Electronic device support for vehicles

• US 10,150,395 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2017
• Issued: 12/11/2018
• 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:
  US15/644,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20170305321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 108 44, 108 43, 108 45, 108 42, 108152, 108 1, 108 8, 108 9, 108 5001, 108 25, 108 26, 297146, 297163, 297170, 297173, 29718804
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• 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 3/004 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 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 a collapsible cavity that accepts one or more portable electronic devices. The cavity is collapsible to help secure a portable electronic device therein or for storage purposes. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. A passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned.

Claims

1. A tray table for supporting a planar portable electronic device in a vehicle comprising:

a body having a planar shape;

a fixed wall formed by a back end of the body;

a sliding wall proximate the back end of the body, wherein the sliding wall slides from a first position where the sliding wall engages the fixed wall to a second position where the first wall is away from the fixed wall, wherein a cavity is formed between the fixed wall and the sliding wall for receiving the planar portable electronic device when the sliding wall is in the second position;

a bottom between the fixed wall and the sliding wall that engages an edge of the planar portable electronic device when the planar portable electronic device is received in the cavity; and

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

2. The tray table of claim 1 further comprising a biasing device attached to the sliding wall.

3. A support for holding a planar portable electronic device in a vehicle comprising:

a body having a front end and a back end;

a collapsible cavity for receiving the planar portable electronic device, the collapsible cavity comprising a fixed wall and a sliding wall; and

a bottom between the fixed wall and the sliding wall that engages an edge of the planar portable electronic device when the planar portable electronic device is received in the collapsible cavity;

wherein the fixed wall is formed by the back end of the body;

wherein the sliding wall is slideably attached proximate the back end of the body and slides from a first position where the sliding wall engages the fixed wall to a second position where the first wall is away from the fixed wall.

4. The tray table of claim 3 further comprising a biasing device attached to the sliding wall.