US3848943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotatable silverware holder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-14
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable silverware holder consisting of a base member supporting a circular tray in a rotatable manner thereon with a cylinder cover adapted to completely close the tray compartment, the tray compartment being partitioned into a plurality of radially extending segments with each segment provided with a pair of different diameter concentric circular members each having radially extending slots therein with each slot adapted to receive an item of silverware therein, the tray being rotatable about its axis with the cover member being mounted for axial movement upwardly from the tray to permit access to the contents of the tray compartments, with the cover adapted to close the tray compartments in a protective dust free manner.
Inventors
- 👤 N Geesaman
- 👤 V Geesaman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:28
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B81/00; A47B81/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
386 words
A rotatable silverware holder comprising: a base member adapted to rest on any suitable support surface and including an elongated cylindrical boss projecting upwardly a slight distance therefrom and having an elongated vertically extending rod projecting axially upwardly from the top surface of the boss; a circular tray rotatably supported on the boss projecting from the base for rotation about its axis, the tray including a centrally disposed axially inwardly projecting hub member and a cylindrical outer side wall surface, the elongated rod projecting axially through the hub member through a suitable aperture provided axially therethrough; a plurality of angularly spaced elongated rectangular partitions radially extending between the hub member and the tray side walls to define therebetween a plurality of separate compartments in the tray, the ends of the partitions engaging the hub member and the interior of the side walls with a side edge of each of the partitions disposed adjacent the tray bottom surface; a pair of different diameter concentric ring like spacer members connected to the interior tray bottom surface, the partitions dividing the spacer members into arcuate sections with an arcuate section of each spacer member being disposed in each of the compartments, each spacer member having a plurality of radially extending slots provided therein with each slot being of a size and shape adapted to receive a particular item of silverware therein in a manner to support and store the same in a side-by-side relationship; a hollow cylindrical cover open at one end and closed at the opposite end and being of a diameter to completely cover the compartments in the tray, the closed end having a centrally disposed aperture permitting the rod to extend axially therethrough; an elongated hollow tubular member having one end connected to the center of the exterior top surface of the closed end of the cover with the opposite end projecting axially upwardly therefrom, the handle being concentric with the rod which extends axially Therethrough; and means for retaining the cover in an open position spaced axially upwardly a distance from the tray to permit silverware to be inserted into the tray and also to permit silverware to be removed from the tray, such means being readily released to permit the cover to close the tray to protect the same from dirt and other contamination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
386 words
A rotatable silverware holder comprising: a base member adapted to rest on any suitable support surface and including an elongated cylindrical boss projecting upwardly a slight distance therefrom and having an elongated vertically extending rod projecting axially upwardly from the top surface of the boss; a circular tray rotatably supported on the boss projecting from the base for rotation about its axis, the tray including a centrally disposed axially inwardly projecting hub member and a cylindrical outer side wall surface, the elongated rod projecting axially through the hub member through a suitable aperture provided axially therethrough; a plurality of angularly spaced elongated rectangular partitions radially extending between the hub member and the tray side walls to define therebetween a plurality of separate compartments in the tray, the ends of the partitions engaging the hub member and the interior of the side walls with a side edge of each of the partitions disposed adjacent the tray bottom surface; a pair of different diameter concentric ring like spacer members connected to the interior tray bottom surface, the partitions dividing the spacer members into arcuate sections with an arcuate section of each spacer member being disposed in each of the compartments, each spacer member having a plurality of radially extending slots provided therein with each slot being of a size and shape adapted to receive a particular item of silverware therein in a manner to support and store the same in a side-by-side relationship; a hollow cylindrical cover open at one end and closed at the opposite end and being of a diameter to completely cover the compartments in the tray, the closed end having a centrally disposed aperture permitting the rod to extend axially therethrough; an elongated hollow tubular member having one end connected to the center of the exterior top surface of the closed end of the cover with the opposite end projecting axially upwardly therefrom, the handle being concentric with the rod which extends axially Therethrough; and means for retaining the cover in an open position spaced axially upwardly a distance from the tray to permit silverware to be inserted into the tray and also to permit silverware to be removed from the tray, such means being readily released to permit the cover to close the tray to protect the same from dirt and other contamination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
174 words
The rotatable silverware holder as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the spacer members has a substantially rectangular crossection, each of the plurality of slots defined in such spacer means being transversely oriented relative to the axis of the spacer means with each slot adapted to pass a portion of an item of silverware therethrough, the slots in the second spacer member being the same in number as the slots in the first spacer member and substantially aligned therewith and adapted to receive therethrough other portions of the item of silverware, the slots in one of the compartments adapted to receive the blade and handle portion of knife silverware members, the slots in another compartment adapted to receive the front and back portions of spoon type silverware items, with the slots in yet a further compartment being adapted to receive the leading and handle portions respectively of fork like silverware items, the partitions disposed in the tray and extending to a height not exceeding the top edge of the tray side walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The rotatable silverware holder as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cover member is of a diameter greater than the interior diameter of the tray side walls and less than the exterior diameter of the tray side walls, the peripheral edge surface of the cover member adapted to seat against the peripheral top edge surface of the tray side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The rotatable silverware holder as set forth in claim 3 wherein the handle member includes a longitudinally elongated slot formed in the side wall thereof, a locking member pivotally secured to the handle member with an operating portion thereof projecting outwardly from the slot, and the rod including a notch adapted to cooperate with the locking member to secure the cover in a raised position relative to the tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
The rotatable silverware holder as set forth in claim 4 wherein the locking member includes a trapezoidal flat member pivoted at one corner inwardly of the handle member with the opposite corner projecting outwardly of the slot, the corner opposite the corner projecting from the slot defining a locking finger adapted to engage in the notch provided in the rod, the notch in the rod including a base portion extending normal to the axis of the rod and a tapered upper surface extending upwardly and outwardly from the axis of the rod to the side wall of the rod, the locking member being gravity biased into having the locking edge in constant sliding engagement with the side wall of the rod whereby when the cover is raised by the handle to a position where the locking member engages in the notch then the cover will be retained in the raised position until after the projecting end of the locking member is manually rotated in an upward and inward direction toward the rod to release the locking edge from the notch and permit the cover to be lowered onto the top edge surfaces of the side walls of the tray.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rotatable silverware holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein the tray is molded as a unitary structure including therein the radial partitions, spacer members, and inner boss member which are all integrally molded therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |