Tray With Leveling Handle

Abstract

In an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with one or more beverage cups, a horizontal surface and a sloped automobile seating surface. The apparatus comprises a tray having an operative position and, for each of the beverage cups, a cup holder. The cup holders are adapted such that when the tray is disposed in the operative position and each beverage cup is received by a cup holder, the beverage cups project upwardly from the tray. A leg is operatively coupled to the tray, and has: an extended position whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the sloped surface, the leg supports the tray in the operative position; and a storage position whereat, when the tray is operatively disposed upon the horizontal surface, at least one of the tray, and the tray in combination with the leg, supports the tray in the operative position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting one or more beverage cups, comprising:
 a tray comprising an operative position, said tray further comprising, for each of said one or more beverage cups, a cup holder, said cup holders being configured to position said one or more beverage cups upwardly from said tray when the tray is disposed in said operative position and each of said one or more beverage cups is received by a respective one of said cup holders; and   a leg operatively coupled to said tray, said leg comprising an extended position wherein, when said tray is operatively disposed on a sloped seating surface, said leg supports said tray in said operative position, said leg further comprising a storage position, wherein, when said tray is operatively disposed on a horizontal surface, at least one of said tray and said tray in combination with said leg supports said tray in said operative position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch mechanism for releasably locking said leg in said storage position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said leg is pivotable between said storage position and said extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said leg further comprises first and second opposing end portions and said tray further comprises first and second opposing sides, said first opposing end portion comprising a first stub and said first and second opposing sides comprising a second stub, and said second opposing end portion comprising a first recess and said first and second opposing sides comprising a second recess, said first and second recess being configured to pivotally receive said first and second stubs therein, said first and second stubs comprising an elongated portion, said first and second recesses comprising an elongated slot that is sized and dimensioned to receive one of said elongated portions therein,
 said first and second stubs and said first and second recesses being arranged, wherein, when said leg is pivoted from said storage position to said extended position, said leg is releasably lockable in said extended position by sliding said leg vertically upwards to thereby slide the elongate portions into said first and second slots, said releasable receipt of said elongated portions within said first and second slots preventing further pivoting of said leg.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said tray further comprises first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing ends, said first and second opposing sides extending between said first and second opposing ends, and said apparatus further comprises a handle pivotally attached to said first and second opposing sides approximately at a mid-point of said tray, said handle being pivotable between a lowered position, wherein said handle extends toward one of said first and second opposing ends, and a carrying position, wherein said handle extends above said tray substantially perpendicularly thereto, wherein in said carrying position said handle projects upward from said tray in a manner sufficient to allow said apparatus to be carried in the manner of a basket. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second opposing sides comprise a channel that extends vertically when said tray is in said operative position, and wherein said handle comprises ribbed portions, each of said ribbed portions being sized and dimensioned for releasable receipt within a respective one of said channels of said first and second opposing sides to releasably lock said handle in said carrying position when said handle is positioned in said carrying position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a stacking configuration, wherein said handle is in said lowered position and said leg is positioned at a position intermediate to said storage position and said extended position, said apparatus, when positioned in said stacking configuration, being cooperatively stackable upon a second apparatus in said stacking configuration, wherein a portion of said apparatus nests within said second apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus defines a first horizontal plane when said tray is in said operative position, wherein in said intermediate position said leg extends upward to define an acute angle with a plane perpendicular to said first horizontal plane when said apparatus is in said stacking configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said leg defines a hangable structure and said apparatus defines a second horizontal plane when said tray is in said operative position, and wherein said apparatus comprises a hanging configuration, wherein said handle is in said lowered position and said leg is disposed substantially parallel to said second horizontal plane, said apparatus being capable of being hung by said handle when in said hanging configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said apparatus is capable of being hung by said hangable structure of said leg when in said hanging configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said apparatus comprises a boxing configuration, wherein said leg is in said storage position and said handle is in said lowered position, wherein said apparatus presents a minimal profile when in said boxing configuration to facilitate storage of said apparatus within a box. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tray comprises five said cup holders. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each said cup holders comprises a depression formed in said tray. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a first cup holder of said five cup holders is located proximate the center of said tray and four of said five cup holders is located at a respective corner of said tray.