US20020162490A1 - Modular rotatable tray system - Google Patents
Modular rotatable tray system Download PDFInfo
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- US20020162490A1 US20020162490A1 US09/542,925 US54292500A US2002162490A1 US 20020162490 A1 US20020162490 A1 US 20020162490A1 US 54292500 A US54292500 A US 54292500A US 2002162490 A1 US2002162490 A1 US 2002162490A1
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- Prior art keywords
- tray
- bearing member
- rotatable
- tray system
- rotatable tray
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- 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.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B37/00—Tables adapted for other particular purposes
- A47B37/04—Tables specially adapted for use in the garden or otherwise in the open air, e.g. with means for holding umbrellas or umbrella-like sunshades
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2220/00—General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
- A47B2220/0002—Adjustable furniture construction
- A47B2220/0008—Table or tray, height adjustable on parasol pole
Definitions
- the present invention relates to rotatable food service trays, and in particular to a modular rotatable food tray supported by a vertical pole, such as an umbrella pole disposed in the middle of an outdoor patio table.
- the umbrella has become commonplace in the use of outdoor table furniture, providing those who are seated at the table a degree of protection from sunlight, precipitation, or falling debris. Placement of the umbrella at the center of a table, the table accommodating the umbrella pole by use of a centrally disposed opening, provides an encompassing shelter over a perimeter of the table.
- the umbrella table has a variety of uses, including that of a sitting location for the consumption of food.
- a centrally located umbrella pole presents an obstacle that persons at the table must pass food or dishes around.
- the umbrella pole not only creates an obstacle but it also occupies critical space in the middle of the table. Consequently, trays of various configuration have been invented to utilize the umbrella pole in order to minimize its distraction from the table space.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,803 (O'Brien et al) teaches a rotatable food tray for use in combination with an outdoor patio table having a centrally located umbrella.
- a bearing assembly is designed to surround the umbrella pole and rotatably support a tray.
- the bearing assembly can either rest on the table, or alternatively may be supported at a desired distance above the table by a support element secured to the umbrella pole.
- the tray is divided into a pair of semi-circular tray sections, which are designed to clip together to form a continuous tray surface which surrounds the umbrella pole.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,712 (Weir) teaches another rotatable tray, in which a unitary tray is rotatably supported a predetermined distance above a table surface by a support element fixedly attached to the tray and having an internal diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the umbrella pole.
- the rotatable trays described in both of the above patents suffer a disadvantage that the tray must be installed about the umbrella pole before it can be used.
- food products are commonly prepared at a location remote from a garden table (e.g. in a kitchen or at a barbecue) and then carried to the garden table for serving.
- the trays of O'Brien et al and Weir cannot conveniently be used for conveying food products from the food preparation area to the garden table for serving, so that a second tray may frequently be required for this purpose.
- the tray of O'Brien et al suffers a further disadvantage in that it merely rests by gravity on the bearing assembly. With this arrangement, the tray of O'Brien et al is vulnerable to tipping in the event that the tray is unevenly loaded.
- Outdoor decks and patios are highly popular for outdoor entertainment and social functions. Frequently, the use of outdoor patio furniture (such as tables with a centrally mounted umbrella) are conveniently used to enhance the value of the deck for this purpose. However, for large social gatherings, it may be undesirable to devote a large deck area to an umbrella table and surrounding chairs. In such cases, a rotatable tray mounted atop a supporting pole independently of an umbrella table would be highly desirable as a means of serving hors d'oeuvres or the like without occupying a large deck area.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable tray system in which tray segments forming a modular tray are independently mountable on a hub disposed about a substantially vertical supporting pole.
- An aspect of the present invention provides a rotatable tray system comprising: a hub assembly rotatably mountable on a substantially vertical support member; and a modular tray comprising a plurality of tray segments independently mountable on the hub, the plurality of tray segments being adapted to cooperatively define a substantially contiguous tray surface.
- the substantially vertical support member is preferably a pole, such as, for example, an umbrella pole.
- the umbrella pole may be mounted in an umbrella table suitably designed for that purpose, or may be suitably supported in an umbrella stand independently of any other garden furniture.
- the substantially vertical support member can be a free-standing pole secured to a support assembly and arranged to support the rotatable tray system at a desired height above a deck surface independently of any other patio furniture such as tables or the like.
