Vertical panel mountable folding tray

Abstract

A fold-down utility tray which is mounted in a vertical panel of a vehicle and whose surface position is therefore independent of the position or attitude of the seats located around said fold-down utility tray. Also shown is a fold-down utility tray having an extension which allows for a larger tray surface in the down or use position than when the tray is in the up or storage position.

1 . A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in cooperative combination: 
 a folding tray having roughly rectangular shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin and a guide stud located in opposite corners of said first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; and    a vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a guide slot for accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within said guide slot;    thereby providing a fold-down utility tray suitable for use and storage in a vehicle.    
     
     
         2 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, said fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.  
     
     
         3 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, said injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.  
     
     
         4 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, said pivot pin is a metal pivot pin.  
     
     
         5 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, said pivot pin is a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, and brass.  
     
     
         6 . A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in cooperative combination: 
 a folding tray having roughly rectangular shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin and a guide stud located in opposite corners of said first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge;    a tray extension moveably mounted over said folding tray and; and    a vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a guide slot for accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within said guide slot;    thereby providing a fold-down utility tray suitable for use and storage in a vehicle.    
     
     
         7 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 6  wherein, said fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.  
     
     
         8 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 7  wherein, said injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.  
     
     
         9 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 6  wherein, said pivot pin is a metal pivot pin.  
     
     
         10 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 9  wherein, said pivot pin is a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, and brass.  
     
     
         11 . A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in cooperative combination: 
 a folding tray having roughly rectangular shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin, said pivot pin having a detent flat therein and a detent spring mounted thereon; and a guide stud; located in opposite corners of said first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; and    a vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a guide slot for accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within said guide slot;    thereby providing a fold-down utility tray suitable for use and storage in a vehicle further characterized in that said pivot pin detent and detent spring work in cooperation to hold the tray in a closed position.    
     
     
         12 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 11  wherein, said fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.  
     
     
         13 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 12  wherein, said injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.  
     
     
         14 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 11  wherein, said pivot pin and said detent spring comprise a metal pivot pin.  
     
     
         15 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 11  wherein, said pivot pin detent flat and said detent spring hold said fold-down utility tray in a closed position.  
     
     
         16 . A fold-down utility tray mountable in a vehicle vertical panel designed to accept such fold-down utility tray comprising in cooperative combination: 
 a folding tray having roughly rectangular shape and having a short first edge containing a pivot pin, said pivot pin having a detent flat therein and a detent spring mounted thereon; and a guide stud; located in opposite corners of said first edge, a pair of long edges and a second short edge; and    a tray extension moveably mounted over said folding tray and; and    a vertical panel having a recess cooperatively shaped to accept said folding tray in a vertical orientation, a pivot pin mount for accepting said pivot pin and said recess having located therein a guide slot for accepting said guide stud moveably mounted within said guide slot;    thereby providing a fold-down utility tray suitable for use and storage in a vehicle.    
     
     
         17 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein, said fold-down utility tray comprises an injection molded plastic.  
     
     
         18 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 17  wherein, said injection molded plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, reinforced polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/ABS, nylon, and polyacetal.  
     
     
         19 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein, said pivot pin is a metal pivot pin.  
     
     
         20 . The fold-down utility tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein, said pivot pin detent flat and said detent spring hold said fold-down utility tray in a closed position.