Special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away

Abstract

A tray storage and hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away. The system is made of a pair of Z-shaped or J-shaped slide rails configured such that one leg of each rail is contiguous to a bottom surface of a table and secured to the bottom surface of the table, therefore the rails form a channel to slide at least one tray below the table for storage when not in use carrying food and drinks within a fast-food restaurant.

Claims

1. A Special tray hide away rail system for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away comprised of: (a) a pair of Z-shaped slide rails made of a durable material and configured such that one leg of each rail is contiguous to a bottom surface of a table; (b) a set of at least two apertures in each of the contiguous legs of each slide rail; and (c) a means to secure each of the slide rails to the bottom surface of the table wherein the pair of Z-shaped slide rails are affixed to the bottom of the table and serving trays at a fast-food restaurant can be temporarily stored therein.

2. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein the slide rails are further comprised with an end stop to stop trays.

3. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein the slide rails are further comprised with an upturn to stop trays.

4. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein durable material of the slide rails is selected from a group consisting of metal, steel, powder coated steel, high density extruded polyester plastic HDPE, a flame retarded composite material, and a flame retarded plastic.

5. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein the means for securely fastening slide rails to the bottom surface of the table is selected from a group consisting of threaded screws, bolts, adhesive strip, push barbs, nail, rivet, and adhesive liquid.

6. A Special tray hide away rail system for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away comprised of: (a) a pair of J-shaped slide rails made of a durable material and configured such that one leg of each rail is contiguous to a bottom surface of a table; (b) a set of at least two apertures in each of the contiguous legs of each slide rail; and (c) a means to secure each of the slide rails to the bottom surface of the table wherein the pair of J-shaped slide rails are affixed to the bottom of the table and serving trays at a fast-food restaurant can be temporarily stored therein.

7. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 6 wherein the slide rails are further comprised with an end stop to stop trays.

8. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein the slide rails are further comprised with an upturn to stop trays.

9. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein durable material of the slide rails is selected from a group consisting of metal, steel, powder coated steel, high density extruded polyester plastic HDPE, a flame retarded composite material, and a flame retarded plastic.

10. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein the means for securely fastening slide rails to the bottom surface of the table is selected from a group consisting of threaded screws, bolts, adhesive strip, push barbs, nail, rivet, and adhesive liquid.

11. A Special tray hide away rail system for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away comprised of: (a) a set of three of Z-shaped slide rails made of a durable material and configured such that one leg of each rail is contiguous to a bottom surface of a table and configured such that the ends of the set of Z-shaped slide rails are mitered to fit contiguously to each of the other slide rails; (b) a set of at least two apertures in each of the contiguous legs of each slide rail; and (c) a means to secure each of the slide rails to the bottom surface of the table wherein the pair of Z-shaped slide rails are affixed to the bottom of the table and serving trays at a fast-food restaurant can be temporarily stored therein.

12. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 11 wherein the slide rails are further comprised with an end stop to stop trays.

13. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 11 wherein the slide rails are further comprised with an upturn to stop trays.

14. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 11 wherein durable material of the slide rails is selected from a group consisting of metal, steel, powder coated steel, high density extruded polyester plastic HDPE, a flame retarded composite material, and a flame retarded plastic.

15. The Special tray hide away rail system in claim 1 wherein the means for securely fastening slide rails to the bottom surface of the table is selected from a group consisting of threaded screws, bolts, adhesive strip, push barbs, nail, rivet, and adhesive liquid.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIGURES

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Special tray hide away rail systems for fast food that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the system and its components. It is understood, however, that the Special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0021] FIGS. 1 A through 1 D are sketches of the general tray storage device called Tray Away.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sketch of the table tray storage device called Tray Away.

[0023] FIGS. 3 A through 3 C are sketches of the tray storage device with the components and features shown from generally a bottom and end view and fastening means for attaching rails to the table.

[0024] FIGS. 4 A and 4 B are sketches of an alternative embodiment of Tray Away and a set of prototype rails.

[0025] FIGS. 5 A through 5 F are sketches of the prototype device from various views.

[0026] FIGS. 6 A through 6 D are sketches of the tray storage device from an under the table view.

[0027] FIGS. 7 A and 7 B are sketches of details for the rails of the Tray Away device with features shown.

[0028] FIGS. 8 A and 8 B are sketches of the original design sketches for the special tray storage device called Tray Away.

