/904714 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for vertical panel mountable folding tray.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEAR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to JeffA Kempf, Alan Sturt.
Application Number | 20060107877 10/904714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36459779 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060107877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sturt; Alan ; et
al. |
May 25, 2006 |
VERTICAL PANEL MOUNTABLE FOLDING TRAY
Abstract
A fold-down utility tray which is mounted in a vertical panel of
a vehicle and whose surface position is therefore independent of
the position or attitude of the seats located around said fold-down
utility tray. Also shown is a fold-down utility tray having an
extension which allows for a larger tray surface in the down or use
position than when the tray is in the up or storage position.
Inventors: |
Sturt; Alan; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Kempf; JeffA; (Romeo, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bruce E. Harang
PO BOX 872735
VANCOUVER
WA
98687-2735
US
|
Assignee: |
LEAR CORPORATION
21557 Telegraph Road
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
36459779 |
Appl. No.: |
10/904714 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/002 20130101;
A47B 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/044 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel
designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in
cooperative combination: a folding tray having roughly rectangular
shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin and a
guide stud located in opposite corners of said first edge, a pair
of long edges and a second short edge; and a vertical panel having
a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said folding tray in a
vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for accepting said pivot
pin and said recess having located therein a guide slot for
accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within said guide slot;
thereby providing a fold-down utility tray suitable for use and
storage in a vehicle.
2. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said
fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.
3. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 2 wherein, said
injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate,
polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.
4. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said
pivot pin is a metal pivot pin.
5. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 4 wherein, said
pivot pin is a metal selected from the group consisting of
aluminum, steel, and brass.
6. A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel
designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in
cooperative combination: a folding tray having roughly rectangular
shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin and a
guide stud located in opposite corners of said first edge, a pair
of long edges and a second short edge; a tray extension moveably
mounted over said folding tray and; and a vertical panel having a
recess cooperatively shaped to accept said folding tray in a
vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for accepting said pivot
pin and said recess having located therein a guide slot for
accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within said guide slot;
thereby providing a fold-down utility tray suitable for use and
storage in a vehicle.
7. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 6 wherein, said
fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.
8. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 7 wherein, said
injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate,
polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.
9. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 6 wherein, said
pivot pin is a metal pivot pin.
10. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 9 wherein, said
pivot pin is a metal selected from the group consisting of
aluminum, steel, and brass.
11. A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel
designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in
cooperative combination: a folding tray having roughly rectangular
shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin, said
pivot pin having a detent flat therein and a detent spring mounted
thereon; and a guide stud; located in opposite corners of said
first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; and a
vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said
folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for
accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a
guide slot for accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within
said guide slot; thereby providing a fold-down utility tray
suitable for use and storage in a vehicle further characterized in
that said pivot pin detent and detent spring work in cooperation to
hold the tray in a closed position.
12. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 11 wherein, said
fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.
13. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 12 wherein, said
injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate,
polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.
14. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 11 wherein, said
pivot pin and said detent spring comprise a metal pivot pin.
15. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 11 wherein, said
pivot pin detent flat and said detent spring hold said fold-down
utility tray in a closed position.
16. A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel
designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in
cooperative combination: a folding tray having roughly rectangular
shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin, said
pivot pin having a detent flat therein and a detent spring mounted
thereon; and a guide stud; located in opposite corners of said
first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; and a
tray extension moveably mounted over said folding tray and; and a
vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said
folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for
accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a
guide slot for accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within
said guide slot; thereby providing a fold-down utility tray
suitable for use and storage in a vehicle.
17. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 16 wherein, said
fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.
18. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 17 wherein, said
injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate,
polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.
19. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 16 wherein, said
pivot pin is a metal pivot pin.
20. The fold-down utility tray as claimed in claim 16 wherein, said
pivot pin detent flat and said detent spring hold said fold-down
utility tray in a closed position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a folding tray
for use in vehicles. More particularly the present invention
relates to a folding tray permanently mounted in a vertical panel
of a vehicle such that movement of the seat forward of the folding
tray does not influence the position or orientation of said folding
tray unit. The present invention is particularly suitable for
mounting on a vertical door panel.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The use of folding trays is known in the art. More
specifically, folding trays heretofore devised and utilized for the
purpose of supporting food, beverages, computers, and the like, are
known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs
encompassed by the art which have been developed for the
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
[0005] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular
objective and requirements, these devices do not teach a
multi-purpose fold-down utility tray which may be incorporated into
a vertical panel and which is not affected by the position and
attitude of the seats in front of or behind the utility tray so
mounted. Nor do they teach the ability to fold quickly them from
use position to stored position to allow for quick and easy egress
from the vehicle in which they are mounted.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,625,161 issued Dec. 7, 1971 to
Rosner teaches a folding tray supported by a pair of hooks that
hang over the back of a seat.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,035 issued May 9, 1995 to Fernandez
teaches a folding tray that hangs by a hook from a vehicle steering
wheel.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,058 issued Jan. 2, 1996 to Hutchins
teaches a folding tray using a hook and loop fastener to store the
tray in a non-use position and adhesive strips to attach the
folding tray unit to a wall or other vertical flat surface.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,672 issued Mar. 9, 1999 to Ostermann et
al. teaches a folding tray-type organizer desk that is hung from a
head restraint mounting post using a flexible material strap.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,206 issued Sep. 25, 2001 to Simon et al.
teaches a bi-folding tray that uses suction cups to mount the unit
to a vertical glass surface such as a window pane.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,188 issued Jan. 20, 2004 to Spagnoli,
Jr. teaches a folding tray that is attached to the back of a seat
by a plurality of flexible detachable straps and which may further
have optional sorting boxes incorporated therein.
[0012] Therefore, there continues to be a continuing need for a new
and improved multi-purpose fold-down utility tray which can be
mounted in a vertical panel of a vehicle and which is not dependent
on the attitude or position of the seat in front of the unit for
its position and orientation to the user.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention provides advantages and alternatives
over the prior art by providing a fold-down utility tray unit that
may be mounted in a vertical panel of a vehicle that does not
require mounting on a seat back.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is presented a fold-down utility tray that may be easily
closed for quick and easy egress from the vehicle into which it is
mounted.
[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present invention
there is provided a fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle
vertical panel designed to accept such fold-down utility tray
comprising in cooperative combination: a folding tray having
roughly rectangular shape and having a short first edge containing
a pivot pin and a guide stud located in opposite corners of said
first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; and a
vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said
folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for
accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a
guide slot for accepting said guide stud; thereby providing a
fold-down utility tray suitable for use and storage in a
vehicle.
[0016] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle
vertical panel designed to accept such fold-down utility tray
comprising in cooperative combination: a folding tray having
roughly rectangular shape and having a short first edge containing
a pivot pin and a guide stud located in opposite corners of said
first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; a tray
extension moveably mounted over said folding tray and; and a
vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said
folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for
accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a
guide slot for accepting said guide stud; thereby providing a
fold-down utility tray suitable for use and storage in a
vehicle.
[0017] The present invention thus advantageously provides a
fold-down tray unit that can be mounted independent of the seats in
a vehicle and which is further independent of the position or
attitude of the seats in a vehicle in which it is installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
a fold-down utility tray of the present invention in a closed or
stored position.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one preferred embodiment
of a fold-down utility tray of the present invention in an open or
use position.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of a fold-down utility tray of the present invention
having an extendable section in an open or use position.
