U.S. patent application number 11/286804 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for lap tray.
Invention is credited to Carol W. Lilly.
Application Number | 20070113757 11/286804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38052231 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lilly; Carol W. |
May 24, 2007 |
Lap tray
Abstract
A lap tray for holding a plurality of eating utensils, or,
alternatively, for providing a writing surface, has a rigid base, a
lap pillow, a plurality of depressions, and a cover element. The
lap pillow is adapted to be attached to a bottom surface of the
rigid base, the lap pillow being adapted for supporting the lap
tray on an uneven surface such as a lap of a user. The plurality of
depressions in a top surface of the rigid base are shaped to hold
the plurality of eating utensils. The cover element is shaped to be
positioned over the top surface to provide a writing surface.
Inventors: |
Lilly; Carol W.; (Lago
Vista, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF ERIC KARICH
2807 ST. MARK DR.
MANSFIELD
TX
76063
US
|
Family ID: |
38052231 |
Appl. No.: |
11/286804 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/002 20130101;
A47G 23/0608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/025 |
International
Class: |
A47B 85/00 20060101
A47B085/00 |
Claims
1. A lap tray for holding a plurality of eating utensils, or,
alternatively, for providing a writing surface, the lap tray
comprising: a rigid base having a top surface, a bottom surface,
and a peripheral lip extending upwardly from the top surface; a lap
pillow adapted to be attached to the bottom surface of the rigid
base, the lap pillow being adapted for supporting the lap tray on
an uneven surface; a plurality of depressions in the top surface,
the plurality of depressions being shaped to hold the plurality of
eating utensils; and a cover element shaped to be positioned over
the top surface, on or within the perimeter lip, the cover element
having a writing surface.
2. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the lap pillow is removably
attached to the rigid base, and further comprising a plurality of
support elements extending from the bottom surface of the rigid
base, the plurality of support elements being adapted for
supporting the lap tray when the lap pillow is removed.
3. The lap tray of claim 2, wherein the plurality of support
elements comprise a plurality of support legs.
4. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the cover element includes a
gripping element that can be grasped while the cover element is
positioned over the top surface of the rigid base.
5. The lap tray of claim 4, wherein the gripping element is at
least one cutout area that enables the user to fit his or her
finger through the cutout area and grasp the cover element.
6. The lap tray of claim 4, wherein the gripping element includes a
pair of cutout areas.
7. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the plurality of depressions
includes a plate depression shaped to receive and frictionally
engage a plate, and a cup depression shaped to receive and
frictionally engage a cup.
8. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the rigid base includes a pair
of C-shaped handles extending from the rigid base.
9. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the lap pillow includes a
resilient foam rubber element, and a flexible shell element.
10. The lap tray of claim 9, wherein the flexible shell element
includes an aperture for receiving the resilient foam rubber
element, and a fastener for closing the aperture.
11. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the lap pillow is removably
attached to the rigid base, with a hook and loop fastener.
12. The lap tray of claim 1, wherein the peripheral lip includes a
ledge for receiving and frictionally engaging the cover
element.
13. A lap tray for holding a plurality of eating utensils, or,
alternatively, for providing a writing surface, the lap tray
comprising: a rigid base having a top surface, a bottom surface,
and a peripheral lip extending upwardly from the top surface; a lap
pillow adapted to be attached to the bottom surface of the rigid
base, the lap pillow being adapted for supporting the lap tray on
an uneven surface, wherein the lap pillow includes a resilient,
foam rubber element, and a flexible shell element, and wherein the
flexible shell element includes an aperture for receiving the
resilient foam rubber element, and a fastener for closing the
aperture; a hook and loop fastener for removably attaching the lap
pillow to the rigid base; a plurality of depressions in the top
surface, the plurality of depressions being shaped to hold the
plurality of eating utensils; and a cover element shaped to be
positioned over the top surface, on or within the perimeter lip,
the cover element having a writing surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates generally to trays for holding items
on a user's lap, and more particularly to a lap tray that can be
used alternatively for eating or for writing.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0007] T. E. Nance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,049,374, teaches a food
container that is adapted to be mounted on an airline seat. The
container is adapted to hold a meal, and includes recesses shaped
accordingly. The container has a lid that closes over the food (or
dirty dishes) to both contain the food and provide a writing
surface.
[0008] Ryan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,688, teaches a tray assembly for
the delivery and service of foods. The tray assembly includes base
and cover sections having a plurality of opposing recesses for
enclosing a number of dishes, cups, and other utensils needed for a
complete meal service. Proper vertical alignment of the two
sections as they are fitted together is facilitated by
corresponding lateral indentations in the side walls of both parts
which serve in manual guiding of the cover into position upon the
base, and by accurate shoulders spaced circumferentially about a
generally central recess in one of the sections, such shoulders
being received in a complementary channel in the other section.
[0009] C. A. Cramer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,808,191, teaches a lap tray
that includes a top side with punched portions for receiving cups,
plates, etc., and a flat bottom side for supporting the top side
above a person's lap.
