STEERING WHEEL TRAY FOR USING PORTABLE COMPUTER IN VEHICLE

Abstract

A machine washable and compactly foldable steering wheel tray of one-piece construction that is robust enough for use with a personal computer in a motor vehicle at rest includes pivotally articulated back and bottom panels and outside and inside pockets respectively for steering wheel mounting and holding items ancillary to at rest computer use whether for business or pleasure. It is of durable, double-walled construction and is easily and readily fabricated of flexible sheet material such as rip-stop nylon by cutting and threadably joining the sheets of flexible material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is drawn to the field of vehicle supported horizontal planar structures, and more particularly, to a steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a motor vehicle at rest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Two types of food or computer or work trays for use in motor vehicles are known. One type is mounted to the steering wheel while parked, such as the food trays of U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,026 to Seibert, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,412,425 and 6,192,806 to Chen, and GB 2,144,627 to Judge; or the computer or other secure holding trays of U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,738 to Richter and U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,148 to Mullaney; or the book holders of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,878 to Guo and JP11151125 to Keiji; or the steering wheel mountable clipboard of U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,805 to Douglas. Reference in this connection may also be had to U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,035 to Fernandez, U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,606 to Vise, U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,861 to Walker, Sr., US Patent Application Publication US2004/0094677 to Guo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,161 to Falcone, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,559 to Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,769 to Lewis, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,300 to Honea, U.S. Pat. No. 1,900,325 to Baymen, and JP2004345623 to Susumu. The other type of food or computer or work trays for use in motor vehicles are mounted or supported by surfaces or structures in the vehicle other than the steering wheel, such as the rear seat food tray of GB 2,144,627 to Judge or the folding table of U.S. Pat. No. 1,549,957 to Belden.

However, the prior art devices that have been robust enough to support a personal computer from the steering wheel have been comparatively complex in construction, expensive to manufacture, subject to malfunction, difficult to repair due to their complexity, not readily storable when not in use, and/or not readily washable so that they were not sufficiently sanitary for use with foodstuffs; while the heretofore known food trays were too fragile to reliably support a personal computer from the steering wheel, too small to accept a personal computer, were not readily storable, were expensive to manufacture, and/or have been not readily washable. There therefore is a need for a steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a motor vehicle while parked that is not subject to the disadvantages of the heretofore known food, computer or work trays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It accordingly is one object of the present invention to disclose a steering wheel tray for use with a personal computer in a motor vehicle at rest that is sanitary, because machine washable, and that preferably is constructed of rip-stop nylon or other flexible, machine washable sheet material.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose a steering wheel tray for use with a personal computer in a motor vehicle that is sturdy, because of a one-piece construction that provides the strength and the reliability to support the comparatively heavy weight and/or large size of some personal computers, while accommodating items ancillary to the use of the computer in the vehicle, such as writing paper and/or writing instruments, when used for business purposes; or game CDs etc., when used for pleasure. Of course, it may also be used with napkins or straws etc., when the tray is used while eating or drinking.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a steering wheel tray for use with a personal computer in a vehicle that is low in cost and easy to manufacture, because comparatively simple, that preferably is constructed of precut sheets of threadably joined flexible material.

It is yet another object to disclose a steering wheel tray for a personal computer in a motor vehicle that is foldable, preferably occupying the space of a small attache case, that thereby is easy to store in the vehicle when not in use and ready to deploy if and as needed, whether for business or pleasure.

In accord with these and other objects, the steering wheel tray for use with a personal computer in a motor vehicle at rest of the present invention includes back and bottom panels and a linear hinge articulating said back and bottom panels for pivoting motion between a compact closed position, where said panels lie over each other in a generally parallel relation occupying the space of a small attache case, and an open use position, where said panels define a generally right or oblique angle, such that said bottom panel is in a generally horizontal orientation whenever the back panel is steering wheel mounted. In the open use position, the steering wheel tilt may be adjusted to adjust the angle of the bottom panel when mounted to the steering wheel.

The back panel includes threadably joined, precut sheets of flexible material arranged to provide a rearwardly and downwardly opening pocket that is sized to cap a motor vehicle's steering wheel. It also includes threadably joined precut sheets of flexible sheet material arranged to provide a forwardly and upwardly opening pocket sized to removably support items such as writing paper, writing instruments, portable memory devices and other items ancillary to use of the personal computer to perform work, play games or, when the tray is used to have a meal or a drink while parked, to hold straws and the like items.

