Abstract:
A removable tray assembly is disclosed for use with a tripod or easel. The tray assembly includes a shelf having a back edge, a front edge, and two side edges. The tray assembly also includes a pair of support tabs spaced from the back edge of the shelf by respective slots. The removable tray is attached to two legs of the tripod, with one leg passing through each slot. The support tabs contact the side of the tripod legs opposite the shelf and thereby support the shelf in a cantilever fashion.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/265,417, filed 2 Oct. 2007, titled “Utility Tray for Tripod.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates in general to removable shelves or trays for use with portable tripods and easels.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Tripods have been in widespread use for many years. They are commonly used as a support for a number of different applications. For example, tripods are often used for cameras, telescopes, and easels. Many such tripods are designed to be collapsible and easily portable. As a result, these tripods do not typically include any type of permanently-attached shelf or storage tray despite the usefulness that a shelf or tray would provide.  
         [0006]     Because of this common shortcoming, various removable shelves have been introduced. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,857 to Elizer discloses a removable shelf assembly for use with a tripod or easel. However, the Elizer removable shelf requires support arms and clamps that add to the expense and complexity of the removable shelf. Thus, there remains a need in the art for a simple, inexpensive removable shelf that can be used with a tripod.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a removable shelf according to the present disclosure;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the utility tray for tripod according to the present disclosure;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a pair of removable shelves according to the present disclosure;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an alternative removable shelf according to the present disclosure;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another alternative removable shelf according to the present disclosure; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a photography system including a removable shelf according to the present disclosure.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 1  shows the tray assembly  100  mounted onto a tripod  200  (shown in phantom) and  FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the tray assembly  100 . The tray assembly  100  includes a shelf  102  that mounts onto two of the tripod legs  210  at slots  104 ,  106 . The shelf  102  is supported in a cantilever fashion by a pair of support tabs  108 ,  110 . The support tabs  108 ,  110  have respective contact surfaces  109 ,  111 , and at least a portion of each of the contact surfaces  109 ,  111  is intended to contact a respective tripod leg  210  when the tray assembly  100  is installed. The shelf  102  hangs off the tripod  200  away from the tripod  200 , thus providing a level, accessible work and storage surface  112  for an artist or other tripod user. A user can remove the tray assembly  100  from the tripod  200  by simply lifting the tray assembly  100  up and away from the tripod  200 . Note that in a preferred embodiment, the entire contact surfaces  109 ,  111  extend substantially perpendicular to the surface  112 . However, in alternative embodiments the angle between the surface  112  and the contact surfaces  109 ,  111  can be greater than 90 degrees so as to more closely match the angle of the tripod legs  210  relative to the surface  112 .  
         [0015]     The tray assembly  100  is formed of rigid material, such as plastic, wood, or metal. In preferred embodiments, the tray assembly  100  is formed from a plastic sheet, for example an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly  100  is formed from an ABS plastic sheet that has a thickness in a range of 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches, preferably approximately 0.25 inches thick. It will be appreciated that the type of material used and thickness of the material used can vary depending on the expected load to be supported by the shelf  102 . Since the shelf  102  is supported in a cantilever fashion by the support tabs  108 ,  110 , no additional support arms are needed.  
         [0016]     It is to be understood that the term “tripod” as used herein encompasses any tripodic device, that is, one having three legs, for which a work/storage surface would be a useful addition. These devices may include but are not limited to artist easels, display easels, office easels, surveyor tripods, camera tripods, telescope tripods, or tripods for other optical or measuring devices.  
         [0017]     In a preferred embodiment, the slots  104 ,  106  are wide enough to accommodate tripod legs that are approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. However, in alternative embodiments, the slots  104 ,  106  of the tray assembly  100  can be sized and shaped so as to accommodate alternative sizes and types of tripod units  200 , including but not limited to square leg tripods, larger diameter tripod legs, longer spaces between tripod legs, and non-easel tripods, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , which shows a perspective view of a pair of tray assemblies  100  and  100 ′. The tray assembly  100 ′ is similar to the tray assembly  100 . A primary difference between the tray assembly  100  and the tray assembly  100 ′ is that the tray assembly  100 ′ is smaller than the tray assembly  100 . Specifically the distance between the slots  104 ′ and  106 ′ of the tray assembly  100 ′ is less than the distance between the slots  104  and  106  of the tray assembly  100 . As a result, when the tray assembly  100 ′ is installed onto the tripod  200 , it rests higher on the tripod legs  210  than the tray assembly  100 . Thus, the tray assemblies  100 ,  100 ′ can be simultaneously installed onto a same pair of legs  210  of a tripod  200 . It will be appreciated that additional tray assemblies  100  can be installed by providing tray assemblies of different sizes, specifically where the distances between the slots  104 , 106  are varied.  
         [0019]     Referring next to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of the tray assembly  300  is shown. The tray assembly  300  is similar to the tray assembly  100 . The tray assembly  300  includes a shelf  302  that mounts onto two of the tripod legs  210  at slots  304 ,  306 . The shelf  302  is supported in a cantilever fashion by a pair of support tabs  308 ,  310 . The support tabs  308 ,  310  have respective contact surfaces  309 ,  311 , and at least a portion of each of the contact surfaces  309 ,  311  is intended to contact a respective tripod leg  210  when the tray assembly  300  is installed. The shelf  302  hangs off the tripod  200  away from the tripod  200 , thus providing a level, accessible work and storage surface  312  for an artist or other tripod user. A user can remove the tray assembly  300  from the tripod  200  by simply lifting the tray assembly  300  up and away from the tripod  200 . Note that in a preferred embodiment, the entire contact surfaces  309 ,  311  extend substantially perpendicular to the surface  312 . However, in alternative embodiments the angle between the surface  312  and the contact surfaces  309 ,  311  can be greater than 90 degrees so as to more closely match the angle of the tripod legs  210  relative to the surface  312 .  
         [0020]     The tray assembly  300  also includes a plurality of holes  314 . The holes  314  can vary in size as shown in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, such as embodiments where the tray assembly  300  is intended for use as an artist&#39;s tray, the size and shape of the holes  314  can be configured so as to be useful for holding various paint brushes, paint containers, water containers, or other art tools. In other embodiments, such as embodiments where the tray assembly  300  is intended for use as a photographer&#39;s tray, the size and shape of the holes  314  can be configured so as to be useful for holding various camera lenses, film containers, or other camera accessories. In still other embodiments, such as embodiments where the tray assembly  300  is intended for use with a telescope, the size and shape of the holes  314  can be configured so as to be useful for holding various telescope lenses, a compass, lens caps, or other telescope accessories. It should be appreciated that in still further embodiments, any number of holes  314  of various shapes and sizes can be provided for various uses. It should also be noted that one or more wells of various size, shape, and depth can be formed in place of, or in addition to, the holes  314 .  
         [0021]     Like the tray assembly  100 , the tray assembly  300  is formed of rigid material, such as plastic, wood, or metal. In preferred embodiments, the tray assembly  300  is formed from a plastic sheet, for example an ABS plastic sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly  300  is formed from an ABS plastic sheet that has a thickness in a range of 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches, preferably approximately 0.25 inches thick. It will be appreciated that the type of material used and thickness of the material used can vary depending on the expected load to be supported by the shelf  302 . Since the shelf  302  is supported in a cantilever fashion by the support tabs  308 ,  310 , no additional support arms are needed.  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment, the slots  304 ,  306  are wide enough to accommodate tripod legs that are approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. However, in alternative embodiments, the slots  304 ,  306  of the tray assembly  300  can be sized and shaped so as to accommodate alternative sizes and types of tripod units  200 , including but not limited to square leg tripods, larger diameter tripod legs, longer spaces between tripod legs, and non-easel tripods, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]     Referring next to  FIG. 5 , another alternative embodiment of the tray assembly  400  is shown. The tray assembly  400  is similar to the tray assembly  100 . The tray assembly  400  includes a shelf  402  that mounts onto two of the tripod legs  210  at slots  404 ,  406 . The shelf  402  is supported in a cantilever fashion by a pair of support tabs  408 ,  410 . The support tabs  408 ,  410  have respective contact surfaces  409 ,  411 , and at least a portion of each of the contact surfaces  409 ,  411  is intended to contact a respective tripod leg  210  when the tray assembly  400  is installed. The shelf  402  hangs off the tripod  200  away from the tripod  200 , thus providing a level, accessible work and storage surface  412  for an artist or other tripod user. A user can remove the tray assembly  400  from the tripod  200  by simply lifting the tray assembly  400  up and away from the tripod  200 . Note that in a preferred embodiment, the entire contact surfaces  409 ,  411  extend substantially perpendicular to the surface  412 . However, in alternative embodiments the angle between the surface  412  and the contact surfaces  409 ,  411  can be greater than  90  degrees so as to more closely match the angle of the tripod legs  210  relative to the surface  412 .  
         [0024]     The tray assembly  400  also includes a pair of side walls  416  and  418  that extend along opposing edges of the surface  412 . The side walls  416  and  418  can extend the full length of the edges of the surface  412  as shown in  FIG. 5 , or alternative can extend along only a portion of the edges of the surface  412 . It should be appreciated that an additional side wall can extend along the front edge  420  of the surface  412  in combination with, or instead of, the side walls  416  and  418 . The side walls  416  and  418  help retain items on the surface  412 , for example pencils or other items that are prone to rolling. The side walls  416  and  418  also provide added strength to the shelf  402  to assist in resistance of the shelf  402  to bowing or flexing. The side walls  416  and  418  can also be used to support a removable tray or liner (not shown) that extends over all or part of the surface  412  and up and over at least a portion of the side walls  416 ,  418 . For example, a disposable liner could be provided for covering the surface  412  so that the shelf  416  can be used as a paint palette without getting paint on the surface  412  of the shelf  416 .  
         [0025]     Like the tray assembly  100 , the tray assembly  400  is formed of rigid material, such as plastic, wood, or metal. In preferred embodiments, the tray assembly  400  is formed from a plastic sheet, for example an ABS plastic sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly  400  is formed from an ABS plastic sheet that has a thickness in a range of 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches, preferably approximately 0.25 inches thick. It will be appreciated that the type of material used and thickness of the material used can vary depending on the expected load to be supported by the shelf  402 . Since the shelf  402  is supported in a cantilever fashion by the support tabs  408 ,  410 , no additional support arms are needed.  
         [0026]     in a preferred embodiment, the slots  404 ,  406  are wide enough to accommodate tripod legs that are approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. However, in alternative embodiments, the slots  404 ,  406  of the tray assembly  400  can be sized and shaped so as to accommodate alternative sizes and types of tripod units  200 , including but not limited to square leg tripods, larger diameter tripod legs, longer spaces between tripod legs, and non-easel tripods, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0027]     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , another alternative embodiment of the tray assembly  500  is shown. The tray assembly  500  is similar to the tray assembly  100 . The tray assembly  500  is shown attached onto a camera tripod  600 . A camera  602  is also mounted to the camera tripod  600 . The tray assembly  500  includes a shelf  502  that mounts onto two of the tripod legs  610  at slots that are not shown in  FIG. 6 , but can appear the same as the slots  104 ,  106  in  FIG. 1 . The shelf  502  is supported in a cantilever fashion by a pair of support tabs (not shown in  FIG. 6 , but can appear the same as the support tabs  108 ,  110  shown in  FIG. 1 ). The support tabs have respective contact surfaces, and at least a portion of each of the contact surfaces is intended to contact a respective tripod leg  610  when the tray assembly  500  is installed. The shelf  502  hangs off the tripod  600  away from the tripod  600 , thus providing a level, accessible surface  512  for supporting a laptop computer  700 . A user can remove the tray assembly  500  from the tripod  600  by simply lifting the tray assembly  500  up and away from the tripod  600 . Note that in a preferred embodiment, the entire contact surfaces of the support tabs extend substantially perpendicular to the surface  512 . However, in alternative embodiments the angle between the surface  512  and the contact surfaces can be greater than  90  degrees so as to more closely match the angle of the tripod legs  610  relative to the surface  512 .  
         [0028]     The tray assembly  500  can optionally include an auxiliary power supply for the laptop computer  700 . The tray assembly  500  can also optionally include holes, such as holes  314  shown in  FIG. 4 , and/or wells (not shown) for storing camera and/or computer accessories. Like the tray assembly  100 , the tray assembly  500  is formed of rigid material, such as plastic, wood, or metal. In preferred embodiments, the tray assembly  500  is formed from a plastic sheet, for example an ABS plastic sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly  500  is formed from an ABS plastic sheet that has a thickness in a range of 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches, preferably approximately 0.25 inches thick. It will be appreciated that the type of material used and thickness of the material used can vary depending on the expected load to be supported by the shelf  502 . Since the shelf  502  is supported in a cantilever fashion by the support tabs, no additional support arms are needed.  
         [0029]     In a preferred embodiment, the slots of the tray assembly  500  are wide enough to accommodate tripod legs that are approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. However, in alternative embodiments, the slots of the tray assembly  500  can be sized and shaped so as to accommodate alternative sizes and types of tripod units  600 , including but not limited to square leg tripods, larger diameter tripod legs, longer spaces between tripod legs, and non-easel tripods, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0030]     While the shelves  102 ,  302 ,  402 , and  502  of the tray assemblies are shown in the figures as being generally rectangular in shape, it should be appreciated that the tray assembly can be designed with other shapes, such as more round or oval shapes.  
         [0031]     In some embodiments, the surfaces  112 ,  312 ,  412 , and  512  can be substantially smooth. In other embodiments, the surfaces  112 ,  312 ,  412 , and  512  can be rough and textured. In some embodiments, the surfaces  112 ,  312 ,  412 , and  512  can be formed so as to have a high friction coefficient so as to prevent items from sliding.  
         [0032]     The tray assemblies  100 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500  can be any desired color and/or provided with decorative patterns or designs, including various degrees of transparency.  
         [0033]     It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.