This disclosure is directed to a tray, and particularly a tray mounted in an automotive vehicle. The disclosure finds particular application in a vehicle where first and second front seats are disposed in a spaced, side-by-side orientation and that may or may not include a console disposed between the front seats. However, the disclosure may find application in related environments and uses that are faced with similar difficulties and constraints.
It is common to provide storage areas and cupholders in automotive vehicles. For example, multiple cupholders are desired by vehicle occupants. A common location to incorporate the cupholders is on a center tray or console disposed between the front seats. Unfortunately, the remaining tray space is insufficient for all of the items that many drivers today require to be close by. For example, tray space is required for food, mobile phones, portable navigation systems, music devices, et
In other instances, some vehicles include a center console that has a large armrest. The large armrest is incapable of holding items on its top surface. As a result, many vehicle users store items on the cushion surface of the adjacent seat. However, the seat cushion or seat portion of the adjacent seat is typically sloped and/or presents a large, wide open area. Items can slide off the seat to the floor or slide across the seat cushion and, as a result, the items can slide out of convenient reach for the driver, or may even slide off of the seat portion of the adjacent front seat. As a result, the items occasionally slide off the seat cushion of the adjacent seat and become lost between the door lining and the seat.
Still further, when the driver uses the adjacent front seat as a storage surface, the seat fabric is exposed to food items. Since the items are not secured from sliding, this raises the potential that food can spill onto the seat fabric and result in staining.
Consequently, a need exists for an improved tray assembly that provides additional and organized tray space for items that now are commonly stored in the vehicles. It is also desired that the tray can be neatly stored out of the way when not in use so that the adjacent front seat can be used by a passenger. Preferably, storage of the tray is easily accomplished and presents an aesthetically desirable look to the vehicle interior.
A tray assembly for an associated automotive vehicle having first and second side-by-side seats is provided. The tray assembly includes a tray portion mounted between the first and second side-by-side seats. A mounting assembly receives the tray portion for movement between a first, storage position located substantially below the seat portion of the second seat and a second, deployed or in-use position where at least a portion of the tray portion is configured to rest on the seat portion of the second seat.
The first and second positions of the tray portion are substantially perpendicular to one another.
The mounting assembly is positioned along a vertically extending face of a center console interposed between the first and second seats.
The mounting assembly includes a recess formed in a sidewall of a console interposed between the first and second seats, and the recess has a depth that closely approximates a thickness of the tray.
The mounting assembly includes a recess formed in a sidewall of the seat or console. The recess has a depth that closely approximates a thickness of the tray and at least one vertically extending edge of the recess includes a channel or slot dimensioned to receive a projection extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of the tray and allowing selective sliding movement relative to the channel so that the tray can be moved between the first and second positions.
A primary benefit is the provision of a tray assembly that increases the amount of free space to accommodate an increased number of items.
Another advantage resides in the ability to support the items in a manner that the items do not slide off the seat.
Yet another benefit is the ability to conveniently stow the tray portion in an aesthetically pleasing manner when not in use.
Still other benefits and advantages may be found upon reading and understanding the following detailed description
Turning initially to
A second or upper tray portion 130 is mounted to the first tray portion 110 for selective movement relative thereto. In this illustrated arrangement, a hinge 132 is advantageously provided along one edge to attach together the first and second tray portions 110, 130. When disposed in a first or storage position (shown in broken line in
However, when the second tray portion 130 is pivoted approximately 180 degrees about the hinge 132 from its storage position to a deployed position, at least part of the second tray portion is at least partially received on the seat portion of the adjacent front seat 104. That is, one edge of the second tray portion 130 is supported by the first tray portion 110 via the hinge 132. A second edge, and preferably a larger region, of the second tray portion 130 rests on the upper surface of the seat portion or seat cushion of the front passenger seat 104. When disposed in the deployed position shown in solid line in
It will be appreciated that the tray assembly 106 may be mounted onto a static center console 150 shown in broken line between the first and second seats 102, 104. Alternatively, the tray assembly 106 (namely, first tray portion 110 and second tray portion 130) may be stored in a storage position (such as alongside one of the first and second seats), partially deployed to the horizontal position illustrated in
As additionally shown in
In this embodiment, the tray assembly 206 may be comprised of only a single tray portion 230 that includes recessed compartments 234, 236, 238 formed in an upper surface. Again, the compartments 234, 236, 238 may adopt various conformations as defined by the dividing walls 240 and the perimeter wall 242 and need not be necessarily shaped and sized as shown in the drawings. It is also contemplated that the tray 230 may include other foldout or expandable portions is desired.
A mounting assembly is provided to move the tray between the stowed position of
The detent feature 290′ (290) is provided in the plastic material that forms the center console 250. The detent feature is not intended to support a large amount of weight since the tray portion 230 is received on the seat cushion.
In addition, the pin 270 and guide key 270′ allow for easy assembly at the factory. The pin 270 is initially inserted into the slot 254 preferably at the lower end 284. The guide key 270′is subsequently received into slot 254′, again at the lower end 284′. The customer can reverse these steps to easily remove the tray portion 230 from the center console for cleaning and subsequent re-installation.
Also evident in
When the pin 270 and guide key 270′ are located in the lower ends 284, 284′ of the slots and the tray portion is oriented in a vertical direction, the tray portion 230 is recessed or received in flush relation relative to the console wall 252. By grasping an upper edge of the tray portion 230 from its stowed position, the projections 270, 270′ are advanced upwardly into the central, linear portions 280, 280′ and the tray portion can be moved in a vertical upward direction (to the dotted line representation in
As a result, the tray portion 230 is mounted and hinged on a side of the center console. When the tray portion is in-use, the tray portion 230 will rest flat or level in the car and rest on the assistant or second seat cushion bolster surface. The tray portion preferably includes divided compartments for various small objects to be stored. Tray portion also contains a dock to position the phone for viewing by the driver. Tray portion may also contain a large surface of the rear toehold fast food items. Still further, when not in use, tray portion can be folded in stowed away in the recessed region on the side of the console beside the seat.
Preferably, the tray portion 230 is a plastic structure and may include stamped steel or aluminum brackets. The divided compartments in the tray portion preferably include non-slip surfaces. This eliminates problems associated with a sloped seat cushion. In addition, the walls of the tray have a height that provides sufficient restraint for small objects, food, phone, etc. It will also be appreciated that the stowed position is easily accommodated in the side of the center console, or wall seat in the embodiment of
This written description uses examples to describe the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.