ATTACHABLE AND FOLDABLE MULTI-USE TABLE TRAY

Abstract

According to some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first tray portion and a second tray portion able to be configured with the first tray portion in an expanded tray configuration. Moreover, an attaching portion (e.g., a clamp) is coupled to at least one of the first and second tray portions and is adapted to be removably attached to a tabletop. Such an arrangement may help a person in a wheelchair utilize the tabletop even when the wheelchair is unable to fit under the tabletop.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/490,098 entitled “ATTACHABLE AND FOLDABLE MULTI-USE TABLE TRAY” and filed Mar. 14, 2023. The entire content of that application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

It can be difficult to access some tabletops when in a wheelchair. For example, an accessible table might have a surface height of no more than 34 inches and no less than 28 inches above the floor (with at least 27 inches of knee clearance provided between the floor and the underside of the table). However, in many cases (such as restaurants) wheelchair accessible tables might not be available. Some estimates suggest that only about 20% of restaurants provide wheelchair accessible tables.

If a table is not wheelchair accessible, such as when the wheelchair will not fit between the legs of the table, a person may need to eat to the side. Moreover, the person in the wheelchair may be placed at an uncomfortable distance from the tabletop. Such an arrangement can make it very difficult to access and utilize the surface of the table.

Systems and methods for improvements in access to tabletops would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means may provide ways to facilitate evaluation of enterprise data analyst training candidates. For example, an apparatus may include a first tray portion and a second tray portion able to be configured with the first tray portion in an expanded tray configuration. Moreover, an attaching portion (e.g., a clamp) may be coupled to at least one of the first and second tray portions and be adapted to be removably attached to a tabletop. Such an arrangement may help a person in a wheelchair utilize the tabletop even when the wheelchair is unable to fit under the tabletop.

Some embodiments provide a method for connecting an attaching portion, coupled to a first tray portion, to a tabletop wherein the attaching portion is adapted to be removably attached to the tabletop. A person may then configure a second tray portion, able to be configured with the first tray portion, in an expanded tray configuration.

With these and other advantages and features that will become hereinafter apparent, a more complete understanding of the nature of the invention can be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and to the drawings appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a folded table tray according to some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a folded table tray in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a table tray in an expanded configuration according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a table tray attached to a tabletop in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows an attaching portion according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a method in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6 through 8 show a table tray in use according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates some features of a table tray in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

Before the various exemplary embodiments are described in further detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like features of the systems and methods of the present invention. Accordingly, although certain descriptions may refer only to certain figures and reference numerals, it should be understood that such descriptions might be equally applicable to like reference numerals in other figures.

The present invention provides an attachable and foldable multi-use table tray. FIG. 1A is a side view of a folded table tray 100 according to some embodiments. The tray 100 includes a first portion 110 and a second portion 120. Moreover, the second tray portion is able to be configured with the first tray portion in an expanded tray configuration. For example, the first and second tray portions may be configurable by being foldable via at least one hinge 130. In some embodiments, the hinge 130 folds along an axis perpendicular to an edge of the tabletop. In other embodiments, the hinge 130 may fold along an axis that is parallel to the edge of the tabletop. Although a hinge 130 is used as an example, embodiment may utilize other ways of configuring the portions 110, 120 (e.g., the could be attached via magnets). FIG. 1B is a perspective view 102 of a folded table tray including the first and second portions 110, 120 and a pair of hinges 130 in accordance with some embodiments. By being foldable, the tray may be easy to carry, fit within a backpack or other travel case, etc.

According to some embodiments, an attaching portion 140 is coupled to at least one of the first and second tray portions. The attaching portion 140 is adapted to be removably attached to a tabletop.

FIG. 2 shows a table tray 100 in an expanded configuration according to some embodiments. Here, the table is expanded by having the first and second portions 120 unfolded via the hinge 130. FIG. 3 shows 300 a table tray 100 attached to a tabletop 310 via an attaching portion in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the hinge 130 folds along an axis perpendicular to an edge 312 of the tabletop 310. In other embodiments, the hinge 130 may fold along an axis that is parallel to the edge 312 of the tabletop 310. According to some embodiments, the attaching portion comprises a clamp. For example, FIG. 4 shows 400 an attaching portion 440 as an adjustable clamp attached to a portion 420 of a table tray according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a method in accordance with some embodiments. At S510, a person may connect an attaching portion (coupled to a first or second tray portion) to a tabletop. The attaching portion is adapted to be removably attached to the tabletop. At S520, the person may configure a second tray portion, able to be configured with the first tray portion, in an expanded tray configuration. FIGS. 6 through 8 show a table tray in use according to some embodiments. In particular, FIG. 6 shows 600 the tray 100 when it is folded and FIG. 7 shows 700 the tray 100 when it is expanded. FIG. 8 also shows 800 the tray 100 when it is expanded and attached to a tabletop 840.

FIG. 9 illustrates 900 some features of a table tray in accordance with some embodiments. The tray 910 folds left over right to adjust between “dinner mode” (an expanded configuration) and a “recreation mode.” A connecting portion and a swivel lock (to prevent unintended motion of the tray) may be provided on the underside 920 of the tray 910. Moreover, an adjustable magnet piece for a table raise 930 may be provided for the clamp 940 (to support the tray 910 when a tabletop has a raised lip along the edge) along with padding to protect the tabletop. A surface 912 of the tray 910 might be made of wood, rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material.

Thus, embodiments may provide a portable tray that helps bridge the distance from a wheelchair to a surface of the table. This lets a person eat comfortably without having to lean forward (which can cause back pain).

Although specific hardware has been described herein, note that any number of other devices may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first tray portion;

a second tray portion able to be configured with the first tray portion in an expanded tray configuration; and

an attaching portion, coupled to at least one of the first and second tray portions, adapted to be removably attached to a tabletop.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second tray portions are configurable by being foldable via at least one hinge.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hinge folds along an axis that is: (i) perpendicular to an edge of the tabletop, or (ii) parallel to the edge of the tabletop.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attaching portion comprises a clamp.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a swivel lock to prevent unintended motion of the tray.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustable magnet piece for a table raise.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

padding to protect the tabletop.

8. A method, comprising:

connecting an attaching portion, coupled to a first or second tray portion, to a tabletop wherein the attaching portion is adapted to be removably attached to the tabletop; and

configuring the second tray portion, able to be configured with the first tray portion, in an expanded tray configuration.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second tray portions are configurable by being foldable via at least one hinge.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hinge folds along an axis that is: (i) perpendicular to an edge of the tabletop, or (ii) parallel to the edge of the tabletop.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the attaching portion comprises a clamp.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

utilizing a swivel lock to prevent unintended motion of the tray.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

utilizing an adjustable magnet piece for a table raise.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

utilizing padding to protect the tabletop.