[0029] FIGS. 9 A through 9 E are sketches of prior art for tray storage drawers and devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSREFERENCE NUMERALS

[0030] The following list refers to the drawings: Table B: Reference numbers

TABLE-US-00002 Ref # Description 30 Under the table tray storage device 30 31 Alternative J channel tray storage device 31 32 Alternative mitered tray storage device 32 33 Design sketch 33 of rail 40 35 Prototype tray storage device 35 called Tray Away 38 Original design sketches 38 40 Tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density extruded polyester plastic HDPE or equal (essentially a zee cross-section) 41 Alternative J channel 41 42 Aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting 45 End stops 45 or up turns 45A to stop trays 70 or rails 40 45A Up turns 45A 47 three piece mitered design 47 for zee 45 or J 45A cross-sections 50 Means 50 for securely fastening rails 40 to table 60, means such as threaded screws 51, bolts 52, adhesive strip 53, push barbs 54, nail 55, rivet 56, adhesive liquid 57, or equal 51 screw 51 52 bolts 52 53 adhesive strip 53 54 push barb 54 55 nail 55 56 rivet, pop rivet 56 57 adhesive tube and puddle 57 60 Table 60 for mounting tray away 30 65 Under surface 65 of table 60 66 Labels 66 for table tops with self-adhesive backs 68 Center post 68 table support 69 Table legs 69 70 Tray or baskets 70 80 Prior art hospital tray pull out 80 81 Prior art tool bench paper storage 81 82 Stool pull out tray 82 83 Computer table pen tray 83 84 Drawer organizer lift out tray 84

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] This invention relates to a Special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away. Some embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to temporary placement and storage of food trays for carrying food items at a fast food restaurant. More particularly, the present invention relates to table mounted tray storage rails.

[0032] The advantages for the Special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away 30 are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device: [0033] Allows restaurants, cafeterias, food courts, commissaries, colleges, fast food to keep tables cleaner; [0034] Provides more seating by allowing the customer to store their food tray or basket while eating instead of placing on adjacent table; [0035] is easily installed and adapted to existing restaurant tables; [0036] can be installed by low skilled persons with simple tools; [0037] is labor friendly and requires less labor in the dining area for tray returns from clients; [0038] provides a sanitary alternative to placing trays on trash containers or moving them up to the serving counter; [0039] uses existing and available materials; [0040] helps control theft of trays; [0041] helps control inadvertent placing of trays into trash containers; and [0042] can be color coded to theme of different restaurant franchises and establishments.

[0043] The preferred embodiment is a special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away comprised of: (a) a pair of Zee-shaped or J-shaped slide rails made of a durable material and configured such that one leg of each rail is contiguous to a bottom surface of a table; (b) a set of at least two apertures in each of the contiguous legs of each rail; and (c) a means to secure each of the rails to the bottom surface of the table wherein the pair of rails are affixed to the bottom of the table and serving trays at a fast-food restaurant can be temporarily stored therein. There are various options for the materials and configurations of the shapes for the rails as well as the means to affix the rails to the bottoms of the table.

[0044] There is shown in FIGS. 1-9 a complete description and operative embodiment of the special tray hide away rail systems for fast food as described within. In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well that the FIGS. 1-9 demonstrate the general configuration and use of this product. The various example uses are in the operation and use section, below.

[0045] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the special tray hide away rail systems 30 for fast food that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the special tray hide away rail systems 30 for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away. It is understood, however, that the system 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of tray storage systems, devices, and uses are still understood by one skilled in the art of tray storage and restaurant/fast food equipment and accessories to be within the scope and spirit shown here.

[0046] FIGS. 1 A through 1 D are sketches of the general tray storage device 30 called Tray Away. Shown in these sketches are: an under table tray storage device 30; an alternative J channel tray storage device 31; a prototype tray storage device 35 called Tray Away; a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal (essentially a zee cross-section); an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; a table 60 for mounting tray away 30; an under surface 65 or bottom of table 60; a set of table legs 69; and a tray or baskets 70.

[0047] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sketch of the table tray storage device 30 called Tray Away. This sketch details and demonstrates an under table tray storage device 30; a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal(essentially a zee cross-section); an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; a set of end stops 45 or up turns 45A to stop trays 70 or rails 40; an upturn 45A; a table 60 for mounting tray away 30; a center post 68 table support; and a tray or baskets 70.

[0048] FIGS. 3 A through 3 C are sketches of the tray storage device 30 with the components and features shown from generally a bottom and end view and fastening means for attaching rails to the table. These sketches show: an under table tray storage device 30; a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal (essentially a zee cross-section); an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; a means 50 for securely fastening rails 40 to table 60, means such as threaded screws 51, bolts 52, adhesive strip 53, push barbs 54, nail 55, rivet 56, adhesive liquid 57, or equal; and an under surface 65 or bottom of table 60. The fastening means 50 are demonstrated in FIG. 3 C.

