CA2136485A1 - Rotatable serving tray - Google Patents
Rotatable serving trayInfo
- Publication number
- CA2136485A1 CA2136485A1 CA002136485A CA2136485A CA2136485A1 CA 2136485 A1 CA2136485 A1 CA 2136485A1 CA 002136485 A CA002136485 A CA 002136485A CA 2136485 A CA2136485 A CA 2136485A CA 2136485 A1 CA2136485 A1 CA 2136485A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- shaft
- vertical shaft
- shaft collar
- rotatable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G19/00—Table service
- A47G19/02—Plates, dishes or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F10/00—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for
- A47F10/06—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for restaurant service systems
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/06—Serving trays
Landscapes
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A rotatable serving tray system is provided for use with vertical shafts and the like. The system comprises a shaft collar, a base tray member, removable trays for engagement with the base tray member, plastic covers for engagement with the removable trays and downsize sleeves to enable the shaft collar to be configured to shafts having different diameters. The serving tray may also be configured to a vertical shaft without handling or disassembly of the shaft.
Description
.
ROTATABLE SERVING TRAY SYSTEM
Field of the Invention A rotatable serving tray system is provided for use with vertical shafts and the like. The system comprises a shaft collar, a base tray member, removable trays for engagement with the base tray member, plastic covers for engagement with the removable trays and downsize sleeves to enable the shaft collar to be configured to shafts having different diameters. The serving tray may also be configured to a vertical shaft without handling or disassembly of the shaft.
Background of the Invention A rotating tray is a useful device for storing or holding various items for storage or display. In many devices, the rotating tray has at least one tray configured to a vertical shaft that may be rotated manually about a vertical axis.
Such devices, when placed in a cupboard enable efficient use of cupboard space by providing access to all the contents of the tray through rotation of the trayto a single access point. Likewise, other devices have been used as serving trays on tables or the like where various items can be placed or removed from the tray from a number of different access points, for example a number of people sitting around the table.
Some devices have also been used with outdoor furniture such as patio tables and umbrellas where the tray is configured to the vertical shaft of the umbrella. An example of such a device, is C~n~ n Patent Application No.
ROTATABLE SERVING TRAY SYSTEM
Field of the Invention A rotatable serving tray system is provided for use with vertical shafts and the like. The system comprises a shaft collar, a base tray member, removable trays for engagement with the base tray member, plastic covers for engagement with the removable trays and downsize sleeves to enable the shaft collar to be configured to shafts having different diameters. The serving tray may also be configured to a vertical shaft without handling or disassembly of the shaft.
Background of the Invention A rotating tray is a useful device for storing or holding various items for storage or display. In many devices, the rotating tray has at least one tray configured to a vertical shaft that may be rotated manually about a vertical axis.
Such devices, when placed in a cupboard enable efficient use of cupboard space by providing access to all the contents of the tray through rotation of the trayto a single access point. Likewise, other devices have been used as serving trays on tables or the like where various items can be placed or removed from the tray from a number of different access points, for example a number of people sitting around the table.
Some devices have also been used with outdoor furniture such as patio tables and umbrellas where the tray is configured to the vertical shaft of the umbrella. An example of such a device, is C~n~ n Patent Application No.
2,069,666, which discloses an outdoor service system having a collar attachable to a vertical shaft which may be adapted to receive a segmented tray system, wherein the tray system is rotatable about the vertical shaft. This patent application does not disclose a base tray with detachable trays. As well, UnitedStates Patent 5,171,077 discloses a rotatable food serving housing which may be rotated about a vertical shaft, the housing having a base generally forming a circle about the shaft and which also comprises a plurality of trays which may 2l36g8~
-be engaged with the base. This particular patent does not disclose a shaft collar which enables the tray to be positioned at any height on the vertical shaft, butrather requires that the tray rest on a support such as a table. Other prior artsuch as C~n~ n Industrial Design 30672 disclose a rotary container unit having a circular base and a plurality of sector shaped receptacles on the base.C~n~ n Patent 947,241 discloses a brake for a manually operated rotary file, and C~n~ n Patent Application 2,074,369 discloses a pivoting tray with pivot bearings for corner cupboards.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a rotatable serving tray system which may be engaged upon a vertical shaft at any height in order that the system may be adapted to the specific requirements of a particular use. For example, in a situation where a table is relatively small and it is desirable tohave many items on the table, there has been a need for a serving tray that can be positioned slightly above the table surface in order to provide the equivalent of an auxiliary table above the main table with the added convenience of the auxiliary table being rotatable about the main table.
