FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to the retention and presentation of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs).

BACKGROUND

[0002] Individuals increasingly rely on their PEDs as a resource for entertainment, business and general computing access. This is true even in aircraft passenger cabins, where passengers previously relied partly or solely on in-flight entertainment units located in seatbacks. Increased internet access and PED quality have made PEDs viable devices even in long flights. Simultaneously, there is a desire on the part of aircraft operators to reduce the weight, complexity and cost associated with in-flight entertainment units, particularly when such units are under-utilized.

[0003] Current solutions for holding Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) occupy some of the usable surface of the tray tables in aircraft and other passenger vessels.

Additionally, current solutions include gaps and crevices around the PED holders that allow spilled food and liquids to accumulate, resulting in a potential health/cleanliness concerns. Current solutions also include multiple components that are visible. In practice, it requires additional effort to control the appearance of those multiple components, presenting color and texture matching concerns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0004] Disclosed is a tray table PED positioning apparatus. In a stowed position, the apparatus presents minimal visible surface area or gaps, thereby greatly reducing the cleaning and appearance matching problems found with current solutions. In a deployed position, the apparatus supports and orients a PED for viewing and use while occupying a minimal surface of the tray table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 depicts the components of a first embodiment apparatus. [0006] Fig. 2A depicts the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a stowed position as a portion of a bi-fold aircraft tray table.

[0007] Fig. 2B depicts the apparatus of Fig. 2A in a stowed position when the bi- fold aircraft tray table is fully unfolded. [0008] Fig. 2C depicts the apparatus of Fig. 2A in which the cross bar has been extended outward from the tray table.

[0009] Fig. 2D depicts the apparatus of Fig. 2A in a deployed position in which the cross bar has been rotated upwards.

[0010] Fig. 2E depicts the apparatus of Fig. 2A supporting a PED. [0011] Figure 2F depicts the apparatus of Fig. 2A in a deployed position when the bi-fold tray table is in a half-open state.

[0012] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment locking mechanism.

[0013] Figure 4A depicts a side plan view of an embodiment joint in a locked position. [0014] Figure 4B depicts a side plan view of the embodiment joint of Figure 4A in a unlocked position.

[0015] Figure 5 A depicts a second embodiment apparatus disposed in a seat-back tray table.

[0016] Figure 5B depicts the second embodiment apparatus of Figure 5 A wherein the crossbar is extended.

[0017] Figure 5C depicts the second embodiment apparatus of Figure 5A wherein the crossbar is deployed.

[0018] Figure 6 depicts a third embodiment having a book page prop. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Disclosed is a PED positioning apparatus. With reference to Figure 1 , in a first embodiment, the PED positioning apparatus 100 includes a crossbar 101 affixed to crossbar arms 102. Alternatively, there may be one, or three or greater crossbar arms. In Figures 1 and 2, the top surface of the tray table is not depicted to show internal structure. The crossbar arms 102 are configured to be stowed inside guide shafts 103 internal to a tray table 104. The crossbar arms 102 each have hinges 105 in proximity to the guide shafts 103. When in a stowed position, the crossbar arms 102 are disposed within the guide shafts 103 of the tray table, and thus not visible to the user, while the crossbar 101 rests as an edge to the tray table, presenting a minimal profile. To deploy, the crossbar 101 is pulled out, extending the crossbar arms 102 outside of the guide shafts 103. The crossbar arms 102 are then rotated at the hinges 105 so as to be at an angle with respect to the surface of the tray table 104 such that a PED may be disposed on the tray table and positioned for viewing at an appropriate angle.

[0020] With reference to Figure 2A, each crossbar arm is attached to an inner arm

106 via the hinge 105. The inner arms 106 are disposed within the tray table when in a stowed position as shown in Figure 2. When extended, the inner arms are disposed within guide shafts 103. Slide stops 107 prevent inner arms 106 from extending outward beyond an internal surface of guide shafts 103. In alternate embodiments, the crossbar arms 102 may be telescopic with multiple concentric members.

[0021] Figure 2B depicts the first embodiment PED positioning apparatus 100 in a stowed position in a bi-fold aircraft tray. Optionally, the exposed surface of the PED positioning apparatus 100 can be made to match the shape, size, and appearance of the tray table with minimal gaps. The outward surface of the crossbar 101 may alternatively rest within the tray table, with a pull tab or other mechanism being provided to expel or begin expelling the crossbar from a stowed position.

[0022] Figure 2C depicts the PED positioning apparatus 100 as it is extended out during the setup process.

[0023] Figure 2D depicts the PED positioning apparatus 100 in a deployed position, wherein the crossbar 101 has been rotated upwards so that the crossbar arms 102 are at an angle with respect to the surface of the tray table. In the embodiment, the hinges 105 of the crossbar arms have a single axis of rotation. The desired angle may be selectable by the user or may be preset.

[0024] Figure 2E depicts the PED positioning apparatus 100 with a PED disposed against the crossbar 101. The occupied tray table space for the PED holder and PED is minimal.

[0025] Figure 2F depicts the bi-fold aircraft tray table in a half-folded position, with the crossbar 101 rotated in an opposite direction from the deployed position for Figure 2E. Therefore, the PED positioning apparatus functions in either direction, so that the user can support a PED with the tray table half folded or fully deployed. In certain embodiments, the PED positioning apparatus may be installed in either, or both leafs of the tray table.

[0026] Figure 3 depicts an internal view of the hinge and locking system for the first embodiment. Particularly, there is an internal cavity 108 in which there is a spring 109 and detent pin 1 10. The crossbar arms are configured to rotate about pins 1 11. Spring 109 maintains pressure against the detent pin 110, thereby maintaining contact between the detent pin 110 and the hinge j oint 112. The hinge j oint has a series of detents 113 on its surface with which the rounded, preferably hemispherical, surface of the detent pin is configured to interface. In the embodiment, the detents have rounded corners, thereby allowing detent pin to rotate around the hinge joint 1 12 with sufficient pressure, but allowing the retention of the detent pin in a particular detent with minimal or no rotational pressure.

[0027] Figure 4 A depicts another hinge design. Hinge joint 401 has disposed on its exterior a series of notches 402. Detent pin 403 has a locking tip 404 that locks into one of the notches 402 when in a locked configuration. Figure 4B depicts the hinge design of

Figure 4A, wherein the locking tip 404 is disengaged. The user disengages the locking tip 404 by pulling outward on the crossbar.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the PED positioning apparatus may be configured so that it can alternatively hold a book in an open position. With reference to Figures 6, appendage 601 is configured to secure the book in such an open position. Alternatively, a bail wire may be employed.

[0029] In certain embodiments, hinges employed with crossbar arms can provide continuous resistance to rotation so that position of the crossbar can be set at multiple angles using, for example, a friction hinge. An additional lock for the desired angle may be employed. Alternatively, employed hinges may provide incremental resistance so that rotational position of the crossbar can stop at pre-defined angles and provide support to the PED using, for example, detent positions. Friction washers may be employed at the hinges to supply desired friction.

[0030] Optionally, the crossbar can be of a material that provides a non-slip surface to prevent the PED from moving and to provide a non-marring surface, for instance by being made from rubber or a rubber substitute.

[0031] The crossbar may provide a feature allowing the user to easily grip the crossbar in order to move it from a stowed to an extended position. The feature could be a protrusion such as one or more raised ribs or a depressed feature such as one or more grooves.

[0032] The disclosed subject matter may be used in seatback mounted tray tables, as depicted in Figures 5A-C, or in other work surfaces.