Foldable Embeddable Lap Tray
A foldable, collapsible lap tray or desk, with or without a cup holder, that can be embedded in a stuffed toy, backpack, or other portable flexible material. The tray is deployable by unlatching the stuffed toy, backpack, or flexible material which allows the tray or desk to unfold. The tray or desk is made of sturdy enough material to support playing, reading, writing, eating, or other activities related to sitting. The tray or desk can then be folded and secured for ease of transport. The tray is usually rectangular but can be styled in any shape desired.
This application claims priority to, provisional patent 62/317,866 filed on 4 Apr. 2016 entitled “Foldable lap tray” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,284 B2 November 2013 Matthews et al . . . 5/639
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates in general to a portable tray or desk, and more particularly to a portable tray or desk that is foldable, and embedded in a stuffed toy, backpack, or other portable, flexible material.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONTraditionally traveling with children has been challenging. In particular, it has been challenging to carry their toys and food and keep them occupied for long periods of time while sitting in a car, plane, train, bus or other confined area. There are several products that help with those problems; backpacks that carry toys, lap trays that allow for play and eating, pillows for sleeping. But currently there are none that allow the child to carry their own toys, books, pillow, blanket, food, and foldable lap tray together in a soft toy, backpack, or other portable, flexible material.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThis invention provides a foldable lap tray or desk that can easily be embedded in a soft toy, backpack, or other flexible material for transport and use. The tray folds in as the soft toy, backpack or other flexible material is closed and secured with a fastener and provides an additional storage area for toys. When opened, it provides a solid work, play, and eating area that is indented to prevent toys, books, food and other items from falling off.
The foldable lap tray or desk can be removed for easy cleaning, and replaced with other similarly designed tray or desk of the same size and shape; for example, but not limited to, game boards, magnetic trays, or dry erase boards,. The soft toy, backpack, or other flexible material can then be washed.
Regarding the preferred embodiment of the foldable tray 12 in
The foldable tray 12 in
In
Once the desired shape and size have been stabilized it can then be embedded in, but not limited to, a stuffed toy as seen in
The foldable tray 12 in
In
When embedding the foldable tray 12 in a stuffed toy backpack it is also possible to create a deep pouch 20 to carry food, toys, books or other small items to be used on the foldable travel tray, as illustrated in
The foldable tray 12 in
While a detailed description of the invention is presented, it is not intended to be limiting in scope as anyone with ordinary skill in the relevant art of this invention will recognize. A variety of equivalent changes are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
Claims
1. A foldable lap tray or desk with or without a cup or accessory holder, that bends into itself.
2. The foldable lap tray or desk mentioned in claim 1 can then be embedded in, but not limited to a stuffed toy, stuffed toy backpack, or non-stuffed backpack, and secured in a closed position for portability.
3. The foldable embedded lap tray or desk can be removed and used independently or be replaced.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2017
Inventor: Marni Alisa Peters (Gastonia, NC)
Application Number: 15/478,316