Have you ever tried eating lunch in your car? Sandwiches aren't that big a deal, but what if you have soup and salad? With only two hands, you have to pretty much finish one before starting the other. And what about a bowl of hot pasta? You can't lay it on your lap easily, or you'll burn your legs and/or sauce your shirt.
What about those times when you need a flat writing surface to legibly jot down a spark of inspirational HalfBaked genius for later? Or perhaps you have some reading or even homework you'd like to do while taking a break in the comfort and privacy of your car.
Well, the obvious solution to these problems is a collapsible car tray, one for the driver side and one for the passenger side. The tray would slide up, out of a pocket in each front door (not the window), folding down over your lap. They'd come up and over, kind of like those little college desks you might remember, or seat tray tables in first class sections of airplanes.
These trays would also feature the ability to tilt forward/backward, so that your car won't need to be perfectly level to prevent spills, and so you can read/write in comfort. A tiny lip around the edges would contain crumbs and/or eraser dust until you are ready to clean up and wipe it away. When finished, simply lift up and slide back down into it's position in the door.
I'm ready for the possibility that this idea has been baked somewhere, or already halfbaked by someone, as it seems long-needed, despite its absence from any cars I've yet seen.
NOTE: Product is for use ONLY in stationary cars. When the car is in a gear that allows motion, the collapsed tray will remain locked in closed position. If the tray is already opened, the car should not be allowed to switch to a drivable gear until the tray is put away in locked position.
***Please do not eat while driving. Also discouraged while driving are: drinking, smoking, cell phone use, application of makeup, gaping, raging at other drivers, and other distracting activities. Please drive responsibly.***-- XSarenkaX, Oct 01 2002 DON'T DO IT XSARENKAX! http://www.xpresssi...ve/story_271394.aspThe ten most dangerous things to eat in a car. [Nick@Nite, Oct 17 2004] Car Tray http://bobs.net/Mer...BB&Product_Code=M08More ingeniously, it attaches to the door, which certainly prevents use while in motion. [Nick@Nite, Oct 17 2004] My daughter used to run madly up to the "Bob's Big Boy" plastic statue man and plant a big bob kiss on his nose everytime we went there. Never understood the attraction...-- blissmiss, Oct 01 2002 Wow, my idea is so boring, people delete their annos and leave. <drops pin>-- XSarenkaX, Oct 01 2002 [pompous prat]-- po, Oct 01 2002 Is he still here then? agree with Po.-- The Kat, Oct 01 2002 [XSarenkaX] We used to have a 2 trays just like this. Just big enough for happy meal rations. The trouble was that the universal design didn't sit securely in our car. Well, Have a cookie?
[Nick@Nite] I do like that your chit chat is in brackets. //Much// easier to discern. Unsure about how admin feel? [I'll have to read start up contract when eyes grow back]-- hollajam, Oct 01 2002 [hollajam], you actually had these things built into your car? What make, model, and year, please???-- XSarenkaX, Oct 01 2002 There was an idea on here earlier that mentioned an existing tray that attached to a steering wheel. Anyone know anything about this product? It seems more practical then the tray that fits onto an open window... I only eat in my car if its too hot or too cold outside and therefore would not want an open window.-- The Dude, Dec 11 2002 random, halfbakery