- the hub assembly comprises: an inner bearing member capable of being fixedly secured to the substantially vertical support member; and an outer bearing member having a substantially cylindrical bore capable of slidably receiving the inner bearing member such that the outer bearing member is freely rotatable about the inner bearing member, and pivoting of the outer bearing member with respect to the inner bearing member is inhibited.
- the inner bearing member may include a pair of opposed semi-cylindrical bearing portions defining an axial channel for receiving the support member.
- the opposed semi-cylindrical bearing portions are preferably capable of clamping engagement with the substantially vertical support member.
- the inner bearing preferably includes at least one fastener capable of securing the semi-cylindrical bearing portions to one another and to the support member by clamping the support member between the semi-cylindrical bearing portions.
- the inner bearing comprises: an upper bearing surface capable of slidable load-bearing engagement with an end wall of the cylindrical bore of the outer bearing member; and at least one perimeter wall for slidably engaging a side wall of the cylindrical bore of the outer bearing member to prevent pivoting between the inner and outer bearing members.
- the inner bearing may include at least one flange portion, a respective outer edge of each flange portion defining the at least one perimeter wall.
- the bore of the outer bearing member comprises: a substantially cylindrical inner wall and an end wall.
- the cylindrical inner wall is preferably capable of sliding engagement with a perimeter wall of the inner bearing member to substantially prevent pivoting of the outer bearing member relative to the inner bearing member.
- the end wall is preferably capable of slidable load-bearing engagement with an upper bearing surface of the inner bearing member.
- the outer bearing member further comprises a receptacle portion capable of receiving a respective clip portion of each tray segment to thereby removably secure the respective tray segment to the outer bearing member.
- the receptacle portion may comprise an annular groove.
- each tray segment comprises: a top surface defining a portion of the substantially contiguous tray surface; and a clip portion depending from the top surface for securing the tray segment to the hub assembly.
- Each tray segment may be independently mountable to extend radially outwardly from the hub assembly.
- each tray segment may define a substantially equal portion of the tray surface.
- the clip portion may comprise a semi-cylindrical wall disposed proximal an inner edge of the respective top surface of each tray segment.
- An advantage of the present invention is that the tray segments can be individually attached to the hub assembly for rotation about the supporting member (pole).
- the inner and outer bearing members of the hub assembly cooperate to prevent the modular tray from tipping, even when it is partially complete (i.e. tray segments are missing) or when it is loaded in an unbalanced manner.
- FIG. 1. is a perspective view showing a rotatable tray system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mounted for use about an umbrella pole;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with one of the tray segments removed;
- FIG. 3 a shows an inner bearing member of the hub assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 b shows the inner bearing shown in FIG. 3 a mounted about an umbrella pole
- FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are perspective views of an outer bearing member of the hub assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
- P FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a tray segment of the modular tray shown in FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 6 a through 6 h show respective alternative embodiments of a tray segment for the modular tray shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a rotatable tray system in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, mounted for use about a free-standing pole.
- the present invention provides a rotatable tray system 2 in which a modular tray 4 includes a plurality of tray segments 6 and a central hub assembly 8 .
- the hub assembly 8 is designed to be mounted about a substantially vertical support 10 such as, for example, an umbrella pole.
- Each of the tray segments 6 is designed to be individually mounted to the hub 8 to define a modular tray 4 which is rotatable about the support member 10 .
- a modular tray 4 can be formed which completely surrounds the support member 10 (as shown in FIG. 1).
- a modular tray 4 only partially surrounding the support member 10 , as shown in FIG. 2, may be used.
- the outer (e.g. plan-view) dimensions of all of the tray segments 6 are substantially identical, so that tray segments 6 are fully interchangeable on the hub assembly 8 .
- four tray segments 6 are used to define a complete modular tray 4 surrounding the support member 10 .
- each tray segment 6 is shaped as a sector of a circle, so that the complete modular tray 4 is substantially circular in plan view. It will be appreciated however that more or fewer tray segments 6 may be utilized in the construction of a modular tray 4 .
- the shape of the tray segments 6 may differ from that shown in the illustrated embodiments, so as to provide a desired shape of a complete modular tray 4 .
- the tray segments 6 may be used alone or in combination to provide a complete or partial modular tray surface as desired.
- the tray segments 6 are sized to facilitate easy cleaning in, for example, a standard kitchen sink, or dish-washer machine.
- the hub assembly 8 includes an inner bearing member 12 which is designed to be fixedly mounted about the vertical support member 10 , and an outer bearing member 14 which is designed to be rotatably mounted about the vertical support member 10 while being supported and stabilized by the inner bearing member 12 .
- the inner bearing member 12 may conveniently be formed by a pair of bearing elements 16 , 18 which cooperate to define an interior channel 20 sized to receive the vertical support 10 .
- the bearing elements 16 , 18 may be independently formed (and therefore separable), or may be joined by a plastic hinge 22 along a common longitudinal edge as shown in FIG. 3 a . In either case, the bearing elements 16 , 18 are designed to cooperate to receive the vertical support member 10 and to be secured to each other by at least one fastener 24 (see FIG. 3 b ) which secures the inner bearing member 12 to the vertical support member 10 .
- the inner bearing member 12 includes an upper bearing surface 26 which receives and supports axial loads due, for example, to the weight of the modular tray 4 and food products placed on the tray.
- at least one peripheral surface 28 is provided distal from the upper bearing surface 26 so as to stabilize the modular tray 4 against tipping in an event that it is unevenly loaded.
- the upper bearing surface 26 and the peripheral surface 28 are provided by face and perimeter edge surfaces of respective flanges 30 extending outwardly from the central channel 20 of the inner bearing member 12 .
- the outer bearing member 14 is conveniently provided as a generally hat-shaped component having a central bore 32 sized to receive the inner bearing member 12 and a receptacle portion 34 designed to facilitate the mounting of tray segments 6 around the exterior of the hub assembly 8 .
- the central bore 32 generally includes a cylindrical inner wall 36 and an end wall 38 that at least partially occludes one end of the bore.
- the cylindrical inner wall 36 preferably has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral edges 28 of the inner bearing member 12 , so that there is sufficient clearance between the inner bearing member 12 and the interior wall 36 of the bore 32 to permit the outer bearing member 14 to rotate freely on the inner bearing member 12 .
- the clearance between the inner bearing member 12 and the interior wall 36 of the bore 32 must be sufficiently small so that the outer bearing member 14 is effectively stabilized against tipping with respect to the inner bearing member 12 (by contact between peripheral edges 28 of the inner bearing member 12 and the interior wall 36 of the bore 32 ).
- the end wall 38 of the bore is designed for sliding contact with the upper bearing surface 26 of the inner bearing member 12 , so that axial loads (e.g. due to the weight of food items placed on the modular tray 4 ) can be transmitted from the outer bearing member 14 to the inner bearing member 12 and thus to the vertical support 10 .
- An opening 40 within the end wall 38 of the bore 32 can be provided to permit passage of the vertical support 10 .
- the receptacle 34 is conveniently provided as an annular groove 42 or slot defined by a circumferential outer wall 44 extending around the exterior of the outer bearing member 14 .
- Bracing walls 46 extending across the annular groove 42 can be used to increase rigidity of the exterior wall 44 and so improve the stability with which tray segments 6 may be affixed to the outer bearing member 14 .
- each tray segment 6 generally comprises a top surface 48 and a clip portion 50 that extends from the top surface 48 for securing the tray segment 6 to the hub assembly 8 .
- the clip portion 50 is preferably a cylindrical section-shaped wall 52 which is sized to fit within the receptacle portion 34 of the outer bearing member 14 to thereby removably secure the tray segment 6 to the hub assembly 8 .
- the cylindrical section-shaped wall 52 of the clip portion 50 may be reinforced with ribs 54 that extend (e.g. radially) under the top surface 48 to improve rigidity of the joint between the clip portion 50 and the top surface 48 to thereby stabilize the tray segment 6 when it is secured to the hub assembly 8 .
- An optional perimeter wall 56 that depends from an outer edge 58 of the top surface 48 further rigidities the tray segment 6 , and thereby stabilizes the top surface 48 .
- the height of the perimeter wall 56 is selected to match that of the clip portion 50 , so that the top surface 48 is supported in a level condition when the tray segment 6 is placed on a table or a countertop. This permits food items to be conveniently placed on the top surface 48 of the tray segment 6 proximal a food preparation area.
- the tray segment 6 can then be used to convey the prepared food items to a food serving area (e.g. a patio table) where the tray segment 6 is attached to the hub assembly 8 by inserting the clip portion 50 into the receptacle 34 .
- FIGS. 6 a through 6 h various designs may be incorporated into the top surface 48 of the tray segment 6 as desired.
