AU656567B2

AU656567B2 - Bowl and plate display stand

Info

Publication number: AU656567B2
Application number: AU14012/92A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terrance Michael Cox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-04-03
Filing date: 1992-04-03
Publication date: 1995-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-03
Also published as: AU1401292A

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

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Cal *a COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

NOTICE

1. The specification should describe the invention in full and the best method of performing it known to the applicant.

2. The specification should be typed on as many sheets of good quality A4 International size paper as are necessary and inserted inside this form.

3. The claims defining the invention must start on a new page. If there is insufficient space on this form for the claims, use separate sheets of paper.

The words The claims defining the invention are as follows' should appear before claim 1. After the claims the date and the name of the applicant should appear in block letters.

4. This form must be accompanied by a true and exact copy of the description, claims and drawings (if any) and an additional copy of the claims.

(see Pamphlets explaining formal requirements of specifications and drawings) TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT N am e of A pplicant: t.H. L 'Actual lnventor(s): F MIC HAEL COX S ctual Inve ntor(s): EC..g. c x Address for Q z. o BCWL AND PLATE DISPLAY STAND 22. 4 C0 (2) Inve ntio n T itle Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos: The following statement is a full description of this Invention, Including the best method of performing It known to me:- .r i it L~ -I i -2- This invention relates to improvements in devices for the display of articles such as tableware items, in particular bowls and plates.

Heretofore, the display of bowls or plates has required the purchase of a single use display stand, specifically intended for a bowl or a plate.

There have been many independent devices made to display either a bowl or a plate. A user's stock of bowl or plate display devices is therefore often in excess of the actual devices being utilized to ensure that the appropriate device is available as required.

This problem is overcome or at least ameliorated by the present invention which provides a display support for both bowls and plates within a single device.

Dual purpose usage is achieved through rotation of the device.

More particularly, the invention relates to a display stand for displaying an article such as a plate or a bowl, said stand comprising a substantially L-shaped unit having on an outer end of a first side of the unit two support means and having a third support means on an outer end of a second side of the unit, each support means extending from the respective side generally in the same direction as the adjacent side.

In one form of the invention, the device may have one side longer than the other. The device may stand with its longest side vertical to form a display stand for plates. The plate is supported at three points, at two points on the horizontal side to hold the plate in the device, the third at the rear of the plate inside the vertical side to effect support and assist with counterbalance.

The device can be rotated 900 in order that its longest kiL s horizontal to form a bowl stand.

1> 25 The bowl is supported at three points, one point at the base side to hold the bowl in the device and two points at the rear of the bowl inside the vertical side to effect support and assist with counterbalance.

The invention may be made in suitable sizes and manufactured from steel, brass, copper, acrylic/plastics or wood to suit the required display environment.

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-3- Fig 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a display device in accordance with the invention.

Fig 2 illustrates the manner in which a display device in accordance with the invention can be used to support a bowl.

Fig 3 illustrates the manner in which the display device of Fig. 2 can be used to support a plate.

As shown in Fig. 1, the display device 10 comprises a single piece of wire configured so as to form two L-shaped members 12, 14 arranged in side-by-side fashion. Each of the L-shaped members 12, 14 has first 17 and second 18 sides.

First sides 17 define a first side 20 of the device 10 and second sides 18 define a second side 22 of the device 10. The sides 20, 22 define a region therebetween in which an item of tableware may be supported as will be more clearly explained in connection with Figs. 2 and 3.

It can be seen that each of the L-shaped members 12, 14 are spaced such that the spacing increases from the outer end of first sides 17 to the other end of first sides 17. The spacing between second sides 18 is more or less uniform.

At the outer end of side 17 is a stop means or projection 25 linking both sides 17 and extending into the region defined by the first and second sides 20, 22 of the device 10. At the outer end of each of the second sides 18, the wire has been bent at right angles to the second sides 18 to form stop means or projections 26 which extend into the region defined by the two sides 20, 22 of the device Additionally, first sides 17 define a first side 20 which is longer than second side 22 defined by second sides 18. As explained below in conjunction with Figs.

2 and 3 it will be seen that the feature of sides 20, 22 of different lengths increases the versatility of the device 10. In use, the device 10 can be utilized by placing the side 22 on a support surface, such that an item of tableware (not shown) can be supported in the region defined between sides 20 and 22. The item of tableware abuts against projections 26 and is thereby prevented from sliding out of the device The item of tableware will also lean against projection Additionally, the device 10 may be rotated through 900 in order that the side sc, T13 Ti TGrs873R2 16 SepCtmber 1994 LIIIIII Il -4-

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20 is placed on a support surface. In this orientation, the item of tableware will be prevented from sliding out of the device 10 by abutting against projection 25. The item of tableware will also rest against projections 26.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate more clearly the manner of supporting an item of tableware such as a bowl 35 or a plate 36 in a display device 30 in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the device 30 comprises an L-shaped bracket having two sides 32 and 34. The sides 32 and 34 define a region in which the bowl or the plate 36 will be supported. At the end of each of the sides 32, 34 is a projection 36, 37 extending into the aforesaid region. Side 32 is longer than side 34.

Therefore, when side 32 is rested on a support surface, the orientation of the device will be more suited to support a bowl in an upright orientation. Conversely, when shorter side 34 is rested on the support surface, the device 30 will be more suited to supporting a plate 36 as shown in Fig. 3. The device 30 is thus versatile in that it can be used in two different orientations to suit a range of differently sized or shaped tableware. An additional advantage inherent in the device is that the projection which rests against the back of the item of tableware, such as 37 in Fig.

2 and particularly 36 in Fig. 3 causes the item of tableware to adopt a more upright position such that less weight will be transferred through the upright one of the sides, thereby making the device 30 more stable in use.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims

1. A display stand for displaying an article such as a plate or a bowl, said stand comprising a substantially L-shaped unit having on an outer end of a first side of the unit two support means and having a third support means on an outer end of a second side of the unit, each support means extending from the respective side generally in the same direction as the adjacent side.

2. The display device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second side is longer than the first side.

3. The display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the two support means on the first side are spaced transversely to the longitudinal

4. The display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second side of said L-shaped unit comprises two members, spaced transversely to the direction of the side such that the spacing increases from the outer end of the first side to the inner end of the first side.

The display device as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the two members converge at the support means on the second side. 7

6. A display stand as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein said first side of said L-shaped unit comprises a pair of members integral with the members comprising the second side and extending substantially parallel with each other.

7. The display device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the device is constructed from a single piece of wire, each support means being formed from a portion of wire bent substantially at right angles to the respective side.

8. A display device for displaying an item of tableware such as a plate or a bowl in an inclined position, said device comprising a stand member formed of wire and including: two L-shaped members in side-by-side relation a first end of one member is adjacent to a first end of the other member and a second end of said one member being spaced from a second end of the other member, said first ends being interconnected by an integral first support leg extending substantially at right angles i n :T:#01873.RS3 10 Novcmbr 1994 -6- to the end portions of the members in the direction towards the second ends of said members; each of said second ends having a second support leg extending in the direction towards said first support leg.

9. A display device as claimed in Claim 8 wherein each L-shaped member has first and second sides corresponding in length to first and second sides respectively of the other L-shaped member and wherein said first sides are longer than said second sides. A display device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED:

10 November 1994 CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: TERRANCE MICHAEL COX T 1 L V I I 4 ABSTRACT A device for displaying Bowls and Plates is disclosed. I I I 44 I 4 '.4 441w 4 I I' It S .3 loft