[0010] Pasmanick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,102, teaches a portable work
and play station particularly suited for a child traveling in an
automobile or airplane. A planar work surface is provided to which
a clip for holding a workpiece in place is attached. The work
surface is supported by a deformable support bag, preferably filled
with particulate materials so as to rest on a child's legs while in
use. Covered rectangular storage wells for writing instruments are
provided and circular wells for drinks are included. An interior
storage volume is provided for paper and other apparatus as well as
a book holding device. Single piece and two piece folding
configurations are disclosed.
[0011] Rousch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,292, teaches a tray for use by
both children and adults while traveling in an automobile. The tray
includes a box-like frame and is supported by hinged panel legs.
The box-like frame has a food serving surface on one side, a smooth
desk surface on the opposite side, and a storage compartment within
the box-like frame. A hinged door provides access to the storage
compartment. The tray is placed over the legs of a user and secured
to the user's seat belt. The hinged panel legs may be rotated 180
degrees to allow the tray to be used as a food tray in the normal
position and as a desk when the box frame is inverted. In an
alternative embodiment, the tray includes a food serving surface
supported by hinged legs which may fold under the food serving
surface for storage. A storage bag, which may be attached to the
back of a passenger seat, provides for convenient storage of the
folded tray.
[0012] Lorenzana, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,561, teaches a lap
tray adapted to be supported across the upper legs of a seated
person for providing recessed areas for food and beverage
containers. The tray includes downwardly extending vertical
projections at the ends of the body portion to engage the outer
thighs to retain the tray positioned.
[0013] Cloud, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,913, teaches a portable
adjustable work station that including a base and a substantially
planar work platform disposed vertically above the base. A support
assembly extends between the base and proximate the work platform
for support thereof. The support assembly includes structure for
vertically adjusting the vertical spacing of the work platform
above the base, and further includes an upper end. There is
interposed between the upper end of the support assembly and the
work platform structure for interconnecting the upper end of the
support assembly to the work platform and defining an axis for
rotation of the plane of the work platform in either direction from
the horizontal between first and second limits.
[0014] With, U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,751, teaches a portable and
adjustable activity surface for use by a wide variety of individual
users and that can accommodate a wide range of different activities
thereon. The device has a support pad with a resting surface, a
forward surface, a rearward surface and a sloping surface. The
device also has a platform that contacts the sloping surface. The
height of the platform can be increased by moving the platform up
the sloping surface, and the height of the platform can be
decreased by moving the platform down the sloping surface. The
platform remains in contact with the support pad either by
frictional forces or with hook-and-loop fasteners.
[0015] Blanchard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,656, teaches a portable lap
table to be used by small children for traveling in a vehicle. The
lap table includes a kidney shaped board surface, a center support
structure, and the center support structure being arched and
contoured to fit the user's thighs for comfort and stability. The
table's top surface may have various recesses for holding crayons,
drinks, and the like, a gutter for containing liquid spills, an
outer lip to prevent objects from rolling off the surface, and
handles for portability.
[0016] Neville, U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,933, teaches a portable lap
tray for securing to a user's thighs for use inside of a vehicle.
The inventive device includes a tray portion having a generally
rectangular configuration. The tray portion includes an upper
surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a circular
recess formed therein.
[0017] Hayward, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,956, teaches an improved
tray apparatus that includes a single, flat, opaque surface having
a border. The border accommodates a member positioned on the
surface for dividing the surface into at least two or four
compartments. The opaque surface would allow light to be
transmitted through the surface when the tray was placed upon a
lighted table or the like, so that food could be easily identified
by the user.
[0018] Eisenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,119, teaches a fast food lap
tray that is particularly suitable for use in an automobile to
support and secure fast foods and their containers. The food lap
tray includes a pair of pliant leg straps whose lengths are
sufficient only to be individually secured beneath the legs of the
user. As such, the lap tray is adapted to be positively secured to
the lap of the user, yet will not cause discomfort to the user or
bind or excessively restrain the legs of the user during use. In
particular, the lap tray enables rapid positioning on the lap of
the user, as well as rapid removal from the lap of the user.
[0019] Pipkin, U.S. 2005/0178297, teaches a reading tray for
mounting on an aircraft seat. The reading tray includes a
substantially planar top side and bottom side; the top side being
substantially parallel to the opposite, bottom side; a space in the
center of the top side extending partially through the tray; a
support panel that is removably insertable in the space; and an arm
support assembly connected to the support panel for supporting the
support panel in an open, inclined position, or in an alternate,
closed position wherein the support panel fits closely within the
space with an upper face of the support panel flush with the top
side of the tray.
[0020] Other patents of interest include Davis, et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,005,702 (portable tray); and Rousch, U.S. Des. Pat. No.
359,862 (ornamental design for a traveler's tray).
[0021] The above-described references are hereby incorporated by
reference in full.
[0022] The prior art teaches trays for holding food and for eating.