The bottom panel includes threadably joined precut sheets of flexible material arranged to provide a reclosable pocket adapted to receive a removable, rigid board. A rigid board adapted to make the bottom panel rigid is removably received in the board receiving pocket thereof.

Side panels of precut flexible sheet material are threadably joined to the sides of the back and bottom panels. The side panels are arranged to fold inwards when the back and bottom panels are in their closed position and to support the bottom panel in said generally horizontal usage position when in open position allowing the bottom panel to support a personal computer when the back panel is mounted to the steering wheel of an at rest motor vehicle. Preferably, the side panels are of an opaque, glare reducing or eliminating material and include a power cord through hole.

Preferably, the precut sheets of flexible material of the back, bottom and side panels are of rip-stop nylon or other machine washable material.

Preferably, the back and bottom panels are of a durable anterior and posterior double-walled construction and all threaded seams of the threadably joined back and bottom panels of double-walled construction are blind seams that present an aesthetically pleasing finish.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other objects, inventive aspects and advantageous features of the present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by referring to the following, solely exemplary, detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, and to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side pictorial view showing the novel steering wheel tray of the present invention mounted to the steering wheel of an automobile or other motor vehicle while parked;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the steering wheel tray for using a personal computer in a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention showing it in its open condition;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention in its closed condition;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of a precut sheet of flexible sheet material of the posterior wall of the double-walled back and bottom panels of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of a precut sheet of flexible sheet material of the anterior wall of the double-walled back panel of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of a precut sheet of flexible sheet material of the downwardly and rearwardly opening outside pocket of the back panel of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top elevational view of a precut sheet of flexible sheet material of the anterior wall of the double-walled bottom panel of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top elevational view of a precut sheet of flexible sheet material of the forwardly and upwardly opening inside pocket of the back panel of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of a precut sheet of flexible sheet material of the side panels of the steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a vehicle of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a block process diagram useful in explaining the steps of fabricating a steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a motor vehicle in accord with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, generally designated at 10 is a pictorial view showing the novel steering wheel tray for using a portable computer in a motor vehicle at rest in accord with the present invention. The steering wheel tray 10 of the present invention is sanitary, because it preferably is constructed of machine washable, flexible sheet material; it is sturdy, because it preferably is of one-piece construction that is capable of reliably supporting a personal computer and/or items ancillary to the use thereof for business and/or pleasure; it is low in cost and easy to manufacture, because it preferably is constructed by cutting and threadably joining sheets of flexible sheet material; and it is easy to store in the vehicle when not in use, because it is foldable and compact, preferably occupying the space of a small attache case.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering wheel tray 10 for use with a portable computer in a motor vehicle at rest of the present invention includes a back panel generally designated 12 and a bottom panel generally designated 14. The back and bottom panels 12, 14 pivot between open and closed positions about a linear pivot hinge generally designated 16. The open use position is illustrated in the FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and the closed position is illustrated in the FIG. 4.

Side panels generally designated 18 preferably threadably attached laterally to the back and bottom panels 12, 14 support the bottom panel 14 in a generally horizontal position when the steering wheel tray is in its open condition and the back panel 12 is mounted to the steering wheel of a vehicle as illustrated in FIG. 1. The side panels 18 fold inwardly, as illustrated at 20 in FIG. 3, when the steering wheel tray 10 is pivoted to its closed position, which is shown in FIG. 4.

The back panel 12 includes a rearwardly and downwardly opening pocket generally designated 22, best seen in FIG. 2, that caps the steering wheel of the vehicle and a forwardly and upwardly opening pocket generally designated 24 that accepts items ancillary to computer use. A promotional or other logo, not shown, may be provided on the pocket 24 by a sponsor such as a bank or other business.

The bottom panel 14 includes a forwardly opening pocket generally designated 26 that removably receives a rigid board 28 (FIG. 2) that is slidably inserted therewithin to provide strength and rigidity to the bottom panel 14. Separable fasteners 30, 32, together with the proximate free end of the bottom panel 14, define a releasable flap closure for holding the rigid board 28, best seen in FIG. 2, in the pocket 26.

A separable fastener 34 is attached to the free distal end of the back panel 12. The fastener 34 of the free distal end of the back panel 12 cooperates with a separable fastener 36 provided on the bottom panel 14 to define a releaseable flap closure for holding the steering wheel tray 10 in its closed condition, after the panels have been pivoted, as shown by arrow 38 in FIG. 4, to their closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 5, generally designated at 50 is an exploded perspective view of the steering wheel tray for use with a portable computer in a parked motor vehicle in accord with the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, the back panel 12 preferably is of a durable, anterior and posterior double-walled construction and includes the upper portion of precut posterior sheet 52 that is threadably attached to precut anterior sheet 54 about their contiguous lateral and top edges. The bottom edge of the precut sheet 54 is threadably attached to the precut sheet 52 along a seam line 56. Preferably, the height of the contiguous portions of the sheets 52, 54 is the same as, or somewhat shorter than, the diameter of a motor vehicle's steering wheel, which typically is fourteen (14) inches, and are the same in width as the diameter thereof. The precut sheets 52, 54 are of a preferably machine washable, flexible sheet material such as rip-stop nylon.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, the rearwardly extending and downwardly opening pocket 22 preferably is double-walled and includes precut sheet 58 folded about its diameter 60 (FIG. 8) and threadably attached about its curved peripheral edge to the curved top of the upper portion of the precut posterior sheet 52. It is tall enough to securely cap the exposed head of the motor vehicle's steering wheel, and, preferably, it is five and one half (5.5) inches in radius.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, the bottom panel 14 preferably is double-walled and includes the lower portion of precut posterior sheet 52 that is threadably attached to precut anterior sheet 62 about their contiguous lateral edges. The inside edge of the precut sheet 62 is threadably attached to the precut sheet 52 along the seam line 56. The sheet 62 preferably is of machine washable, flexible sheet material such as rip-stop nylon.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 10, the forwardly and upwardly opening pocket 24 preferably is double-walled and includes precut anterior sheet 64 folded about its midpoint 66 (FIG. 10) and threadably attached about its lateral and bottom edges to the lateral edge of the precut sheet 54, and its bottom edge to the top edge of the precut sheet to along the seam line 56. The posterior sheet 52 is threadably attached to the sheets 54, 62, 64. The forwardly and upwardly opening pocket 24 is tall enough to securely receive items ancillary to computer use, such as a legal pad. The sheet 64 preferably is of machine washable, flexible sheet material such as rip-stop nylon.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 11, the side panels 16 preferably are double-walled and include precut sheets 68 that are threadably attached about their inside edges to the contiguous lateral edges of the sheets 52, 54, 62. Preferably, the material of the sheets 68 is opaque, so as to help prevent glare when viewing the screen of the personal computer. The sheets 68 are of a preferably machine washable, flexible sheet material such as rip-stop nylon. One more openings generally designated 70 (FIG. 11) may be provided thereinthrough to allow passage of the power cord.

With reference now to FIG. 12, generally designated at 80 is a block process diagram that is useful in explaining the steps of fabricating a steering wheel tray for use with a portable computer in a motor vehicle at rest of the present invention.

As shown by a block 82, the constitutive sheets of the back, bottom and side panels and of the inside and outside pockets are cut from preselected flexible sheet material, such as rip-stop nylon.

As shown by a block 84, the inside pocket precut sheet is sewn to the anterior sheets of both the back and bottom panels along contiguous lateral edges and at the inside corner between the anterior sheets of the back and bottom panels.

As shown by a block 86, the outside pocket precut sheet is sewn to the posterior sheet of the back panel to provide the outside pocket.

As shown by a block 88, each side panel gusset is sewn to respective lateral edges of the anterior precut sheets of the back and bottom panels.

As shown by a block 90, the separable fastener is sewn to the bottom edge of the posterior precut sheet of the double walled bottom panel.

As shown by a block 92, the contiguous edges of the posterior precut back panel sheet is then sewn respectively to the outside flap precut sheet, anterior back panel precut sheet, anterior bottom panel precut sheet, interior pocket precut sheet and precut sheets of the side panel gussets. A threaded seam linear hinge is thereby provided at the inside corner between the back and bottom panels that articulates the back and bottom panels for pivoting motion between their open and closed positions.

