Abstract:
An adjustable tray table having a tabletop, a tabletop support connected to the tabletop, and a base assembly attached to the tabletop support and configured to allow the tabletop to move from a substantially vertical orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation. The base support includes a spring-biased squeezable latch, which has a squeezed position and a released position. The latch is configured to engage an engagement opening in the tabletop support, which fixes the tabletop support in a desired orientation corresponding to the engagement opening. The latch is also configured to disengage from the engagement opening and to slide along a slot in the tabletop support until it reaches a different engagement opening corresponding to a different orientation.

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of tray tables. More particularly, this invention relates to a tray table having a squeezable latch that enables the table to collapse from a horizontal position to a vertical position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tray tables are useful due to their small size and portability. Additionally, they have a wide variety of uses, including, for example, as a table for computer monitors, as a reading desk, as a dinner table, etc. One problem encountered by users of tray tables is that they may are sometimes not readily storable and also the angle of the tabletop is often fixed. What is needed, therefore, is tray table that facilitates easy storage and in which the tabletop may be easily and quickly changed according to a user&#39;s particular needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above and other needs are met by an adjustable tray table having a tabletop, a tabletop support mounted to the tabletop, and a base assembly mounted to the tabletop support. The base assembly is configured to allow the tabletop to move from a substantially vertical orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the tabletop support includes parallel first and second outer support members spaced apart from one another and attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop, and parallel first and second inner support members spaced apart from one another and disposed between and orthogonal to the first and second outer support members. Preferably, the inner support members are orthogonal to the outer support members in an H-shape. Each of the first and second inner support members include a pivot connection and a slotted connection. This slotted connection includes a slot and a plurality of circular engagement openings that are spaced-apart along the slot. Each engagement opening has an inner diameter that is larger than the slot width. 
     The base assembly preferably includes an upright member having a lower portion supported above a floor surface and an upper portion pivotally connected to the pivot connections of the tabletop support. The base assembly also includes an arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the upright member. The base assembly includes a latch assembly that is connected to the second end of the arm. 
     The latch assembly preferably includes a latch cylinder that is located between the first and second inner support members and is configured to slide along the slotted connections. 
     In the preferred embodiment, first and second receivers are located within the latch cylinder adjacent the first and second inner support members. The first receiver includes a first cylindrical extension portion having an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the engagement openings, but larger than the slot width of the slotted connection. The first cylindrical extension also has an outward-facing threaded opening and an inward-facing opening opposite from the first cylindrical extension. 
     The second receiver preferably includes a second cylindrical extension portion having an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the engagement openings, but larger than the slot width in the slotted connection of the second inner support member. The second cylindrical extension also has an outward-facing threaded opening and an elongate post extending inwards in a direction opposite from the second cylindrical extension. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the helical spring is also located within the latch cylinder and is placed around the elongate post. The helical spring has a first end pressing against the first receiver and a second end pressing against the second receiver. In this configuration, the helical spring urges the first and second receivers in an outward direction away from the latch cylinder and toward the first and second inner support members. 
     The latch assembly also preferably includes a first engagement member connected to the first receiver and a second engagement member connected to the second receiver. The first engagement member includes a first shaft passing through the slot of the slotted connection of the first inner support member. The first shaft has threads that engage the outward-facing threaded opening of the first cylindrical extension portion of the first receiver in order to connect the first engagement member to the first receiver. The first shaft has an outer diameter that is less than the slot width of the slotted connection so that it may slide freely within the slot. A first button portion is connected to the first shaft and is outside the first inner support member. The first button portion is larger than the engagement openings of the slotted connection of the first inner support member so that it is precluded from passing through the engagement openings. 
     Similarly, the second engagement member includes a second shaft passing through the slot of the slotted connection of the second inner support member. The second shaft has threads that engage the outward-facing threaded opening of the second cylindrical extension portion of the second receiver in order to connect the second engagement member to the second receiver. The second shaft has an outer diameter that is less than the slot width of the slotted connection so that it may slide freely within the slot. A second button portion is connected to the second shaft and is outside the second inner support member. The second button portion is larger than the engagement openings of the slotted connection of the second inner support member so that it is precluded from passing through the engagement openings. 
