U.S. patent application number 12/008363 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for fold away laptop and keyboard table.
Invention is credited to Brian Cavanaugh.
Application Number | 20080164729 12/008363 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39593631 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080164729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cavanaugh; Brian |
July 10, 2008 |
Fold away laptop and keyboard table
Abstract
A stowable tray assembly for upholstered sitting furniture
includes an elongated storage compartment adaptable to installation
either inside or outside an arm rest of a chair and a vertical
telescoping post anchored inside the storage compartment. In
addition, there is a means for releasably locking members of the
vertical telescoping post in a fully extended position. A short
horizontal support member is attached substantially perpendicular
to the unanchored end of the vertical telescoping post, and a
substantially horizontal tray support arm is pivotally attached to
the free end of this horizontal support member. A tray table is
rotatably attached substantially parallel to the axis of and along
a portion of the tray support arm.
Inventors: |
Cavanaugh; Brian;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James Ray & Associates
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
Monroeville
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
39593631 |
Appl. No.: |
12/008363 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60884314 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/705 20180801;
A47C 7/70 20130101; A47C 7/624 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/162 |
International
Class: |
A47B 83/02 20060101
A47B083/02 |
Claims
1. A stowable tray assembly for upholstered sitting furniture
comprising: a) an elongated storage compartment to be disposed one
of inside and outside an arm rest of said upholstered sitting
furniture, wherein said storage compartment defines a box with side
and end panels; b) a vertical telescoping post anchored inside said
storage compartment proximal one of said compartment end panels,
wherein said vertical telescoping post includes at least two
coaxial sliding tubular members; c) a means for releasably locking
said tubular members of said vertical telescoping post in a fully
extended position; d) a horizontal support member attached
substantially perpendicular to unanchored end of said vertical
telescoping post; e) a substantially horizontal tray support arm
pivotally attached to said horizontal support member; and f) a
substantially planar tray rotatably attached substantially parallel
to axis of and along a portion of said tray support arm.
2. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
substantially planar tray includes a protruding lip along at least
one lateral edge of said planar tray.
3. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 2, wherein said
protruding lip on said one lateral edge is disposed in a position
facing a user.
4. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
elongated storage compartment includes a pivoting lid hinged along
upper outer lateral edge of said compartment.
5. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 4, wherein said
pivoting lid forms a part of such arm rest.
6. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
substantially planar tray includes a releasable locking means for
holding a desired tilt angle.
7. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
horizontal support member is telescopic.
8. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
vertical telescoping post further includes a remote means at top of
said post for disengaging said tubular members.
9. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
tray assembly includes means engageable with said storage
compartment for connecting said storage compartment outside such
arm rest.
10. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 9, wherein said
means for connecting said storage compartment includes at least one
strap member.
11. The stowable tray assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said
means for releasably locking members includes a pin member
engageable in an aperture disposed through a side wall of said
telescoping post.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims priority
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/884,314 filed
Jan. 10, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to accessory
tables for upholstered furniture and, more particularly, this
invention relates to table trays for use while sitting in a chair,
recliner, or couch, and stowable in a compartment inside or outside
the furniture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Prior to the conception and development of the present
invention, it has been generally known in the prior art to provide
foldable tray systems with certain furniture. Notable among these
are tray tables for bulkhead airline seats such as one described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,552. These have typically been for holding food
and beverages. Now that it is common to use laptop computers
without a wired connection, and a desktop computer can have a
wireless keyboard and mouse, users may wish to avail themselves of
more comfortable seating while using their computers.
[0004] Folding tray assemblies that store under a chair or couch
when not in use are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,717,375 and
5,035,464. These may interfere with the operation of a recliner
chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,013 discloses a removable table for a
recliner chair that stores as part of the leg rest. It appears that
it would be cumbersome to remove and reinstall besides adding
considerably to the weight of the leg rest that must be manually
raised.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,929 and 5,630,642 disclose tray
assemblies which can be stored in the arm rest of an upholstered
chair. Both of these designs would require being built into the
chair at the time of manufacture. Neither these two nor much of the
similar prior art are tailored to computer users and offer
generally just a flat horizontal surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention overcomes deficiencies of the prior
art by providing a stowable tray assembly for upholstered sitting
furniture which includes an elongated storage compartment adaptable
to installation either inside or outside an arm rest of a chair and
a vertical telescoping post anchored inside the storage
compartment. In addition, there is a means for releasably locking
members of the vertical telescoping post in a fully extended
position. A short horizontal support member is attached
substantially perpendicular to the unanchored end of the vertical
telescoping arm, and a substantially horizontal tray support arm is
pivotally attached to the free end of this horizontal support
member. A tray table is rotatably attached substantially parallel
to the axis of and along a portion of the tray support arm.
