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Collapsible and nestable steam table

  • US 5,992,406 A
  • Filed: 01/22/1998
  • Issued: 11/30/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A collapsible and nestable steam table capable of supporting at least one pan, comprising:

  • a foldable frame having a front plate, a rear plate and a pair of folding end plates forming a substantially rectangular structure, the end plates each having two side edges each pivotally mounted to the front and rear plates respectively and a centrally disposed hinge which can be folded to collapse the frame, and the frame having a top edge and a bottom edge;

    at least one elongated tray being removably disposed within the frame and removably engagable with the end plates proximate the bottom edge to prevent the end plates from folding toward each other, the at least one tray having a substantially planar platform, the platform having outer edges and sides extending outwardly from the outer edges substantially perpendicular to the platform, the sides removably engagable with the top and bottom edges of the frame respectively; and

    a foldable top member for both supporting the at least one pan and receiving and securing the frame and the at least one tray therein, the top member having a peripheral edge, a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending outwardly from the bottom surface proximate the peripheral edge and comprising a C-shaped first shell and a C-shaped second shell, the first and second shells each having an extension member and a first arm, a second arm and a third arm extending outwardly therefrom, the first, second and third arms each having a pivot end and a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the bottom surface proximate the pivot ends, the protrusions of the first, second and third arms of the first shell being respectively pivotally mounted to the protrusions of the first, second and third arms of the second shell thereby enabling the top member to be foldable, the first and second shells having a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the bottom surface proximate the intersections of the respective first, second and third arms and the extension members, and the respective protrusions and tabs of the first, second and third arms being spaced-apart a predetermined distance so that the tabs are removably engagable with one side of the at least one tray and the protrusions are removably engagable with the other side of the at least one tray, whereby the at least one tray and the frame are secured within the top member by removably disposing the at least one tray between the tabs and protrusions of the first, second and third arms and the peripheral walls of the first and second arms of the first shell, the folded frame is removably disposed within the sides of the at least one tray, and the second shell is pivoted so that the tabs of the first, second and third arms thereof removably engage the sides of the at least one tray.

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