US3136443A - Tray construction - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1964 F. MUCKLER 3,136,443

TRAY coNsTRucTroN Filed March 29, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIGA f6 A 2"* d a Flea 4H 2:

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United States Patent O 3,136,443 TRAY CONSTRUCTION Frank Muckler, Sappington, Mo., assigner to Seco Company, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 99,104 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-19) This invention relates to improvements in the construction of trays or the like for handling food serving equipment, such as plates, cups, saucers and utensils, in connection with substantially all of the commercial washing and drying machines.

There are a large number of washing and drying machines available to those who operate establishments for the mass feeding of people. These machines have different construciton features for general or special service so that the accessory items, such as trays of the present type, will not fit all machines so as to be universally adaptable. Therefore, it is a problem for those who handle the distribution and sale of the tray accessories to know how to keep a balance of stock inventory, and generally there is no convenient solution so an excessive stock must be maintained.

On the other hand, the inventory problem of the distributor may be substantially solved by having a standard tray structure for the articles to be handled therein and to provide only so much of the assembly that needs to be changed in the character of replaceable attachments.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide an improved tray construction having its major components arranged in a standardized assembly which will adapt itself to the reception of a variety of replaceable attachments of simple construction, whereby the overall assembly can be given the greatest range of utility to meet the needs of the users.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved tray construction which has novel structural characteristics to permit its use interchangeably with present trays so that there will be a minimum of obsolescence and this new and improved construction will easily intermingle with the older constructions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel structure for a tray of the foregoing character in which the assembly of parts and elements substantially overcomes the dangers of loose parts damaging the washers and similar apparatus.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a novel tray constructionhaving means incorporated therein to permit the easy and rapid interchangeability of attachments for adapting the same to substantially all of the dishwashing machines in service so that certain economies of use can be achieved.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in the course of the following description relating to the preferred forms of the invention chosen for disclosure herein, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l isv an elevational view of the improved tray construction embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 isa top plan view of the construction shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken at line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken at line 4-4 in FIG. 2 and illustrating the tray with one form of attachment suitable for certain types of washing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the method of assemblying the attachment to the tray;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the attachment shown in FIG. 4;

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FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged and fragmentray sectional view of the attachment securing means seen at line 7-7 in FIG. l;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the tray construction equipped with a dilferent form of attachment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. l0 is a plan view, partly broken away, of another form of tray construction which is arranged with corner stacking means of a character to permit its intermingling with trays of the form shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. ll is a fragmentary perspective View of the trays of FIG. l0 arranged in stacked positions kto illustrate that feature.

In the drawings one preferred' tray construction has been illustrated in FIGS. l to 4 and 8, and another form has been illustrated in FIGS. l0 and l1. Throughout the several views of the drawings there has been illustrated different forms of attachments which are interchangeably adaptable to the tray constructions shown. Throughout the drawings, however, certain features of construction remain consistent so that once the broad principles of the invention have become known it will not be necessary to repeat description of details alreadyv set forth, whereby presentation of the disclosure can be simplified. Since reference has been made to attachments for the improved tray constructions, it will be suicient to point out that in the useage of the industry the attachments are generally referred to as index stripsand these terms will be understood and used in that context, but without limitation to other terminology which may be equally apt.

In FIGS. l, 2 and 3, the vtray construction embodies a base frame 12 formed of an angle member having a vertical portion 13 anda horizontal portion 14. The angle member is bent into a generally rectangular shape and the ends are suitably joined in end abutment, welded and then ground off so that the joint is practically unnoticeable. Each of the corners is formed with an.inwardly opening notch 15 by cutting away suitable sections of the horizontal portion 14. Adjacent the notches are elongated slots or openings 15a.

The base frame'12 serves as a rigid support for a basket or frame assembly 16 composed :of circumferential wires and vertical ties. The circumferential wires. consist of one or more (two being shown) rim wires 17, a plurality of spaced intermediate wires 18, and a base Wire 19.

These several Wires which have the ,rectangular shape of the base frame 12 are secured in assembly by a plurality of vertical tie wires which have upper ends 20 in a closed loop tov provide spaced legs 21 extending downwardly and i terminating in projections 22 which are extended below the circumferential base wire 19. The vertical ties positioned adjacent the respective corners of the basket assembly differ in the respect that the upper `closed loop 20a thereof extends a distance above the rim wires 17 to form a projection. The legs 21a of these corner ties diverge and terminate in projections 22a. The several wires of the basket assembly are secured at the places where the circumferential wires cross the vertical wires, thereby providing a strong net-work. The resulting basket or frame assembly is positioned uponthe base frame and the base Wire 19 locates the .twovframes in desired positions so that the several projections 22 and 22a may besecured to the inner surface of the vertical portion 13:Y of the base frame 12. These two frames are intended lto remain securely connected and comprise the principal parts of the standard tray assembly.

The tray assembly further embodies a wire floor frame 23 positioned within'the basket frame 16 and spaced above the horizontal portions 14 of the base frame. The oor frame 23 consists of closed loops of wires 24 and 25, the loop 24 having its major length running at right angles to atea/r4.3

3 Y the major length of loop so that at the points of crossover 26 a secure connection can be made. Each loop is attached to the leg wires of the vertical ties at the places of contact. In addition the oor frame 23 has centrally disposed cross-over wires 27 which are connected at the ends to one of the loops (as 24) and are fixed in the plane of the other loop (as 25). Thus, the floor frame 23 is formed in such manner that there are no free ends to'become bent or fall down below the base frame where they might catch in the washing apparatus, conveyors and other equipment.

It may now be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 that the assembly of the various frames 12, 16 and 23 provides a rigid and light-weight tray having a space therein below the plane of the floor frame 23 and within the plane of the horizontal portions 14 of the Vbase frame 12. Such space is open from below the tray iioor frame 23 and is adapted to receive any of the several forms of attachments or index strips. One such index strip S is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, and consists in a pair of main rod-like members 4i) carrying a plurality of spaced cross members 41. The strip S also includes other longitudinal members 42 which overlie the main members 40 and the ends ofthe cross membes 41, but are shorter than the main members. The end portions 40a of the main members are joggled so that the central span thereof assumes a generally symmetrical form in relation to the other members 42. With certain machines the index strip S is inserted in the tray with the mainmembers 40 underneath, and in other machines it is (reversed.

The interchangeable application of attachments or index strips is accomplished by providing the base frame 12 with a series of apertures in each of at least onepair of opposite vertical portions 13 of the base frame 12. Upon reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, 'it can be seen that the vertical portion 13 of FIG. 1 is opposite the portion 13 in FIG. 3. Each portion 13 is formed with a central pair of apertures 43 in axial alignment across the width of the base. Similarly, pairs of apertures 44 to the left (FIG. 1) and apertures 45 to the right of the central pair 43 are provided. Thus six apertures are formed in each of the opposite portions 13 of the base frame, although any other desired number may be called for.

Considering FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the index strip S is assembled to the tray from the opening in the base frame 12 and below the tioor frame 23. The operation is performed by passing the end portions 40a (FIG. 5) at the right side through the apertures 43 until the end portions 40a at the left clear the horizontal portion 14 and can be raised to allow the ystrip S to be shifted leftward. The portions 40a at both ends ofthe strip S eventually will assume aligned relation with the respective apertures 43 so that screw elements (FIGS. 4 and 4'7) may be inserted to suspend the strip between the vertical portions 13 of the base frame 12. This mounting places the portions 13 under inward pull when the screw elements are tightened, and similarly the threads are loaded in the axial direction to increase the friction thereon so that there is substantially no serious loosening effort in service. The strip S maybe attached in either the position of FIG. 4, wherein the main rods are outermost, or in a reversed position in which the shorter members 42 are outermost.

It is observed in FIG. 8 that the tray construction is similar to that disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 3, insofar as the base v frame 12, basket frame 16 and ioor frame 23 is concerned, and like parts are indicated by like reference numerals. The assembly of FIG. 8 illustrates a modiiied attachment in the form of a pair of side index strips SS. One such-strip has been shown in FIG. 9. These strips are right hand and left hand parts, but generally comprise a straight rod 31 and a rod 32 having joggled end portions 32acooperating with end portions 31a of the straight rod; These rods carry a Vplurality of crossk elements 33 which are arranged in groups, although any other ar- Y rangement may be used. The strips SS are inserted and 4 secured to the base frame 12 in the manner described in connection with and 'illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and l1, the tray construction illustrated follows the general principles heretofore described. The dilierence is that instead of having two stacking projections 20a (FIGS. 1 and 2), one at each side of the corner notch 15, the tray is modified to have a stacking projection 34 in the notch area. The projection 34 is provided by securing a bent rod or wire at the corner so its legs 34a cross the circumferential rods 17, 1S and 19 at each side of the corner. Thus, in stacking the trays the corner projection 34 of the lower tray tits into the notch 15 of the upper tray so that a column of trays is interlocked and has a stable attitude. Of course, the side projections 20a (FIGS. l and 2) tit into the side slots 15a to interlock the stack.

