MODULAR TRAY ASSEMBLY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

[0001]The present application relates to a tray assembly, and more particularly to a modular tray assembly that is adjustable in size to fit different enclosures.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002]Letters and packages are mailed every day. It is common that someone is not always present at the time of delivery, resulting in the need for delivered items to be placed into a protective device, such as a mailbox. Mailboxes come in different sizes and shapes. In recent times, it has become more common to receive and ship packages. Typical slots in legacy mailboxes have not been sufficient to accept a larger portion of packages today. Mailboxes therefore have increased in size.

[0003]The large space in mailboxes and their location or height can make them difficult to see into when checking for delivered mail. Often a user must reach their hand inside blindly and feel around. When felt, the user grabs the mail and pulls it out. It is not uncommon that the user may miss mail inside the cavernous mailboxes.

[0004]Although strides have been made, shortcomings remain. It is desired that an assembly be provided that is modular and allows a user to withdraw mail without the need to reach inside.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]It is an object of the present application to provide a modular tray assembly configured to be sizable to fit various mailboxes and allow a user to withdraw captured mail without the need to reach inside the mailbox.

[0006]Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

[0007]Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

[0008]Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0009]As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular tray assembly in a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0012]FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a front view of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a rear view of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 6-7 are side views of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a top view of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIGS. 10-11 are exploded perspective views of the modular tray assembly of FIG. 1.

[0020]While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0022]In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0023]The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

[0024]Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0025]Referring now to FIG. 1 in the drawings, a modular tray assembly 101 is illustrated. As seen in FIG. 1, assembly 101 is located within a mailbox 99. Assembly 101 is easily withdrawn through an opening of the mailbox to allow a user to access mail that was placed therein. The modular ability of assembly 101 allows it to fit the size of traditional mailboxes.

[0026]Referring now also to FIGS. 2-11 in the drawings, more detailed views of tray assembly 101 is illustrated. Assembly 101 is configured to include four different members that are designed to nestle together through the use of pegs and apertures to form a tray assembly having three sides and a lower base surface. The size of the base surface is adjustable by interlocking or nestling pegs from one of the four members within apertures of an adjacent of the four members. Depending on the position of the four members, the utilization of pegs and apertures, and their respective locations, the size of the base surface will vary. An exemplary configuration is shown in the drawings.

[0027]As seen in particular with FIGS. 2-9 of the drawings, a fully assembled tray assembly 101 is illustrated. The three sides of the tray assembly are clearly visible as well as the individual members therein. As can be seen through the drawings the base surface is a combination of overlapping portions of each of the four members. Assembly 101 is formed to be an elongated tray. The overall shape of the tray determines the size of the various members therein.

[0028]Tray assembly 101 includes four members such as, a first back member 103 and a second back member 105. These are located at the rear of the tray assembly 101 and are used to define the back surface of the tray as well as the beginnings of the side walls. Trey assembly 101 further includes a first side member 107 and a second side member 109. Members 103 and 105 are distinguishable in that they include two side walls each as opposed to members 107 and 109 including only a singular sidewall each.

[0029]As seen in particular with FIG. 4 of the drawings, the overlapping nature of the four members are illustrated more clearly. Back member 103 is configured to extend outside of and below member 107. Remember 107 is between member 109 and 103. Member 109 is also located inside of member 105. As seen from this view member 103 is behind member 105 along the back wall of tray assembly 101. FIGS. 8 and 9 are also useful in helping to see the overlapping nature of the various members of assembly 101.

[0030]It is understood that assembly 101 may further include a handle 111 that is coupled to either of members 107 or 109. Handle 111 is useful to aid a user in grasping and manipulating tray assembly 101 so as do come inside or outside of the mailbox 99. It is understood that the precise shape or design and contours of handle 111 may be varied and are not meant to be limited to that which is depicted in the drawings.

[0031]Referring now also to FIGS. 10 and 11 in the drawings, exploded views of assembly 101 are illustrated. In these views it is more clearly discernible the shape and size of members 103, 105, 107, and 109. It is understood that assembly 101 includes the use of pegs 113 and apertures 115 selectively attached or formed onto various surfaces of the members to facilitate the modular capabilities therein. For example, back member 103 is configured to include only pegs 113. Pegs 113 are formed along its back and side walls as well as along its base surface. Member 107 is configured to include both pegs 113 and apertures 115. It is seen that member 107 includes different arrays of apertures 115 so as to correspond with pegs 113 on member 103 at the side wall and base surface. In operation, a user can select the particular apertures 115 of member 107 to engage the pegs of member 103. Doing so will allow the member to adjust the length of the overall tray assembly.

[0032]Likewise, member 109 includes apertures 115 but does not include pegs 113 as seen with member 107. Apertures 115 of member 109 are configured to engage pegs 113 of member 107 which are located along its base surface. A plurality of arrays of apertures 115 are located along the base surface of member 109. A user may choose which array of apertures 115 engage pegs 113 on member 107 such that a user may select the width of the overall tray assembly 101 via this selection.

[0033]With FIG. 11, it is clear to see that member 105 also includes both pegs 113 and apertures 115. Member 105 includes apertures along its base surface to engage the peg 113 of member 103. The base surface pegs of members 1:07 and 1:03 coincide with each other to engage similar apertures of members 105 and 109 along their base surfaces. This allows the overall width of tray assembly 101 to be consistent along its length. Member 105 also includes pegs 113 along its side wall to correspond the apertures on member 109. Additionally the back wall of member 105 includes apertures 115 to engage pegs 113 on the back wall of member 103.

[0034]In operation, user merely has to align the pegs with corresponding apertures founded on the various surfaces of the different members. Since the apertures align with and correspond with different pegs, a user is able to set the particular width and the length of the tray assembly 101. Tray assembly 101 is therefore capable of adjusting to various widths and lengths so as to accommodate different sized mailboxes 99. The simple nature and use of pegs 113 and apertures 115 allow the various members of tray assembly 101 to be merely engaged by the act of lifting and overlapping and do not require the need to use external fasteners or other tedious devices. Once the four members are interlocked through the pegs and apertures, trey assembly 101 becomes fairly rigid through the nestling and overlapping of the various members with each other.

[0035]It is understood that tray assembly 101 may be made from various different materials such as composites, metal, wood and others. It is further understood that tray assembly 101 may be used outside of mailboxes 101 in unlimited different locations and manners. The use of mailbox 99 is descriptive for a singular method of use but is not limiting to the overall invention.

[0036]The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.