Portable, adjustable counter apparatus

• US 6,224,029 B1
• Filed: 03/24/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeanette L. Marble, William D. Marble
• Original Assignee: Jeanette L. Marble, William D. Marble
• Inventors: Marble, William D., Marble, Jeanette L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US09/275,484
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 108/152, 108/47, 108/144, 108/149, 108/106, 248/240, 248/241, 248/243, 248/240.3, 248/235, 248/236, 248/214, 248/218.4, 248/219.3, 248/219.4, 297/217.7, 297/256, 297/14
• US Class Current: 248/214
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 43/006 fixed on cords, cables, wire or chains

Abstract

A portable, adjustable shelf apparatus comprises a shelf having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges. A back member is fixed to the upper surface of the shelf adjacent the shelf rear edge. Included are first and second elongate, slender shelf-hanging chains, each having first and second end regions. First end regions of each of the first and second chains are secured to an under surface of the shelf adjacent the shelf front edge in a spaced apart relationship. Eye screws are installed into the shelf from the under surface of the shelf adjacent the shelf rear edge. Split rings are included for detachably attaching the second end region of each of the chains to the eye screws to thereby enable the shelf to be hung securely from an upper railing of a balustrade at any desired height. Plastic sleeves are installed over at least regions of the chains to protect railings from which the shelf is hung. Side rails may be installed along front and side edges of the shelf to retain objects on the shelf.

Claims

1. A portable, adjustable shelf apparatus for hanging from a balustrade or railing, said apparatus comprising:

a. a shelf having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges, and having an upper surface and a lower surface;

b. a back member fixed to said shelf adjacent said rear edge, and extending upwardly from said upper surface;

c. first and second elongate, flexible hanging elements each having first and second end regions, each of said elements comprising a strong, slender chain and each of said elements having a length adapted to extend up and over the balustrade or railing from which said apparatus is to be hung;

d. securing means for securing said first end region of each of said first and second flexible hanging elements to said under surface of said shelf adjacent said shelf front edge in a spaced apart relationship; and

e. attaching means for detachably attaching said second end region of each of said first and second flexible hanging elements to said shelf adjacent said shelf rear edge in said spaced apart relationship, said attaching means including eye screws attached to said lower surface of the shelf adjacent said side edges and including split rings for detachably attaching each of said first and second flexible hanging elements to a respective ones of said eye screws.

2. A portable, adjustable shelf apparatus for hanging from a balustrade or railing, said apparatus comprising:

a. a shelf having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges, and having an upper surface and a lower surface;

b. a back member fixed to said shelf adjacent said rear edge, and extending upwardly from said upper surface;

f. first and second elongate, slender flexible hanging chains, each having first and second end regions, and each of said chains having a length sufficient to extend up and over a balustrade or railing from which said apparatus is to be hung;

c. securing means for securing said first end region of each of said first and second flexible hanging chains to said under surface of said shelf adjacent said shelf front edge in a spaced apart relationship;

d. attaching means for detachably attaching said second end region of each of said first and second flexible hanging chains to said under surface of said shelf adjacent said shelf rear edge in said spaced apart relationship; and

e. first and second protective plastic tubing sleeves slidingly installed over at least portions of respective ones of said first and second flexible hanging chains.

3. The portable, adjustable shelf apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including edge rails installed on said upper surface of said shelf adjacent said front and side edges.