초록 ▼

A folding tray assembly is provided and includes a support member and a tray member, whereby the tray member is pivotably supported by the support member and moveable relative thereto between a use position and a stowed position. The folding tray assembly further includes a locking mechanism operabl

A folding tray assembly is provided and includes a support member and a tray member, whereby the tray member is pivotably supported by the support member and moveable relative thereto between a use position and a stowed position. The folding tray assembly further includes a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the tray member to the support member in one of either the use position or the stowed position. The locking mechanism is housed within the tray member such that the mechanism is not visible or accessible by an occupant, but rather remotely actuated by a handle or lever. In addition, the tray assembly eliminates external supports by providing support within the tray member, thereby providing an open space below the tray member and giving the tray assembly a generally L-shape in the use position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tray assembly comprising:a support member; a tray pivotably supported by said support member between a use position and a stowed position; and a locking mechanism housed within said tray, said locking mechanism operable to selectively prohibit relative movement between said tray and said suppor

1. A tray assembly comprising:a support member; a tray pivotably supported by said support member between a use position and a stowed position; and a locking mechanism housed within said tray, said locking mechanism operable to selectively prohibit relative movement between said tray and said support member and comprising at least one axially movable pin selectively engaging said support member to lock said tray in at least one of said use position or said stowed position; and an actuation mechanism housed within said tray, said actuation mechanism operable to selectively actuate said locking mechanism. 2. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said tray includes a lower member and an upper member, said lower member operable to support said upper member.3. The tray assembly of claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism and said actuation mechanism are disposed within a space that is bounded, at least in part, by each of said lower member and said upper member.4. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a pair of axially movable pins.5. The tray assembly of claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a link, a first cam and a second cam, said link operable to engage said first cam, said first cam operable to engage said second cam, and said second cam operable to toggle said pins between a locked and an unlocked position.6. The tray assembly of claim 5, wherein said pins are biased into engagement with said support member by a first biasing member.7. The tray assembly of claim 6, wherein said first biasing member is a spring.8. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism includes a first tube having a first and a second slot formed therein, said first tube being fixedly attached to said tray.9. The tray assembly of claim 8, wherein said first tube rotatably receives a second tube, said second tube fixedly attached to said support member.10. The tray assembly of claim 9, wherein said second tube includes a pair of posts fixedly attached to said second tube and received by both said first and second slots of said first tube, said posts moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position within said first and second slots.11. The tray assembly of claim 10, wherein when said posts are in said locked position said tray is in either said use position or said stowed positions and when said posts are in said unlocked position said tray is in neither said use position or said stowed position.12. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said tray comprises a rigid base member supporting a cover, said base member and said cover cooperating to form said tray.13. The tray assembly of claim 12, wherein said base member supports said tray when said tray is in said use position.14. The tray assembly of claim 12, wherein said base member is pivotably connected to said support member at a first side of said tray and is uncontstrained at a second side of said tray.15. The tray assembly of claim 12, wherein said locking mechanism engages said support member, and said locking and said base member are cooperable to support said tray when said tray is in said use position.16. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said tray includes a first and a second aperture, said first and second apertures operable to allow said locking mechanism to selectively engage said support member.17. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said tray and said support member each generally form one leg of a L-shape when said tray is in said use position so as to provide an open space beneath said tray when the tray is in said use position.18. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said tray is disposed generally parallel and proximate to said support member when said tray is in said stowed position.19. The tray assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is disposed adjacent a first side of said tray.20. A seat assembly comprising:a seating surface supported by a frame; and a tray assembly attached to said frame, said tray assembly comprising: a support member; a tray member pivotably supported by said support member between a use position and a stowed position; a locking mechanism housed within said tray member, said locking mechanism comprising at least one movable pin operable to engage said support member and selectively lock said tray member to said support member; and an actuation mechanism housed within said tray member, said actuation mechanism operable to selectively actuate said locking mechanism. 21. The seat assembly of claim 20, wherein said frame comprises a bottom frame and support member is fixedly attached to said bottom frame.22. The seat assembly of claim 20, wherein said frame comprises a back frame and said support member is fixedly attached to said back frame.23. The seat assembly of claim 20, wherein said wherein said tray member includes a lower member and an upper member, said lower member and said upper member cooperable to form an interior space of said tray member.24. The seat assembly of claim 23, wherein said locking mechanism is disposed within said interior space of said tray member.25. The seat assembly of claim 20, wherein said locking mechanism includes a first tube having a first and second slot formed therein, said first tube being fixedly attached to said tray assembly.26. The seat assembly of claim 25, wherein said first tube rotatably receives a second tube, said second tube fixedly attached to said support member.27. The seat assembly of claim 26, wherein said second tube includes a pair of posts fixedly attached to said second tube and received by said fist and second slots of said first tube, said posts moveable within said first and second slots between a locked position prohibiting relative movement between said tray member and said support member and an unlocked position permitting relative movement between said tray member and said support member.28. The seat assembly of claim 27, wherein when said posts are in said locked position said tray assembly is in either said use position or said stowed positions and when said posts are in said unlocked position said tray assembly is in neither said use position or said stowed position.29. The seat assembly of claim 20, wherein said locking mechanism includes a pair of axially movable pins, said pins selectively engaging said support member to prohibit relative movement between said tray member and said support member in at least one of said use position or said stowed position.30. A mechanism for a tray assembly having a working surface that is lockable in both a use position and a stowed position, said mechanism comprising:a first cam comprising a first ramped surface and second ramped surface, said first cam moveable along a first axis; a plurality of posts, at least one of said posts engaging said first ramped surface and at least one of said posts engaging said second ramped surface, said posts moveable along a second axis by said main cam between a locked position and a unlocked position such that the posts enable engagement of a support bracket in said locked position and do not enable engagement of said support bracket in said unlocked position; an actuation mechanism comprising a handle and at least one link, said at least one link engaging said first cam; and wherein the application of a force to said handle causes said first cam to move along said first axis and said plurality of posts to move along said second axis. 31. The tray assembly of claim 30, wherein said posts are biased in said locked position by a first biasing member.32. The tray assembly of claim 30, wherein said link is pivotably connected to an actuation handle at a first end and to said first cam at a second end.