Furthermore there has been a need for a rotatable serving tray system which may be configured to a vertical shaft in the manner mentioned above where the supporting base of the serving kay system is adapted to the vertical shaft without disassembly of the vertical shaft. For example United States Patent 5,171,077 requires that the vertical shaft be removed from the supportingtable and each of the individual components individually positioned over a central hole prior to reinserting the vertical shaft through the center of each component. It is readily apparent that such a system provides a great inconvenience to the user.
Furthermore there has also been the need for a rotatable serving tray system where removable trays are selectively engageable with the platform member where each tray has a separate and sealable cover in order that individual items, such as foods, may be individually sealed and delivered to therotating tray system.
Furthermore, there has also been a need for a rotatable serving tray - ~
2136~85 system where the supporting base is provided with a number of downsize collars to enable the base to be adapted to a vertical shaft of different diameters.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, a rotatable serving tray system is provided, the system having:
shaft collar means for attachrnent to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
tray member supported by the shaft collar and rotatable about the vertical shaft, the tray member adapted for selective engagement with the vertical shaft wherein the tray member may be engaged around the vertical shaft, at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tray member is generally circular, the tray member having a central hole, an outer edge and a longitudinal slit from the central hole to the outer edge, wherein the tray member is a material sufficiently flexible to enable the tray member to be engaged around the vertical shaft by passing the vertical shaft along the slit from the outer edge to the central hole and sufficiently resilient to support the removable tray.
In an alternate embodiment, the tray member is generally circular having a central hole, the tray member having two halves engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing 213648~
horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means.
In one embodiment, the tray locking means is a dovetail joint on respective straight edges of each half or hook and clasp members adjacent the straight edges of each half.
In another embodiment, the tray member is provided with an upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member and/or an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member. The underside surface of the tray member may also be provided with a downwardly projecting rib for aligning the tray member on the shaft collar.
In order to configure the shaft collar to shafts of different diameters, the invention also provides a downsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
In a still further embodiment, he tray cover may be sealingly engaged upon the removable tray and each tray member further comprises risers in respective sections of the tray member for ~ligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking means comprises a c~ g member opeldlively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the c~ g member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the c~mming member with respect to the washer member 21364~
with the c~mming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaftdisposed between the gripping surfaces.
In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a rotatable serving tray S system having:
shaft collar means for attachment to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
the locking means comprises a c~mming member operatively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising a keyway opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the c~mming member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the cammin~ member with respect to the washer member with the camming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaft disposed between the gripping surfaces;
circular tray member with a central hole supported by the shaft collar, the tray member selectively engageable and rotatable around the vertical shaft, the tray member having two halves, each half engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means, the tray member also having upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member and an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member, the underside surface of the tray member having a downwardly projecting rib for ~lignin~ the tray member on the shaft collar;
2136~85 risers in respective sections of the tray member for ~ligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member do~,vnsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member, the removable tray having a tray cover sealingly engageable upon the removable tray.
Brief Description of the Drawings In order to more fully describe the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rotatable serving tray in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the assembly of the shaft collar, downsize sleeve, base tray, removable trays and tray covers in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shaft collar;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the downsize sleeve;
Figure S is a top view of the base tray;
Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of a locking device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure Sb is a plan view of a dovetail locking joint in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the base tray;
Figure 7a is an elevation of a locking device in the disengaged position in 2136-~8~
-accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7b is an elevation of a locking device in the engaged position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7c is partial elevation of a shaft collar having a keyway;
Figure 8 is an elevation of rotatable serving tray in accordance with the invention.
-g Detailed Description of the Invention The rotatable serving tray in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rotatable serving tray system 10 comprises a shaft collar 12, a base tray 14 having a generally circular shape, a5 plurality of removable trays engageable upon the base tray 14, and respective tray covers for each of the removable trays 16. The rotatable serving tray system 10 may also be provided with a downsize sleeve 20 which is optionally engageable with the shaft collar 12. As shown in Figure 1, the rotatable servingtray system 10 is attached to a vertical shaft 22 wherein the base tray 14 with 10 removable trays 16 and covers 18 are free to rotate about the vertical shaft 22.
The rotatable serving tray may be optionally configured to vertical shafts of different diameters when downsize sleeve 20 is used with shaft collar 12.
With reference to Figure 3, the shaft collar 12 is shown having two gripping sections 24 and 26 connected via hinge portion 28 which enables the 15 two gripping sections 24 and 26 to be opened with respect to one another thereby enabling the shaft collar 12 to be engaged around a vertical shaft 22.
The shaft collar 12 is also provided with a locking section at the opposite sideof the shaft collar 12 to the hinge portion 28 in order that the gripping sections 24 and 26 are locked with respect to one another to prevent opening. Locking 20 of the gripping sections 24 and 26 may be accomplished by any suitable means,such as, but not being limited to passing a bolt (not shown) through hole 32 andhin~ a nut (not shown) thereby securing the two gripping sections 24 and 26 together. As is shown in Figure 3, each gripping section 24 and 26 is provided with a concave surface 34 and 36 respectively for engagement upon 25 the convex surface of a vertical shaft 12. Accordingly, the internal diameter of the concave surfaces 34 and 36 is set to ensure a tight fit of shaft collar 12 against the vertical shaft 12.
To enable the shaft collar 12 to be firmly engaged upon vertical shafts 12 of varying diameters, a downsize sleeve 20 may be selectively engaged upon the shaft collar 12 and vertical shaft 22. The downsize sleeve 20 (Figure 4) hasseparate gripping sections 38 and 40, hinge portion 42 and flange 44. The gripping sections 38 and 40 have an outside diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the concave surfaces 34 and 36 of the shaft collar 12 and an internal diameter set to ensure a tight fit against a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter. Accordingly, the shaft collar 12 may be made to selectively engage around vertical shafts 20 of different diameters by replacing downsize collars with different internal diameters corresponding to alternate vertical shaft diameters.
In order to prevent slippage of the downsize sleeve 20 with respect to the shaft collar 12, flange 44 rests upon the upper surface 46 of shaft collar 12 when both the shaft collar 12 and downsize sleeve 20 are engaged around a vertical shaft 8.
The base tray 14 (Figures 5 and 6) rests upon the upper surface 46 of the shaft collar 12. The base tray 14 is generally circular in shape with an outer edge 50 and having a central hole 48 with a diameter larger than the flange 44 of a downsize collar 20 and smaller than the upper surface 46 of the shaft collar 12. In one embodiment of the invention, the base tray 14 is two semi-circular sections 52 and 54, the two sections 52 and 54 separable to enable configurationof the base tray 14 around a vertical shaft 12. Once configured around a vertical shaft 12, the two sections 52 and 54 are locked together by any suitable lockingmeans that inhibits horizontal separation of the two sections. Accordingly, in one embodiment (Figure Sa), the locking means comprises a tongue 56 engageable in slot 58 with undercut 60 wherein sections 52 and 54 are hinged with respect to one another to enable insertion of the tongue 56 in slot 58 and undercut 60. In another embodiment (Figure 5b), the sections 52 and 54 are provided with a dovetail joints 62 and 64 respectively to prevent horizontal separation of the sections 52 and 54 from one another while enabling vertical separation. It is, however, understood that other locking devices for holding 2136~85 sections 52 and 54 are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.
In an alternate embodiment of the base tray 14, the base tray 14 has a slit 66 between the outer edge S0 and the central hole 48 to enable configuration of the base tray 14 around the shaft 22 as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the base tray 14 is constructed of a material of sufficient flexibility to enable the base tray 14 to be deformed to enable the vertical shaft 22 to be positioned in central hole 48 of the base tray 14 by passing the vertical shaft 22 through slit 66. Accordingly, when placing the base tray 14 around a vertical shaft 22, sections 68 and 70 of the base tray are flexed away from one another to effect opening of slit 66. It is understood, that the material of thebase tray 14 must be sufficiently flexible to enable sufficient opening of the slit 66 to enable the vertical shaft 22 to pass along the slit 66 to central hole 48 as well as being sufficiently resilient to provide adequate support to the trays 16placed upon the base tray 14.
The upper surface of the base tray 14 may also be provided with a lip 72 or inwardly sloping surface for retaining trays 16 on the base tray 14 duringrotation of the serving tray 10 and to ensure correct placement of each removable tray 16. Furthermore, the upper surface of the base tray 14 may be provided with risers 76 adapted for engagement with the underside surface of a removable tray 16 to also ensure alignment of the removable tray 16 with the base tray 14.
Figure 6 shows the underside of a base tray 14 with a downwardly projecting lip 74 for engagement with the outer edge 76 of the shaft collar 12.
Accordingly, it is understood that the upper surface 46 diameter of the shaft collar 12 is set to correspond to the internal diameter of dowllw~dly projectinglip 74 in order to align the base tray 14 on the collar 12. The overlap between the base tray 14 and upper surface 46 of the shaft collar 12 is made to provide sufficient stability to the base tray.
2136-~8$
Removable tray 16 may be of any suitable size and shape where the removable tray 16 rests upon base tray 14 within lip 40. In one particular embodiment, the removable trays 16 each correspond to one quarter of a circle.
