Abstract:
A wedge-shaped support caddy device suitably adapted to be placed on an automobile seat to provide a level surface on which to place objects, while also providing a container for smaller objects. The support caddy device is constructed of corrugated cardboard for strength, rigidity, durability, and low cost, and can be manufactured from a unitary sheet, thereby allowing for ease of storage until needed for use, when it can be folded into its intended configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of automobile accessories and more specifically to the field of automobile seat leveling and containment devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Automobile seats are typically inclined, with the rear of the sitting surface of the automobile seat positioned lower than the front edge of the sitting surface, thereby creating a depression in the sitting surface towards the seat back. While this configuration has been found to provide greater comfort to persons sitting in automobile seats, it also results in an unsuitable surface for placing objects requiring a relatively level orientation. Placing large containers with liquid or semi-solid contents onto an inclined automobile seat, such as a crock pot containing a stew or a pizza box containing a hot pizza with melted cheese, often results in the contents of the container spilling or shifting in an unwanted manner (e.g., the cheese sliding off the top of the pizza). Open topped containers, such as potted seedling containers, are also subject to tipping and spilling when placed on an inclined automobile seat. There is thus a need for a support device suitable for placing onto the sitting surface of an inclined automobile seat to provide a substantially level surface onto which objects can be placed. There is also a need for a caddy device to contain small objects on an automobile seat so that they do not roll off the sitting surface. For greater efficiency, these two functions should be combined. 
         [0005]    There exist various devices to provide a level surface to an automobile seat. For example, a solid foam wedge device has been used to provide a leveling base for baby car seats. However, such devices fail to provide a sufficient surface for supporting objects other than baby car seats. They also tend to compress unevenly due to their foam construction, thus defeating the purpose of providing a substantially level surface. They are relatively expensive to purchase and complex to manufacture. Moreover, if they become soiled cleaning is inconvenient and if they become damaged replacement becomes costly. 
         [0006]    Car seat tray devices are also known in the art, with the basic design including a horizontal support surface with one or more legs depending downward from one end of the support surface in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the support surface. These trays are constructed of plastic or heavy gauge paper, such as cardboard. These trays are positioned on an automobile seat sitting surface with the legs placed proximate to the seat back. These trays work sufficiently well for supporting objects in a horizontal orientation, but do not provide a solution for retaining small objects on a sitting surface. The plastic trays are also costly to manufacture. The paper trays are less expensive but the perpendicular orientation of the legs to the support surfaces presents a potential weak point allowing collapse if heavy objects are placed thereon. 
         [0007]    Other, more complex devices for providing a level support surface on an automobile seat are known. One such device uses an integrated inflatable air bladder attached to a container. The container is made level by the careful inflation of the air bladder. While this perhaps allows for very precise leveling, it is a costly, complicated piece of machinery requiring a power source. 
         [0008]    Certain use-specific solutions have also been developed. For example, the prior art discloses pizza boxes with built-in flaps or legs, which when deployed cause the pizza box to be oriented much like the car seat tray devices previously discussed. However, these devices are limited to use with pizza and do not have general applicability. 
         [0009]    There are also many different types of car caddies known in the art, but none that are also suitable for supporting larger objects on an inclined automobile seat in a horizontal orientation. 
         [0010]    There is thus a need for an automobile seat support caddy device which is suitably adapted to support varied types of objects, is substantially rigid so as to not compress or deform, and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. There is a further need for a disposable automobile seat support caddy device to eliminate cleaning or replacement concerns. There is a further need for an automobile seat support caddy device that can be used as a marketing tool by bearing vendor information on its surfaces. There is a further need for an automobile seat support caddy device that can also contain small objects while providing horizontal support to larger objects. 
         [0011]    It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an automobile seat support caddy device which is suitably adapted to support varied types of objects in a substantially horizontal orientation upon an inclined automobile seat sitting surface. 
         [0012]    It is a further objective of this invention to provide an automobile seat support caddy device which is substantially rigid so as to not compress or deform when supporting objects. 
         [0013]    It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an automobile seat support caddy device which is inexpensive and simple to manufacture, ship, store, and use. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an automobile seat support caddy device which is disposable to eliminate cleaning or replacement concerns 
         [0015]    It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an automobile seat support caddy device which can be used as a marketing tool by bearing vendor information on its surfaces. 
         [0016]    It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an automobile seat support caddy device which can contain small objects while providing horizontal support to large objects. 
