Patent Abstract:
A tray assembly may be used in combination with inclined, stepped, level or variable level support surfacing. The tray assembly may be used in tandem with identical embodiments of the tray assembly for forming larger, linked tray assemblages. The tray assembly may comprise a plurality of legs, which are stowable in a primary tray structure when not being used to elevate the tray structure above a support surface. When used to elevate the primary tray structure above variable level support surfacing, the legs may each be adjusted relative to the primary tray structure for properly maintaining a horizontal tray configuration relative to the support surfacing. The tray support legs are removably receivable in the tray-receiving slots for stowage, and are removably receivable in leg-receiving apertures for supporting the primary tray structure in horizontal spaced relation relative to a support surface.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The disclosed invention generally relates to a tray assembly. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to a multi-purpose tray assembly for use in combination with variable level surfacing such as inclined, stepped, or level support surfaces. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,397, which issued to Monaco (&#39;397 Patent), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,782, which issued to Monaco et al. (&#39;782 Patent), discloses a Knockdown Roof Platform for use on an Inclined Roof. The &#39;397 Patent and the &#39;782 Patent describe certain knockdown platforms for use on an inclined surface. The platforms may be said to comprise a table structure having an upper table top with a plurality of indentations and openings for containment of a variety of objects. The table structure has a hollowed area on its underside. An upright leg structure is positioned at one end of the table structure. A hinge connects the table structure and the upright leg structure in assembly together in the hollowed area. Collapsible locking brackets further secure the table structure and the upright leg structure in assembly. The collapsible locking brackets are adjustable so as to secure the table structure and the upright leg structure at right angles. The collapsible locking bracket is releasable enabling the table structure and the upright leg structure to be pivoted on the hinge located interior to the hollowed area on the underside of the table structure. The collapsible locking bracket allows for the collapsing of the table structure and the upright leg structure out of right angle relation relative to one another and into a collapsed storage position where the table structure and the upright leg structure extend generally in a parallel relation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a multiple purpose tray assembly for inclined or level surfaces, which tray assembly may be used in tandem with identical embodiments of the tray assembly for forming larger, linked tray assemblages. In this last regard, it is contemplated that the tray assembly(ies) may be coupled to one another is side-by-side relation either by certain hardware based fastening means or by tongue and groove type fastening means. 
         [0006]    The tray assembly may comprise a plurality of legs, which are stowable in a primary tray structure when not being used to elevate the tray structure above a support surface. When used to elevate the primary tray structure above variable level support surfacing, such as stepped, inclined, or horizontal support surfacing, the legs may each be adjusted relative to the primary tray structure for properly maintaining a horizontal tray configuration relative to the support surfacing. 
         [0007]    To achieve these and other readily observable objectives, the present invention specification describes a tray assembly for use in combination with variable level support surfacing so as to provide a horizontal tray. The tray assembly according to the present invention comprises a first or primary tray structure and at least one pair of tray support legs. The primary tray structure has an upper tray surface, a lower tray surface, opposed leg-receiving slots extending intermediate the upper to lower tray surfaces, and opposed leg-receiving apertures extending from the upper to lower tray surfaces. The tray support legs are removably receivable in the tray-receiving slots for stowage, and are removably receivable in the leg-receiving apertures for supporting the primary tray structure in horizontal spaced relation relative to a support surface. 
         [0008]    The leg-receiving apertures and tray support legs comprise certain means for selectively and orthogonally varying the position of the respective tray support legs relative to the respective leg-receiving apertures, which means enhance a user&#39;s ability to use the tray in combination with variable level surfacing. Said means may be preferably and cooperatively defined by aperture tabs formed within the leg-receiving apertures and tab-receiving channels formed within the tray support legs. The aperture tabs are receivable in the tab-receiving grooves for adjusting the position of the tray support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures. 
         [0009]    The tab-receiving channels each comprise a vertical groove portion and a series of horizontal groove portions continuous or contiguous with the vertical groove portion. The vertical groove portion enables the user to orthogonally adjust the position of the respective tray support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures, and the horizontal groove portions enable the user to orthogonally fix the position of the respective tray support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures. 
