Tray table with electronic device support for vehicles

• US 9,623,971 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2015
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• 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:
  US14/877,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20160023618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 108 44, 108 42, 108152, 108 1, 108 8, 108 9, 108 5001, 108 24, 108 25, 108 26, 297146, 297163, 297170, 297173, 29718804
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/00 Bed-tables; Trays; Reading-racks; Book-rests, i.e. items used in combination with something else
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• 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 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A support for portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort. The support may comprise an elongated cavity or slot configured to accept one or more portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. In some embodiments, the support may be rotatable. In this manner, a passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned. Likewise, an operator or the like may rotate the support for cleaning or other maintenance.

Claims

1. A tray table for a holding a portable electronic device at a vehicle seat comprising:

a planar body comprising a front end and a back end;

a recess in the planar body comprising a front wall and a back wall and dimensioned to receive only an edge of the portable electronic device, wherein the front wall and the back wall are slanted toward the back end; and

one or more support arms comprising a first end attached to the body and a second end that attaches to the vehicle seat.

2. The support of claim 1 further comprising one or more openings at a bottom of the recess that extend through the planar body, wherein contaminants that enter the one or more openings fall through the one or more openings and completely exit the tray table thereafter.

3. The support of claim 1, wherein the one or more support arms comprise a pivoting joint between the first end and the second end.

4. The support of claim 1 further comprising a wireless battery charging terminal at the body.

5. The support of claim 1 further comprising a short range wireless communication antenna at the body.

6. A tray table for holding a portable electronic device at a vehicle seat comprising:

a body having a top and a bottom;

a recess in the top of the body comprising a front wall and a back wall and dimensioned to receive only an edge of the portable electronic device, wherein the back wall is slanted; and

one or more mounting points at which the tray table is attached to a portion of the vehicle seat.

7. The support of claim 6 further comprising one or more openings at a bottom of the recess that extend through the body, wherein contaminants that enter the one or more openings fall through the one or more openings and completely exit the tray table thereafter.

8. The support of claim 6 further comprising a wireless battery charging terminal at the body.

9. The support of claim 6 further comprising a short range wireless communication antenna at the body.

10. A tray table for holding a portable electronic device at a vehicle seat comprising:

a body comprising a front end and a back end;

a recess in the body comprising a front wall and a back wall and dimensioned to receive only an edge of the portable electronic device, wherein the back wall is slanted toward the back end; and

one or more rotating mounts comprising a first portion attached to the body, and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion that attaches to the vehicle seat.

11. The support of claim 10 further comprising one or more openings at a bottom of the recess that extend through the body, wherein contaminants that enter the one or more openings fall through the one or more openings and completely exit the tray table thereafter.

12. The support of claim 10 further comprising a wireless battery charging terminal at the body.

13. The support of claim 10 further comprising a short range wireless communication antenna at the body.