However, the prior art does not teach a tray that is adapted for
being positioned on a user's lap for either eating a meal or for
writing. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides
further related advantages as described in the following
summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0024] The present invention provides a lap tray for holding a
plurality of eating utensils, or, alternatively, for providing a
writing surface. The lap tray includes a rigid base, a lap pillow,
a plurality of depressions, and a cover element. The rigid base has
a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral lip extending
upwardly from the top surface. The lap pillow is adapted to be
attached to the bottom surface of the rigid base, the lap pillow
being adapted for supporting the lap tray on an uneven surface such
as a lap of a user. The plurality of depressions in the top surface
are shaped to hold the plurality of eating utensils. The cover
element is shaped to be positioned over the top surface, on or
within the perimeter lip, the cover element having a writing
surface.
[0025] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a
lap tray having advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0026] Another objective is to provide a lap tray that enables the
user to position the lap tray on his or her lap and use the lap
tray either for eating a meal, or for writing.
[0027] Another objective is to provide a lap tray that includes a
lap pillow that may be removably attached to the lap tray.
[0028] A further objective is to provide a lap pillow that includes
a resilient, foam rubber element, and a flexible shell element, the
flexible shell element being removable from the foam rubber element
for cleaning and/or replacement.
[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0031] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lap tray
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating a plurality of depressions adapted to receive a
plurality of eating utensils;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, illustrating a cover
element positioned to cover the plurality of depressions shown in
FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof; and
[0034] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a lap pillow of the lap
tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The above-described drawing figures illustrate the
invention, a lap tray 10 for holding a plurality of eating utensils
12, or, alternatively, for providing a writing surface 42. Briefly
stated, the lap tray 10 includes has a rigid base 20, a plurality
of depressions 28, a cover element 40, and a lap pillow 50. As
described in greater detail below, the plurality of depressions 28
hold the plurality of eating utensils 12, and the cover element 40
provides the writing surface 42.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the rigid base 20 has a top surface 22,
a bottom surface 24, and a peripheral lip 26. The plurality of
depressions 28 in the top surface 22 are shaped to hold the
plurality of eating utensils 12. The plurality of depressions 28
preferably includes a plate depression 30 shaped to receive and
frictionally engage a plate 12A, a cup depression 32 shaped to
receive and frictionally engage a cup 12B, and a flatware
depression 34 that is adapted to hold and partially contain
flatware such as a spoon 12D and a knife 12E. Other depressions may
also be included for holding a fork 12C and other items. The rigid
base 20 may be formed from wood, synthetic, plastic, or any other
suitable material.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral lip 26 extends upwardly
from the top surface 22, and is preferably generally rectangular in
shape. The peripheral lip 26 preferably includes a ledge 36 for
receiving and frictionally engaging the cover element 40.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rigid base 20 preferably
includes a pair of C-shaped handles 38 extending from the rigid
base 20. The pair of C-shaped handles 38 enable the user to more
easily grasp the rigid base 20. While one particular form of
handles is shown, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
handles may have other shapes, and alternative embodiments should
be considered within the scope of the claimed invention.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover element 40 is shaped to be
positioned over the top surface 22, on or within the peripheral lip
26. The cover element 40 includes a writing surface 42, and
functions to enable the user to use the lap tray 10 for writing.
The cover element 40 is preferably generally planar, and may be
constructed of wood, synthetic, plastic, or any other material that
provides a suitable surface.
[0040] The cover element 40 preferably includes a gripping element
44 that can be grasped while the cover element 40 is positioned
over the top surface 22 of the rigid base 20. The gripping element
44 preferably is at least one cutout area that enables the user to
fit his or her finger through the cutout area and grasp the cover
element 40. The gripping element 44 preferably includes a pair of
cutout areas, to facilitate grasping of the cover element 40 with
either of the user's hands.
[0041] While one version of the gripping element 44 is shown, it
should be understood by one skilled in the art that alternative
embodiments of the gripping element 44 should also be included in
this description. For example, the gripping element 44 may also
include a loop (not shown) attached to the writing surface 42,
enabling the user to grasp the loop and remove the cover element 40
from the rigid base 20.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lap pillow 50 is adapted to
be attached to the bottom surface 24 of the rigid base 20. The lap
pillow 50 is adapted for supporting the lap tray 10 on an uneven
surface, such as a lap of a user. In the preferred embodiment, the
lap pillow 50 is removably attached to the rigid base 20.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the lap pillow 50 is preferably
removably attached to the rigid base 20 with a hook and loop
fastener 52 such as VELCRO.RTM., although snaps or other fasteners
are also considered within the scope of the claimed invention. Also
as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of support elements 62 preferably
extend from the bottom surface 24 of the rigid base 20 for
supporting the lap tray 10 when the lap pillow 50 is removed.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the lap pillow 50 preferably includes an
interior component 54 and a shell element 56. The interior
component 54 may be a resilient foam rubber element, a plurality of
resilient foam elements, or any other suitable materials. The shell
element 56 preferably includes an aperture 58 for receiving the
foam rubber element 54, and a fastener 60 for closing the aperture
58. The fastener 60 may be snaps, a zipper, a hooks and loops
fastener, or any other suitable or equivalent fastener. The shell
element 56 is preferably removable, so that it may be cleaned
and/or replaced.
[0045] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
* * * * *