- FIG. 6 a shows a basic tray segment 6 having a flat top surface 48 (as is also shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 ).
- holes 60 are provided in the top surface 48 to receive upstanding U-shaped supports 62 that define an adjustable napkin holder.
- compartments 64 of varying shape and size provide a user with a wide range of food service options.
- a lid or cover 66 (which may be transparent) can be provided for use in conjunction with any of the tray segment designs shown in FIGS. 6 a through 6 g , in order to shield food products from, for example, insects.
- the rotatable tray system 2 of the present invention may be used independently of an umbrella mounted in an umbrella table.
- the rotatable tray system 2 is mounted about a free-standing pole 68 which is securely held in a base assembly 70 described in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,091.
- the present invention provides enhanced convenience of enabling food items to be easily carried from a food preparation area to a patio table, and then providing a modular rotatable tray affixed to the patio table to facilitate the convenience and enjoyment of the patio table as an eating area.
Abstract
Description
- This is the first application filed for the present invention.
- Not Applicable.
- The present invention relates to rotatable food service trays, and in particular to a modular rotatable food tray supported by a vertical pole, such as an umbrella pole disposed in the middle of an outdoor patio table.
- The umbrella has become commonplace in the use of outdoor table furniture, providing those who are seated at the table a degree of protection from sunlight, precipitation, or falling debris. Placement of the umbrella at the center of a table, the table accommodating the umbrella pole by use of a centrally disposed opening, provides an encompassing shelter over a perimeter of the table.
- Similar to indoor tables, the umbrella table has a variety of uses, including that of a sitting location for the consumption of food. However, a centrally located umbrella pole presents an obstacle that persons at the table must pass food or dishes around. The umbrella pole not only creates an obstacle but it also occupies critical space in the middle of the table. Consequently, trays of various configuration have been invented to utilize the umbrella pole in order to minimize its distraction from the table space.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,803 (O'Brien et al) teaches a rotatable food tray for use in combination with an outdoor patio table having a centrally located umbrella. A bearing assembly is designed to surround the umbrella pole and rotatably support a tray. The bearing assembly can either rest on the table, or alternatively may be supported at a desired distance above the table by a support element secured to the umbrella pole. The tray is divided into a pair of semi-circular tray sections, which are designed to clip together to form a continuous tray surface which surrounds the umbrella pole.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,712 (Weir) teaches another rotatable tray, in which a unitary tray is rotatably supported a predetermined distance above a table surface by a support element fixedly attached to the tray and having an internal diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the umbrella pole.
- The rotatable trays described in both of the above patents suffer a disadvantage that the tray must be installed about the umbrella pole before it can be used. However, food products are commonly prepared at a location remote from a garden table (e.g. in a kitchen or at a barbecue) and then carried to the garden table for serving. The trays of O'Brien et al and Weir cannot conveniently be used for conveying food products from the food preparation area to the garden table for serving, so that a second tray may frequently be required for this purpose. The tray of O'Brien et al suffers a further disadvantage in that it merely rests by gravity on the bearing assembly. With this arrangement, the tray of O'Brien et al is vulnerable to tipping in the event that the tray is unevenly loaded.
- Accordingly, there remains a need for a rotatable tray system which enhances the convenience and enjoyment of outdoor patio furniture.
- Outdoor decks and patios are highly popular for outdoor entertainment and social functions. Frequently, the use of outdoor patio furniture (such as tables with a centrally mounted umbrella) are conveniently used to enhance the value of the deck for this purpose. However, for large social gatherings, it may be undesirable to devote a large deck area to an umbrella table and surrounding chairs. In such cases, a rotatable tray mounted atop a supporting pole independently of an umbrella table would be highly desirable as a means of serving hors d'oeuvres or the like without occupying a large deck area.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable tray system in which tray segments forming a modular tray are independently mountable on a hub disposed about a substantially vertical supporting pole.
- An aspect of the present invention provides a rotatable tray system comprising: a hub assembly rotatably mountable on a substantially vertical support member; and a modular tray comprising a plurality of tray segments independently mountable on the hub, the plurality of tray segments being adapted to cooperatively define a substantially contiguous tray surface.
- The substantially vertical support member is preferably a pole, such as, for example, an umbrella pole. The umbrella pole may be mounted in an umbrella table suitably designed for that purpose, or may be suitably supported in an umbrella stand independently of any other garden furniture. Alternatively, the substantially vertical support member can be a free-standing pole secured to a support assembly and arranged to support the rotatable tray system at a desired height above a deck surface independently of any other patio furniture such as tables or the like.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the hub assembly comprises: an inner bearing member capable of being fixedly secured to the substantially vertical support member; and an outer bearing member having a substantially cylindrical bore capable of slidably receiving the inner bearing member such that the outer bearing member is freely rotatable about the inner bearing member, and pivoting of the outer bearing member with respect to the inner bearing member is inhibited.
- The inner bearing member may include a pair of opposed semi-cylindrical bearing portions defining an axial channel for receiving the support member. In this case, the opposed semi-cylindrical bearing portions are preferably capable of clamping engagement with the substantially vertical support member. Further, the inner bearing preferably includes at least one fastener capable of securing the semi-cylindrical bearing portions to one another and to the support member by clamping the support member between the semi-cylindrical bearing portions.
- Preferably, the inner bearing comprises: an upper bearing surface capable of slidable load-bearing engagement with an end wall of the cylindrical bore of the outer bearing member; and at least one perimeter wall for slidably engaging a side wall of the cylindrical bore of the outer bearing member to prevent pivoting between the inner and outer bearing members. The inner bearing may include at least one flange portion, a respective outer edge of each flange portion defining the at least one perimeter wall.
- Preferably, the bore of the outer bearing member comprises: a substantially cylindrical inner wall and an end wall. The cylindrical inner wall is preferably capable of sliding engagement with a perimeter wall of the inner bearing member to substantially prevent pivoting of the outer bearing member relative to the inner bearing member. The end wall is preferably capable of slidable load-bearing engagement with an upper bearing surface of the inner bearing member.
- In an embodiment of the invention, the outer bearing member further comprises a receptacle portion capable of receiving a respective clip portion of each tray segment to thereby removably secure the respective tray segment to the outer bearing member. The receptacle portion may comprise an annular groove.
- In an embodiment of the invention, each tray segment comprises: a top surface defining a portion of the substantially contiguous tray surface; and a clip portion depending from the top surface for securing the tray segment to the hub assembly.
- Each tray segment may be independently mountable to extend radially outwardly from the hub assembly.
- The respective top surface of each tray segment may define a substantially equal portion of the tray surface. The clip portion may comprise a semi-cylindrical wall disposed proximal an inner edge of the respective top surface of each tray segment.
- An advantage of the present invention is that the tray segments can be individually attached to the hub assembly for rotation about the supporting member (pole). The inner and outer bearing members of the hub assembly cooperate to prevent the modular tray from tipping, even when it is partially complete (i.e. tray segments are missing) or when it is loaded in an unbalanced manner.
- Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1. is a perspective view showing a rotatable tray system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mounted for use about an umbrella pole;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with one of the tray segments removed;
- FIG. 3a shows an inner bearing member of the hub assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3b shows the inner bearing shown in FIG. 3a mounted about an umbrella pole;
- FIGS. 4a and 4 b are perspective views of an outer bearing member of the hub assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; P FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a tray segment of the modular tray shown in FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 6a through 6 h show respective alternative embodiments of a tray segment for the modular tray shown in FIG. 1; and
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a rotatable tray system in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, mounted for use about a free-standing pole.
- It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
- The present invention provides a
rotatable tray system 2 in which amodular tray 4 includes a plurality oftray segments 6 and acentral hub assembly 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thehub assembly 8 is designed to be mounted about a substantiallyvertical support 10 such as, for example, an umbrella pole. Each of thetray segments 6 is designed to be individually mounted to thehub 8 to define amodular tray 4 which is rotatable about thesupport member 10. Thus amodular tray 4 can be formed which completely surrounds the support member 10 (as shown in FIG. 1). Alternatively, amodular tray 4 only partially surrounding thesupport member 10, as shown in FIG. 2, may be used. - In preferred embodiments of the invention, the outer (e.g. plan-view) dimensions of all of the
tray segments 6 are substantially identical, so thattray segments 6 are fully interchangeable on thehub assembly 8. In the illustrated embodiment, fourtray segments 6 are used to define a completemodular tray 4 surrounding thesupport member 10. Furthermore, eachtray segment 6 is shaped as a sector of a circle, so that the completemodular tray 4 is substantially circular in plan view. It will be appreciated however that more orfewer tray segments 6 may be utilized in the construction of amodular tray 4. Similarly, the shape of thetray segments 6 may differ from that shown in the illustrated embodiments, so as to provide a desired shape of a completemodular tray 4. Thetray segments 6 may be used alone or in combination to provide a complete or partial modular tray surface as desired. Preferably, thetray segments 6 are sized to facilitate easy cleaning in, for example, a standard kitchen sink, or dish-washer machine. - Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the
hub assembly 8 includes aninner bearing member 12 which is designed to be fixedly mounted about thevertical support member 10, and anouter bearing member 14 which is designed to be rotatably mounted about thevertical support member 10 while being supported and stabilized by theinner bearing member 12. As shown in FIG. 3a theinner bearing member 12 may conveniently be formed by a pair of bearingelements interior channel 20 sized to receive thevertical support 10. The bearingelements plastic hinge 22 along a common longitudinal edge as shown in FIG. 3a. In either case, the bearingelements vertical support member 10 and to be secured to each other by at least one fastener 24 (see FIG. 3b) which secures theinner bearing member 12 to thevertical support member 10. - As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b, the
inner bearing member 12 includes anupper bearing surface 26 which receives and supports axial loads due, for example, to the weight of themodular tray 4 and food products placed on the tray. In addition, at least oneperipheral surface 28 is provided distal from theupper bearing surface 26 so as to stabilize themodular tray 4 against tipping in an event that it is unevenly loaded. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b, theupper bearing surface 26 and theperipheral surface 28 are provided by face and perimeter edge surfaces ofrespective flanges 30 extending outwardly from thecentral channel 20 of theinner bearing member 12. - Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4 b, the outer bearing
member 14 is conveniently provided as a generally hat-shaped component having acentral bore 32 sized to receive theinner bearing member 12 and areceptacle portion 34 designed to facilitate the mounting oftray segments 6 around the exterior of thehub assembly 8. Thecentral bore 32 generally includes a cylindricalinner wall 36 and anend wall 38 that at least partially occludes one end of the bore. The cylindricalinner wall 36 preferably has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of theperipheral edges 28 of theinner bearing member 12, so that there is sufficient clearance between theinner bearing member 12 and theinterior wall 36 of thebore 32 to permit the outer bearingmember 14 to rotate freely on theinner bearing member 12. On the other hand, the clearance between theinner bearing member 12 and theinterior wall 36 of thebore 32 must be sufficiently small so that the outer bearingmember 14 is effectively stabilized against tipping with respect to the inner bearing member 12 (by contact betweenperipheral edges 28 of theinner bearing member 12 and theinterior wall 36 of the bore 32). Theend wall 38 of the bore is designed for sliding contact with the upper bearing surface 26 of theinner bearing member 12, so that axial loads (e.g. due to the weight of food items placed on the modular tray 4) can be transmitted from the outer bearingmember 14 to theinner bearing member 12 and thus to thevertical support 10. Anopening 40 within theend wall 38 of thebore 32 can be provided to permit passage of thevertical support 10. - As shown in FIG. 4a, the
receptacle 34 is conveniently provided as anannular groove 42 or slot defined by a circumferentialouter wall 44 extending around the exterior of the outer bearingmember 14. Bracingwalls 46 extending across theannular groove 42 can be used to increase rigidity of theexterior wall 44 and so improve the stability with whichtray segments 6 may be affixed to the outer bearingmember 14. - As shown in FIG. 5, each
tray segment 6 generally comprises atop surface 48 and aclip portion 50 that extends from thetop surface 48 for securing thetray segment 6 to thehub assembly 8. Theclip portion 50 is preferably a cylindrical section-shapedwall 52 which is sized to fit within thereceptacle portion 34 of the outer bearingmember 14 to thereby removably secure thetray segment 6 to thehub assembly 8. The cylindrical section-shapedwall 52 of theclip portion 50 may be reinforced withribs 54 that extend (e.g. radially) under thetop surface 48 to improve rigidity of the joint between theclip portion 50 and thetop surface 48 to thereby stabilize thetray segment 6 when it is secured to thehub assembly 8. Anoptional perimeter wall 56 that depends from anouter edge 58 of thetop surface 48 further rigidities thetray segment 6, and thereby stabilizes thetop surface 48. Preferably, the height of theperimeter wall 56 is selected to match that of theclip portion 50, so that thetop surface 48 is supported in a level condition when thetray segment 6 is placed on a table or a countertop. This permits food items to be conveniently placed on thetop surface 48 of thetray segment 6 proximal a food preparation area. Thetray segment 6 can then be used to convey the prepared food items to a food serving area (e.g. a patio table) where thetray segment 6 is attached to thehub assembly 8 by inserting theclip portion 50 into thereceptacle 34. - As shown in FIGS. 6a through 6 h, various designs may be incorporated into the
top surface 48 of thetray segment 6 as desired. FIG. 6a shows abasic tray segment 6 having a flat top surface 48 (as is also shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6b, holes 60 are provided in thetop surface 48 to receive upstandingU-shaped supports 62 that define an adjustable napkin holder. In the embodiments of FIGS. 6c through 6 g, compartments 64 of varying shape and size provide a user with a wide range of food service options. As shown in FIG. 6h, a lid or cover 66 (which may be transparent) can be provided for use in conjunction with any of the tray segment designs shown in FIGS. 6a through 6 g, in order to shield food products from, for example, insects. - As shown in FIG. 7, the
rotatable tray system 2 of the present invention may be used independently of an umbrella mounted in an umbrella table. In the example shown in FIG. 6, therotatable tray system 2 is mounted about a free-standingpole 68 which is securely held in abase assembly 70 described in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,091. - Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides enhanced convenience of enabling food items to be easily carried from a food preparation area to a patio table, and then providing a modular rotatable tray affixed to the patio table to facilitate the convenience and enjoyment of the patio table as an eating area.
- The embodiment(s) of the invention described above is(are) intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (16)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/542,925 US6477966B1 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2000-04-04 | Modular rotatable tray system |
CA002342377A CA2342377C (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2001-03-28 | Modular rotatable tray system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US09/542,925 US6477966B1 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2000-04-04 | Modular rotatable tray system |
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US20020162490A1 true US20020162490A1 (en) | 2002-11-07 |
US6477966B1 US6477966B1 (en) | 2002-11-12 |
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US09/542,925 Expired - Lifetime US6477966B1 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2000-04-04 | Modular rotatable tray system |
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CA (1) | CA2342377C (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US6837386B1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2005-01-04 | Aardwolf Integrated Storage Systems, Llc | Space saving support shelf for column mounting |
US20050034638A1 (en) * | 2003-08-15 | 2005-02-17 | Jun Li | Umbrella table with inlaid turntable |
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US2970701A (en) * | 1960-01-27 | 1961-02-07 | Helen A Fetter | Holder on upright support of detachable rotatable trays |
US3295473A (en) * | 1965-06-10 | 1967-01-03 | Jesse R Wentworth | Portable bumper mounted picnic table with umbrella support |
US5335803A (en) | 1992-09-09 | 1994-08-09 | Brien Diana A O | Rotatable food tray for outdoor patio furniture |
US5848712A (en) | 1996-10-10 | 1998-12-15 | Weir; Ralph J. | Rotatable tray with elevated serving surface |
-
2000
- 2000-04-04 US US09/542,925 patent/US6477966B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-03-28 CA CA002342377A patent/CA2342377C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (9)
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US6837386B1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2005-01-04 | Aardwolf Integrated Storage Systems, Llc | Space saving support shelf for column mounting |
US20050034638A1 (en) * | 2003-08-15 | 2005-02-17 | Jun Li | Umbrella table with inlaid turntable |
US7044064B2 (en) | 2003-08-15 | 2006-05-16 | Hanamint Corporation, Inc. | Umbrella table with inlaid turntable |
US7124694B2 (en) | 2003-08-15 | 2006-10-24 | Hanamint Corporation, Inc. | Umbrella table with inlaid turntable |
US20060243313A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-02 | Weidan Wu | Bar Table Shelter |
US7398792B2 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2008-07-15 | Weidan Wu | Bar table shelter |
US20100224642A1 (en) * | 2009-03-03 | 2010-09-09 | Bee Served | System, method and apparatus for rotatable display and server ensemble having reconfigurable and interchangeable components |
GB2515804A (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2015-01-07 | Bertram Mindell | Snack table and kit |
EP2870872A1 (en) * | 2013-11-07 | 2015-05-13 | Brome Bird Care Inc. | Seed tray catcher for bird feeders |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2342377A1 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
CA2342377C (en) | 2008-07-15 |
US6477966B1 (en) | 2002-11-12 |
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