EASY ACCESS SHELVING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a multiple tray assembly that provides easy access to various small parts or ingredients. The multiple tray assembly comprises one or more tray assemblies, a mounting portion, and an axle coupling the tray assemblies with the mounting portion. The mounting portion is configured to be attached to an underside of a countertop or workbench. Each tray assembly holds a tray and is rotatable relative to the mounting portion. Protrusions disposed around a circumference of each tray assembly facilitate using fingers to move the tray assemblies with respect to the mounting portion. The axle has a length for coupling one or more tray assemblies with the mounting portion, and the diameter of the axle allows for rotation of the tray assemblies. During use, the tray assemblies can be quickly and easily rotated out from under the countertop or workbench to access stored items.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing items, comprising: one or more tray assemblies; a mounting portion; and an axle coupling the one or more tray assemblies with the mounting portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more tray assemblies comprises a tray assembly that includes a tray support portion and a support portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tray support portion comprises a ring-like member having a central opening configured to receive a suitably shaped and sized tray that is configured to store the items.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tray support portion is made of a rigid material that is capable of supporting the combined weight of the tray and the weight of the stored items without warping or bending out of shape.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein multiple protrusions are disposed around the circumference of the tray support portion and are configured to facilitate using fingers to move the tray assembly with respect to the mounting portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the multiple protrusions comprises five protrusions that are distributed substantially uniformly around the tray support portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support portion comprises a reinforced portion that is configured to couple the tray support portion to the mounting portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the support portion is configured to maintain the orientation of the tray support portion with respect to the mounting portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the support portion is configured to support the total weight of the tray support portion, the tray, and the total weight of the stored items in the tray.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support portion includes a reinforced hole configured to receive the axle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the reinforced hole has an inner diameter that allows the axle to rotate within the hole, such that the tray assembly can be rotated with respect to the mounting portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the axle is retained within the reinforced hole by way of a snap-pin.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the material comprising the support portion that surrounds the reinforced hole is configured to ride on the snap-pin when the tray assembly is rotated relative to the mount portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the axle comprises a one-tray axle that is configured to couple one tray assembly with the mounting portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one-tray axle has an exterior diameter sized to be received into the reinforced hole comprising the support portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one-tray axle includes snap-pin holes and parallel recesses that are configured to fixedly receive the snap-pin such that the tray assembly is slidably coupled with the mounting portion.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one-tray axle has a length that accepts the one tray assembly disposed between the mounting portion and the snap-pin.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the axle comprises a four-tray axle that is configured to couple four tray assemblies with the mounting portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the axle comprises a three-tray axle that is configured to couple three tray assemblies with the mounting portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the axle comprises a two-tray axle that is configured to couple two tray assemblies with the mounting portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an upper isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a tray assembly and mounting portion that are configured to provide easy access to one or more types of small parts or ingredients, according to the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a lower isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a tray assembly and mounting portion that are configured to provide easy access to one or more types of small parts or ingredients in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a group of differently sized axles that may be incorporated into a tray assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-tray assembly comprising three tray assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an upper view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-tray assembly comprising three tray assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary-use environment comprising a bar or a kitchen, wherein a multi-tray assembly is fastened underneath a countertop to provide easy access to one or more ingredients.

[0030] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the multi-tray assembly and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as first tray, may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the first tray is different than a second tray. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term coupled is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms about, approximately, or substantially for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

[0032] Conventional small parts drawer cabinets are considered a convenient way to organize small items, but they have some drawbacks. One drawback is that small parts drawer cabinets can be difficult to keep organized. For example, without labeling the drawers, it can be easy to lose track of the drawers that store specific items. Further, the drawers can quickly become overcrowded when there are a lot of specific items to be stored, causing the drawers to jam when opened quickly. Another drawback to conventional small parts drawer cabinets is that they can be bulky and take up a lot of valuable space on a workbench, a countertop, or even floor space if there are many items to be stored. Embodiments presented herein provide a multi-tray assembly that provides easy access to various small parts or ingredients without taking up an undue amount of space on a workbench or requiring a lot of effort to move around a workspace during a project.

[0033] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a tray assembly 100 and a mounting portion 104 that are configured to provide easy access to one or more types of small parts or ingredients without taking up an undue amount of space on a workbench or requiring a lot of effort to move around a workspace during a project, according to the present disclosure. The mounting portion 104 is configured to be fastened or otherwise attached to an underside of a countertop or workbench while the tray assembly 100 is configured to hold a tray that can be rotated relative to the mounting portion 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion 104 includes multiple holes 102 configured to receive hardware fasteners for installing the mounting portion 104 underneath the countertop or workbench. The holes 102 may be countersunk, counterbored, or otherwise machined to receive any of a variety of hardware fasteners, without limitation.

[0034] The tray assembly 100 comprises a tray support portion 108 and a support portion 112. The tray support portion 108 generally comprises a ring-like member having a central opening 116. The opening 116 is configured to receive a suitably shaped and sized tray, such as a tray 120 shown in FIG. 5 that is configured to hold a supply of desired small parts or ingredients. As will be appreciated, the tray support portion 108 generally has a diameter configured to support the tray 120. Further, the tray support portion 108 preferably is made of a rigid material, such as metal or any of a variety of plastics that are capable of supporting the weight of the tray 120, as well as the small parts or ingredients stored in the tray 120, without warping or bending out of shape over time.

[0035] Support portion 112 comprises a reinforced portion of the tray assembly 100 that is configured to couple the tray support portion 108 to the mounting portion 104. Further, support portion 112 is configured to maintain the orientation of the tray support portion 108 with respect to the mounting portion 104. More specifically, support portion 112 is configured to prevent the tray support portion 108 from drooping or bending downwards with respect to a surface onto which the mounting portion 104 is fastened. As such, the support portion 112 is configured to support the total weight of the tray support portion 108, the tray 120, and the total weight of any small parts or ingredients stored in the tray 120.

[0036] As mentioned above, the support portion 112 is configured to couple the tray support portion 108 to the mounting portion 104. As best shown in FIG. 2, the support portion 112 includes a reinforced hole 124 that is configured to receive an axle 128 comprising the mounting portion 104. It is contemplated that the reinforced hole 124 has an inner diameter that allows the axle 128 to rotate within the hole 124, such that the tray assembly 100 may be rotated with respect to the mounting portion 104, as described herein. As shown in FIG. 2, the axle 128 is retained within the reinforced hole 124 by way of a snap-pin 132. As will be appreciated, the material comprising support portion 112 that surrounds the reinforced hole 124 is essentially configured to ride on the snap-pin 132 when the tray assembly 100 is rotated relative to the mounting portion 104. In other embodiments, any other suitable fastener may be utilized in place of, or in addition to, snap-pin 132.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, multiple protrusions 136 are disposed around the circumference of the tray support portion 108. Protrusions 136 are configured to facilitate a practitioner using fingers to move the tray support portions 108 with respect to the mounting portion 104. It is contemplated that the protrusions 136 are very well-suited for enabling the practitioner to select and move a desired tray support portion 108 without looking, especially when multiple tray assemblies are stacked vertically, as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, five protrusions 136 are distributed substantially uniformly around the tray support portion 108. It should be borne in mind, however, that any number of protrusions 136 may be distributed in any manner around the tray support portion 108, without limitation, and without straying from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a group 140 of differently sized axles that are each coupled with a mounting portion 104 and may be incorporated into a tray assembly, such as the tray assembly 100 of FIGS. 1-2, according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the group 140 of axles comprises a four-tray axle 144, a three-tray axle 148, a two-tray axle 152, and a one-tray axle 156. The one-tray axle 156 is substantially identical to the axle 128 of FIGS. 1-2, and thus, the one-tray axle 156 is configured to couple one tray assembly 100 with the mounting portion 104. As such, the one-tray axle 156 has an exterior diameter sized to be received into the reinforced hole 124, as discussed with respect to FIG. 2. Further, the one-tray axle 156 has a length 157 sufficient to accept one tray assembly 100 disposed between the mounting portion 104 and the snap-pin 132. As shown in FIG. 3, the one-tray axle 156 includes snap-pin holes 160 and parallel recesses 164. As best shown in FIG. 2, the snap-pin holes 160 and the recesses 164 are configured to enable the snap-pin 132 to be fixedly coupled with the axle 128, or the one-tray axle 156 shown in FIG. 3, such that the tray assembly 100 is slidably coupled with the mounting portion 104.