     When an external squeezing force is applied to the first and second button portions of the first and second engagement members to urge the first and second receivers inwardly toward each other, the first and second cylindrical extension portions of the first and second receivers slide inwardly and disengage from the engagement openings of the slotted connections of the first and second inner support members. This action allows the first and second shafts of the first and second engagement members to slide freely within the slots of the slotted connections, thereby allowing the latch assembly to move with respect to the first and second inner support members to change the orientation of the tabletop with respect to the base assembly. 
     When the external squeezing force is removed from the first and second button portions of the first and second engagement members, thereby allowing the helical spring to urge the first and second receivers outwardly away each other, the first and second cylindrical extension portions of the first and second receivers slide outwardly and are received into the engagement openings of the slotted connections of the first and second inner support members. This action locks the latch assembly in place with respect to the first and second inner support members and fixes the orientation of the tabletop with respect to the base assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of various embodiments are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a collapsible tray table according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are left and right side views of the collapsible tray table shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are front and back views of the collapsible tray table shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are top and bottom views of the collapsible tray table shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the collapsible tray table shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are exploded views of the collapsible tray table shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 10-13  are side views of a collapsible tray table according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the tabletop in various orientations; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the collapsible tray table shown in  FIG. 1  showing the tabletop in raised and lowered positions; and 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of a base member connected to a tabletop support according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-9B , a collapsible tray table  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In general, the collapsible tray table  100  includes a tabletop  102 , an H-shaped tabletop support  104 , and a base member  106  that is mounted to the tabletop support. The tabletop  102  may be molded from plastic by injection molding, blow molding or other techniques that are known in the art. The tabletop  102  is fixedly mounted to the tabletop support  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the tabletop  102  can pivot forwards and backwards from a substantially horizontal position for use to a substantially vertical position for storage. It may be desired to also position the tabletop  102  in a position that is between horizontal and vertical. For that reason, the tabletop  102  may be secured in one or more intermediate positions. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the base member  106  may be configured to raise and lower the tabletop  102  to various vertical heights. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the tabletop support  104  includes a pair of parallel outer support members  108  that are spaced apart from one another. The outer supports  108  may be fixedly mounted to the bottom surface of the tabletop  102  using a number of fasteners. In certain embodiments, the outer support members  108  may include a support lip  110  that is configured to provide further support to the bottom surface of the tabletop  102 . The tabletop support  104  also includes a pair of parallel inner support members  112  that are spaced apart from one another. The inner support members  112  are fixedly mounted between the outer support members  108 . The inner support member  112  may be oriented orthogonally to the outer support member  108 . The tabletop  104  has a pivot connection  114  and a slotted connection  116  having one or more engagement openings  118  along its length. The engagement openings  118  are slightly larger in diameter than the width of the slot portion of the slotted connection  116 . As discussed in greater detail below, the pivot and slotted connections  114 ,  116  enable the tabletop to collapse from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  15 , the tabletop support  104  is mounted to the base member or base assembly  106  in at least two locations. The base member  106  generally includes an upright member  120  having a lower portion configured to be supported above a floor surface and an upper portion configured to mount to the tabletop support  104 . In certain embodiments, the upright member  120  may include two or more telescopic sections to enable the tabletop  102  to be raised or lowered. For example, the upper portion of the upright member  120  may be telescopically engaged with the lower portion of the upright member. A setscrew  122  may be provided in the lower portion of the upright member  120  to engage the upper portion of the upright member to lock the upright member at a selected height. Additionally, a foot member  124  may be attached to the bottom portion of the upright member  120  to provide a stable base of support. 
