ROLLING TRAY

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a tray device and more particularly relates to a lockable tray device for storing, carrying and rolling smoking articles.

Description of the Related Art

With the growing population of smokers rolling and storing smoking articles, a novel apparatus for efficiently and securely storing smoking articles is needed, enabling users to lock smoking articles and store said articles in an airtight apparatus, containing odors and maintaining freshness of the products.

Over the years, various devices have been made to assist people with smoking articles, including U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0237026 by Simester discloses a rolling tray for herbs for smoking. The tray includes one or more grooves that allow the user to sort and temporarily store materials in inside the groove of the tray. At least one of these grooves is semi-cylindrical in shape to allow the user to place rolling papers into the grove, place herbs onto the rolling paper, and roll a cigarette into a cylindrical shape. The tray is attached to a pad that allows the rolling tray to rest on the user's lap or table, and remain perpendicular relative to the plane of gravity. However, this device does not provide for effective storing, securing and transporting of smoking articles.

While conventional units may be suitable for the particular purpose each is employed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.

Accordingly, there is a need for a compact portable lightweight rolling tray for attending to the storage and preparation of smoking articles in a more convenient, effective and secure manner.

As disclosed in this application, the inventor has discovered novel and unique devices and methods for efficient and secure storage, transportation, and preparation of smoking articles, which exhibit superlative properties without being dependent on heavy, immobile, expensive or complex components.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for devices and methods and disclosed herein and as defined in the annexed claims which provide for improved storage, transportation, and security features in order to efficiently store and secure smoking articles of many types, in a discrete manner, for people's enjoyment, health and well-being.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one prospect of the present invention to provide one or more novel devices of simple but effective construction which can be applied to many environments to efficiently and effectively store, secure, and roll smokable products.

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented herein.

Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a lockable tray device including a housing provided with one or more compartments configured to receive one or more smoking articles such as a grinder, a lighter, tobacco, rolling papers, vape pens, cigarettes, smokable leaf products, and other smoking paraphernalia.

The housing preferably defines a jam passage extending from a jam entrance opening to a jam install position. A lid is preferably operably connected to the housing and includes a jam extending therefrom. A locking mechanism is preferably fitted within the housing. The locking mechanism preferably includes a latch disposed within the jam passage and the latch is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing. In a preferred embodiment, a fixed magnet is disposed within the housing and configured to attract the latch into the first position. The latch is preferably disposed and movable between the fixed magnet and an outer surface of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the jam is secured to the locking mechanism by inserting the jam into the jam entrance opening and through the jam passage toward a jam locked position, by advancing the jam through the jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to the second position to clear the jam passage.

In one embodiment, the jam is configured to clear the passage by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet.

In a preferred embodiment, a key is removably connected to an exterior surface of the housing.

In one embodiment, the key includes a magnet, and the magnet is magnetically attracted to the latch and is configured to move the latch into the second position, clearing the jam passage when the key is connected to an exterior surface of the housing, such that the magnetic attraction of the key overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch to the fixed magnet.

In one embodiment, tray device further includes a slidable rolling tray that has at least one flange extending laterally therefrom. The slidable rolling tray preferably has a flat surface configured for rolling of smoking articles. The housing preferably defines at least one fitting groove concavely formed in the housing and configured to receive the at least one flange of the slidable rolling tray.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the flange of the slidable rolling tray is geometrically shaped, and an aperture that is defined by the housing and in communication with the fitting groove is defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flange, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is removed from the aperture defined by the housing through which the portion of the geometrically shaped flange extends only when the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture defined by the housing.

In one embodiment, the tray device includes a slidable rolling tray comprising at least one pair of flanges extending laterally therefrom. The slidable rolling tray preferably has a flat surface configured for the rolling of smoking articles. Preferably, the housing defines at least one pair of fitting grooves concavely formed in the housing, and the fitting grooves are configured to receive the at least one pair of flanges of the slidable rolling tray.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the flanges of the slidable rolling tray is geometrically shaped, and an aperture is preferably defined by the housing in communication with the fitting grooves. Preferably, the aperture is defined by the housing in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges is removed from the aperture defined by the housing through which the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges extend only when the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges are in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture defined by the housing.

In one embodiment, a hinge is pivotably connecting the lid to the housing.

Preferably, a seal is attached to the lid to keep the housing airtight for conserving the one or more smoking articles and for keeping smells contained within the tray device.

In one embodiment, the seal is fixed to an inner surface of the lid relative to the housing in order to contain odors and maintain freshness of the smoking articles when contained therein. The seal is preferably configured to prevent airflow into and out of the housing when the lid is closed.

In yet another embodiment, a rolling tray device for smoking articles is provided, comprising a housing configured for the storage of smoking articles. The housing comprises a body defining compartments and a lid pivotably connected to the body. The housing further defines at least one fitting groove configured to receive at least one flange of a slidable rolling tray. The slidable rolling tray comprises at least one flange extending laterally therefrom and has a flat surface configured for the rolling of smoking articles by a user. Preferably, at least a portion of the flange of the slidable rolling tray is geometrically shaped.

In a preferred embodiment, an aperture defined by the housing is defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flange, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is removed from the aperture defined by the housing through which the portion of the geometrically shaped flange extends only when the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture defined by the housing.

In one embodiment, the slidable rolling tray includes a lip disposed atop the flat surface of the slidable rolling tray, preferably along the outer edges of the slidable rolling tray.

In a preferred embodiment, the rolling tray device includes a locking mechanism fitted within the housing, and the housing defines a jam passage. Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a latch disposed within the jam passage, and the latch is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing. A fixed magnet is disposed within the housing and is configured to attract the latch into the first position. The latch is magnetically attracted to the fixed magnet, which draws the latch into and maintains the latch in the first position. The jam is secured to the locking mechanism by inserting the jam into the jam entrance opening and through the jam passage toward a jam locked position by advancing the jam through the jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to the second position to clear the jam passage.

In one embodiment, the tray device includes a key removably connected to an exterior surface of the housing.

In one embodiment, the key preferably includes a magnet that is magnetically attracted to the latch and is configured to move the latch into the second position, clearing the jam passage to form an unlocked position when the key is connected to the exterior surface of the housing, as the magnetic attraction of the key overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch to the fixed magnet.

In one embodiment, the key is a spherically shaped magnet, preferably having the size of a small marble ball. In another embodiment, the key has a body which is a pendant of a bracelet.

In one embodiment, the key has a body which defines an aperture configured to connect to a key chain or bracelet.

In one embodiment, the key includes a wooden body comprising a magnet configured to overcome the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet to move the latch to the second position when the key contacts the exterior portion of the housing.

In one embodiment, the key includes a magnet having a strong magnetic attraction that is configured to overcome the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet, in order to move the latch to the second position when the key is in close proximity to the exterior portion of the housing.

In one embodiment, the tray device includes a handle, for example, such as a clutch.

In one embodiment, the housing defines one or more channels for mounting the housing to a wall.

In another embodiment, the tray device includes a flat magnet attached to the rolling tray that is configured to magnetically attract to a piece of metal or another magnet disposed on a surface of the housing.

In yet another embodiment, a tray device is provided including a housing defining one or more compartments that is/are configured to receive one or more articles of jewelry. The housing defines a jam passage extending from a jam entrance opening to a jam install position. A lid is operably connected to the housing and includes a jam extending therefrom. Preferably, a locking mechanism is fitted within the housing and include a latch disposed within the jam passage. The latch is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing, such as, movable between a fixed magnet disposed within the housing and an outer surface of the housing.

A fixed magnet is preferably disposed within the housing and configured to attract the latch into the first position. Preferably, a key is removably connected to an exterior surface of the housing. A slidable tray includes at least one flange extending laterally therefrom and has a flat surface configured for the placement of articles of jewelry. The housing defines at least one fitting groove concavely formed in the housing, and the at least one fitting groove is configured to receive the at least one flange of the slidable tray.

The jam is preferably secured to the locking mechanism by inserting the jam into the jam entrance opening and through the jam passage toward a jam locked position by advancing the jam through the jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to said second position to clear the jam passage. The jam is preferably configured to clear the passage by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet. The key includes a magnet that is preferably magnetically attracted to the latch and is configured to move the latch into the second position clearing the jam passage when the key is connected to an exterior surface of the housing, because the magnetic attraction of the key overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch to the fixed magnet.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of an exemplary rolling tray in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective partial view thereof, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view thereof, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top partial view of the tray device showing a latch in a locked position attracted to a fixed magnet, and showing an exemplary hand of a user holding a key, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top partial view of the tray device showing a latch in an unlocked position where the latch is attracted to a magnetic key that is positioned in close proximity to the tray device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the tray device showing a latch in an unlocked position where the latch is attracted to a magnetic key that is in contact with an exterior surface of the tray device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a magnetic key in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary rolling tray device in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary rolling tray device in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front left perspective partial view of an exemplary rolling tray device showing a slidable tray fitted within a pair of fitting grooves in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an exemplary rolling tray device showing a slidable tray having a flange fitted within an aperture defined by the housing, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a further understanding of the nature and function of the embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as, the best mode of carrying out and employing the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiments are well adapted to carry out and obtain the ends and features mentioned as well as those inherent herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting, as the specific details disclosed herein provide a basis for the claims and a representative basis for teaching to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. It should be understood that the devices, materials, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of various embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

As used herein, “axis” means a real or imaginary straight line about which a three-dimensional body is symmetrical. A “vertical axis” means an axis perpendicular to the ground (or put another way, an axis extending upwardly and downwardly). A “horizontal axis” means an axis parallel to the ground.

As used herein, homogeneous is defined as the same in all locations, and a homogeneous material is a material of uniform composition throughout that cannot be mechanically separated into different materials. Examples of “homogeneous materials” are certain types of plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, alloys, paper, board, resins, high-density polyethylene and rubber.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a rolling tray device for effectively and securely storing smokable articles. Referring initially to FIGS. 1-11, the basic constructional details and principles of operation of embodiments of lockable tray device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed. Therefore, in accordance with embodiment of the invention, there is provided a lockable tray device 100 preferably including a housing 102 provided with one or more compartments 104 configured to receive one or more smoking articles 106 such as a grinder, a lighter, tobacco, rolling papers, vape pens, cigarettes, smokable leaf products, and other smoking paraphernalia, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The tray device 100 is preferably constructed of wood, but it may also be constructed of metal, glass, or plastics material suitable for construction.

Referring to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 102 defines a jam passage 108 extending from a jam entrance opening 110 to a jam install position. A lid 114 is preferably operably connected to the housing 102 by a hinge 116, as illustrated in FIG. 8. As seen in FIGS. 2-3, the lid 114 includes a jam 118 extending therefrom. A locking mechanism 120 is preferably fitted within the housing 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The locking mechanism 120 includes a latch 122 disposed within the jam passage 108 and the latch 122 is movable between a first position A, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, and a second position B, as illustrated in FIG. 5, relative to the housing 102. For example, the latch 122 is movable between a fixed magnet 128 disposed within the housing 102 and an outer surface 130 of the housing 102. In one embodiment, the latch 122 is metal. Preferably, the latch 122 is magnetized. The fixed magnet 128 is disposed within the housing 102 and configured to attract the latch 122 into the first position A.

Referring to FIG. 2, the jam 118 is preferably secured to the locking mechanism 120 by moving the lid 114 and jam 118 in the direction of Arrow C and inserting the jam 118 into the jam entrance opening 110 and through the jam passage 108 toward a jam locked position 132 (FIG. 1) by advancing the jam 118 through the jam passage 108 such that the jam 118 contacts and moves the latch 122 to the second position B to clear the jam passage 108. When the jam 118 is advanced through the jam passage 108 into the jam locked position, the lid 114 of the tray device 100 is actually locked to the housing 102 by the locking mechanism 120. When the lid 114 of the tray device 100 is actually locked to the housing 102 by the locking mechanism 120, the lid 114 cannot be pivoted open, away from the housing 102.

