U.S. patent application number 12/470622 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for collapsible tray for fold-up chair.
Invention is credited to Kenneth Reed Crowe.
Application Number | 20100295338 12/470622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43124096 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100295338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crowe; Kenneth Reed |
November 25, 2010 |
Collapsible Tray for Fold-Up Chair
Abstract
A collapsible tray for use with portable chairs. The tray is
mounted to the chair frame by a mounting bracket or clamp. The
horizontal support is connected to the vertical support by a
pivoting connector, which allows the tray to swing out of the way
for easy access. The tray surface itself is made of flexible
material and is attached to two tray supports. The two tray
supports are connected using two hinged extensions connected to
either end of the tray supports. The hinged extensions are
connected to the horizontal support by a connector to the support
allowing the extensions to pivot and fold. Opening or closing the
tray may be accomplished by folding the extensions in or out. The
tray can be easily collapsed which allows it to be stored with the
chair, or carried in the storage bag with the chair itself.
Inventors: |
Crowe; Kenneth Reed;
(Taylorsville, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILSON HAM & HOLMAN
175 S Main Street, Suite #850
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
43124096 |
Appl. No.: |
12/470622 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/161 ;
297/160; 297/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 83/02 20130101;
A47C 7/70 20130101; A47B 23/04 20130101; A47C 7/705 20180801; A47B
23/02 20130101; A47C 4/286 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/161 ;
297/160; 297/162 |
International
Class: |
A47B 83/02 20060101
A47B083/02 |
Claims
1. A collapsible tray for use with a fold up style chair, the
collapsible tray comprising: a flexible tray surface; and a fold up
frame made up of hinged frame extensions, a horizontal frame
support, and a vertical frame support; wherein the frame is
configured for attachment to the leg or arm of the chair.
2. The collapsible tray of claim 1 further comprising a mounting
device such as a mounting block or clamp used to attach said frame
to said chair.
3. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises at
least one vertical frame member for attachment to the chair.
4. The collapsible tray of claim 3 wherein the vertical frame is
configured for attachment to the chair frame utilizing locking pins
or compression clamps to allow the vertical frame to move up and
down allowing an adjustable tray height.
5. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises at
least one horizontal frame member, wherein the horizontal frame
member is connected to the vertical frame member utilizing a hinged
connector.
6. The collapsible tray of claim 5 further comprising a hinged
connector to allow said tray to swing away allowing easy access in
and out of said chair.
7. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the tray frame is
collapsible.
8. The collapsible tray of claim 7 wherein the collapsible tray can
be stored when not needed.
9. The collapsible tray of claim 8 wherein the collapsible tray can
be stored with the fold-up chair for storage or transport.
10. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the tray comprises a
flexible weather proof material.
11. The collapsible tray of claim 10 wherein the flexible weather
proof material is connected to at least two tray frame
supports.
12. The collapsible tray of claim 11 wherein the tray frame
supports are connected together using at least two hinged
extensions.
13. The collapsible tray of claim 12 wherein said hinged extensions
are connected to the horizontal frame support.
14. The collapsible tray of claim 13 wherein the hinged extensions
are connected to the horizontal frame support using fasteners.
15. The collapsible tray of claim 14 wherein the fasteners are
attached to the horizontal frame support using screws or bolts.
16. The collapsible tray of claim 15 wherein the fasteners are
attached to the frame member allowing said hinged extensions to
pivot on the frame.
17. The collapsible tray of claim 16 wherein said hinged extensions
are configured to pivot on the horizontal frame support allowing
the tray to fold up.
18. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein said tray frame is
attached to a chair frame such that tray can be easily detached
from the chair.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] When engaged in outdoor activities such as camping, outdoor
enthusiasts make use of folding style chairs. While enjoying these
kinds of activities, people will usually find themselves eating
meals. While eating or performing other activities, outdoor
enthusiasts like to sit outside. In doing so people find it
difficult to hold their plate or drink while sitting. Current
fold-up chairs do not provide a place to set your items in a
convenient manner while sitting.
SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of a collapsible tray are described. In one
embodiment, the collapsible tray provides a convenient place to set
plates and drinks when outside camping or engaging in other
activities where a portable tray is needed. An embodiment of the
tray is made up of the following elements: tray surface, main
support, hinged extension frame, vertical support, frame connector
and mount. These elements are connected as follows: the mount
connects to the chair frame and attaches the frame's vertical
support to the chair. The frame connector attaches the horizontal
support to the vertical support and allows the tray to pivot. The
hinged extension frame is connected to the horizontal support. The
flexible tray surface is connected to the hinged extension frame.
Further, embodiments of the tray can also have one or more of the
following: an adjustable height locking device, a storage bag, and
a chair attachment strap. It should further be noted that the
hinged extension frame can be extended and locked for use or
collapsed for storage or transport. Also, the tray can swing away
to the side of the chair when not needed to allow access in and out
of the chair. Other embodiments of the collapsible tray are also
described.
[0003] In some embodiments, the tray is built of a flexible
weather-proof material such as acrylic, polyester or nylon. The
tray frame and supports are made of materials that have sufficient
strength and durability to withstand the rigors of camping and
other activities. For example, the frame may be made of aluminum,
plastic, steel or other materials that can withstand the weight
placed on the tray. In one embodiment, the frame and supports are
made of aluminum tubing which allows for good strength while
keeping the weight of the frame light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
collapsible tray attached to a fold-up style chair;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the
collapsible tray attached to a fold-up style chair;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of some of the
components of an embodiment of the tray;
[0007] FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are close-up views of an
embodiment of the tray mount;
[0008] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the
collapsible tray attached to a fold-up style chair;
[0009] FIG. 8 is a close-up view of an embodiment of the tray in
the extended position;
[0010] FIG. 9 is a close-up view of an embodiment of the tray in
the collapsed position; and
[0011] FIG. 10 is close-up view of an embodiment of the hinged
extensions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] While many embodiments are described herein, at least one
embodiment relates to a collapsible tray for portable chairs such
as fold-up style chairs. The tray is mounted to a portable chair
and provides a convenient location to place a plate while eating or
for use with other activities where a tray is needed. In one
embodiment, the tray includes six main components, which are a tray
surface, a main support, a hinged extension frame, a vertical
support, a frame connector and a mount.
[0013] With reference to the figures, the illustrated embodiment of
the tray includes tray supports (30) with the weather proof
material (20) stretched between them. The tray supports (30) are
attached together by hinged extensions (40). The tray supports and
hinged extensions are referred to herein as the tray frame.
[0014] The tray frame is attached to the horizontal support (60) to
allow it to fold up. The tray frame may be attached to the
horizontal support by a fastener. In one embodiment, a connection
is made through the pivot points of the hinged extensions (110)
using a rivet, bolt or screw. More specifically, the tray frame may
be attached to the main support (60) using a bolt to the horizontal
support (60) which allows the hinged extensions (40) to pivot
allowing the tray to fold up. The tray is locked in the extended
position by a lock mechanism (150). Examples of a lock mechanism
could be a set screw, compression lock, spring lock or other
locking devices. The horizontal support (60) is attached to the
vertical support (65) using a frame connector (50). The frame
connector (50) can be made to slip over the end of the horizontal
support (60) and vertical support (65). The connector can be made
of plastic, aluminum or another material with sufficient strength
to support the tray. The frame connector fits over the end of the
vertical support and connects to the horizontal support. The frame
connector allows the tray to pivot around the axis of the vertical
support (65) allowing the tray to move away from the seating
location of the chair, giving easy access in and out of the chair.
The vertical support (65) attaches to the frame of the chair by the
tray mount. The tray mount (70) is made out of material with
sufficient strength and durability to withstand the weight of the
tray and any items placed on the tray. The mount (70) may be made
of plastic, aluminum or steel. Other embodiments may use other
materials to fabricate the mount. In one embodiment, the tray mount
(70) is made out of plastic, although other embodiments may use
other materials. The tray mount (70) attaches to the arm or leg of
the chair, depending on the chair's construction. This allows the
vertical support (65) to move up and down to different tray
heights. The tray mount (70) may be constructed in multiple pieces
and clamped to the chair frame by sandwiching the chair frame
between the pieces of the mount and affixing them together using
fasteners like screws or bolts. The vertical support may be set at
the desired height by using a locking device in the tray mount
(70). Examples of a locking device include set screws, clamps or
other fasteners to hold the vertical support (65) in place. When
not in use, the tray assembly may be removed and folded into the
collapsed position, shown in FIG. 9, and stored for later use.
NUMBER DESCRIPTION LIST
[0015] 10 is a collapsible tray for portable chairs
[0016] 20 is a flexible tray surface made of weather-proof flexible
material
[0017] 30 are tray supports where flexible weather-proof material
is connected there between.
[0018] 40 is a vertical frame support
[0019] 50 is a frame connector
[0020] 60 is a horizontal tray support
[0021] 70 is a tray mount
[0022] 80 are set screws or locks
[0023] 90 is a chair arm
[0024] 100 is a chair seat
[0025] 110 is a hinged extension
[0026] 130 is a bushing
[0027] 140 is a mounting screw
[0028] 150 is a lock
[0029] While some examples of the collapsible tray are described in
terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to these embodiments. The collapsible tray
may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed
as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided by way of illustration only.
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