Adjustable tray assembly for a fixture, such as a tripod or other multi-legged device

• US 9,095,207 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2013
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel J. Schindler
• Original Assignee: Daniel J. Schindler
• Inventors: Schindler, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROHRHOFF, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US14/035,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20140144351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.11, 108/11, 108/12, 108/42, 108/151, 108/152, 248/150, 248/151, 248/152, 248/174
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 5/02 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/06 Serving trays service tables A47B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/245 Members limiting spreading of legs, e.g. "umbrella legs" for supports with three or more telescoping legs F16M11/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A tray assembly adapted to be removably connected to a fixture, e.g. a tripod, ladder, chair, a rigid fixture or other single or multi-legged device, the assembly including a tray adapted to support objects, a securing mechanism for operatively attaching the tray to the fixture and optionally a support leg for maintaining the tray at a desired position in relation to the fixture. Methods for securing a tray assembly to a fixture and using the assembly are disclosed.

Claims

1. A tray assembly for a device comprising a single or multi-legged device, or a rigid structure, the tray assembly comprising:

a tray having an upper surface, a lower surface, a back side, a front side, and two ends;

a securing mechanism including first and second attachment elements each comprising an adjustable length cord; and

wherein the tray includes a conformable fitting that can deform between the tray and a leg of the device and is adapted to accommodate the leg of the device, the conformable fitting comprising a resilient material, and a plurality of pockets adapted to accept a leg of the device, wherein the tray further includes i) an aperture and ii) a notch for each securing mechanism present, and wherein the first and second attachment elements are adapted for operatively connecting the tray to the single or multi-legged device, or a rigid structure whereby the tray is supported thereby, and wherein the first attachment element is operatively connectable to both the aperture and the notch in order to operatively connect the tray to the single or multi-legged device or a rigid structure.

2. The tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment elements are each adapted to be wrapped around the leg of the device and each form at least one complete loop in order to provide connection between the tray and the device.

3. The tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tray assembly further includes a support leg having a first end and a second end, with one of the ends in contact with the tray.

4. The tray assembly according to claim 3, wherein one of the ends of the support leg includes a tray mount or a projection enabling connection to the tray, wherein when the projection is present, the tray includes an additional aperture through which the projection can extend, and wherein the support leg is adjustably extendable in length.

5. The tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tray assembly further includes a support leg having a first end adapted to contact the lower surface of the tray and a second end including a clamp adapted to be connected to a different leg of the tripod or multi-legged device.

6. The tray assembly according to claim 5, wherein a third attachment element is present and has a first end operatively connected to the support leg and a second end adapted to be connected to a portion of the device located above the tray.

7. The tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pockets are located in the back side of the tray, and wherein the notch for each securing mechanism present is located in each end of the tray, and wherein each aperture is located inward from at least one of the pockets measured with respect to the ends of the tray.

8. The tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tray further includes a support leg having a first end and a second end, with one of the ends in contact with the tray.

9. A tray assembly that can be secured to a device comprising a single leg, tripod, multi-legged device or a rigid structure at a plurality of different vertical heights, the tray assembly comprising:

a tray comprising a major tray plane having an upper surface and a lower surface, the tray plane bounded by a back side, a front side and two ends, wherein the tray can be secured to the device such that the major tray plane is located at a plurality of different angles with respect to a vertical plane; and

a securing mechanism having at least two length-adjustable attachment elements for providing at least a minimum amount of tension to maintain the tray in a desired position in relation to the device, wherein each of the attachment elements of the securing mechanism is connected to the tray at different locations, each via at least one aperture and at least one notch of the tray and also adapted to contact the device, wherein each of the notches is located in an end of the tray and each of the apertures extends between the upper surface and lower surface of the tray and is located between the ends of the tray, and wherein each of the at least two attachment elements is adapted to be wrapped around a leg of the device and form at least one complete loop with one end of the attachment element connected to the tray aperture and another end connected to the tray notch in order to provide connection between the tray and the device.

10. The tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the back side of the tray includes a plurality of pockets adapted to accept a leg of the device.

11. The tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the tray assembly further includes a conformable fitting connected to the tray and having a high friction surface that can deform between the tray and a leg of the device.

12. The tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the tray assembly further includes a support leg having a first end and a second end, with one of the ends in contact with the tray.

13. The tray assembly according to claim 12, wherein one of the ends of the support leg includes a tray mount or a projection enabling connection to the tray, wherein when the projection is present, the tray includes an additional aperture through which the projection can extend, and wherein the support leg is adjustably extendable in length.

14. The tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the tray assembly further includes a support leg having a first end adapted to contact the lower surface of the tray and a second end including a clamp adapted to be connected to a leg of the device.

15. The tray assembly according to claim 14, wherein a third attachment element is present and has a first end operatively connected to the support leg and a second end adapted to be connected to a portion of the device located above the tray.

16. The tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the notch is a slot, has a L-shape, T-shape or is a curved notch.

17. A tray assembly for a device comprising a single or multi-legged device, or a rigid structure, the tray assembly comprising:

a tray having an upper surface, a lower surface, a back side, a front side, and two ends;

a securing mechanism including first and second attachment elements each comprising an adjustable length cord; and

wherein the tray includes one or more of a) a plurality of pockets adapted to accept a leg of the device and b) a conformable fitting adapted to accommodate a leg of the device, wherein the tray further includes one or more of i) an aperture and ii) a notch for each securing mechanism present, and wherein the first and second attachment elements are adapted for operatively connecting the tray to the tripod, multi-legged device, or a rigid structure whereby the tray is supported thereby, wherein the tray assembly further includes a support leg having a first end adapted to contact a lower surface of the tray and a second end including a clamp adapted to be connected to a leg of the single or multi-legged device, wherein a third attachment element is present and has a first end operatively connected to the support leg and a second end adapted to be connected to a portion of the device located above the tray.

18. The tray assembly according to claim 17, wherein the pockets are located in the back side of the tray, and wherein the notch for each securing mechanism present is located in each end of the tray, and wherein each aperture is located inward from at least one of the pockets measured with respect to the ends of the tray.