When the lid 114 is locked to the housing 102 by the locking mechanism 120, a strong magnetic key (e.g., 134 and 136 in FIGS. 5-7) must preferably be placed in close proximity to the exterior portion 130 of the housing, as illustrated in FIG. 5, such as, for example, preferably within less than 2 inches, or a magnetic key (e.g., 134 and 136 in FIGS. 5-7) must preferably be placed against the exterior surface 130 of the housing 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8-9, in order to unlock the tray device 100. In such manner, the magnetic attraction of the key 134 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch 122 to the fixed magnet 128, and the latch is moved to the second position B, thereby unlocking the locking mechanism, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In one embodiment, the jam 118 is preferably configured to clear the passage 108 by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the latch 122 and the fixed magnet 128.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, a key 134 is preferably removably connected to an exterior surface 130 of the housing 102. The key 134 includes a magnet 136, and the magnet 136 is magnetically attracted to the latch 122 and is configured to move the latch 122 into the second position B, clearing the jam passage 108 when the key 134 is connected to an exterior surface 130 of the housing 102, wherein said magnetic attraction of the key 134 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch 122 to the fixed magnet 128, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the tray device 100 further includes a slidable rolling tray 138 comprising at least one flange 140 (as illustrated in FIG. 11) extending laterally therefrom. The slidable rolling tray 138 preferably has a flat surface 142 configured for rolling of smoking articles 106. The housing 102 preferably defines at least one fitting groove 144 concavely formed in the housing 102 and configured to receive the at least one flange 140 of the slidable rolling tray 138.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9-11, preferably, at least a portion 146 of the flange 140 of the slidable rolling tray 138 is geometrically shaped, and an aperture 148 is preferably defined by the housing 102 in communication with the fitting groove 144 is defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flange 140, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flange 140 is removed from the aperture 148 defined by the housing 102 through which the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flange 140 extends only when the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flange 140 is in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture 148 defined by the housing 102.

In one embodiment, the tray device 100 includes a slidable rolling tray 138 comprising at least one pair of flanges 140 extending laterally therefrom, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The slidable rolling tray 138 preferably has a flat surface 142 configured for a user's rolling of smoking articles 106, wherein the housing 102 defines at least one pair of fitting grooves 144 concavely formed in the housing 102, and the pair of fitting grooves 144 are configured to receive and guide the at least one pair of flanges 140 of the slidable rolling tray 138, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9-11.

In one embodiment, at least a portion 146 of the flanges 140 of the slidable rolling tray 138 is geometrically shaped. Referring to FIG. 5, an aperture 148 is preferably defined by the housing 102 in communication with the fitting grooves 144, and the aperture 148 is preferably defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flanges 140, so that the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flanges 146 is removed from the aperture 148 defined by the housing 102 through which the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flanges 140 extends only when the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flanges 140 are in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture 148 defined by the housing 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9-11.

In one preferred embodiment, a hinge 116 pivotally connects the lid to the housing 102.

Referring to FIG. 8, a seal 156 is preferably attached to the lid 114 or to a surface of the housing 102 to keep the housing 102 airtight for conserving the one or more smoking articles 106 and keeping smells contained within the tray device 100.

In one embodiment, the seal 156 is fixed to an inner surface 158 of the lid 114, relative to the housing 102, as illustrated in FIG. 8, to contain odors and maintain freshness of the smoking articles 104 when contained therein, when the lid 114 is closed as illustrated in FIG. 1. The seal 156 is preferably configured to prevent airflow into and out of the housing 102 when the lid 114 is closed.

In yet another embodiment, a rolling tray device 100 for smoking articles 106 is provided, preferably including a housing 102 configured for the storage of smoking articles 106. The housing includes a body defining compartments 104 and includes a lid 114 pivotally connected to the body 102. The housing 102 further defines at least one fitting groove 144 configured to receive at least one flange 140 of a slidable rolling tray 138. The rolling tray 138 includes at least one flange 140 extending laterally therefrom and having a flat surface 142 configured for rolling of smoking articles 106. Preferably, at least a portion 146 of the flange 140 of the slidable rolling tray 138 is geometrically shaped. An aperture 148 defined by the housing 102 is preferably defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flange 140, so that the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flange 140 is removed from the aperture 148 defined by the housing 102 through which the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flange 140 extends only when the portion 146 of the geometrically shaped flange 140 is in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture 148 defined by the housing 102.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, the slidable rolling tray 138 preferably includes a lip 160 disposed atop the flat surface 142 along the outer edges 162 of the slidable rolling tray 138.

