Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADJUSTABLE TRAY FOR VEHICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable tray. Specifically,
the invention relates to an adjustable tray capable of being adjusted within a
vertical plane and a horizontal plane.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
U.S. Patent No. 2,307,396 discloses a Sliding Table Top
Construction. The disclosed invention relates to dining tables, in particular,
with the purpose of providing means of space economy where space is at a
premium, such as, for instance, in restaurant booths and breakfast nooks.
The table top construction permits lateral movement of the table top in any
direction independent of the base. This lateral movement is achieved without
separating the table from its support, thereby permitting closer seating
provisions. The table includes a table top proper, or super table, and a sub-
table, or base, upon which the super table slides laterally in any direction.
The sub-table is a fixed member which does not change position. A spacing
ring with a thickness equal to the sub-table, is attached to the outer edge of
the super table, and a retaining plate is secured to the spacing ring. The
retaining ring plate includes an opening somewhat smaller than the diameter
of the sub-table. A supporting pedestal member, which may be anchored to
the floor, is configured to support the super table and is affixed to the sub-
table. This combination of components allows the super table to move
relative to the sub-table, thereby allowing a person to position the super
table
without moving the sub-table and base combination.
U.S. Patent No. 5,341,700 discloses an XY Movement
Mechanism. The disclosed mechanism includes a fixed base having a first
surface and a movable member having a second surface. The movable
member is disposed for movement relative to the fixed base, and the second
surface is parallel with and faces toward the first surface. The first surface
includes a first groove extending in an X direction, and the second surface
includes a second groove extending in a Y direction. The X direction differs
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from the Y direction, and both directions are parallel to the first surface
and to
the second surface. The first and second grooves, respectively, have
overlying regions when the movable member is disposed for movement
relative to the fixed base. An XY guide element includes a first half disposed
in the first groove for sliding non-rotational relative movement in the X
direction, and a second half disposed in the second groove for sliding non-
rotating relative movement in the Y direction. The first and second halves
further include portions thereof disposed within the overlying regions of the
first and second grooves. The movable member is capable of movement in
the X direction as the first half of the XY guide element moves in the X
direction along the first groove. In addition, the movable member is capable
of movement in the Y direction.
U.S. Patent No. 5,615,620 discloses a Desk Especially Adapted
for Use in a Vehicle. One embodiment of the desk includes a base plate
securable to a vehicle floor board by way of conventional fasteners. The desk
includes a centrally disposed fixed cylindrical pedestal extending upward from
the base plate into an open bottom end of a tubular vertical support column.
A first set screw secures the support column against rotational and vertical
adjustment relative to the pedestal. A mounting standard includes a straight
lower leg portion secured by a second set screw in a telescopically adjusted
position within an upper end of the vertical support column. The upper leg of
the mounting standard is inclined at a 45 angle relative to the longitudinal
axis of the support column. A third set screw adjustably secures the upper
end of the inclined upper leg of the mounting standard in a telescoping
relation with a mounting socket. In addition, a pivotable mounting bracket
adjustably secures a support plafform to the upper end of the mounting socket
in conjunction with a toggle clamping screw. Conventional fasteners, such as
screws, secure a desk surface to the support platform. When fully
assembled, the device may be used in a vehicle or detached from the
pedestal and secured to conventional microphone stand or other support for
use as a portable podium at oral presentations. The device may also be used
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without the desk surface to support a variety of articles, such as two-way
radios.
U.S. Patent No. 6,328,267 discloses an Arm Support and Pad
for Mouse Using the Same. The arm support includes a displacing stand and
a fixed stand. The arm support is formed by placing the displacing stand onto
the fixed stand. The combination of the displacing stand and the fixed stand
form a pad stand. The displacing stand includes a boss portion, and the
surface of the fixed stand includes a hole. A pad body may be coupled with a
plurality of recessed portions formed on the pad stand. When properly
arranged, the displacing stand may traverse and rotate with respect to the
fixed stand. Furthermore, when an operator is operating a mouse by placing
an arm on the arm support, the arm does not rub the table on which the pad
stand is positioned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention include a base, a tray and a
locking mechanism. The base includes a first member and a second member
moveable relative to the first member. The tray is mounted to the base and is
moveable in a substantially horizontal plane in a plurality of directions. The
locking mechanism is connected to the tray. The locking mechanism includes
a handle and a locking member capable of preventing movement of the tray
relative to the base.
In embodiments of the invention, the assembly includes a rubber
member that engages the tray in order to prevent movement. The tray may
include a support plate for supporting a tray portion. The support plate may
be engaged by the rubber member in order to prevent movement of the tray.
In embodiments of the invention, the tray further includes a base plate
connected to the tray portion and a member connecting the base plate to the
locking mechanism.
In embodiments of the invention, the base includes a motor
assembly including a first member, a second member, a motor and a
converter capable of converting rotational movement of the motor into
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translational movement of the second member relative to the first member. In
embodiments of the invention, the motor assembly includes a base portion
connected to a first end and a plate member connected to a second end. The
base may also include a second motor assembly.
In embodiments of the invention, the tray includes a tray portion,
a base plate supporting the tray portion, a plurality of rollers supporting
the
base plate and a support tray supporting the plurality of rollers.
Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided an assembly
including a base including a first member and a second member moveable
relative to the first member; a tray mounted to the base and moveable in a
substantially horizontal plane in a plurality of directions; a rubber member
that
engages the tray in order to prevent movement; and a locking mechanism
connected to the tray including a handle and a locking member capable of
preventing movement of the tray relative to the base.
According to another aspect there is provided an assembly
including a base including a first member, a second member moveable
relative to the first member, a first motor assembly capable of creating
movement of the first member relative to the second member and a second
motor assembly; a tray mounted to the base and moveable in a substantially
horizontal plane in a plurality of directions; and a locking mechanism
connected to the tray including a handle and a locking member capable of
preventing movement of the tray relative to the base.
