Tray device for attachment to a vertical pole

• US 5,996,511 A
• Filed: 02/09/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gary J. Swoger
• Original Assignee: Gary J. Swoger
• Inventors: Swoger, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US09/020,640
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 135/16, 135/15.1, 248/219.4, 248/218.4, 211/107, 211/50, 211/88.01, 108/25, 108/28, 108/50.12, 108/147.18, 108/150, 108/151, 108/157.13, 108/157.17, 108/158.11, 108/158.13, 108/29, 108/30, 108/92, 108/93, 108/101, 403/373, 403/13
• US Class Current: 108/157.13
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/0008 Table or tray, height adjustable on parasol pole
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 37/04 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/26 consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges fixed on cords or the like A47B43/006

Abstract

A support device that attaches to a vertical pole so that objects can be supported along the length of a vertical pole. The support device includes a platform that has a midpoint and a peripheral edge. The platform defines a slot that extends from the peripheral edge to the midpoint, wherein the slot has a width at least as wide as the vertical pole onto which the platform attaches. A clamp element is selectively positionable within the slot. A bias mechanism is provided for biasing the clamp element into the slot toward the midpoint of the platform. A napkin holding mechanism is also provided. The napkin holding mechanism extends below the platform and holds napkins in a manner that enables single napkins to be readily removed as needed.

Claims

1. A tray assembly for attaching to a vertical pole, comprising:

a platform having a center point and a peripheral edge, said platform defining a slot that extends from an open end at said peripheral edge to a curved closed end at said center point;

a removable plate attached to said platform across said open end of said slot, wherein a threaded aperture extends through said removable plate;

a clamp element selectively positionable in said slot between said curved closed end and said removable plate, wherein said clamp element is movable back and forth within said slot;

a threaded shaft having a first end and a second end, said threaded shaft extending through said threaded aperture in said removable plate, wherein said first end of said threaded shaft engages said clamp element and moves said clamp element back and forth in said slot as said threaded shaft is selectively rotated in opposite directions; and

a handle disposed at the second end of said threaded shaft to facilitate the manual turning of the threaded shaft.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said curved closed end of said slot terminates proximate said center point of said platform with a predetermined radius of curvature.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the center of said predetermined radius of curvature corresponds in position to said center point of said platform.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said clamp element has a curved face surface with a a radius of curvature that is generally equal to said predetermined radius of curvature present on said curved closed end of said slot.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said slot has side walls and a guide groove is disposed in each of said side walls.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said clamp element includes guides that ride in said guide grooves when said clamp element is in said slot.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, further including a rail element extending upwardly from said peripheral edge of said platform.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, at least one napkin holding mechanism affixed to said platform.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein said napkin holding mechanism includes two lateral arms supported a predetermined distance below said platform, wherein a space exists between said lateral arms and said platform that is large enough to retain a stack of napkins.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said napkin holding mechanism further includes a lever element pivotably coupled to the end of each of said lateral arms.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein each said lever element has a first end and a second end, wherein each said lever element is attached via a pivot to one of the lateral arms at a point between said first end and said second end.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein each said lever element is heavier on one side of said pivot than on the other side, thereby causing said first end of said lever element to be biased into the space between said platform and said lateral arms.

13. A napkin holding device, comprising:

a planar element having a peripheral edge;

an attachment mechanism for attaching said planar element to a vertical pole;

two lateral arms supported a predetermined distance below said planar element, wherein a space exists between said lateral arms and said planar element that is large enough to retain a stack of napkins;

a lever element pivotably coupled to each of said lateral arms, wherein each said lever element has a first end and a second end and each said lever element is attached via a pivot to one of the lateral arms at a point between said first end and said second end;

wherein each said lever element is heavier on one side of said pivot than on the other side and causes said first end of said lever element to be biased into the space between said planar element and said lateral arms.

14. The device according to claim 13, further including a rail element extending upwardly from said peripheral edge of said planar element.

15. The device according to claim 13 wherein said planar element includes a midpoint, said planar element defining a slot that extends from said peripheral edge to said midpoint.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said attachment mechanism includes

a clamp element selectively positionable in said slot wherein said clamp element is movable back and forth within said slot;

and

a bias mechanism for biasing said clamp element into said slot toward said midpoint.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said bias mechanism includes a screw plate that extends across said slot and a screw that extends through said screw plate and engages said clamp element.

18. The device according to claim 17, further including a handle affixed to said screw thereby providing a means for turning said screw and advancing said screw through said screw plate.

19. A device for attaching to a vertical pole, comprising:

a platform having a midpoint and a peripheral edge, said platform defining a slot that extends from said peripheral edge to said midpoint;

a clamp element selectively positionable in said slot wherein said clamp element is movable back and forth within said slot; and

a bias mechanism for biasing said clamp element into said slot toward said midpoint of said platform.