Patent US3028277A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4036150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dining table service assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-06-14
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1996-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A dining table service assembly is provided for use in rapidly serving food or dishes to seated patrons, and for quickly clearing soiled dinnerware and leftovers. A segmented table is provided in which one table segment is stationary in the vicinity of seats for dining patrons. The stationary segment has a flat top and a tongue that extends longitudinally between seats and an edge that includes subjacent supporting surfaces. A removable table segment is positionable in engagement with the stationary segment, and is supported by the subjacent supporting surfaces. A mobile serving cart is provided for carrying the removable table segment in horizontal alignment at a level such that the upper surfaces of the removable segment and the stationary segment are coplanar. When patrons are seated at the table only the stationary segment is in place. Food and dishes are positioned on the removable table segment in place settings while the removable segment is on the serving cart. The cart is rolled into position, and the removable segment is engaged with the stationary segment of the table, thus serving the seated patrons. At the conclusion of the meal, the serving cart is again moved to the table, and the removable table segment is withdrawn and carried away on the cart.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Algier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:40
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B13/00; A47B13/08; A47F; A47F10/00; A47F10/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A dining table service assembly for providing food to seated patrons comprising: a. a stationary dining table segment secured in place between seating positions and having a tongue extending longitudinally between said seating positions with a laterally expansive horizontal top terminating in contoured edges with subjacent surfaces for supporting a weight from above, b. a mobile serving cart carrying a table segment support having laterally spaced supporting members, c. a separate removable dining table segment having longitudinally extending arms with expansive horizontal upper surfaces terminating in edges formed in a contour to mate with the aforesaid contour of said edges of said tongue and spaced for lateral engagement with the aforesaid tongue to rest on and bear down against said subjacent surfaces, said removable table segment being positionable to removably engage said stationary table segment with the top of said tongue and the upper surfaces of said arms, lying in a common horizontal plane, and also being positionable to be removably supported on said table segment support separate from said stationary dining table segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A dining table service assembly for providing food to seated patrons comprising: a. a stationary dining table segment secured in place between seating positions and having a tongue extending longitudinally between said seating positions with a laterally expansive horizontal top terminating in contoured edges with subjacent surfaces for supporting a weight from above, b. a mobile serving cart carrying a table segment support having laterally spaced supporting members, c. a separate removable dining table segment having longitudinally extending arms with expansive horizontal upper surfaces terminating in edges formed in a contour to mate with the aforesaid contour of said edges of said tongue and spaced for lateral engagement with the aforesaid tongue to rest on and bear down against said subjacent surfaces, said removable table segment being positionable to removably engage said stationary table segment with the top of said tongue and the upper surfaces of said arms, lying in a common horizontal plane, and also being positionable to be removably supported on said table segment support separate from said stationary dining table segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 1 wherein said stationary segment extends laterally outward in a pair of wings at one longitudinal extremity of said tongue to define longitudinally extending recesses in said stationary segment on either side of said tongue below the upper surface of said laterally expansive table top, and longitudinal appendages extend from each of the aforesaid arms of said removable table segment below said upper surfaces, and are receivable in said recesses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 2 further comprising a laterally disposed member spanning the underside of said removable segment between said arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 2 further comprising a vertically aligned laterally extending panel to which said wings of said stationary segment are secured, and longitudinally aligned bench seats extend from said panel on either side of said stationary table segment, and a vertical pedestal supports said tongue of said stationary table segment remote from said wings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 1 wherein said mobile serving cart is mounted on casters and includes upright support means extending above and to the rear of said table segment support which is horizontally disposed and which abuts said upright support means, thereby providing a bearing surface which can be used to longitudinally force said removable table segment in a horizontal direction into engagement with said stationary segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 5 wherein said mobile serving cart additionally includes a lower platform to which casters are fastened, and upright struts carry said table segment support above said lower platform, and said upright struts include height adjustment mechanisms connected thereto between said lower platform and said table segment support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 6 further characterized in that a pedestal supports said tongue and a longitudinal guideway is defined in said lower platform, whereby said wheeled serving cart may be directed into position for said guideway to receive said pedestal to guide said removable table segment into engagement with said stationary table segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dining table service assembly comprising: a stationary table segment supported on an upright pedestal and having a horizontal surface terminating at a perimeter at least a portion of which forms a curved convex boundary having a subjacent support ledge extending outward therefrom; a separate removable table segment having a flat horizontal upper surface the perimeter of which terminates in a concave boundary designed to removably fit with said convex boundary in mating fashion with vertical support for said removable table segment provided by said support ledge of said stationary table segment; and a mobile serving cart for separately carrying said removable table segment in horizontal alignment at the level of said stationary table segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dining table service assembly comprising: a stationary table segment supported on an upright pedestal and having a horizontal surface terminating at a perimeter at least a portion of which forms a curved convex boundary having a subjacent support ledge extending outward therefrom; a separate removable table segment having a flat horizontal upper surface the perimeter of which terminates in a concave boundary designed to removably fit with said convex boundary in mating fashion with vertical support for said removable table segment provided by said support ledge of said stationary table segment; and a mobile serving cart for separately carrying said removable table segment in horizontal alignment at the level of said stationary table segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 8 in which said serving cart includes laterally spaced support members extending longitudinally beneath said removable table segment in vertical alignment therewith when said removable table segment is carried on said serving cart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The dining table service assembly of claim 8 in which said serving cart includes a guide mechanism for coacting with said pedestal to bring said removable table segment into juxtaposition relative to said stationary table segment.
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) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |