Abstract:
An adjustable folding utility tray for removable attachment to a tripod comprising a portable frame with attached collapsing or folding members is provided. The folding utility tray removably attaches to two legs of an easel or tripod. Once the device is positioned at the desired operational height, two slidingly attached arms are adjusted to engage and contact the easel or tripod legs. After use, the device is folded, or collapsed, into a compact size for transport or storage and removed from the easel or tripod.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates to a removable folding utility tray for attaching to a tripod and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a folding utility tray used by artists, photographers, and others for removable attachment to a tripod. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    For many years, artists have been practicing the art of painting outdoors or on location, also known as plein-aire painting. Until recently, a standard easel has been a wooden French-style easel, which has folding legs and a box attached thereto for holding supplies such as paint and brushes. The easel and the supply box can be collapsed into a box-shape configuration with a handle. With these types of easels, the position of a palette is dependent on the position of the supply box. Also, these easels, which are available in full or half-box size, are expensive, heavy, awkward, and difficult to transport from one location to another. 
         [0003]    Today, lightweight tripod easels are a new addition to an artist&#39;s tool box. Many artists prefer the tripod easel, since it is lightweight, portable, and convenient to set up and take down. But, the lack of a level, stable area on the tripod easel for the artist&#39;s palette and other tools is its main disadvantage. The present disclosure addresses this problem related to the removable attachment of a folding utility tray to a pair of tripod easel legs. 
         [0004]    Photographers, both professional and amateur, employ the use of tripods to stabilize cameras and other devices during a camera&#39;s image capturing process. Typically, these tripods are lightweight and can be collapsed into a compact size for storage or transport. However, the compact lightweight tripod does not offer a sufficient working surface where a photographer can safely place special equipment that may be used in the photographic process. For instance, a photographer may carry a light meter, log book, multiple lenses, lens filters, cleaning materials, or other equipment that may require quick access to aid the photographer in capturing the best image or series of images for a given situation. The present disclosure addresses, in accordance with at least some embodiments, a solution by providing an adjustable height utility tray capable of being removably attached to the legs of a photographer&#39;s tripod. 
         [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,857 to Elizer, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, a removable shelf is disclosed. The shelf is designed for mounting on only one location on two legs of a tripod easel. The removable shelf includes boot-shaped cutouts and a pair of support arms for attaching the shelf to the tripod legs. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure provides unique structure, function and advantages not disclosed in the Elizer patent or any other commercially-available products. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In view of the foregoing, it is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a portable folding utility tray for adjustable height attachment at various locations along a length of two legs of a tripod. In some embodiments, the folding utility tray is manufactured from lightweight materials (including, but in no way limited to, the following: plastic, composite, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, combinations thereof) to increase the portability of the unit. Another embodiment of the folding utility tray uses thin-sectioned material (for example, steel and other metal alloys) incorporating features such as ribs, gussets, and/or stamped/pressed indentations, to provide high-strength and low weight. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is that the folding utility tray can be quickly folded into a compact unit and easily removed from the legs of a tripod for ease in transporting and storage. 
         [0009]    Still another aspect of the present disclosure is that the folding utility tray can be used for holding various artists&#39; supplies, painting frame, palette, photographer&#39;s supplies, medical and/or surgical accessories, and other items thereon. 
         [0010]    These and other aspects will become apparent to those familiar with artists&#39; palettes, art supply holders and boxes, tripod easels, photographer&#39;s tripods, and other tripod devices when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art. 
         [0011]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a folding utility tray in one operating position attached to a tripod; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows another front perspective view of a folding utility tray where the shelf has been folded to a first folded state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows another front perspective view of a folding utility tray where the shelf has been further folded to a second folded state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows another front perspective view of a folding utility tray where the shelf has been further folded to a third folded state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows another front perspective view of a folding utility tray where the shelf has been further folded to a completely folded state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a front perspective view of a folding utility tray where a first foldable shelf arm has been folded to a folded state and the second foldable shelf arm is pivoted toward the folded first foldable shelf arm; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of a folding utility tray where a first foldable shelf arm and a second foldable shelf arm have been folded to a folded state adjacent to the back plate; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows a rear perspective view of a folding utility tray in contact with and removably attached to the legs of a tripod or easel; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows a rear perspective view of a folding utility tray where the tray is fully collapsed to a compact state. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Number 
                 Component Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Folding Utility Tray 
               
               
                 12 
                 Shelf 
               
               
                 14 
                 First Portion 
               
               
                 16 
                 Second Portion 
               
               
                 18 
                 Third Portion 
               
               
                 19 
                 Fourth Portion 
               
               
                 20 
                 Shelf Lip 
               
               
                 22 
                 Artist Palette 
               
               
                 24 
                 First Side 
               
               
                 26 
                 Second Side 
               
               
                 28 
                 Support Lip 
               
               
                 30 
                 First Foldable Shelf Arm 
               
               
                 32 
                 Second Foldable Shelf Arm 
               
               
                 34 
                 Shelf Arm End 
               
               
                 36 
                 First Side 
               
               
                 38 
                 Second Side 
               
               
                 40 
                 Back Plate 
               
               
                 42 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 44 
                 Slide Portion 
               
