US20090038515A1

US20090038515A1 - Portable shelf for automobiles

Info

Publication number: US20090038515A1
Application number: US12/188,428
Authority: US
Inventors: Aaron Michael Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-10
Filing date: 2008-08-08
Publication date: 2009-02-12

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable shelf that is capable of being attached to an interior portion of an automobile for accommodating articles thereon. The portable shelf comprises a receptacle, at least one extending member, and at least one attaching mechanism. The receptacle is capable of accommodating the articles thereon. The at least one extending member is horizontally attached to a portion of the receptacle. Further, the at least one attaching mechanism is coupled to a free end portion of the at least one extending member. Furthermore, the at least one attaching mechanism is capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile. Upon detachably attaching the at least one attaching mechanism with the interior portion of the automobile, the portable shelf is being detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile for accommodating the articles thereon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The Present invention claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 on the provisional application No. 60/964,212 filed on Aug. 10, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to automobile accessories, and more particularly, to a portable shelf that is capable of being attached to an interior portion of an automobile for storing articles, such as laptops, cellular phones and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While traveling in an automobile, a person may require articles, such as food, wallet, keys, tissue papers, cellular phones, cameras, laptops, movie players for various purposes. Such needful articles are essentially required to be stored at an appropriate place in the automobile, so that the articles are readily accessible to the person whenever required, and are properly stored in a place whenever idle. Further, sensitive articles, such as laptops, cell phones are required to be carried carefully to avoid damage thereof while traveling.
To store such articles, generally glove compartments are provided in the automobile, which are preferably configured in a dashboard of the automobile for accommodating articles therein. Further, additional glove compartments may be provided between two front seats, and/or two rear seats of the automobile for accommodating articles therein. Such glove compartments have a variety of limitations, such as limitation of size, which may not be sufficient for accommodating the desired articles therein. Further, after such glove compartments are fully occupied, a person tends to use a space above the dashboard for storing such articles. Generally, storing the articles in the space above the dashboard may not be safe because the stored articles on the dashboard may fall due to sudden jerk or sudden braking of the automobile. Moreover, in the automobile there is no provision for facilitating a person seating therein for writing, reading, eating or using a laptop therein while travelling.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an arrangement that provides extra space for safely accommodating various articles, such as cellular phones, cameras, laptops etc., so that the articles may not fall while sudden jerking or braking of an automobile. Further, there exists a need for an arrangement within an automobile that is capable of providing easy accessibility of articles kept thereon, to a person traveling in the automobile. Furthermore, there further exists a need for an arrangement that allows a person to perform various activities such as eating, reading, writing, and working on a laptop while travelling in an automobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an arrangement and more specifically, a portable shelf within an automobile that is configured to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a portable shelf that is capable of being attached to an interior portion of an automobile for providing extra space for safely accommodating various articles, such as cellular phones, cameras, laptops, and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable shelf that is capable of providing easy accessibility of the articles accommodated thereon, to a person traveling in an automobile.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable shelf that allows a person sitting in the automobile, to perform various activities, such as eating, reading, writing, and operating laptops thereon, while travelling.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a portable shelf is provided that is capable of being attached to an interior portion of an automobile for accommodating articles thereon. The portable shelf comprises a receptacle, at least one extending member, and at least one attaching mechanism. The receptacle is capable of accommodating the articles. The at least one extending member is horizontally attached to a portion of the receptacle. Further, the at least one attaching mechanism is coupled to a free end portion of the at least one extending member. The at least one attaching mechanism is capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile. Upon detachably attaching the at least one attaching mechanism with the interior portion of the automobile, the portable shelf is detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile for accommodating the articles thereon.
Further, in another aspect of the present invention, a portable shelf is provided that is capable of being attached to an interior portion of a dashboard of an automobile for accommodating articles thereon. The portable shelf, according to this aspect, comprises a receptacle, at least one retaining member, at least one attaching mechanism, and at least one locking member. The receptacle is capable of accommodating the articles. The at least one retaining member is horizontally attached to a portion of the receptacle. The at least one attaching mechanism is coupled to a free end portion of the at least one retaining member. The at least one attaching mechanism is capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion within the dashboard of the automobile. Further, the at least one locking member is movably disposed on an external portion of the dashboard. The at least one locking member is capable of being latched with the receptacle at a position as desired by a person for accommodating the articles thereon, upon extending the receptacle out of the dashboard. Further, upon de-latching the at least one locking member from the receptacle, the at least one retaining member retracts the receptacle within the dashboard of the automobile.
These together with other embodiments of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and the descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable shelf, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the portable shelf of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of at least one attaching mechanism of the portable shelf, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a portable shelf, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The term “first”, “second”, “interior”, “exterior” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement of one element over another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present invention provides a portable shelf that is capable of being attached to an interior portion of an automobile for accommodating articles, such as food, wallets, keys, cellular phones, cameras, a laptop, which may be required for various purposes while traveling. The portable shelf facilitates a person to perform various activities, such as reading, writing, eating or using a laptop while traveling in the automobile.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable shelf 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The portable shelf 100 is capable of being attached to an interior portion (not shown) of an automobile (not shown), for accommodating an article ‘X’ thereon. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the article ‘X’, in an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, is a laptop. However, other articles, such as food, wallets, keys, cellular phones, cameras and the like may also be used in other embodiments. The portable shelf 100 comprises a receptacle 102, at least one extending member horizontally attached to the receptacle 102, and at least one attaching mechanism coupled to a free end portion of the at least one extending member. The at least one attaching mechanism is capable of being detachably attached to an interior portion of an automobile. In an embodiment, for the purposes of representation, two extending members 104 a and 104 b are illustrated, and similarly two attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
More particularly, the article ‘X’ is accommodated on the receptacle 102. Further, the extending members 104 a and 104 b are spaced apart, and horizontally attached to a side portion 102 a of the receptacle 102, at positions 102 b and 102 c. Further, the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b are, respectively, coupled to free end portions 108 a and 108 b of the extending members 104 a and 104 b (See FIG. 2). Moreover, the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b are capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile for detachably attaching the portable shelf 100 to the interior portion of the automobile.
The receptacle 102 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a rectangular tray like structure; however, the receptacle 102 may be configured in a variety of shapes and configurations depending on the requirement. The receptacle 102 is capable of accommodating the article ‘X’ thereon, upon attaching the portable shelf 100 with the interior portion of the automobile. In one embodiment, the receptacle 102 has a flat surface 110, and a vertical peripheral extension 112 disposed at a periphery (not shown) to configure the rectangular tray like structure for safely accommodating the article ‘X’ thereon. The vertical peripheral extension 112 provides peripheral barrier to the article ‘X’ for safely accommodating the article ‘X’ on the flat surface 110 and avoids any slipping of the article ‘X’ during travel. In another embodiment, the vertical peripheral extension 112 may be disposed at the periphery of the flat surface 110 to configure a rectangular tray that is capable of safely accommodating a desired article on either surface thereof. According to this embodiment, the vertical peripheral extension 112 provides peripheral barrier to the desired article accommodated on the either surface of the rectangular tray. Further, in one embodiment, the receptacle 102 may include at least one indentation (not shown). The at least one indentation is capable of safely accommodating articles, such as a cup, a glass, and the like.