U.S. patent application number 12/341454 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for tray table and related methods.
Invention is credited to Trent Hobbs, Derek Lindsay, Rudy Mayne.
Application Number | 20100154684 12/341454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42264204 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100154684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayne; Rudy ; et
al. |
June 24, 2010 |
TRAY TABLE AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to tray table devices
and related methods. Some embodiments include foldable tray table
devices capable of being stowed. Some embodiments also include tray
tables that have expandable and/or collapsible storage
compartments. Other embodiments relate to methods for making and/or
using structural embodiments of the invention.
Inventors: |
Mayne; Rudy; (Hilliard,
OH) ; Hobbs; Trent; (Marysville, OH) ;
Lindsay; Derek; (Marysville, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Emerson, Thomson & Bennett, LLC
777 W. Market Street
Akron
OH
44303
US
|
Family ID: |
42264204 |
Appl. No.: |
12/341454 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2011/0007 20130101;
B60R 2011/0094 20130101; B60R 11/00 20130101; B60R 7/04 20130101;
B60R 2011/0082 20130101; B60R 2011/0085 20130101; B60R 2011/0075
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/44 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. A tray table, comprising: a tray frame defining an outer
perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter further
defining an opening, and the tray frame having a top portion, a
bottom portion and four side portions; a mounting means for
mounting a side portion of the tray frame to a vehicle in a
swinging relation; a fixing means for reversibly fixing the tray
frame in an approximately parallel orientation relative to the
floor of the vehicle; a tray top member having a top face, a bottom
face, and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a
thickness, the tray top member being hingingly attached to the tray
frame at one side face of the tray top member; a tray bottom member
having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a
rectangular shape having a thickness; at least one collapsible side
member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being
attached to the tray frame, and the bottom end being attached to
the tray bottom member; and a pull-cord in mechanical communication
with the at least one collapsible side member such that pulling the
pull-cord reversibly raises the tray bottom member.
2. The tray table of claim 1, wherein the tray frame is free to
swing about a longitudinal axis defined by a mounted side portion
of the tray frame.
3. The tray table of claim 2, wherein the tray frame is free to
swing about the longitudinal axis by an angle of from about 0
degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a floor of the vehicle.
4. The tray table of claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises
a structure selected from the group consisting of a hinge, a ball
and socket pivotable joint, a pin and socket rotatable joint, and a
foldable brace.
5. The tray table of claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises
one or more structures selected from the group consisting of a
latch, a hook, a mechanical stop, and a foldable brace.
6. The tray of claim 1, wherein the tray top member is free to
swing out from the frame, defining an open orientation, and the
tray top member is free to swing into the frame member, defining a
closed orientation.
7. The tray of claim 6, wherein the closed orientation is further
defined by the tray top member being at about 0 degrees relative to
the tray frame.
8. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a closing means for
reversibly maintaining the tray top member in a closed
orientation.
9. The tray of claim 1, wherein collapsing the at least one
collapsible side member raises the tray bottom member, and
expanding the at least one collapsible side member lowers the tray
bottom member.
10. The tray of claim 9, wherein the at least one collapsible side
member comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of
a net, a fabric sheet, an accordion sheet.
11. The tray of claim 9, wherein the at least one collapsible side
member comprises a plurality of side members.
12. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a pull-cord locking
means for reversibly locking the pull-cord position.
13. The tray of claim 12, wherein the pull-cord locking means
comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a clip,
a cinch, a clasp, and a knot.
14. The tray of claim 1, wherein the tray frame member is adapted
to receive one or more accessories.
15. The tray of claim 14, wherein the accessories are selected from
the group consisting of a cooler, and a file storage container.
16. The tray of claim 14, wherein the tray frame member further
comprises at least one electrical contact adapted to supply
electrical power to the one or more accessories.
17. The tray of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.
18. The tray of claim 1, further comprising at least one electric
motor in mechanical communication with the at least one collapsible
side member and adapted to reversibly collapse and expand the
collapsible side member.
19. An apparatus, comprising: a tray frame defining an outer
perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter further
defining an opening, and the tray frame having a top portion, a
bottom portion and four side portions, wherein the tray frame is
free to swing about a longitudinal axis by an angle from about 0
degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a floor of a vehicle; a
mounting structure affixed to the vehicle and to the tray frame,
the mounting structure being selected from the group consisting of
a hinge, a ball and socket pivotable joint, a pin and socket
rotatable joint, and a foldable brace; a fixing structure adapted
to fix the orientation of the tray frame in a horizontal relation
to a floor of the vehicle, the fixing structure comprising one or
more structures selected from the group consisting of a latch, a
hook, a mechanical stop, and a foldable brace; a tray top member
having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a
rectangular shape having a thickness, the tray top member being
hingingly attached to the tray frame at one side face of the tray
top member; a tray bottom member having a top face, a bottom face,
and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a
thickness; at least one collapsible side member having a top end
and a bottom end, the top end being attached to the tray frame, and
the bottom end being attached to the tray bottom member; and a
pull-cord in mechanical communication with the at least one
collapsible side member such that pulling the pull-cord reversibly
raises the tray bottom member.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a pull-cord
locking means for reversibly locking the pull-cord position,
wherein the pull-cord locking means comprises a structure selected
from the group consisting of a clip, a cinch, a clasp, and a knot.
