Writing platform supportable by a cupholder and method of use

• US 7,198,327 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moving iMage Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Caddy Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Bergin, Peter W. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer; Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US11/092,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20060249999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 248/311.2, 297/160, 297/153, 297/135, 297/145, 297/188.18, 297/188.2, 297/170, 108/26
• US Class Current: 297/188.18
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/624 located on side of seat, e.g. on armrest
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/70 of foldable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/705 of detachable type

Abstract

A desk tray for positioning within a cupholder of an arm rest where the tray includes a substantially flat upper surface having a receptacle extending downwardly therefrom. The receptacle is positioned within the cupholder such that the arm rest provides support to the substantially flat upper surface where the flat upper surface supports a book, a laptop computer or a notepad for a person attending a class or a seminar.

Claims

1. A desk tray supportable on an arm rest cupholder comprising:

a generally continuous flat upper surface extending between and having a perimeter defined by two opposing edges and a forward edge extending between the two opposing edges and being sufficiently large to effectively take notes;

a receptacle extending from the generally flat upper surface for positioning within the arm rest cupholder wherein the receptacle is rotatable within the arm rest cupholder such that the generally flat continuous surface is positionable to support a laptop computer, a book or a note pad in a selected position and the continuous flat surface being free of raised areas between the two opposing edges and the forward edge;

a generally flat back surface area contiguous with the generally flat upper surface for resting a forearm; and

a lip extending along the perimeter, the lip having terminal ends spaced apart at the back surface area.

2. The desk tray of claim 1 and wherein the generally flat upper surface comprises a generally rectangular configuration with an arcuate cut out portion for providing space for a person seated in a seat having the arm rest.

3. The desk tray of claim 1 and further comprising downward extending side walls about the perimeter of the generally flat top surface.

4. The desk tray of claim 1 and further comprising a side wall extending about a perimeter of the substantially flat upper surface and wherein the receptacle comprises a shoulder about an exterior surface of the receptacle wherein the shoulder is substantially even with a bottom edge of the side wall.

5. The tray of claim 4 and wherein the side wall about the perimeter of the generally flat upper surface provide rigidity to the generally flat upper surface.

6. The desk tray of claim 1 and wherein the desk tray is configured to receive a substantially identical desk tray in a nested arrangement.

7. The desk tray of claim 1 and wherein the generally flat upper surface and the receptacle are constructed from an injection molded plastic.

8. The tray of claim 1 and wherein the receptacle is rotatable 360°

within the cupholder of the arm rest.

9. A method of converting a theater or auditorium having seats with arm rest cupholders into a classroom or seminar room comprising:

providing a plurality of portable desk trays having a substantially flat continuous top surface the flat top surface extending between and having a perimeter defined by two opposing edges and a forward edge extending between the two opposing edges and being sufficiently large to effectively take notes and the continuous flat surface being free of raised areas between the two opposing edges and the forward edge and a receptacle extending downwardly therefrom, a generally flat back surface area continguous with the generally flat upper surface and a lip extending along the perimeter, the lip having terminal ends at the back surface; and

inserting the receptacle into the cupholder such that the arm rest supports the portable desk tray such that books, notepad or a laptop computer are supportable on the substantially flat surface and the back surface area being positioned for accepting a forearm.

10. The method of claim 9 and further comprising rotating the receptacle within the cupholder to position the substantially flat continuous top surface in a selected position.

11. The method of claim 9 and further comprising removing the receptacle from the cupholder at the end of the class or seminar such that the theater or auditorium can be utilized for another purpose.

12. The method of claim 11 and further comprising stacking the desk trays in a nested fashion one on top of another by inserting a receptacle of one desk tray into a receptacle of another desk tray.