[0049] FIGS. 4 A and 4 B are sketches of an alternative embodiment 41 of Tray Away and a set of prototype rails. These views illustrate: an alternative J channel tray storage device 31; a prototype tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, extruded high density polyester plastic HDPE or equal(essentially a zee cross-section); an alternative J channel 41; an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; and an under surface 65 or bottom of table 60.

[0050] FIGS. 5 A through 5 F are sketches of the prototype device 35 from various views. Displayed here are: a prototype tray storage device 35 called Tray Away; a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal (essentially a zee cross-section); an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; a means 50 for securely fastening rails 40 to table 60, means such as threaded screws 51, bolts 52, adhesive strip 53, push barbs 54, nail 55, rivet 56, adhesive liquid 57, or equal; a table 60 for mounting tray away 30; an under surface 65 or bottom of table 60; a set of table legs 69; and a tray or baskets 70.

[0051] FIGS. 6 A through 6 D are sketches of the tray storage device 30 from an under the table view. These views provide: a prototype tray storage device 35 called Tray Away; a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal(essentially a zee cross-section); an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; a means 50 for securely fastening rails 40 to table 60, means such as threaded screws 51, bolts 52, adhesive strip 53, push barbs 54, nail 55, rivet 56, adhesive liquid 57, or equal; a table 60 for mounting tray away 30; an under surface 65 or bottom of table 60; and a tray or baskets 70.

[0052] FIGS. 7 A and 7 B are sketches of details for the rails of the Tray Away device 30 with features shown. Portrayed and taught here are: a design sketch 33 of rail 40; and a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal.

[0053] FIGS. 8 A and 8 B are sketches of the original design sketches for the special tray storage device 30 called Tray Away. In these views are illustrated: an alternative mitered tray storage device 32; an original design sketches 38; a tray rail 40 made of a durable material such as steel, powder coated steel, high density polyester extruded plastic HDPE or equal; an aperture 42 in rail 40 for mounting; a three piece mitered design 47 for zee 45 or J 45A cross-sections; a means 50 for securely fastening rails 40 to table 60, means such as threaded screws 51, bolts 52, adhesive strip 53, push barbs 54, nail 55, rivet 56, adhesive liquid 57, or equal; and a center post 68 table support.

[0054] FIGS. 9 A through 9 E are sketches of prior art for tray storage drawers and devices. These sketches include: prior art hospital tray pull out 80; prior art tool bench paper storage 81; a stool pull out tray 82; a computer table pen tray 83; and a drawer organizer lift out tray 84. None anticipate or render obvious per se the new concept of the special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away.

[0055] The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a Special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of the art of tray storage and restaurant/fast food equipment and accessories and their uses well appreciates.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0056] The Special tray hide away rail systems 30 for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the Special tray hide away rail systems 30 for fast food.

[0057] The preferred embodiment is a special tray hide away rail systems for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away comprised of: (a) a pair of Z-shaped or J-shaped slide rails made of a durable material and configured such that one leg of each rail is contiguous to a bottom surface of a table; (b) a set of at least two apertures in each of the contiguous legs of each rail; and (c) a means to secure each of the rails to the bottom surface of the table wherein the pair of rails are affixed to the bottom of the table and serving trays at a fast-food restaurant can be temporarily stored therein. There are various options for the materials and configurations of the shapes for the rails as well as the means to affix the rails to the bottoms of the table.

[0058] The Special tray hide away rail systems 30 for fast food operates as follows:

a. a table is chosen;
b. measurement determines the spacing to match the width of the tray or basket being used;
c. a pair of rails are installed at the predetermined widths;
d. the installation means at each table is by driving fasteners [with or without pre-drilled apertures in the table bottom surface] or by using adhesive/double sided tape or the like between the top surface of the rails and the bottom surface of the table;
e. the notice label with a self-adhesive back is placed on the top of the table is placed to alert the customers of the storage feature now available with the table; and
f. procedure is repeated until the number of tables desired are completed.

[0059] Several examples of potential uses are anticipated for the Special tray hide away rail systems 30 for fast food. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.

TABLE-US-00003 ITEM DESCRIPTION 1 McDonalds restaurants 2 Burger King restaurants 3 Taco Bell restaurants 4 Wendy's restaurants 5 Arbys restaurants 6 Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants 7 Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants 8 Culvers restaurants

[0060] With this description it is to be understood that the Special tray hide away rail system 30 for fast food restaurants called the Tray Away is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the system 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

[0061] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

[0062] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.

[0063] Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

[0064] The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of plane as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term plane when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase as used herein shall mean or similar language (e.g., herein this term means, as defined herein, for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean, etc.). References to specific examples, use of i.e., use of the word invention, etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein.

[0065] Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

[0066] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term approximately. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term approximately should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0067] The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.