It is further understood that trays representing more or less of the above fraction of a whole circle may be engaged upon the base tray 14.
The removable trays may also be provided with tray covers 18 which are made to specifically engage with the respective removable trays 16, thereby enabling trays 16 to be individually covered while on or away from the base tray 14. The tray covers 18 are preferably of a clear plastic material to enablethe contents of the removable tray 16 to be clearly seen from outside the cover 18. This enables individual trays 16 to be selectively covered or uncovered while on the base tray. It is a!so preferred that the trays 16 and tray covers 18 are provided with sloping surfaces 78 to facilitate nesting or stacking of trays16 and/or covers 18 (Figure 8).
Figures 7a and 7b show a preferred form of a locking device 80 for locking the shaft collar 12. The locking device 80 has a c~mming member 82, and a washer 86 operatively connected to one another by a shaft member 84.
The c~mming member 82 is provided with a c~mming surface 88 for engagement with opposed surfaces 90 and 92 of the shaft collar 12. The shaft collar hole 32 is a keyway as shown in Figure 7c to enable the washer 86 to be passed through both halves of the shaft collar 12 for the shaft member 84 to engage within the channel 94 thereby preventing gripping sections 24 and 26 from opening with respect to one another. Actuation of the c~mming member 82 towards surface 92 rotates c~mming surface 88 with respect to surface 92 drawing gripping sections 24 and 26 towards another. The shape of the c~mming surface 88 is set in order to inhibit accidental opening of the locking device 80. For example, the c~ g surface 88 may be provided with a radius of curvature that provides for m~imllm closure of the locking device 80 when the c~mming member 82 is approximately parallel with respect to surface ~136`~8~
92 or 90 with respect to shaft member 84. Further actuation of the C~mming member to less than 90 with respect to the shaft member 84 enables partial opening of the gripping sections 24 and 26 thereby providing resistance to the opening of the c~mming member 82. Further resistance may be provided by the addition of small teeth 96 to the czlmmin~; surface 88 for engagement with respective teeth 98 on the surface 90.
Normal Assembly The rotatable serving tray system 10 is assembled on a vertical shaft 22 according to the following general procedure. Firstly, the shaft collar 12 is configured to the vertical shaft 22 at the desired height by opening the two gripping sections 24 and 26 with respect to one another and placing and closing the two gripping sections around the vertical shaft 22. The locking device is inserted in hole 32 and tightened as appropriate. The base tray 14 is configuredaround the vertical shaft 22 by separating the two halves 52 and 54 and placing the two halves around the vertical shaft. The two halves 52 and 54 are locked together in accordance with the particular locking means. With the CZ~mming device 80, the washer 86 is inserted through hole 32 and the shaft member 84 is engaged within the keyway 94. Actuation of the c~mming member 82 towards the surface 92 tightens respective gripping sections 24 and 26 against the vertical shaft 22. The removeable trays 16 and covers 18 may be selectively positioned on the base tray 14 as desired. Rotation of the base tray 14 and removeable trays 16 about the vertical shaft 22 is accomplished by manual manipulation of the base tray 14 about the vertical shaft.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in this specification are used as terms of description and not of limitations, and thereis no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the clalms.
-be engaged with the base. This particular patent does not disclose a shaft collar which enables the tray to be positioned at any height on the vertical shaft, butrather requires that the tray rest on a support such as a table. Other prior artsuch as C~n~ n Industrial Design 30672 disclose a rotary container unit having a circular base and a plurality of sector shaped receptacles on the base.C~n~ n Patent 947,241 discloses a brake for a manually operated rotary file, and C~n~ n Patent Application 2,074,369 discloses a pivoting tray with pivot bearings for corner cupboards.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a rotatable serving tray system which may be engaged upon a vertical shaft at any height in order that the system may be adapted to the specific requirements of a particular use. For example, in a situation where a table is relatively small and it is desirable tohave many items on the table, there has been a need for a serving tray that can be positioned slightly above the table surface in order to provide the equivalent of an auxiliary table above the main table with the added convenience of the auxiliary table being rotatable about the main table.
Furthermore there has been a need for a rotatable serving tray system which may be configured to a vertical shaft in the manner mentioned above where the supporting base of the serving kay system is adapted to the vertical shaft without disassembly of the vertical shaft. For example United States Patent 5,171,077 requires that the vertical shaft be removed from the supportingtable and each of the individual components individually positioned over a central hole prior to reinserting the vertical shaft through the center of each component. It is readily apparent that such a system provides a great inconvenience to the user.
Furthermore there has also been the need for a rotatable serving tray system where removable trays are selectively engageable with the platform member where each tray has a separate and sealable cover in order that individual items, such as foods, may be individually sealed and delivered to therotating tray system.
Furthermore, there has also been a need for a rotatable serving tray - ~
2136~85 system where the supporting base is provided with a number of downsize collars to enable the base to be adapted to a vertical shaft of different diameters.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, a rotatable serving tray system is provided, the system having:
shaft collar means for attachrnent to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
tray member supported by the shaft collar and rotatable about the vertical shaft, the tray member adapted for selective engagement with the vertical shaft wherein the tray member may be engaged around the vertical shaft, at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tray member is generally circular, the tray member having a central hole, an outer edge and a longitudinal slit from the central hole to the outer edge, wherein the tray member is a material sufficiently flexible to enable the tray member to be engaged around the vertical shaft by passing the vertical shaft along the slit from the outer edge to the central hole and sufficiently resilient to support the removable tray.
In an alternate embodiment, the tray member is generally circular having a central hole, the tray member having two halves engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing 213648~
horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means.
In one embodiment, the tray locking means is a dovetail joint on respective straight edges of each half or hook and clasp members adjacent the straight edges of each half.
In another embodiment, the tray member is provided with an upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member and/or an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member. The underside surface of the tray member may also be provided with a downwardly projecting rib for aligning the tray member on the shaft collar.
In order to configure the shaft collar to shafts of different diameters, the invention also provides a downsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
In a still further embodiment, he tray cover may be sealingly engaged upon the removable tray and each tray member further comprises risers in respective sections of the tray member for ~ligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking means comprises a c~ g member opeldlively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the c~ g member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the c~mming member with respect to the washer member 21364~
with the c~mming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaftdisposed between the gripping surfaces.
In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a rotatable serving tray S system having:
shaft collar means for attachment to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
the locking means comprises a c~mming member operatively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising a keyway opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the c~mming member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the cammin~ member with respect to the washer member with the camming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaft disposed between the gripping surfaces;
circular tray member with a central hole supported by the shaft collar, the tray member selectively engageable and rotatable around the vertical shaft, the tray member having two halves, each half engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means, the tray member also having upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member and an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member, the underside surface of the tray member having a downwardly projecting rib for ~lignin~ the tray member on the shaft collar;
2136~85 risers in respective sections of the tray member for ~ligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member do~,vnsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member, the removable tray having a tray cover sealingly engageable upon the removable tray.
Brief Description of the Drawings In order to more fully describe the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rotatable serving tray in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the assembly of the shaft collar, downsize sleeve, base tray, removable trays and tray covers in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shaft collar;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the downsize sleeve;
Figure S is a top view of the base tray;
Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of a locking device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure Sb is a plan view of a dovetail locking joint in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the base tray;
Figure 7a is an elevation of a locking device in the disengaged position in 2136-~8~
-accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7b is an elevation of a locking device in the engaged position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7c is partial elevation of a shaft collar having a keyway;
Figure 8 is an elevation of rotatable serving tray in accordance with the invention.
-g Detailed Description of the Invention The rotatable serving tray in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rotatable serving tray system 10 comprises a shaft collar 12, a base tray 14 having a generally circular shape, a5 plurality of removable trays engageable upon the base tray 14, and respective tray covers for each of the removable trays 16. The rotatable serving tray system 10 may also be provided with a downsize sleeve 20 which is optionally engageable with the shaft collar 12. As shown in Figure 1, the rotatable servingtray system 10 is attached to a vertical shaft 22 wherein the base tray 14 with 10 removable trays 16 and covers 18 are free to rotate about the vertical shaft 22.
The rotatable serving tray may be optionally configured to vertical shafts of different diameters when downsize sleeve 20 is used with shaft collar 12.
With reference to Figure 3, the shaft collar 12 is shown having two gripping sections 24 and 26 connected via hinge portion 28 which enables the 15 two gripping sections 24 and 26 to be opened with respect to one another thereby enabling the shaft collar 12 to be engaged around a vertical shaft 22.
The shaft collar 12 is also provided with a locking section at the opposite sideof the shaft collar 12 to the hinge portion 28 in order that the gripping sections 24 and 26 are locked with respect to one another to prevent opening. Locking 20 of the gripping sections 24 and 26 may be accomplished by any suitable means,such as, but not being limited to passing a bolt (not shown) through hole 32 andhin~ a nut (not shown) thereby securing the two gripping sections 24 and 26 together. As is shown in Figure 3, each gripping section 24 and 26 is provided with a concave surface 34 and 36 respectively for engagement upon 25 the convex surface of a vertical shaft 12. Accordingly, the internal diameter of the concave surfaces 34 and 36 is set to ensure a tight fit of shaft collar 12 against the vertical shaft 12.
To enable the shaft collar 12 to be firmly engaged upon vertical shafts 12 of varying diameters, a downsize sleeve 20 may be selectively engaged upon the shaft collar 12 and vertical shaft 22. The downsize sleeve 20 (Figure 4) hasseparate gripping sections 38 and 40, hinge portion 42 and flange 44. The gripping sections 38 and 40 have an outside diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the concave surfaces 34 and 36 of the shaft collar 12 and an internal diameter set to ensure a tight fit against a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter. Accordingly, the shaft collar 12 may be made to selectively engage around vertical shafts 20 of different diameters by replacing downsize collars with different internal diameters corresponding to alternate vertical shaft diameters.
In order to prevent slippage of the downsize sleeve 20 with respect to the shaft collar 12, flange 44 rests upon the upper surface 46 of shaft collar 12 when both the shaft collar 12 and downsize sleeve 20 are engaged around a vertical shaft 8.
The base tray 14 (Figures 5 and 6) rests upon the upper surface 46 of the shaft collar 12. The base tray 14 is generally circular in shape with an outer edge 50 and having a central hole 48 with a diameter larger than the flange 44 of a downsize collar 20 and smaller than the upper surface 46 of the shaft collar 12. In one embodiment of the invention, the base tray 14 is two semi-circular sections 52 and 54, the two sections 52 and 54 separable to enable configurationof the base tray 14 around a vertical shaft 12. Once configured around a vertical shaft 12, the two sections 52 and 54 are locked together by any suitable lockingmeans that inhibits horizontal separation of the two sections. Accordingly, in one embodiment (Figure Sa), the locking means comprises a tongue 56 engageable in slot 58 with undercut 60 wherein sections 52 and 54 are hinged with respect to one another to enable insertion of the tongue 56 in slot 58 and undercut 60. In another embodiment (Figure 5b), the sections 52 and 54 are provided with a dovetail joints 62 and 64 respectively to prevent horizontal separation of the sections 52 and 54 from one another while enabling vertical separation. It is, however, understood that other locking devices for holding 2136~85 sections 52 and 54 are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.
In an alternate embodiment of the base tray 14, the base tray 14 has a slit 66 between the outer edge S0 and the central hole 48 to enable configuration of the base tray 14 around the shaft 22 as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the base tray 14 is constructed of a material of sufficient flexibility to enable the base tray 14 to be deformed to enable the vertical shaft 22 to be positioned in central hole 48 of the base tray 14 by passing the vertical shaft 22 through slit 66. Accordingly, when placing the base tray 14 around a vertical shaft 22, sections 68 and 70 of the base tray are flexed away from one another to effect opening of slit 66. It is understood, that the material of thebase tray 14 must be sufficiently flexible to enable sufficient opening of the slit 66 to enable the vertical shaft 22 to pass along the slit 66 to central hole 48 as well as being sufficiently resilient to provide adequate support to the trays 16placed upon the base tray 14.
The upper surface of the base tray 14 may also be provided with a lip 72 or inwardly sloping surface for retaining trays 16 on the base tray 14 duringrotation of the serving tray 10 and to ensure correct placement of each removable tray 16. Furthermore, the upper surface of the base tray 14 may be provided with risers 76 adapted for engagement with the underside surface of a removable tray 16 to also ensure alignment of the removable tray 16 with the base tray 14.
Figure 6 shows the underside of a base tray 14 with a downwardly projecting lip 74 for engagement with the outer edge 76 of the shaft collar 12.
Accordingly, it is understood that the upper surface 46 diameter of the shaft collar 12 is set to correspond to the internal diameter of dowllw~dly projectinglip 74 in order to align the base tray 14 on the collar 12. The overlap between the base tray 14 and upper surface 46 of the shaft collar 12 is made to provide sufficient stability to the base tray.
2136-~8$
Removable tray 16 may be of any suitable size and shape where the removable tray 16 rests upon base tray 14 within lip 40. In one particular embodiment, the removable trays 16 each correspond to one quarter of a circle.
It is further understood that trays representing more or less of the above fraction of a whole circle may be engaged upon the base tray 14.
The removable trays may also be provided with tray covers 18 which are made to specifically engage with the respective removable trays 16, thereby enabling trays 16 to be individually covered while on or away from the base tray 14. The tray covers 18 are preferably of a clear plastic material to enablethe contents of the removable tray 16 to be clearly seen from outside the cover 18. This enables individual trays 16 to be selectively covered or uncovered while on the base tray. It is a!so preferred that the trays 16 and tray covers 18 are provided with sloping surfaces 78 to facilitate nesting or stacking of trays16 and/or covers 18 (Figure 8).