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle 102 may be coated with a non-slippery material. The non-slippery material may be coated to either one or to both flat surfaces thereof. More particularly, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flat surface 110 of the receptacle 102 is coated with a non-slippery material. The non-slippery material may be a non-slippery rubber material. The coating of the non-slippery material facilitates in developing frictional resistance between the flat surface 110 and the article ‘X’, thereby providing proper gripping therebetween, and avoiding slipping of the article ‘X’ from the flat surface 110. In an embodiment, the receptacle 102 is about 15 inch in length, and about 15 inch in breadth, however, without limiting the scope of the present invention, the receptacle 102 may be of any desired length and breadth for accommodating any desired articles.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle 102 may be made from a material, selected at least from a plastic material, and a metal material. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 102 is made of a heavy duty plastic material. The receptacle 102 configured by the heavy duty plastic material is durable and strong enough to hold any desired articles thereon. Further, the extending members 104 a and 104 b may also be made from a material, selected at least from a plastic material, and a metal material. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, the extending members 104 a and 104 b are made of a heavy duty plastic material. The extending members 104 a and 104 b configured by the heavy duty plastic material are durable and strong enough to provide a rigid support to the receptacle 102 for holding any desired articles thereon.
Particularly, in the preferred embodiment, the extending members 104 a and 104 b are, respectively, horizontally attached to the side portion 102 a of the receptacle 102, at the positions 102 b and 102 c in a hingable manner. However, in another embodiment, the horizontal attachment may also be obtained by at least one of welding means, adhesive means, riveting means and bolting means. According to the preferred embodiment, the hingable attachment may be provided by attaching members 114 a and 114 b that, respectively, extend from the positions 102 b and 102 c. The attaching members 114 a and 114 b are, respectively, coupled with end portions 104 a ₁and 104 b ₁of the extending members 104 a and 104 b by means of rivets 115 a and 115 b (see FIG. 2) to configure a hingable attachment therebetween. More particularly, the end portions 104 a ₁and 104 b ₁are, respectively, inserted in the attaching members 114 a and 114 b, and further are attached by the rivets 115 a and 115 b. The hingable attachment provides an arcuate movement of the receptacle 102 with respect to the extending members 104 a and 104 b. Further, the hingable attachment facilitates a person traveling in the automobile to adjust the orientation of the receptacle 102 according to his/her requirement for accommodating the article ‘X’ during use. In an embodiment, the hingable attachment is a self locking hinged attachment for self locking the arcuate movement of the receptacle 102 at a desired position. The self locking hinged attachment develops enough frictional resistance at a hinged position of the receptacle 102 and the extending members 104 a and 104 b, to lock the arcuate movement of the receptacle 102 at the position desired by the person.
Further, the portable shelf 100 includes at least one supporting member, for the purposes of representation two supporting members 116 a and 116 b are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The supporting members 116 a and 116 b are disposed at a portion of the extending members 104 a and 104 b, respectively. The supporting members 116 a and 116 b are capable of supporting the portable shelf 100 on an interior portion, such as a dashboard of the automobile. When the portable shelf 100 is detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile, the supporting members 116 a and 116 b provide a rigid support to the portable shelf 100, which in turn facilitates the person to use the article ‘X’ without any hindrance while travelling.
Further, in one embodiment the extending members 104 a and 104 b are telescopically expandable extending members that enable telescopic extension and telescopic contraction for adjusting a desired length thereof. Telescopic extension and telescopic contraction of the extending members 104 a and 104 b are configured by respective shaft arrangements. More particularly, the extending member 104 a includes a first hollow shaft member 118 and a second hollow shaft member 120 as shown in FIG. 2. The second hollow shaft member 120 has a diameter comparatively greater than that of the first hollow shaft member 118, to slidably accommodate the first hollow shaft member 118 therein, thereby configuring a telescopic arrangement therebetween. Similar to the extending member 104 a, the extending member 104 b includes a first hollow shaft member 122 and a second hollow shaft member 124 as shown in FIG. 2. The second hollow shaft member 124 similar to the second hollow shaft member 120 has a diameter comparatively greater than that of the first hollow shaft member 122, similar to the first hollow shaft member 118. The second hollow shaft member 124 slidably accommodates the first hollow shaft member 122 therein for configuring a telescopic arrangement therebetween.
The first hollow shaft member 118 of the extending member 104 a, and first hollow shaft member 122 of the extending member 104 b may be, respectively, slidably pushed inside the second hollow shaft member 120 of the extending member 104 a, and the second hollow shaft member 124 of the extending member 104 b, for telescopically contracting the extending members 104 a and 104 b. Similarly, the first hollow shaft member 118 may be slidably pulled out from the second hollow shaft member 120, and the first hollow shaft member 122 may be slidably pulled out from the second hollow shaft member 124 for, respectively, telescopically expanding the extending members 104 a and 104 b.
The telescopic arrangement of the extending members 104 a and 104 b enables a person for telescopically expanding, and telescopically contracting the extending members 104 a and 104 b for adjusting the desired length thereof. In one embodiment, telescopic expansion of the extending members 104 a and 104 b may vary from 6 inches to 14 inches depending upon the requirement. After obtaining the desired length by telescopically expanding the extending members 104 a and 104 b, the extending members 104 a and 104 b may be locked to retain at the desired position, by locking arrangements 126 a and 126 b disposed, respectively, on the extending members 104 a and 104 b.
More particularly, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the locking arrangement 126 a may be disposed on the second hollow shaft member 120 of the extending member 104 a. The locking arrangement 126 a may be a nut-bolt arrangement having a nut member 126 a ₁and a bolt member 126 a ₂as shown in FIG. 2. The second hollow shaft member 120 includes a through hole (not shown) that receives the nut member 126 a ₁therein. Further, the bolt member 126 a ₂is screwably engaged with the nut member 126 a ₁. Similar to the extending member 104 a, the extending member 104 b also includes a locking arrangement 126 b that has a nut member 126 b ₁and a bolt member 126 b ₂. Further, the bolt member 126 b ₂is screwably engaged with the nut member 126 b ₁.
Further, the bolt member 126 a ₂on being screwably tightened in the nut member 126 a ₁passes through the through hole to touch a portion of the first hollow shaft member 118. Similarly, the bolt member 126 b ₂on being screwably tightened in the nut member 126 b ₁passes through the through hole to touch a portion of the first hollow shaft member 118. On touching the portions of the first hollow shaft members 118 and 122, the bolt members 126 a ₂and 126 b ₂, respectively, restricts further movement thereof, thereby locking the extending members 104 a and 104 b at the desired length. The locking arrangements 126 a and 126 b as described hereinabove is for the purpose of understanding only, however, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art to incorporate any other locking arrangement for locking the telescopic expansion and telescopic contraction of the extending members 104 a and 104 b at the desired length thereof, thereby forbidding further contraction and expansion thereof.
Further, the portable shelf 100 may be attached to the interior portion of the automobile by using the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b that are, respectively, coupled at the free end portions 108 a and 108 b of the extending members 104 a and 104 b. In one embodiment, the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b include suction-cup arrangements and attaching elements. More particularly, the attaching mechanism 106 a includes an attaching element 128 a and a suction-cup member 130 a attached thereto. Similarly, the attaching mechanism 106 b includes an attaching element 128 b and a suction-cup member 130 b attached thereto. The attaching elements 128 a and 128 b are, respectively, coupled to the free end portion 108 a of the extending member 104 a by a rivet 132 a, and the free end portion 108 b of the extending member 104 b by a rivet 132 b, to configure a hingable coupling therebetween.
The suction- cup members 130 a and 130 b facilitates in attaching the portable shelf 100 to the interior portion of the automobile by pressing the suction- cup members 130 a and 130 b against the interior portion of the automobile. Upon pressing the suction- cup members 130 a and 130 b against the interior portion of the automobile, a vacuum is created therebetween. The creation of the vacuum establishes the detachable attachment of the portable shelf 100 with the interior portion of the automobile. Further, the portable shelf 100 may be detached from the interior portion of the automobile by pulling the portable shelf 100 therefrom. Upon pulling the portable shelf 100 the suction- cup members 130 a and 130 b also get pulled, thereby detaching the portable shelf 100 from the interior portion of the automobile. For facilitating pushing and pulling of the portable shelf 100, gripping members 134 a and 134 b are, respectively, provided on the extending members 104 a and 104 b. A person may hold the portable shelf 100 by gripping the gripping members 134 a and 134 b, and may push the portable shelf 100 against the interior portion of the automobile, to attach the portable shelf 100 thereto. Similarly, the person may grip the portable shelf 100 by gripping the gripping members 134 a and 134 b, to pull the portable shelf 100 away from the interior portion of the automobile for detaching the portable shelf 100 therefrom.
Referring now to FIG. 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b are shown. According to this embodiment, the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b may include hook arrangements. More specifically, in this embodiment, hook members 136 a and 136 b are, respectively, attached to the attaching elements 128 a and 128 b by replacing the suction- cup members 130 a and 130 b from the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b of the aforesaid embodiment to, respectively, configure attaching mechanisms having the hook members 136 a and 136 b. The hook members 136 a and 136 b may be hooked to prongs of headrest posts of an automobile's seat for securing the portable shelf 100 in the automobile. The portable shelf 100, upon being hooked to the prongs of the headrest posts, or upon being attached to the interior portion of the automobile, may facilitate the person sitting in the automobile for reading, writing, eating, using a laptop, or storing various articles thereon.
Referring now to FIG. 4 a portable shelf 200, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the portable shelf 200 is capable of being attached to an interior portion ‘I’ of a dashboard ‘A’ of an automobile (not shown) for accommodating various articles. In this embodiment, the portable shelf 200 comprises a receptacle 202, at least one retaining member horizontally attached to the receptacle 202, and at least one attaching mechanism coupled to a free end portion of the at least one retaining member. Further, at least one locking member is movably disposed on an external portion of the dashboard ‘A’ for latching with the receptacle 202. In an embodiment, for the purposes of representation, two retaining members 204 a and 204 b, two attaching mechanisms 206 a and 206 b, and one locking member 208 are illustrated in FIG. 4.
The receptacle 202 is similar to the receptacle 102. However, in this embodiment, the receptacle 202 additionally includes a plurality of notches 202 a provided on a bottom surface of the receptacle 202. The receptacle 202, similar to the receptacle 102, is capable of accommodating the articles on either surface thereof. Further, similar to the extending members 104 a and 104 b, the retaining members 204 a and 204 b of this embodiment, are also spaced apart, and attached to a side portion 202 b of the receptacle 202, at positions 202 c and 202 d. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the retaining members 204 a and 204 b may be a spring arrangement (as shown in FIG. 4). Furthermore, similar to the attaching mechanisms 106 a and 106 b, the attaching mechanisms 206 a and 206 b are, respectively, coupled to free end portions 210 a and 210 b of the retaining members 204 a and 204 b. Moreover, in one embodiment, the attaching mechanisms 206 a and 206 b are capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion ‘I’ of the dashboard ‘A’. The detachable attachments of the retaining members 204 a and 204 b with the interior portion ‘I’ of the dashboard ‘A’ may be provided by riveting members (not shown). Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the portable shelf 200 may include support arms (not shown) to support the receptacle 202. The support arm may support the receptacle 202 at different positions for accommodating the articles on the either surface of the receptacle 202.
Further, the locking member 208 is movably disposed on an external portion of the dashboard ‘A’. The locking member 208 is capable of being latched to at least one notch from the plurality of notches 202 a of the receptacle 202 for holding the receptacle 202 at a desired position. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking member 208 includes a spring loaded elongated element 212 that extends from a portion of the locking member 208. The spring loaded elongated element 212 is capable of being latched to the at least one notch from the plurality of notches 202 a of the receptacle 202 upon extending the receptacle 202 out of the dashboard ‘A’. The spring loaded elongated element 212 upon being latched, holds the receptacle 202 at the desired position for accommodating the articles thereon. The desired position of the receptacle 202 may be obtained by extending the retaining members 204 a and 204 b, upon pulling the receptacle by a handle 214 disposed on a front portion of the receptacle 202. The spring loaded elongated element 212 when latched, prevents the receptacle 202 from being retracted by the retaining members 204 a and 204 b, within the interior portion ‘I’ of the dashboard ‘A’. Further, whenever desired, the receptacle 202 may be retracted within the interior portion ‘I’ upon de-latching the spring loaded elongated element 212 manually from the at least one of the notch of the plurality of notches 202 a of the receptacle 202.
Portable shelves, such as portable shelves 100 and 200 of the present invention provide following advantages. The portable shelves are capable of being attached in an interior portion of an automobile for providing extra space for safely accommodating various articles, such as cellular phones, cameras, laptops etc. Further, the portable shelves provide easy accessibility of the articles accommodated thereon to a person traveling in the automobile. Furthermore, the portable shelves allow a person to perform various activities, such as eating, reading, writing, and working on a laptop, while traveling in the automobile. Moreover, the portable shelves prevent the articles from falling therefrom while travelling.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable shelf capable of being attached to an interior portion of an automobile for accommodating articles, the portable shelf comprising:

a receptacle for accommodating the articles;

at least one extending member horizontally attached to a portion of the receptacle; and

at least one attaching mechanism coupled to a free end portion of the at least one extending member, the at least one attaching mechanism capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile,

wherein upon detachably attaching the at least one attaching mechanism with the interior portion of the automobile, the portable shelf is detachably attached to the interior portion of the automobile for accommodating the articles thereon.

2. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one extending member is horizontally attached to the portion of the receptacle in a hingable manner.

3. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one extending member is a telescopically expandable extending member for enabling telescopic expansion and telescopic contraction to adjust a length thereof.

4. The portable shelf of claim 3, further comprising a locking arrangement disposed on the telescopically expandable extending member, wherein the locking arrangement is capable of locking the telescopically expandable extending member at the length forbidding further contraction and expansion thereof.

5. The portable shelf of claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting member disposed on a portion of the at least one extending member for providing support to the portable shelf on a dashboard upon detachably attaching the portable shelf to the interior portion of the automobile.

6. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one attaching mechanism is hingably coupled to the free end portion of the at least one extending member.

7. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one attaching mechanism comprises a suction-cup arrangement for detachably attaching the portable shelf to the interior portion of the automobile.

8. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one attaching mechanism comprises a hook arrangement for detachably attaching the portable shelf to the interior portion of the automobile.

9. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is made from at least one of a plastic and a metal.

10. The portable shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one extending member is made from at least one of a plastic and a metal.

11. A portable shelf capable of being attached to an interior portion of a dashboard of an automobile for accommodating articles, the portable shelf comprising:

a receptacle for accommodating the articles;

at least one retaining member horizontally attached to a portion of the receptacle;

at least one attaching mechanism coupled to a free end portion of the at least one retaining member, the at least one attaching mechanism capable of being detachably attached to the interior portion of the dashboard; and

at least one locking member movably disposed on an external portion of the dashboard for latching with the receptacle at a position,

wherein upon extending the receptacle out of the dashboard, the at least one locking member is capable of latching with the receptacle to hold the receptacle at the position for accommodating the articles, and,

wherein upon de-latching the at least one locking member from the receptacle, the at least one retaining member retracts the receptacle within the dashboard of the automobile.

12. The portable shelf of the claim 11, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of notches, at least one notch of the plurality of the notches is capable of receiving the at least one locking member for latching with the receptacle to hold the receptacle at the position.

13. The portable shelf of claim 11, wherein the retaining member is a spring arrangement.

14. The portable shelf of claim 11, wherein the at least one attaching mechanism is a riveting member.