US3267887A - Service tray - Google Patents

Description

R. G BOYD SERVICE TRAY Aug. 23, 1966 Filed June 22, 1964 ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofitice 3,267,887 Patented August 23, 1966 3,267,887 SERVICE TRAY Robert G. Boyd, 3790 Covert Road, Pontiac, Mich. Filed June 22, 1%4, Ser. No. 376,679 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-152) This invention relates to service trays in general and more particularly to service trays for use on outdoor lawn chairs and the like.

In the summer time, it is most enjoyable to be able to sit on the porch or out in the backyard in a comfortable lawn chair with a good drink in hand. The only problem is that in hand is where the drink or other nourishment has to stay. There is seldom a table or the like near by on which to sit a glass, a bowl, a package of cigarettes or anything else.

There is a definite need for a simple, relatively inexpensive, and attractive service tray for use with lawn chairs and like summer porch and backyard furniture. To the extent possible, such a tray should be at one elbow and still out of the way. It should be able to be securely attached to a chair and yet be easily movable. It should be light in weight and easy to use. It should include a minimum of parts, be easy to assemble and disassemble, and convenient to store when not in use.

This invention is directed to just such a service tray and one which has numerous other advantages which will be more fully appreciated later on.

It is an object of this invention to provide a service tray which is particularly suited for use with summer lawn chairs of aluminum tube construction and which have side arms provided by two tubes in close parallel side by side relation.

The service tray of this invention includes a wire formed frame member, in its preferred form, covered with a protective plastic dip coating. It is shaped to include parallel spaced arms which will receive a tray therebetween and has a part between the arms to which a bracket is fastened. The bracket may also be a wire form and dipped member and the two can be made adjustable relative to each other.

In the preferred form of this invention, the bracket and frame are made from wire rod members bent to shape and dipped in plastic. The tray is of simple and conventional shape and construction. The bracket and frame are relatively adjustable so that the tray can be held horizontally regardless of the disposition of the member to which the bracket member is to be secured.

These and other objects and advantages to be gained in the practice of this invention will be better understood and more fully appreciated upon a reading of the following specification having reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a summer lounge chair having the service tray of this invention provided on an arm thereof.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side plan view of the service tray of this invention as seen in the plane of line 22 of the previous drawing figures and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

FIGURE 3 is a still further enlarged cross-sectional view of the service tray of this invention as seen in the plane of line 3-3 of the immediately preceding drawing figure, looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the wire form frame member of the service tray holder of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an alternate form of tray holder and bracket embodying certain features of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of another form of bracket member for use with the service tray of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in further detail, a lawn chair 10 is shown. It has an aluminum frame 12 of tubular construction and is provided with webbing 14. The arms 16 for the chair are provided by a pair of tubular members in relatively close parallel relation to each other. The arms 16 are normally inclined slightly, as best shown by FIGURE 2, and the tubular members forming the arms are slightly spaced as shown by FIGURE 3.

Suitable ratchet means 18 cooperating with the interconnected chair legs enable adjustment of the reclining back of the lounge chair. This is commonly known and forms no part of this invention. Accordingly, it deserves no further discussion.

The service tray 20 of this invention is shown as mounted on one of the arms 16 of the lounge chair 10. It includes a frame 22 which is best shown by FIGURE 4.

The frame member is of wire rod construction formed to include parallel spaced arms 24 and 26 which are jointed together at one end by a cross member 23. The terminal ends of the arms 24 and 26 are bent towards each other, as at 30 and 32, and are relatively aligned. They are also in parallel spaced relation to the cross member 28.

A tray 34 is shown disposed on the frame 22. The tray has side wall flanges 36 which extend laterally outward and are spaced slightly above the bottom wall 38. Although the tray may be of almost any material and shape, size or form, provided it is complimentary to the respective frame 22, it is preferably of a lightweight plastic which is easier to keep clean and cannot be dented, bent or broken if accidentally dropped or otherwise subjected to possible damage.

A book or bracket 40 is provided on one side of the frame member 22. In the first four drawing figures it is shown as a part of the actual frame member. However, it will subsequently be shown how a different type of bracket member may be used.

The bracket member 40 includes a shoulder or neck portion 42 extending outwardly from the cross member 28 and having an open book 44 provided at the end thereof. It will be appreciated that the neck and open hook may be of single rod construction or, although not shown, he formed to have the rod bent back upon itself.

Both the frame 22 and the bracket part 40 are coated with a weather resistant plastic covering 46. The wire rod material used to form the frame and bracket part may, if desired, be soft and pliable like coat hanger wire so that it can be easily bent and formed as desired. This has advantages in enabling the tray holder frame 22 to be adapted to accommodate other than the rectangular type tray 34 which is shown, or any other shaped tray which might be originally provided therewith.

The ease with which the wire rod frame and bracket material may be bent may also be significant if the bracket is made as a part of the frame and it is desirable to have the hook 44 disposed at a slight angle to accommodate any incline in the arm 16 of the lounge chair '10, best appreciated in FIGURE 2.

Another arrangement which affords more adjustability of the service tray 20 is shown by FIGURE 5. Although the tray receptive frame member is not fully shown, the cross member is identified as 28' and is modified as shown to include an open loop 48 which depends therebelow.

A separate hook part is shown and identified as 40. It is a totally separate part with a closed eye 50 atone end which cooperates with the frame part 48 to receive a threaded fastener means 52 therethrough. Since both the frame and bracket part are plastic coated, they are fictitiously held together when the fastener 52 is tightened down. This is just like they would be with a rubber washer between them. Such an arrangement enables easier relative adjustment of the two will always be horizontal.

Another type of bracket 54 is shown by FIGURE 6. This is a wide band or strap which is shown to include the loose neck 56 and receptive end 58 with a hole 60 for the fastener means to extend therethrough.

In use, the frame member 22 is placed on the arm 116 of a lounge chair 10, as shown by *FIGURE l. The frame member is adjusted so that it is substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground. This may vary when the chair is on an incline as at the beach or elsewhere. However, adjusting the frame is no problem.

When frequent adjustment is expected, the tray frame with the more adjustable bracket 40 of FIGURE 5 is preferable. In such instances, when this type service tray is used, the fastener means 52 may be loosened to facilitate the necessary adjustment. Or, the two parts may be merely forcibly moved in relatively opposite direct-ions for adjustment. The friction bind of the coating on the two parts will enable limited adjustment without loosening the fastener and then having to tighten them together agam.

Although the fastener means is shown to include a common bolt and nut fastener, it will be appreciated that a wing that might be used if frequent loosening and adjustment of the fastener is anticipated.

Normally the double tube arms 16 of an aluminum frame lawn chair are spaced enough to receive the support bracket hook 44 therebetwen. The weight of the tray alone, although slight, and the plastic coating on the bracket serve to hold the tray where placed and to prevent it from sliding down to another position.

If the tubular members forming the chair arm 116 are too close together for the plastic dip coated bracket 40 or 40', the strap type '54 of FIGURE 6 may be used. However, in almost every instance, the tubes may be spread suificiently, at least near their ends, to receive the bracket hoo'k therebetween.

As previously mentioned, the actual tray 34 may be of any commonly used type. The plastic type of tray is preferred, for reasons previously mentioned. Similarly, a relatively simple and inexpensive tray will serve as well as an elaborate one and is probably more economical and serviceable :for outdoor use. Since the tray 34 is easily removed from the frame member 22, any spillage can be poured from the tray by removing it from the frame. and it is then a simple matter to wipe the tray dry. No drain need be provided as with trays which might be permanently fixed to a frame or in turn to the lawn chair.

It is also obvious that the tray 34 need not be provided with cut-outs to hold glasses or cups as is sometimes done. Since the tray can be adjusted so that it is perfectly horizontal, nothing need be tilted and inclined to tip over when it is set on the tray.

Although the tray frame 34 might be provided with the terminal ends 30 and 32 engaged together, this would preclude the advantage of being able to either extend the length of the side arms 24 and 26 or widen the frame if necessary to accommodate a different size or shape tray member 34. Of course, if the ends were closed they might be cut open, with wire cutters, to accomplish the teachings set forth herein. In the present instance, the

parts so that the tray absence of material between the inbent ends 30 and 32 of the arms also involves some savings of material.

When the service trays 20 are used on separate lawn chairs 10, it will be appreciated that the individual tray-s 64 may be stacked together for storage and that the frame members 22 themselves may be hung up or stacked without much trouble. Those frames which have the depending open hook loops 48 may be stacked together with the eyes sufficiently aligned to receive a common fastener,

of large enough length to keep them all together. Indeed, the individual brackets 40 may also be retained on the same long fastener member.

From the foregoing, many other modifications and improvements should come to mind. Although a preferred embodiment of this invent-ion has been shown and described in certain detail, with some attention given to a couple of modifications and improvements, it will be appreciated that there is a great deal more within the scope of the teachings set forth. Accordingly, such other improvements and modifications as are within the spirit of the invention are not specifically excluded by the language of the hereinafter appended claims are to be considered as inclusive thereunder.

I claim:

I. A service tray device for use with lawn furniture and the like, comprising:

a frame member of wire rod material for-med to include parallel spaced arms for receiving and supporting a tray member in close fitted engagement therebetween and having a transversely disposed connecting wire rod member extended between adjacent'ly disposed ends of said arms,

said arms having the free terminal ends thereof bent in towards each other and in substantially parallel spaced relation to said connecting wire rod member for providing means precluding lateral movement of a tray member received and supported thereby,

and a gooseneck support provided between the ends of said connecting wire rod member and extended outwardly therefrom for over-and-under engagement with receptive arms of suitable lawn type furniture.

2. The service tray device of claim '1,

said frame member being of essentially one piece construction and having said connecting Wire rod member providing the sole means of engagement between the arms thereof,

and said arms being sufiiciently spaced and bendable for being formed to readily receive and securely hold a service tray in said frame from the underside of said tray and without means of visual support on the service side thereof.

3. The service tray device of claim 2,

said gooseneck support being a secure part of said connecting wire rod member and being adjustable angularly relative thereto for maintaining said frame horizontally disposed and properly receptive of a service tray.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,428,073 9/ 1947 Handel 211-437 2,648,442 8/ 1953 Lowmaster 248242 X 2,706,517 4/ 1955 Dexter et al 297-4188 X 2,807,315 9/1957 :Manne 297191 2, 841,35 3 7/ l 8 Burdick 248-4224 2,864,509 112/1958 Watral 21 141 2,872,145 2/ 9 Goldsholl Q 248223 2,88 4,221 4/ 1959 Messier 24836 1 2,897,976 8/1959 Miller 29791 X 3,1'66,'3 54 l/ 1965 Sorensen 297-194 FOREIGN PATENTS 775,748 10/ 1934 France.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner FRANK B. SHERRY, Examiner. J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. A SERVICE TRAY DEVICE FOR USE WITH LAWN FURNITURE AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING: A FRAME MEMBER OF WIRE ROD MATERIAL FORMED TO INCLUDE PARALLEL SPACED ARMS FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING A TRAY MEMBER IN CLOSED FITTED ENGAGEMENT THEREBETWEEN AND HAVING A TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED CONNECTING WIRE ROD MEMBER EXTENDED BETWEEN ADJACENTLY DISPOSED ENDS OF SAID ARMS, SAID ARMS HAVING THE FREE TERMINAL ENDS THEREOF BENT IN TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SPACED RELATION TO SAID CONNECTING WIRE ROD MEMBER FOR PROVIDING MENS PRECLUDING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF A TRAY MEMBER RECEIVED AND SUPPORTED THEREBY, AND A GOOSENECK SUPPORT PROVIDED BETWEEN THE END OF SAID CONNECTING WIRE ROD MEMBER AND EXTENDED OUTWARDLY THEREFROM FOR OVER-AND-UNDER ENGAGEMENT WITH RECEPTIVE ARMS OF SUITABLE LAWN TYPE FURNITURE.

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