Fold-out tray incorporated in an item of luggage

Abstract

A fold-out tray incorporated in an item of luggage includes a support attached to an item of luggage, the support having an upper end and a lower end, a main panel, the main panel having a distal end and a proximal end, a first connector coupling the proximal end of the main panel to the support, the first connector permitting the main panel to be rotated between a first position against the support and a second position in which the main panel is substantially horizontal, and a brace comprising a proximal end contacting the support at a point below the proximal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position and a distal end contacting the main panel between the proximal end of the main panel and the distal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fold-out tray incorporated in an item of luggage, the fold-out tray comprising:
 a support attached to an item of luggage, the support having an upper end and a lower end;   a main panel, the main panel having a distal end and a proximal end;   a first connector coupling the proximal end of the main panel to the support, the first connector permitting the main panel to be rotated between a first position against the support and a second position in which the main panel is substantially horizontal; and   a brace comprising (i) a proximal end connected to the support at a point below the proximal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position and (ii) a distal end contacting the main panel between the proximal end of the main panel and the distal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the support is slidably engaged to an item of luggage. 
     
     
         3 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the support is connected to an item of luggage. 
     
     
         4 . The fold-out tray of  claim 3 , wherein the support further comprises an extension handle connected to the item of luggage. 
     
     
         5 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the support further comprises a niche into which the main panel inserts when the main panel is in the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the main panel further comprises an extension that contacts the support when the main panel is in the second position, preventing the rotation of the main panel past the first position. 
     
     
         7 . The fold-out tray of  claim 6 , wherein the support further comprises a downward-facing surface that contacts the extension when the main panel is in the second position. 
     
     
         8 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is slidably engaged to the support. 
     
     
         9 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is affixed to the support. 
     
     
         10 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the brace is slidably engaged to the main panel. 
     
     
         11 . The fold-out tray of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal end of the brace is pivotally attached to the connector. 
     
     
         12 . The fold-out tray of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal end of the brace is pivotally attached to the support. 
     
     
         13 . The fold-out tray of  claim 10 , wherein the main panel further comprises a stopper that prevents the distal end of the brace from sliding toward the distal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position. 
     
     
         14 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the brace is pivotally connected to the main panel. 
     
     
         15 . The fold-out tray of  claim 14 , wherein the proximal end of the brace is slidably engaged to the connector. 
     
     
         16 . The fold-out tray of claim  134 , wherein the proximal end of the brace is slidably engaged to the support. 
     
     
         17 . The fold-out tray of  claim 1  further comprising at least one leaf pivotally coupled to the main panel, the at least one leaf free to rotate between a folded position in which a first surface of the at least one leaf is resting on the main panel and a deployed position in which the first surface of the at least one leaf is substantially adjacent and parallel to the main panel. 
     
     
         18 . The fold-out tray of  claim 17 , wherein the main panel further comprises at least one lip that extends beneath the at least one leaf when the at least one leaf is in the deployed position, preventing the at least one leaf from further rotation away from the folded position. 
     
     
         19 . The fold-out tray of  claim 17  further comprising a latch that secures the at least one leaf to the main panel when the at least one leaf is in the folded position.