Slip Resistant Multifunctional Lap Storage Tray

Abstract

A multifunctional lap storage tray device for securing to the thigh and upper leg of a user or to an armrest of a vehicle for providing storage space for accommodating smartphones, TV remotes, bowls, plates, etc. The device has a tray having a rectangular shape for accommodating items. The tray is slip-resistant and is enclosed by a cover having elevated edges. The elevated cushioned edges prevent the accommodated items from slipping off the lap/legs. The device has an adjustable tension mount, which allows the device to be attached securely to the thigh or upper leg area via a strap. A small channel extending through the elevated edge(s) is configured to accommodate a charging cord for a phone placed on the tray. An attached carabiner clip is used to secure the tray to a user's belt/waist area.

Claims

1. A portable lap storage device comprising: a lap storage device for resting on an upper leg of a user having a lap tray, an adjustable C-shaped tension mount, and a resting surface conforming to the upper leg area of a user for securing said lap storage device around the upper leg of the user; wherein said C-shaped tension mount is adjustable and secures to the upper leg of various sizes enabling said lap storage device to be used by different users; wherein said lap tray integrally secured to said C-shaped tension mount; wherein said lap tray having a planar top surface; and further wherein said items are selected from a group consisting of a smartphone, a TV remote, a beverage, a bowl, and a plate.

2. The portable lap storage device of claim 1, wherein said planar top surface having a non-slip material.

3. The portable lap storage device of claim 2, wherein said planar top surface having a top edge including an LED light for providing illumination.

4. The portable lap storage device of claim 3, wherein said planar top surface is selected from a group consisting of a chalkboard surface and a whiteboard surface.

5. The portable lap storage device of claim 3, wherein said top edge having a raised rubber tab for holding the smartphone at an angle relative to said planar top surface.

6. The portable lap storage device of claim 5, wherein said C-shaped tension mount having flexible insulating plastic.

7. The portable lap storage device of claim 6, wherein said lap storage device having a hook proximal to a bottom area of said lap storage device, and further wherein said lap storage device having a carabiner clip attached to said hook for securing said lap storage device to a user's belt.

8. The portable lap storage device of claim 6, wherein said lap storage device having a tray cover including a raised edge surrounding said planar top surface.

9. The portable lap storage device of claim 8, wherein said raised edge having a height from 1 inch to 3 inches.

10. The portable lap storage device of claim 9, wherein said raised edge having a channel to accommodate a charging cord passing therethrough.

11. The portable lap storage device of claim 1, wherein said C-shaped tension mount having a selectively attached hook and loop fastener strap connected to terminal ends of said C-shaped tension member for adjusting a circumference of said C-shaped tension mount.

12. A portable lap storage device comprising: a lap storage device for resting on an upper leg of a user having a lap tray, an adjustable C-shaped tension mount, and a resting surface conforming to the upper leg area of a user for securing said lap storage device around the upper leg of the user; wherein said C-shaped tension mount is adjustable and secures to the upper leg of various sizes enabling said lap storage device to be used by different users; wherein said lap tray integrally secured to said C-shaped tension mount; wherein said lap tray having a planar top surface including a non-slip material for holding items; wherein said lap storage device having a hook proximal to a bottom area of said lap storage device; wherein said lap storage device having a carabiner clip attached to said hook for securing said lap storage device to a user's belt; wherein said lap storage device having a tray cover including a raised edge surrounding said planar top surface; and further wherein said items are selected from a group consisting of a smartphone, a TV remote, a beverage, a bowl, and a plate.

13. The portable lap storage device of claim 12, wherein said planar top surface having a top edge including an LED light for providing illumination.

14. The portable lap storage device of claim 13, wherein said LED light is solar rechargeable.

15. The portable lap storage device of claim 13, wherein said top edge having a raised rubber tab for holding the smartphone at an angle relative to said planar top surface.

16. The portable lap storage device of claim 15, wherein said C-shaped tension mount having flexible insulating plastic.

17. The portable lap storage device of claim 16, wherein said raised edge having a height from 1 inch to 3 inches.

18. The portable lap storage device of claim 17, wherein said raised edge having a channel to accommodate a charging cord passing therethrough.

19. The portable lap storage device of claim 18, wherein said C-shaped tension mount having a selectively attached hook and loop fastener strap connected to terminal ends of said C-shaped tension member for adjusting a circumference of said C-shaped tension mount.

20. A method for mounting a portable lap storage device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a lap storage device for resting on an upper leg of a user having a lap tray, an adjustable C-shaped tension mount, and a resting surface conforming to the upper leg area of a user for securing said lap storage device around the upper leg of the user; adjusting said C-shaped tension mount to the upper leg of various sizes; securing said C-shaped tension mount to the upper leg of a user enabling said lap storage device to be used by different users; wherein said lap tray having a planar top surface including a non-slip material for holding items; wherein said lap storage device having a hook proximal to a bottom area of said lap storage device; wherein said lap storage device having a carabiner clip attached to said hook; securing said lap storage device to a user's belt; wherein said lap storage device having a tray cover including a raised edge surrounding said planar top surface; and further wherein said items are selected from a group consisting of a smartphone, a TV remote, a beverage, a bowl, and a plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multifunctional lap storage tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the adjustable tension mount used in the lap storage device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the multifunctional lap storage device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the storage device of the present invention worn on the upper leg of a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the lap storage device of the present invention accommodating a smartphone positioned at an angle in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lap storage device of the present invention secured to the upper leg of a user and accommodating multiple items in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view showing the slip resistant lap storage device of the present invention in use while supporting an accommodated phone in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing use of the storage device of the present invention on an armrest of a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0026] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0027] As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a storage device that solves the problem of lack of space to store and organize items while sitting in a chair, while driving, or in various other situations. There is also a long felt need in the art for a device that allows users to place items on a non-slip surface and maintain easy access to them. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel device that can be secured to the thigh and the upper leg area of a user and can be used in various settings, including while sitting in a chair or driving a vehicle for storing belongings of the user. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a multifunctional lap storage device that eliminates slipping or falling of items from the lap of a user. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that addresses the lack of a suitable place to store a phone while it is charging in a vehicle. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a lap storage device that provides a stable and secure storage space for items such as phones, remote controls, and other small items in a safe and secure manner.

[0028] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a storage tray device. The tray comprising a non-slip plastic lap tray covered by a tray cover having slightly elevated cushioned edges, the edges comprising a slip-resistant fabric; the tray is used for accommodating different items and the items are further protected by side edges; an adjustable tension mount for attaching the tray to the thigh or upper leg area via a strap; and an LED light, wherein the tray further comprises a small channel at the base for accommodating a charging cord for a phone placed on the tray.

[0029] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the multifunctional lap storage tray device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The lap storage device 100 of the present invention is generally rectangular and designed to comfortably secure to the thigh and upper leg area of a user for accommodating a plurality of items including but not limited to remote, phone, drinks, cans, bottles, bowls and more safely and securely. The device 100 rests comfortably on the upper leg of a user enabling easy access of the accommodated items. More specifically, the device 100 is a portable device and is ergonomically designed to secure to the thigh and upper leg area. The device 100 includes an adjustable tension mount 102 having a C-shape and a resting surface (as illustrated in FIG. 2) to conform to the upper leg area of a user and is used for securing the device 100 around the thigh of a user. The mount 102 is adjustable and secures to the thighs of different sizes enabling the device 100 to be used by different users. The adjustable tension mount 102 is made of skin friendly and insulating plastic and is flexible.

[0030] A substantially planar plastic lap tray 104 is used for accommodating numerous items like smartphones, TV remotes, bowls, plates, etc. The tray 104 is secured to the adjustable tension mount 102 and the top surface 106 of the tray 104 is used for receiving the items for storage. The top surface 106 has a plurality of grooves 108 disposed therethrough for making the surface 106 non-slip and stable. The top edge 110 of the tray 104 has an integrated LED 112 for providing illumination as illustrated in FIG. 3 and can be recharged using solar energy. The LED 112 can be selectively activated by a user by pressing the fabric or button 114 towards the tray 104. The LED 112 helps a user in securely placing items on the tray 104 in dark areas and is also useful for safety purposes. The button 114 can also be in the form of a soft rubber tab and helps in holding a phone placed on the tray 104 at an angle (i.e., elevating a top end of the phone) as per preference of a user as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0031] The lap storage device 100 has an attached carabiner clip 116 for securing the device 100 to a user's belt/waist, thereby enabling the user to carry the device 100 easily and further, eliminates the inadvertent dropping of the device 100 during use when placed on the lap of the user. The carabiner clip 116 is attached to a hook 118 positioned on the mounting assembly 102 of the device 100. The device 100 has a tray cover 120 with elevated side edges 122a-d configured for covering the tray 104 and preventing the accommodated items from slipping off the lap or legs of the user. The side edges 122a-d have a height of about 1-3 inches in different embodiments, thereby providing stability to the accommodated items. It is to be appreciated that the tray 104 and the tray cover 120 are selectively removable for cleaning, replacing, or exchanging. Other swappable trays can include a variety of top surfaces selected from a group consisting of a chalkboard, a whiteboard, a paper and pen holding insert, an item organizing insert, and others.

[0032] A support member 124 is also positioned on the tray surface 106 for providing additional support to an item such as a smartphone and prevents slipping along the surface 106. The support member 124 can be made of any conventional non-slipping material and is particularly used when an item is placed at an angle using the rubber 114. The device 100 also includes a small channel 126 at the bottom edge 122d to accommodate a charging cord for a phone placed on the tray 104 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The small channel 126 keeps the cord secure and eliminates any obstruction to the other items placed on the tray 104. This feature allows users to charge their phones while keeping them close at hand.

[0033] It should be appreciated that the lap storage device 100 is a versatile storage solution that can be used in various settings and is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to move from one location to another. The lap storage device 100 has dimensions, for example, of 8 (L)?4 (W)?3 (H). It is contemplated that all other possible dimensions of the device 100 are under the scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the adjustable tension mount used in the lap storage device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The mount 102 has a C-shaped adjusting member 202 having a detachably attached hook and loop fastener strap 204 attached to the opposite ends 206, 208 thereof. The end 208 has an opening through which one free end 218 of the fastener strap 204 is passed through and then the free end 218 of the fastener strap 204 is pulled to adjust the member 202. The fastener strap 204 can be used for securing the mount 102 to the thigh of a user whose thigh is thin, or in cases where the lap storage device 100 is not secured to the leg of the user but rather to another anchor support (see FIG. 8).

[0035] The C-shaped adjusting member 202 is integrally attached to the surface 212 of the rectangular base 210. The opposite surface 214 of the base 210 is used for housing the tray 104 of the device. The tray 104 and the surface 214 are also integrated and are substantially of same size. The bottom edge 216 of the base 210 of the assembly 102 has the hook 118 thereto for attaching the carabiner clip 116. It should be noted that the fastener strap 204 enables adjustment of the C-shaped adjusting member 202 to fit to the thigh and the upper leg of a user, thereby eliminating the risks of slipping of the lap storage device 100 from the lap or leg of the user.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the multifunctional lap storage device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The tray 104 is positioned on the top surface 214 of the mounting assembly 102 and is integrally attached using any conventional fastener or adhesive. The tray 104 with its bottom surface 302 is placed on the surface 214 such that the edges 110, 304, 306, 308 are supported and positioned on the surface 214 of the mounting assembly 102. The LED 112 is integrated in the tray 102 along the top edge 110 and is used for illumination.

[0037] The tray cover 120 has a continuous groove 310 along all the edges for accommodating and supporting the edges 110, 304, 306, 308 of the tray 104. It should be noted that the tray cover 120 is made of slip-resistant fabric, which helps keep items from sliding off the tray.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the storage device of the present invention is worn on leg of a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the carabiner clip 116 is used for securing the device 100 such that the device 100 does not fall off the lap of the user. Length (i.e., circumference) of the fastener strap 204 can be adjusted as per the preferences of the user such that the tray 104 is securely placed on the leg 402 of the user. The device 100 is positioned with the tray 104 and the tray cover 120 are positioned on the top surface of the upper thigh 404 and the mounting assembly 102 is used for securing the device 100 around the thigh 404. The C-shaped member 202 conforms to the shape of the thigh 404 and using the strap 204 as illustrated in FIG. 2 can be secured if required.

[0039] It should be appreciated that the tray 104 is easily accessible to a user enabling the user to securely access the items accommodated in the tray 104. The device 100 is oriented such that the top edge 110 of the tray 104 orients towards the knee of the user. The device 100 is secured and does not fall even when the user is standing or moving as the clip 116 can be secured to the loop 406 of the waist or belt of the user.

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the lap storage device of the present invention accommodating a smartphone positioned at an angle in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the top end 502 of the smartphone 500 is positioned on the rubber bumper or tab 114 enabling the top end 502 to elevate for easy viewing to a user when the lap storage device 100 is positioned on the lap of a user. For preventing slipping of the smartphone 500, the supporting member 124 is used and the bottom end 504 of the smartphone 500 is positioned against the supporting member 124 for a stable position of the smartphone 500. In alternative embodiments, the supporting member 124 is detachable from the top surface 106 of the tray 104 and can be reattached depending on dimensions of the accommodating item.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lap storage device of the present invention secured to the upper leg of a user and accommodating multiple items in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The storage device 100 remains stable without requiring intervention from a user such as while playing games, sitting in a vehicle, and the like. As illustrated, a beverage can 602 and a remote-control device 604 are positioned on the tray 104 and are supported by the elevated side edges 122a-d of the tray cover 120. The device 100 also prevents the clothes of the user from getting stained, wet and the like when the beverages are accommodated in the lap storage device 100. The anti-slip material used in construction of the lap storage device 100 helps to secure and stabilize the positioning of the device 100 on the thigh of the user.

[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view showing the slip resistant lap storage device of the present invention in use while supporting an accommodated phone in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, a charging cord 702 for charging the accommodated smartphone 500 is passed through the small channel 126 thereby enabling safety of the cord 702 without creating any obstruction to the charging of the smartphone 500. The smartphone 500 can be placed in any position on the tray 104 while charging.

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing use of the storage device of the present invention on an armrest of a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 can be secured to any conventional armrest 802 using the mounting assembly 102 for enabling users to keep items on the tray 104 and not directly on the armrest 802. This provides stability to the accommodated items while preventing messes created due to falling off of the items.

[0044] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein lap storage device, multifunctional lap storage device, storage device, device, and tray device are interchangeable and refer to the slip resistant multifunctional lap storage device 100 of the present invention.

[0045] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the slip resistant multifunctional lap storage device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the slip resistant multifunctional lap storage device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the slip resistant multifunctional lap storage device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the slip resistant multifunctional lap storage device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the slip resistant multifunctional lap storage device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0046] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0047] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.