WO2023156953A1

WO2023156953A1 - A portable folding tray

Info

Publication number: WO2023156953A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/051447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gurmeet Singh
Original assignee: Gurmeet Singh
Priority date: 2022-02-19
Filing date: 2023-02-17
Publication date: 2023-08-24

Abstract

The portable folding tray (100) as per the claimed invention includes a hook (102), a horizontal rod (104) and a collapsible folding plate (106). The hook latches the tray onto any horizontal or a vertical surface. The horizontal rod (104) may be perpendicular to the hook (102) and can be adapted to move by 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the hook. The collapsible folding plate (106) can be configured on to the horizontal rod with a hinge and a hinge knob (114). The hinge can enable a 360 degrees rotation of the collapsible folding plate about an axis of the hinge and the 360 degrees rotation can be in a plane parallel to a length of the horizontal rod.

Description

A PORTABLE FOLDING TRAY

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of detachable portable trays for keeping items and specifically to trays for the use of passengers in commercial passenger vehicles and in private vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Cars are now an indispensable part of life as we know it today. Cars are designed to provide all kinds of comfort and convenience to the passengers. Passengers enjoy meals and prefer eating in the comfort of their cars at certain restaurants. The ongoing pandemic has further increased the demand of privacy and safety that a car can offer. Eating in a car is safe and also has the potential to protect one from potential infection. There are numerous attempts made by car/vehicle manufacturers to provide multi-purpose utility trays. There is a growing tendency among professionals to utilize the commute time for work. However, because of the lack of availability of a prop/support to help maintain the laptop in place while providing the right sitting posture, it becomes difficult and cumbersome to work in a travelling vehicle. Further, none of the available trays have been successful and have gone on to achieve universal widespread usage.

[0004] There are various types of props known in the art to assist a passenger in a vehicle or in a car to carry out an activity such as eat, work on tablets or laptops, watch a movie, etc. Some of them are given below.

[0005] US patent application US9180805B2 discloses a utility tray for use with a substantially upright seat back which includes a seat back connector mechanism and a support tray assembly connected to the seat back connector mechanism. The support tray assembly includes a pair of first and second friction pivot joint assemblies connected to the seat back connector mechanism; a pair of support rails connected to and extending from the friction pivot joint assemblies; a first tray section connected to the pair of support rails for movement between a first retracted position and a second extended position, and a second tray section hingeably connected to the first tray section. [0006] South Korean Patent Application number KR20170099051 A discloses a a memo board for a steering wheel of an automobile to realize a structure of fixing a memo sheet on a magnetic board, placing a book on a holder and reading the book, placing a mobile phone on a cradle groove, placing a beverage cup on a holder groove, or charging on a USB port after hooking a main memo board on a steering wheel by an upper hook and a side hook to perform personal business, drink a beverage, and have a meal by the main memo board to drastically improve convenience and versatility.

[0007] There are various types of multi-purpose car trays. Generally, trays that can be affixed to the rear of the front seat, and to the steering wheel. However, all these have disadvantages. None of the existing trays keep in mind functionality and utility within the car. It is therefore necessary to have a multi-purpose portable tray that can be used in any vehicle, easily attached and detached while providing the right posture for a passenger wanting to watch a movie or have a meal. None of the existing trays are optimized for usage with window panels of different sizes. None of the existing trays allow adaptability with all the window panels of a vehicle.

[0008] There is, therefore, a need to provide a robust, durable multi-purpose portable detachable tray for a vehicle that can maintain the posture of a passenger while having a meal, while working or while watching a movie etc when the vehicle is moving. Further, there is also a need to have a reliable multi-purpose tray that can be latched onto the window of any vehicle irrespective of the size of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for atray that can fit in any and all windows of passenger vehicles and cars.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a tray thatcan be used to have a meal by any passenger, the driver, the rear seat passenger etc.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a tray that maintains the posture of a passenger using the tray.

[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a tray that maintains adequate distance from the dashboard, electronics and controls of the car/vehicle. [0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a tray that provides a safe and hygienic eating space for the times like pandemic so that people eat safely while they are outside.

[0015] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a tray that can help avoid spillage of food in a vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0016] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the field of detachable portable trays for keeping items and specifically to trays for the use of passengers in commercial passenger vehicles and in private vehicles.

[0017] The portable folding tray as per the claimed invention comprises three main parts; a hook, a horizontal rod and a folding plate. The hook latches the tray onto any horizontal or a vertical surface. The horizontal rod attached to the hook, is rotatable by 180 degrees and the position of the horizontal rod relative to the hook can be made as per the requirement. The hook for latching can be actuated by an adjustable knob. The hook can be adapted to latch the tray onto a vertical surface or a horizontal surface. The horizontal rod may be perpendicular to the hook and can be adapted to move by 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the hook. A collapsible folding plate can be positioned on a farther end of the horizontal rod. The collapsible folding plate can be configured on to the horizontal rod with a hinge and a hinge knob. The hinge can enable a 360 degrees rotation of the collapsible folding plate about an axis of the hinge and the 360 degrees rotation can be in a plane parallel to a length of the horizontal rod. The collapsible folding plate may have one or more parts that can be opened manually or automatically, that on opening can form a horizontal flat surface.

[0018] In an aspect, the hook can comprise a rubber pad on a surface of the hook that can latch the hook onto the vertical surface or the horizontal surface.

[0019] In an aspect, the adjustable knob can allow increasing a length of the hook that can enable latching on to the vertical surface or the horizontal surface.

[0020] In an aspect, the portable folding tray can comprise a knob that can have the 180 degrees perpendicular movement of the horizontal rod. The 180 degrees perpendicular movement can be enabled by the knob. The knob can be adapted to be disengaged when a pull is applied in a pre-defined direction enabling movement of the horizontal rod to a position relative to the hook. The knob then gets engaged on release of the pull on the knob thereby locking said horizontal rod at the position at which the pull on the knob is lifted. [0021] In an aspect, the portable folding tray can comprise the hinge knob on the horizontal rod that can permit the 360 degrees rotation of the collapsible folding plate about the axis of the hinge when the hinge knob is in a disengaged position and can fix a position of the collapsible tray when the knob is in the engage position.

[0022] In an aspect, the hinge knob can be adapted to be disengaged when a pull is applied in a pre-defined direction thereby enabling the 360 degrees rotation movement of the collapsible plate to a desired position and the hinge knob can also beadapted to be engaged on release of the pull on the hinge knob thereby locking the collapsible plate at the position at which the pull on the hinge knob is lifted.

[0023] In an aspect, the portable folding tray can have the adjustable knob in the form of a screw.

[0024] In an aspect, the portable folding tray can be configured and optimized to receive a cell-phone, a laptop, a mobile device, a cup, a mug, a pen, a pencil and the like.

[0025] In an aspect, the portable folding tray can be made of detachable elements that can be assembled to make the tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0027] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates the top view of an exemplary embodiment of the multipurpose portable folding tray in accordance with the claimed invention.

[0029] FIG. IB illustrates the bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the multipurpose portable folding tray in accordance with the claimed invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the multi-purpose portable folding tray with the one or more parts of the tray in the collapsed state. [0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing the expanded tray with a designated slot to receive a mobile and another designated slot to receive a cup.

[0032] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the portable tray with one of the foldable parts raised up to form a laptop support table.

[0033] FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the portable tray with the rear view of the portable tray raised up to form a laptop support table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

[0036] The present disclosure relates the field of detachable portable trays for keeping items and specifically to trays for the use of passengers in commercial passenger vehicles and in private vehicles.

[0037] The portable folding tray as per the claimed invention comprises three main parts; a hook, a horizontal rod and a folding plate. The hook latches the tray onto any horizontal or a vertical surface. The horizontal rod attached to the hook, is rotatable by 180 degrees and the position of the horizontal rod relative to the hook can be made as per the requirement. The hook for latching can be actuated by an adjustable knob. The hook can be adapted to latch the tray onto a vertical surface or a horizontal surface. The horizontal rod may be perpendicular to the hook and can be adapted to move by 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the hook. A collapsible folding plate can be positioned on a farther end of the horizontal rod. The collapsible folding plate can be configured on to the horizontal rod with a hinge and a hinge knob. The hinge can enable a 360 degrees rotation of the collapsible folding plate about an axis of the hinge and the 360 degrees rotation can be in a plane parallel to a length of the horizontal rod. The collapsible folding plate may have one or more parts that can be opened manually or automatically, that on opening can form a horizontal flat surface.

[0038] FIG. 1A & FIG IB. illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the top view of a multi-purpose portable folding tray in accordance with the claimed invention. Referring now to FIG. 1, a portable folding tray (100) may comprise a hook (102) that may be actuated by an adjustable knob (108). The hook (102) may be adapted to latch the tray (100) onto a vertical surface or a horizontal surface. A horizontal rod (104) may be perpendicular to the hook (102). The horizontal rod (104) may be adapted to move by a 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the hook.

[0039] The folding tray may also comprise a collapsible folding plate (106) that may be positioned on the horizontal rod (104). The collapsible folding plate may be configured on to said horizontal rod (104) with a hinge and a hinge knob (114). The hinge may enable a 360 degree rotation of the collapsible folding plate about an axis of the hinge. The 360 degree rotation may be in a plane parallel to a length of the horizontal rod (104).

[0040] The collapsible folding plate (106) may have one or more parts collapsible manually or automatically to form a horizontal flat surface.

[0041] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray (100) may comprise a hook (102) that may comprise a rubber pad (112) on a surface of the hook that may latch said hook onto the vertical surface or the horizontal surface.

[0042] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray (100) may comprise an adjustable knob (108) that may allow increasing or decreasing a length of the hook (102) to enable latching on to the vertical surface or the horizontal surface.

[0043] In an embodiment the portable folding tray (100) may comprise a knob (108) wherein the 180 degrees perpendicular movement of the horizontal rod may be enabled by the knob. The knob may be adapted to be disengaged when a pull is applied in a pre-defined direction that may enable a movement of the horizontal rod to a position relative to the hook and, the knob may be adapted to engage on release of the pull on the knob thereby locking said horizontal rod at the position at which the pull on the knob is lifted. [0044] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray may comprise a hinge knob (114) on the horizontal rod (104) that may permits the 360 degrees rotation of the collapsible folding plate about the axis of the hinge when the hinge knob (114) is in a disengage position and fixes a position of the collapsible tray when said knob is in the engage position.

[0045] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray may comprise a hinge knob (114) that may be adapted to be disengaged when a pull is applied in a pre-defined direction which may enablea 360 degrees rotation movement of the collapsible plate (106) to a desired position. The hinge knob may be adapted to be engaged on release of the pull on the hinge knob thereby locking said collapsible plate at the position at which the pull on the hinge knob is lifted.

[0046] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray may comprise an adjustable knob (108) that may be a screw. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable knob of the portable folding tray may be affixed to vehicles having a window panel width/thickness of 1 inch to 5 inches. The adjustable knob and the rubber pad may be adapted such that the adjustable knob allows changing the length of the hook from 1 inch to 5 inches which enables the hook to be fixed onto any vehicle.

[0047] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray may be optimized to receive a cell-phone, a laptop, a mobile device, a cup, a mug, a pen, a pencil and the like.

[0048] In an embodiment, the portable folding tray may be comprised of a plurality of detachable segments.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of an embodiment of the multi-purpose portable folding tray with the one or more parts of the tray in the collapsed state. The collapsible folding plate (206) may collapse inwards to form a single plate parallel to the horizontal bar (204) and perpendicular to the hook (202). The adjustable knob (208) may be used to adjust the length of the hook to latch the tray onto a car window. The plate may be latched onto any window of any car. The rubber padding (212) is continuously in contact with the attached substrate. The knob (214) may be used to rotate the horizontal rod using the hook (202) as the axis by up to 180 degrees. The knob 216 may be used to rotate the folding plate (206) by about 360 degrees. The engaging and disengaging the knob to lock the folding plate (206) may be done by pulling the knob (216) downwards and releasing it.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing the expanded tray with a designated slot to receive a mobile and another designated slot to receive a cup. Referring now to FIG. 3, the multi-purpose plate (300) comprises a cup holder (318) and a slot (320). The collapsible folding plates (306) comprise the slots (318, 320). [0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the portable tray with one of the parts raised up to form a laptop support table. Referring now to FIG. 4, a portable folding tray (400) may comprise a hook (402) that may be actuated by an adjustable knob (408). The hook (402) may be adapted to latch the tray (400) onto a vertical surface or a horizontal surface. A horizontal rod (404) may be perpendicular to the hook (402). The horizontal rod (404) may be adapted to move by 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the hook.

[0052] The folding tray may also comprise a collapsible folding plate (406) that may be positioned on the horizontal rod (404). The collapsible folding plate may be configured on to said horizontal rod (404) with a hinge and a hinge knob (414). The hinge may enable a 360 degree rotation of the collapsible folding plate about an axis of the hinge. The 360 degree rotation may be in a plane parallel to a length of the horizontal rod (404).

[0053] The portable folding tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable folding tray is folded and rotated along the horizontal bar to be parallel to the horizontal or vertical surface that said tray is latched upon, said tray being parallel to the horizontal or vertical surface and adapted to blend in with the surface to provide an aesthetic appeal while said tray is not in use.

[0054] The collapsible folding plate (406) may collapse inwards to form a single plate parallel to the horizontal bar (404) and perpendicular to the hook (402). The adjustable knob (408) may be used to adjust the length of the hook to latch the tray onto a car window. The plate may be latched onto any window of any car. The rubber padding (412) is continuously in contact with the attached substrate. The knob (414) may be used to rotate the horizontal rod using the hook (402) as the axis by up to 180 degrees. The knob (416) may be used to rotate the folding plate (406) by about 360 degrees. The engaging and disengaging the knob to lock the folding plate (406) may be done by pulling the knob (416) downwards and releasing it. The hinge (422) provides the 360 degrees rotary motion to the plate (406). The plate (406) may be used to supportand bear the weight of a laptop once the hinge knob is engaged. In an embodiment, the folding plate may be provided with a notch to hold a laptop in place. When not required, the foldable tray can be simply rotated to a position parallel to the panel on which the tray is mounted. This ensures that the tray is out of the way when not in use without inconveniencing the passenger. The hinge knob may also have a tightening function in place of the pull function. On loosening, the hinge knob enables the plate to rotate by 360 degrees and on tightening, the hinge knob locks the plate in its orientation at the time of tightening. [0055] FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the portable tray with the rear view of the portable tray raised up to form a laptop support table. The portable folding tray may comprise the adjustable knob (108) that is a screw. The screw may allow the portable tray to be tilted relative to the horizontal rod (104) by an angle up to at least 10 degrees. The tilt about the horizontal axis would provide the tray the flexibility to be equipped onto the side panel of any vehicle. Any tilt in the tray that is brought about because of the size or orientation of the hook on to the side panel may be compensated by using the tilt function of the opened tray. The screw may be loosened and the tray tilted as required. After tilting, the screw is tightened.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the multipurpose tray as per the disclosure may be mounted on to the driver-side front window of a four wheeler vehicle. The adjustable knob is rotated/pulled to disengage and allow the hook to be inserted such that the rubber pad and the hook are on the inner and outer sides of the window panel respectively. Now the horizontal rod can be disengaged by pulling the knob which allows the horizontal rod to rotate by 180 degrees. Once the position of the horizontal rod is adjusted by the driver, he may then disengage the hook knob to rotate the foldable plates into the required position. The foldable plates may be opened into a horizontal plate either manually or on the disengaging of the hook knob

[0057] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0058] Some of the advantages of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0059] The present invention provides a tray that can fit in any and all windows of passenger vehicles and cars.

[0060] The present invention provides a tray that can be used to have a meal by any passenger, the driver, the rear seat passenger etc. [0061] The present invention provides a tray that can be used to work in a moving vehicle with ease.

[0062] The present invention provides a tray that maintains the posture of a passenger using the tray to work. [0063] The present invention provides a tray that maintains adequate distance from the dashboard, electronics and controls of the car/vehicle.

[0064] The present invention provides a tray that provides a safe and hygienic eating space for the times like pandemic so that people eat safely while they are outside.

[0065] The present invention provides a tray that can help avoid spillage of food in a vehicle.

[0066] The present invention provides a tray that increases the utility and provides a relaxed and hassle free experience of working, dining or watching a movie in the moving vehicle.

Claims

aim:

1. A portable folding tray (100) characterized in that comprising: a hook (102) actuated by an adjustable knob (108), said hook (102) adapted to latch the tray (100) onto a vertical surface or a horizontal surface, wherein the adjustable knob (108) allows increasing or decreasing a length of the hook (102) to enable latching on to the vertical surface or the horizontal surface; a horizontal rod (104) perpendicular to said hook (102), said rod adapted to move by 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to said hook; a collapsible folding plate (106) positioned on the horizontal rod (104), said collapsible folding plate configured on to said horizontal rod (104) with a hinge and a hinge knob (114), said hinge enables a 360 degree rotation of the collapsible folding plate about an axis of the hinge, said 360 degree rotation being in a plane parallel to a length of the horizontal rod (104), wherein the hinge knob (114) allows the portable tray to be tilted relative to the horizontal rod (104) by an angle up to at least 10 degrees; said collapsible folding plate (106) having parts collapsible manually or automatically to form a horizontal flat surface.

2. The portable folding tray (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook (102) comprises a rubber pad (112) on a surface of the hook that latches said hook onto the vertical surface or the horizontal surface.

3. The portable folding tray (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a knob (116) wherein the 180 degrees perpendicular movement of the horizontal rod is enabled by the knob (116), said knob (116) adapted to be disengaged when a pull is applied in a pre-defined direction enabling movement of the horizontal rod to a position relative to the hook (102) and engaged on release of the pull on the knob (116) thereby locking said horizontal rod at the position at which the pull on the knob is released.

4. The portable folding tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge knob (114) on the horizontal rod (104) permits the 360 degrees rotation of the collapsible folding plate about the axis of the hinge when said hinge knob (114) is in a disengage position and fixes a position of the collapsible tray when said knob is in the engage position.

5. The portable folding tray as claimed in claim 3, wherein said hinge knob (114) being adapted to be disengaged when a pull or a loosening is applied in a pre-defined direction thereby enabling the 360 degrees rotation movement of the collapsible plate (106) to a desired position and said hinge knob being adapted to be engaged on release of the pull on the hinge knob thereby locking said collapsible plate at the position at which the pull on the hinge knob is lifted or the loosened hinge knob is tightened.

6. The portable folding tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable folding tray is folded and rotated along the horizontal bar to be parallel to the horizontal or vertical surface that said tray is latched upon, said tray being parallel to the horizontal or vertical surface and adapted to blend in with the surface to provide an aesthetic appeal while said tray is not in use, said tray also being enabled for side placement parallel to the hook mounted on the panel.

7. The portable folding tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable folding tray being optimized to receive a cell-phone, a laptop, a mobile device, a cup, a mug, a pen, a pencil and the like.

8. The portable folding tray as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable folding tray is comprised of a plurality of detachable segments.