Party accessory storage and display unit

Abstract

A party accessory storage and display unit has a central portion with two spaced apart planar panels which form a U-shaped opening there between and a display panel hingeably and detachably mounted on the central portion to move between an open position and a closed position adjacent to the central portion. Two pivotal members are each pivotally connected to opposite sides of the central portion to move between a storage condition inside the U-shaped opening and a serving position outside of the U-shaped opening of the central portion. The central portion and the two pivotal members have several compartments for holding accessory items for a social event. A display panel is hingeably attached to the central portion for displaying selected indicia. The unit is easily adapted to be supported by different configurations and sizes of tables, and is easily set up, taken down, and transported.

Claims

1. A party accessory storage and display unit, comprising: a central portion having a first planar panel and a second planar panel, the first and second planar panels being spaced apart from each other and connected to each other to form a U-shaped opening there between; a display panel hingeably and detachably mounted on central portion to move between an open position upright with respect to the central portion and a closed position adjacent to the central portion; a first pivotal member and a second pivotal member being pivotally connected to the central portion to move into and out of the U-shaped opening between a storage condition inside the U-shaped opening and a serving position in which the first pivotal member and the second pivotal member are located outside the U-shaped opening; the first pivotal member and the second pivotal member each having a surface which is a top surface comprising a plurality of compartments constructed to support items for a social event; and the central portion having a top surface and a plurality of compartments constructed to support items for the social event.

2. The party accessory storage and display unit of claim 1, further comprising a pivot pin for pivotally connecting the first pivotal member and the second pivotal member to the central portion of the unit.

3. The party accessory storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein the display panel includes a chalk board for selectively receiving and displaying indicia.

4. A party accessory storage and display unit, comprising: a central portion having a U-shaped opening defined therein and a top surface defining the U-shaped opening; at least a first pivotal member and a second pivotal member, each having a top surface and each pivotably mounted on the central portion to move between a first position located inside the U-shaped opening of the central portion and a second position extending outwardly of the U-shaped opening of the central portion; and a plurality of storage compartments defined on the top surface of each first pivotal member and second pivotal member and on the top surface of the central portion, each storage compartment being adapted to accommodate an accessory for a social event.

5. The party accessory storage and display unit of claim 4, further comprising a display panel hingeably mounted on the central portion for selectively receiving and displaying indicia, and wherein the display panel includes a chalk board.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The components in the FIGURE are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic, front perspective view of a party accessory storage and display unit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) The single FIGURE, FIG. 1, illustrates a party accessory storage and display unit 10, which comprises a central portion 20 formed by two spaced-apart planar panels 22 and 24 defining a U-shape opening 26 there between. Pivot pins 30 and 32 are positioned respectively adjacent to corners 34, 36 of spaced-apart planar panels 22, 24. A display panel 40 is detachably mounted on central portion 20 by a hinge 42 which is provided in order for the display panel 40 to be moved toward and away from central portion 20, as indicated by the double-headed arrow 44. As shown in the FIGURE, display panel 40 is in an upright position with respect to central portion 20; however, it is apparent that display panel 40 may be folded or swung downwardly to rest against top panel 22.

(4) Pivot pin 30 connects central portion 20 to a first pivotal member 50, and pivot pin 32 connects central portion 20 to a second pivotal member 52, in a manner such that pivotal members 50 and 52 are movable into and out of opening 26 as indicated by the double-headed arrows 54 and 56, respectively. Rotation of first and second pivotal members 50, 52 into opening 26 defines a storage position for storage and display unit 10; whereas, rotation of first and second pivotal members 50, 52 outwardly from opening 26 defines a serving position for storage and display unit 10, more about which is discussed herein below. In the FIGURE, a serving position for party accessory storage and display unit 10 is illustrated.

(5) Conversely, when in a storage position, first and second pivotal members 50, 52 are positioned one on top of each other when they are stowed in opening 26. When stored in opening 26, pivotal members 50, 52 fit neatly relative to each other and relative to opening 26 so that display panel 40 may be folded down to rest on top of top panel 22. When pivotal members 50, 52 are thus stored, unit 10 is easily transported. In some instances, display panel 40 may contain indicia, such as Happy Birthday, Welcome Baby, and Merry Christmas as indicated at reference numeral 58 in the FIGURE. As such, display panel 40 may be a chalk board or the like so that indicia may be easily applied there on.

(6) Each pivotal member 50, 52 has a top surface which is easily seen when members 50, 52 are rotated outwardly relative to opening 26 to define a serving position for storage and display unit 10. As illustrated in the FIGURE, top surface 74 of member 50 includes several compartments as indicated by reference numerals 80, 82, 84, and 86. Circular compartments 80 and 82 may contain eating accessory items, such as, for example, drinking cups. Rectangular compartment 84 may contain forks, spoons, and/or knives; and rectangular compartment 86 may contain straws. Top surface 76 of second pivotal member 52 contains rectangular units or compartments 90 and 92. Compartment 90 may contain condiments and compartment 92 may contain napkins. Top surface 100 of top panel 22 has a plurality of compartments, as indicated at reference numerals 110, 112, and 114.

(7) Compartment 110 may contain bowls; compartment 112 may contain large plates; and compartment 114 may contain small plates, such as dessert plates. Even though not shown, additional compartments may be included in the invention without departing from the scope of the disclosure as is apparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, as disclosed herein above, the storage and display unit 10 is comprised of several compartments which are constructed to hold accessories for serving food. It is to be further appreciated, that the compartments of storage and display unit 10 of the present invention may be constructed to hold food items, per se, such as, for example, sandwiches, luncheon meats, salads, buns, cookies, cakes, and the like.

(8) The pivotal members 50, 52 are interleaved in opening 26 during storage and have sufficient spacing between them to store items on them during such storage. In this manner, a complete party or social gathering set up may be prepared prior to the actual social event and then stored for future use. This makes a party or social gathering set up quick, efficient and easy. The storage and display unit 10 of the invention may also be stored in a carrying case (not shown) for easy transport. Conversely, the unit 10 may include an external handle wherein the unit 10 can be collapsed an in manner apparent from the above description and then manually transported.

(9) The party accessory storage and display unit 10 of the invention is comprised of relatively rigid material, such as, for example, plastic. Even though the single FIGURE shows the compartments are being relatively shallow, it is to be appreciated that the compartments of first and second pivotal members 50, 52 and central portion 20, along with first and second pivotal members 50, 52 and central portion 20 will have the necessary depth to hold and carry the accessory items in unit 10.

(10) While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the single FIGURE, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating there from. For example, even though the party accessory storage and display unit 10 of the present invention has been disclosed herein above as comprising a plurality of compartments for accommodating party accessories, such as napkins, forks, spoons, straws, and the like, the compartments may also accommodate food and beverages for the social event. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention.