Tray table and related methods

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to tray table devices and related methods. Some embodiments include foldable tray table devices capable of being stowed. Some embodiments also include tray tables that have expandable and/or collapsible storage compartments. Other embodiments relate to methods for making and/or using structural embodiments of the invention.

1 . A tray table, comprising:
 a tray frame defining an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter further defining an opening, and the tray frame having a top portion, a bottom portion and four side portions;   a mounting means for mounting a side portion of the tray frame to a vehicle in a swinging relation;   a fixing means for reversibly fixing the tray frame in an approximately parallel orientation relative to the floor of the vehicle;   a tray top member having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a thickness, the tray top member being hingingly attached to the tray frame at one side face of the tray top member;   a tray bottom member having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a thickness;   at least one collapsible side member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being attached to the tray frame, and the bottom end being attached to the tray bottom member; and   a pull-cord in mechanical communication with the at least one collapsible side member such that pulling the pull-cord reversibly raises the tray bottom member.   
     
     
         2 . The tray table of  claim 1 , wherein the tray frame is free to swing about a longitudinal axis defined by a mounted side portion of the tray frame. 
     
     
         3 . The tray table of  claim 2 , wherein the tray frame is free to swing about the longitudinal axis by an angle of from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a floor of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The tray table of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a hinge, a ball and socket pivotable joint, a pin and socket rotatable joint, and a foldable brace. 
     
     
         5 . The tray table of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing means comprises one or more structures selected from the group consisting of a latch, a hook, a mechanical stop, and a foldable brace. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the tray top member is free to swing out from the frame, defining an open orientation, and the tray top member is free to swing into the frame member, defining a closed orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 6 , wherein the closed orientation is further defined by the tray top member being at about  0  degrees relative to the tray frame. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a closing means for reversibly maintaining the tray top member in a closed orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein collapsing the at least one collapsible side member raises the tray bottom member, and expanding the at least one collapsible side member lowers the tray bottom member. 
     
     
         10 . The tray of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one collapsible side member comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a net, a fabric sheet, an accordion sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The tray of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one collapsible side member comprises a plurality of side members. 
     
     
         12 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a pull-cord locking means for reversibly locking the pull-cord position. 
     
     
         13 . The tray of  claim 12 , wherein the pull-cord locking means comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a clip, a cinch, a clasp, and a knot. 
     
     
         14 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the tray frame member is adapted to receive one or more accessories. 
     
     
         15 . The tray of  claim 14 , wherein the accessories are selected from the group consisting of a cooler, and a file storage container. 
     
     
         16 . The tray of  claim 14 , wherein the tray frame member further comprises at least one electrical contact adapted to supply electrical power to the one or more accessories. 
     
     
         17 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is an automobile. 
     
     
         18 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electric motor in mechanical communication with the at least one collapsible side member and adapted to reversibly collapse and expand the collapsible side member. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a tray frame defining an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter further defining an opening, and the tray frame having a top portion, a bottom portion and four side portions, wherein the tray frame is free to swing about a longitudinal axis by an angle from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a floor of a vehicle;   a mounting structure affixed to the vehicle and to the tray frame, the mounting structure being selected from the group consisting of a hinge, a ball and socket pivotable joint, a pin and socket rotatable joint, and a foldable brace;   a fixing structure adapted to fix the orientation of the tray frame in a horizontal relation to a floor of the vehicle, the fixing structure comprising one or more structures selected from the group consisting of a latch, a hook, a mechanical stop, and a foldable brace;   a tray top member having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a thickness, the tray top member being hingingly attached to the tray frame at one side face of the tray top member;   a tray bottom member having a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces defining a rectangular shape having a thickness;   at least one collapsible side member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being attached to the tray frame, and the bottom end being attached to the tray bottom member; and   a pull-cord in mechanical communication with the at least one collapsible side member such that pulling the pull-cord reversibly raises the tray bottom member.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a pull-cord locking means for reversibly locking the pull-cord position, wherein the pull-cord locking means comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a clip, a cinch, a clasp, and a knot.