Patent ID: 12220054

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Before the present invention of this disclosure is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

References in the specification to “one embodiment” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS., with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.

As used herein, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members, or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Similarly, coupled can refer to a two member or elements being in communicatively coupled, wherein the two elements may be electronically, through various means, such as a metallic wire, wireless network, optical fiber, or other medium and methods.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

The invention of the present disclosure is most generally related to an assembly to allow for placement along a door for the receipt of delivered items. Preferably, this assembly includes a foldable assembly and adjustable features to accommodate a variety of items and specifically no contact delivery of food items.

Referring to the figures,FIG.1-FIG.16show a foldable door tray according to the present disclosure and generally referred to herein as device10. The device10is generally comprised of a hanger portion100, a tray portion200, and a cover portion300configured for fitment together to form a cohesive and assembled device10.

The hanger portion100is generally configured to allow for placement of the device10along a vertical surface of a door the device10is placed upon, wherein the hanger portion100is generally comprised of a support101coupled over a top edge of the door for securing the device10to the door. The support101is generally comprised of a free end110opposite an attached end111with a distance between the free end110and the attached end111defining a length of the support101. The attached end111generally having a hook-like shape, wherein the attached end111extends generally perpendicular to the length a distance roughly corresponding to a thickness of the door for placement over the upper edge of the door. Accordingly, the attached end111of the support101has a size and shape for receipt over the top edge of the door by extending over the thickness of the door from an exterior side to an interior side culminating in a hook-shape. The attached end111size generally selected for universal fitment over multiple door thickness. Alternately, the support101length and attached end111may include features to enable adjustment (FIG.16), wherein both the length of the support101and generally perpendicular length of the attached end111may be adjusted to accommodate a plurality of door thicknesses and sizes.

The support101including a plurality of apertures112along the length extending between the free end110and the attached end111. The plurality of apertures112generally providing a means for securing the tray portion200and the cover portion300to the support101through a fastener113in the rear wall201.

In a preferred assembly of the device10, the hanger portion100is generally comprised of a pair of supports101,102with each of the support101and a second support102generally mirroring each other. Accordingly, the second support102has a free end120and an attached end121opposed a length being a distance between the free end120and the attached end121. The attached end121generally having a hook-like shape, wherein the attached end121extends generally perpendicular to the length a distance roughly corresponding to a thickness of the door for placement over the upper edge of the door. Accordingly, the attached end121of the second support102has a size and shape for receipt over the top edge of the door by extending over the thickness of the door from an exterior side to an interior side culminating in a hook-shape. The attached end121size generally selected for universal fitment over multiple door thickness. Alternately, the attached end121may include features to enable adjustment, wherein the generally perpendicular length may be adjusted to accommodate a plurality of door thicknesses. The second support102including a plurality of apertures122along the length extending between the free end120and the attached end121. The plurality of apertures122generally providing a means for securing the tray portion200and the cover portion300to the support102through a fastener123.

In this preferred assembly, the support101and the second support102provide a secure mounting surface for the receipt of the tray portion200and cover portion300, wherein the pair of supports101,102are generally spaced a distance apart, with this distance generally corresponding to a width of the tray portion200to provide a balanced and robust assembly for hanging.

The tray portion200is generally comprised of a rear wall201and a tray surface202hingedly received in a coupling with the rear wall201. The rear wall201generally being a planar surface configured for attachment along the length of the supports101,102and defining a rear most portion of an interior space. The rear wall201having an upper edge210, a lower edge211, a first side212, and a second side213, with the edges210,211and the sides212,213in communication to define the planar shape of the rear wall201. The rear wall201most generally providing the main attachment surface for the cover member300structures and tray surface202, wherein the rear wall201edges210,211and sides212,213include corresponding apertures or other structures to allow for the coupling of parts in a cohesive and cooperative assembly. In the preferred embodiment of the device10, this rear wall is generally rectangular in shape and fastened directly to the hanger portion100.

The tray surface202generally being a planar and rigid surface configured to support an item, such as, but not limited to, a food delivery. The tray surface202planar structure generally defined by an area bound by a front edge220, a rear edge221, a first side222, and a second side223in communication to form the perimeter shape of the tray surface202. A portion of the tray surface202perimeter including a raised edge224, wherein the raised edge224is generally perpendicular to the tray surface202and configured to maintain placed items on the planar tray surface202and provide an attachment surface for coupling. The tray surface202hingedly coupled to the rear wall201by affixing the first side222and the second side223adjacent the rear edge221to the rear wall201first side212and second side213adjacent the lower edge211. In the preferred assembly, this hinged coupling utilizes a fastener2221,2231in the form of a hinge pin received in a corresponding aperture of the respective structure. This fastener2221,2231generally allowing for articulation of the tray surface202relative to the rear wall201, wherein the tray surface202is movable from a stored position (parallel to the hanger portion101length along the door height) to a fixed position (perpendicular to the hanger portion101length along the door height). Accordingly, the device10tray portion200is generally shown in the stored position inFIGS.6-10.

The cover portion300most generally configured as a movable surround to shield the interior space and any items placed on the tray surface202. The cover portion300including a top member301, a first side curtain302, and a second side curtain303. Each of the top member301, first side curtain302, and second side curtain303generally hingedly movable from a stored position (FIGS.6-16) to a protective position (FIGS.1-5). Accordingly, the top member301is generally configured for positioning above the tray surface202to protect items on the tray200. The top member301hingedly coupled to the rear wall201at an attached end310with the top member301positioned perpendicular to the hanger101length upon the door in the protective position and positioned parallel to the hanger101in the stored position, with the top member301generally movable in an upward and downward direction relative to the door the device10is hung upon.

Each of the first side curtain302and the second side curtain303having an attached end320,330and a free end321,331opposite the attached end with the attached end320,330hingedly coupled to the rear wall201. Accordingly, each of the first side curtain302and the second side curtain303are hingedly movable in a side direction, wherein the first side curtain302and second side curtain are303rotated between the stored position and the protective position. The first side curtain302and the second side curtain303generally configured to protect the sides of the interior space and the items on the tray surface202. The first side curtain302and the second side curtain303additionally configured to provide resting support for the top member301along an upper edge322,332.

The device10assembled structures are generally capable of placement into three distinct configurations. In a first configuration of the device10(FIGS.1-5) the tray portion200and cover portion300are in the fixed position and the protective position. In this first configuration the cover portion300and tray portion generally define the interior space and protect this defined interior space from the elements. In a second configuration of the device10(FIGS.6-10), the tray portion200and cover portion300are in the stored position, wherein the device10is in the smallest configuration for storage, shipping, or transport. In a third configuration of the device10(FIGS.11-15), the tray portion200is in the fixed position and the cover member300is in the protective position. In this configuration, the tray portion200can generally be used support objects/items, but the tray surface202is not protected but the physical shielding the cover portion300provides.

The device10can utilize a multitude of materials for the features and construction, wherein the device10features and structures can be comprised of multiple materials and material types. The device10tray surface202may include a plurality of indentations, including, but not limited to, a cup shaped indentation. Alternately, the cover portion300may be configured for removable attachment to the hanger portion101through the use of magnets, as opposed to the use of fasteners. Alternately, the cover portion300, hanger support100, and tray portion200may include additional features and structures to provide for assembly and use in a manner that does not harm or mar the door the device10is placed upon. These may include, but not be limited to, foam or resilient material or cushioned pads, a tightening mechanism to secure the device, and various structural supports.

While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.