A TRAY STRUCTURE

Abstract: A tray structure including at least two trays (14, 15) each having a square or rectangular base and a perimeter wall (2) upstanding from the base and extending along three sides of the base, means (21) adapted to locate the trays relatively to each other in an operative, open, relationship, the trays being movable to a closed position in which the trays are juxtaposed so that the interior of a lower tray is closed by an adjacent upper tray contacting the perimeter wall of the lower tray. The structure also has a lid (18, 37) adapted to engage the perimeter wall of the uppermost tray to close the uppermost tray, and a carrying handle (16) to enable the trays to be converted into an attache case and carried when in the closed position.

Description: A Tray Structure This invention relates to a tray structure having a plurality of trays movable into a closed position to facilitate carrying the contents, which relate to paper work and related articles, from one work place to another. According to the present invention there is provided a tray structure including at least two trays each having a square or rectangular base and a perimeter wall upstanding from the base and extending along three sides of the base, means adapted to locate the trays relatively to each other in an operative, open, relationship, the trays being movable to a closed position in which the trays are juxtaposed so that the interior of a lower tray is closed by an adjacent upper tray contacting the perimeter wall of the lower tray, and a lid adapted to be secured to the perimeter wall of the uppermost tray to close the upper most tray, and a carrying handle to enable the trays to be carried when in the closed position. Preferably, the structure includes support means adapted to secure the trays together in a superposed operative position in a spaced apart condition. In another embodiment, the support means includes at least one link on each of two opposed sides pivotally connected to both trays to form a parallelogram linkage so that when moved to the open position the top tray is pivoted upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom tray whilst remaining parallel thereto. In yet another embodiment the two trays are slidable relative to one another so that when in the open condition, the uppermost tray is placed rearwardly of the lower tray over a portion of its length to enable access to the contents of the lower tray. Preferably, one of the trays has laterally extending webs or tongues extending from its two opposed side edges which are slidably engageable in corresponding grooves on the other tray.In one embodiment one section of the perimeter wall is movable between an open position parallel with the base and a raised position to close the wall. Preferably, the handle is in the same plane as, and may be formed integrally with, the base of an upper tray, in which case, it is preferred that the handle is concealed by the movable section of the wall of the upper tray when in the open position. Preferably, the section of the perimeter wall movable between an. open position and a raised position is pivoted. Iii a further embodiment of the invention, the lid when, it is not secured to the uppermost tray in a position so as to close the tray is concealed in the tray structure. In a preferred embodiment, the lid has a first section forming a top wall for closing the top of the uppermost tray and a second section for closing the open, fourth sides of the two trays. Preferably, the two sections are hinged together and the first section may be hinged intermediate its length about an axis parallel to the axis of the hinge beween the said two sections. The carrying handle may be integral with the lid. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tray structure having a pair of trays, Figure 2 is a side view of the structure of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of the structure of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view of a lid for the structure, Figure 5 is a side view of a tray structure in an intermediate position between the open and closed position having a modified lid, Figure 6 is a view of the tray structure in the closed position for transportation. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tray structure having a pair of trays in the closed position, Figure 8a is a perspective view of the structure with the trays in the use position with a lid partially open, Figure 8b is a similar perspective view with the lid folded into a different position and the trays in a closed position, Figure 9- shows another embodiment in which the two trays are slidable between the open and closed positions, Figure 10 shows the embodiment of Figure 9 in the closed condition,,and Figure 11 shows a modification of this embodiment with a pivoting lid. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, two trays 14 & 15 are superposed one upon the other. Each tray is formed from a suitable material such as a plastics material and has a rectangular base 1 and a perimeter wall 2 upstanding from the base. The perimeter wall has two long sides 3, 4 joined at one end by a short side 5. The base 1, the long sides 3 & 4 and the short side 5 of the perimeter wall form the main body of the tray. The remaining short side of the perimeter wall comprises a flap 6 attached to the tray base by hinge means 7 so as to be pivotable between an open position parallel with the base and a raised position in which a middle section 22 of the flap 6 closes the perimeter wall. The flap has two triangular panels 8 extending at right angles to the plane of the flap, and is so dimensioned that the side panels fit inside the tray adjacent the long sides 3,4 when the flap is in the raised position and when the flap is lowered form extensions of the long sides. The corner of each of the side panels which projects furthest into the main body of the tray when the flap is in the raised position carries a retaining projection 9 which is engageable with an associated recess 10 in the main body of the tray so as to keep the flap in the raised position. The retaining projection is also engageable with a further associated recess 11 so as to retain the flap in the open position. According to one embodiment the hinge means 7 consists of a retaining pin 12 projecting outward from each side panel 8, adjacent and adjacent the side edge of the middle section 22. Each of the pins is adapted to be engageable in an associated recess 13 located in the main body of the tray adjacent the tray base 1 towards the edge of the long wall 3 & 4 adjacent the flap. In another embodiment, the hinge means 7 consists of a metal pin parallel to the base and extending through aligned holes in the flap 6 and base 1. The two trays are superposed to form a tray structure in which the flap 6 of the upper tray 14 is directly above the flap 6 of the lower tray 15. A handle 16, to enable the tray structure to be carried, projects from the base 1 of the upper tray 14 at the side of the perimeter wall corresponding to the flap 6, lying in the plane of the base 1 underneath this flap. The handle is concealed by the flap when the flap is in the open position. With reference to Figure 1, the trays 14 & 15 are utilised in a spaced apart condition as nominally an IN tray and an OUT tray for containing papers by placing the tray structure on a flat surface with the flaps 6 in their open positions. The two flaps are retained in this position either by means of the retention projections 9 and their associated recesses 11 or by means of the flap 6 of the lower tray 15 resting against the flat surface and the flap 6 of the upper tray 14 resting against the handle 16. The trays are movable to a closed position shown in Figure 6, in which the trays are juxtaposed so that the interior of the lower tray 15 is closed by the base 1 of the upper tray 14 contacting the perimeter wall 2 of the lower tray 14. Support mean 21 are adapted to secure the trays together in the superposed position in the spaced apart condition. The support means comprises four elements 17. Each of the elements 17 is attached to both the upper 14 and lower tray 15 and is substantially perpendicular to the base 1 of each tray. Two elements 17 are attached along each of the long sides 3 & 4 of the perimeter walls of the trays. The elements are positioned so as to project as little as possible from the profile of the tray structure. In one embodiment, the support means render the trays movable by being telescopic. In this embodiment the elements consist of two spring-loaded sections which form a commonly known telescopic means called the "one-touch" mechanism. One section is attached to the lower tray and the other section, which is slidable relative to the first section, is attached to the upper tray. In the spaced apart condition the spring is in a relatively uncompressed state. The trays are brought into the closed position by the second section sliding relative to the first section, compressing the spring at the same time, and into the spaced apart condition by the action of the spring when it is released. In another embodiment, the upper tray moves relative to the support means. The support means including projections which are engageable with associated recesses in the perimeter wall of the upper tray. The projections are disengageable to allow the tray to be movable to the closed position. The interior of the upper tray is closed by a lid 18 adapted to be secured to the perimeter wall 2 of the upper tray 14. The lid 18 slides into grooves 19 which are parallel to the tray base 1 and positioned near the top of the three perimeter walls of the main body of the tray. The flap 6 of the upper tray 14 is then brought into its raised position to complete the perimeter wall. As shown in Figure 5, the lid 18 of the uppermost tray 14 is further adapted to be used as a working surface. In the present embodiment the lid is adapted to be a blotting pad 20 and writing surface. The operator of the tray structure works on the lid adapted as a work surface using the trays in the spaced apart condition to hold and correlate paperwork, the flaps of each of the trays being in the open position so as to facilitate the removal of work from the trays and to allow the operator to easily see the contents of each tray. The work requiring his attention is placed in the IN tray and work which has been completed is placed in the OUT tray. When the operator wishes to carry the work to another place, in particular from the office to the home, the required material is placed in the trays which are brought into the closed position. The lid is then slid into position to close the uppermost tray and once the flaps of the tray have been brought into the closed position the tray structure is converted into an attache case, as shown in Figure 6. As shown in the Figures 7, 8a and 8b, two trays 14 & 15 are superposed one upon the other. Each tray is formed from a suitable material such as a plastics material and has a. rectangular base 1 and a perimeter wall 2 upstanding from the base. The perimeter wall has two long sides 3, 4 joined at one end by a short side 5. The base 1, the long sides 3 & 4 and the short side 5 of the perimeter wall form the main body of the tray. The remaining short side of the perimeter wall is open. The trays 14 & 15 are utilised in a spaced apart condition as nominally an IN tray and an OUT tray for containing papers by placing the tray structure on a flat surface. The trays are movable to a closed position shown in Figure 1 and 2a, in which the trays are juxtaposed so that the interior of the lower tray 15 is closed by the base 1 of the upper tray 14 contacting the perimeter wall 2 of the lower tray 14. Support means 21 are adapted to secure the trays together in the superposed position in the spaced apart condition. The support mean comprises at least one linkage arrangement 23 on each longer side of the trays which may be a pivotting or sliding linkage or a scissors type linkage. Each of the linkage arrangements 23 is connected to both the upper tray 14 and lower tray 15 and are designed to project as little as possible from the profile of the tray structure. The linkages may form a parallelogram arrangement so that the upper tray is pivotted upwardly and rearwardly whilst remaining parallel to the lower tray. The interior of the upper tray is closed by a first section 25 of a lid 24 adapted to be hingedly secured by means of a hinge 24a to the top edge of the shorter side 5 of the perimeter wall 2 of the upper tray 14. The lid 24 includes a second section 26 which is adapted to close the open sides of the two trays and which is connected by a hinge 27 to the first section 25. The first section 25 is divided into two parts 25a and 25b by a further hinge 28 parallel to the axis of the hinge 27. The hinges may be formed integrally with the lid sections as so-called thin section hinges or may comprise metal rods passing through aligned orifices in adjacent sections or may comprise projections on one part which engage in recesses in the cooperating part. A carrying handle 29 is located on- the section 26 and may be formed integrally therewith or may be hinged thereto. The lid 24 of the uppermost tray 14 is further adapted to be used as a working surface as shown in Figure 8a where it is half folded back and forms a working surface for holding a stick-on note pad, for example. A latch arrangement may be provided to hold the lid surface in an inclined position. The lid may also be detachable to form a clip board. Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11, there is shown another embodiment in which the two trays are slidable between the open and closed positions. The two trays are essentially identical and have extending along their two opposite side edges 31, 32, a downwardly extending projection 33 which contains an outwardly extending elongate groove 34 extending along the length of the side. The upper side edge of each side perimeter wall 3,4 has a corresponding web or tongue 35 which projects laterally inwardly to engage in the respective groove 34. The rear wall of each tray has a downwardly extending lip or stop 36 which serves to limit the forward movement of the upper tray. Thus, in operation, the upper tray is slid or* the lower tray from the rear. When the stop 36 abuts the lower tray the two trays are accurately aligned to enable the tray structure to be closed. For this purpose the tray has a lid 37 which has a groove 38 engageable in the web or tongue 35 n the side walls of the upper tray. The lid 37 is in two jiarts 38, 39 hingedly jointed together to form a fla part 2*9 which folds over to close the open fronts of ith-β; two txays. At its rear edge, the lid 37 has a downwardly extending lip 40 which abuts against the rear of the upper tray to locate the lid in the correct position for * closing. In Figure 9 the trays are in the open position in which access to the contents of both trays is easy. Figure 10 shows this embodiment in the closed position for transport in which it forms an attache case. Figure 11 shows a variation on the embodiment of Figure 9 in which the lid is pivotally connected to the rear wall of the upper tray. The user of the tray structure uses the trays in the spaced apart condition to hold and correlate paperwork, and to allow the operator to easily see the contents of each tray. The work requiring his attention is placed in the IN tray and work which has been completed is placed in the OUT tray. When the operator wishes to carry the work to another place, in particular from the office to the home, the required material is placed in the trays which are brought into the closed position. The lid is then folded over into position to close the uppermost tray and to close the front side walls of the trays. The tray structure is converted into an attache case, as shown in Figure 1. In another embodiment of the invention, the trays are formed from wood, whilst the appearance of the plastics embodiment may be varied by, for example, making it two- tone or giving it a wood grain finish. In another embodiment of the invention, the elements of the support means are metal. In another embodiment the lid is secured to one side of the perimeter wall of the main body of the upper tray by hinge means so as to be pivotable between a position in which the interior of the uppermost tray is open and a position in which the interior of the uppermost tray is closed. In another embodiment the tray structure further includes exterior grooves, such as dove tail grooves, to accomodate accessories.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A tray structure including at least two trays each having a square or rectangular base and a perimeter wall upstanding from the base and extending along three sides of the base, means adapted to locate the trays relatively to each other in an operative, open, relationship, the trays being movable to a closed position in which the trays are juxtaposed so that the interior of a lower tray is closed by an adjacent upper tray contacting the perimeter wall of the lower tray, and a lid adapted to engage the perimeter wall of the uppermost tray to close the upper most tray, and a carrying handle to enable the trays to be carried when in the closed position. 2. A tray structure according to claim 1, wherein, the structure includes support means adapted to secure the trays together in a superposed operative position in a spaced apart condition. 3. A tray structure according to claim 1 including support means which includes at least one link on each of two opposed sides pivotally connected to both trays to form a parallelogram linkage so that when moved to the open position the top tray is pivoted upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom tray whilst remaining parallel thereto. 4. A tray structure according to claim 1 wherein, the two trays are slidable relative to one another so that when in the open condition, the uppermost tray is placed rearwardly of the lower tray over a portion of its length to enable access to the contents of the lower tray. 5. A tray structure according to claim 4 wherein one of the trays has laterally extending webs or tongues extending from its two opposed side edges which are slidably engageable in corresponding grooves on the other tray. 6. A tray structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the handle is in the same plane as, and may be formed integrally with, the base of an upper tray. 7. A tray structure according to claim 6 wherein, the handle is concealed by a movable section of the wall of the upper tray when in the open position. 8. A tray structure according to claim 7 wherein the section of the perimeter wall movable between an open position and a raised position is pivoted. 9. A tray structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the lid has a first section forming a top wall for closing the top of the uppermost tray and a second section for closing the open, fourth sides of the two trays. 10. A tray structure according to claim 9 wherein, the two sections are hinged together and the first section may be hinged intermediate its length about an axis parallel to the axis of the hinge beween the said two sections. 11. A tray structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , or 9 and 10 wherein the carrying handle is integral with the lid. 12. A tray structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is slidable onto the upper tray, grooves in one of the members being engageable by associated tongues on the other member.

Inventors: GLASER JACKIE, GLASER, JACKIE
Applicants: GLASER JACKIE, GLASER, JACKIE
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B42F7
IPC codes: B42F7