Car seat travel tray

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a work surface in an automobile. A first portion including a rigid member is hingedly coupled to a tray portion including a rigid member. Straps or other attachment mechanism is coupled to the first portion to allow the apparatus to be attached to an automobile seat back. The first portion is attached in a position adjacent to the seat back, and the tray portion is rotated downward in an arc to a desired orientation, most commonly substantially parallel to the ground. A retainer retains the tray portion in the desired orientation relative to the seat back. In one embodiment, a cord and cord-lock are used as the retainer. The cord and cord lock allow adjustment of the orientation of the tray portion through a continuum when the apparatus is installed. This permits the apparatus to accommodate a wide variety of seat backs having broadly varying angles. Pocketing of various types may be disposed in a volume between the first portion and the tray portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable seat tray comprising: 
 a first portion;    a tray portion having a hinged coupling to the first portion;    seat attachment straps coupled to the first portion; and    a retainer which adjustably restricts rotation by the tray portion about the hinged coupling such that a desired angle between the first and tray portions is maintained.    
     
     
         2 . The portable seat tray of    claim 1    further comprising: 
 a closure device which when placed in a known orientation holds the first portion and the tray portion in a closed orientation.  
 
     
     
         3 . The portable seat tray of    claim 1    further comprising: 
 a plurality of pockets coupled to the first portion.  
 
     
     
         4 . The portable seat tray of    claim 1    wherein the tray portion comprises a rigid member enveloped in a flexible material.  
     
     
         5 . The portable seat tray of    claim 1    wherein a flexible material forms a hinge between the first portion and the tray portion.  
     
     
         6 . The portable seat tray of    claim 1    wherein the strap comprises: 
 a first strap segment having a first end coupled to the first portion;  
 a second strap segment having a first end coupled to the first portion;  
 the first and second strap lengths each having an opposing end, the respective opposing ends having corresponding fastening devices disposed thereon.  
 
     
     
         7 . The portable seat tray of    claim 6    wherein the fastening devices are one of hook and loop material, snaps and buckles.  
     
     
         8 . The portable seat tray of    claim 6    wherein a part of the first length and is elastic.  
     
     
         9 . The portable seat tray of    claim 1    wherein the attachment strap has a first end and a second end coupled to the first portion and is substantially contiguous therebetween.  
     
     
         10 . The portable seat tray of    claim 9    wherein at least a portion of the strap is elastic.  
     
     
         11 . A portable seat tray comprising: 
 a substantially rigid tray portion;    means for detachably coupling the tray portion to a seat back; and    means for retaining the tray portion at a desired angle relative to the seat back.    
     
     
         12 . In a motor vehicle, an improvement comprising: 
 an automobile seat back forming a first angle with a horizontal plane;    a first portion detachably coupled to the seat back;    a tray portion hingedly coupled to the first portion; and    a retainer which prevents rotation about the hinged coupling beyond a desired point.    
     
     
         13 . The improvement of    claim 12    wherein the retainer permits continuous adjustment of an angle between the first portion and the tray portion such that a horizontal work surface can be provided independent of the first angle.