[0039] With continuing reference to FIG. 3, each of the four-tray axle 144, the three-tray axle 148, and the two-tray axle 152 is substantially similar to the one-tray axle 156, with the exception that each of the axles 144, 148, 152 have a length configured to support more than one tray assembly 100. For example, the two-tray axle 152 has a length 153 configured to support and couple two tray assemblies 100 to a mounting portion 104. The three-tray axle 148 has a length 149 configured to support and couple three tray assemblies 100 to a mounting portion 104 (see, for example, FIG. 4). Similarly, the four-tray axle 144 has a length 145 configured to support and couple four tray assemblies 100 to a mounting portion 104. As further shown in FIG. 3, each of the axles 144, 148, 152 includes snap-pin holes 160 and parallel recesses 164 disposed at an extremal end and configured to receive a snap-pin 132, as shown in FIG. 2. As discussed herein, snap-pin 132 is configured to support the tray assemblies 100 in a sliding relationship with respect to the mounting portion 104. Further, the snap-pin holes 160 and the parallel recesses 164 are configured to allow the tray assembly 100 that is immediately adjacent to the snap-pin 132 to ride on the snap-pin 132 when the tray assembly 100 is rotated relative to the mounting portion 104.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a multi-tray assembly 168 comprising three tray assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure. The multi-tray assembly 168 comprises a top tray assembly 172, a middle tray assembly 176, and a bottom tray assembly 180 that are coupled with a mounting portion 104 by way of a three-tray axle 148. Upon comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 1, it is straightforward to see that each of the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180, shown in FIG. 4, is substantially identical to the tray assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1. As such, the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180 are identical to one another, and thus the tray assemblies 100, 172, 176, 180 are modular components that may be interchanged, rearranged, or replaced as desired. It will be appreciated, therefore, that although there are three tray assemblies comprising the multi-tray assembly 168 shown in FIG. 4, any number of identical tray assemblies may be coupled with an axle of sufficient length to form a multi-tray assembly.

[0041] Turning, now, to FIG. 5, an upper view of the multi-tray assembly 168 of FIG. 4 is shown with trays 120 installed, in accordance with the present disclosure. More specifically, a tray 120 has been placed into each of the top tray assembly 172, the middle tray assembly 176, and the bottom tray assembly 180. As further shown in FIG. 5, protrusions 136 comprising each of the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180 have been used to rotate each of the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180 to a different position with respect to the mounting portion 104. In the positions shown in FIG. 5, any contents stored in the three trays 120 may be easily accessed, as desired.

[0042] Moreover, it should be borne in mind that the trays 120 are not to be limited to the specific configuration shown in FIG. 5. For example, in some embodiments, the trays 120 may include any of various organizational features, such as dividers that subdivide the storage area of the tray 120. In some embodiments, the trays 120 may be monolithically formed to include dividers that provide smaller storage areas within the trays 120. In some embodiments, the trays 120 may be configured to receive optional dividers inserted into the trays 120 by a practitioner desiring to further organize the stored items. Further, it is contemplated that the trays 120 may be configured to include any of various colors, engravings, diagrams, symbols, letters, as well as optional labels for practitioner use, without limitation.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary-use environment 182 wherein a multi-tray assembly 184 is used to provide easy access to one or more ingredients. Exemplary-use environment 182 comprises a bar or a kitchen that includes a countertop 188. A mounting portion 104 comprising the multi-tray assembly 184 is fastened to a lower surface 192 of the countertop 188 by way of hardware fasteners 196. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the hardware fasteners 196 comprise screws. In other embodiments, however, the hardware fasteners 196 may comprise any suitable device for attaching the mounting portion 104 to the lower surface 192, without limitation.

[0044] As will be appreciated, the multi-tray assembly 184 shown in FIG. 6 is substantially identical to the multi-tray assembly 168 shown in FIG. 5. As such, the multi-tray assembly 184 comprises a top tray assembly 172, a middle tray assembly 176, and a bottom tray assembly 180 that are coupled with the mounting portion 104 by way of a three-tray axle 148 and a snap-pin 132. Further, a tray 120 is positioned in each of the top tray assembly 172, the middle tray assembly 176, and the bottom tray assembly 180. As shown in FIG. 6, the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180 are all aligned with one another and are positioned beneath the countertop 188. It is contemplated that in cases wherein environment 182 is a bar, each of the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180 may store a unique ingredient, such as drink garnishes. For example, the top tray assembly 172 may store olives while lemon slices are stored in the middle tray assembly 176, and salt is stored in the lower tray assembly 180. A practitioner may quickly and easily access olives, lemon slices, or salt by simply using a finger to pull on the protrusions 136 respectively comprising the tray assemblies 172, 176, 180.

