AUTOMOTIVE TRAY

Abstract

An automotive tray includes a generally planar base with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front sidewall, a rear sidewall, a right sidewall and a left sidewall, and portions of the bottom surface having a rough texture to provide frictional engagement when the tray is in use. A crumb tray is disposed in the base, is recessed below the top surface, and extends below the bottom surface to assist in preventing movement of the tray when in use. The bottom surface may have a rough texture, such as one or more frictional mats attached to the bottom surface of the tray. A plurality of frictional strips may also be disposed on the top surface of the tray, with the frictional strips extending partially between the right and left sidewalls.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/949,973, filed on Jul. 16, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an automotive tray for use by a person in a motor vehicle such as an automobile, sport utility vehicle (SUV), truck or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food trays are known to the prior art. Such trays are frequently used in cafeterias for the collection of selected food items from the available selection of food items. Usually, a user of a food tray will also add a beverage, eating utensils such as a spoon, knife and fork, and a napkin to the food tray.

Such food trays have a typically planar base with a slightly raised perimeter edge. Food trays are often made in smooth molds from fiberglass materials, which impart a smooth, slippery surface to the underside of the food tray. While these food trays are suitable for their intended purpose of resting on a table or the like, they have shortcomings in an automotive environment. For example, when the automobile is accelerating, stopping or turning, the tray can easily slide off of a user's lap thereby spilling the food items from the tray. Moreover, when in an automobile, it is usually not possible for a user to immediately dispose of food remnants, such as crumbs or the like. The user needs to wait until the automobile stops at a place where the food remnants can be properly disposed.

There has therefore been a need for an improved auto tray which resolves the shortcomings of prior art food trays, particularly in an automotive environment.

A general object of the present invention is therefore to provide an auto tray which is better suited for use in an automobile.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an auto tray which includes a crumb tray for temporarily storing small food remnants or other waste.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a crumb tray in a center portion of the auto tray such that the crumb tray also acts to center the auto tray between the user's thighs.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an auto tray which has a textured undersurface for better frictional engagement of the tray with the user's thighs or clothing.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an enlarged aperture through a portion of the auto tray suitable for receiving a person's hand therein for more convenient grasping or handling of the tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with an improved automotive tray for use while eating within a motor vehicle and other uses. The automotive tray includes a generally planar base with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front sidewall, a rear sidewall, a right sidewall and a left sidewall, and portions of the bottom surface having a rough texture to provide frictional engagement when the tray is in use, thereby limiting movement of the tray.

In an embodiment, the bottom surface may have a rough texture, such as one or more frictional mats attached to the bottom surface of the automotive tray. A plurality of frictional strips may also be disposed on the top surface of the automotive tray, and the plurality of frictional strips may extend partially between the right sidewall and the left sidewall.

To better prevent spillage from the tray, the rear sidewall rises to a first height above the top surface of the generally planar base, and the front sidewall rises to a second height above the top surface of the generally planar base, with the second height being greater than the first height. For example, the second height may be about two times the first height.

In a further embodiment of the automotive tray, a crumb tray is disposed in a generally central location between the pair of side edges. The crumb tray is recessed below the top surface of the generally planar base, and a portion of the crumb tray extends below the bottom surface of the automotive tray. The portion of the crumb tray which extends below the bottom surface of the automotive tray assists in preventing lateral movement when the automotive tray is in use. A groove disposed about a perimeter of the crumb tray adjacent to the top surface of the automotive tray. A cover for the crumb tray has an edge sized to fit into the groove to cover the crumb tray when the crumb tray is not in use. A recess may be defined in the groove to provide an area for removing the cover by pressing upwardly against an underside of the cover. A tab extends downwardly from the cover for engaging a portion of the crumb tray to retain the cover over the crumb tray.

A generally cylindrical depression may be formed in the generally planar base for holding a beverage, or the like. The generally cylindrical depression is preferably disposed adjacent to the front sidewall and one of the right or left sidewalls.

An aperture is preferably provided through the generally planar base for grasping the automotive tray. The aperture may be disposed along the right sidewall or the left sidewall. For example, the aperture may be about 3 to 6 inches in length and about 1 to 2 inches in width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view illustrating an auto tray in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view further illustrating the auto tray of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view further illustrating the auto tray of FIG. 1 with a cover installed over the crumb tray in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational front view further illustrating the auto tray of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view further illustrating the auto tray of FIGS. 1-4 in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.

With reference to the drawing Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective top view of an auto tray, generally designated 100, and FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the auto tray 100. Auto tray 100 may be manufactured by molding, such as by known plastic injection molding techniques. For example, auto tray 100 may be injection molded using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials.

Auto tray has a generally flat or planar working surface 102. Working surface 102 is recessed below sidewalls, including a front sidewall 104, a back sidewall 105, a right sidewall 106 and a left sidewall 107. As seen in FIG. 2, sidewalls 104-107 may have rolled-over edges which provide the top surfaces of the sidewalls 104-107 with a smoother effect. Back sidewall 105 may be curved inwardly to more gently contact a user's abdomen, as when the auto tray 100 is resting on the user's thighs while seated in an automobile.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the front sidewall 104 is preferably of a greater height than rear sidewall 105, and that right and left sidewalls 106-107 gradually increase in height from the back sidewall 105 to the front sidewall 104. Stated another way, the depth of the recessed working area 102 increases from the back sidewall 105 toward the front sidewall 104. For example, rear sidewall 105 may be about ¼ to 1 inch in height and front sidewall 104 may be about ½ to 1½ inches in height. Right and left sidewalls 106-107 gradually increase in height from the back sidewall 105 to the front sidewall 104. The reason or purpose that the front sidewall 104 is higher than the rear sidewall is to help control food or beverage spills from the auto tray onto the upholstery or carpet of the vehicle.

Right sidewall 106 is sufficiently wide between the back sidewall 105 and the front sidewall 104 to accommodate a beverage holder 108 and an elongated aperture 110. Beverage holder 108 may be a cylindrical depression of a diameter suitable for holding a glass, cup, or the like. The bottom surface, and the sides if desired, of the beverage holder 108 may include an insert of rubber or the like to provide more friction to a cup or glass such that the cup or glass does not slip or slide while in beverage holder 108, thereby assisting in avoiding spillage of a beverage. Other alternative structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the bottom and/or sides of beverage holder 108 may be coated with a material which increases the coefficient of friction, or the bottom and/or sides of beverage holder 108 may be formed with rough surfaces when the auto tray 100 is formed by injection molding.

Aperture 110 in sidewall 106 is preferably of sufficient size to accommodate a user's hand, and more specifically, the four fingers of a user's hand such that auto tray 100 may be easily grasped about a portion of sidewall 106 by inserting a portion of a hand into aperture 108. For example, aperture 110 may be about 3 to 6 inches in length and about 1 to 2 inches in width.

Disposed in a central location in the working surface 102 is a crumb tray 112. Crumb tray 112 is useful for receiving crumbs and other small food remains when auto tray 100 is used for eating. Crumb tray 112 extends below the working surface 102. Disposed about the perimeter of the crumb tray 112 is a groove 114. The edges of a cover 120 for the crumb tray 112 fit into groove 114 when cover 120 is placed over crumb tray 112. Cover 120 in its installed position over crumb tray 112 is shown in FIG. 3. A recess 116 in the perimeter of crumb tray 112 may be used for removing cover 120, as by inserting a finger into the recess 116 and lifting the underside of the cover 120 upwardly. As seen in FIG. 1, the underside of cover 120 may have a downwardly depending tab 122 to engage a portion of crumb tray 112 when cover 120 is installed thereover, thereby retaining cover 120 in its installed position.

Preferably, crumb tray 112 extends below the generally planar underside of working surface 102, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. For example, crumb tray 112 may extend from 0.25 inches to 2 or more inches below the underside of working surface 102. Thus, when auto tray 100 is in use, crumb tray 112 may be positioned between the user's thighs. In this position, crumb tray 112 assists in limiting any lateral movement of the auto tray which could result in spillage of any food or beverage on the auto tray. It will be further appreciated that the bottom portion of beverage holder 108 may also be extended to be disposed below the underside of working surface 102 to also assist in limiting lateral movement of the auto tray when the auto tray is positioned on a user's thighs.

If desired, auto tray 100 may also be equipped with frictional mats 202 and 203 may be applied to the underside of the auto tray with adhesives, such as on opposite sides of the crumb tray 112 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, frictional mats 202-203 may have a rubber-like surface for resting upon the user's thighs to assist in preventing undesired movement of the auto tray while in use. To this end, the surfaces of frictional mats 202-203 may be textured to increase the frictional effect. Alternatively, if desired, those areas covered by frictional mats 202-203 may be provided with a textured surface during the injection molding of auto tray 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper side of working surface 102 may also be provided with a plurality of frictional strips 302-307, if so desired. Strips 302-307 will then assist in preventing slippage of items on working surface 102, such as when the vehicle is acceleration, braking or turning. Alternatively, frictional strips 302-307 may be formed during the injection molding of the auto tray 100.

The auto tray 100 thus assists in preventing undesired spills, such as to the upholstery and/or carpeting of a vehicle. The higher sidewalls also assist in preventing any spills from reaching the upholstery or carpeting. The auto tray may be about 12 by 18 inches for an adult. Smaller versions may be made for children.

Of course, the auto tray is suitable for other uses or activities besides holding food items while the user is eating in the vehicle. For example, a user may find the auto tray convenient for resting a book while reading in the vehicle. Similarly, the user may find the auto tray convenient for use with hobbies while traveling, such as knitting, sorting photos, or the like. The auto tray also provides a convenient writing or working surface while traveling.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.

Claims

1. An automotive tray comprising:

a generally planar base with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front sidewall, a rear sidewall, a right sidewall and a left sidewall; and

portions of said bottom surface having a rough texture to provide frictional engagement when the tray is in use, thereby limiting movement of the tray.

2. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1, wherein the portions of said bottom surface having a rough texture comprise one or more frictional mats attached to the bottom surface of the automotive tray.

3. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of frictional strips disposed on the top surface of the automotive tray.

4. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 3 wherein said plurality of frictional strips extends partially between the right sidewall and the left sidewall.

5. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1,

said rear sidewall rising to a first height above the top surface of the generally planar base; and

said front sidewall rising to a second height above the top surface of the generally planar base, said second height being greater than said first height.

6. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second height is about two times the first height.

7. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a crumb tray disposed in a generally central location between the pair of side edges.

8. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 6, wherein the crumb tray is recessed below the top surface of the generally planar base, and a portion of the crumb tray extends below the bottom surface of the automotive tray.

9. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 8, wherein the portion of the crumb tray which extends below the bottom surface of the automotive tray assists in preventing lateral movement when the automotive tray is in use.

10. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 8 further comprising;

a groove disposed about a perimeter of the crumb tray adjacent to the top surface of the automotive tray; and

a cover with an edge, the edge of cover sized to fit into the groove to cover the crumb tray when the crumb tray is not in use.

11. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:

a recess defined in the groove to provide an area for removing the cover by pressing upwardly against an underside of the cover.

12. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a tab extending downwardly from said cover for engaging a portion of the crumb tray to retain the cover over the crumb tray.

13. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a generally cylindrical depression formed in the generally planar base for holding a beverage.

14. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 13 wherein the generally cylindrical depression is disposed adjacent to the front sidewall and one of the right or left sidewalls.

15. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an aperture through the generally planar base for grasping the automotive tray.

16. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 15 wherein the aperture is disposed along the right sidewall or the left sidewall.

17. The automotive tray in accordance with claim 15 wherein the aperture is about 3 to 6 inches in length and about 1 to 2 inches in width.