In one embodiment, the rolling tray device 100 includes a locking mechanism 120 fitted within the housing 102. The housing 102 defines a jam passage 108. The locking mechanism 120 includes a latch 122 disposed within the jam passage 108 and the latch 122 is movable between a first position A and a second position B relative to the housing 102. Preferably, the latch 122 is magnetized. A fixed magnet 128 is disposed within the housing 102 and configured to attract the latch 122 into the first position A. The jam 118 is be secured to the locking mechanism 120 by inserting the jam 118 into the jam entrance opening 110 and through the jam passage 108 toward a jam locked position 132 by advancing the jam 118 through the jam passage 108 such that the jam 118 contacts and moves the latch 122 to the second position B to clear the jam passage 108.

In one embodiment, the tray device 100 includes a key 134 removably connected to an exterior portion 130 of the housing 102.

As seen in FIG. 7, the key 134 preferably includes a magnet 136 that is magnetically attracted to the latch 122 and is configured to move the latch 122 into the second position B clearing the jam passage 108 to form an unlocked position when the key 134 is connected to the exterior surface 130 of the housing 102, as illustrated in FIG. 6, as the magnetic attraction of the key 134 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch 132 to the fixed magnet 128.

In one embodiment, the key 134 is a spherical magnet.

In another embodiment, the key 134 is a part of a bracelet.

In yet another embodiment, the key 134 defines an aperture 135 for a key chain, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, the key 134 includes a wooden body 164 comprising a magnet 136 configured to overcome the magnetic attraction between the latch 122 and the fixed magnet 128 to move the latch 122 to the second position B when the key 134 contacts the exterior portion 130 of the housing 102. In preferred embodiments, the magnetic force of the key is strong enough to move the latch 122 to the second position B when the key 134 is in close proximity to the exterior portion 130 of the housing 102, as illustrated in FIG. 5, such as, for example, within preferably less than 2 inches.

In one embodiment, the tray device 100 includes a handle attached to one side 166 of the tray device 100, for example, to enable the device 100 to be used a clutch.

In another embodiment, the housing 102 defines one or more channels for mounting the housing 102 to a wall.

Referring to FIG. 10, the tray device 100 preferably includes a flat magnet 170 attached to the rolling tray 138, and the flat magnet 170 is configured to magnetically attract to a flat metal plate 172 or (other flat magnet 172) that is disposed on a surface of the housing 102, when the rolling tray 138 is slid (in the direction of Arrow D) and positioned above the flat metal plate 172 (or flat magnet 172). Such magnetic attraction between the flat magnet 170 and the flat metal plate 172 resists unintentional movement between the rolling tray 138 and the housing 102.

In yet another embodiment, a locking device 100 includes a housing 102 provided with one or more compartments 104 configured to receive one or more articles of jewelry 174. The housing 102 defines a jam passage 108 extending from a jam entrance opening 110 to a jam install position 112. Preferably, a lid 114 is operably connected to the housing 102 and includes a jam 118 extending therefrom. A locking mechanism 120 is preferably fitted within the housing 102 and include a latch 122 disposed within the jam passage 108. The latch 122 is be movable between a first position A and a second position B relative to the housing 102, such as movable between a fixed magnet 128 and an outer surface 130 of the housing 102.

A fixed magnet 128 is preferably be disposed within the housing 102 and configured to attract the latch 122 into the first position A. A key 134 is preferably be removably connected to an exterior surface 130 of the housing 102. A slidable tray 138 preferably includes at least one flange 140 extending laterally therefrom and preferably has a flat surface 142 configured for articles of jewelry 174. The housing 102 defines at least one fitting groove 144 concavely formed in the housing 102 and configured to receive the at least one flange 140 of the slidable tray 138.

The jam 118 is preferably secured to the locking mechanism 120 by inserting the jam 118 into the jam entrance opening 110 and through the jam passage 108 toward a jam locked position 132 by advancing the jam 118 through the jam passage 108 such that the jam 118 contacts and moves the latch 122 to said second position B to clear the jam passage 108. The jam 118 is preferably configured to clear the passage 108 by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the latch 122 and the fixed magnet 128. The key 134 preferably includes a magnet 136 that is magnetically attracted to the latch 122 and is configured to move the latch 122 into the second position B clearing the jam passage 108 when the key 134 is connected to an exterior surface 130 of the housing 102, wherein the magnetic attraction of the key 134 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch 122 to the fixed magnet 128.

In one embodiment, the lockable tray device 100 includes a first locking mechanism 120 on one side of the device 100 (as shown in FIG. 9) and includes a second locking mechanism 120 preferably on the other side of the device 100, and the lockable tray device 100 includes a lid 114 with a first jam 118 on one side of the lid 114 (as shown in FIG. 9) and includes a second jam 118 preferably on the other side of the lid 114, such that the lid 114 can be pressed downward onto the housing 102 and locked to the housing 102 via insertion of the two jams 118 into the two respective locking mechanisms 120. In such embodiment, a first key 134 and a second key 134 would be placed against the respective exterior surface area 130 of the housing 102 adjacent to the respective locking mechanism 120 in order to move the two respective latches 122 of the locking mechanisms 120 into the second position B, respectively, in order to unlock the locking mechanisms 120 and remove the lid 114 from the housing 102. In other embodiments, the lockable tray device 100 includes three or four locking mechanisms 120 and three or four respective jams 118.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8, the tray device 100 includes a keyed twist lock 176 attached to the lid 114, and the housing 102 defines an opening 178 configured to receive the keyed twist lock 176, to lock the device 100 against opening of the lid 114, when it is closed. Through embodiments disclosed herein, such keyed twist lock 176 tricks unauthorized or undesired persons from knowing how to unlock the tray device 100, when the tray device 100 is actually locked by the locking mechanism 120.

Except as may be expressly otherwise indicated, the article “a” or “an” if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, the description or a claim to a single element to which the article refers. Rather, the article “a” or “an” if and as used herein is intended to cover one or more such elements, unless the text expressly indicates otherwise.

This invention is susceptible to considerable variation within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lockable tray device comprising: a housing provided with one or more compartments configured to receive one or more smoking articles, said housing defining a jam passage extending from a jam entrance opening to a jam install position;a lid operably connected to the housing, said lid comprising a jam extending therefrom;a locking mechanism fitted within the housing, said locking mechanism comprising a latch disposed within the jam passage, said latch movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing; anda fixed magnet disposed within the housing and configured to attract the latch into the first position;wherein the jam is secured to the locking mechanism by inserting said jam into the jam entrance opening and through the jam passage toward a jam locked position by advancing the jam through said jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to said second position to clear the jam passage.
2. The tray device of claim 1, wherein the jam is configured to clear the passage by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet.
3. The tray device of claim 1, further comprising a key removably connected to an exterior surface of the housing.
4. The tray device of claim 3, wherein the key comprises a magnet, wherein said magnet is magnetically attracted to the latch and is configured to move the latch into the second position clearing the jam passage when the key is connected to an exterior surface of the housing, wherein said magnetic attraction of the key overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch to the fixed magnet.
5. The tray device of claim 1, further comprising a slidable rolling tray comprising at least one flange extending laterally therefrom, said slidable rolling tray having a flat surface configured for rolling of smoking articles, wherein the housing defines at least one fitting groove concavely formed in the housing and configured to receive the at least one flange of the slidable rolling tray.
6. The tray device of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the flange of the slidable rolling tray is geometrically shaped, and an aperture defined by the housing in communication with the fitting groove is defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flange, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is removed from the aperture defined by the housing through which the portion of the geometrically shaped flange extends only when the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture defined by the housing.
7. The tray device of claim 1, further comprising a slidable rolling tray comprising at least one pair of flanges extending laterally therefrom, said slidable rolling tray having a flat surface configured for rolling of smoking articles, wherein the housing defines at least one pair of fitting grooves concavely formed in the housing and configured to receive the at least one pair of flanges of the slidable rolling tray.
8. The tray device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the flanges of the slidable rolling tray is geometrically shaped, and an aperture defined by the housing in communication with the fitting grooves is defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges is removed from the aperture defined by the housing through which the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges extend only when the portion of the geometrically shaped flanges are in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture defined by the housing.
9. The tray device of claim 1, further comprising a hinge pivotably connecting the lid to the housing.
10. The tray device of claim 1, further comprising a seal attached to the lid to keep the housing airtight for conserving the one or more smoking articles.
11. The tray device of claim 10, wherein the seal is fixed to an inner surface of the lid relative to the housing to contain odors and maintain freshness of the smoking articles when contained therein.
12. A rolling tray device for smoking articles comprising: a housing configured for the storage of a plurality of smoking articles, said housing comprising a body defining compartments and a lid pivotably connected to the body, said housing defining at least one fitting groove configured to receive at least one flange of a slidable rolling tray;a slidable rolling tray comprising at least one flange extending laterally therefrom, said slidable rolling tray having a flat surface configured for rolling of smoking articles;wherein at least a portion of the flange of the slidable rolling tray is geometrically shaped, and an aperture defined by the housing is defined in a geometrical mating fashion relative to the portion of the geometrically shaped flange, so that the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is removed from the aperture defined by the housing through which the portion of the geometrically shaped flange extends only when the portion of the geometrically shaped flange is in a key-and-lock style alignment with the aperture defined by the housing.
13. The rolling tray device of claim 12, wherein the slidable rolling tray further comprises a lip disposed atop the flat surface along the outer edges of the slidable rolling tray.
14. The rolling tray device of claim 12, further comprising a locking mechanism fitted within the housing, said housing defining a jam passage, said locking mechanism comprising a latch disposed within the jam passage, said latch movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing; and a fixed magnet disposed within the housing and configured to attract the latch into the first position;wherein the jam is secured to the locking mechanism by inserting said jam into the jam entrance opening and through the jam passage toward a jam locked position by advancing the jam through said jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to said second position to clear the jam passage.
15. The tray device of claim 14, further comprising a key removably connected to an exterior surface of the housing.
16. The tray device of claim 15, wherein the key comprises a magnet, wherein said magnet is magnetically attracted to the latch and is configured to move the latch into the second position clearing the jam passage to form an unlocked position when the key is connected to the exterior surface of the housing, wherein said magnetic attraction of the key overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch to the fixed magnet.
17. The tray device of claim 15, wherein the key is a spherical magnet.
18. The tray device of claim 15, wherein the key is a pendant of a bracelet.
19. The tray device of claim 15, wherein the key defines an aperture for a key chain.
20. The tray device of claim 15, wherein the key comprises a wooden body comprising a magnet configured to overcome the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet to move the latch to the second position when said key contacts the exterior portion of the housing.
21. The tray device of claim 15, wherein the key comprises a magnet configured to overcome the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet to move the latch to the second position when said key is in close proximity the exterior portion of the housing.
22. The tray device of claim 12, further comprising a handle.
23. The tray device of claim 12, wherein the housing further defines channels for mounting the housing to a wall, with picture/artwork on an exterior surface of the tray device positioned opposite sail wall.
24. The tray device of claim 12, further comprising a magnet attached to the rolling tray configured to magnetically attract to a magnet on a surface of the housing.
25. The tray device of claim 20, wherein the wooden body defines an aperture configured for attachment to a enchain or a bracelet.
26. A locking device comprising: a housing provided with one or more compartments configured to receive one or more articles of jewelry, said housing defining a jam passage extending from a jam entrance opening to a jam install position;a lid operably connected to the housing, said lid comprising a jam extending therefrom;a locking mechanism fitted within the housing, said locking mechanism comprising a latch disposed within the jam passage, said latch movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing;a fixed magnet disposed within the housing and configured to attract the latch into the first position;a key removably connected to an exterior surface of the housing; anda slidable rolling tray comprising at least one flange extending laterally therefrom, said slidable rolling tray having a flat surface configured for articles of jewelry, wherein the housing defines at least one fitting groove concavely formed in the housing and configured to receive the at least one flange of the slidable rolling tray;wherein the jam is secured to the locking mechanism by inserting said jam into the jam entrance opening and through the jam passage toward a jam locked position by advancing the jam through said jam passage such that the jam contacts and moves the latch to said second position to clear the jam passage;wherein the jam is configured to clear the passage by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the latch and the fixed magnet;wherein the key comprises a magnet, wherein said magnet is magnetically attracted to the latch and is configured to move the latch into the second position clearing the jam passage when the key is connected to an exterior surface of the housing, wherein said magnetic attraction of the key overcomes the magnetic attraction of the latch to the fixed magnet.

ROLLING TRAY

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