[0021] FIG. 4 show a cross section view of the articulated hinge
end of a preferred embodiment of a fold-down utility tray of FIG. 1
of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of the articulated
hinge mounted on a preferred embodiment of a fold-down utility tray
of FIG. 1 illustrating the tray folding into the closed or stored
position.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a partial plan view of the articulating hinge
of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows plan bottom view of the pivot hinge of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention as well as an
exploded view of the pivot pin, the pivot pin mounting bracket and
the detent spring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the
extent possible like reference numerals are utilized to designate
like components throughout the various views. Referring to FIG. 1,
which presents a perspective view of the fold-down utility tray
unit 10 of the present invention having a tray 1 vertically mounted
in the storage or closed position in a cooperative recess 3 in
vertical panel 2. Also shown is pivot pin mount 4 located in
cooperative position on vertical panel 2 and arrow 20 indicating
the opening movement of tray 1.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view
of the fold-down utility tray unit 10 of FIG. 1 in an open or use
position and having a tray 1 pivotably mounted to vertical panel 2
by means of pivot pin 5 and cooperating pivot pin mount 4. Also
shown are vertical panel recess 3 and tray guide slot 6 in the
recess 3 of vertical panel 2.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown another preferred
embodiment of the present invention fold-down utility tray unit 10
wherein said tray 1 has slidably mounted thereto a tray extension 7
which may be pulled outward from tray 1 to increase the size of the
tray surface when in the down or use position. Also shown is
vertical panel 2 having recess 3 therein and tray guide slot 6
located within recess 3 as well as pivot pin 5 mounted in pivot pin
mount 4. Double arrow 21 indicates the movement of tray extension 7
from a closed to an open position and back.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a partial cross section
view of the articulating hinge 11 moveably mounted on tray 1 by
mounting pin 12 and having tray-mounting stud 8 passing through
tray guide slot 6 located within recess 3 of vertical panel 2.
Tray-mounting stud 8 moveably fastened to vertical panel 2 by way
of nut 9 and washer 10. The recess 3 in vertical panel 2 having a
wall 13 angle to the tray of greater than 90 degrees to promote the
sliding of the swiveling tray 1 when horizontal force is exerted to
the rearward edge of tray 1. The tray 1 and articulated hinge 11
moveably mounted to tray 1 by mounting pin 12 is shown in the down
or use position with the tray 1 extended for use, in a partially
closed position with the tray 1 in a partially closed position, and
in the fully closed position with the tray 1 in a vertical
position.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a partial perspective
view of the articulating hinge 11 moveably mounted to tray 1 by way
of mounting pin 12. Also shown is mounting stud 8.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown a partial plan view
of the articulating hinge 11 moveably mounted to tray 1 by way of
mounting pin 12 as well as mounting stud 8 showing the movement of
the articulating hinge 11 by the double arrow.
[0031] Finally referring to FIG. 7 there is shown a bottom plan
view of the pivot pin mount 4 fixedly mounted to vertical panel 2
by a plurality of fasteners 17 as well as pivot pin 5 and detent
spring 16 mounted within pin mount 4. Also shown is a partial
perspective view of the pivot pin 5 showing detent flat 15, a
perspective view of detent spring 16 and a perspective rear view of
one preferred embodiment of pivot pin mount 4 showing pivot pin
mounting bores 18 and pivot pin mount 4 mounting bores 19.
[0032] To bring the tray to a use position, the forward short edge
is pulled away from the vertical panel 2 causing the tray to rotate
on pivot pin 5 in the general direction of arrow 20 of FIG. 1. To
place the tray in a closed position, horizontal force is applied to
the long edge adjacent to pivot pin 5 which encourages the tray
stud 8 to move upward in tray guide slot 6. As the tray approaches
the closed position, pressure of the detent spring 16 acting on the
detent flat 15 of pivot pin 5 draws the tray to a contact position
with vertical panel 2. In the case of the embodiment where tray 1
has tray extension 7 after folding the tray 1 into an open or use
position the tray extension 7 is pulled outward away from the free
end of tray 1 thereby increasing the useable surface area of the
utility tray. To close the opened and extended tray the procedure
is reversed.
[0033] Another advantage of horizontal force closing the tray is
especially useful if the vertical panel is mounted to a sliding
door. Should the tray be in a use position, the door can still be
opened from the outside as the tray will contact the body as the
door slides past, the body thus exerting the necessary horizontal
force on the tray, causing it to move to the closed position
without damage to the tray.
[0034] The vertical panel 2 and the fold-down utility tray unit 10
are preferably molded of plastic. The vertical panel 2 and the
utility tray unit 10 may be molded of the same or of different
plastics as is desired. Preferred materials are polypropylene,
reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/ABS,
nylon, and polyacetal. In addition, the pivot pin 5 may be molded
as part of tray 1 or may be comprised of a suitable metal and
fixedly mounted in tray 1. For example the pivot pin 5 may be made
from metals such as, for example, aluminum, steel, brass, and other
metals to provide greater strength for applications that may
require it.
[0035] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
has been disclosed, various changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the appended claims.
* * * * *