               
                 46  
                 First L-Shaped Attachment Arm 
               
               
                 48 
                 Second L-Shaped Attachment Arm 
               
               
                 50 
                 Legs of a Tripod 
               
               
                 52 
                 Easel 
               
               
                 54 
                 Arrows 
               
               
                 56 
                 Painting Frame 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0023]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The accompanying drawings illustrate complete embodiments in the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the subject folding utility tray, and in which: 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the subject folding utility tray is shown having general reference numeral  10 . The folding utility tray  10  includes a shelf  12  divided into a first portion  14  hinged to a second portion  16 . The second portion  16  is hinged to a third portion  18 . The first, second, and third portions  14 ,  16 , and  18  are designed to fold next to each other, as shown in the drawings. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the first portion  14  of the shelf  12  includes a shelf lip  20  to prevent an artist palette  22 , shown in dashed lines, from falling off of the tray  10 . A first side  24  (shown on  FIG. 2 ) and a second side  26  of the foldable shelf  12  rests on a support lip  28  of a first foldable shelf arm  30  and a second foldable shelf arm  32 . The first side  24  of the foldable shelf  12  can be seen on  FIGS. 2-9 . 
         [0027]    The foldable shelf arms  30  and  32  each include one end  34  hinged to a first side  36  and a second side  38  of a common surface on the back plate  40 . In the rear of the back plate  40  is a groove  42  extending along a length of the plate. The groove  42  is used to receive a slide portion  44  of a first L-shaped attachment arm  46  and a slide portion  44  of a second L-shaped attachment arm  48 . The slide portion  44  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the attachment arms  46  and  48  are shown engaging a portion of two legs  50  of a tripod or easel for holding the folding utility tray  10  thereon. The easel is shown having general reference numeral  52 . The tripod legs  50  are shown in dashed lines. The top and bottom of the legs  50  are not shown in this drawing. By adjusting the attachment arms  46  and  48  along the length of the groove  42 , the holder  10  can be raised and lowered, as indicated by arrows  54 , for adjusting the height of the folding utility tray  10  on the tripod or easel  52 . Also shown in this drawing, in dashed lines, is a painting frame  56 , that can be held on top of the attachment arms  46  and  48  and rest against a portion of the tripod legs  50  for painting on by an artist using the utility tray  10 . 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 2 , the second portion  16  and the third portion  18  of the shelf  12  have been folded upwardly and the first portion  14  moved rearwardly toward to the back plate  40  by sliding on top of the support lips  28  of the shelf arms  30  and  32 . In this drawing, the artist&#39;s palette  22  has been removed so that the folding utility tray  10  can be folded for transporting and storage. 
         [0030]    It should be mentioned that while the first, second, and third portions  14 ,  16 , and  18  of the shelf  12  are shown in the drawings having a frame-type structure, the shelf  12  can have a solid, mesh surface, or sheet-like structure to prevent items from falling therethrough. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 3 , the second portion  16  has been folded next to the third portion  18  and resting against the front of the back plate  40 . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 4 , the first portion  14  has been raised to be placed next to the side of the second portion  16 . 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 5 , the first, second, and third portions,  14 ,  16 , and  18  of the shelf  12  have been folded next to each other and disposed next to the front of the back plate  40 . The shelf  12  has now been folded together next to the back plate  40 . 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 6 , the first foldable shelf arm  30  has been folded next to the folded first portion  14  of the shelf  12 . Also, the second foldable shelf arm  32  has been pivoted toward the folded first shelf arm  30 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 7 , the first and second foldable shelf arms  30  and  32  have been folded against the side of the first portion  14  of the shelf  12 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 8 , a rear perspective view of the folding utility tray  10  is shown with the first and second L-shaped attachment arms  46  and  48  engaging a portion of two of the tripod legs  50  and suspending the utility tray  10  thereon. In this drawing, the slide portion  44  of the attachment arms  46  and  48  can be seen riding inside the groove  42 . As mentioned above, by adjusting the slide portion  44  along the length of the groove  42 , as indicated by arrows  58 , the folding utility tray  10  can be placed at various heights on the tripod easel  52  for the convenience of an artist using the folding utility tray  10 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 9 , the first and second L-shaped attachment arms  46  and  48  have been moved toward each other, as indicated by arrows  60 , until the ends of the arms are located adjacent to each other or are in direct contact with each other. The attachment arms  46  and  48  are now folded over and next to the side of the back plate  40 , thereby completing the folding of the folding utility tray  10  into a compact unit for ease in storage or transporting. Also, the arms can be unfolded and used as a handle when carrying the folding utility tray  10 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, an alternative embodiment of the folding utility tray  10  is shown. The folding utility tray  10  includes a shelf  12  divided into a first portion  14 , hinged to a second portion  16 . The second portion  16  is hinged to a third portion  18 . The third portion  18  is hinged to a fourth portion  19 . The first, second, third, and fourth portions  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  19  are designed to fold against each other as shown in the drawings. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shelf  12  when folded, forms a substantially planar uninterrupted surface. Additionally, the surfaces of one embodiment of the shelf  12  are solid. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments the groove  42  may be interrupted along its length, and the first L-shaped attachment arm  46  is individually adjustable on one length of the groove  42 , while the second L-shaped attachment arm  48  is individually adjustable on the other length of the groove  42 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the first and second L-shaped attachment arms  46  and  48  can be folded into a compact state adjacent to the back plate  40 . In one embodiment, the shelf  12  folds in an accordion fashion as shown. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the folding utility tray  10  may be in a second folded state for transport or storage. The first foldable shelf arm  30  and the second foldable shelf arm  32  are folded adjacent to the folded shelf  12  which is folded adjacent to the back plate  40  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0042]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.