Tray table with rotatable inner tray and adjustable retention assembly

• US 9,403,596 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2015
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• 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:
  US14/887,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20160039525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 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, 361/690.01, 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 11/0624 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 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A tray table that facilitates consumption of entertainment and various other media via a electronic device is disclosed herein. The tray table includes an inner tray secures the electronic device for use. One or more channels at the inner tray receive at least a first portion of the electronic device, while a movable stop helps ensure the electronic device is secured to the inner tray. 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 configured to receive an electronic device to secure the electronic device to the inner tray;

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

a stop configured to hold the electronic device in at least one of the one or more channels; and

a guide at the inner tray, wherein the stop is movably mounted to the inner tray via the guide.

2. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a biasing mechanism having a first end and a second end, wherein the biasing mechanism is attached to the stop at the first end and attached to the body at the second end.

3. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism that engages the stop to hold the stop in position.

4. The tray table of claim 1, wherein the open portion is covered at a top side of the body.

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

6. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a port within at least one of the one or more channels configured to connect to the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the one or more channels.

7. The tray table of claim 6 wherein the port is configured to provide power, data, or both to the electronic device.

8. A tray table for a passenger seat comprising:

a body having a top side and a bottom side;

an inner tray comprising one or more channels configured to receive one or more first portions of an electronic device to secure the electronic device to the inner tray;

an open portion in the body configured to receive the inner tray;

one or more rotating mounts configured to 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

a movable stop movably mounted to the inner tray.

9. The tray table of claim 8, wherein the movable stop includes a channel.

10. The tray table of claim 8 further comprising a biasing mechanism comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the biasing mechanism is connected to the stop at the first end and connected to the body at the second end.

11. The tray table of claim 8 further comprising a locking mechanism that engages the stop to hold the stop in position.

12. The tray table of claim 8, wherein the open portion is covered at the top side of the body.

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 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 configured to connect to the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the one or more channels.

16. A method for securing a 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 configured to receive at least a first portion of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device is secured to the inner tray by the one or more channels when at least the first portion is received in the one or more channels;

providing a movable stop movably mounted to the rotatable inner tray; 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 attaching a first end of a biasing mechanism to the stop, and attaching a second end of the biasing mechanism to the body.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a locking mechanism that engages the movable stop to hold the movable stop in a position.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising enclosing the open portion at a top side of the tray table to form a continuous top surface at the top side of the tray table.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the stop is formed into a channel.