Tray table with rotatable inner tray

• US 9,167,905 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2014
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smarttray International, LLC
• Original Assignee: Smarttray International, LLC
• Inventors: Pajic, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US14/479,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20140373758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 297/135, 297/146, 297/163, 108/42, 108/44, 108/45, 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/152, 320/108, 361/679.01, 361/679.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0605 including tables or desks
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A tray table that facilitates consumption of entertainment and various other media via a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The tray table includes an inner tray secures the portable electronic device for hands free operation. One or more channels at the inner tray receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device. The inner tray is capable of rotating between an open and closed position, while the tray table itself may rotate between a stowed and service position.

Claims

1. A tray table for a passenger seat comprising:

a body;

an inner tray comprising one or more channels dimensioned to receive a portable electronic device;

an open portion in the body, wherein the inner tray is rotatably mounted in the open portion and connected to the body via one or more rotating mounts; and

one or more mounts that secure the body to the passenger seat.

2. The tray table of claim 1, wherein the one or more channels comprise openings to allow dirt and debris to exit the one or more channels therethrough.

3. The tray table of claim 1, wherein the inner tray includes a transparent cover.

4. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the portable electronic device at the inner tray.

5. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a port within at least one of the one or more channels that connects to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the one or more channels.

6. The tray table of claim 5 wherein the port provides power to the portable electronic device.

7. The tray table of claim 5, wherein the port provides data to the portable electronic device.

8. A tray table for a passenger seat comprising:

a body;

an inner tray comprising one or more channels dimensioned to receive a portable electronic device;

an open portion in the body;

one or more rotating mounts that rotatably mount the inner tray within the open portion, wherein the inner tray is rotatable between an open position and a closed position via the one or more rotating mounts; and

one or more mounts that secure the body to the passenger seat.

9. The tray table of claim 8, wherein a back panel of the inner tray is coplanar with a top surface of the body when the inner tray is in the closed position.

10. The tray table of claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device is visible through the open portion when the inner tray is in the closed position.

11. The tray table of claim 8, wherein the one or more channels comprise openings to allow dirt and debris to exit the one or more channels therethrough.

12. The tray table of claim 8, wherein the inner tray includes a transparent cover.

13. The tray table of claim 8, wherein the one or more mounts movably secure the body to the passenger seat such that the body is movable between a stowed position and a service position relative to the passenger seat.

14. The tray table of claim 8 further comprising a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the portable electronic device at the inner tray.

15. The tray table of claim 8 further comprising a port within at least one of the one or more channels that connects to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is received in the one or more channels.

16. A method for securing a portable electronic device at a passenger seat with a tray table comprising:

providing a tray table having an open portion and a rotatable inner tray mounted therein via one or more rotating mounts;

providing one or more channels at the rotatable inner tray, the one or more channels dimensioned to receive at least an edge of a portable electronic device; and

providing one or more mounts at the tray table to secure the tray table to the passenger seat.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising forming one or more openings in the one or more channels to allow dirt and debris to exit the one or more channels therethrough.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner tray is rotatable between an open position and a closed position.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising transmitting a notification from a communication device of the tray table when the portable electronic device is removed from the inner tray.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising charging the portable electronic device via a port of the tray table, the port being located in one of the one or more channels.