Folding lawn chair tray

• US 5,038,451 A
• Filed: 11/21/1989
• Issued: 08/13/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clyde D. Smith
• Original Assignee: Clyde D. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Clyde D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US07/439,823
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 297/153, 297/154, 297/194, 297/148-151, 29/429, 29/434
• US Class Current: 29/434
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/04 Folding chairs with inflexible seats
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/624 located on side of seat, e.g. on armrest
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/68 Arm-rest tables ; or back-rest tables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A tray attaches to both arms of a folding lawn chair. In the unfolded position the tray is horizontal and the back portion of the tray is toward the back panels of the chair. In the folded position the tray is vertical and the back portion of the tray is toward the front of the arm. In the folded position the tray latches the chair in the folded position and the tray must be removed to unfold the chair. The tray has button knobs on the bottom surface of the back portion which attach into keyhole slots in the top of the arms.

Claims

1. A method of attaching a tray to a folding arm chair, said arm chair having:

a. a back panel,

b. a pair of arms each having a top, bottom, front and back, one on each side of the chair, so arranged and constructed that when the chair is in the unfolded position the arms are in a horizontal orientation extending away from the back and when the chair is in a folded position the arms are aligned with the back panel,

said tray having;

c. a forward edge, two side edges, a back portion, top surface, and a bottom surface,

d. attachment means on the bottom surface near each side edge of the back portion thereof;

wherein the improved method of attaching the tray to the chair in an eating position and a storing position comprises;

e. attaching the tray in the eating position to the unfolded chair at the top of the arms near the front thereof with the front of the tray extending forward of the arms,

f. detaching the tray, then

g. folding the chair, and then

h. attaching the tray in the storing position at the top of the arms behind the back panel of the chair with the front of the tray toward the back of the arms, thus

i. locking the chair to prevent the unfolding of the chair.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising said attaching step comprising:

j. inserting button knobs on the bottom side of the tray on each side near the back thereof into a keyhole slot cut into the top of the arms,

k. said keyhole slot having a narrow slot portion behind an enlarged insertion portion thereof.

3. A method of attaching a tray to a folding arm chair, said arm chair having:

a. a horizontal oriented seat panel having a front and back,

b. a vertical oriented back panel having a top and bottom hinged at the bottom to the back of the seat panel,

c. a pair of arms each having a top, bottom, front, and back, one on each side of the chair, each of the arms hinged at the back of the arm to the back panel near the bottom thereof,

d. a pair of front legs having a top and bottom one on each side of the chair,

i. each front leg hinged at its top to the front of an arm,

ii. each front leg hinged near its top to the seat near the front of the seat, and

e. a pair of back legs having a top and a bottom, one on each side of the chair, each back leg hinged at its top to an arm between the front and back;

f. so that when the arm chair is folded the arms are aligned with the back panel,

said tray having;

g. a forward edge, two side edges, a back portion, top surface, and a bottom surface,

h. attachment means on the bottom surface near each side edge near the back portion thereof;

wherein the improved method of attaching the tray to the chair in an eating position and a storing position comprises the following steps;

j. attaching the tray in the eating position to the unfolded chair at the top of the arms near the front thereof with the front of the tray extending forward of the arms,

k. detaching the tray, then

l. folding the chair, and then

m. attaching the tray in the storing position at the top of the arms behind the back panel of the chair with the front of the tray toward the back of the arms, thereby

mm. locking the chair to prevent the unfolding of the chair.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 further comprising said attaching step comprising:

n. inserting button knobs on the bottom side of the tray on each side near the back thereof into a keyhole slot cut into the top of the arms,

o. said keyhole slot having a narrow slot portion behind an enlarged insertion portion thereof.