U.S. patent application number 14/045216 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for stand for dinnerware.
This patent application is currently assigned to World Tableware Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is World Tableware Inc.. Invention is credited to Allen Hutton, Thomas R. Kull.
Application Number | 20140263882 14/045216 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51523317 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kull; Thomas R. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
Stand for Dinnerware
Abstract
A stand for dinnerware that can be easily adjusted for an
enhanced presentation of food and drink. The stand includes a base,
a pillar, and one or more holders. The pillar is configured for
positioning on the base. Each of the holders is configured for
adjustable positioning on the pillar. Further, each holder is
configured to support an article of dinnerware.
Inventors: |
Kull; Thomas R.; (Toledo,
OH) ; Hutton; Allen; (Toledo, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
World Tableware Inc. |
Toledo |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
World Tableware Inc.
Toledo
OH
|
Family ID: |
51523317 |
Appl. No.: |
14/045216 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61791660 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/125.3 ;
248/122.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/125.3 ;
248/122.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/06 20060101
A47F005/06 |
Claims
1. A stand for dinnerware comprising: a base; a pillar configured
for positioning on the base; and a holder configured for adjustable
positioning on the pillar, the holder configured to support an
article of dinnerware.
2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the base has a first surface
configured for engaging a support surface and a second surface
configured to engage the pillar.
3. The stand of claim 2, wherein the support surface is a
table.
4. The stand of claim 2, wherein the pillar is configured for
vertical positioning on the second surface of the base.
5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the pillar has a surface having a
slot configured for the adjustable positioning of the holder.
6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the pillar has at least two
surfaces, each surface having at least two slots configured for the
adjustable positioning of a holder.
7. The stand of claim 5, wherein the pillar has two adjacent
surfaces positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship
with respect to one another to form a corner, a slot positioned at
the corner, the slot configured for the adjustable positioning of
the holder.
8. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand further comprises a
crown holder configured for positioning on an end of the
pillar.
9. The stand of claim 8, wherein the crown holder has at least one
leg configured for placement on the end of the pillar.
10. The stand of claim 1, wherein the holder has a bracket
configured for positioning in a slot of the pillar and an article
support member.
11. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has at least one
slot member configured for positioning in the slot.
12. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has two spaced slot
members each configured for positioning in the slot.
13. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has a pillar
engagement member configured for engaging the pillar.
14. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has at least one
slot member configured for positioning in the slot and two pillar
engagement members configured for engaging the pillar.
15. The stand of claim 14, wherein the two pillar engagement
members are positioned in a substantially perpendicular
relationship with respect to one another.
16. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has
at least one support surface
17. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has
at least two support surfaces
18. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has
four support surfaces arranged in a substantially rectangular
configuration.
19. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has
four support surfaces arranged in a substantially square
configuration.
20. The stand of claim 10, wherein the stand further comprises at
one spacer positioned on the article support member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/791,660, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to stands to hold articles.
More specifically, the invention is directed to a stand for
dinnerware.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Stands for dinnerware are used to hold, among other things,
plates, platters, and bowls in the presentation of food and drink
at banquets and other events. Past stands either do not allow for
adjustability or are difficult to adjust. The invention provides a
stand for dinnerware that is easily adjustable so dinnerware items
can display food and drink in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is a stand for dinnerware that can be easily
adjusted for an enhanced presentation of food and drink. The stand
includes a base, a pillar, and one or more holders. The pillar is
configured for positioning on the base. Each of the holders is
configured for adjustable positioning on the pillar. Further, each
holder is configured to support an article of dinnerware.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a
stand for dinnerware according to the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view as shown in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view as shown in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a holder
according to the invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a holder
according to the invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a crown
holder according to the invention.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view similar to the view of
FIG. 1 showing items of dinnerware positioned on the stand for
dinnerware according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention will now be described with reference being
made to the drawings. An embodiment of the stand is identified
generally by the reference number "10."
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stand 10 has a base 12 with
a first surface 14 configured for engaging a support surface (as
described below) and a second surface 16 configured to engage a
pillar 18. In an embodiment, the base 12 has one or more base
openings 20 extending between the first and second surfaces 14 and
16 that are sized and adapted for the insertion of one or more
attachment members such as threaded fasteners 22. The base 12 can
be constructed from a variety of suitable materials depending on
the application. In an embodiment, the base 12 is constructed of
metal such as steel for strength, durability, and cost.
[0015] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pillar 18 that extends
longitudinally between a top 24 and a bottom 26. The pillar 18 is
configured for vertical positioning on the second surface 16 of the
base 12. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the pillar 18 has
one or more threaded mounting blocks 28 having one or more openings
30 that are sized and adapted for engagement with the threaded
fasteners 22 for releasable attachment of the pillar 18 to base
12.
[0016] In the broadest aspect of the invention, the pillar 18 has a
surface having an opening or slot configured for the adjustable
positioning of a holder for an article of dinnerware. In an
embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pillar 18 has a first
surface 32, a second surface 34, a third surface 36 and a fourth
surface 38, which are arranged in substantially perpendicular
relationships to one another to form a substantially square-shaped
configuration as shown. In this embodiment, the pillar 18 has a
first corner 40, a second corner 42, a third corner 44, and a
fourth corner 46. Each of the surfaces 32-38 includes one or more
slots 48. In the embodiment as shown, one or more slots 48 are
positioned at the corners 40-46. Referring to FIG. 3, the surfaces
32-38 are arranged in such a way to form an interior space 50. In
this regard, the pillar 18 is open at the top 24. The pillar 18 can
be constructed of a variety of suitable materials depending on the
application. In an embodiment, the pillar 18 is constructed of
metal such as steel for strength, durability, and cost.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the stand 10 has one or more
holders 52 configured to support an article of dinnerware. In an
embodiment, each holder 52 has a bracket 54 and an article support
member 56. In the broadest aspect of the invention, the bracket 54
has one or more slot members that are configured for adjustable
positioning in a slot. In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the bracket 54 has a first slot member 58 and a second slot member
60 that extend upwardly from a bracket plate 62 in a spaced
relationship to one another. A pillar engagement member 64 extends
downwardly from the bracket plate 62. The pillar engagement member
64 is configured to engage one of the surfaces 32-38 of the pillar
18. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 54 has
first and second slot members 58 and 60 and a pillar engagement
member 64, and further includes a second pillar engagement member
66 extending downwardly from the bracket plate 62 in a
substantially perpendicular relationship to the pillar engagement
member 64. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the holder 52 is
adjustability positioned on the pillar 18 by inserting the first
and second slot members 58 and 60 into the slots 48.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the article support member 56
is configured to support an article of dinnerware. For example, the
dinnerware article can be a container for food and drink such as a
dish, a plate, a platter, a bowl, or beverageware. It can also
support containers for other items such as vases for flowers. In an
embodiment, the article support member 56 is configured to support
a dinnerware article having a specific shape such as square,
rectangular, round, or irregular shapes. In an embodiment, the
article support member 56 has one or more support surfaces. In an
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the article support member 56 has a
first support surface 68, a second support surface 70, a third
support surface 72, and a fourth support surface 74, which are
arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration. In another
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the support surfaces 68-74 are
arranged in a substantially square configuration. In an embodiment,
as shown in FIG. 5, one or more spacers 76 are positioned on one or
more of the support surfaces 68-74 upon which the dinnerware
articles may be positioned. The article support member 56 and the
spacers 76 can be constructed from a variety of suitable materials
depending on the application. In an embodiment, the article support
member 56 is constructed of steel for strength, durability, and
cost. In an embodiment, the spacers 76 are constructed of an
elastomeric material such as rubber for strength, durability, and
cost.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the stand 10 has a crown
holder 78 configured for positioning on an end of the pillar 18
such as the top 24. In an embodiment, the crown holder 78 has one
or more legs that are configured for placement in the interior
space 50 of the pillar 18. In an embodiment, the crown holder 78
has a first leg 80, a second leg 82, a third leg 84, and a fourth
leg 86. The crown holder 78 is configured to support a dinnerware
article. In an embodiment, the crown holder 78 has a crown holder
first support surface 88, a crown holder second support surface 90,
a crown holder third support surface 92, and a crown holder fourth
support surface 94.
[0020] The stand 10 can be used in a variety of places such as
banquet facilities and restaurants. As shown in FIG. 8, the second
surface 16 of the base 12 can be configured for placement on a
variety of serving surfaces such as a table 96. One or more article
support members 56 can be adjustably positioned on the pillar 18
either on one or more of the surfaces 32-38, and/or on one or more
of the corners 40-46. Dinnerware articles can be positioned on one
or more of the holders 52 and/or the crown holder 78.
[0021] Certain embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein are
defined in various examples. It should be understood that these
examples, while indicating particular embodiments of the invention,
are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion
and these examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the
essential characteristics of this disclosure, and without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various usages and
conditions. Various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the
essential scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications
may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the
teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential
scope thereof.
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