Backseat butler drink holder

• US 5,678,741 A
• Filed: 02/08/1996
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: August Fredrick Schieber
• Original Assignee: August Fredrick Schieber
• Inventors: Schieber, August Fredrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory M.
• Application Number:
  US08/598,665
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 224/275, 224/926, 224/270, D 2/419, D 2/420, D 2/400, D 2/415, D 2/416, D 2/425, 108/44, 108/45, 108/46, 108/43, 248/311.2
• US Class Current: 224/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/926 Vehicle attached carrier for beverage container or bottle

Abstract

A folding appliance that attaches to seat backs in automobiles and other vehicles that includes a tray for holding drink containers, a support rod that mounts to the seat back and a cup support rod that mounts to the bottom of the tray. The tray is latched and secured to the support rod with latches molded into the tray body which secures the tray in the storage/vertical position. The tray is located in the usary/horizontal position by a tray stop that is also molded into the tray body. The cup support rod swings into the cavity of the tray bottom when in the storage position and positions itself under the tray when the tray is in the usary position.

Claims

1. A tray device for use in a vehicle, said device comprising:

a substantially U-shaped support having opposing end portions and an intermediate portion adapted to be mounted to a headrest;

a substantially planar tray having means to receive at least one drink container and having opposing ends and opposing longitudinal sides extending substantially transverse to said ends, said ends each having opposing proximal and distal ends;

said tray further having a ramp latch integrally formed with at least one of said opposing ends at said distal end thereof and a stop integrally formed with at least one of said opposing ends at said proximal end thereof,

said end portions respectively connected to said opposing ends intermediate said proximal and distal ends such that said tray may pivot thereabout between a first substantially vertical position wherein an adjacent one of said end portions is resiliently received in said at least one ramp latch and a second substantially horizontal position wherein said at least one stop abuts an adjacent one of said end portions to prevent pivotal movement there beyond.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said means to receive at least one drink container comprises at least one through hole extending through said tray.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said tray further comprising a container support in connection with an undersurface of said tray which provides support for a container received in said at least one through hole.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said container support is pivotally connected to said tray such that when said tray is in said first position, said container support pivots to a non-use position closely adjacent said tray and when said tray is in said second position, said container support pivots to a use position under said at least one through hole to provide support for a container mounted therein.