Description
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to vehicle tray table devices. Some
embodiments relate to methods with respect to such devices.
[0003] B. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Tray devices for vehicles are known in the art. Some prior
devices including folding features whereby the tray may take on a
stowed or deployed orientation. The art also includes some tray
devices that do not fold, but that include a storage compartment
located under a hinged tray. For example, the tray top may open to
reveal a hidden storage space. However, this area does not include
a collapsible/expandable storage space. Thus, the prior art is
deficient in that it fails to provide tray devices that include
collapsible/expandable storage spaces that are capable of being
stowed when they are not in use.
[0005] The present invention provides embodiments that are capable
of being stowed when not in use, and that include
collapsible/expandable storage compartments. Some embodiments
relate to methods associated with such devices.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a tray
table, comprising: a tray frame defining an outer perimeter and an
inner perimeter, the inner perimeter further defining an opening,
and the tray frame having a top portion, a bottom portion and four
side portions; a mounting means for mounting a side portion of the
tray frame to a vehicle in a swinging relation; a fixing means for
reversibly fixing the tray frame in an approximately parallel
orientation relative to the floor of the vehicle; a tray top member
having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a
rectangular shape having a thickness, the tray top member being
hingingly attached to the tray frame at one side face of the tray
top member; a tray bottom member having a top face, a bottom face,
and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a
thickness; at least one collapsible side member having a top end
and a bottom end, the top end being attached to the tray frame, and
the bottom end being attached to the tray bottom member; and a
pull-cord in mechanical communication with the at least one
collapsible side member such that pulling the pull-cord reversibly
raises the tray bottom member.
[0007] Other embodiments relate to an apparatus, comprising: a tray
frame defining an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner
perimeter further defining an opening, and the tray frame having a
top portion, a bottom portion and four side portions, wherein the
tray frame is free to swing about a longitudinal axis by an angle
from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a floor of a
vehicle; a mounting structure affixed to the vehicle and to the
tray frame, the mounting structure being selected from the group
consisting of a hinge, a ball and socket pivotable joint, a pin and
socket rotatable joint, and a foldable brace; a fixing structure
adapted to fix the orientation of the tray frame in a horizontal
relation to a floor of the vehicle, the fixing structure comprising
one or more structures selected from the group consisting of a
latch, a hook, a mechanical stop, and a foldable brace; a tray top
member having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces
defining a rectangular shape having a thickness, the tray top
member being hingingly attached to the tray frame at one side face
of the tray top member; a tray bottom member having a top face, a
bottom face, and four side faces defining a rectangular shape
having a thickness; at least one collapsible side member having a
top end and a bottom end, the top end being attached to the tray
frame, and the bottom end being attached to the tray bottom member;
and a pull-cord in mechanical communication with the at least one
collapsible side member such that pulling the pull-cord reversibly
raises the tray bottom member.
[0008] Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those
skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and
understanding of the following detailed specification.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in
detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1A-E is a series of drawings showing various
configurations of one embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2A-B is a pair of drawings showing alternative
configurations of an embodiment that includes one or more
accessories.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention generally relates to tray table
devices and related methods. According to some embodiments, a tray
table can be foldable and/or expandable. Some embodiments include
features that enable stowing the tray table and/or components
thereof.
[0013] According to one embodiment, a tray table device includes a
tray frame member. The tray frame member can have a generally
rectangular shape, or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments
the tray frame member comprises a top portion, a bottom portion and
four side portions. The top and bottom portions are spaced apart to
define a thickness, and the thickness is bounded by the side
portions. In some embodiments the tray frame member defines an
outer perimeter and at least one inner perimeter. An inner
perimeter defines a space for accepting a tray top member, which is
adapted to fit within the inner perimeter. In some embodiments a
tray top member can comprise a generally rectangular shape, and can
include a means for attaching the tray top member to the tray frame
member. Some embodiments also include a tray bottom member. A tray
bottom member can comprise a generally rectangular shape adapted to
fit within an inner perimeter of the tray frame member. In some
embodiments the tray bottom member is attached to the tray frame
member through one or more collapsible side walls.
[0014] According to some embodiments, the tray frame member can
include a means for mounting the frame member to a vehicle. Such
means for mounting can be disposed at or near one or more side
portions and/or the bottom portion of the tray frame member. And,
in some embodiments the means for mounting can enable a swinging
relation between the tray frame member and the vehicle, including a
range of motion from at least about 0 to 90 degrees relative to a
floor of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the means for mounting
can include one or more devices selected from the group consisting
of a hinge, a ball and socket pivotable joint, a pin and socket
rotatable joint, and a foldable brace.
[0015] Some embodiments include one or more means for fixing the
orientation of the tray frame member. For example, one suitable
fixing means is capable of reversibly fixing the tray frame member
in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor of the vehicle. A
variety of mechanical means can be used to perform this function
including, without limitation, one or more of a latch, a hook, a
mechanical stop or a foldable brace.
[0016] A tray top can define a shape such as a generally
rectangular shape. Rectangular tray tops include a top face, a
bottom face, and four side faces. In some embodiments, tray tops
are adapted to fit within a perimeter of the tray frame member.
Some embodiments can also include a means for attaching the tray
top to the tray frame member in a swinging relation. According to
some embodiments, a suitable means for attaching the tray top to
the tray frame member can include, without limitation, one or more
of a hinge, a ball and socket pivotable joint, a pin and socket
rotatable joint, or any combination thereof. For example, the one
or more hinge members can be affixed to the tray top and to the
tray frame member so that the tray top is free to swing out and
away from the tray frame member.
[0017] A tray bottom member can define a shape such as a generally
rectangular shape. Rectangular tray bottoms include a top face, a
bottom face, and four side faces. In some embodiments, a tray
bottom member is adapted to fit within a perimeter of the tray
frame member. Tray bottom members can be affixed to the tray frame
member by any of a variety of collapsible means including, without
limitation, netting, fabric, accordion-folded materials, string,
rope, chain, cable, chain mail, woven metal fiber, and the like.
Some embodiments include at least one collapsible side member.
[0018] Some embodiments also include a means for raising and
lowering the tray bottom member and/or collapsing the collapsible
member. In some embodiments the means for raising and lowering can
comprise one or more of a string, rope, chain, cable and the like,
or any combination thereof. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the
means for raising and lowering can operate manually or
automatically. For instance, in one embodiment the means can
include a pull-cord in mechanical communication with the at least
one collapsible side member. According to such embodiments, the
tray bottom member can be raised by pulling the pull-cord, and the
tray bottom member can be lowered by releasing the pull-cord. In
automatic embodiments, a collapsible side member can be raised and
lowered with the aid of a motorized means. For instance, a motor
can be used to draw and release a cord or chain in mechanical
communication with a collapsible side member.
[0019] Some embodiments having a pull-cord also include a pull-cord
locking means, for locking the position of the pull-cord. For
example, when the pull-cord is drawn and the tray bottom member is
in a raised orientation, it may be desirable to lock the tray
bottom member in the raised orientation by locking the pull-cord in
the drawn state. This can be accomplished with any of a variety of
structures including, without limitation, a cinch, a slideable
clip, a clasp, a knot, and the like, or any combination
thereof.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not
for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a series of drawings
showing various configurations of one embodiment. FIG. 1A shows the
embodiment in an open configuration 100. According to FIG. 1A the
embodiment comprises a tray frame member 110 defining an inner
perimeter 112. A tray top member 120 is adapted to fit within the
inner perimeter 112, and is attached to the tray frame member 110
through a pair of hinges 122. The embodiment also includes a tray
bottom member 140, which is attached to the tray frame member 1 10
through a collapsible side member 130. In this embodiment, the
collapsible side member 130 comprises a net structure. The
collapsible side member can be collapsed by pulling the pull-cord
132, and the collapsed orientation can be maintained by applying a
pull-cord locking means. According to FIG. 1A the pull-cord locking
means comprises a slideable clip 134.
[0021] FIG. 1B shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A where the tray top
member 120 is in a closed configuration 102, and is fitted within
an inner perimeter 112 of the tray frame member 110. FIG. 1C shows
a configuration 104 where the tray top member 120 is in an open
orientation and the tray bottom member 140 is in a raised
orientation. FIG. 1C shows that the pull-cord 132 has been pulled,
thereby collapsing the collapsible side member 130 and raising the
tray bottom member 140 into an inner perimeter of the tray frame
member 110. The tray frame member 110 can have different inner
perimeters for accepting the tray top member 120 and the tray
bottom member 140. FIG. 1D shows still another configuration 106,
wherein the tray top member 120 is in a closed configuration and
the tray bottom member 140 is in a raised configuration. Finally,
FIG. 1E shows a configuration 108, wherein the tray top member 120
is in a closed orientation, the tray bottom member 140 is in a
raised orientation, and the tray frame member 110 is folded against
the seat 150 or seat bracket to which it is mounted. Thus, in FIG.
1E the embodiment is in a stowed configuration.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows two additional embodiments that include one or
more accessories. In FIG. 2A, an embodiment 200 is shown that
includes a cooler 210. The cooler 210 fits within the tray frame
member 110 when the tray frame member 110 is in a deployed, rather
than stowed, orientation. Furthermore, the cooler 210 can include
one or more electrical contacts for providing power to a
refrigeration means disposed in the cooler 210. Alternatively, the
cooler 210 can rely primarily on insulation rather than
refrigeration, and therefore may include no electrical contacts.
FIG. 2B shows an embodiment 202 that includes a file accessory 220.
The file accessory 220 fits within the tray frame member 110 when
the tray frame member 220 is in a deployed orientation.
[0023] The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and
apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without
departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended
to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents
thereof.
[0024] Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
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