Tray for foldable chairs

• US 8,991,915 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stanley Mittelsted
• Original Assignee: Stanley Mittelsted
• Inventors: Mittelsted, Stanley
• Primary Examiner(s): ING, MATTHEW W
• Application Number:
  US13/719,911
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 297/16.2, 297/135, 297/144, 297/188.12, 297/188.2, 108/44, 108/45
• US Class Current: 297/188.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/70 of foldable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/705 of detachable type

Abstract

A utility tray apparatus is provided which is attachable to lightweight foldable chairs. The chairs generally consist of tubular frames with fabric seat and backrests. The utility tray apparatus has a body portion and a tray portion. The body portion has two channels formed therein. The channels are suitable for receipt of the tubular leg members of the chair. The channels are tapered such that an interference fit is achieved when the diameter of the tubular leg member matches the width of the respective channel. An attachment member may be provided which fits within the channels of the body portion. The attachment member having a clamp on the bottom thereof suitable for clamping to a square or circular tubular member, such as a rail on a deer stand.

Claims

1. An apparatus attachable to a folding chair, the apparatus comprising:

a tray;

a body portion affixed to said tray, said body portion having a first end and a second end;

a first channel formed in said body portion, said first channel opening to said first end of said body portion and extending toward a center of said body portion, said first channel having a width decreasing from said first end of said body portion toward said center of said body portion; and

a second channel formed in said body portion, said second channel opening to said second end of said body portion and extending toward said center of said body portion, said second channel having a width decreasing from said second end of said body portion toward said center of said body portion, each of said first channel and said second channel comprising;

a first face extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body portion; and

a second face opposite said first face, said second face extending at an acute angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said body portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said first face of said first channel being in alignment with said first face of said second channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the folding chair having a first tubular leg and a second tubular leg in a crossed configuration, said first channel suitable for interference fit with the first tubular leg of the folding chair, said second channel suitable for interference fit with the second tubular leg of the folding chair.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, said second face of said first channel having an angular step defining a first width and a second width between said first face of said first channel and said second face of said first channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, said second face of said second channel having an angular step defining a first width and a second width between said first face of said second channel and said second face of said second channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cantilever member affixed to and extending outwardly from said body portion, said cantilever member being affixed to or formed with said tray.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, said first channel having an abutment surface opposite said first end of said body portion, said second channel having an abutment surface opposite said second end of said body portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, said first and second channels in combination defining a female portion, the apparatus further comprising:

a male portion engageable with said female portion, said male portion having a clamping means for clamping said male portion to a surface thereunder.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a folding chair having a first tubular leg and a second tubular leg in a crossed configuration;

a body portion having a first end and a second end;

a first channel formed in said body portion, said first channel opening to said first end of said body portion and extending toward a center of said body portion, said first channel having a width decreasing from said first end of said body portion toward said center of said body portion, said first channel suitable for interference fit with said first tubular leg of said folding chair; and

a second channel formed in said body portion, said second channel opening to said second end of said body portion and extending toward said center of said body portion, said second channel having a width decreasing from said second end of said body portion toward said center of said body portion, said second channel suitable for interference fit with said second tubular leg of said folding chair, said first channel and said second channel each having a stepped configuration.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a tray affixed to said body portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, said first channel having an abutment surface opposite said first end of said body portion, said second channel having an abutment surface opposite said second end of said body portion.

12. A tray table attachable to a folding chair and other items, the tray table comprising:

a tray;

a body portion affixed to said tray, said body portion having a first end and a second end;

a first channel formed in said body portion, said first channel opening to said first end of said body portion and extending toward said center of said body portion, said first channel having a width decreasing from said first end of said body portion toward said center of said body portion; and

a second channel formed in said body portion, said second channel opening to said second end of said body portion and extending toward said center of said body portion, said second channel having a width decreasing from said second end of said body portion toward said center of said body portion;

a male member engageable within said first channel and said second channel, said male portion having a clamping means for clamping said male portion to a surface thereunder.

13. The tray table of claim 12, each of said first channel and said second channel comprising:

a first face extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body portion; and

a second face opposite said first face, said second face extending at an acute angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said body portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, said first face of said first channel being in alignment with said first face of said second channel.

15. The tray table of claim 12, the folding chair having a first tubular leg and a second tubular leg in a crossed configuration, said first channel suitable for interference fit with the first tubular leg of the folding chair, said second channel suitable for interference fit with the second tubular leg of the folding chair.

16. The tray table of claim 15, said second face of said first channel having an angular step defining a first width and a second width between said first face of said first channel and said second face of said first channel.

17. The tray table of claim 15, said second face of said second channel having an angular step defining a first width and a second width between said first face of said second channel and said second face of said second channel.

18. The tray table of claim 12, said clamping means for clamping the tray table to a square or circular tubular member.