     The upper portion of the upright member  120  is sized for insertion between the inner support members  112  and for pivoting attachment at the pivot connection  114 . In this particular embodiment, a pair of threaded connectors are inserted through the outward facing surfaces of the inner support members  112  and then into threaded openings in the upper portion of the upright member  120 . The table  100  also includes an arm  126  having a first end that is pivotally mounted to the upper portion of the upright member  120  and a second end that is slidably mounted to the tabletop support  104 . As the tabletop  102  moves between the horizontal and vertical orientations, the arm  126  pivots at the first end and slides along the slotted connection  116  at the second end. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the first end of the arm  126  includes a pair of spaced apart extensions. A threaded connector is inserted through one extension then through an opening in the upper portion of the upright member  120  and then out through the second extension. The threaded connector allows the arm  126  to pivot at the first end with respect to the upright member  120 . A spring-loaded squeezable latch  125  is disposed at the second end of the arm. The latch  125  includes a latch cylinder  128  having two open ends. The latch cylinder  128  is sized so that it slides easily between the inner support members  112 . The purpose of the squeezable latch  125  is to selectively fix the arm  126  at selected locations within the slotted connection  116  in order to secure the tabletop  102  at selected orientations. In a preferred embodiment described herein, the latch  125  automatically engages the slotted connection  116  at each selected engagement opening  118 . The spring-loaded latch  125  disengages or bypasses the engagement openings  118  when it is squeezed by a user. 
     The latch  125  includes a first receiver  132  having a threaded outer extension  134  and a second receiver  136  having a threaded outer extension  138 . The threaded outer extensions  134 ,  138  are larger than the narrow slot portion of the slotted connection  116 . This prevents the outer extensions  134 ,  138  from extending out of the slot portion of the slotted connection  116 . On the other hand, the outer extensions  134 ,  138  are smaller than and are sized to be received in the engagement openings  118 . 
     The second receiver  136  has an elongate post  140  that extends inwards. There is a small lip  142  located at an end of the post  140 . A helical spring  144  slides over the post  140  and is held in place by the lip  142 . The outside diameter of the helical spring  144  is sized to fit inside of the latch cylinder  128 . The first receiver  132  includes an opening  146  that is sized to receive the post  140 . When the helical spring  144  slides over the post  140  and the first and second receivers  132 ,  136  are squeezed together, the post is inserted into the opening  146 . 
     This combination of components is configured for placement into the cylindrical latch cylinder  128  between the inner support members  112  and is sized such that the outer extensions  134 ,  138  would travel along the slotted portion of the connection  116  and then extend out through the engagement openings  118  to lock the latch  125  in place. Once those components are inserted into the cylindrical latch cylinder  128 , engagement members  148  having threaded shafts  150  are inserted through the slot of the slotted connection  116  and into the threaded outer extensions  134 ,  138  of the first and second receivers  132 ,  134 . This secures the latch  125  into the slot connection  116 . A portion of each shaft  150  extends out from the first and second receivers  132 ,  134  and through the slot. These portions of the threaded shafts  150  are smaller than the slot and engagement openings  118  so that they may travel freely along the entire length of the slotted connection  116 . The engagement members  148  include outer button portions  149  that are larger than the slot and the engagement openings  118  and prevent the engagement members  148  from being pushed through the slotted connection  116 . 
     When the helical spring  144  is in an uncompressed (or nearly uncompressed) position, the receivers  132 ,  136  are pushed outwards away from one another. This is a “locked” position because, in this configuration, the extensions  134 ,  138  automatically engage an engagement opening  118  when the latch  125  slides into alignment with the engagement opening. Since the extensions  134 ,  138  are larger than slot portion, the latch  125  is locked into this position and cannot travel along the slotted connection  116  once it is locked into place. Squeezing the button portions  149  of the engagement members  148  inward causes the helical spring  144  to be compressed and the first and second receivers  132 ,  136  to be pushed inwards so that the extensions  134 ,  138  no longer engage the engagement openings  118 . In this condition, the threaded shafts  150  may travel freely along the slot and allow the latch  125  to freely translate along the slotted connection  116 . This is the “unlocked” position. If pressure is removed from the button portions  149  of the engagement members  148 , the latch  125  will continue to travel along the slotted connection  116  until the extensions  134 ,  138  encounter another pair of engagement openings  118  and move into the locked position due to the bias provided by the helical spring  144 . 
     In use, the second end of the arm  126  translates along the slotted connection  116  while the first end of the arm pivots at the extensions connected to the upright member  120 . At the same time, the tabletop support  104  pivots at the pivot connection  114 . In combination, the movement allows the tabletop support  104  and, therefore, the tabletop  102 , to move between horizontal and vertical positions. It may be appreciated that engagement openings  118  may be placed at various locations along the slot portion of the slotted connection  116  so that the tabletop  102  may be locked into a variety of orientations, including substantially vertical, substantially horizontal and one or more intermediate orientations. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.