As shown by a block 94, the separable fastener is sewn to the bottom edge of the anterior precut sheet of the bottom panel.

As shown by a block 96, the whole fabrication is then turned right side out, concealing the threaded seams, and then the rigid board is removably inserted into the pocket of the bottom panel.

Many modifications of the presently disclosed invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, the posterior back panel sheet and the posterior bottom panel sheet can be separate precut sheets and sewn together along the center seam articulating the panels. Pockets may be provided on the side panels for holding cell phones and the like. Handles may be provided to the back and/or bottom panels which would allow the tray to be used as a case to contain the personal computer or papers or other items when it is in its closed condition. When not in use, it would protect the contents and the handle would allow transport of the tray that any enclosed items. Of course, it could be grasped by hand and moved without using the handle when in closed condition. It is possible for a-through-hole to be put into the bottom panel for use as a cupholder.

Claims

1. A machine washable and compactly foldable steering wheel tray of one-piece construction for use with a personal computer in a motor vehicle at rest, comprising:

back and bottom panels and a linear hinge articulating said back and bottom panels for pivoting motion between a compact closed position, where said panels lie over each other in a generally parallel relation occupying the space of a small attache case, and an open use position, where said panels define a generally right or oblique angle such that said bottom panel is in a generally horizontal orientation whenever the back panel is steering wheel mounted;

each said back and bottom panel is of a durable, anterior and posterior double-walled construction and includes threadably joined anterior and posterior sheets of flexible material;

a first sheet of flexible material is threadably joined to said anterior sheet of said back panel and is arranged to provide a rearwardly and downwardly opening pocket that is sized to cap a motor vehicle's steering wheel;

said anterior and posterior sheets of said bottom panel of double-walled construction are arranged to provide a reclosable pocket adapted to receive a removable, rigid board that makes the bottom panel rigid when it is received in the board receiving pocket thereof;

a rigid board removably insertable in said reclosable pocket of said bottom panel of double-walled construction; and

side panels of precut flexible material threadably joined to the sides of the back and bottom panels.

2. The steering wheel tray of claim 1, wherein said linear hinge includes a threaded seam.

3. The steering wheel tray of claim 3, wherein said sheets of flexible material of the back, bottom and side panels are of machine washable material.

4. The steering wheel tray of claim 3, wherein said machine washable material is rip-stop nylon.

5. The steering wheel tray of claim 1, further including a second sheet of flexible sheet material threadably joined to said anterior and posterior sheets of said back panel and arranged to provide a forwardly and upwardly opening pocket sized to removably support items such as writing paper, writing instruments, portable memory devices and other items ancillary to use of the personal computer to perform work or play electronic games.

6. The steering wheel tray of claim 1, wherein said side panels are arranged to fold inwards when the back and bottom panels are in their closed position and to support the bottom panel in said generally horizontal usage position when they are in open position allowing the bottom panel to reliably support a personal computer when the back panel is mounted to the steering wheel of an at rest motor vehicle.

7. The steering wheel tray of claim 6, wherein said flexible material of said side panels is an opaque flexible material adapted to substantially eliminate glare when reading the screen of the personal computer.

8. The steering wheel tray of claim 7, further including an opening through a side panel adapted to provide a through hole for a power cord.

9. A method of fabricating a steering wheel tray for use with a personal computer in a motor vehicle at rest, comprising the steps of:

cutting anterior and posterior sheets of back and bottom panels, sheets of side panel gussets and sheets of inside and outside pockets from preselected flexible sheet material;

sewing the inside pocket sheet to the anterior sheets of both the back and bottom panels along contiguous lateral edges, and at an inside corner edge;

sewing the outside pocket sheet to the posterior sheet of the back panel to provide the outside pocket;

sewing each side panel gusset to respective lateral edges of the anterior sheets of the back and bottom panels;

sewing a separable fastener onto the bottom edge of the posterior sheet of the bottom panel;

sewing the contiguous edges of the posterior back panel sheet respectively to the outside pocket sheet, anterior back panel sheet, anterior bottom panel sheet, interior pocket sheet and side panel gusset sheets;

sewing a separable fastener onto the bottom edge of the anterior sheet of the bottom panel; and

turning the whole fabrication right side out to conceal the threaded seams.