Tray table for rear vehicle passengers with first piece and second piece configured to automatically move between open and closed positions
A tray table is provided for a vehicle, the tray table including a first piece configured to be attached to a seat back of a seat of the vehicle; a spring hinge; and a second piece movably coupled to the first piece via the spring hinge, the second piece movable between an open position, in which the second piece extends away from the first piece and the seat back; and a closed position, in which the second piece rests against the first piece and the seat back, during a vehicle event.
1 . A tray table for a vehicle, the tray table comprising:
a first piece configured to be attached to a seat back of a seat of the vehicle;
a spring hinge;
a second piece movably coupled to the first piece via the spring hinge, the second piece movable between:
an open position, in which the second piece extends away from the first piece; and
a closed position, in which the second piece rests against the first piece; and
one or more restraints that are configured to provide rigidity for the tray table between the first piece and the second piece when the second piece is in the open position, and that are configured to be retracted, by a solenoid, so as to reduce the rigidity and facilitate movement of the second piece to the closed position, and wherein the solenoid is coupled to the one or more restraints.
2 . The tray table of claim 1 , wherein the second piece is configured to automatically move between the open position and the closed position.
3 . The tray table of claim 1 , wherein the second piece is configured to move between the open position and the closed position.
4 . The tray table of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more respective magnets on both the first piece and the second piece that connect together to hold the first piece and the second piece together while the second piece is in the closed position, and that separate when a force is applied while the second piece is in the closed position.
5 . The tray table of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid is configured to be coupled to an accelerometer, to receive a signal from the accelerometer, and to at least facilitate retracting the one or more restraints based on the signal.
6 . The tray table of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restraints are configured to be retracted.
7 . The tray table of claim 1 , wherein the second piece is at least in part made of silicone.
8 . The tray table of claim 7 , wherein the second piece includes a reinforcement line.
9 . The tray table of claim 1 , further comprising a strap configured to hold together the first and second pieces.
10 . A tray table seat assembly for a vehicle, the tray table seat assembly comprising:
a seat including a seat back;
a first piece configured to be attached to the seat back;
a spring hinge;
a second piece movably coupled to the first piece via the spring hinge, the second piece movable between:
an open position, in which the second piece extends away from the first piece and the seat back; and
a closed position, in which the second piece rests against the first piece; and
one or more restraints that are configured to provide rigidity for the between the first piece and the second piece when the second piece is in the open position, and that are configured to be retracted, by a solenoid, so as to reduce the rigidity and facilitate movement of the second piece to the closed position, and wherein the solenoid is coupled to the one or more restraints.
11 . The tray table seat assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second piece is configured to automatically move between the open position and the closed position.
12 . The tray table seat assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:
one or more respective magnets on both the first piece and the second piece that connect together to hold the first piece and the second piece together while the second piece is in the closed position, and that separate when a force is applied while the second piece is in the closed position.
13 . The tray table seat assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second piece is at least in part made of silicone and includes a reinforcement line that is in the shape of an “X”.
14 . A vehicle comprising:
a body;
a drive system configured to propel the body;
a front seat disposed within the body and including a seat back;
a rear seat disposed within the body and behind the front seat;
a tray table seat assembly attached to the front seat, for use by an occupant of the rear seat, the tray table seat assembly comprising:
a first piece attached to the seat back of the front seat;
a spring hinge;
a second piece movably coupled to the first piece via the spring hinge, the second piece movable between:
an open position, in which the second piece extends away from the first piece; and
a closed position, in which the second piece rests against the first piece during a vehicle event; and
one or more restraints that are configured to provide rigidity for the between the first piece and the second piece when the second piece is in the open position, and that are configured to be retracted, by a solenoid, during the vehicle event so as to reduce the rigidity and facilitate movement of the second piece to the closed position, and wherein the solenoid is coupled to the one or more restraints.
15 . The vehicle of claim 14 , further comprising:
an accelerometer;
wherein the solenoid is coupled to the accelerometer, and is configured to receive a signal from the accelerometer as to the vehicle event, and to at least facilitate retracting the one or more restraints based on the signal during the vehicle event.