According to another aspect there is provided an assembly
including a base including a first member and a second member moveable
relative to the first member; a tray mounted to the base and moveable in a
substantially horizontal plane in a plurality of directions, the tray
including a
tray portion, a base plate supporting the tray portion, a plurality of rollers
supporting the base plate, and a support tray supporting the plurality of
rollers;
and a locking mechanism connected to the tray including a handle and a
locking member capable of preventing movement of the tray relative to the
base.
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According to another aspect there is provided a tray assembly
for a vehicle, including a tray member having an upper side and a lower side;
a base plate disposed adjacent the lower side of the tray member, the base
plate including an upper side and a lower side; a support plate having an
upper side and a lower side; a roller bearing assembly positioned adjacent the
lower side of the base plate and the upper side of the support plate; a
friction
plate disposed adjacent the lower side of the support plate, the friction
plate
having an upper side and a lower side; a locking plate disposed adjacent the
lower side of the friction plate; and a locking mechanism for moving the
locking plate between a locked position in which the locking plate compresses
the friction plate against the support plate and an unlocked position in which
the friction plate is not compressed against the support plate.
According to another aspect there is provided a tray assembly
for a vehicle, including a tray portion including a tray member that
translates in
at least three directions in a horizontal plane with respect to an initial
position
of the tray member; means for locking the tray member against movement in
the horizontal plane; and means for moving the tray member vertically.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of components
included in the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front exploded perspective view of a subset of
components depicted in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a lower exploded perspective view of a subset of
components depicted in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a component depicted in Figure
4;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a component depicted in Figure
4;
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a subset of
components included in the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the components
depicted in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of one of the
components depicted in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of two of the components
depicted in Figure 7;
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly
depicted in Figure 7;
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Figure 12 is a perspective view of a component depicted in
Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a component depicted in
Figure 11;
Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly
including components depicted in Figure 11;
Figure 15 is a front section view of the embodiment of the
invention depicted in Figure 1;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of an assembly depicted in
Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of a component depicted in
Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a perspective view of a component depicted in
Figure 17;
Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly
depicted in Figure 17;
Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly
depicted in Figure 17;
Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly
depicted in Figure 16;
Figure 23 is a perspective view of a component depicted in
Figure 22;
Figure 24 is a perspective view of a component depicted in
Figure 23; and
Figure 25 is a perspective view of an assembly depicted in
Figure 23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Figure 1, numeral 10 generally indicates a tray
assembly representing an embodiment of the invention. In the present
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embodiment of the invention, assembly 10 includes a base portion, generally
indicated by numeral 12, and a tray portion, generally indicated by numeral
14.
As seen in Figure 2, base portion 12 includes a lower portion,
generally indicated by numeral 20, and an upper portion, generally indicated
by numeral 22. Lower portion 20 includes a base plate 30, an inner canister
32, and a motor assembly 34. Base plate 30 may be manufactured from any
rigid material. Base plate 30 is a substantially planar plate having a
rectangular profile.
As seen in Figures 2 and 3, inner canister 32 includes a front
plate 40, a rear plate 42, and a pair of side plates 44. Each of the plates
40,
42, 44 may be manufactured from any rigid material. In embodiments of the
invention, inner canister 32 may be formed of a single aluminum extrusion. In
other embodiments of the invention, the plates 40, 42, 44 comprising the inner
canister 32 may be joined in any manner, such as thorough welding.
In the present embodiment of the invention, front plate 40
includes a front opening 46. Front opening 46 is directed toward the upper
edge of front plate 40, and includes an arcuate portion.
In the present embodiment of the invention, the side plates 44
have side openings 48. Side openings 48 are directed toward the upper edge
of the side plates 44 and include an arcuate portion. Side openings 48 are
positioned so as to be directly across from each other in the present
embodiment of the invention.
Motor assembly 34 includes motor 50, motor linkage 52, base
portion 54 and plate portion 56. In the present embodiment of the invention,
motor 50 may be any standard motor capable of causing rotation upon
receiving an electrical signal. For example, motor 50 may be an electric
motor which may be activated by a switch (not shown). Motor 50 is of a size
to allow motor 50 to be received by inner canister 32.
In the present embodiment of the invention, motor linkage 52
includes a converter 60, an outer support 62 and an inner support 64.
Converter 60 is fixedly coupled to outer support 62 and movably coupled to
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inner support 64, and is of the type that converts rotational movement of
motor 50 into linear movement of inner support 64.
In the present embodiment of the invention, outer support 62 is
sized and configured to receive a portion of inner support 64. Accordingly,
when motor 50 is activated in a first direction, converter 60 causes inner
support 64 to travel out of outer support 62, thereby increasing the overall
length of motor linkage 52. Furthermore, when motor 50 operates in the
opposite direction, converter 60 withdraws the inner support 64 into the outer
support 62, thereby decreasing the overall length of motor linkage 52.
In the present embodiment of the invention, base portion 54 is
attached to an end of inner support 64 opposite converter 60. Base portion
54 may be of any type capable of supporting motor linkage 52. Base portion
54 may be attached to the inner support 64 in any known manner. For
example, fasteners (not shown) may attach the base portion 54 to inner
support 64. In other embodiments , the base portion 54 may be welded to
inner support 64.
Similarly, plate portion 56 may be attached to converter 60 in
any manner. In addition, plate portion 56 is sized and positioned so that
plate
portion 56 may be received at least partially within the side openings 48 of
inner canister 32. Plate portion 56 includes a plurality of receiving areas,
each generally indicated by numeral 66.
In the present embodiment of the invention, upper portion 22
includes a rear plate 70, a front plate 72, a plurality of rollers, each
generally
indicated by numeral 74, and a pair of side plates, each indicated by numeral
76, as seen in Figure 4. Rear plate 70 has a rectangular shape and is made
out of a rigid material such as metal. Rear plate 70 includes a plurality of
receiving areas, each generally indicated by numeral 80. The receiving areas
80 may include a plurality of threads, thereby allowing the receiving areas to
receive a fastener (not shown).
Front plate 72 has a size complementary to rear plate 70. In
addition, front plate 72 similarly includes a plurality of receiving areas,
each
generally indicated by numeral 82, formed in the side edges thereof. The
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receiving areas 82 may also include threads, thereby allowing the receiving
areas 82 to receive threaded fasteners (not shown).
In the present embodiment of the invention, the front plate 72
includes an upper opening 84. Upper opening 84 has an arcuate shaped
portion and is directed toward the upper edge of the front plate 72. In the
current embodiment of the invention, the upper opening 84 is sufficiently
sized
to receive motor 50.
As depicted in Figure 5, each of the rollers 74 includes a roller
portion 90 and an affixing portion 92. Roller portion 90 may be of any type
known in the art capable of allowing rotation with respect to affixing portion
92. In the present embodiment of the invention, the affixing portion 92
includes a threaded portion 94 and a nut 96.
In the present embodiment of the invention, side plates 76
include a vertical portion 100 and a horizontal portion 102 that are formed
from a single piece of material, as shown in Figure 6. In embodiments of the
invention, however, the vertical portion 100 and the horizontal portion 102
may be formed from separate pieces of material that may be affixed together
in a suitable manner, such as by welding. The material utilized to form the
portions 100, 102 may be any durable or rigid material.
In the present embodiment of the invention, vertical portion 100
includes a plurality of roller apertures, generally indicated by numeral 104,
front plate apertures, generally indicated by numeral 106, rear plate
apertures,
generally indicated by numeral 108 and plate portion apertures, generally
indicated by numeral 110. The roller apertures 104 are sized and configured
to receive the receiving portion 92 of rollers 74. The roller apertures 104
are
positioned throughout the vertical portion 100 so that when rollers 74 are
received by the roller apertures 104 sufficient space exists between the
rollers
74 to allow the roller 74 to receive inner canister 32.
The front plate apertures 106 are located in vertical portion 100
at positions complementary to the receiving areas 82 of front plate 72. Thus,
when front plate 72 is properly positioned with respect to the vertical
portion
100, front plate apertures 106 align with the receiving areas 82.
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Similarly, rear plate apertures 108 are spaced within the vertical
portion 100 at positions complementary to the receiving areas 80 of rear plate
70.
The vertical portions 100 further include plate portion apertures
110. The plate portion apertures 110 are sized and configured to mate with
the receiving areas 66 present within the plate portion 56.
In addition, the horizontal portion 102 includes apertures 112. In
the present embodiment of the invention, the apertures 112 are positioned
proximate the ends of horizontal portion 102.
With reference now to Figures 1 through 6, the assembly of
lower portion 20 will be described. It should be noted that this assembly
process is being described for exemplary purposes only and is not a limitation
as to the order of steps in assembling the lower portion 20.
Inner canister 32 may be affixed to base portion 30 in any
suitable manner. For example, inner canister 32 may be welded to the base
portion 30 so as to ensure that the inner canister 32 and the base portion 30
are secured.
The motor assembly 34 is positioned such that a majority of the
motor linkage 52 resides within the inner portion of inner canister 32. When
motor assembly 34 is properly positioned, plate portion 56 should at least
partially reside within the side openings 48 of the inner canister 32.
The rollers 74 are then affixed to the vertical portions 100 of side
plates 76. Specifically, nuts 96 may be removed from the threaded portions
94 in a conventional manner. The threaded portions 94 of the rollers 74 are
inserted into the roller apertures 104 in the vertical portions 100. The nuts
96
may then be threaded onto the threaded portions 94 in a conventional
manner, thereby affixing rollers 74 to the vertical portions 100. As explained
above, the distance separating the rollers 74 should be sufficient so as to
allow the inner canister 32 to be received intermediate the rollers 74. The
side plates 76 may then be positioned such that the rollers 74 contact inner
canister 32.
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When the side plates 76 are properly aligned with respect to
the inner canister 32, the receiving areas 66 of plate portion 56 are aligned
with the plate portion apertures 110 in the vertical portions 100. Once the
apertures 100 have been aligned with the receiving areas 66, a plurality of
fasteners (not shown) affix the side plates 76 to the plate portion 56.
Front plate 72 is then positioned so that the receiving areas 82
of front plate 72 align with front plate apertures 106. It should be noted
that in
this position, upper opening 84 of front plate 72 receives motor 50. Once
front
plate 72 has been properly located with respect to the vertical portions 100,
a
plurality of fasteners (not shown) affix the front plate 72 to the vertical
portions
100 of side plates 72.
The rear plate 70 is positioned intermediate the side plates 76.
When rear plate 70 is properly aligned with respect to the side plates 76, the
receiving areas 80 present within the rear plate 70 align with the rear plate
apertures 108 present within the vertical portions 100 of side plates 72. Once
the apertures 108 have been aligned with the receiving areas 80, a plurality
of
fasteners (not shown) may be utilized to attach the rear plate 70 to the side
plates 76.
As would be understood by one with ordinary skill in the art, this
combination of components would allow the upper portion 22 to move with
respect to the lower portion 20 upon activation of the motor 50. For example,
when motor 50 rotates in a direction causing inner support 64 to extend out of
outer support 62, as described above with respect to motor linkage 52. This
movement results in an increase in the separation distance between base
portion 54 and plate portion 56 of motor linkage 52. Due to the
interconnection between plate portion 56 and side plates 76, as the distance
separating the plate portion 56 and the base portion 54 increases, the
distance separating the side plates 76 and the base portion 54 will also
increase. Moreover, due to the interconnection between the base plate 30
and base portion 54, the above-described movement will also cause the
upper portion 22 to move away from base plate 30. Moreover, when motor 50
is activated in the opposite direction, the distance separating base portion
54
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and plate portion 56 would decrease, thereby causing upper portion 22 to
move in the direction of base plate 30.
In addition, the rollers 74 encompass inner canister 32, in the
final assembly of base portion 12, and ride along the front plate 40 and rear
plate 42. The engagement of the rollers 74 and inner canister 32 helps to
stabilize the upper portion 22 with respect to the lower portion 20 as the
upper
portion 22 move in a vertical direction.
Referring now to Figure 7, tray portion 14 includes tray member
130, base plate 132, support plate 134, roller bearing assembly 136, locking
plate 138, friction plate 140, and locking mechanism 142.
In the present embodiment of the invention, tray portion 130
includes a horizontal member 150 encompassed by a vertical wall 152. The
horizontal member 150 and vertical walls 152 may be formed of a single piece
of rigid material. In embodiments of the invention, however, the horizontal
member 150 and vertical walls 152 may be manufactured from separate metal
materials and affixed together in any manner. In the present embodiment of
the invention, horizontal member 150 is located intermediate the upper and
lower edges of the vertical wall 152. This creates an upper recess 154 and a
lower recess (not shown) in tray portion 130. The lower recess is located
opposite upper recess 154.
In the present embodiment of the invention, base plate 132
includes a horizontal plate 160 and vertical plates 162. Base plate 132 may
be manufactured from a rigid metal material. Accordingly, horizontal plate
160 and vertical plates 162 may be integrally formed with horizontal plate 160
positioned proximate the upper edges of the vertical plates 162. Accordingly,
a recessed area (not shown) is formed intermediate the vertical plates 162
and below horizontal plate 160.
In the present embodiment of the invention, horizontal plate 160
includes a central aperture 164 and a plurality of surrounding apertures 166.
Central aperture 164 is located approximately in the center of horizontal
plate
160 and extends entirely therethrough into the lower recess. The surrounding
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apertures 166 surround the central aperture 164 and also extend through
horizontal plate 160 into the lower recess.
As shown in Figure 8, in the present embodiment of the
invention, support plate 134 includes a horizontal portion 170 and vertical
walls 172. In the present embodiment of the invention, the support plate 134
is manufactured from a single piece of metal material. However, in alternative
embodiments, the support plate may be manufactured from multiple pieces of
material, such as metal, that are fixed together.
Referring still to Figure 8, the vertical walls 172 extend upwards
from the horizontal portion 170 defining a recessed area, generally indicated
by a numeral 174. Horizontal portion 170 further includes an aperture 176
located in the center thereof. In the present embodiment of the invention,
aperture 176 has a rectangular shape. Horizontal portion 170 further includes
a plurality of mounting apertures, each generally indicated by a numeral 178.
In the present embodiment of the invention, the mounting apertures 178 are
positioned proximate the corners of the horizontal portion 170. In the present
embodiment of the invention, support plate 134 is sized to be received within
the lower recess of base plate 132.
With reference now to Figure 9, the roller bearing assemblies
136 each include a track 180 and a plurality of rollers, each indicated by a
numeral 182. In the present embodiment of the invention, track 180 is
manufactured from a single piece of metallic material. Track 180 includes a
horizontal portion 184 and a pair of vertical portions, each indicated by a
numeral 186. The vertical portions 186 extend downward along the longer
edges of the horizontal portion 184.
Horizontal portion 184 includes three roller apertures, each
generally indicated by a numeral 188, and a pair of mounting apertures, each
indicated by a numeral 190. The roller apertures 188 are positioned
intermediate the mounting apertures 190. In the present embodiment of the
invention, the mounting apertures 190 are spaced a distance equal to the
distance separating mounting apertures 178 on a given side of support plate
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134. In addition, the roller apertures 188 are sized and configured to receive
rollers 182.
Referring still to Figure 9, rollers 182 include a body portion 192
and a roller bearing, or ball bearing, 194. Rollers 182 may be of any type
known in the art. In the present embodiment of the invention, the body portion
192 retains the roller bearing 194 in a manner allowing the roller bearing 194
to rotate freely within body portion 192. A portion of roller bearing 194,
however, extends above body portion 192, but roller bearing 194 is not
permitted to escape from the body portion 192. Body portion 192 is sized and
configured to be received within the roller apertures 188 in the final
assembly
of the roller bearing assemblies 136, the body portion 192 is retained within
the roller apertures 188.
Referring now to Figure 10, locking plate 138 may be
manufactured from a metallic material and includes an upper surface 200 and
a lower surface 202. Both upper surface 200 and lower surface 202 are
substantially smooth. Locking plate 138 includes a central aperture 204 and a
plurality of apertures 206. In the present embodiment of the invention,
central
aperture 204 has a rectangular shape. Apertures 206 are spaced so as to
encompass the central aperture 204.
In the present embodiment of the invention, friction plate 140
has a shape substantially similar to that of locking plate 138, as illustrated
by
Figure 10. Specifically, friction plate 140 has an upper surface 210 and a
lower surface 212. Friction plate 140 also includes a central aperture 214
with
a shape configured to mirror that of central aperture 204. Friction plate 140
may be manufactured from any material capable of creating friction, such as
rubber.
In the present embodiment of the invention, the locking
mechanism 142 includes a handle member 220, a connector 222, a latch 224,
a lower plate 226, an upper plate 228, and a central member 230 as
illustrated in Figure 11. The handle member 220 is manufactured out of metal
and may be configured in any manner desired. In the present embodiment of
the invention, handle member 220 includes a body portion 240 intermediate a
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first grip 242 and a second grip 244. The first grip 242 and the second grip
244 extend in at 900 angles with respect to body portion 240.
With reference now to Figure 12, connector 222 may be
manufactured from a rigid material, such as a metal, and comprises a vertical
wall 250. The vertical wall 250 includes lower recessed areas 252 and upper
recessed areas 254. The lower recessed areas 252 are sized and configured
to at least partially receive the body portion 240 of handle member 220. The
upper recessed areas 254 are positioned within a vertical wall 250 at a 90
angle with respect to the lower recessed areas 252. In addition, the upper
recessed areas 254 open upwards, whereas the lower recessed areas 252
open downwards.
As shown in Figure 13, latch 224 includes a connecting portion
260, a fixed portion 26 and an extending portion 264. Latch 224 may be any
latch known in the art. In the present embodiment of the invention, the
connecting portion 260 is sized and configured to mate with the upper
recessed areas 254 of connector 222. The connecting portion 260 is attached
to the fixed portion 262 by way of a pivot 266. In addition, the connecting
portion 260 is internally connected to the extending portion 264 in a manner
allowing the extending portion 264 to extend out of fixed portion 262 when
connecting portion 260 pivots about pivot 266 in one direction. When
connecting portion 260 pivots about pivot 266 in the opposite direction,
extending portion 264 is withdrawn into the fixed portion 262. It should be
noted that fixed portion 262 includes a larger diameter portion 268 from which
extending portion 264 extends. Larger diameter portion 268 has a larger
diameter relative to the extending portion 264.
With reference now to Figure 14, in the present embodiment of
the invention, lower plate 226 may be manufactured from a rigid material,
such as a metal. The lower plate 226 includes a central aperture 280 and
surrounding apertures 282. In the embodiment of the invention depicted, the
apertures 282 are positioned about central apertures 280 in a manner
complementary to the positioning of the apertures 206 relative to the central
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aperture 204 in locking plate 138. In the present embodiment of the invention,
the lower plate 226 has a rectangular shape.
Upper plate 228 also includes a central aperture 290 and a
plurality of surrounding apertures, each generally indicated by a numeral 292.
The position of the apertures 292 relative to central aperture 290 mirrors the
position of the apertures 166 encompassing central aperture 164 in base plate
132. In the present embodiment of the invention, the upper plate 228 has a
rectangular shape and may be manufactured from any rigid material, such as
metal.
In the present embodiment of the invention, central member 230
includes an outer member 310, an inner member 312, and a sleeve 314. The
outer member 310 comprises four vertical walls 320, each positioned at a
right angle so as to give the outer member 310 a rectangular cross-section.
The vertical walls 320 include a plurality of apertures, each generally
indicated
by a numeral 322. The apertures 322 extend into the central area 324
defined by the vertical walls 320.
Referring still to Figure 14, inner member 312 similarly includes
a plurality of vertical walls, each generally indicated by a numeral 326. The
vertical walls 326 of inner member 312 are also positioned at right angles,
thereby giving inner member 312 a rectangular cross-section. Inner member
312 is sized and configured to be received within central area 324 of outer
member 310. In addition, outer member 310 and inner member 312 may
each be manufactured from a rigid material such as a metal.
Sleeve 314 may be manufactured from a metal and has a
cylindrical shape. In the present embodiment of the invention, sleeve 314 is
sized and configured to be received within inner member 312.
Now that the components comprising tray portion 14 have been
described, the assembly of the tray portion 14 will be described with
reference
to Figures 7 through 14. This description is being given for exemplary
purposes only, and one with ordinary skill in the art would understand that
the
steps described herein may be altered as desired.
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In order to assemble tray portion 14, the central member 230 is
assembled by positioning within the inner member 312 central area 324 of
outer member 310. A plurality of fasteners (not shown) may then be inserted
into apertures 322 in order to retain the inner member 312 within outer
member 310. The central member 230 may then be placed upon lower plate
226, with central aperture 280 aligned with the longitudinal center of inner
member 312. The central member 230 is sized and configured to be received
by aperture 204 of locking plate 328. Accordingly, locking plate 328 may be
placed upon lower plate 226, with central member 230 extending upward
through central aperture 204 of locking plate 138. A plurality of fasteners
(not
shown) may then connect locking plate 138 with lower plate 226. Specifically,
the fasteners extend into apertures 206 of the locking plate 138 and into the
apertures 282 of lower plate 226. Once the fasteners have been inserted into
the corresponding apertures 282, friction plate 140 may be slipped over
central member 230. Accordingly, central member 230 would extend through
aperture 214 of friction plate 140.
A portion of locking mechanism 142 may be assembled by
connecting the handle member 220, the connector 222, and the latch 224 in
the manner described above. The handle member 220 may be affixed to the
connector 222 in a known manner, and similarly, the connector 222 may be
affixed to the latch 224 in a known manner.
The roller bearing assemblies 136 may be affixed to the support
plate 134 by aligning mounting apertures 190 of the roller bearing assemblies
136 should align with the mounting apertures 178 positioned within the
support plate 134. When properly positioned, the roller bearing assemblies
136 extend parallel and near the long side edges of the support plate 134.
Fasteners (not shown) may be utilized to affix the roller bearing assemblies
136 to the support plates 134.
With the roller bearing assemblies 136 affixed to the support
plate 134, the support plate 134 may be placed on top of friction plate 140.
Once the support plate 134 has been placed on friction plate 140, upper plate
228 may be placed on central member 230, and the central aperture 290 of
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upper plate 228 aligns with the central aperture 280 of lower plate 226. Base
plate 132 may then be placed on upper plate 228. The central aperture 164
of base plate 132 aligns with the central aperture 290 of upper plate 228 when
base plate 132 is properly positioned. Similarly, the apertures 166 of base
plate 132 align with apertures 292 of upper plate 228, when base plate 132 is
properly positioned. A plurality of fasteners (not shown) are then utilized to
connect base plate 132 to upper plate 228 in a conventional manner.
A fastener may then be inserted into central aperture 164 of
base plate 132. The fastener extends through central aperture 290, sleeve
314, and out through central aperture 280 of lower plate 226. An aperture
(not shown) present within extending portion 264 receives the fastener,
thereby affixing latch 224 to the fastener. Tray portion 130 is then placed
upon base plate 132, with base plate 132 specifically received within the
lower
recess of tray portion 130. Tray portion 130 may be affixed to the base plate
132 in a known manner, such as by welding, in order to complete the
assembly of tray 14.
Tray portion 14 is positioned on base portion 12. When properly
arranged, support plate 134 may be connected to the horizontal plates 122 of
side plates 76 by way of a plurality of fasteners (not shown). In other
embodiments of the invention, the support plate 134 may be connected to the
side plates 76 in any suitable manner. This interconnection completes the
assembly of the mail tray assembly 10.
With reference now to Figures 1 through 15, the tray portion 14
of tray assembly 10 is connected to upper portion 22 of base portion 12, and
as described previously above, upper portion 22 may be moved in relation to
base portion 12 when desired. Accordingly, one may increase or decrease
the distance separating base plate 30 of base portion 12 and tray portion 14.
Alternatively, one may also decrease the distance separating tray portion 130
and base plate 30, when desired, by causing the movement of upper portion
22 relative to lower portion 20 as described above. This allows one to raise
or
lower the tray portion 14 as desired
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It should be noted that only support plate 134 and roller bearing
assemblies 136 are fixedly connected to base portion 12. The remainder of
the components comprising tray portion 14 reside upon the rollers 182
present within the roller bearing assemblies 136. Thus, when extending
portion 264 of latch 224 is fully extended from fixed portion 262, base plate
132 is free to traverse along the rollers 182 of the roller bearing assemblies
136. Accordingly, the tray portion 14 is free to move in a horizontal plane in
any direction with respect to base portion 12. Once an operator has located
the tray portion 14 in the desired location, the operator may then actuate
handle member 220 in such a way so as to withdraw extending portion 264
into fixed portion 262 of the latch 224. The withdrawing of extending portion
264 into fixed portion 262 has the effect of decreasing the distance
separating
base plate 132 and friction plate 140. Moreover, since the base plate 132 is
supported upon the roller bearing assemblies 136, the ultimate effect of
withdrawing extending portion 264 into fixed portion 262 is to raise rubber
portion 140 into contact with support plate 134. Once friction plate 140 has
been compressed into contact with support plate 134, the resulting friction
will
prevent movement of friction plate 140 with respect to the base plate 134. In
addition, since friction plate 140 is directly connected to base plate 132 by
way of central member 230, the contact between friction plate 140 and
support plate 134 prevents movement of base plate 132 with respect to
support plate 134. Accordingly, in this manner, an operator may prevent the
movement of tray portion 130 with respect to base portion 12. Moreover,
when an operator desires again to move tray portion 130 with respect to base
portion 12, the operator need only actuate handle member 220, thereby
forcing extending portion 264 out of fixed portion 262. The larger diameter
portion 264 of fixed portion 262 will again cause increased separation
distance between the rubber portion 140 and the base plate 132. With this
increased distance, rubber portion 140 will separate from support plate 134,
thereby freeing base plate 132 and tray portion 130 to move freely upon the
roller bearing assemblies 136.
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The final assembly of assembly 10 allows for the vertical
adjustment of the height of tray 130, by way of base portion 12. In addition,
the tray portion 14 allows horizontal movement of tray 130 relative to the
base
portion 12. The type of movement allows the assembly 10 to be utilized in a
variety of applications. For example, the assembly may be utilized in postal
vehicles, delivery vehicles, or the like.
With reference to Figures 16 through 25, an alternate
embodiment of the mail tray assembly, generally indicated by numeral 1000,
is depicted. Tray assembly 1000 includes base portion 1012 and a tray
portion 1014. In the present embodiment of the invention, base portion 1012
includes a pair of support assemblies 1020. The support assemblies 1020
each have identical configurations but are mirror images.
As shown in Figure 17, the support assemblies 1020 include a
base plate 1022, an upper support plate 1024, a motor assembly 1026, and a
pair of support legs 1028.
As shown in Figure 18, base plate 1022 is a rectangular-shaped
piece of rigid material, such as a metal. Proximate the short outer edges,
base 1022 includes a plurality of four mounting apertures, each generally
indicated by a numeral 1030. Base 1022 further includes a plurality of support
leg mounting apertures, each generally indicated by a numeral 1032, located
interior to the floor mounting apertures 1030.
Figure 19 depicts a perspective view of upper support plate
1024. Upper support plate 1024 may be manufactured from a single piece of
rigid material, such as a metal. In the present embodiment of the invention,
upper support plate 1024 includes a lower horizontal surface 1040 having a
rectangular shape, a first vertical wall 1042, and a second vertical wall
1044,
each extending upward from the long edges of lower horizontal surface 1040.
Upper horizontal surface 1046 extends outward from the upper surface of
second vertical wall 1044. In the present embodiment of the invention, lower
horizontal surface 1040 includes a plurality of apertures, each generally
indicated by numeral 1048. First vertical wall 1042 includes a plurality of
apertures, each generally indicated by numeral 1050. In addition, upper
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horizontal surface 1046 includes a plurality of apertures, each shown
indicated by numeral 1052. It should be noted that in the present embodiment
of the invention, upper support plate 1024 is depicted as a single piece of
material, however, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, the upper
support plate 1024 may comprise multiple pieces of material affixed together
in any suitable manner.
Figure 20 depicts an exploded perspective view of motor
assembly 1026. In the present embodiment of the invention, motor assembly
1026 includes a motor 1060, a base portion 1062, and an extension 1064.
Motor 1060 is an electric motor that is reversible. Motor 1060 is coupled to
base portion 1062 and extension 1064 in a manner ensuring that, upon
activation of motor 1060 in a first direction, extension 1064 extends away
from
base portion 1062. Conversely, when motor 1060 is activated the opposite
direction, extension 1064 will be withdrawn into base portion 1062.
Base portion 1062 includes a mounting mechanism 1066. In the
present embodiment of the invention, mounting mechanism 1066 comprises a
pair of spaced apart walls 1068, each including an aperture 1070, a cotter pin
1072 of the type known in the art, and a mounting plate 1074. The spaced
walls 1068 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive mounting plate
1074.
Referring still to Figure 20, mounting plate 1074 includes an
aperture 1076 approximately equivalent in size to apertures 1070 within the
spaced walls 1068. Accordingly, once mounting plate 1074 is properly
positioned intermediate spaced walls 1068, cotter pin 1072 may be inserted
into the apertures 1076 in order to affix the mounting plate 1074 to the
spaced
walls 1068. When one desires to affix the motor assembly 1026 to base plate
1022, one need only then affix mounting plate 1074 to base plate 1022,
thereby allowing the remainder of the motor assembly 1026 to be removable
by the usage of the cotter pin, as would be understood by one with the skill
in
the art.
Extension 1064 also includes a pair of spaced walls 1078
opposite the spaced walls 1068. Spaced walls 1078 include apertures 1080
CA 02545766 2006-07-10
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capable of receiving cotter pin 1082. Extension 1064 also includes a
mounting plate 1084 having an aperture 1086. In a manner similar to that
described above with respect to the base portion 1062, the mounting plate
1084 may be attached to spaced walls 1078 by cotter pin 1082.
Figure 21 depicts a support leg 1028. In the present
embodiment of the invention, support leg 1028 includes lower support portion
1090, upper support portion 1092, and mounting bracket 1094. In the present
embodiment of the invention, lower support portion 1090 is larger and
receives upper support portion 1092 in a manner allowing upper support
portion 1092 to telescope relative to the lower support portion 1090.
In the present embodiment of the invention, mounting bracket
1094 is manufactured from a rigid metallic material and includes a central
aperture 1096 and a plurality of mounting apertures 1098. The positioning of
the mounting apertures 1098 in mounting bracket 1094 mirrors those of
support leg mounting apertures 1032 in base 1022. In addition, central
aperture 1096 is sized and configured to receive and retain lower support
portion 1090.
Now that the components of base portion 1012 have been
described, the assembly of base portion 1012 will be described in detail with
reference to Figures 16 through 21. These steps are being given merely as
an example and are not intended to limit the assembly of base portion 1012 in
any manner. The lower support portion 1090 is inserted into central aperture
1096 and the mounting bracket 1094 is affixed thereto. A plurality of
fasteners (not shown) may then be inserted into the mounting apertures 1098
and support leg mounting apertures 1032 of base plate 1022. The fasteners
succeed then in attaching the mounting bracket 1094 to the base plate 1022.
Mounting plate 1074 may then be affixed to base plate 1022.
For example, mounting plate 1074 may be welded to the central portion of
base plate 1022. Once mounting plate 1074 has been affixed to base plate
1022, cotter pin 1072 may be utilized to attach the spaced walls 1068 to the
mounting plate 1074. The attachment of spaced walls 1068 to mounting plate
1074 succeeds in attaching the motor assembly 1026 to base plate 1022.
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With the motor assembly 1026 and support legs 1028 attached
to base plate 1022, upper support plate 1024 may now be attached. Motor
assembly 1026 is inserted into the central of the three apertures 1048 located
in horizontal surface 1040. Similarly, the support legs 1028 are inserted into
the outer of the apertures 1048. The upper portion of support legs 1028 may
then be affixed to upper support plate 1024. Similarly, mounting plate 1084
may be positioned intermediate spaced walls 1078 and affixed thereto by way
of cotter pin 1082. In addition, mounting plate 1048 may then be affixed to
upper support plate 1024, such as by welding. This secures the motor
assembly 1026 and support legs 1028 to the upper support plate 1024.
Moreover, activation of motor 1060 in a manner causing extension 1064 to
extend from base portion 1062 will increase the distance separating upper
support plate 1024 and base plate 1022. Conversely, activation of motor
1060 in the opposite direction would decrease the distance separating base
plate 1022 and upper support plate 1024.
As shown in Figure 22, tray portion 1014 is similar to the tray
portion 14 described previously. Accordingly, with respect to this embodiment
of the invention depicted, only those components differing from previous
components will be described.
Tray portion 1014 includes a tray 1130, a base plate 1132, a
support plate 1134, a pair of roller bearing assemblies 1136, a locking plate
1138, a friction plate 1140, and a locking mechanism 1142. In the present
embodiment of the invention, tray portion 1130, base plate 1132, and the
roller bearing assemblies 1136 are all substantially identical to the
embodiments of the same components described previously with respect to
the first embodiment of the invention. Similarly, rubber portion 1140 is
substantially similar to the friction plate 140 described previously, except
that
in the current embodiment of the invention, the shape of the friction plate
1140
is illustrated differently. Accordingly, the description of the present
embodiment of the invention will focus only on those components having
different configurations. It should be noted that tray portion 1014 functions
substantially similar to tray portion 14 described previously.
CA 02545766 2006-07-10
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With respect to Figure 23, support plate 1134 includes a main
body member 1150 with a rectangular shape. Vertical walls 1152 extend
upward along the longer edges of main body members 1150. Vertical walls
1154 extend downward from the shorter edges of main body member 1150.
Main body member 1150 includes a central aperture 1156, a pair of motor
assembly receiving apertures, each generally indicated by 1158, and a
plurality of leg receiving apertures, each generally indicated by 1160. The
motor receiving apertures 1158 are sized and configured to receive extension
1064 of motor assembly 1026. Similarly, the leg-receiving apertures 1160 are
sized and configured to receive the upper support portion 1092 of support leg
1028. If desired, support plate 1134 may further include apertures in main
body member 1150 and vertical walls 1154. These apertures may be
configured to align with the apertures 1050 and 1052 in upper support plate
1024. This will provide a means for attaching the upper support plate 1024 to
the support plate 1134. However, in embodiments of the invention, alternative
mechanisms may be utilized to attach the upper support plate 1024 to the
support plate 1134. For example, the upper support plate 1024 may be
welded to the support plate 1134.
In the present embodiment of the invention, the locking plate
1138 has a circular shape and includes a central aperture 1170 and
surrounding apertures 1172 similar to those described in previous
embodiments of the locking plate, as shown in Figure 24. However, the
present embodiment of the locking plate 1138 further includes link-mounting
apertures 1174. In the present embodiment of the invention, the link-
mounting apertures 1174 are positioned proximate the edge of locking plate
1138.
Figure 25 depicts a perspective view of locking mechanism
1142. Locking mechanism 1142 may be similar to that described previously.
In the present embodiment, however, locking mechanism 1142 includes a pair
of handles 1180, a pair of handle rods 1182, a pair of mounting brackets
1184, and a linkage member 1186. In the present embodiment of the
invention, the handles 1180 are located on opposite sides of the tray portion
CA 02545766 2006-07-10
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1114. The handles 1180 receive the handle rods 1182 in a secure manner so
that the handle rods 1182 rotate with the handles 1180. The handle rods
1182 each extend through a mounting bracket 1184. The mounting brackets
1184 may include a bearing, or similar type component, allowing for the
rotation of the handle rods 1182 therein. In the present embodiment of the
invention, the handle rods 1182 are coupled to a linkage member 1186.
Linkage member 1186 may be of any type capable of being affixed to locking
plate 1138 and having a portion capable of extending or retracting upon
rotation of handle rods 1182. Accordingly, linkage member 1186, once
attached to locking plate 1138 and support plate 1134, may be used to
increase or decrease the distance separating the locking plate 1138 and the
support plate 1134.
The linkage mechanism 1186 functions similar to the locking
mechanism 142 described previously. Similarly, in the present embodiment,
when a maximum distance separates the locking plate 1138 and base plate
1132, the base plate 1132 is free to ride upon the roller bearing assemblies
1136. However, once an user has moved tray 1130 into the desired position,
the user may then rotate the handles 1180, thereby causing linkage member
1186 to decrease the distance separating locking plate 1138 and base plate
1132. The decrease in distance causes rubber portion 1140 to frictionally
engage the support plate 1134. This frictional engagement thereby prevents
movement of the base plate 1132 on the roller bearing assemblies 1136.
In assembling tray portion 1114, locking mechanism 1142 is
assembled with handle rods 1182 extending through mounting brackets 1184
and into linkage member 1186 in a manner allowing the handle rods to
actuate the linkage member 1186. The handles 1180 may then be attached
to the handle rods 1182. A plurality of fasteners (not shown) affix the
mounting brackets 1184 to the mounting apertures 1174. When the mounting
brackets are properly affixed to the locking plate 1138, linkage member 1186
extends upwards through central aperture 1170. Rubber portion 1140 may
then be placed on the linkage member 1186, with linkage member 1186
extending through the central aperture of the rubber portion 1140. The roller
CA 02545766 2006-07-10
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bearing assemblies 1136 may then be attached to the support plate 1134 in a
manner similar to that described above with respect to the previous
embodiment. Once the roller bearing assemblies 1136 have been attached to
the support plate 1134, the support plate 1134 may then be placed upon the
locking plate 1138 with linkage member 1186 extending upwards through the
central aperture 1156 of support plate 1134. Base plate 1132 is then placed
upon and connected to linkage member 1186 by way of a fastener (not
shown). The fastener may be inserted into the central aperture of the base
plate 1132 similar to that described above with respect to the previous
embodiment. Once base plate 1132 has been affixed to the linkage member
1186, tray 1130 is affixed to the base plate 1132 in a manner similar to that
described above with respect to the previous embodiments of the invention.
When properly assembled, the user may rotate handles 118, so as to extend
linkage member 1186 to its maximum length, thereby creating maximum
separating distance between base plate 1132 and rubber portion 1140. This
moves rubber portion 1140 away from support plate 1134 and allows the base
plate 1132 to traverse the roller bearing assemblies 1136. Once the user has
reached a desired position with respect to the base plate 1132 and tray 1130,
the user then rotates handles 1180 so as to bring locking plate 1138 into
engagement with the support plate 1134. The friction created by this
engagement prevents the base plate 1132 from traversing the roller bearing
assemblies 1136.
In order to complete the assembly of the mail tray assembly
1000, the upper support plates 1124 are joined to the support plate 1134 in a
manner described immediately above. This allows for a user to, upon
activation of the motors 1060 in the motor assemblies 1026, raise and lower
the tray portion 1014 of mail tray assembly 1000. In addition, as would be
understood by one with ordinary skill in the art, the tray may also be moved
and locked in a horizontal plane by way of the locking mechanism 1142, as
described immediately above.
It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are
for exemplary purposes only. Moreover, the inventors anticipate that one with
CA 02545766 2012-12-10
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ordinary skill in the art would readily be able to interchange the components
of
the various embodiments described herein. For example, the tray portion 12
of the first embodiment of the mail tray assembly 10 may be substituted for
the tray portion 1014 of the second embodiment of the mail tray assembly
1000. Conversely, the base portion 12 of the first embodiment of the mail tray
assembly 10 may be substituted for the base portion 1012 of the second
embodiment of the mail tray assembly 1000. In addition, alternatives known
to those with ordinary skill in the art may also be utilized in alternative
embodiments of the invention. For example, a hydraulic lift may replace the
electric motors of the present embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the
present invention is limited to that set forth in the claims only.
While this invention has been described as having an exemplary
design, the present invention may be further modified within the scope of this
disclosure. The application is intended, therefore, to cover any variations,
uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further,
this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure
as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention
pertains.
