US20100295338A1

US20100295338A1 - Collapsible Tray for Fold-Up Chair

Info

Publication number: US20100295338A1
Application number: US12/470,622
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Reed Crowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-22
Filing date: 2009-05-22
Publication date: 2010-11-25

Abstract

A collapsible tray for use with portable chairs. The tray is mounted to the chair frame by a mounting bracket or clamp. The horizontal support is connected to the vertical support by a pivoting connector, which allows the tray to swing out of the way for easy access. The tray surface itself is made of flexible material and is attached to two tray supports. The two tray supports are connected using two hinged extensions connected to either end of the tray supports. The hinged extensions are connected to the horizontal support by a connector to the support allowing the extensions to pivot and fold. Opening or closing the tray may be accomplished by folding the extensions in or out. The tray can be easily collapsed which allows it to be stored with the chair, or carried in the storage bag with the chair itself.

Description

BACKGROUND

When engaged in outdoor activities such as camping, outdoor enthusiasts make use of folding style chairs. While enjoying these kinds of activities, people will usually find themselves eating meals. While eating or performing other activities, outdoor enthusiasts like to sit outside. In doing so people find it difficult to hold their plate or drink while sitting. Current fold-up chairs do not provide a place to set your items in a convenient manner while sitting.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a collapsible tray are described. In one embodiment, the collapsible tray provides a convenient place to set plates and drinks when outside camping or engaging in other activities where a portable tray is needed. An embodiment of the tray is made up of the following elements: tray surface, main support, hinged extension frame, vertical support, frame connector and mount. These elements are connected as follows: the mount connects to the chair frame and attaches the frame's vertical support to the chair. The frame connector attaches the horizontal support to the vertical support and allows the tray to pivot. The hinged extension frame is connected to the horizontal support. The flexible tray surface is connected to the hinged extension frame. Further, embodiments of the tray can also have one or more of the following: an adjustable height locking device, a storage bag, and a chair attachment strap. It should further be noted that the hinged extension frame can be extended and locked for use or collapsed for storage or transport. Also, the tray can swing away to the side of the chair when not needed to allow access in and out of the chair. Other embodiments of the collapsible tray are also described.
In some embodiments, the tray is built of a flexible weather-proof material such as acrylic, polyester or nylon. The tray frame and supports are made of materials that have sufficient strength and durability to withstand the rigors of camping and other activities. For example, the frame may be made of aluminum, plastic, steel or other materials that can withstand the weight placed on the tray. In one embodiment, the frame and supports are made of aluminum tubing which allows for good strength while keeping the weight of the frame light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible tray attached to a fold-up style chair;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible tray attached to a fold-up style chair;

FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of some of the components of an embodiment of the tray;

FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are close-up views of an embodiment of the tray mount;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible tray attached to a fold-up style chair;

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of an embodiment of the tray in the extended position;

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of an embodiment of the tray in the collapsed position; and

