US3503346A - Food handling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1970 J, Yjs, CHAN 3,503,346

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1968 5 Sheeizs--Sheefl l Q/y 'E ATTORNEYS March 1970 Filed May 3, 1968 J. Y. s. CHAN:

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 y |46 i |24 |80 f .OO |84 f 58 vll 1// ZOO h4 v gl l'zz |'2o .12 L30 H2 /yz a O y "o ya o zoo "4 L'ls INVENTOR John Y. S. Chan ATTORNEYS March 31, 1970 J. Y. s. CHAN 3,503,346

Foon HANDLING APPARATUS. y

Filed May s, 1968 .Y s sheets-sheet s /304 /lzo' L30@ L30 Jahn Y. s. chan .l /y BY MM ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,503,346 FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS John Y. S. Chan, 10065 Elm Ave., Loma Linda, Calif. 92354 Filed May 3, 1968, Ser. No. 726,321 Int. Cl. A47b 85/00 U.S. Cl. 108-22 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plurality of platform means for carrying plates are mounted for movement along a closed path on a supporting trackway. A drive chain is selectively operated to move the platform means in opposite directions. Each platform means includes a vertically movable portion, and elevating means is provided for raising and lowering such portions at predetermined positions along the trackway so that plates supported by the platform means will clear one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus which may for example be built into a dining table so as to act like a lazy Susan arrangement whereby diners can selectively operate the apparatus so that desired plates of food and the like can Ibe moved into position adjacent diners seated at different positions around the table. It is of course also apparent that the arrangement of the present invention may also be used in any application wherein it is desired to transfer food from one place to another along a closed path.

In the past, when employing tables of substantially circular construction, a central so-called lazy Susan has often been employed for accomplishing the purposes of the present invention. However, when an elongated table is provided, the centrally located lazy Susan arrangement is not suitable since it is not adapted to be convenient to persons seated at the ends of an elongated table.

Accordingly, when elongated dining tables are employed, an arrangement such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 519,630 may be utilized wherein discs are movable by a chain mechanism along a closed path for transporting trays or plates from one place to another on the table. This type of arrangement may be built into the table to present a neat and attractive appearance.

A particular disadvantage of the arrangement such as shown in the aforementioned U.S. patent is the fact that the size of the trays which can be employed therewith is limited. Since the trays move along a closed path, the trays moving at one side of the apparatus must of necessity pass adjacent to those moving in the opposite direction along the otherside of the apparatus. If the trays are of excessive size, they will interfere with the movement of one another due to the fact that they are disposed in the same horizontal plane. Accordingly, an arrangement such as shown in this patent either is limited to the utilization of trays of a limited size, or the path of movement in opposite directions along opposite sides of the apparatus must be widely spaced, thereby preventing the apparatus from being of a compact nature.

A further disadvantage of an arrangement such as shown in this aforementioned U.S. patent is the fact that it is of a fixed length, and does not incorporate provision for lengthening the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a plurality of spaced platform means are movable along a closed path defined by the support means. Each of these platform means includes a Patented Mar. 31, 1970 ICC vertically movable portion for supporting plates or trays, and elevating means is provided for raising and lowering these vertically movable portions. Accordingly, as large plates or trays pass one another, they are disposed in dfferent horizontal planes so that the plates or trays will clear one another, thereby enabling the apparatus to be ver y compact.

The support means of the present invention is formed of a plurality of interconnected members so that the support means can readily be extended by adding additional portions thereto, thereby facilitating longitudinal adjustment of the apparatus as desired.

The arrangement of the present invention can also be readily built into a dining table, and the driving means can be remotely operated and controlled so as to move the platform means in opposite directions as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a top view partly broken away of the apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2 2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of one of the platform means of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating the engaging portions on the platform means for engaging the flexible drive member;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view illustrating a modified form of the present invention;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are top schematic views illustrating various relative positions of the platform means;

FIG. 1l is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a further modied form of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 13-13 of FIG. 12 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 14-14 of FIG. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. l5 is a top perspective view partly broken away illustrating the manner of drivingly interconnecting the platform means lwith the flexible drive member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the support means of the present invention includes a central portion comprising a pair of members 20 and 22, these members being interconnected with one another as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 by a tongue portion 24 formed integral with portion 20 and fitting within a correspondingly shaped groove formed in body portion 22.

A rst side track portion 30 is hingedly interconnected with the central body portion by a pair of spaced hinges 32. Another adjacent side track portion 34 is hingedly interconnected with the main support portion by a pair of spaced hinges 36. At the opposite side of the apparatus, a side track portion 38 is hingedly interconnected with the main support portion by a pair of spaced hinges 40, and a side track portion 42 is hingedly interconnected with the main support portion by a pair of spaced hinges 44.

A -frst generally semi-circular end track portion 50 is interconnected with an end of side track portion 34 by a tongue and groove interconnection 52, end track portion 50 also being interconnected with the side track portion 38 by a tongue and groove interconnection 54.

An end track portion 56 is provided at the opposite end of the apparatus and is interconnected with the adjacent side track portion 42 by a tongue and groove interconnection 58. End track portion 56 is also interconnected with side track portion 30 by a tongue and groove connection 60.

The adjacent side track portions 30 and 34 are interconnected by a tongue and groove connection 64, and the adjacent side track portions 38 and 42 are interconnected by a tongue and groove connection 66. The end track portions 50 and 56 may be readily removed when desired, and the side track portions pivoted upwardly for storage. If desired, additional portions may -be interconnected with the main body portion, and further side track portions may be incorporated so as to lengthen the support means when desired. As seen for example in FIG. 5, the various track portions include lips such as 30 and 38 provided on side track portions 30 and 38 respectively to retain the platform means hereinafter described on the track means and to prevent lateral displacement outwardly of the track means.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the drive means of the present invention includes a pair of conventional batteries 70 disposed within a cavity 72 formed in support portion '22, this cavity being closed off by a cover 74. The batteries are in engagement with conductive strips 78 and 80 which are connected by suitable leads with an electric motor or the like 82. This electric motor is in turn connected through suitable gearing indicated generally by 86 as seen in FIG. 2 with a shaft 90 having a drive pulley 92 connected therewith.

At the opposite end of the support means, an idler pulley 94 is rotatably journalled on a shaft 96, the pulley being freely movable within a slot 98 provided in support portion `20.

A exible drive member in the form of a chain indicated generally by reference numeral 100 is provided. This exible drive member as seen most clearly in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of alternate elongated portions 102 and enlarged portions 104, these portions being interconnected with one another in the manner of a key chain so as to provide a flexible yet strong drive connection. This flexible drive member is trained over the drive pulley 92 and the idler pulley 94, and is tightly disposed thereon so as to transmit drive from the drive pulley 92 to the platform means hereinafter described.

As seen in FIG. 1, four spaced platform means are indicated generally `by reference numerals 110, 112, 114 and 116, it being apparent that any suitable number of platform means may be employed, the platform means being substantially equally spaced from one another along the flexible drive member 100.

Since all of these platform means are of identical construction, platform means 110 will be described in detail, the remaining platform means having been given the same reference numerals primed for corresponding parts.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. and 6, platform means 110 includes a base portion 120 having suitable glides 122 secured to the four corners thereof and extending downwardly therefrom to support the platform means for ready movement along the associated track portions.

A pair of end walls 124 and 126 extend upwardly from opposite ends of the base member 120, and a pair of side walls 128 and 130 also extend upwardly from the base portion and connect the end walls.

The platform means includes a vertically movable portion 138 which is adapted to support a plate indicated by phantom line P thereon. A pair of ears 140 and 142 extend downwardly from the undersurface of member 138. A rst pair of pivotal support portions 144 and 146 are pivotally secured to ears 140 and 142 by pins 148 and 150l respectively.

A shaft 154 extends 4bet-Ween the lower ends of support portions 144 and 146, and rollers 156 and 158 are secured to the outer end of shaft 154 to provide anti-friction means.

A pair of ears 162 and 164 extend upwardly from the base member Y of the platform means, and the lower ends of pivotal support portions 166 and 168 are pivotally supported by these ears respectively. The intermediate portions of members 166 and 168l are pivotally connected with the intermediate portions of members 144 and 146 by a cross shaft 170.

A shaft 172 is connected between the upper ends of support portions 166 and 168, and rollers 174 and 176 are rotatably mounted on shaft 172 to provide anti-friction means at this portion of the apparatus.

A suitable power means for the elevating mechanism of the platform means includes a drive means indicated generally by reference numeral which may comprise an electric motor or the like, this drive means being interconnected With a drum 182 having a flexible wire or cord 184 wound therearound and interconnected lwith shaft 154. It is apparent that when lmember 184 is wound on drum 182 as indicated in FIG. 6, the pivotally interconnected support portions 144, 146 and 166, 168i will be pivoted into the operative position illustrated to elevate the vertically movable portion 138, the anti-friction rollers enabling this action to be readily carried out. When the drum 182 is subsequently operated in the opposite direction so as to unwind member 184, the vertically movable portion 138 will drop downwardly under the inuence of gravity.

Referring now to FIG. 4, side wall 130 of the platform means is provided with an engaging portion indicated generally by reference numeral for engaging the exible drive member previously described. This engaging portion includes a generally horizontally extending part 192 having a notch 194 formed therein for receiving one of the enlarged portions 104 of the flexible drive member.

The engaging portion 190 also includes a pair of spaced depending portions 196 adapted to fit on either side of one of the enlarged portions 104 of the flexible drive member and to fit over elongated portions 102 at either side of an enlarged portion of the drive member whereby the platform means will be drivingly interconnected with the ilexible drive member, and yet at the same time will be freely vertically movable with respect thereto so that the elevating means is adapted to raise and lower the vertically movable portion of the platform means at predetermined positions along the supporting trackway.

Referring again to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, a dining table is indicated generally by reference numeral 200, the table having a support surface 200 for a plurality of dishes indicated by phantom lines D. The food handling apparatus of the present invention may be suitably built into the central portion of the table as indicated, and a plurality of switches 204 are disposed about the table at strategic locations and positioned beneath the support surface 200. In the case where six diners may be seated at the table, with two diners at either side of the table and a diner at either end of the table, the switches may be located as indicated so that one switch will be within reach of each of the diners. The switches are adapted to control the drive motor 82 previously described, and movements of the switch in opposite directions are adapted to drive the motor in opposite directions. A suitable electrical circuit is connected between the switches and the drive motor for controlling the operation of the motor in a well known manner.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a modified form of the invention is illustrated. Components 220, 246, 254, 258 and 284 correspond respectively to the components 120, 146, 154, 158 and 184 respectively previously described. In this form of the invention, a jack screw 290 is driven by the drive mechanism 284, this jack screw extending through a correspondingly threaded collar 294 xed to the shaft 254. It s apparent that rotation of the jack screw will positively cause the associated support portions to be pivoted so as to raise or lower the vertically movable member of the platform means as required.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the vertically movable members of platform means 110 and 112 are elevated, while the corresponding members of platform means 114 and 116 are in their lowered position. At the position shown in FIG. 1, suitable control means is provided so that the flexible drive member is stopped and the vertically movable members of platform means 110 and 112 are lowered, and the vertically movable member of platform means 114 is raised. After these members have reached the desired positions, the driving means is again automatically energized so as to cause the platform means to move in a counterclockwise direction as seen in the drawings. It will be understood that if it is desired to move the platform means in a clockwise direction, the movement 0f the vertically movable members is reversed.

Referring now to FIG. 8, when the platform means are in the relative position indicated in this figure, platform means 110, 112 and 116 are in their lowered position, while platform means 114 is in its raised position.

Referring now to FIG. 9, when the platform means are in this relative relationship, the flexible drive member stops automatically, and the two platform means 110 and 112 which are in their lowered position are raised, while the platform means 116 which is in its raised position is lowered. When these platform means have reached the desired relationship, the driving means is again automatically started.

Referring now to FIG. l0, when the platform means are in this relationship, platform means 110 and 112 are raised, while platform means 114 and 116 are in their lowered position.

From the description of the various relative positions of the platform means as seen in FIGS. l, 8, 9 and 10, it is assumed that the platform means are moving in a counter-clockwise direction, and suitable control means is'provided for causing the platform means to automatically assume the relationships described whereby plates or trays supported by the platform means will be at different horizontal levels when they pass one another, and yet these plates or trays will be disposed in lowered positions for convenience of use by diners seated at the table at substantially all points along the path of movement of the platform means.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-15 inclusive, a further modified form of the invention is illustrated. The vstructure shown in these figures is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive, and components which are of substantially the same construction as previously described have -been given the same reference numerals primed. It will be noted that the support means and the elevating means are substantially the same as that previously described, the difference in this modied form of the invention lying in the drive means.

The various support portions are provided with a continuous outer groove 300 which is adapted to receive guide lugs extending downwardly from the bottom walls of the various platform means. As seen in FIGS. 12-14, platform means 110' is provided with an integral depending lug 304 which fits relatively snugly yet slidably within the groove 300 to guide movement of the platform means about the support track.

One end wall 124 of the platform means 110" has mounted on the outer surface thereof a suitable drive means such as an electric motor indicated generally by reference numeral 310, this drive means being provided with a suitable source of energy such as battery means or the like as is the electric motor 180 previously described. This electric motor 310 is suitably connected with the switch means described hereinbefore for controlling the forward and reverse movement of the platform means along the support means.

A drive shaft 312 is operatively connected with the electric motor, and a pair of drive wheels 314 are mounted at opposite ends of the drive shaft and supported for rotation therewith. These drive wheels may be provided on the outer periphery thereof with rubber or other suitable material for providing good traction with the support means. The wheels engage the upwardly facing surface of the various track portions so that upon rotation of the wheels, the platform means will be moved along the support means.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the details of the engaging portion operatively associated with the undersurface of each of the platform means are illustrated. As seen in this ligure, a typical engaging portion is indicated generally by reference numeral 320 and includes a central Portion 322 having a hole 324 formed therethrough for receiving a screw 326 which is adapted to be threaded into the lower wall of the associated platform means for holding the engaging portion in operative position at the underside of the platform means.

Depending portions 330 are provided at opposite ends of the central portion 322 of the engaging portion, each of these depending portions having a notch 332 formed therein which is adapted to receive one of the elongated portions 102 of the flexible drive member 100. i

Referring to FIG. l1, the support portions are also provided with a continuous inner groove 340, the elongated llexible drive member being disposed within this groove 340 throughout the length thereof.

It is apparent that the engaging portion connected with each of the platform means is adapted to operatively engage the flexible drive member. The platform means are spaced from one another in the same manner as previously described. Upon actuation of the drive means carried by platform means the platform means andthe flexible drive member will be moved about the support means. As the flexible drive member is carried along by platform means 110', the remaining platform means which are also drivingly connected with the flexible drive member will similarly be moved along the platform means in the desired spaced relationship to one another.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is threfore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as Well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. Food handling apparatus comprising support means, a plurality of platform means mounted for movement along said support means, said platform means each including a vertically movable portion for supporting plates thereon, drive means for moving said platform means along said support means in spaced relationship with one another, elevating means for raising and lowering the vertically movable portion of each of said platform means, said platform means each including pivotally interconnected support portions operatively connected with said vertically movable portions, and said elevating means of each of said platform means being connected with said pivotally interconnected support portions.

2. Apparatus as dened in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of interconnected portions permitting longitudinal adjustment of the support means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said support means includes portions which are hinged with respect to other portions thereof.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivotally interconnected support portions have anti-friction means connected with the outer ends thereof.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes power-Operated means, a flexible drive member interconnected with said power-operated means, said flexible drive member including alternate elongated portions and enlarged portions, each of said platform means having an engaging portion for engaging said exi-ble drive member.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said engaging portions each include a notch therein for receiving an enlarged portion of said exible drive member.

7. Apparatus as dened in claim 5 wherein each of said engaging portions includes apair of spaced depending portions for fitting over an elongated portion of said flexible drive member.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said engaging portions includes a notch for receiving an enlarged portion of the exible drive member, and a pair of depending portions disposed at either side of said notch for fitting over an elongated portion of said flexible drive member.

9. Apparatus Ias dened in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes power-operated means carried by one of said platform means, and means drivingly interconnecting said platform means with one another.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means drivngly interconnecting said platform means with one another comprises a iiexible drive member, each of said platform means having an engaging portion for engaging said flexible drive member.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said support means has a recess formed therein, said exible drive member being disposed within said recess 12. Apparatus as dened in claim 10 wherein said drive member includes alternate elongated portions and enlarged portions, said support means having a recess formed therein, said drive member being disposed within said recess, said engaging portions on the platform means lextending downwardly into said recess and including spaced depending portions for tting about an elongated portion of said drive member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 426,890 4/ 1890 Westphal 108--22 505,602 9/ 1893 Jackson 108-95 519,630 5/1894 Hogg 10S-22 1,186,085 6/1916 Deloatch 108-20 1,466,890 9/ 1923 Deloatch 108-20 XR 1,676,108 7/1928 Novak 108-20 1,729,828 10/ 1929 Hager 10S-22 2,890,010 6/ 1959 Barkheimer 10S-20 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 1,248,806 l l/ 1960 France.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner

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