[0045] Methods for a multiple tray assembly 168 that provides easy access to various small parts or ingredients may comprise forming one or more tray assemblies, configuring a mounting portion 104 to support the one or more tray assemblies, and configuring an axle 128 for coupling the one or more tray assemblies with the mounting portion 104. In some embodiments, configuring the mounting portion 104 includes configuring the mounting portion 104 to be attached to an underside of a countertop or workbench. Configuring the mounting portion 104 may, in some embodiments, include forming multiple holes 102 to receive hardware fasteners for installing the mounting portion 104 underneath the countertop or workbench. Further, in some embodiments, forming the one or more tray assemblies includes configuring each of the one or more tray assemblies to hold a tray and be rotatable relative to the mounting portion 104.

[0046] Forming each of the one or more tray assemblies may, in some embodiments, comprise forming a tray support portion 108 and a support portion 112 that comprise a tray assembly 100. In some embodiments, forming the tray support portion 108 comprises configuring a ring-like member having a central opening 116 to receive a suitably shaped and sized tray 120. As will be appreciated, forming the tray support portion 108 may include configuring a diameter of the tray support portion 108 to support the tray 120. Further, forming the tray support portion 108 may include, in some embodiments, using a rigid material that is capable of supporting the combined weight of the tray 120 and the weight of the stored items without warping or bending out of shape. Further, in some embodiments, forming the tray support portion 108 may include disposing multiple protrusions 136 around the circumference of the tray support portion 108 and configuring the multiple protrusions 136 to facilitate using fingers to move the tray assembly 100 with respect to the mounting portion 104. In some embodiments, however, disposing the multiple protrusions 136 comprises distributing five protrusions 136 substantially uniformly around the tray support portion 108.

[0047] Forming the support portion 112 may, in some embodiments, comprise configuring a reinforced portion to couple the tray support portion 108 to the mounting portion 104. In some embodiments, forming the support portion 112 includes configuring the support portion 112 to maintain the orientation of the tray support portion 108 with respect to the mounting portion 104. Further, in some embodiments, forming the support portion 112 includes configuring the support portion 112 to support the total weight of the tray support portion 108, the tray 120, and the total weight of the stored items in the tray 120.

[0048] In some embodiments, forming the support portion 112 may include configuring a reinforced hole 124 to receive the axle 128. As will be appreciated, configuring the reinforced hole 124 may include, in some embodiments, configuring an inner diameter of the reinforced hole 124 that allows the axle 128 to rotate within the hole 124, such that the tray assembly 100 can be rotated with respect to the mounting portion 104. Configuring the axle 128 may, in some embodiments, include configuring the axle 128 to be retained within the reinforced hole 124 by way of a snap-pin 132. Further, in some embodiments, configuring the reinforced hole 124 includes configuring the material comprising support portion 112 that surrounds the reinforced hole 124 to ride on the snap-pin 132 when the tray assembly 100 is rotated relative to the mounting portion 104.

[0049] The methods for a multiple tray assembly 168 may, in some embodiments, include configuring the axle 128 to couple the one or more tray assemblies with the mounting portion 104. In some embodiments, configuring the axle 128 comprises configuring a one-tray axle 156 to couple one tray assembly 100 with the mounting portion 104. Further, in some embodiments, configuring the one-tray axle 156 includes sizing an exterior diameter of the one-tray axle 156 to be received into the reinforced hole 124 comprising the support portion 112. In some embodiments, configuring the one-tray axle 156 may include configuring snap-pin holes 160 and parallel recesses 164 to fixedly receive the snap-pin 132 such that the tray assembly 100 is slidably coupled with the mounting portion 104.

[0050] Moreover, in some embodiments, configuring the one-tray axle 156 includes forming a length of the one-tray axle 156 that accepts the one tray assembly 100 disposed between the mounting portion 104 and the snap-pin 132. In some embodiments, configuring the axle 128 may comprise configuring a four-tray axle 144 to couple four tray assemblies 100 with the mounting portion 104. In some embodiments, configuring the axle 128 may comprise configuring a three-tray axle 148 that is configured to couple three tray assemblies 100 with the mounting portion 104. Further, in some embodiments, configuring the axle 128 may comprise configuring a two-tray axle 152 that is configured to couple two tray assemblies 100 with the mounting portion 104.

[0051] While the multi-tray assembly and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the multi-tray assembly is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the multi-tray assembly. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the multi-tray assembly, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the multi-tray assembly found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.