Abstract
An improved tableware stand with an elevated base providing vertical elevation of an adapter for use to receive and retain tableware, the elevated base including a sidewall adapted for receiving a removable, reversible tableware adapter which securely engages the food service item with misaligned receiving structure. The receiving structure includes a plurality of concentric channels for securely receiving and retaining different sized, dimensioned, configured, or shaped food service items while providing a substantially planar platform elevated from an underlying support surface.
Claims
1. An improved tableware stand for use in securing first and second tableware items, the improved tableware stand comprising: an elevated spacer with a sidewall which extends from a bottom to an upper ledge; an elevated support surface having an arcuate opening and presenting a substantially planar support structure with an arcuate depending lip, whereby said elevated support surface is adapted for receiving first and second tableware items; said arcuate depending lip which aligns said first and said second tableware items within an arcuate opening; and a plurality of hand relief surfaces which extend from said bottom along said sidewall.
2. The improved tableware stand according to claim 1, wherein said elevated support surface further comprises an adapter supporting said first and second tableware items within said arcuate opening a distance from said bottom.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrate a front perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the improved tableware stand.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the tableware stand with the adapter positioned above the spacer in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional exploded view of an exemplary dish adapted for receipt by the improved tableware stand while positioned above the spacer in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective, cross-sectional view of the dish received by the improved tableware stand in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a magnified, fragmented view of the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front perspective, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the improved tableware stand in receipt of two-dishes on opposite sides.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a magnified, fragmented view of the illustrated embodiment of the improved tableware stand according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[0021] Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 10 generally refers to an embodiment of the present invention, improved tableware stand (also referred to as the device) according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 which is useful for securely receiving a tableware or dining item, like a plate, bowl, dish, cup or saucer during a dining related activity and for maintaining the dining item in an elevated, generally planar orientation. The improved tableware stand 10 includes an adapter 30 and an elevated spacer 20. The elevated spacer 20 is configured for receiving the adapter 30 and may have a cylindrical, rectangular or other polygonal shape which is configured for receipt of the adapter 30 and includes a sidewall 22 extending from an arcuate opening 24 to a bottom 27 with a plurality of convex ridges 28 spaced along the sidewall 22. In the depicted embodiment, the sidewall 22 is circumferential.
[0022] The embodiment of the tableware 2 depicted in FIGS. 3-7 is generally configured for eating and includes an arcuate circular surface with a lip 5 extending radially from a downwardly depending well 4 opposite a generally circular base 3 which supports and raises the tableware 2 from the underlying improved tableware stand 10.
[0023] The arcuate opening 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 presents an elevated support surface which has an upper ledge 26 which extends radially from the sidewall 22 to a depending lip 25. The upper ledge 26 generally presents a substantially planar support structure with an arcuate depending lip 25 for aligned receipt of the adapter 30 within the arcuate opening 24. Alternatively, the upper ledge 26 may provide the planar support structure for overlying receipt and support of the adapter 30 in a substantially planar orientation. The adapter 30 has receiving structure for receiving a plurality of tableware items, which include at least a first tableware item 2 and a second tableware item 102, the base 3 of the first tableware item 2 received by the first side 31 and the second base 103 of the second tableware item 102 received by the second side 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7. Alternatively, the adapter 30 may be configured to provide for multiple receiving structures on the first side 31 for receiving the first and second tableware items 2, 102. However, in the depicted embodiment the base 3 and the second base 103 have different radial configurations for off-set receipt by opposing sides of the adapter 30.
[0024] The convex ridges 28 presents an arcuate curve which extends from the bottom 27 along the sidewall 22 and presents a hand relief surface for gripping the device 10. The arcuate curve associated with the convex ridge 28 is generally sufficiently shaped to be beneficial when resting the improved tableware stand 10 on the lap or leg of a user (not shown).
[0025] As further depicted in FIGS. 5-7, the adapter 30 is removable and reversible within the arcuate opening 24. In the illustrated embodiment the adapter 30 is generally circular and has a first side 31 opposite a second side 33 with a central opening 35 extending therethrough. The first side 31 of the adapter 30 also includes a first upper ridge 32a spaced from a second upper ridge 32b by a first upper radial channel 34. The second side 33 includes a first lower ridge 36a spaced from a second lower ridge 36b by a first lower radial channel 38. Generally, the first side 31 is configured differently from the second side 33 with the first upper radial channel 34 being misaligned from the first lower radial channel 38 allowing the adapter 30 to be used with a variety of tableware 2 each having different configurations of bases 3 depending on which side of the adapter 30 is facing upward for receipt of the desired tableware 2 such as, but not limited to, a dish, plate, cup or bowl.
[0026] The depending lip 25 extends inwardly from the upper ledge 26 for engagement by the first upper ridge 32a. As indicated in FIG. 5, the first upper ridge 32a includes a circular projection 37 which extends outwardly from the adapter 30 for engagement by the downwardly depending lip 25.
[0027] Additionally, as further illustrated in FIG. 5 the first upper ridge 32a extends a greater distance from the first upper radial channel 34 in relation to the second upper ridge 32b, the first upper ridge 32a presenting an upward projection between the base 3 and the lip 5 for receipt of the plate 2 within the first upper radial channel 34 associated with the first side 31 of the adapter 30. In addition, as further illustrated in FIG. 3, a central radial spacer 42 encircles the central opening 35 and presents a plurality of ridges 42a, 42b which present a second upper radial channel 34b for receipt of different dimensioned tableware 2.
[0028] A plurality of lower radial channels (a second lower radial channel 38b, a third lower radial channel 38c, a lower central channel 38d) are presented by a plurality of lower ridges (a third lower ridge 36c, a fourth lower ridge 36d) each lower radial channel extending radially from the central opening 35 towards the first lower ridge 36b. In the illustrated embodiment, the second lower radial channel 38b is presented between the second lower ridge 36b and the third lower ridge 36c, the third lower radial channel 38c is presented between the third lower ridge 36c and the fourth lower ridge 36d, a lower central channel 38d extending between the fourth lower ridge 36d and the central opening 35. The plurality of radial channels associated with the second side 33 allow the adapter 30 to receive and support various dimensioned tableware configurations in addition to those which are provided by the first side 31 allowing the improved tableware stand 10 to be used with a larger number of tableware configurations which are not currently provided for.
[0029] It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, one skilled in the art would clearly recognize that it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown but only by the claims appended hereto.