Figures 7a and 7b show a preferred form of a locking device 80 for locking the shaft collar 12. The locking device 80 has a c~mming member 82, and a washer 86 operatively connected to one another by a shaft member 84.
The c~mming member 82 is provided with a c~mming surface 88 for engagement with opposed surfaces 90 and 92 of the shaft collar 12. The shaft collar hole 32 is a keyway as shown in Figure 7c to enable the washer 86 to be passed through both halves of the shaft collar 12 for the shaft member 84 to engage within the channel 94 thereby preventing gripping sections 24 and 26 from opening with respect to one another. Actuation of the c~mming member 82 towards surface 92 rotates c~mming surface 88 with respect to surface 92 drawing gripping sections 24 and 26 towards another. The shape of the c~mming surface 88 is set in order to inhibit accidental opening of the locking device 80. For example, the c~ g surface 88 may be provided with a radius of curvature that provides for m~imllm closure of the locking device 80 when the c~mming member 82 is approximately parallel with respect to surface ~136`~8~
92 or 90 with respect to shaft member 84. Further actuation of the C~mming member to less than 90 with respect to the shaft member 84 enables partial opening of the gripping sections 24 and 26 thereby providing resistance to the opening of the c~mming member 82. Further resistance may be provided by the addition of small teeth 96 to the czlmmin~; surface 88 for engagement with respective teeth 98 on the surface 90.
Normal Assembly The rotatable serving tray system 10 is assembled on a vertical shaft 22 according to the following general procedure. Firstly, the shaft collar 12 is configured to the vertical shaft 22 at the desired height by opening the two gripping sections 24 and 26 with respect to one another and placing and closing the two gripping sections around the vertical shaft 22. The locking device is inserted in hole 32 and tightened as appropriate. The base tray 14 is configuredaround the vertical shaft 22 by separating the two halves 52 and 54 and placing the two halves around the vertical shaft. The two halves 52 and 54 are locked together in accordance with the particular locking means. With the CZ~mming device 80, the washer 86 is inserted through hole 32 and the shaft member 84 is engaged within the keyway 94. Actuation of the c~mming member 82 towards the surface 92 tightens respective gripping sections 24 and 26 against the vertical shaft 22. The removeable trays 16 and covers 18 may be selectively positioned on the base tray 14 as desired. Rotation of the base tray 14 and removeable trays 16 about the vertical shaft 22 is accomplished by manual manipulation of the base tray 14 about the vertical shaft.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in this specification are used as terms of description and not of limitations, and thereis no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the clalms.
Claims (22)
1. A rotatable serving tray system comprising:
shaft collar means for attachment to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
tray member supported by the shaft collar and rotatable about the vertical shaft, the tray member adapted for selective engagement with the vertical shaft wherein the tray member may be engaged around the vertical shaft;
at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member.
shaft collar means for attachment to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
tray member supported by the shaft collar and rotatable about the vertical shaft, the tray member adapted for selective engagement with the vertical shaft wherein the tray member may be engaged around the vertical shaft;
at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member.
2. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the tray member is generally circular, the tray member having a central hole, an outer edge and a longitudinal slit from the central hole to the outer edge, wherein the tray member is a material sufficiently flexible to enable the tray member to be engaged around the vertical shaft by passing the vertical shaft along the slit from the outer edge to the central hole and sufficiently resilient to support the removable tray.
3. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the tray member is generally circular having a central hole, the tray member having two halves engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means.
4. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 3 wherein the tray locking means is a dovetail joint on respective straight edges of each half.
5. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 3 wherein the tray locking means comprises hook and clasp members adjacent the straight edges of each half.
6. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the tray member is provided with an upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member.
7. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the tray member further comprises an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member.
8. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the underside surfaceof the tray member has a downwardly projecting rib for aligning the tray member on the shaft collar.
9. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the shaft collar means further comprises a downsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
10. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the tray cover may be sealingly engaged upon the removable tray.
11. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the tray member further comprises risers in respective sections of the tray member for aligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member.
12. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a camming member operatively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the camming member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the camming member with respect to the washer member with the camming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaft disposed between the gripping surfaces.
13. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 4 wherein the tray member is provided with an upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member.
14. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 13 wherein the upper surface of the tray member further comprises an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member.
15. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 14 wherein the underside surface of the tray member has a downwardly projecting rib for aligning the tray member on the shaft collar.
16. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 15 wherein the shaft collar means further comprises a downsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
17. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 16 wherein the tray cover may be sealingly engaged upon the removable tray.
18. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 17 wherein the tray member further comprises risers in respective sections of the tray member for aligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member.
19. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 18 wherein the locking means comprises a camming member operatively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the camming member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the camming member with respect to the washer member with the camming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaft disposed between the gripping surfaces.
20. A rotatable serving tray system comprising:
shaft collar means for attachment to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
the locking means comprises a camming member operatively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising a keyway opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the camming member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the camming member with respect to the washer member with the camming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaft disposed between the gripping surfaces;
circular tray member with a central hole supported by the shaft collar, the tray member selectively engageable and rotatable around the vertical shaft, the tray member having two halves, each half engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means, the tray member also having upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member and an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member, the underside surface of the tray member having a downwardly projecting rib for aligning the tray member on the shaft collar;
risers in respective sections of the tray member for aligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member downsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member, the removable tray having a tray cover sealingly engageable upon the removable tray.
shaft collar means for attachment to a vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having hinged gripping sections for gripping the vertical shaft and locking means for securing the shaft collar around the vertical shaft, the shaft collar means having open and closed positions;
the locking means comprises a camming member operatively connected to a washer member by a shaft member, the locking means further comprising a keyway opposed surfaces on the collar means for engagement with the camming member and washer member, wherein selective one-way rotation of the camming member with respect to the washer member with the camming member and washer member abutting respective opposed surfaces effects tightening of the collar means with respect to a vertical shaft disposed between the gripping surfaces;
circular tray member with a central hole supported by the shaft collar, the tray member selectively engageable and rotatable around the vertical shaft, the tray member having two halves, each half engageable with one another along straight edges, the two halves having tray locking means for preventing horizontal separation of the two halves when the tray member is supported by the shaft collar means, the tray member also having upwardly projecting lip around the perimeter of the tray member and an inwardly sloping surface adjacent the perimeter of the tray member, the underside surface of the tray member having a downwardly projecting rib for aligning the tray member on the shaft collar;
risers in respective sections of the tray member for aligning the removable trays in respective sections of the tray member downsize sleeve for engagement with the hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means, the downsize sleeve having corresponding hinged gripping sections for engagement with hinged gripping sections of the shaft collar means and for gripping the vertical shaft, the downsize sleeve enabling attachment and locking of the shaft collar means around a vertical shaft of a smaller diameter.
at least one removable tray selectively engageable with the tray member, the removable tray having a tray cover sealingly engageable upon the removable tray.
21. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 4 wherein the tray locking means is a dovetail joint on respective straight edges of each half.
22. The rotatable serving tray system as in claim 4 wherein the tray locking means comprises hook and clasp members adjacent the straight edges of each half.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002136485A CA2136485A1 (en) | 1994-11-23 | 1994-11-23 | Rotatable serving tray |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002136485A CA2136485A1 (en) | 1994-11-23 | 1994-11-23 | Rotatable serving tray |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2136485A1 true CA2136485A1 (en) | 1996-05-24 |
Family
ID=4154723
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002136485A Abandoned CA2136485A1 (en) | 1994-11-23 | 1994-11-23 | Rotatable serving tray |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2136485A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102894791A (en) * | 2012-09-29 | 2013-01-30 | 苏州萃智新技术开发有限公司 | Multifunctional fruit tray |
| USD742178S1 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2015-11-03 | Lisa Shames | Serving tray |
| US9839311B2 (en) | 2013-12-30 | 2017-12-12 | Lisa Shames | Multipurpose serving tray |
| USD808222S1 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2018-01-23 | Lisa Shames | Serving tray |
| CN111973375A (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2020-11-24 | 四川大学华西第四医院 | Multi-functional nursing treatment of handy range upon range of formula dish |
-
1994
- 1994-11-23 CA CA002136485A patent/CA2136485A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102894791A (en) * | 2012-09-29 | 2013-01-30 | 苏州萃智新技术开发有限公司 | Multifunctional fruit tray |
| USD742178S1 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2015-11-03 | Lisa Shames | Serving tray |
| USD766665S1 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2016-09-20 | Lisa Shames | Serving tray |
| USD808222S1 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2018-01-23 | Lisa Shames | Serving tray |
| US9839311B2 (en) | 2013-12-30 | 2017-12-12 | Lisa Shames | Multipurpose serving tray |
| CN111973375A (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2020-11-24 | 四川大学华西第四医院 | Multi-functional nursing treatment of handy range upon range of formula dish |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |