Folding tray assembly

Abstract

A folding tray assembly includes a support member and a tray member. The tray member is pivotably supported by the support member and is moveable relative thereto between a use position and a stowed position. The folding tray assembly further includes a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the tray member to the support member in one of either the use position or the stowed position. The locking mechanism is housed within the tray assembly such that the mechanism is not visible or accessible by an occupant, but rather remotely actuated by a handle or lever. The support member, tray member, and locking mechanism are assembled together using integrally formed fasteners and do not require the use of individual mechanical fasteners. In one exemplary embodiment, the support member, tray member, and locking mechanism are snap-fit together using a tab/slot arrangement.

1 . A folding tray assembly comprising: 
 a support bracket;    a tray assembly pivotably supported by said support bracket;    an actuation arm rotatably supported within said tray assembly and including a first cam surface and a second cam surface each having a first end and a second end;    a first pin in slidable engagement with said first cam surface and movable between said first end and said second end, said first pin engaging said support bracket when disposed at said first end of said first cam surface and disengaged from said support bracket when disposed at said second end of said first cam surface;    a second pin in slidable engagement with said second cam surface and movable between said first end and said second end, said second pin engaging said support bracket when disposed at said first end of said second cam surface and disengaged from said support bracket when disposed at said second end of said second cam surface.    
   
   
       2 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one biasing member acting on said first pin and at least one biasing member acting on said second pin to respectively bias said first and second pins into said first ends of said first and second cam surfaces.  
   
   
       3 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable attached to said actuation arm for selectively rotating said actuation arm relative to said tray assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said actuation arm includes an arm extension cantilevered from said actuation arm, said arm extension operably connected to said cable and facilitating rotation of said arm relative to said tray assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said tray assembly comprises a first tray member and a second tray member cooperating to define an inner space of said tray assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said actuation arm, said first pin, and said second pin are disposed within said inner space of said tray assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said first pin and said second pin extend from said inner space and generally through at least one of said first tray member and said second tray member to engage said support bracket when said first pin member is disposed in said first end of said first cam surface and said second pin member is disposed in said first end of said second cam surface.  
   
   
       8 . A folding tray assembly comprising: 
 a support bracket;    a tray assembly pivotably supported by said support bracket;    a lock plate disposed within said tray assembly and slidable between a first position engaging said support bracket and a second position disengaged from said support bracket; and    at least one biasing member acting on said lock plate to bias said lock plate into said first position.    
   
   
       9 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said support bracket includes a slot for matingly receiving said lock plate.  
   
   
       10 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said biasing member comprises at least one spring disposed between said lock plate and said tray assembly to bias said lock plate into said first position.  
   
   
       11 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said lock plate is operably attached to an actuation mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said actuation mechanism includes a cable attached to a cable seat of said lock plate to selectively move said lock plate against said at least one biasing member and out of said first position.  
   
   
       13 . A folding tray assembly comprising: 
 a first tray member having at least one tab;    a second tray member having at least one slot operable to matingly receive said at least one tab to fix said first tray member to said second tray member; and    a locking mechanism housed within the tray assembly between said first tray member and said second tray member.    
   
   
       14 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising an actuation mechanism housed within the tray assembly between said first tray member and said second tray and operable to toggle said locking mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state.  
   
   
       15 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one tab is formed of said first tray member.  
   
   
       16 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one tab includes a projection to engage said at least one slot.  
   
   
       17 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a support bracket that rotatably supports the tray assembly between a use position and a stowed position.  
   
   
       18 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a reinforcement bracket rotatably attached to said support bracket and including a series of receptacles.  
   
   
       19 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said a first tray member includes a series of posts that are received by said receptacles of said reinforcement bracket to attach said first tray member to said reinforcement bracket.  
   
   
       20 . The folding tray assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said support bracket includes a lock post that selectively receives a tab of said first tray member to lock the folding tray assembly in a stowed position.