GB2029346A

GB2029346A - Foldable Tray Device for Use in Automobiles

Info

Publication number: GB2029346A
Application number: GB7927033A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ZINCK A
Current assignee: ZINCK A
Priority date: 1978-08-03
Filing date: 1979-08-02
Publication date: 1980-03-19

Abstract

A foldable tray device for use in an automobile includes a tray 10 hingedly connected to a cover 12, the cover having hooks 13 for attachment to the rear of the seat back of the automobile so that the device is accessible to back seat passengers, or reversed for use by front seat passengers. A stop 28 is provided limiting the hinged movement of the tray 10 relative to the cover 12 so that the tray is substantially horizontal when the device is open. When not in use, the tray is folded up against the cover and provides a flat, unobtrusive container. This device can be permanently affixed to a seat or built into a seat back. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foldable Tray Device for Use in Automobiles This invention relates to a foldable tray device for use in automobiles. More particularly, the invention provides a foldable tray device for use by the back seat passengers in an automobile, especially when eating snacks. The device can be opened to provide a substantially horizontal tray, and can be closed to provide a flat, unobtrusive container for food or other items.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a foldable tray device for use in an automobile comprising a tray portion and a cover portion connected together by hinge means.

Attachment means are provided for holding the cover portion against the rear of a seat back of the automobile, with the hinge means lowermost, and stop means limit hinged movement of the tray portion down from the cover portion so that in the open position the tray portion is generally horizontal. The tray portion is foldable up against the cover portion to a closed position in which the portions define an enclosed space, and catch means are provided for retaining the tray portion in place so that the device forms a non-obtrusive container close to the seat back.

The dimensions of the device are chosen so that, when folded, the resulting container is relatively fiat against the seat back. For this purpose, an overall thickness of the container is preferably less than 1/3 of its width and less than 1/2 the fore and aft dimensions of the tray portion.

The device is adapted to incorporate a flat board which provides a level surface for writing or on which games can be played when not in use for food.

The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device positioned in an automobile and open for use in supporting a game board; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device open for use as a food support; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device when open for use; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the device closed; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device in the closed position.

Referring to the drawings, the device has a tray portion 10 connected by a long hinge 11 to a cover portion 12. These portions are both recessed so that they define an enclosed space when closed together, and the portions may, for example, be formed by moulding or pressing a strong plastics material. The cover portion 12 is provided with attachment means indicated at 13, and described below, whereby the cover portion 12 can be firmly fixed to the rear of the seat back "S" of the front seat of an automobile, facing the back seat passengers.

The tray portion 10 has a generally flat tray part 14, typically about 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide by about 8 inches (20.5 cm) in the fore and aft direction, and has an upstanding rim 1 5 which is about 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) deep and which limits spillage of food particles from the tray part, this rim having an upper substantially flat periphery.

The rear of the tray part 14 also has three circular upstanding ribs 1 6 which are about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in height and which provide recesses designed to hold the bases of cups, while allowing the underside of the tray portion to be flat.

Alternatively, however, recesses may be formed integrally in the tray part 14; this embodiment is shown in Figure 5.

The front of the rim 1 5 has an internal lip 17, also raised about 1/2 inch from the tray part 14, which co-operates with the ribs 1 6 to provide a level support for a revmoable flat board 18 (Fig. 1) which may be a writing board or a board having a suitabie game board design, and which fits within the rim 15 supported by the lip 17 and ribs 16.

The board has a finger hole 1 8a to facilitate its removal when the tray is to be used for food.

The cover portion 12 has a flat planar part 19 joined to side panels 20 and top and bottom panels 22 and 23, the outer edges of which form a flat periphery 25 which fits closely against that of the tray portion when the device is closed so that the portions define an enclosed space. The cover is shaped so that, with the part 1 9 held flat against the rear of the seat back "S" as indicated, the periphery 25 is approximately vertical; for this purpose the part 1 8 slopes at an angle of about 100, and preferably between 50 and 150, to the periphery 25.The portions 10 and 12 are connected by pivotable links 28 which act as stop means to limit hinged movement of the tray portion from the cover portion to an angle roughly perpendicular to the cover periphery 25, so that in use the tray portion can provide a firm and generally horizontal tray for food. This angle can, however, be varied by the placement of pivot screws 28a in different holes in the upper link member 28, and for example, by this means the tray portion 10 can be set at such an angle to the cover portion 12 that the tray portion may be held horizontal when the device is fitted to the front of the seat back for use by front seat passengers.

When not in use, the tray portion 10 can be folded up against the cover portion 12 as shown in Fig. 4, where it is retained by a flexible catch 29 and provides a flat container for food.

The attachment means 13 are provided by two hooks each formed of three relatively movable parts which allow adjustment for varying thickness of the seat back. The hooks each include an inner angled part 30 having a first leg 30a fixed to the cover part 19 and having a second leg 30b angled so as to be substantially horizontal when the leg 30a is resting against the rear of the seat back. The hooks also include an outer part 32 having a first normally horizontal leg 32a and a downwardly angled leg 32b which rests on the front of a seat back. The legs 30b and 32a are connected together in telescopic relationship by an intermediate member 33 which engages the legs 30b and 32a by dovetail, slideable connecting surfaces.The positions of the members can be fixed by bolts 35 which can pass through a variety of different holes in the members depending on their relative positions to accomodate different seat back widths. The first legs 30a are also connected to the tray part 19 by nut and bolt means 36, and again a series of bolt holes is provided in the legs 30a to allow variable positioning of the device to accommodate different heights of seat back. For shipping and storage, the parts of attachment means 13 can be removed (with the bolts 36) and can be stored within the device when closed.

It is contemplated that a napkin holder (not shown) may be added to the base of the tray or inside the cover 1 2.

Although the device has been described as being accessible to back seat passengers, it can be reversed for use by front seat passengers. The device is also not restricted to use with automobile seats. The device can be permanently affixed to a seat or built into a seat back.

Claims

1. A foldable tray device for use in automobile, comprising a tray portion and a cover portion connected together by hinge means for movement from an open position to a closed position in which latter position said portions define an enclosed space, attachment means for holding said cover portion in fixed position against the rear of the seat back of an automobile with said hinge means lowermost, stop means limiting hinged movement of the tray portion outwardly from the cover portion to provide an open position in which the tray portion is generally horizontal when the cover portion is held in said fixed position, and catch means for retaining said tray portion folded up against the cover portion so that the device can form a non-obtrusive closed container close to the seat back.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein, in the closed condition, the container has a thickness less than 1/3 its width.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein both said tray and cover portions are recessed.

4. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said cover portion has a substantially flat periphery containing said hinge means and has a planar part joined to side panels which define said periphery, said planar part sloping relative to the periphery in such manner that, with the planar part resting against the sloping back surface of an automobile seat back, said periphery is substantially vertical.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein said planar part slopes at an angle of between 50 and 1 50 to said periphery.

6. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein said tray portion has means forming at least one recess for holding the base of a cup.

7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein said means forming said recess comprise an upstanding circular rib.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein said tray portion has at least two of said circular ribs, and also has means associated with the rim thereof for cooperating with the ribs to provide a support for a flat board.

9. A device according to Claim 1, in combination with a flat board capable of fitting within said tray portion.

10. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said attachment means include hooks having a normally horizontal portion of adjustable length for fitting over a seat back, and having a downwardly extending portion at the outer end of said horizontal portion.

11. A foldable tray device substantially as hereinafter described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.