CA2910767A1

CA2910767A1 - Tray with leveling handle

Info

Publication number: CA2910767A1
Application number: CA2910767A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Cathy Cameron; Melitta Hannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-07
Filing date: 2015-10-30
Publication date: 2016-05-07
Also published as: US20170172330A1

Abstract

In an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with one or more beverage cups, a horizontal surface and a sloped automobile seating surface. The apparatus comprises a tray having an operative position and, for each of the beverage cups, a cup holder. The cup holders are adapted such that when the tray is disposed in the operative position and each beverage cup is received by a cup holder, the beverage cups project upwardly from the tray. A leg is operatively coupled to the tray, and has: an extended position whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the sloped surface, the leg supports the tray in the operative position; and a storage position whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the horizontal surface, at least one of the tray, and the tray in combination with the leg, supports the tray in the operative position.

Description

TRAY WITH LEVELING HANDLE
This application claims priority on US Provisional Patent Application No.
62/076,739, incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to trays.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Trays are commonly used to carry various items, such as food and drink items. When a tray is placed on an unlevel surface, items thereupon that are susceptible to spillage, such as beverage cups, or that are susceptible to slippage along the tray surface, can spill and/or slip off of the tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Forming one aspect of the invention is an apparatus for use with one or more beverage cups, a horizontal surface and an automobile seat having a sloped seating surface. This apparatus comprises: a tray having an operative position and further having, for each of said one or more beverage cups, a cup holder, the cup holders being adapted such that, in use, when the tray is disposed in the operative position and each beverage cup is received by the cup holder provided therefor, the beverage cups project upwardly from the tray; a leg operatively coupled to the tray, the leg having:

an extended position whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the sloped seating surface, the leg supports the tray in the operative position; a storage position, whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the horizontal surface, at least one of the tray, and the tray in combination with the leg, supports the tray in the operative position.

[0004] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is an upper front perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the leg in the extended position and the handle in the carrying position;

[0006] Figure 2 is an upper rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

[0007] Figure 3 is a magnified view of the portion circled by line 3 in Figure 2;

[0008] Figure 4 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the leg in the storage position and the handle in the lowered position;

[0009] Figure 5 is a bottom front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the leg in the storage position and the handle in the carrying position;

[0010] Figure 6 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the leg in the storage position and the handle in the lowered position, and with a magnified view of the latch mechanism;

[0011] Figure 6A is a magnified view of encircled area 6A of Figure 6;

[0012] Figure 7 is a magnified view of the portion circled by line 7 in Figure 5;

[0013] Figure 8 is a front view of two of the apparatuses of Figure 1 stacked on top of each other, each of the apparatuses configured in a stacking configuration;

[0014] Figure 9 is a side view of the stacked apparatuses of Figure 8;

[0015] Figure 10 is an upper front perspective view of the stacked apparatuses of Figure 8;

[0016] Figure 11 is a top view of the stacked apparatuses of Figure 8;

[0017] Figure 12 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the leg in the extended position and the handle in the carrying position;

[0018] Figure 13 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12;

[0019] Figure 14 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12;

[0020] Figure 15 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12;

[0021] Figure 16 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the leg in the extended position and the handle in the lowered position;

[0022] Figure 17 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 16, depicting the apparatus in use upon a sloped automobile seat surface;

[0023] Figure 18 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 16;

[0024] Figure 19 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 16;

[0025] Figure 20 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 configured in a boxing configuration;

[0026] Figure 21 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 20;

[0027] Figure 22 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 20;

[0028] Figure 23 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 20;

[0029] Figure 24 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 configured in a hanging configuration;

[0030] Figure 25 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 24;

[0031] Figure 26 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 24;

[0032] Figure 27 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 24;

[0033] Figure 28 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the leg in the storage position and the handle in the carrying position;

[0034] Figure 29 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 28;

[0035] Figure 30 is an upper front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 28;

[0036] Figure 31 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 28;

[0037] Figure 32 is a section view taken along line A-A of Figure 31;
and

[0038] Figure 33 is an exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 33, an apparatus for supporting one or more beverage cups, and constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is noted generally by reference numeral 10. The apparatus is for use on both a horizontal surface 200 and a sloped surface, including an automobile seat having a sloped seating surface 100.

[0040] Apparatus 10 comprises a tray 12 and a leg 18 operatively coupled to the tray. The leg can be configured in an extended position 20 and in a storage position 22. Tray 12 can be configured in an operative position 14, and includes one or more cup holders 16. The cup holders are adapted such that, in use, when the tray is disposed in the operative position and each beverage cup is received by a respective cup holder, the beverage cups project upwardly from the tray and beverage within the beverage cups is maintained substantially level.

[0041] When in the extended position, leg 18 supports tray 12 in the operative position when the tray is operatively disposed upon a sloped surface, such as sloped automobile seat surface 100, as shown in Figure 17.
Further, when the tray is operatively disposed upon horizontal surface 200 (shown in Figure 21), it can be supported in the operative position by the tray, or by the tray in combination with the leg when in the storage position, as shown in Figures 4-6, 8-11, and 20-31.

[0042] Leg 18 is capable of being releasably locked in the storage position by an engaging mechanism, such as a latch mechanism 24. In the embodiment shown, latch mechanism 24 includes a sloped and depressible tongue 24a disposed on the tray and sized and dimensioned for co-operable engagement with an opening 24b formed in the leg, as shown, for example, in Figures 2 and 6. When the leg is releasably attached in the storage position by latch mechanism 24, it can be released from the storage position by depressing tongue 24a to allow the leg to be pivoted, rotated, or otherwise moved away from the storage position. Other means for releasably locking the leg in the storage position are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] Leg 18 will, in most cases, be pivotable between the storage and extended positions, although the leg may transition between these positions in other manners, such as by sliding. As shown in Figure 33, leg 18 has two opposing end portions 18a, 18b. Further, tray 12 has two opposing sides 12a, 12b extending between two opposing ends 12c, 12d. In the embodiment shown, and with reference to Figures 3, 7, 32, and 33, each of the opposing end portions of the leg includes a stub 26, and each of the opposing sides of the tray includes a recess 28 that is sized and dimensioned to pivotally receive therein one of the stubs 26. Each recess forms a generally circular portion 28b and each stub has a correspondingly arcuate portion 26b. Each stub 26 further comprises an elongate portion 26a and each recess comprises an elongate slot 28a extending outward from its circular portion and sized and dimensioned for receipt therein of one of the elongate portions. The opposite arrangement is also possible, with each of the opposing end portions of the leg including recess 28 and each of the opposing sides of the tray including stub 26.

[0044] The stubs and recesses are arranged such that when the leg is pivoted from the storage position to the extended position (as shown in a magnified view in Figure 3), the leg can be releasably locked in the extended position by sliding the leg vertically upwards to thereby slide the elongate portions of each stub into the respective slots. The releasable receipt of the elongate portions within the slots will prevent further pivoting of the leg and thereby releasably maintain the leg in the extended position, the weight of the tray maintaining the elongate portions within the slots when the apparatus is disposed upon a sloped surface in its operative position 14. The leg can be moved out of the extended position by sliding the leg vertically downwards to thereby slide the elongate portions fully out of the respective slots so that each elongate portion is completely disposed within a respective circular portion 28b of recess 28 (as shown in Figure 3), so that the leg is free to pivot.

[0045] Apparatus 10 defines a notional horizontal plane "H" (see, e.g., Figures 9, 17, 21, and 25) when tray 12 is in operative position 14. A
notional vertical plane "V" perpendicularly intersects plane "H" adjacent tray end 12d. In most cases, leg 18 pivots from its storage position by more than 1800 to be disposed at its extended position, so that it forms an acute angle "Z" with the vertical plane "V" (see, e.g., Figure 17). As shown in Figure 3, the stubs and recesses are arranged so that when the leg is disposed at its extended position, the elongate portions and slots become aligned to permit their releasable engagement.

[0046] Apparatus 10 further comprises handle 30 pivotally attached to the opposing sides 12a, 12b of the tray at approximately at a mid-point 12e of the tray (shown, e.g., in Figure 33). Handle 30 is pivotable between a lowered position 32 (shown, e.g., in Figure 4) at which the handle extends towards one of the opposing ends 12c, 12d (the figures showing the lowered position in which the handle extends towards end 12c), and a carrying position 34 (shown, e.g., in Figure 2) at which the handle extends above the tray substantially perpendicularly to the tray. When handle 30 is in carrying position 34, it projects upward from the tray in a manner sufficient to allow apparatus 10 to be carried in the manner of a basket. The carrying position of the handle therefore tends to facilitate the carrying of apparatus 10 by a user of the apparatus.

[0047] Each opposing side 12a, 12b includes a channel 36 (see, e.g., Figures 4, 6 and 33) that extends vertically when the tray is in the operative position. The handle includes ribbed portions 38 (see, e.g., Figures 1 and 33) that are each sized and dimensioned for releasable receipt within a respective channel to thereby releasably lock the handle in the carrying position when the handle is arranged in the carrying position.

[0048] Apparatus 10 also has a stacking configuration 40, a hanging configuration 44, and a boxing configuration 46, in which the apparatus is suitably arranged for stacking, hanging, and boxing, respectively.

[0049] When in stacking configuration 40, handle 30 is disposed at its lowered position 32 and leg 18 is arranged at a position intermediate to storage position 22 and extended position 20. In one possible arrangement for the intermediate position of leg 18, shown in Figures 8 to 11, the leg extends upward to define an acute angle "Y" with the notional vertical plane "V" that is perpendicular to notional horizontal plane "H", as shown in Figure 9. When in the stacking configuration, apparatus 10 is cooperatively stackable upon another apparatus that is also configured in the stacking configuration, such that a portion or a substantial portion of the apparatus nests within the other apparatus.

[0050] When in the hanging configuration 44, shown in Figures 24 to 27, handle 30 is disposed at its lowered position 32 and leg 18 is disposed substantially parallel to the notional horizontal plane "H", such that apparatus is capable of being hung by either handle 30 or by leg 18. Leg 18 therefore defines a hangable structure 42 (see, e.g., Figure 27) by which apparatus 10 can be hung when in the hanging configuration. Although hangable structure 42 is shown in the figures as an opening formed through leg 18, leg 18 may instead comprise some other hangable structure, such as a hook, loop, ridge, lip, or other like means capable of being utilized for the hanging of the apparatus.

[0051] When in the boxing configuration 46, leg 18 is disposed at its storage position 22 and handle 30 is disposed at its lowered position 32. In this configuration, apparatus 10 presents a minimal profile to facilitate its storage within a box. One possible boxing configuration, in which handle 30 is lowered such that it extends towards tray end 12c, is shown in Figures 20 to 23. It will be appreciated that other configurations of the leg and the handle are also conducive to storage of the apparatus within a box. For example, stacking configuration 40 presents only a slightly greater profile than that of boxing configuration 46, and therefore, can also be used when boxing apparatus 10, or to box more than one apparatus 10 stacked atop one another.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment, apparatus 10 has five cup-holders, each formed as a depression in tray 12, with four of the cup-holders being located at respective corners of the tray, and the fifth cup-holder being centrally disposed. It will be appreciated that other numbers and arrangements and types of cup-holders could be utilized in alternate embodiments.

[0053] Apparatus 10 will typically be formed largely from a hard material, such as metal, wood, a hard plastic, or other material of similar hardness. Portions of the apparatus, such as portions of the cup-holders, may be formed from flexibly resilient material in order to facilitate the grasping of beverage cups therein.

[0054] In use, the apparatus will tend to allow a user thereof to easily and effectively configure the tray for level support of beverage cups on either a horizontal or a sloped surface, while presenting various configurations to which the apparatus can be easily manipulated in order to carry, store, or hang the apparatus.

[0055] It is to be understood that what has been described are exemplary embodiments of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for use with one or more beverage cups, a horizontal surface and an automobile seat having a sloped seating surface, said apparatus comprising:
a tray having an operative position and further having, for each of said one or more beverage cups, a cup holder, the cup holders being adapted such that, in use, when the tray is disposed in the operative position and each beverage cup is received by the cup holder provided therefor, the beverage cups project upwardly from the tray;
a leg operatively coupled to the tray, the leg having:
an extended position whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the sloped seating surface, the leg supports the tray in the operative position;
a storage position, whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the horizontal surface, at least one of the tray; and the tray in combination with the leg, supports the tray in the operative position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism for releasably locking the leg in the storage position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leg is pivotable between said storage position and said extended position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said leg having two opposing end portions and said tray having two opposing sides, one of said two opposing end portions and said two opposing sides each including a stub, and the other of said two opposing end portions and said two opposing sides each including a recess for pivotally receiving therein one of said stubs, each said stub comprising an elongate portion and each said recess comprising an elongate slot that is sized and dimensioned for receipt therein of one of said elongate portions, said stubs and said recesses being arranged such that when said leg is pivoted from the storage position to the extended position, said leg is releasably lockable in said extended position by sliding said leg vertically upwards to thereby slide the elongate portions into the slots, said releasable receipt of the elongate portions within the slots preventing further pivoting of said leg.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, said tray having two opposing sides and two opposing ends, said two opposing sides extending between said two opposing ends, the apparatus further comprising a handle pivotally attached to the opposing sides approximately at a mid-point of said tray, the handle pivotable between a lowered position whereat the handle extends toward one of said opposing ends, and a carrying position whereat said handle extends above said tray substantially perpendicularly thereto, wherein in said carrying position the handle projects upward from said tray in a manner sufficient to allow said apparatus to be carried in the manner of a basket.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said opposing sides each including a channel that extends vertically when said tray is in the operative position, and said handle including ribbed portions, each said ribbed portion being sized and dimensioned for releasable receipt within a respective one of said channels to releasably lock the handle in the carrying position when the handle is arranged in the carrying position.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 having a stacking configuration in which said handle is in the lowered position and said leg is arranged at a position intermediate to the storage position and the extended position, said apparatus, when in said stacking configuration, being cooperatively stackable upon another said apparatus in said stacking configuration such that a portion or a substantial portion of said apparatus nests within said 6nother said apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, said apparatus defining a notional horizontal plane when said tray is in the operative position, wherein in said intermediate position said leg extends upward to define an acute angle with a plane perpendicular to said notional horizontal plane when said apparatus is in the stacking configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, said leg defining a hangable structure and said apparatus defining a notional horizontal plane when said tray is in the operative position, said apparatus having a hanging configuration in which said handle is in the lowered position and said leg is disposed substantially parallel to said notional horizontal plane, said apparatus capable of being hung, when in said hanging configuration, by either said handle or by said hangable structure of said leg.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 having a boxing configuration in which said leg is in said storage position and said handle is in said lowered position, said apparatus presenting a minimal profile when in said boxing configuration to facilitate storage of said apparatus within a box.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tray has five said cup-holders.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each said cup-holder is a depression formed in said tray.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of said five cup-holders is located at a center of said tray and each of the remaining four of said five cup-holders is located at a respective corner of said tray.