         [0017]    Other objectives of this invention will be evident from the following disclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0018]    The present invention is an open wedge-shaped support caddy device for placing on an automobile seat. The support caddy device may be placed either open end up or open end down. The support caddy device provides both a level surface upon which to place objects and a contained space into which smaller objects may be placed. The open wedge shape of the support caddy device is formed by the combination of one support panel and three or more adjacent sides. Two lateral sides of the support caddy device are angled at the relatively same degree as the incline of the automobile seat; this causes the top edges at the open end of the device to lie substantially within a horizontal plane when the device is placed open end up, and causes the support panel of the device to lie substantially within a horizontal plane when the device is placed open end down. When placed open end up, smaller objects may be contained within the interior space of the support caddy device, with larger objects placed onto the edges, and when placed open end down larger objects may be placed on the support panel. Whether placed on the edges of the support caddy device or on the support panel, objects placed onto the support caddy device are oriented substantially horizontally. 
         [0019]    The support caddy device is constructed of corrugated cardboard for strength, rigidity, and durability. Objects can be supported upon corrugated cardboard with a minimal amount of distortion to the material. The low cost of cardboard allows the support caddy device to be disposable, if desired. Ads and other marketing materials can also be printed on cardboard, making the support caddy device an excellent promotional tool for diverse businesses. The support caddy device further may be formed of a unitary sheet of corrugated cardboard, then folded into the appropriate shape at the time of use. This simplifies the manufacturing process, and also allows for easy shipping and storage, as the support caddy device can be left flat until needed for use. 
         [0020]    Alternate embodiments of the support caddy device can include a cover. Use of the cover allows the support caddy device to be removed from the automobile environment without risk of losing any small objects placed within the interior of the support caddy device. 
         [0021]    Other features and advantages of the invention are described below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, in support caddy mode. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective cut-away view of the present invention in use on an automobile seat supporting an object in a substantially horizontal orientation in full support mode, with the present invention depicted with partial ghost lines and the automobile seat partially depicted. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention prior to assembly, depicting the various panels and fold lines. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 3A , oriented in full support mode. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 3A , depicting the various panels and fold lines as the device is partially folded. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 4A , depicting the final fold of the back panel and the first and second wings of the first and second side panels, respectively. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4C  is a side view and a close-up side view of the final interrelation between the back panel and the third wing of the second side panel. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5A  is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention having a cover, depicting the various panels and fold lines of the base of the device and the cover. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention having a narrower front end and a wider back end, depicting the various panels and fold lines. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6A , oriented in full support mode. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7A  is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention having a wider front end and a narrower back end, depicting the various panels and fold lines. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 7A , oriented in support caddy mode and containing small objects. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The present invention is a support caddy device  1  for placing on an automobile seat  10  sitting surface  12 . It is intended to provide both a level surface upon which to place objects  20  and a contained space into which smaller objects  22  may be placed. 
         [0036]    The support caddy device  1  is constructed of corrugated cardboard. It is comprised of a support panel  100 , a first side panel  200 , a second side panel  300 , a back panel  400 , and a front panel  500 . See  FIG. 1 . Each of the panels may be separately formed and then attached to each other using any suitable attachment means, such as glue, adhesive tape, etc. Alternatively, multiple panels may be formed of a single sheet of corrugated cardboard. In the preferred embodiment all panels are formed of a single, unitary sheet of corrugated cardboard, which is then folded to achieve the appropriate shape of the supply caddy device  1  (see below). 
         [0037]    The support panel  100  is substantially planar and has an inner surface  110 , an outer surface  112 , a first side edge  120 , a second side edge  130 , a back edge  140 , a front edge  150 , a width (running from the first side edge  120  to the second side edge  130 ), and a depth (running from the front edge  150  to the back edge  140 ). See  FIG. 3A . The support panel  100  is substantially rigid and suitably adapted to support objects  20 , 22  upon its inner and outer surfaces  110 , 112 . The support panel  100  may be of any suitable shape. In the preferred embodiment the support panel  100  is a regular trapezoid, having substantially symmetrical opposing sides. In the most preferred embodiment the support panel  100  is substantially square. In other embodiments the support panel  100  may be rectangular, or narrower along its front edge  150  than along its back edge  140 , see  FIGS. 6A and 6B , or wider along its front edge  150  than along its back edge  140 , see  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In yet other embodiments the support panel  100  may be ovoid, circular, or other shapes having curved sides. 
         [0038]    The first side panel  200  is substantially planar and substantially rigid, and has a back end  240 , a front end  250 , a back end height, a front end height, an inside edge  210 , and a free edge  220 . See  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The first side panel  200  is located adjacent to the support panel  100  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the support panel  100 , with the inside edge  210  of the first side panel  200  being coextensive with the first side edge  120  of the support panel  100 . The first side panel&#39;s  200  free edge  220  is located opposite its inside edge  210  with the free edge  220  being substantially linear and angled relative to the inside edge  210 . The free edge  220  angles towards the inside edge  210  from the back end  240  to the front end  250  of the first side panel  200 , such that the back end height of the first side panel  200  is greater than the front end height. The relative angle between the inside edge  210  and the free edge  220  of the first side panel  200  reasonably corresponds to the angle of incline in the automobile seat  10  sitting surface  12 . 
         [0039]    The second side panel  300  is substantially planar and substantially rigid, and has a back end  340 , a front end  350 , a back end height, a front end height, an inside edge  310 , and a free edge  320 . See  FIG. 3A . The second side panel  300  is located adjacent to the support panel  100  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the support panel  100 , with the inside edge  310  of the second side panel  300  being coextensive with the second side edge  130  of the support panel  100 . The second side panel  300  is configured substantially identically to the first side panel  200 , such that the free edge  320  of the second side panel  300  is substantially parallel with the free edge  220  of the first side panel  200 , the back end height of the second side panel  300  is substantially equal to the back end height of the first side panel  200 , and the front end height of the second side panel  300  is substantially equal to the front end height of the first side panel  200 . 
         [0040]    The back panel  400  is substantially planar and substantially rigid, and has a back surface  430 , a width, a height, an inside edge  410 , and a free edge  420 . See  FIGS. 3A and 6B . The back panel  400  is located adjacent to the support panel  100  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the support panel  100 , with the inside edge  410  of the back panel  400  coextensive with the back edge  140  of the support panel  100 . The free edge  420  of the back panel  400  is located opposite the inside edge  410  of the back panel  400 , with the free edge  420  being substantially parallel to the inside edge  410 . The height of the back panel  400  is substantially equal to the back end heights of the first and second side panels  200 , 300 , and the width of the back panel  400  is substantially equal to the width of the back edge  140  of the support panel  100 . In the preferred embodiment the back panel  400  is substantially rectangular. 
         [0041]    The front panel  500  is substantially planar and substantially rigid, and has a front surface  530 , a width, a height, an inside edge  510 , and a free edge  520 . See  FIGS. 3A and 7B . The front panel  500  is located adjacent to the support panel  100  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the support panel  100 , with the inside edge  510  of the front panel  500  coextensive with the front edge  150  of the support panel  100 . The free edge  520  of the front panel  500  is located opposite the inside edge  510  of the front panel  500 , with the free edge  520  being substantially parallel to the inside edge  510 . The height of the front panel  500  is substantially equal to the front end heights of the first and second side panels  200 , 300 , and the width of the front panel  500  is substantially equal to the width of the front edge  150  of the support panel  100 . In the preferred embodiment the front panel  500  is substantially rectangular and lies in a plane substantially parallel to a plane in which the back panel  400  lies. 
         [0042]    Taken together, the first side panel  200 , the back panel  400 , the second side panel  300 , and the front panel  500  form substantially vertical adjacent walls depending from the support panel  100 , which forms a closed end to the support caddy device  1 , such that the support caddy device  1  has a substantially open wedge shape. See  FIG. 1 . As such, the support caddy device  1  is suitably adapted to be placed on the automobile seat  10  sitting surface  12  in one of two orientations. The first orientation, designated the support caddy mode, is achieved by placing the support caddy device  1  onto the automobile seat  10  with the support panel  100  of the support caddy device  1  positioned downward so that the outer surface  112  of the support panel  100  is in at least partial contact with the automobile seat  10  sitting surface  12 . In this mode, the first side panel  200 , the second side panel  300 , the back panel  400 , and the front panel  500  each depend upward from the support panel  100 , with their free edges  220 , 320 , 420 , 520  all lying in a substantially horizontal plane. The back surface  430  of the back panel  400  is positioned towards the seat back  14  of the automobile seat  10  and the front panel  500  is positioned towards the front of the sitting surface  12  of the automobile seat  10 . In this mode the support caddy device  1  acts as a container for relatively small objects  22 , which are placed within the support caddy device  1  upon the inner surface  110  of the support panel  100 . See  FIG. 7B . Larger objects  20  are supported on the free edges of two or more of the first side panel  200 , the second side panel  300 , the back panel  400 , and the front panel  500  in a substantially horizontal orientation. Thus, the support caddy device  1  is used to simultaneously contain small objects  22  and support larger objects  20 . As an example of the use of the support caddy device  1  in support caddy mode, plates, napkins, and forks can be placed within the support caddy device  1  while a pizza box  20  can be placed on the free edges  520 , 420 , 220 , 320  of the front, back, and side panels  500 , 400 , 200 , 300  in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
         [0043]    The second orientation of the support caddy device  1 , designated the full support mode, is achieved by positioning the support caddy device  1  onto the automobile seat  10  with the support panel  100  of the support caddy device  1  oriented upward. The first side panel  200 , the second side panel  300 , the back panel  400 , and the front panel  500  thus depend downward from the support panel  100 , with their free edges  220 , 320 , 420 , 520  in at least partial contact with the automobile seat  10  sitting surface  12 . See  FIG. 2 . In this mode, the support panel  100  is oriented substantially horizontally, with the back surface  430  of the back panel  400  oriented towards the seat back  14 . Objects  20  are then placed upon the outer surface  112  of the support panel  100  in a substantially horizontal orientation. As an example of the use of the support caddy device  1  in full support mode, a full crock pot  20  can be placed onto the outer surface  112  of the support panel  100  of the support caddy device  1  in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
         [0044]    The present invention lends itself to increased manufacturing efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, the panels  100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500  of the support caddy device  1  are constructed of a unitary sheet of corrugated cardboard. This sheet of corrugated cardboard is scored to permit it to be folded into the open wedge shape of the support caddy device  1 . See  FIG. 3A . In one embodiment the various panels may be secured in their desired positions relative to each other by external fasteners, such as strips of adhesive tape or one or more circumferential elastic bands. 
         [0045]    In the most preferred embodiment of a support caddy device  1  constructed of a unitary sheet of corrugated cardboard, the first and second side panels  200 , 300  and the front and back panels  500 , 400  comprise additional structures that allow the support caddy device  1  to be self-supporting in its desired configuration without the need for external fasteners. In this embodiment, the first side panel  200  comprises a first wing  260 , a second wing  270 , a first fold line  262 , and a second fold line  272 . The first wing  260  has a width and a length and depends from the back end  240  of the first side panel  200 . The width of the first wing  260  is just slightly less than the height of the back panel  400  while the length of the first wing  260  is less than half the width of the support panel  100 . Similarly, the second wing  270  has a width and a length and depends from the front end  250  of the first side panel  200 . The width of the second wing  270  is just slightly less than the height of the front panel  500  while the length of the second wing  270  is less than half the width of the support panel  100 . See  FIG. 3A . The first fold line  262  is located at the junction of the first side panel  200  and the first wing  260  and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the length of the first wing  260  and substantially perpendicular to the first side edge  120  of the support panel  100 . Likewise, the second fold line  272  is located at the junction of the first side panel  200  and the second wing  270  and is substantially perpendicular to the length of the second wing  270  and substantially perpendicular to the first side edge  120  of the support panel  100 . In this configuration, the first wing  260  may be folded along the first fold line  262  such that it lies against a portion of the back panel  400 , and the second wing  270  may be folded along the second fold line  272  such that it lies against a portion of the front panel  500 . In the same manner, the second side panel  300  comprises a third wing  380 , a fourth wing  390 , a third fold line  382 , and a fourth fold line  392 , with the third and fourth wings  380 , 390  configured substantially the same as the first and second wings  260 , 270 , respectively, and with the third and fourth fold lines  382 , 392  configured substantially the same as the first and second fold lines  262 , 272 , respectively, such that the third wing  380  may be folded along the third fold line  382  such that it lies against a portion of the back panel  400 , and the fourth wing  390  may be folded along the fourth fold line  392  such that it lies against a portion of the front panel  500 . See  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0046]    This most preferred embodiment further comprises a back panel  400  having a back flap  440  and a front panel  500  having a front flap  540 . The back flap  440  of the back panel  400  is substantially planar and has a width, a height, an inside edge  442 , and a tuck edge  444 . The back flap  440  is located adjacent to the back panel  400  with the inside edge  442  of the back flap  440  coextensive with the free edge of the back panel  400 . The tuck edge  444  of the back flap  440  is located opposite the inside edge  442  of the back flap  440  with the tuck edge  444  of the back flap  440  being substantially parallel to the inside edge  442  of the back flap  440  and the tuck edge  444  of the back flap  440  is oriented towards the inside edge  410  of the back panel  400 , such that the back flap  440  is oriented substantially parallel to and interior to the back panel  400 . The height of the back flap  440  is substantially equal to the height of the back panel  400  and the width of the back panel  400  is substantially equal to the width of the support panel  100  along the back edge of the support panel  100 . The front flap  540  of the front panel  500  is similarly configured, with a width, a height, an inside edge  542 , and a tuck edge  544 . The front flap  540  is located adjacent to the front panel  500  with the inside edge  542  of the front flap  540  coextensive with the free edge of the front panel  500 . The tuck edge  544  of the front flap  540  is located opposite the inside edge  542  of the front flap  540  with the tuck edge  544  of the front flap  540  being substantially parallel to the inside edge  542  of the front flap  540  and the tuck edge  544  of the front flap  540  is oriented towards the inside edge  510  of the front panel  500 , such that the front flap  540  is oriented substantially parallel to and interior to the front panel  500 . The height of the front flap  540  is substantially equal to the height of the front panel  500  and the width of the front panel  500  is substantially equal to the width of the support panel  100  along the front edge of the support panel  100 . In this configuration, the first and third wings  260 , 380  are positioned between the back panel  400  and the back flap  440 , and the second and fourth wings  270 , 390  are positioned between the front panel  500  and the front flap  540 . See  FIG. 4C . So positioned, the wings add rigidity to and between adjacent panels. 
