US4138952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible tea table system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-10
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Granted: 1979-02-13
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Expires: 1997-06-10
Abstract
Abstract In a collapsible tea table combination wherein a foldable X-legged stand provides level and lengthwise parallel crossbars, and supports the improved tray system, maximum usable planar spread of crossbars can be selectively spanned and detained by rails rigidly attached along two parallel sides of the tray-bed to provide a minimum usable tray elevation. Minimum usable planar spread of crossbars can be selectively spanned and detained by means of deformable hangbuttons inserted into apertures formed in the tray-bed near the rails to provide a maximum usable tray elevation. The tray can be rendered invertible by using reversible tray-bed material, by using rails which juts both above and below the tray-bed, and by using hangbuttons which are symmetrically contoured for vertical displacement and rotation. Inasmuch as hangbuttons rotate within their apertures, they serve as rotary locks for stabilizing a table erected from any one of the choice of practical tray settings.
Inventors
- 👤 Hollis C. Hodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:25
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B3/00; A47B3/12; A47B25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An improved tea table tray system, for use on foldable cross-legged stands having complementary legs interconnected by upper crossbars which are moved apart whenever supporting a top, and wherein said tray system improvement comprises: a. a flat tray-bed having a rail rigidly attached along each of two parallel edges of said tray-bed, which said rails jut below said tray-bed for detaining said stand crossbars whenever said crossbars are moved to a first support position beneath said tray-bed whereat said crossbars are arrested by abutting said rails; b. at least one aperture provided through said tray-bed inward of each said rail; and c. a deformable hangbutton inserted into each said aperture, which said hangbuttons depend from said tray-bed for detaining said stand crossbars whenever said crossbars are moved to a second support position beneath said tray-bed whereat said crossbars are arrested by abutting said hangbuttons, and furthermore, which said hangbuttons may be rotated within their respective said apertures for locking said crossbars beneath said tray-bed and abutting said rails in said first support position, and for locking said crossbars beneath said tray-bed and abutting said hangbuttons in said second support position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An improved tea table tray system, for use on foldable cross-legged stands having complementary legs interconnected by upper crossbars which are moved apart whenever supporting a top, and wherein said tray system improvement comprises: a. a flat tray-bed having a rail rigidly attached along each of two parallel edges of said tray-bed, which said rails jut below said tray-bed for detaining said stand crossbars whenever said crossbars are moved to a first support position beneath said tray-bed whereat said crossbars are arrested by abutting said rails; b. at least one aperture provided through said tray-bed inward of each said rail; and c. a deformable hangbutton inserted into each said aperture, which said hangbuttons depend from said tray-bed for detaining said stand crossbars whenever said crossbars are moved to a second support position beneath said tray-bed whereat said crossbars are arrested by abutting said hangbuttons, and furthermore, which said hangbuttons may be rotated within their respective said apertures for locking said crossbars beneath said tray-bed and abutting said rails in said first support position, and for locking said crossbars beneath said tray-bed and abutting said hangbuttons in said second support position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The tray system of claim 1, wherein said tray-bed is made of reversible material, said rails jut above and below said tray-bed, and said hangbuttons are vertically symmetrical and invertibly displaceable and gravitation within their respective said apertures, whereby said tray system is equally cooperative whenever either side of said tray-bed is surfaced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved tea table tray system, for use on foldable cross-legged stands having complementary legs interconnected by upper crossbars which are moved apart whenever supporting a top, and wherein said tray system improvement comprises: a. a tray having at least one aperture provided through the tray-bed inward of each of two parallel edges of said tray-bed as means for disposing deformable crossbar detainers through said tray; and b. means disposed within said apertures for detaining said stand crossbars whenever said crossbars are moved to a support position beneath said tray-bed whereat said crossbars are arrested by abutting said detainers, said means comprising manually rotatable, vertically symmetrical and invertibly displaceable hangbuttons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved tea table tray system, for use on foldable cross-legged stands having complementary legs interconnected by upper crossbars which are moved apart whenever supporting a top, and wherein said tray system improvement comprises: a. a tray having at least one aperture provided through the tray-bed inward of each of two parallel edges of said tray-bed as means for disposing deformable crossbar detainers through said tray; and b. means disposed within said apertures for detaining said stand crossbars whenever said crossbars are moved to a support position beneath said tray-bed whereat said crossbars are arrested by abutting said detainers, said means comprising manually rotatable, vertically symmetrical and invertibly displaceable hangbuttons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A portable tray system for collapsible tea tables, said tray system comprising: a. a tray having rails attached along two parallel edges of said tray means for positioning said tray upon a foldable cross-legged stand; b. circular apertures formed through said tray as means for disposing locks through said tray; and c. means disposed within said apertures for locking said tray to said stand, said means comprising manually rotatable hangbuttons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A portable tray system for collapsible tea tables, said tray system comprising: a. a tray having rails attached along two parallel edges of said tray means for positioning said tray upon a foldable cross-legged stand; b. circular apertures formed through said tray as means for disposing locks through said tray; and c. means disposed within said apertures for locking said tray to said stand, said means comprising manually rotatable hangbuttons.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-02-12 | 1982-08-14 | 1983-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-12 | 1986-08-14 | 1987-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-12 | 1990-08-14 | 1991-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |