US4732274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable tray table
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-11-13
•
Granted: 1988-03-22
•
Expires: 2006-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A portable tray table having an upper surface for supporting food, a lower surface and a peripheral edge. A skirt is coupled to the peripheral edge of the panel and extends downwardly therefrom. The panel includes an opening therein wit a cup holder supported on the panel about the opening which extends downwardly therefrom. The skirt includes at least one cut-out portion which exposes the cup holder to permit a user to insert a hand through the cut-out portion to grasp the cup holder.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Bouton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:05
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G19/00; A47G19/02; A47G19/06; A47G19/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A portable tray table formed from a rigid material comprising a panel having an upper food bearing surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction and including a peripheral edge, a skirt coupled to said peripheral edge of said panel and extending downwardly therefrom, said skirt having a lower edge forming a support for supporting said panel above a horizontal surface when said portable tray table is resting on said horizontal surface, said panel having an opening in said food bearing surface located in a central portion thereof, a cup holder supported on said panel and extending downwardly through said opening, said cup holder having a sufficient length forming a gripable surface to be gripped by the fingers and palm of the hand of a user, said skirt including at least one cut-out portion whereby said gripable surface of said cup holder is accessible through said cut-out portion when said portable tray table is supported on said horizontal surface, said cut-out portion being sized to form a substantial opening in said skirt between said support formed on the lower edge of said skirt and said peripheral edge of said panel, said cut-out portion permitting the hand of a user to be inserted through said cut-out portion to grasp said gripable surface of said cup holder when said portable tray table is supported on said horizontal surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A portable tray table formed from a rigid material comprising a panel having an upper food bearing surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction and including a peripheral edge, a skirt coupled to said peripheral edge of said panel and extending downwardly therefrom, said skirt having a lower edge forming a support for supporting said panel above a horizontal surface when said portable tray table is resting on said horizontal surface, said panel having an opening in said food bearing surface located in a central portion thereof, a cup holder supported on said panel and extending downwardly through said opening, said cup holder having a sufficient length forming a gripable surface to be gripped by the fingers and palm of the hand of a user, said skirt including at least one cut-out portion whereby said gripable surface of said cup holder is accessible through said cut-out portion when said portable tray table is supported on said horizontal surface, said cut-out portion being sized to form a substantial opening in said skirt between said support formed on the lower edge of said skirt and said peripheral edge of said panel, said cut-out portion permitting the hand of a user to be inserted through said cut-out portion to grasp said gripable surface of said cup holder when said portable tray table is supported on said horizontal surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cup holder is in the form of a truncated cone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion of said cup holder extending below said lower surface of said panel is shorter than the height of said skirt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said skirt opens outwardly to permit nesting of said tray table with other similar tray tables.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 4, wherein said panel is rectangular, said skirt including a cut-out portion on each side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panel, skirt and cup holder are formed from a rigid material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 6, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of paper, cardboard and styrofoam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tray table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said panel includes divider means for dividing said upper surface into compartments, said skirt including a portion which extends above said upper surface of said panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 8 wherein a portion of said cup holder extends above said upper surface of said panel through said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 9, wherein said divider means include a plurality of ribs which extend radially from said portion of said cup holder which extends above said upper surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The portable tray table as claimed in claim 4, wherein said panel is circular.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-22 | 1991-09-21 | 1992-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-22 | 1995-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-09-21 | 2000-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |