Variations of a TV Tray Table

Iteration is the secret to the best solutions. A patent was granted for my folding tray table design. It was about the geometry that allows it to be horizontal in one position or slanted down in another.  This is a variation using the same geometry but with different details.

The top on this version has front rounded corners.  

Red Oak.  Slanted top.

The side legs have a slight curve rather than a jog in them to reach the offset bolt connection required so the design folds flat.

Flipped over. Top flat.

This table was my initial crude prototype, and suffered through 3 iterations before appearing here in its best form. Ball chain was what I initially used as the tension member that went between the front and back legs. Ball chain proved to be unpredictable in strength and prone to breaking apart.  One inch wide strapping at the top is my second approach.  First try with the straps found that due to the unique geometry they needed a unique path. The path they took needed to leave the legs the same distance apart in both positions. A new path was found that works. A replacement top stretcher was made. Two straps run between the center of the back edge and the middle of the top stretcher. Binding pins through grommets in the ends of the straps lock them into slots. 

Straps into back edge

The table transposes with the leg frame pulled through and the top flipped over. In the image below you can see the straps running over then into the top stretcher.  When in the flat position the straps run directly into the stretcher.  

Over and into the stretcher side.

Straight into the stretcher side.

The same unique geometry is expressed in this version with different materials, different details, and different tensioning strategies. Iteration.

This version is mostly red oak. My alternative version is here:  Made from Ash wood

This design is patented. For information about licensing the design please contact:

Sarah Nolting
Licensing Associate
Kansas State University Innovation Partners
(785) 532-3910
snolting@ksu.edu
www.k-state.edu/innovation-partners