US2782426A - Table having reversible tray mounted therein and means for washing the same - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26, 1957 L. R. rowNsEND 2,782,426

TABLE HAVING REVERSIBLE TRAYy MOUNTED THEREIN AND MEANS FOR WASHING THE SAME Filed June l1, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l IM 'EN TOR. OPEN RTW/VS END AT TOANET Feb. 26, 1957 R TOWNSEND 2,782,426

TABLE HAVING REVERSIBLE TRAY MOUNTED THEREIN AND MEANS FOR WASHING THE SAME Filed June 11, 1954 3 Sl'xeets-Shee?l 2 I N V EN TOR. J 46 fg 53 0M/v /zTaw/vsf/v @www Afro/#NET RX m Al R. TOWNSEND L. TABLE HAVING REVERSIBLE TRAY MOUNTED THEREIN AND MEANS FOR WASHING THE SAME Feb. 26, 1957 Filed June 11, 1954 INVENTOR. MEN RTOWNSE/V mfom/EY @mmm United States Patent TABLE HAVING REVERSIBLE TRAY. MUNTED AND MEANS. FOR WASHING THE M Loren R. Townsend, Tucson, Ariz.

Application June 11, 1954, Serial No. 436,032

1 Claim. (Cl. 4 187) An object of the invention is to provide a device that I will reduce the labor and time spent in laying a table for a meal, in the removing the utensils and dishes from the table and the subsequent washing and drying of the same.

The advantage that this particular invention has over conventional dishwashers, is that the dishes need not be removed from the table for washing or drying. The table is always set for the serving of a meal, yet the table top is always clear.

Another. object of the invention is to provide a tray which is recessed permanently in a table top, yet may be manually reversed for the washing thereof and remaining in the reversed position until it is needed again for the next meal.

Drinking glasses and eating utensils may be attached to the tray in any way so that they will be washed when the tray is washed and when the tray is in position for eating a meal thereon, be in position to be used during the eating of the meal.

When the tray is reversed and is not in position to eat a meal thereon, the table top will be clear for such purposes as desired, such as writing, playing cards or similar entertainment.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View, partly broken away, of the tray embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of the tray, partly in section and partly broken away and looking in the direction of the arrows on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the tray in elevated position for the reversing thereof;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation and partly broken away, of the tray in reverse position to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed view of the latch bolt for retaining the tray in parallel relation to the table top; Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a sectional View on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line 11 11 of Fig. 7.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals the reference numeral 15 is used to designate a table. top which is supported in elevated position above the oor in the conventional manner by the means of legs, not shown.

Mounted below the table top 15 is a receptacle 1,6 which is similar in structure to a conventional sink. The bottom of the receptacle tapers downwardly at 17 towards a level portion 18 and a spray nozzle 19, having a water supply pipe 20 connected thereto, is mounted in the tapered portion 17 of the receptacle 16. The receptacle is water tight and will be provided with a drain and garbage disposal unit, not shown, for the elimination of the waste water and scraps that are washed from the tray embodying the invention as will be later described.

The table top 15 is provided with a rectangular shaped opening 21 which is adapted to receive a tray 22. The tray having food receiving compartments or recesses 23 and 24, respectively, in the top surface thereof. As shown in Fig. 6, the bottom surface :of the tray 22 is flat and in the position shown in this gure is flush with the table top 15.

Secured to the bottom surface of the table top 15, within the receptacle 16 is a frame like gasket 25. The gasket 25 being so positioned that it overlies the four edges of the :opening 21 to provide a water tight seal about the four edges of the tray 22. Suitable fastening means 25 being used to secure the gasket 25 in position.

A hollow support 27 is secured to the portion 18 of the receptacle in vertical relation thereto, beneath `the center of each longitudinal edge :of the tray 22. A base 28. on each support Z7 providing the means whereby the hollow support is secured in position. 27 being flush with the upper surface of the gasket 25, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Telescopically received in each support 27 is a bar like support 29, which is provided in :one longitudinal edge thereof with arcuate shaped indentations 30 and 31, respectively. The indentations are adapted to be selectively engaged by an arcuate shaped spring latch 32. With the spring latch 32 engaging the indentation 30 the supports 29 are retained in the position shown in Fig. 9. With the spring latch 32 engaging the indentation 31 the supports 29 are retained in the position shown in Fig. 5.

A stop 33 is provided :on the lower end of each support 29 which will engage a bolt 34 to prevent the support 29 from being entirely removed from the supports 27. The bolt 34 is slidably mounted in a housing 35 which is secured at 36 to the support 27, there being a housing 35 mounted on each of the supports 27. A spring 37 biases the bolt 34 into the support 27 so that it is in the path of the stop 33. The bolt 34, however, has a knob 38 on the outer end thereof, whereby the bolt 34 may be moved ICC :outwardly so that the supports 29 may be entirely removed from the supports 27 if desired.

In the table top adjacent each of the longitudinal edges of the tray 22 is a recess 39 into which the upper end of the support 29 extends, as shown in Fig. 10. A pivot pin 40, same figure, is iixed in the upper end of each support 29 and extends into an opening 41 in the center of the tray. There being a pivot bolt and opening therefor in each longitudinal edge of the tray 22. The bolt 40 is provided adjacent its end with a pair of diametrically arranged ats 41 which are adapted to receive the diametrically arranged latches 42 which are mounted in the diametrically arranged recesses 43. A spring 44 in each recess abutting the inner end of each latch 42 to urge the same into its respective flat 41, as shown in Fig. 10. The latches 42 by engagement with the ats 41 serve to retain the tray 22 in parallel relation to the table top 15,.

Adjacent each pivot bolt 40 the top surface of the tray 22 is provided with a pair of diametrically arranged finger openings 45. The openings being arranged in parallel relation to the edge of the tray. The bottom surface of The top. of each support v Y 3 the tray 22 is provided with finger openings 46 which are in alinement with the openings 4S and a circular cavity of larger diameter than the openings 45 and 46 forms a direct communication between the openings.

' ,In this'manner an annular shoulder 47 underlies each opening 45 and an annular'shoulder 48 underlies each opening 46. Each kopening 45 is closed by a button 49 having an annular ange 50 thereon which engaging the shoulder 47 prevents the button 49 from emerging from the opening 45. Each opening 46 is closed by a button 51, similar to the button 49, and an annular flange 52 on the button 51 engaging the shoulder 4S prevents the button 51 from emerging from the opening 46. A spring 53 abutting each button at its opposite ends retains the buttons in position, as in Fig. l1.

' `When the tray 22 is to be used in serving a meal, it is positioned in the table top 15, as shown in Fig. 1. The recesses 23 and 24 being used to receive the food. When the meal is iinished the buttons 45 may be pushed in- Wardly to provide a finger grip whereby the tray may be elevated to'the position shown in Fig. 5. The spring latches 32 engaging the indentations 31 in the supports 29 retaining the Vtray 22 in elevated position. By pushing upwardly or downwardly on yone edge of the tray 22 the latches 42 may be overcome and the tray reversed, as shown in this figure. The tray may then be pushed downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6. The Water is sprayed onto the top surface of the tray 22 by the nozzle 19 and thoroughly washed so that it is in condition to he used again when the procedure of reversing the tray is reversely performed as previously described.

While only one tray has been used for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that several trays may be used in the table top within the concept :of the invention. The shape of the table top is also understood to be variable, as well as the size thereof.

It is believed that the operation and construction of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is to be understood that many changes and variations of the details of construction, arrangement and combintaion of parts may be made provided they fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

vA'deviceof the characterdescribed comprising a table top having an `opening therein, a gasket affixed to the underside of said table top adjacent said opening and extending inwardly with respect to said opening in a plane parallel with the plane of said table top', a sink mounted beneath said table top, a pair of hollow vertical supports mounted in said sink, a pair of support bars slidably mounted in said hollow supports, a tray revolubly mounted upon the upper ends of said support bars and having food compartments in one face thereof, latch means carried by said hollow supports for maintaining said support bars in raised position, and latch means for maintaining said support bars in lowered position, said -tray adapted to contact said gasket when in lowered position and to be rotated to a reverse position when in raised position on said support bars.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 702,035 Shaffer June 10, 1902 1,373,506 Hoyt Apr. 5, 1921 1,872,849 Townes Aug. 23, 1932 1,952,568 Schapp et al Mar. 27, 1934 2,045,890 Uhalt et al June 30, 1936 2,079,737 Greenway May 11, 1937

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