US3859930A — Tiltable tray with pivotally mounted legs having …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 192 words

A tray structure comprising: a. a platform defining a planar top surface; b. a pair of legs pivotally carried beneath said platform near opposite end regions thereof and being movable between a retracted position where said legs are folded beneath said platform to an extended position where said legs depend from said platform to support said platform at an elevated height above a horizontal supporting surface; c. leg locking means interposed between said platform and said legs for selectively locking said legs in said retracted and extended positions; d. a pair of extensible feet each being movably carried by a separate one of said legs and each being movable along an arcuate path between a retracted position where bottom portions of said feet cooperate with said legs to support said platform horizontally above a horizontal supporting surface when said legs are extended, to extended positions where said bottom portions depend from said legs; and e. feet locking means interposed between said feet and said legs for locking said feet selectively at one of a plurality of predetermined extended positions for supporting said platform in inclined attitudes relative to a horizontal supporting surface.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 192 words

A tray structure comprising: a. a platform defining a planar top surface; b. a pair of legs pivotally carried beneath said platform near opposite end regions thereof and being movable between a retracted position where said legs are folded beneath said platform to an extended position where said legs depend from said platform to support said platform at an elevated height above a horizontal supporting surface; c. leg locking means interposed between said platform and said legs for selectively locking said legs in said retracted and extended positions; d. a pair of extensible feet each being movably carried by a separate one of said legs and each being movable along an arcuate path between a retracted position where bottom portions of said feet cooperate with said legs to support said platform horizontally above a horizontal supporting surface when said legs are extended, to extended positions where said bottom portions depend from said legs; and e. feet locking means interposed between said feet and said legs for locking said feet selectively at one of a plurality of predetermined extended positions for supporting said platform in inclined attitudes relative to a horizontal supporting surface.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The tray structure of claim 1 wherein said feet are telescopically carried in downwardly opening recesses formed in said legs.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 59 words

The tray structure of claim 2 wherein: a. said feet have the general shape of circular sectors and are pivotally connected to said legs in the region of the apex of said circular sectors; and, b. the axes of pivotal connection between said feet and said legs are substantially coaxially aligned when said legs are in said extended position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 44 words

The tray structure of claim 2 wherein: a. said feet have the general shape of arcuate segments; and b. said recesses each have at least one curved wall which slidably engages its respective foot to guide said foot for movement along said arcuate path.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

The tray structure of claim 1 wherein said feet locking means includes a plurality of notches formed in each of said feet and a latch member carried by each of said legs and engageable with said notches to selectively lock said feet in said predetermined extended positions.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 57 words

The tray structure of claim 1 wherein said leg locking means includes: a. first latch means movably carried by said platform for releasably engaging said legs when said legs are in said retracted position; and b. second latch means movably carried by said platform for releasably engaging said legs when said legs are in said extended position.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

The tray structure of claim 6 wherein said leg locking means additionally includes a pair of actuators movably carried by said platform, one of said actuators being associated with each of said legs and being operable to release said first and second latch means associated with its respective leg.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 61 words

The tray structure of claim 6 wherein said second latch means includes: a. a separate pair of support members associated with each of said legs and being pivotally carried by said platform; b. biasing means biasing said support members into engagement with said legs when said legs are in their extended position to releasable retain said legs in their extended position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

The tray structure of claim 8 wherein said support members have bottom end regions which depend from said platform and are operable to support said platform above a horizontal surface when said legs are in their retracted position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 56 words

The tray structure of claim 1 wherein said leg locking means includes manually actuated means operable to release said legs from their retracted position thereby permitting the pivotal movement of said legs under the influence of gravity to their extended position, said leg locking means being automatically operable to lock said legs in their extended position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 56 words

The tray structure of claim 1 wherein said leg locking means includes a separate manually operated actuator associated with each of said legs, each of said actuators being operable to release its associated leg from the locking action of said leg locking means when said associated leg is in either of said retracted and extended positions.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 28 words

The tray structure of claim 1 additionally including four supports which below said platform when said legs are retracted to support said platform above a horizontal supporting surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

The tray structure of claim 12 wherein said supports are carried by said legs and are operable when said legs are in their extended position to serve as stops engaging said platform to limit the movement of said legs.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 167 words

A tray structure comprising: a. a platform defining a planar top surface; b. a pair of legs pivotally carried near opposite sides of the platform, each of said legs being movable along a path between a retracted position folded beneath the platform to an extend position depending from the platform; c. a pair of feet, each being carried by a separate one of said legs and each being extensible beyond the bottom of its associated leg; d. means for locking said legs in said extended position including: i. at least one locking member associated with each leg and being pivotally carried by said platform at a position along said path of movement of its associated leg; ii. each of said locking members having a slot formed therein for receiving and retaining a portion of its associated leg when said leg is in its extended position; and iii. biasing means biasing said locking members into retaining engagement with said legs when said legs are in their extended position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 167 words

A tray structure comprising: a. a platform defining a planar top surface; b. a pair of legs pivotally carried near opposite sides of the platform, each of said legs being movable along a path between a retracted position folded beneath the platform to an extend position depending from the platform; c. a pair of feet, each being carried by a separate one of said legs and each being extensible beyond the bottom of its associated leg; d. means for locking said legs in said extended position including: i. at least one locking member associated with each leg and being pivotally carried by said platform at a position along said path of movement of its associated leg; ii. each of said locking members having a slot formed therein for receiving and retaining a portion of its associated leg when said leg is in its extended position; and iii. biasing means biasing said locking members into retaining engagement with said legs when said legs are in their extended position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 102 words

The tray structure of claim 14 wherein each of said locking members has cam surfaces portions formed thereon which are engaged by said associated leg as said associated leg approaches its extended position, said engagement between said cam surface portions and said associated leg being operable to pivot the respective locking member transversely of said path of leg movement to increase the biasing force exerted on the respective locking member by said biasing means thereby assuring that said biasing means will be operative to effect positive retaining engagement between said legs and said locking members when said legs reach their extended position.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-01-13	1978-07-15	1979-01-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-01-13	1982-07-15	1983-01-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-01-13	1986-07-15	1987-01-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Tiltable tray with pivotally mounted legs having extensible feet

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