US2207667A

US2207667A - Door tray

Info

Publication number: US2207667A
Application number: US266215A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert B Holly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-04-05
Filing date: 1939-04-05
Publication date: 1940-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 1957-07-09

Description

July 9, 1940.

R, B. HOLLY DOOR TRAY Filed April 5, 1939 I mm R. H0115 7 fi- A WWW I M w AIM? M Ma 9 L l 9 .1 w w ,0 m M 1 4M kl t Z L mul L flu M Patented July 9, 1940 "j'UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,207,667; noon ma i Robert B. Holly, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1 Application April 5, 1939, Serial No. 266,215 2 2 Claims.

panel thereo'f'for swingably supporting the tray for movement from a horizontal position to substantially a vertical position against the inner side of the door.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the tray in a closed position on the inner side of a vehicle door,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the tray in an open position, and

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, l designates generally a portion of a vehicle door which includes the inner panel I l and the outer panel 12. The door I0 is of the conventional type used in automobiles and is shown merely to illustrate the application of the invention, designated generally I3, which will hereinafter be described.

The invention It constitutes a utility tray and includes a tray, designated generally. l4, and formed of a bottom l5 having an upset marginal flange l6, which is preferably flared outwardly, as best seen in Figure 4, and rolledat its free edge to form the bead or rim l'l.-'

A pair of arms or brackets, designated generally 18, have corresponding enlarged ends l9 which are 50 secured to the upper side of the'bottom l5, adjacent one of the edges, and curved intermediate portions 20 which project upwardly'and outwardly from the tray I4. The free ends of the arms l8 are turned downwardly at 2| and then outwardly to form the lugs 22. Arms I8 are adapted to be (c1. s r-22) connected to the door ill by means of the members 23 each of which includes a U-shaped element 24 disposed between the panels II and I2 and having its ends projecting through the inner panel I I and connected to a base plate 25 disposed on the outer side thereof. The panel H is provided with the corresponding vertically disposed slots 26, arranged above the members 23, and through which project the intermediate portions 20 of the arms I8. The lugs 22 extend through portions 24 and are adapted to be rotatably mounted therein for pivotally mounting the arms it relatively thereto to provide for movement of the tray l4 through an arc of substantially 90, from. a closed position, against the outer side of the panel I I, as seen in Figure 2, to an open horizontal position projecting inwardly from the door It), as seen in Figure 3. v

A bar 21 is secured to the inner side of the flange l6 and to that portion thereof most remotely disposed to the arms l8. The exposed face of the bar 21 is provided with an arcuately shaped transversely disposed recess or groove 28 forming a stationary keeper which is adapted to engage the spring clip 29 when the tray I4 is in a closed position, as seen in Figure 2, for releasably maintaining it in this position. The spring clip 29 is secured to the outer side of the inner panel I I at 36 and projects outwardly therefrom and is provided, adjacent its free end, with an arcuately shaped upwardly projecting portion 3| which is adapted to resiliently engage the groove 28 for frictionally supporting the tray l4 in substantially a vertical position. Bottom I5 is struck-out to form a finger grip 32 which projects outwardly from the underside of the tray [4 and which is disposed adjacent to the bar 21 or along the free side of the tray M.

The utility tray l 3 is so constructed that it may be readily applied to automobile doors already in use or made a part of new doors and it is deill signed for use by the passengers particularly as a tray for holding food and drinks when eating in an automobile and is especially designed as an accommodation to passenger customers of curb service restaurants. When not in use, the tray portion I4 is swung upwardly to a vertical position, as seen in Figure 2, and frictionally latched by the element 29 against the inner side ofthe door II! and thus held conveniently out of the way of the passengers. To position the tray portion M for use, it is only necessary to grasp the struckout portion 32 and pull outwardly thereon to release the stationary keep-er 21 from the latch element 29 to thereby allow the tray to swing downwardly to a horizontal position, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, where it will be retained by the portions 2| of arms [8 engaging the inner side of the panel I, as best seen in Figure 3. The tray portion I4 may obviously be used as a support for other articles than food and beverages, and when in a closed position, may be used as a pocket for the storage of articles with the panel ll forming a back wall.

While the tray attachment I3, comprising the invention has been illustrated and described as an attachment for vehicle doors, it is to be under stood that the tray I3 is also intended and adapted to be attached in any other part of a vehicle where suflicient space is available; such as on the back of the front seat and on the side panels of two door sedans.

The size, shape and depth of the tray portion Hi may obviously be varied and other modifications and changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts forming the invention are contemplated and may be resorted to and the right is reserved to make such variations and changes as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims. I

I claim as my invention:

'1. A utility tray for vehicle doors comprising a tray having an upset marginal flange, arms secured to the bottom of the tray and projecting upwardly therefrom, said arms having curved intermediate portions extending outwardly of said tray and terminating in end portions disposed substantially at right angles to the adjacent ends of the arcuately shaped portions, said angular ends being pivotally connected to the inner side of the inner panel of a vehicle door, the panel being provided with slots to receive said arms, and said angular ends being disposed for abutting engagement with the panel, when the tray is in an open position, to support it at substantially a right angle to the panel. I

2. A utility tray for vehicle doors comprising a, tray having an upset marginal flange, and a hinge bracket having an arcuately shaped end extending into the tray and secured to the bottom thereof, said hinge bracket having a substantially straight opposite end, disposed substantially at a right angle to the adjacent portion of the arouately shaped end, the free end of said last mentioned portion being pivotally mounted on the inner side'of a panel of an upright door, said panel having a slot through which the hinge bracket extends for supporting the tray on the' ROBERT E. HOLLY.