[0007] In an alternative embodiment, the tray table can be
releasably locked at any desired tilt angle. In addition, a remote
release mechanism is provided for collapsing the vertical
telescoping post.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide especially comfortable seating with a table
accessory for those working with laptop computers and
keyboards.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
convenient table accessory for upholstered armchairs or sofas that
will not substantially detract from the appearance of the seating
furniture when the table is not in use.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a chair tray system that is convenient to put into use but can also
be easily repositioned for entering and exiting the chair without
removing items on the tray.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
laptop or keyboard support tray for an upholstered chair that can
tilt for ergonomic use.
[0012] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a tray accessory system which can be adapted to an existing chair
or sofa.
[0013] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the
present invention described with some degree of specificity above,
it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent to those
persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more
detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such
description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing
figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention disposed on a recliner chair.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view, partially cut away for
clarity, of the tray apparatus and storage compartment with the
tray deployed for use.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial isometric view, partially cut away for
clarity, of the tray apparatus and storage compartment with the
tray in the stowed position.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view, partially cut away for
clarity, of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention
deployed within the arm rest of a chair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the
present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity
and understanding, identical components which have identical
functions have been identified with identical reference numerals
throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing
figures.
[0020] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention 10 is presented with the tray apparatus deployed
on a recliner chair 12. An elongated storage compartment 16 with a
hinged lid 18 is shown hung over an arm 14 of the chair 12 with
semi-rigid straps 17. Anchored to the bottom of box 16 is a
telescoping vertical post 24. A short arm 30 is secured
perpendicular to the vertical post 24 and pivotally engaged with
the tray support arm 22 at the opposite end with a commonly
available joint 32. The underside of a support tray 20 is rotatably
engaged with frictional resistance along the distal end of tray
support arm 22. This allows the tilt of tray 20 to be adjusted for
the comfort of the user while in use, and to be rotated into a
vertical plane for stowing in the compartment 16. An optional
locking means can be provided. When tray table 20 is tilted, an
L-shaped lip 28 helps to prevent items from slipping off the tray
20.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partially cut away isometric view of the support
tray 20 deployed from a storage compartment 16, which could be
either built into the arm of the chair, or hung over the side of
the chair, not shown in this view. The telescoping vertical post 24
is fixedly secured to the bottom of the box 16 with a pedestal
plate 26. A release mechanism 25 at the top end of post 24
disengages the protruding button 34 when the user wishes to stow
the tray table into the compartment 16. A short arm 30 is attached
perpendicularly to the vertical arm 24, and pivotally attached at
joint 32 to tray support arm 22 at the opposite end. The pivoting
allows the tray 20 to be swung into position in front of a user, or
out of the way if the user wants to temporarily leave the chair. A
key feature of the present invention is the ability to do this
without removing items from the tray. The tray table 20 can be
forcibly rotated around the axis of support arm 22 to obtain the
desired tilt, or to position for storage. Alternatively, an
adjustable tightening mechanism could be provided. To prevent items
from slipping off of tray 20 when tilted, a lip 28 on the edge
closest the user is provided.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates with a partially cut away isometric view
how the tray 20 is stowed away in the box compartment 16 when not
in use. Both the tray 20 and support arm 22 would be pivoted about
180 degrees to position the support arm parallel to the
longitudinal sides of the compartment 16. The tray table 20 would
then be rotated around support arm 22 toward a vertical plane until
it can be slid partially down into the compartment 16. The
telescopic arm 24 would be collapsed by disengaging the release
button 34 with aid of a release mechanism 25.
[0023] FIG. 4 presents an alternative embodiment of the present
invention which is stowable in a rectangular box 16 that can be
either built into the arm of a chair or attached alongside the arm
of a chair. The telescoping vertical post 24 locks into the
extended position by the action of a spring activated locking pin
34. An internal mechanism, activated by a spring-loaded button 25,
releases the locking button 34 to permit shortening the vertical
arm 24 for storing the tray assembly out of sight inside the box
16. The telescoping horizontal arm 22 can be shortened by
depressing button 35. The tray support arm 30 rotates around a
pivot joint 32. The tray 20 can be tilted by rotating on the
support arm 22. An upward protruding lip 28 on tray 20 prevents
items from slipping off.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention 10 built into the arm 14 of an upholstered
chair 12, such as a recliner. A hinged lid 18 permits access to the
tray 20 and the support assembly. A telescoping vertical arm 24
anchored to the bottom is extended to allow the tray 20 to be
elevated out of the rectangular box 16. The tray support arm 22 is
pivoted off the short arm 30 with a pivot joint 32 to position the
tray 20 in front of the user. The tray 20 can be tilted by
swiveling around the axis of support arm 22, and an L-shaped lip 28
disposed upward along the lateral edge closest to the user prevents
items such as a keyboard or lap-top computer from slipping off.
When the user wishes to get out of the chair, the tray 20 and
support arm 22 can be pivoted away from the seat without removing
items from the tray 20.
[0025] While a presently preferred and various alternative
embodiments of the present invention have been described in
sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant
art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various
other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those
persons skilled in such art without departing from either the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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