Compact Folding Surface Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compact mobile folding surface for use in a plurality of locations. Specifically, the present invention relates to a folding tray for use in a stadium, and more specifically for attaching the present invention on a back of a stadium seat. The present invention optionally has a plurality of handles, a depressed surface, one or more hooks, a locking mechanism, a collapsible storage compartment, and/or a plurality of weight management mechanisms.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A tray apparatus comprising:
 a first surface having at least one side, a second surface attached to the first surface on a first side of the second surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface.   
     
     
         2 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first surface and the second surface have an open configuration, wherein the first surface is disposed a length away from the second surface, and a closed configuration, wherein the first surface is adjacent the second surface. 
     
     
         3 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the collapsible storage component is a mesh cylinder with an open top. 
     
     
         4 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a depressed surface disposed on the first surface. 
     
     
         5 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a first handle disposed within the first surface and a second handle disposed in the second surface so positioned that the first handle and the second handle align when the first surface is adjacent the second surface. 
     
     
         6 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second surface is hingedly attached to the first surface on the first side of the second surface. 
     
     
         7 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of hooks disposed on a second side of the second surface for attaching the tray apparatus to a structure. 
     
     
         8 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one attaching device disposed on a second side of the second surface for attaching the tray apparatus to a structure. 
     
     
         9 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a locking mechanism disposed on a second side of the second surface 
     
     
         10 . The tray apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of weight management devices disposed between the first surface and the second surface. 
     
     
         11 . The tray apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of weight management devices are selected from the group consisting of gears, straps, horizontal arms, vertical legs, solid rods, chains, pins in slot joints, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A tray system comprising:
 a tray apparatus comprising a first surface having at least one side, a second surface attached to the first surface on a first side of the second surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface;   a structure capable of receiving the tray apparatus; and   a plurality of attaching devices for engaging the tray apparatus with the structure.   
     
     
         13 . The tray system of  claim 12  wherein the structure is a back of a stadium seat. 
     
     
         14 . The tray system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of attaching devices is selected from the group consisting of hooks, bolts, straps, elastic bands, clasps, screws, rivets, nails, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The tray system of  claim 12  wherein the first surface and the second surface have an open configuration, wherein the first surface is disposed a length away from the second surface, and a closed configuration, wherein the first surface is adjacent the second surface. 
     
     
         16 . The tray system of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of weight management devices selected from the group consisting of gears, straps, horizontal arms, vertical legs, solid rods, chains, pins in slot joints, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a tray apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a tray apparatus having a first surface having at least one side, a second surface attached to the first surface on a first side of the second surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface;   providing a structure capable of receiving the tray apparatus; and   attaching the tray apparatus to the structure.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of:
 moving the first surface toward the second surface in a closed configuration; and 
 collapsing the collapsible storage component into the first surface. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of:
 moving the first surface away from the second surface in an open configuration; and 
 extending the collapsible storage component away from the first surface. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of:
 placing an object on the first surface; and 
 placing an object in the collapsible storage component.