         [0047]    In a variation of the most preferred embodiment, the tuck edge  444  of the back flap  440  of the back panel  400  comprises at least one back tab  446 , and the support panel  100  comprises at least one back slot  160  proximate to its back edge  140 . The number of back slots  160  is equal to the number of back tabs  446 . Each back tab  446  is suitably adapted to be inserted into a corresponding back slot  160 . Likewise, the tuck edge  544  of the front flap  540  of the front panel  500  comprises at least one front tab  546 , and the support panel  100  comprises at least one front slot  162  proximate to its front edge  150 . The number of front slots  162  is equal to the number of front tabs  546 . Each front tab  546  is suitably adapted to be inserted into a corresponding front slot  162 . With the back tabs  446  inserted into the back slots  160  and the front tabs  546  inserted into the front slots  162 , the back and front flaps  440 , 540  remain securely in place, further improving the rigidity of the support caddy device  1 . In alternative embodiments, only one or the other of the back flap  440  and front flap  540  has tabs and corresponding slots. 
         [0048]    An alternative embodiment of the support caddy device  1  further comprises a cover  600 . See  FIG. 5B . The cover  600  is constructed of corrugated cardboard. The cover  600  has a support panel  610 , a first side panel  620 , a second side panel  630 , a back panel  644 , and a front panel  654 , with these panels configured substantially the same as the support panel  100 , first side panel  200 , second side panel  300 , back panel  400 , and front panel  500  of the support caddy device  1  as described above and in relationship with each other in the same manner as the corresponding panels of the support caddy device  1 . See  FIG. 5A . However, each panel of the cover  600  is just slightly smaller than each corresponding panel of the support caddy device  1 . Thus configured, the cover  600  has a substantially open wedge shape and is suitably adapted to be mated with the support caddy device  1 . When mated, the back surface  430  of the back panel  644  of the cover  600  is proximate to and interior to the back panel  400  of the support caddy device  1 , the front surface  530  of the front panel  654  of the cover  600  is proximate to and interior to the front panel  500  of the support caddy device  1 , the first side panel  620  of the cover  600  is proximate to and interior to the first side panel  200  of the support caddy device  1 , the second side panel  630  of the cover  600  is proximate to and interior to the second side panel  300  of the support caddy device  1 , the inner surface  614  of the support panel  610  of the cover  600  is oriented towards the inner surface  110  of the support panel  100  of the support caddy device  1 , and the support panel  610  of the cover  600  lies substantially in the same plane as the free edges  220 , 320 , 420 , 520  of the first side panel  200 , the second side panel  300 , the back panel  400 , and the front panel  500  of the support caddy device  1 . The cover  600  allows the support caddy device  1  to be used in support caddy mode and in full support mode simultaneously, in that smaller objects  22  may be placed within the hollow cavity formed by the mating of the cover  600  with the support caddy device  1  while larger objects  20  may be placed on either the support panel  100  of the support caddy device  1  or on the support panel  610  of the cover  600 . 
         [0049]    The cover  600  may be constructed of a unitary sheet of corrugated cardboard, and scored to permit the sheet of cardboard to be folded. In this configuration, the support panel  610 , first side panel  620 , second side panel  630 , back panel  644 , and front panel  654  of the cover  600  further comprise structures equivalent to the first wing  260 , second wing  270 , third wing  380 , fourth wing  390 , back flap  440 , and front flap  540  of the support caddy device  1 , as described above. These structures are adapted to be folded and positioned in the cover  600  in the same manner as the corresponding structures of the support caddy device  1 . 
         [0050]    In an alternative embodiment, the cover  600  is hingedly attached to the support caddy device  1 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the front panel  654  of the cover  600  is coextensive with the front panel  500  of the support caddy device  1 . 
         [0051]    Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims.