Tray table with rotatable inner tray

• US 9,409,647 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2015
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• 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:
  US14/878,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20160023766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 306 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 comprising a rotating section, the rotating section rotatably mounted to the body by one or more rotating mounts, wherein the rotating section rotates at least between a first position and a second position relative to the body;

one or more channels secured to the rotating section, the one or more channels dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a portable electronic device; and

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

2. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising an induction charger at the rotating section.

3. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising one or more electrical ports within at least one of the one or more channels.

4. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising one or more communication ports within at least one of the one or more channels.

5. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a wireless payment accessory device.

6. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a sensing device that detects the presence of the portable electronic device.

7. A tray table for a vehicle comprising:

a body comprising one or more rotatable sections;

one or more rotating mounts that rotatably attach the one or more rotatable sections to the body; and

one or more channels secured to the one or more rotatable sections, the one or more channels dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a portable electronic device;

wherein the body is dimensioned to fit within the vehicle.

8. The tray table of claim 7 further comprising an induction charger at the rotating section.

9. The tray table of claim 7 further comprising one or more electrical ports within at least one of the one or more channels.

10. The tray table of claim 7 further comprising one or more communication ports within at least one of the one or more channels.

11. The tray table of claim 7 further comprising a wireless payment accessory device at the body.

12. The tray table of claim 7 further comprising a sensing device that detects the presence of the portable electronic device.

13. A method for supporting a portable electronic device in a vehicle comprising:

providing a tray table comprising a body and a rotatable section;

rotatably attaching the rotatable section to the body with one or more rotatable mounts;

securing one or more channels to the rotatable section, the one or more channels dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device; and

providing one or more mounts that secure the tray table to a portion of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing an inductive charger at the rotatable section.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing a wireless payment accessory device at the tray table.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing a sensing device that detects the presence of the portable electronic device.