Accessory for a recreational vehicle

Devices, assemblies, kits and methods for an accessory for a recreational vehicle are shown and described. An accessory may include a tray, an extension and a cover for the tray. The tray may be a horizontally oriented tray supported by the support and having a set of compartments and a set of recesses. The tray may be mountable between variable positions.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates generally to a recreational vehicle accessory, and more particularly to an improved portable accessory adapted to removably mate and secure about a dashboard.

BACKGROUND

Recreational vehicles, such as by way of example, golf carts, boats, RVs, and utility side-by-side vehicles, may include some type of cubby for storage. Conventionally, these cubbies are not conveniently located on the recreational vehicle and require stopping the vehicle, dismounting from the vehicle and/or reaching to awkward locations for items stored in such cubbies. Additionally, such cubbies are often odd shaped and do not keep the drivers items secure, especially, for activities such as off-road driving, stop and go driving, and/or driving in rough, uneven or unpaved terrain.

In instances utilizing golf carts, such as golf outings, participants often carry multiple tools, for example, tees, range locators, golf balls, hand towels, etc, that need to be easily accessible for repeated usage. The cubbies on golf carts are not convenient or structured for such use and tools and items such as a drivers' licenses, wallets, cellular phones, and/or purses may shuffle around out of sight and be forgotten when the golf outing is completed.

Therefore, Applicant desires systems and methods for a recreational vehicle accessory without the drawbacks presented by the traditional systems and methods. Further, Applicant desires a portable accessory tray for securing items therein and configured to be portable and mountable between various recreational vehicles.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, accessory devices for use with recreational vehicles are provided for portable storage of items. This disclosure provides improved accessory systems, devices, and methods that are convenient, efficient, portable and safe for the user, particularly when used with recreational vehicles and the like.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a recreational vehicle accessory including: a tray, an extension, and an adaptor. In some examples, the adaptor may interface with the recreational vehicle and the extension.

In some examples, the accessory may include a cover for covering said tray. The cover may be a partial cover. The cover may be a split cover.

The tray may include a compartment. The tray may include a set of compartments.

Another embodiment of the disclosure, in a golf cart having a dashboard, an accessory adapted to removably mate about said dashboard, including: a tray, a set of compartments in the tray, an extension and an adaptor. The adaptor may interface with the recreational vehicle about the dashboard on one end and with the extension on a second end.

In particular examples, the accessory may include an accessory fixture.

Still in another embodiment of the present disclosure the tray may include a full compartment, a subcompartment, and/or a midsize compartment. The full compartment, subcompartment and/or midsize compartment may make up a set of compartments in any combination.

A kit may include an accessory including a tray, an extension, and an adaptor.

The above summary was intended to summarize certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments will be set forth in more detail in the figures and description of embodiments below. It will be apparent, however, that the description of embodiments is not intended to limit the present inventions, the scope of which should be properly determined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in general andFIG. 1in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure or any invention thereto. As best seen inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a recreational vehicles accessory, also known as a an accessory caddy,10is shown embodied according to the present disclosure. Accessory10may include a tray12, an extension14and an adaptor16. The adaptor16may interface with the recreational vehicle and with the extension14.

The accessory10may include a cover18for covering the tray. The cover18may be a full cover, a divided cover, a partial cover and/or a split cover, by way of example. The cover18may be attached to the tray12. The cover18may be removable from the tray12. The cover18, by way of example, may be hinged on one side of the tray12. The cover may be made, by way of example, of PVC plastics, metals and/or wood.

The tray may include a first side wall25, a second side wall27, a front wall20and a back wall22. The tray12of the accessory10may also include a compartment housed within the walls. The tray12of accessory10may include a set of compartments. The set of compartments may include at least one full compartment21spanning from a wall of the tray to another wall of the tray. The set of compartments may include a subcompartment23. The set of compartments may include at least two subcompartments23. The at least two subcompartments may, in some examples, share a common dividing wall24. The set of compartments may include a mid-size compartment26. In some examples, the tray12may be made of PVC plastics, metals, and/or wood.

In some examples, the accessory may include a cover18for covering said tray. The cover18may be a partial cover. The cover may be a split cover.

The accessory10may include one or more securing mechanism29. By way of example, the securing mechanism may include a latch, a snap, a magnet, a bungee cord type attachment, a biased edge and/or a hook.

The accessory10may include attachments34(seeFIG. 4) that mate with the accessory10. By way of example, attachments34may extend from tray12and/or extension14and serve to secure items to tray12. Examples of attachments include at least a shoe holder, a cell phone holder, a distance finder, a towel connection.

FIG. 6show an exemplary embodiment of a compartment system of tray12. The compartment system may include compartments to encase typical items for a sport outing, by way of example, a phone sized compartment, a tee compartment, a compartment for a golf ball sleeve of 3 balls, a distance calculator compartment, and/or a GPS device compartment. Exemplary dimensions for a tray12and for tray compartments are shown and demonstrated.FIG. 7shows a front view of one example of a recreational vehicle accessory10and dimensions demonstrated therein.

In some embodiments, the extension14has a length L, the length L mounting the tray12spaced apart from the recreational vehicle. In other examples, extension14may be a support (as shown inFIG. 5) for securing the tray12to the recreational vehicle. The extension support may be a wedge shaped support.

Adaptor16may secure the accessory16to a steering wheel assembly of a recreational vehicle (seeFIG. 5). In some examples, the adaptor16secures the accessory12to a cup holder of the vehicle (seeFIG. 1).

The accessory may be portable and mountable between recreational vehicles.

In a golf cart having a dashboard, an accessory10may be adapted to removably mate about the dashboard and includes a tray12, a set of compartments in the tray, an extension14, and an adaptor16. The adaptor may interface with the recreational vehicle about the dashboard on one end and with the extension on a second end.

The extension14may include an extension length. The extension length may be structured for mounting the tray12spaced apart from the recreational vehicle. In other embodiments, the extension14is a support for securing the tray12to the recreational vehicle. The extension14serving as a support may be a wedge shaped support. The extension may be made of PVC plastics, metals, and/or wood, in some embodiments.

An adaptor16may be adapted to secure the accessory10to a steering wheel assembly. The adaptor16may be adapted, in some examples, to secure the accessory to a cup holder of the vehicle. The adaptor16may be adapted, in other examples, to secure the accessory to a dashboard of the vehicle. The adaptor may be constructed of PVC plastics, metals, and/or wood, in some examples.

The accessory10may be portable between recreational vehicles.

The accessory may include an accessory fixture attachment34.

Some embodiments of the invention may include an accessory tray12wherein the extension is between about 4″ and about 20″ in length L. The tray may be between about 20″ in length L and about 35″ in length L. The tray12may be between about 18″ in width W and about 26″ in width W.

The tray12may be between about 1″ in depth D and about 4″ in depth D. The tray should be of a size to be portable and also be large enough to be able to accommodate typical items for a sport outing and items such as a wallet and/or a cellular phone. The tray should be self-supportable by way of the extension.

The tray may include a compartment. The tray may include a set of compartments.

The tray12may include a full compartment21. The full compartment21may span a full length of the tray and be between about 4″ and about 6″ in width.

The tray12may include a midsize compartment26. The midsize compartment26may be at least half the width of the width W of the tray.

The tray12may include a subcompartment23. The subcompartment23may be less than half of the width of the width W of the tray and is less than half the length of the length L of the tray. In some examples the subcompartment23may be between about 3″ in length and about 5″ in length and between about 6″ in width to about 9″ in width.

In some embodiments, the tray12may include slide doors. Slide doors may be adapted to mount a cell phone, yardage calculating device, rangefinder, swing analysis tool, swing aid, GPS device, scorecard and/or, by way of example, may provide access to an enclosed compartment of the tray12that slides out for access. Slide doors may include a mount that holds an attachment upright in easy line of sight. A mount may be considered an attachment34in some embodiments.

In some instances, the invention may be considered a self-contained portable tray for organizing tools and equipment. By way of example, tools and equipment may be golf equipment, such as, golf balls, golf tees, repair tools, yardage devices, boating tools, etc. The portable tray may be adapted to include compartments. The compartments may be filled with the tools and equipment such that the portable tray serves to organize and house the tools and equipment for easy transition from home to recreational vehicle and/or between more than one recreational vehicle.

Recreational vehicle accessory10may include a tray12, a cover18for the top of the tray12, and an extension14. The accessory10may include three variable positions, a first cup insert position, a second steering wheel mount position, and a third flush mount position, wherein the extension interfaces with the tray12differently in each of the three positions. In the first cup insert position, the extension14may attach with a bottom of the tray in a substantially perpendicular position, for example, being secured into interface34′ (seeFIGS. 1 and 12B). In the second steering wheel mount position, the extension14may include a support32. The extension14and support32may both attach substantially perpendicularly to a bottom of the tray14(seeFIGS. 5, 9C and 12B). The extension14and support32may both attach to a lower portion36(seeFIG. 15) at lower portion interface64and lower portion support interface62respectively. The lower portion support interface62may be an angled interface with a projection serving as and/or attaching to the support32, and projecting away from the lower portion at the lower portion support interface62forming an attachment point (seeFIGS. 11A, 15). The projection may be angled at an angle alpha of between 30 degrees and 55 degrees. The angle alpha may be a 45 degree angle formed between the lower portion36and the projection at the lower portion support interface62. A wedge may be formed between the extension14, a bottom of the tray12and the lower portion36. The tray bottom may have a support recess63for securing and accepting the projection. In the third flush mount position, the tray12may be rested upon a substantially flat surface without the extension14attached, and/or one or more suction cups may be included for securing the tray12to a surface, with the suction cups attached facing the surface and secured to the bottom of the tray12, for example at interface65. The suction cups may be removable attached to the bottom of the tray12.

The accessory10may include one assembly including a tray12, a cover18, an extension14, a lower portion36(as inFIG. 9A) that linearly aligns with upper portion34, and/or a lower portion36(as inFIG. 9C) that diagonally aligns with extension34.

FIGS. 9A-Dshow yet other embodiments of accessory10, including a tray12supported above an extension14, the extension14attached to an adaptor16for securing the accessory.

The extension14may have an upper portion34and a lower portion36. The upper portion34may fit with a bottom of the tray12on one end and interface with the adaptor16on the other end and/or, by way of example, may interface with the lower portion34. The upper and lower portions34,36may be, for example, an aluminum tube, a wood dowel, and/or a plastic tube. In some examples, the portions34,36may be a thermoplastic material, for example injection molded ABS. The upper portion34may fit into the lower portion36. The lower portion36may have a larger diameter than upper portion24. Lower portion36may be continuous with and/or adjoin with adaptor16.

Adaptor16may have a larger diameter than lower portion36. Adaptor16may be configured to fit within a standard sized cup holder, particularly a cup holder of a recreational vehicle and/or a golf cart. The adaptor16may be of a thermoplastic material, and similarly to the lower portion36, may include a rubberized material and may be expandable in diameter. Adaptor16may include a hinge pin38. Adaptor16may also include a clamp upper40. Adaptor16may narrow from a top outer side to a bottom outer side, the narrowing adaptor configured to mate with a cup holder, and/or cup holders of differing sizes. Upper portion34may extend through lower portion36. Upper portion34may extend through adaptor16.

The extension14may include a support32. Support32may be an angled support anchoring to a bottom side of tray12on one end and to the extension14on an opposite end. Support32, in some examples, may be an aluminum tube, a wood dowel, and/or a thermoplastic piece.

Tray12may include a top side and a bottom side. Tray12may, for example, be at least partially injection molded ABS. Tray12may include a cover18. Cover18may include one or more cover portions and/or be a divided cover (seeFIG. 8). Cover18may be, for example, made similarly to the tray12. Cover18may be hingedly attached to tray12(seeFIG. 10). Tray12may include compartments. The compartments may be adjustable compartments. The compartments may include one or more pads.

FIGS. 10 and 11show exemplary embodiments and configurations for tray12and cover18, withFIG. 13showing more detailed exemplary configurations and embodiments for cover18, and specifically attachment of extension14with tray12.FIG. 11Ashows storage areas60recessed on the bottom side of tray12for storage of and locating extension14parts, by way of example upper portion34and lower portion36, when extension parts14are not in use for mounting and/or stabilization of tray12. The bottom side of tray12may include storage areas60that are configured to accept and completely recess extension14parts on the bottom of the tray12so that a portion of the bottom of the tray sits flush (and supports the tray) with a flat surface even when the extension parts are stored and recessed in the tray bottom.

The upper portion34and lower portion36may interface and fit with the tray12as shown inFIG. 12Bwith a bottom of the tray12at interface34′ and interface36′. The interfaces34′,36′ may be swapped as needed and may be interchangeable. The upper portion and lower portion34,36may be secured into the interface34′,36′.

FIGS. 13A and 13Bshow one example of a design for a cover18according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16show exemplary embodiments and dimensions for extension14, specifically,FIGS. 14 and 15show detailed examples of lower portion36andFIG. 16shows a detailed example of upper portion34. Lower portion36may be more than one assembled part. The lower portion34may include at least one latch68for latching together the more than one assembled part of lower portion36. The lower portion36may be a first part and a second part that surround the upper portion34and then latch together to surround the upper portion.

FIG. 17shows exemplary embodiments and configurations for pads that may be included in the tray compartments for minimizing movement of items housed in the compartments. The pads70may take on the shape of the compartment in which it will be installed.

FIG. 18shows exemplary embodiments of the hinge pins72of tray12. The hinge pins72may be utilized to secure different portions of the accessory10to one another.

FIG. 19shows exemplary embodiments of partitions74that may be used to divide tray compartments.

The accessory10may include a pivot bracket78and/or a set of pivot brackets.FIG. 20shows exemplary embodiments of pivot bracket78located on the bottom of tray12. Pivot bracket78may be configured to secure recessed accessory10parts within the recesses.

The invention may also be considered a method and system for an accessory10of any of the embodiments of the disclosure.

Also disclosed is an accessory kit. The accessory kit may include a tray12, an extension, an adaptor and a compartment with variable compartment configurations. The kit may include versatile compartment partitions that are adapted to be configured to adjust a set of compartments to varying compartment sizes, for example varying compartments as disclosed. The kit may include any of the accessory parts as previously shown and described.

The invention may be considered a method for securing items between recreational vehicles and a user's residence by way of any of the embodiments disclosed herein for an accessory for a recreational vehicle10.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. Many of the novel features are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the disclosure, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed. It is further noted that, as used in this application, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.