         [0010]    Each leg-receiving aperture may preferably comprise opposed aperture tabs, and each tray support leg may preferably comprise opposed set of tab-receiving channels. It is contemplated that the opposed aperture tabs and opposed sets of tab-receiving channels may well function to enhance stability of the tray support legs as removably received in the leg-receiving apertures. As earlier stated, the tray assembly may further comprise certain means for coupling a second tray structure to the first tray structure, which second tray structure is substantially identical to the first or primary tray structure. 
         [0011]    Certain matter receiving pockets may be formed within the primary tray structure(s) and thus the tray can be used in painting, plumbing, electrical, or roofing applications. The tray structure may be used by a worker so that he or she may place tools or hardware in the pockets so as to organize one&#39;s building materials and supplies. Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Other features of our invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief description of patent drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view a tray assembly according to the present invention with four tray-supporting legs received in four, corner-located leg-receiving apertures for supporting the tray assembly above a horizontal support surface. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a primary tray structure and a single leg exploded therefrom adjacent a single leg-receiving aperture. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the primary tray structure of the tray assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the primary tray structure of the tray assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of two substantially identical tray assemblies attached to one another is side-by-side relation. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the tray assembly showing the primary tray structure in a first elevated position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the tray assembly showing the primary tray structure in a first elevated position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the tray assembly showing the primary tray structure in a second elevated position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the tray assembly showing the primary tray structure in a second elevated position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the tray assembly with two tray-supporting legs received in two leg-receiving apertures and positioned atop an inclined tray support surface such that the primary tray structure is maintained in a horizontal orientation. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the tray assembly with two tray-supporting legs received in two leg-receiving apertures and positioned atop a stepped tray support surface such that the primary tray structure is maintained in a horizontal orientation. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a first side plan view of a tray-supporting leg showing a vertical groove portion and a series of horizontal groove portions extending from the vertical groove portion. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a second side plan view of the tray-supporting leg showing the terminal ends of the horizontal groove portions otherwise shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of a tray-supporting leg a first tab-receiving channel in its entirety and an inlet of a second opposed tab-receiving channel. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the tray assembly as taken along a plane extending through opposed tray-support legs as received in opposed leg-receiving apertures to show opposed aperture tabs received in opposed horizontal groove portions for fixing the legs relative to the primary tray structure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of attached first and second tray assemblies as taken along a plane extending through tongue-and-groove type fastening means for showing how the first and second tray assemblies may couple to one another. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of the tray assembly showing a pair of legs received in leg-stowage slots. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention concerns a tray assembly  10  for use in combination with variable level support surfacing so as to provide a horizontal tray structure for holding and/or compartmentalizing various matter thereupon. It is contemplated that the variable level support surfacing may be defined by a stepped surface such as a stair case  11  as generally depicted in  FIG. 11 ; or an inclined surface such as a sloped roof  12  as generally depicted in  FIG. 10 ; or a horizontal surface as may be generally gleaned from  FIGS. 6-9 . 
         [0031]    The tray assembly  10  comprises a tray structure  13  having an upper tray surface or portion as generally depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  5 ,  10 , and  11 ; and a lower tray surface or portion as generally depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 17 . It should be noted that the primary tray structure  13  is upendable such that the upper and lower tray portions may be interchangeably used as matter-supporting surfaces. 
         [0032]    In other words, depending on the task at hand, the user may wish to utilize the upper portion to support/organize matter as seen in the noted figures with a first pocket arrangement or alternatively the lower portion with a second pocket arrangement. Pockets  40  are further preferably formed in the upper and lower portions to provide the user with added means for organizing matter upon the tray structure  13 . 
         [0033]    The upper and lower tray surface or portions further comprise opposed leg-receiving slots or grooves  14 , which extend toward the opposed tray surfaces or portions and are sufficiently deep to receive and stow tray supportive legs  15  as generally depicted in  FIG. 5 ,  10 , and  11 .  FIGS. 1-3  depict legs removed from the slots or grooves  14 . When legs are removed from the slots or grooves  14 , other matter (e.g. hardware) may be received therein. 
         [0034]    The slots or grooves may be outfitted with tabs  21  sized and shaped so as to selectively retain the legs  15  within the slots  14 . The upper tray surface or portion depicts the slots  14  relatively closer to the outer periphery of the tray structure  13  and the lower tray surface or portion depicts the slots relatively closer to the center of the tray structure  13 . 
         [0035]    The upper and lower slots or grooves  14  are substantially parallel to one another and extend between end-located, opposed leg-receiving apertures  16 . In this last regard, it may be noted that the tray structure  13  may be rectangular in shape and the slots  14  may preferably extend intermediate opposed pairs of leg-receiving apertures  16  in the length direction of the tray structure  13 . 
         [0036]    The opposed leg-receiving apertures  16  situated at or adjacent the four corners of the tray structure  13  extend through or from the upper to the lower tray surfaces. As introduced heretofore, at least one pair of tray support legs  15  form part of the tray assembly  10 , which legs  15  are removably receivable in the tray-receiving slots  14  for stowage, and are removably receivable in the leg-receiving apertures  16  for supporting the tray structure  13  in a horizontal and spaced orientation relative to a support surface. 
         [0037]    Together, the leg-receiving apertures  16  and tray support legs  15  preferably comprise certain means for selectively and orthogonally varying the position of the respective tray support legs  15  relative to the respective leg-receiving apertures  16 , which means essentially function to enhance a user&#39;s ability to use the tray assembly in combination with variable level surfacing. 
         [0038]    Said means for selectively and orthogonally varying the position of the respective tray support legs  15  relative to the respective leg-receiving apertures  16  may be preferably and cooperatively defined by aperture tabs  17  formed within the leg-receiving apertures  16  and tab-receiving channels  18  formed within the tray support legs  15 . The aperture tabs  17  are sized and shaped to be receivable in the tab-receiving channels  18  so as to allow the user to orthogonally adjust the position of the tray support legs  15  relative to the leg-receiving apertures  16 . 
         [0039]    In this last regard, it should be noted that the tab-receiving channels  18  comprise a vertical groove portion (as at  19 ) and a series of horizontal groove portions (as at  20 ), which horizontal groove portions  20  are contiguous with the vertical groove portion  19 . The vertical groove portions  19  of each leg  15  thus enable the user to orthogonally adjust the position of the respective tray support legs  15  relative to the leg-receiving apertures  16  and the horizontal groove portions enable the user to orthogonally fix the position of the respective tray support legs  15  relative to the leg-receiving apertures  16 . In other words the tab  17  may be received in the vertical groove portion  19  so that the leg  15  may extend through the aperture  16  and be displaced orthogonally relative thereto. The leg  15  may then be rotated such that the tab  17  may be guided into a horizontal groove portion  20  so that the leg  15  may be orthogonally fixed relative to the aperture  16 . 
         [0040]    To enhance the stability of the tray support legs  15  as removably received in the leg-receiving apertures  16 , it is contemplated that the leg-receiving apertures  16  may each preferably comprise opposed aperture tabs  17 , and the tray support legs  15  may each preferably comprise opposed sets of tab-receiving channels  18 . The opposed cooperative means for selectively and orthogonally varying the position of the respective tray support legs  15  relative to the respective leg-receiving apertures  16  provide bi-directional or opposed structure for further orthogonally fixing the legs  13  at a given displacement relative to the tray structure  13 . 
         [0041]    The tray assembly preferably further comprises certain means for coupling a second tray structure  30  to the first tray structure  13 , which second tray structure  30  is substantially identical to the first tray structure  13 . It is contemplated that the means for coupling the second tray structure  30  to the first tray structure  3  may preferably be defined by tongue-and-groove type flanges  22  that extend outwardly from the side(s) of the tray structures  13  and  30 . 
