US2808191A - Lap tray - Google Patents

Description

C. A. CRAMER Oct. 1', 1957 LA? TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1953 C. A. CRAMER Oct. 1, 1957 LAP TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1955 United rates LAP TRAY Charlotte A. Cramer, New York, N. Y.

Application July 10, 1953, Serial No. 367,170

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-30) This invention relates generally to trays, and more particularly to a tray structure suitable for support by the lap of a user. There are many occasions when a low cost disposable tray adapted to be supported by the lap of a user can be effective. Among these are picnic lunches, food or drink served while people are watching television or listening to the radio, cafeteria use, in stationary locations, as well as in planes and trains, for sewing, and certain industrial applications.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide lap tray structure which can be stored compactly in a fiat form, and which may be easily and readily assembled to form a set up tray.

Another object herein lies in the provision of the structure of the class described which has means for retaining loose articles so that they will not easily slide off the tray or become upset. This feature is especially useful in the handling of small vessels containing liquids, drinks or soups.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a tray which may be used on the lap of the user and which is adapted to have the upper surface thereof maintained in a level condition.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a collapsible lap table, which in the erected condition thereof, is sufficiently rigid to maintain the articles used thereon in proper condition.

A feature of the invention resides in the multiplicity of uses to which it can be put, including: as a game board or support, as a support for writing or drawing, handwork such as embroidery and sewing, for the assembly of small parts or articles, and for the carrying of food or other objects such as drugs or instruments in hospitals.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of each embodiment:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the invention as set up.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 2-2 with the device in use.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 33 on Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device in flattened condition, and unassembled.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 77 on Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 8--8 on Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a plan View of a development of the device of i igure 5 as flattened or unassembled.

2,808,191. Patented Oct. '1, 1957 ice s In accordance with the invention, the tray, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly a top panel 11, a bottom panel 12, a front panel 13, a rear panel 14, side panels 15 and 16, side locking members 17 and 18, handle members 19 and 20 and a rear locking member 21. V

The tray 10 is preferably fabricated in the form of a planar blank 25 which maybe die cut from any suitable sheet material, preferably cardboard: The top panel 11 is provided with a plurality ofslits 26, 27 and 28, which are of a size and shape to frictionally receive the locking members 17, 18 and 21 respectively. In other words, it is desirable that the said locking members have a close fit as their frictional retention .maintainsthe tray 10 in its set up position, 1 The safety of articlescarried by the tray is assured, however, since the weight of the articles, such as the glass 22, and the plate .23, is borneby the handle members 19 and 20 when the device is carried, and is borne by the bottom panel 12 whenthe device is resting upon the lap of the user. l j, i

The top panel 11 is alsoprovided with a plurality of partially perforated areas24. Thus, the areas 24 1 nay be pushed through as needed. and they willfallontg the upper surface of the bottom panel 12 (see Figure 2). The areas 24 may be of predetermined size adapted to conform to the articles with which the device 10 is to be used.

When the article is relatively tall, its bottom may rest upon the upper surface of the bottom panel 12 as is the case with the glass 22.

In order to facilitate the assembly of the various parts of the device, the blank 25 is preferably provided with a series of score lines 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34.

In order to assemble the device, it becomes necessary only to take the blank as viewed in Figure 4, and to bend the rear panel upwardly about the score line 32 and the side panels 15 and 16 upwardly about the score lines 33 and 34 respectively. The top panel is folded upwardly and rearwardly about the score line 30, and the front panel 13 is folded upwardly and rearwardly about the score line 31, whereupon the locking member 21 may be pushed through slit 28, and the locking members 17 and 18 may be pushed through slits 26 and 27.

As may be seen in Figure 2, the front panel 13 is of greater height than the rear panel 14, and this difference enables the bottom panel 12 to lie at an angle while the top panel 11 is substantially horizontal.

Where the position of the thighs of the user would be reversed, as for example, where the feet of the user were placed upon a foot rest causing the rest to be higher than the buttock, then the rear panel 14 could be taller and the front panel 13 shorter.

It is to be noted that the locking members 17, 18 and 21 in projecting above the upper surface of the top panel, act as fence means to prevent articles which are not disposed within the areas 24 from accidentally rolling off the said upper surface. 7

When the tray has completed its service, for carrying food for example, napkins and/or other disposable utensils may be pushed through any one of the areas 24 so that the tray then acts as a container for refuse.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated on Figures 5 to 9, inclusive, for the purpose of avoiding needless repetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference characters with the addition of the prefix 1.

The second embodiment is useful, where the functions performed by the bottom panel 12 of the first embodiment are not required. Punch outs, such as the areas 124, may be used with conical objects, whose shape will prevent them from falling through the opening. The front panel 113 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending indentations 151 and 152, which are adapted to rest upon the legs of the user, the portion 153 acting as adownward projection' to anchor the device between the legs of the 'user. The fold line 130-isprovided with irregularly shaped cuts, 154- and 155, which form projections 121a whenthe device is erected as-seen inFigures 5 and 6, and serve as fence means. p

The side panels and 116 extend into secondary side panels 115a and 116a,-the latter carrying the handle members 119 and 120. Therear edge is curved to accommodate-and make a close fit with the users body. The outer edges of the front panel'113 ha'ifelocking tabs and 171 which are adapted to pass through the slits 172-473 and 174 175 respectively. This connection is best seen in Figure 7. I V

In setting up the device 110, thesidepanelsllS and 116 are folded downwardly about the score lines 180, 181, while the panel 115a and 116a are folded upwardly about the score lines a and181a, the parts taking the position best seen in Figure 6. a ,7 p a The outer freeedges a and 1 91a project above the top panel 111 to act as side fence members.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be 25 limited 'to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. t

I claim:

Collapsible tray construction comprising: a top panel; a bottom panel; a front panel connecting said top and bottom panels; a pair of trapezoidal side panels extending upwardly from said bottom panel; a rear panel connected to the rear edge of said bottom panel; said side panels each having a handle extension thereon and said rear panel having a locking extension thereon; said top member having a plurality of slits; said extensions being projectable through said slits, said front panel being of a greater height than said rear panel and said top panel having a plurality of openings for the reception of articles. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 920,180 Potter May 4, 1909 1,323,170 Dodge Nov; 25, 1919 1,380,561 Kaufmann June 7, 1921 1,684,002 White Sept. 11, 1928 2,172,172 Mount Sept. 5, 1939 2,547,716 Murphy Apr. 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 651,199 Great Britain Mar. 14, 1951

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