TRAY ASSEMBLY

A tray assembly for use in a vehicle is provided that includes a platform adapted to have items set on a top surface thereof and a removable fastening assembly that attaches to an arm rest of a vehicle seat assembly.

ORIGIN

The innovation disclosed herein relates to a tray assembly and more specifically, to a tray assembly that attaches to an arm rest on a vehicle seat assembly.

BACKGROUND

Safety issues are a major concern for the motor vehicle industry for vehicles traveling on the highways and roadways. Distractions to the driver such as talking on a cell phone, texting, eating in the car, etc. tend to increase the probability of an impending accident. If a larger vehicle such as a truck (e.g., a semi), delivery truck, a transit vehicle, a recreational vehicle (RV), etc. is involved the accident tends to be more amplified.

In the trucking industry, in order to save time and money, truckers tend to eat while driving. This creates a distraction because, as in most vehicles, the truck driver has nowhere to place their food and drink. Truck drivers, as most drivers in all types of vehicles, place their food on their lap or in the passenger seat while attempting to eat, which requires both hands thereby increasing the chances of an accident. In addition, truck drivers need to communicate with dispatch and often must write down information while driving. Again, the driver has no means to write on and must use two hands in order to do so.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In an aspect of the innovation, a tray assembly for use in a vehicle is disclosed and includes a platform comprised of a rigid material and being adapted to have items set on a top surface thereof, a removable fastening assembly adapted to attach to an arm rest of a vehicle seat assembly, a connecting device that connects the platform to the fastening mechanism, and a lip defined around a perimeter of the platform whereby the lip is raised with respect to the top surface of the platform.

In another aspect of the innovation, a tray assembly for use in a vehicle is disclosed that includes a platform assembly, a fastening assembly that fastens to an arm rest on a seat assembly in the vehicle, a connecting device that connects the platform assembly to the fastening assembly, and an adjustable container holding assembly.

In another aspect of the innovation, a method of securing a liquid holding container in a vehicle is disclosed that includes providing a tray assembly attached to an arm rest of a seat assembly in the vehicle and having a container holding assembly, actuating an actuator of the container holding assembly moving a distal end of each of the plurality of fingers away from each other, placing a container in an expanded space between the plurality of fingers, releasing the actuator, biasing the second end of the plurality of fingers toward each other, contacting the container with the second end of the plurality of fingers, and securing the container in the container holding assembly.

The following description and drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, or novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness, orientation, configuration, etc.), it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of the innovation can employ characteristics that vary from those described herein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of the innovation and claims appended hereto.

In order to overcome the above mentioned problems with drivers of a vehicle, and more specifically, to truck drivers, an innovative tray assembly is disclosed herein in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. The tray assembly can be used as a surface to place objects (e.g., food, glasses, cell phone, etc.) or to use as a writing surface.

Referring now to the drawings,FIGS. 1-7illustrate one example embodiment of an innovative tray assembly100for use in a vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. The innovative tray assembly100is for use in a vehicle (e.g., truck, RV, etc.) and provides a rigid platform to allow a driver or passenger(s) to place objects (e.g., food, drink, cell phones, glasses, etc.) on while traveling in the vehicle. The tray assembly100includes a platform102, a fastening assembly104that removably attaches the platform to a vehicle seat assembly arm rest, and a connecting device106that connects the platform102to the fastening assembly104.

The platform102is made from a rigid material and is configured to have items (e.g., food, phone, glasses, etc.) set on a top surface108thereof. The platform102may include an opening110to hold a beverage disposed in a container, such as but not limited to a glass, cup, bottle, can, etc. An expandable grommet may be included inside the opening110that expands and contracts to adjust to different sized diameter containers. The opening110may include a slot to receive the handle of the container (e.g., cup handle). Although the platform102is shown as having a rectangular shape with rounded corners, the platform102may have any shape, such as but not limited to, a square, polygonal, circular, oval, D-shaped, etc. and may have rounded or squared off corners.

In one embodiment, the platform102may be fixedly attached to the removable fastening assembly104via the connecting device106. In other embodiments, the platform may be pivotally attached, slidably attached, may be attached to the removable fastening device104such that the platform rotates about a longitudinal axis of the arm rest. In still yet other embodiments, a second platform may be pivotally attached to the first platform102and swing outward to provide additional surface area to set items on. In another embodiment, material112may be placed on the top surface to provide friction and ease of cleaning.

