Tray

Abstract

The invention relates to a tray for holding items, such as containers of food or beverage, said tray comprising a lateral support plate ( 1; 101 ) and a base plate ( 5; 102 ) arranged in a substantially parallel relationship, the tray further having spacing and locking means ( 6; 25, 122; 104, 105, 106, 107 ), said spacing and locking means ( 6; 25, 122, 104, 105, 106, 107 ) interconnecting the lateral support plate ( 1; 101 ) and the base plate ( 5; 102 ). The invention is distinctive in the lateral support plate ( 1; 101 ) having at least one opening ( 2 a; 2 b; 103 ) being defined through said lateral support plate ( 1, 101 ), forming lateral support for at least one item ( 3; 4 ). The base plate ( 5; 102 ) defining a supportive floor for the at least one item ( 3; 4 ), said spacing and locking means ( 6; 103 ) being configured to hold said lateral support plate ( 1; 101 ) and said base plate ( 5; 102 ) in a first extended spaced apart position and to hold said lateral support plate ( 1; 101 ) and said base plate ( 5; 102 ) in a second retracted position. The base plate ( 5; 102 ) having at least one elevated portion ( 17; 110 ) corresponding with the at least one opening ( 2 a; 2 b; 103 ) in the lateral support plate ( 1; 101 ), said elevated portion ( 17; 110 ) filling said opening in said second retracted position.

1 . A tray for holding items, the tray comprising:
 a lateral support plate and a base plate arranged in a substantially parallel relationship,   spacing and locking means, the spacing and locking means interconnecting the lateral support plate and the base plate; and   wherein the lateral support plate has at least one opening being defined through the lateral support plate, forming lateral support for at least one item, the base plate defining a supportive floor for the at least one item, the spacing and locking means being configured to hold the lateral support plate and the base plate in a first extended spaced apart position and to hold the lateral support plate and the base plate in a second retracted position, the base plate having at least one elevated portion corresponding with the at least one opening ( 2   a;    2   b;    103 ) in the lateral support plate, the elevated portion filling the opening in the retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the lateral support plate and a surface of the elevated portion of the base plate are flush. 
     
     
         3 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacing and locking means includes at least one connection member s that is hingedly connected between the base plate and the lateral support plate, whereby at least a first end of the connection member is equipped with a sliding hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection member comprising at least two rods attached in one end to the base plate and lateral support plate, the at least two rods having overlapping sections, the rods are adapted to slide relative each other in the longitudinal direction of the rods. 
     
     
         5 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection members are arranged in pairs at each short side of the tray. 
     
     
         6 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray comprising at least one resilient member arranged between the lateral support plate and the base plate. 
     
     
         7 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 6 , wherein the resilient member is a spring, such as a helical spring. 
     
     
         8 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 6 , wherein the resilient member is a leaf spring. 
     
     
         9 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 6 , wherein the tray having multiple resilient members arranged in spaced apart positions between the lateral support plate and the base plate. 
     
     
         10 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking means are arranged between the lateral support plate and the base plate adapted to lock the tray in the second retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 10 , wherein the locking means comprising a hook arranged on the base plate and a protrusion arranged on the lateral support plate, the hook and protrusion are adapted to be coupled together in the second retracted position. 
     
     
         12 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 10 , wherein the hook is operated by a push button adapted to release the hook from the protrusion. 
     
     
         13 . The tray for holding items according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacing means are hingedly connected to the base plate in one end and releasable connected to the lateral support plate in the opposite end. 
     
     
         14 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray having at least one support member, the at least one support member is hingedly connected to the side of the base plate facing away from the lateral support plate. 
     
     
         15 . The tray according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one support member is adapted to be oriented in two positions; a position where the at least one support members are perpendicular to the base plate and a position where the at least one support member are parallel with the base plate. 
     
     
         16 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray having at least one antiskid element arranged on the side of the base plate facing away from the lateral support plate. 
     
     
         17 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray having an additional groove arranged in the lateral support plate for pencils, rayons or tablet. 
     
     
         18 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray having locking means adapted to lock the tray in the first extended spaced apart position. 
     
     
         19 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the items comprise at least one container of food or beverage.