FIG. 10 is close-up view of an embodiment of the hinged extensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While many embodiments are described herein, at least one embodiment relates to a collapsible tray for portable chairs such as fold-up style chairs. The tray is mounted to a portable chair and provides a convenient location to place a plate while eating or for use with other activities where a tray is needed. In one embodiment, the tray includes six main components, which are a tray surface, a main support, a hinged extension frame, a vertical support, a frame connector and a mount.
With reference to the figures, the illustrated embodiment of the tray includes tray supports (30) with the weather proof material (20) stretched between them. The tray supports (30) are attached together by hinged extensions (40). The tray supports and hinged extensions are referred to herein as the tray frame.
The tray frame is attached to the horizontal support (60) to allow it to fold up. The tray frame may be attached to the horizontal support by a fastener. In one embodiment, a connection is made through the pivot points of the hinged extensions (110) using a rivet, bolt or screw. More specifically, the tray frame may be attached to the main support (60) using a bolt to the horizontal support (60) which allows the hinged extensions (40) to pivot allowing the tray to fold up. The tray is locked in the extended position by a lock mechanism (150). Examples of a lock mechanism could be a set screw, compression lock, spring lock or other locking devices. The horizontal support (60) is attached to the vertical support (65) using a frame connector (50). The frame connector (50) can be made to slip over the end of the horizontal support (60) and vertical support (65). The connector can be made of plastic, aluminum or another material with sufficient strength to support the tray. The frame connector fits over the end of the vertical support and connects to the horizontal support. The frame connector allows the tray to pivot around the axis of the vertical support (65) allowing the tray to move away from the seating location of the chair, giving easy access in and out of the chair. The vertical support (65) attaches to the frame of the chair by the tray mount. The tray mount (70) is made out of material with sufficient strength and durability to withstand the weight of the tray and any items placed on the tray. The mount (70) may be made of plastic, aluminum or steel. Other embodiments may use other materials to fabricate the mount. In one embodiment, the tray mount (70) is made out of plastic, although other embodiments may use other materials. The tray mount (70) attaches to the arm or leg of the chair, depending on the chair's construction. This allows the vertical support (65) to move up and down to different tray heights. The tray mount (70) may be constructed in multiple pieces and clamped to the chair frame by sandwiching the chair frame between the pieces of the mount and affixing them together using fasteners like screws or bolts. The vertical support may be set at the desired height by using a locking device in the tray mount (70). Examples of a locking device include set screws, clamps or other fasteners to hold the vertical support (65) in place. When not in use, the tray assembly may be removed and folded into the collapsed position, shown in FIG. 9, and stored for later use.

NUMBER DESCRIPTION LIST

10 is a collapsible tray for portable chairs
20 is a flexible tray surface made of weather-proof flexible material
30 are tray supports where flexible weather-proof material is connected there between.
40 is a vertical frame support
50 is a frame connector
60 is a horizontal tray support
70 is a tray mount
80 are set screws or locks
90 is a chair arm
100 is a chair seat
110 is a hinged extension
130 is a bushing
140 is a mounting screw
150 is a lock
While some examples of the collapsible tray are described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. The collapsible tray may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only.

Claims

1. A collapsible tray for use with a fold up style chair, the collapsible tray comprising: a flexible tray surface; and a fold up frame made up of hinged frame extensions, a horizontal frame support, and a vertical frame support; wherein the frame is configured for attachment to the leg or arm of the chair.

2. The collapsible tray of claim 1 further comprising a mounting device such as a mounting block or clamp used to attach said frame to said chair.

3. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises at least one vertical frame member for attachment to the chair.

4. The collapsible tray of claim 3 wherein the vertical frame is configured for attachment to the chair frame utilizing locking pins or compression clamps to allow the vertical frame to move up and down allowing an adjustable tray height.

5. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises at least one horizontal frame member, wherein the horizontal frame member is connected to the vertical frame member utilizing a hinged connector.

6. The collapsible tray of claim 5 further comprising a hinged connector to allow said tray to swing away allowing easy access in and out of said chair.

7. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the tray frame is collapsible.

8. The collapsible tray of claim 7 wherein the collapsible tray can be stored when not needed.

9. The collapsible tray of claim 8 wherein the collapsible tray can be stored with the fold-up chair for storage or transport.

10. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein the tray comprises a flexible weather proof material.

11. The collapsible tray of claim 10 wherein the flexible weather proof material is connected to at least two tray frame supports.

12. The collapsible tray of claim 11 wherein the tray frame supports are connected together using at least two hinged extensions.

13. The collapsible tray of claim 12 wherein said hinged extensions are connected to the horizontal frame support.

14. The collapsible tray of claim 13 wherein the hinged extensions are connected to the horizontal frame support using fasteners.

15. The collapsible tray of claim 14 wherein the fasteners are attached to the horizontal frame support using screws or bolts.

16. The collapsible tray of claim 15 wherein the fasteners are attached to the frame member allowing said hinged extensions to pivot on the frame.

17. The collapsible tray of claim 16 wherein said hinged extensions are configured to pivot on the horizontal frame support allowing the tray to fold up.

18. The collapsible tray of claim 1 wherein said tray frame is attached to a chair frame such that tray can be easily detached from the chair.