Tire tray

Abstract

A tire tray is provided for catching excess detailing compound applied to a sidewall of a tire in an upright position, the tire having a tread face contacting a working surface and defining a contact area, the tire tray comprises a body that is positionable on the working surface about the contact area. The body defines a cut-out of a size sufficient to extend about the contact area, the body also has a length that extends beyond the tread face and a width that extends beyond the sidewall, and the body further has a catch surface that is positioned opposite the working surface and catches the excess detailing compound. The length of the body may be adjustable.

1 . A tire tray for catching excess detailing compound applied to a sidewall of a tire in an upright position, the tire having a tread face contacting a working surface and defining a contact area, the tire tray comprising: 
 a body positionable on the working surface about the contact area, the body defining a cut-out of a size sufficient to extend about the contact area;    the body having a length extending beyond the tread face and a width extending beyond the sidewall; and,    the body further having a catch surface opposite the working surface for catching excess detailing compound.    
   
   
       2 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a ridge extending about its perimeter.  
   
   
       3 . A tire tray according to  claim 2 , wherein the cut-out comprises a ridge extending about its perimeter.  
   
   
       4 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises overlapping tray halves, registrable with each other, which when in an assembled configuration are moveable relative to each other.  
   
   
       5 . A tire tray according to  claim 4 , wherein the tray halves are configured with complementary guide means for permitting guided relative movement of the halves.  
   
   
       6 . A tire tray according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide means comprise a groove positioned on one half and a corresponding projection on the other half.  
   
   
       7 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a handle.  
   
   
       8 . A tire tray according to  claim 4 , wherein the each tray half comprises a respective handle positioned on its respective half, which when in an assembled configuration, permit relative movement of the tray halves.  
   
   
       9 . A tire tray according to claims  7  and  8 , wherein the handle is integrally formed.  
   
   
       10 . A tire tray according to claims  7  and  8 , wherein the handle is connected to the body.  
   
   
       11 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the body is adjustable.  
   
   
       12 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the catch surface includes an absorbent layer for absorbing the excess detailing compound.  
   
   
       13 . A tire tray according to  claim 12 , wherein the absorbent layer is comprised of a plurality of bonded layers.  
   
   
       14 . A tire tray according to  claim 12 , wherein the absorbent layer is comprised of a porous material.  
   
   
       15 . A tire tray according to  claim 12 , wherein the absorbent layer is integrally formed.  
   
   
       16 . A tire tray according to  claim 12 , wherein the absorbent layer is removeably positionable on the catch surface.  
   
   
       17 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the catch surface comprises a drain channel for collecting and directing the excess detailing compound and a reservoir communicating with the channel for receiving and holding the channelled compound.  
   
   
       18 . A tire tray according to  claim 17 , wherein the drain channel comprises a series of drain channels.  
   
   
       19 . A tire tray according to  claim 17 , wherein the catch surface is sloped in the direction of the reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . A tire tray according to  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir tapers to a reservoir point to form a well for excess detailing compound.  
   
   
       21 . A tire tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the cut out comprises: 
 a first tread edge positionable adjacent a fore tire tread side;    a second tread edge positionable adjacent an aft tire tread side; and,    a sidewall edge positionable adjacent a sidewall side.    
   
   
       22 . A tire tray according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tread edges are bevelled and configured to fit snugly against the tire tread face.  
   
   
       23 . A tire tray according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tread edges comprise a rimmed lip configured to abut the tire tread face.  
   
   
       24 . A tire tray according to  claim 22 , wherein the bevelled edges comprise respective bevelled grooves, which are configured to catch excess detailing compound.  
   
   
       25 . A tire tray according to claims  4  and  21 , wherein each tray half comprises a complementary cut-out portion having one of the first and second tread edges, and a complementary portion of the sidewall edge, which when in an assembled configuration form the cut-out.