In FIG. 10, the tray is provided with an alternate attachment or index strip CS which embodies spaced central rods 35 which engage the base frame 12 at the apertures 43 l(FIG. 3) and side rods 36 which engage the innermost one ofthe apertures 44 at the left and apertures 45 at the right. 'Ihe respective rods 35 and 36 are retained by screw elements similar to the one shown at 30 in FIG. 7. The index strip CS is provided with a plurality of spaced across rods or wires 37 arranged in groups adjacent each end of the longitudinally directed rods 35 and 36. The manner of assembly of the index strip CS is illustrated in FIG. 5 in connection with the index strip S.

The foregoing description has set forth the principles of the'invention in connection with certain preferred embodiments. It is understood that changes and modications may be made therein or will be suggested from this disclosure, and all such changes and modifications are to be included inthe scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a tray for Vinterchangeable adaption to various washer apparatus upon change of index strip means, the improvement which comprises: an assembly of a rectangular base frame and a rectangular basket permaJ nently xed together to form said tray, said base including an angle member extending about the rectangular perimeter of said tray and having a flange extending inwardly relative to such perimeter, said angle member having apertures in opposite sides of the rectangular perimeter, and said basket including a plurality of rst wire elements extending about the perimeter of said tray and second wire elements xed to saidrst wire elements and forming a oor frame spaced above the plane of the inwardly extending ange on said base, said oor frame and said angle member forming a shallow space in the tray which is open from below said floor frame, said apertures opening into said shallow space in spaced relation above said inwardly extending flange and below said iloor frame; index strip means for said tray selectively and removably positionable in thershallow space between said inwardly extending ilange on said base and said floor frame, said index strip means including main structural members having opposite ends formed with threaded sockets and sized to iit into said apertures; and threaded securing elements extending through said apertures in said angle member and de tachably engaged in said threaded sockets to suspend said main structural members of the index strip means in opposite sides of the rectangular perimeter.

V2. The tray according to claim l in which said indexmembers may be lifted clear of said inwardly extending flange and into said shallow space, said strip means further being movable toWard the opposite ones of said apertures to align the threaded sockets thereof with said apertures.

3. The tray according to claim 1 in which said threaded securing elements have enlarged heads engaging with said base angle member and, during threading into said threaded sockets of said main structural members, causing relative yielding of opposite sides of said rectangular perimeter to stress said base angle member and provide a reaction tension loading on said threaded securing elements to frictionally retain them in said threaded sockets of said main structural members.

References Cited in the file of this patent I UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. IN A TRAY FOR INTERCHANGEABLE ADAPTION TO VARIOUS WASHER APPARATUS UPON CHANGE OF INDEX STRIP MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES: AN ASSEMBLY OF A RECTANGULAR BASE FRAME AND A RECTANGULAR BASKET PERMANENTLY FIXED TOGETHER TO FORM SAID TRAY, SAID BASE INCLUDING AN ANGLE MEMBER EXTENDING ABOUT THE RECTANGULAR PERIMETER OF SAID TRAY AND HAVING A FLANGE EXTENDING INWARDLY RELATIVE TO SUCH PERIMETER, SAID ANGLE MEMBER HAVING APERTURES IN OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE RECTANGULAR PERIMETER, AND SAID BASKET INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF FIRST WIRE ELEMENTS EXTENDING ABOUT THE PERIMETER OF SAID TRAY AND SECOND WIRE ELEMENTS FIXED TO SAID FIRST WIRE ELEMENTS AND FORMING A FLOOR FRAME SPACED ABOVE THE PLANE OF THE INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON SAID BASE, SAID FLOOR FRAME AND SAID ANGLE MEMBER FORMING A SHALLOW SPACE IN THE TRAY WHICH IS OPEN FROM BELOW SAID FLOOR FRAME, SAID APERTURES OPENING INTO SAID SHOLLOW SPACE IN SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE AND BELOW SAID FLOOR FRAME; INDEX STRIP MEANS FOR SAID TRAY SELECTIVELY AND REMOVABLY POSITIONABLE IN THE SHALLOW SPACE BETWEEN SAID INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON SAID BASE AND SAID FLOOR FRAME, SAID INDEX STRIP MEANS INCLUDING MAIN STRUCTURAL MEMBERS HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS FORMED WITH THREADED SOCKETS AND SIZED TO FIT INTO SAID APERTURES; AND THREADED SECURING ELEMENTS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURES IN SAID ANGLE MEMBER AND DETACHABLY ENGAGED IN SAID THREADED SOCKETS TO SUSPEND SAID MAIN STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE INDEX STRIP MEANS IN OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE RECTANGULAR PERIMETER.

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