A lip114may be attached to a perimeter of the platform102whereby the lip114is raised with respect to the top surface108of the platform102to thereby contain liquid spills and to prevent items from sliding off the platform102. The lip114may be a separate piece from the platform102or may be integrated with the platform102.

The fastening assembly104is configured to be removably attached to the armrest of the vehicle seat assembly. The fastening assembly104may include at least one U-shaped sleeve116made from a semi-rigid or rigid material and a securing mechanism118that secures the sleeve116to the arm rest. The sleeve116may be comprised of a single longer unit that extends nearly a length of the arm rest and wraps around the entire or a portion of the arm rest. In another embodiment, the fastening assembly104may include multiple sleeves that are shorter in length and attach to different portions of the arm rest along the length of the arm rest.

The securing mechanism118attaches to the sleeve116and wraps around the arm rest to thereby secure the sleeve116and, hence, the tray assembly100to the arm rest. The securing mechanism118may be comprised of straps having fasteners (e.g., clips, snaps, buckle, etc.) at each end, Velcro, bungee cords, clamps, tape, rope, etc.

In other embodiments, the fastening assembly104may be comprised of at least one clamp, a quick disconnect coupling device, a U-shaped clamp, or any other clamping mechanism that secures the tray assembly100to the arm rest.

The connecting device106connects the platform102to the fastening mechanism106. The connecting device106may be comprised of fasteners, such as but not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, adhesive, Velcro, etc. The connecting device106may include a swiveling mechanism to allow the platform102to swivel with respect to the fastening mechanism106and hence, the arm rest. In another embodiment, the platform102may be fixedly attached to the fastening assembly104.

Referring toFIG. 7, the tray assembly may further include a waste assembly200that includes a strap202removably attached to the platform103and a receptacle (e.g., a bag, sack, etc.) attached to the strap202to thereby receive waste product.

In other embodiments, the tray assembly may include options, such as but not limited to, a retractable arm having a clip at a distal end thereof to hold items, such as but not limited to a bag of chips, pretzels, candy, paper notes, etc., a detachable ash tray, a holding device to hold items, such as but not limited to, a cell phone, PDA, eye glasses, etc.

FIGS. 8-18illustrate another example embodiment of an innovative tray assembly800in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. As disclosed above, the tray assembly800is configured to attach to an arm rest of a seat, such as an arm rest for a seat assembly in a vehicle, such as but not limited to a truck (e.g., semi, etc.), a recreational vehicle (RV), etc. In this example embodiment, the tray assembly800includes a platform assembly810, a fastening assembly900, a connecting device950that connects the platform assembly810to the fastening assembly900, and a container holding assembly1000.

The platform assembly810includes a platform812that includes a stationary part814, a movable part816, and a platform connector818that connects the stationary part814and the movable part816, but allows the movable part816to move (e.g., pivot, rotate, slide, etc.) with respect to the stationary part814. Both the stationary part814and the movable part816may be made from a rigid material, such as but not limited to, plastic, a polymer, metal, etc. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the platform connector818that connects the movable part816to the stationary part814is a hinge (best seen inFIGS. 14-16). Thus, in the example embodiment illustrated in the figures, the movable part816pivots with respect to the stationary part814.

FIGS. 8-12illustrate the platform812in the expanded position whereby a plane (top surface)820of the stationary part814and a plane (top surface)822of the movable part816are substantially on the same plane thereby forming a continuous top surface823of the platform812. A locking mechanism824(seeFIGS. 14 and 15) may be provided to secure the movable part816into the platform expanded position. In the example embodiment illustrated in the figures, the locking mechanism824is pivotally attached at a pivot point826with a fastener828(e.g., screw, nut and bolt, rivet, etc.) to a bottom830of the platform812. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism824is an L-shaped piece that includes a first part832and a second part834that is generally perpendicular to the first part832. The user simply grips the first part832and pivots the locking mechanism824approximately 90 degrees such that the second part834extends across a portion of both the first and second parts832,834.

FIG. 13illustrates the platform812in a collapsed position. The collapsed configuration provides a smaller platform for vehicles that have less space for the larger platform812in the expanded position or for vehicles that have a manual shift where the shift may interfere with the tray assembly800. To position the platform812in the collapsed position, the user grips the first part832of the locking mechanism824and pivots the securing mechanism approximately 90 degrees the opposite way such that the second part834no longer extends across a portion of the movable part816of the platform812. Rather, the locking mechanism824is disposed entirely below the stationary part814, thus, allowing the movable part816the freedom to pivot such that the platform is in the collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the top surface822of the movable part816is approximately perpendicular to the top surface820of the stationary part814. It should be noted that the locking mechanism824can be pivotally attached to the movable part816of the platform812as opposed to the stationary part814.

In other embodiments, the platform812may be configured such that the movable part816may slide into a slot defined in the stationary part814. In still another embodiment, the movable part816may slide underneath the stationary part814. In still another embodiment, the movable part816may be attached to the stationary part814at a pivot point such that the movable part816may pivot underneath or into the slot defined in the stationary part814. In still yet another embodiment, the movable part816may attach to the stationary part814via snaps, fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts), Velcro™, etc. and, thus, be detachable from the stationary part814.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, the fastening assembly900is configured to be removably attached to the armrest of the vehicle seat assembly. In the example embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fastening assembly900may include at least one U-shaped sleeve902made from a semi-rigid or rigid material and a securing mechanism904that secures the sleeve902to the arm rest. The sleeve902may be comprised of a single longer unit that extends nearly a length of the arm rest and wraps around the entire or a portion of the arm rest. In another embodiment, the fastening assembly900may include multiple sleeves that are shorter in length and attach to different portions of the arm rest along the length of the arm rest.

The securing mechanism904attaches to the sleeve902and wraps around the arm rest to thereby secure the sleeve902and, hence, the tray assembly800to the arm rest. The securing mechanism904may be comprised of straps having fasteners906(e.g., clips, snaps, buckle, etc.) at each end, Velcro, bungee cords, clamps, tape, rope, etc.

In other embodiments, the fastening assembly900may be comprised of at least one clamp, a quick disconnect coupling device, a U-shaped clamp, or any other clamping mechanism that secures the tray assembly800to the arm rest.

The connecting device950connects the platform assembly810to the fastening assembly900. The connecting device950may be comprised of fasteners, such as but not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, adhesive, Velcro, etc. The connecting device950may include a swiveling mechanism to allow the platform assembly810to swivel with respect to the fastening assembly900and hence, the arm rest. In another embodiment, the platform assembly810may be fixedly attached to the fastening assembly900. In still another embodiment, the tray assembly800may be an integrated unit such that the fastening assembly900is integrated into the platform assembly810. In still another embodiment, the sleeve902may include a slot defined in a top surface thereof and the platform assembly810may include a projection disposed on a bottom surface thereof such that the projection engages the slot to attach and detach the platform assembly810to and from the sleeve902. This allows the user to leave the sleeve902attached to the arm rest of the seat assembly for quick attachment and detachment.

Referring toFIG. 11, the container holding assembly1000includes an actuation assembly comprised of an actuator1002and one or more actuating connectors (e.g., rod, cable, etc.)1004, and fingers1006configured to grip a container. In the example embodiment illustrated in the figures, the actuator1002has an arc shape and is resilient such that when it is de-activated, the actuator will return (is biased) to its non-activated position. The actuator1002includes a first end1008having an aperture1010defined therein and a second end1012. The first end1008of the actuator1002attaches to a top of the stationary part814of the platform812via fasteners1014(e.g., screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, etc.). The second end1012of the actuator1002freely rests on the top surface820of the stationary part814such that the second end1012can be displaced when the actuator1002is activated.

The actuating connectors1004attach the actuator1002to the fingers1006. The actuating connectors1004have a first end1016that threads through the aperture1010in the actuator1002and attaches to the second end1012of the actuator1002via a fastener1018(e.g., screw, nut and bolt, rivet, etc.). A second end1020of the actuating connectors1004attach to the fingers1006to open and close the fingers1006as will be subsequently described. In other embodiments, the actuating cables may be located inside the stationary part814and actuated by an external actuator.

The fingers1006attach to the top surface823of the platform812and extend in a direction away from the top surface823of the platform812. The fingers1006are configured in a circular pattern and are spring loaded and, thus, adapted to grip a container that may be used to hold a drinking liquid of any sized diameter. The example embodiment illustrated in the figures includes three fingers1006. It is to be understood, however, that the innovation is not dependent on the number of fingers1006. Any number of fingers1006may be used that facilitates securing the container. Thus, the innovation illustrated in the figures and described herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the innovation.

The fingers1006include a first (proximate) end1022that attach to the top surface823of the platform812, a second (distal) end1024that are adapted to contact and secure the container, and a bias mechanism (e.g., spring)1026. The first end1022may be attached to the stationary part814via fasteners (e.g., screw, nut and bolt, rivet, etc.), an adhesive, welding, etc. or may be an integrated piece of the platform812and remain stationary during actuation of the container holding assembly1000. The second end1020of the actuating connectors1004attach to the second end1024of the fingers1006to move second end1024of the fingers1006away from and toward each other during actuation of the container holding assembly1000. When the container holder assembly1000is actuated the second end1024of the fingers1006move away from each other and when the actuator1002is released, the bias mechanism1026biases the second end1024of the fingers1006toward each other, as will be subsequently described.

Referring toFIG. 18, a method1800of operating the container holding assembly1000to secure and remove a container from the fingers1006will now be described. At1802, the user applies pressure to the top of the actuator1002to activate the actuator and, hence, the container holding assembly1000. At1804, the second end1012of the actuator1002is displaced away from the fingers1006. At1806, the second end1012of the actuator1002pulls the actuating connectors1004in a direction away from the plurality of fingers1006. At1808, the second end1024of the fingers1006move away from each other thus, increasing a distance between the second end1024of each of the fingers1006(e.g., creating more space between the second end1024of the fingers1006). At1810, the user places a container into the expanded space between the second end1024of the fingers1006. At1812, the user releases the actuator1002. At1814, the second end1012of the actuator1002is biased toward the fingers1006. At1816, the second end1024of the fingers1006are biased toward each other by the bias mechanism1026. At1818, the second end1024contacts the container to thereby at1820, secure the container into the container holding assembly1000.

Referring back toFIGS. 12 and 13, the tray assembly100may include accessories in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. For example, a clip1200may be included to hold an object, such as but not limited to, paper, a bag containing food (e.g., chips, pretzels, etc.), a waste bag, etc. The clip1200is a spring loaded clip that is actuated by pressing opposite sides together at an open one end, thus, opening the closed (opposite) end of the clip1200to insert the object. The clip1200can include a mechanism that facilitates receiving the object without having to press together the opposite sides. For example, the clip can include a cam like device that allows the user to simply slide the object into the closed end of the clip1200without having to use two hands. Thus, the driver can keep one hand on the steering wheel. The cam can include teeth to secure the object. To disengage the object the user simply presses the open together to release the object.

The clip1200may be attached to a telescoping rod1202that attaches to the top surface823of the platform812. The telescoping rod1202includes a first (proximate) end1204that attaches to the top surface823of the platform812via an attachment device1206. The telescoping rod1202connects to the attachment device1206at a pivot point1208via a fastener (e.g., screw, nut and bolt, rivet, etc.). Thus, the telescoping rod1202pivots with respect to the top surface of the platform812, as illustrated in the figures. In another embodiment, the telescoping rod1202can rotate with respect to the top surface823of the platform812. The telescoping rod1202further includes a second (distal) end1210. The clip1200attaches to the second end1210of the telescoping rod1202. In another embodiment, a light may be disposed on the clip1200or on or near the second end of the telescoping rod1202.

In other embodiments, the tray assembly may include detachable accessories, such as but not limited to, a phone holder, an ash tray, a waste bag holder, an eye glass holder, writing utensil holder, etc. In still other embodiments, the tray assembly may be modular. Thus, additional accessories can be added or removed as desired. In addition, the entire tray assembly disclosed herein can be modular such that the platform assembly810, the fastening assembly900, the connecting device950that connects the platform assembly810to the fastening assembly900, and the container holding assembly1000may be removable or added to the user's desire.

FIGS. 16 and 17illustrate the innovative tray assembly800attached to a seat assembly1600and, more specifically, to an arm ret1602of the seat assembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. As illustrated and described herein, the tray assembly800fits over the arm rest via the fastening assembly to thereby provide a place for the driver (and passengers) to place objects thereon or use as a writing surface.