         [0042]    It may be seen from an inspection of the figures that flanges  22  are of two types, namely outwardly and upwardly extending flanges as at  23 , and outwardly and downwardly extending flanges as at  24 . The flanges  21  are arranged on the first and second tray structures  10  and  30  such that the flanges  24  mate with or couple with flanges  23  as generally depicted in  FIG. 16 . It may be seen from a consideration of the figures, and in particular  FIG.16  that the upwardly extending portions of flanges  23  are sized and shaped to be received in the grooves adjacent the downwardly extending portions of flanges  24 . 
         [0043]    While the above description contains much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, it is contemplated that the present invention essentially describes and teaches a tray assembly for use in combination with variable level support surfacing so as to provide or maintain a horizontal tray. The tray assembly comprises a first or primary tray structure and at least one pair of support legs. The first tray structure has an upper tray portion, a lower tray portion, and opposed leg-receiving apertures extending from the upper to lower tray portions. The tray support legs are removably and orthogonally receivable in the leg-receiving apertures for supporting the first tray structure in horizontal spaced relation relative to a support surface. 
         [0044]    The leg-receiving apertures and tray support legs may preferably comprise certain means for selectively and orthogonally varying the position of the respective tray support legs relative to the respective leg-receiving apertures, which means may well further function to enhance a user&#39;s ability to use the tray in combination with variable level surfacing. Said means may be cooperatively defined by aperture tabs formed within the leg-receiving apertures and tab-receiving grooves or channels formed within the tray support legs. The aperture tabs are receivable in the tab-receiving grooves for adjusting the position of the tray support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures. 
         [0045]    The tab-receiving grooves may comprise a vertical groove portion and a series of horizontal groove portions continuous with the vertical groove portion. The vertical groove portion enables the user to orthogonally adjust the position of the respective tray support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures, and the horizontal groove portions enable the user to orthogonally fix the position of the respective tray support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures. 
         [0046]    Each leg-receiving aperture may preferably comprise opposed aperture tabs, and each tray support leg may preferably comprise opposed set of tab-receiving grooves. The opposed aperture tabs and opposed sets of tab-receiving grooves may well enhance stability of the tray support legs as removably received in the leg-receiving apertures. It is contemplated that the legs  15  could comprise male structure (such as certain leg tabs), however, for receipt in female structure (such as certain aperture channels) otherwise formed in the apertures  16 , though this latter feature has not been specifically illustrated. 
         [0047]    The tray assembly according to the present invention may further preferably comprise certain means for coupling a second tray structure to the first tray structure. As earlier stated, these means may be preferably defined by certain flange type tongue and groove structure, but could well be provided by certain other structure such as fastening hardware and alignable fastening hardware apertures on adjacent tray structures. 
         [0048]    The first and second (or third) tray structures may each preferably comprises certain leg-stowage means for selectively stowing the tray support legs. In this regard, it is contemplated that either the upper tray portion and/or the lower tray portion may comprise leg-receiving slots or grooves (as at  14 ) outfitted with means for removably retaining the legs received therein, which grooves  14  are sized and shaped so as to be sufficiently deep to completely receive the legs within the thickness of the tray structure between the maximum upper and lower dimensions of the upper and lower tray portions. 
         [0049]    Stated another way, the tray assembly according to the present invention may be said to provide a tray structure having upper and lower tray portions, and leg-receiving apertures (as at  16 ) axially and orthogonally extending from the upper to lower tray portions. A plurality of support legs, the support legs are coaxially receivable in the leg-receiving apertures for supporting the tray structure in horizontal spaced relation relative to a support surface. 
         [0050]    The leg-receiving apertures and support legs may well comprise certain means for selectively and orthogonally varying the position of the respective support legs relative to the respective leg-receiving apertures, which means may be said to further enhance a user&#39;s ability to orient the tray in horizontal spaced relation relative to a support surface. The means may be cooperatively defined by tabs and grooves or channels respectively formed in either the legs or apertures. The tabs then are receivable in the grooves for adjusting the position of the support legs relative to the leg-receiving apertures. 
         [0051]    Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended that the novel tray assembly be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and the appended drawings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4