Horizontally supported planar surfaces – With structural installation – Body related
Reissue Patent
1998-05-28
2001-06-26
Chen, José V. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
With structural installation
Body related
Reissue Patent
active
RE037239
ABSTRACT:
The present invention generally relates to food trays adapted to be placed on a user's lap during use. More particularly, this invention relates to a fast food lap tray which is configured to be readily stabilized and to conform closely to the lap of the user while the user is seated in an automobile seat. The lap tray is also adapted to be easily secured to the user, permits the user to rapidly remove the lap tray and, as a safety feature, enables the user to exit the automobile without first removing the lap tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Food trays intended to be supported directly on a user's lap are known in the art, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 2,808,191 to Cramer. In particular, the prior art has suggested food trays which are specifically designed and configured with an emphasis on the structure by which a food tray is secured to the user's lap. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,603 to Newman discloses a planar tray which includes two pairs of rigid knee clamps that are cantilevered from the lateral edges of the tray. The knee clamps are each biased inwardly against the outer surfaces of the user's legs by springs housed within the structure of the tray. As one can appreciate, the tray taught by Newman can readily generate a clamping force which will reliably secure the tray to the user's lap. However, significant disadvantages with the tray taught by Newman include the discomfort of the user due to pressure being continuously applied to his or her legs, and the inability to quickly remove the tray in circumstances where time is of the essence. A particularly notable example of such a circumstance is where the tray is used by an occupant of an automobile. In case of an accident, the ability of the user to quickly exit the automobile may be critical. However, the binding and restraining effect that the knee clamps have on the user's legs would significantly hinder the user's mobility, and therefore delay the user's exit.
Another example of a food lap tray is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,339 to Hood, Jr., which teaches a foldable structure having lateral portions which wrap around the user's legs and interlock beneath the user when seated. While Hood, Jr., reduces the potential for discomfort noted with the knee clamps taught by Newman, the interlocking configuration of the lateral portions tends to bind the user's legs so as to severely restrict the movement of the user. In addition, the tray taught by Hood, Jr., can be rather awkward to put on and remove, particularly if the user is seated within the confines of an automobile. In contrast to both Newman and Hood, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,375 to Flick does not rely on the user's legs to secure a food tray to the user's lap, but instead relies on the automobile lap belt to secure the food tray in place. Accordingly, the teachings of Flick are primarily limited to a food tray for use in an automobile. While the discomfort of a leg restraint is not present in the teachings of Flick, several disadvantages do exist. A first is that the food tray can be lifted off the lap of the user because the food tray is not physical secured to the user's lap. Secondly, the food tray is secured with the lap belt of an automobile, which may potentially interfere with the user's escape from the automobile in the case of an emergency.
Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a food lap tray which can be positively secured and stabilized on the lap of a user, yet will not cause discomfort to the user, and will not bind or restrain the legs of the user. It would also be desirable if such a food lap tray could be rapidly secured to and removed from the lap of the user, and could be secured without relying on other fastening systems used by the user. Importantly, it would be especially desirable if such a food lap tray were constructed and used so as not to hinder the user from rapidly exiting an automobile if immediate escape is necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a food lap tray of the type which is particularly suited for use as a fast food lap tray while the user is seated in an automobile.
It is another object of this invention that such a lap tray be adapted to be secured directly to the lap of the user, without causing physical discomfort to the user, or binding the legs of the user, or otherwise excessively restraining the user's legs during use.
It is a further object of this invention that such a lap tray utilize leg straps which are sufficiently long to be tucked beneath the legs of the user when seated, but are not so long as to wrap entirely around the legs of the user, such that the lap tray can be easily secured to the user and rapidly removed while the user is seated, so as to not hinder the user from rapidly removing the lap tray if the user must quickly exit the automobile.
It is yet another object of this invention that such a lap tray be specifically configured in order to promote its stability on the lap of the user.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, these and other objects and advantages are accomplished as follows.
According to the present invention, a food lap tray is provided which is particularly suitable for use in an automobile to receive and support fast foods and their containers. The food lap tray is adapted to be positively secured to the lap of a user, yet will not cause discomfort to the user and will not bind or excessively restrain the legs of the user during use. In particular, the food lap tray is specifically adapted to enable it to be rapidly positioned and stabilized on the lap of the user, as well rapidly removed from the lap of the user. In addition, the food lap tray does not rely on other fastening systems used by the user, such as a vehicle lap belt, and will not hinder the user from rapidly exiting an automobile if immediate escape is necessary.
The food lap tray of this invention generally includes a body which is formed to be relatively rigid in order to properly support articles on its upper surface. The body may be formed from a rigid material, such as a relatively lightweight foam material or cardboard, though the body may alternatively be formed as an inflatable body. In addition to its upper surface, the body includes a lower surface oppositely disposed from the upper surface, a first lateral end, and a second lateral end oppositely disposed from the first lateral end. The first and second lateral ends generally define a lateral axis of the body. At least one recess is formed in the upper surface of the body for the purpose of receiving food as served or packaged by fast food establishments. The food lap tray further includes a pair of troughs formed in the lower surface of the body. The troughs are formed to be approximately parallel to each other, and extend across the lower surface of the body in a direction approximately transverse to the lateral axis of the body. Each of the troughs is sized and contoured to comfortably receive one of the user's legs when the user is seated. One of the troughs is preferably sized to closely conform to a corresponding one of the user's legs in order to laterally stabilize the food lap tray relative to the leg, while the other trough is preferably sized to permit a significant degree of movement for the user's other leg. As a result, the user is able to actively stabilize the food lap tray by properly positioning his or her free leg beneath the food lap tray.
The food lap tray also includes a pair of leg straps, each of which is attached to a corresponding one of the first and second lateral ends. The leg straps are formed from a pliant material such that the leg straps can be easily wrapped around the outer lateral surfaces of the user's legs when seated, and thereafter tucked beneath the user's legs without requiring the user to stand up or otherwise move in a manner which would be awkward within the confines of an automobile. As an important aspect of this invention, th
Chen José V.
Hartman Domenica N. S.
Hartman Gary M.
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