Pivotable utility table

• US 4,159,071 A
• Filed: 01/27/1978
• Issued: 06/26/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Enrique N. Roca
• Original Assignee: Hank Roca
• Inventors: Roca, Hank
• Primary Examiner(s): Frazier, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aschenbrenner, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US05/872,838
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 297/146, 297/194, 297/191, 297/163, 297/167, 297/284, 16/163, 108/42, 108/45, 296/37, 244/188 P, 244/122 R
• US Class Current: 297/163
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/70 of foldable type
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders

Abstract

An improved utility table mounted on the back of a reclinable seat, such as those found in commercial airplanes, for use by the passenger occupying a second seat immediately behind the first seat. The table top includes forward and rearward sections which fold onto each other. The utility table is removeably supported by arms which are pivotally attached to the back of the first seat. The rearward section is connected to the forward section by hinge means. When the rearward section is folded onto the forward section the table may then be used as a small table for holding drinks. Thereafter the folded table may be pivoted as a unit into the first seat back for storage.

Claims

1. In a vehicle utility table adapted for use on a substantially upright seat back with;

a substantially rectangular tray for use in a generally horizontal position and,

a connecting means moveably connecting said tray to a seat back for storage into said seat back when not in said ordinary horizontal use,

the improvement comprising;

a substantially rectangular forward tray section moveably connected to said connecting means for movement between a horizontal position and a storage position in said seat back,

a substantially rectangular rearward tray section pivotably positionable from a first generally horizontal position in the plane of said forward tray section to a second position foldable upon said forward tray section for increasing occupant seating space while using said utility table, and

a hinge means connecting said forward tray section to said rearward tray section, said hinge means having a notched forward portion vertically adjacent the outside rear of said forward tray section, a complementary notched rearward portion vertically adjacent the outside front of rearward tray section and a connecting link enclosed entirely within said forward and rearward portions during said first position to present a flat top surface.

2. A vehicle utility table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forward tray section and said rearward tray section includes:

a frame, said frame having a front member, a rear member and side members;

a generally flat supportive top portion covering said frame;

said frame members having a covering means on their outside surfaces, said covering means forming a bottom portion and side portions.

3. A vehicle utility table as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bottom portion of said rearward tray section is depressed into said rearward tray section forming a generally flat surface circumscribed by a wall like structure which assists in retaining objects on said surface when said rearward tray section is folded upon said forward tray.

4. A vehicle utility table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said notches on said forward and rearward hinge portions form adjacently disposed arcuate bearing surfaces to support said rearward tray section in said first horizontal position preventing said rearward tray from being displaced below the horizontal position.

5. A vehicle utility table as set forth in claim 4 wherein said forward and rearward hinge portions are pivotally connected by said connecting link, said connecting link being entirely enclosed within said forward and rearward hinge portions to form a flat top surface parallel with said top portion of said tray sections when positioned in said first position.

6. A vehicle utility table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forward tray section includes:

a first pair of fixed pins oppositely disposed on the outside side portions near the front of said side portions and slidably connected to an aperture in a pivotal arm of said connecting means, and

a second pair of fixed pins oppositely disposed parallel to said first pins, said second pins secured through apertures in a retaining arm pivotally connect to said pivotal arm of said connecting means by a snap on fastening means for quickly removing said utility table from said connecting means.