HUMAN FIGURE AND TRAY APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus which includes a structure which resembles a human being; wherein the structure has a head section, an arms section, a torso section, and a legs section; and further comprising a first tray fixed to the structure; and wherein at least a portion of the arms section is underneath the first tray, and supports the first tray. The apparatus may further include a second tray which is fixed to the structure at a location below the first tray. The apparatus may further include first and second members which are configured to hold a plurality of glasses below the second tray. The apparatus may further include a first and second devices having first ends and second ends opposite the first ends for attaching to the first tray and second tray to cause the first tray to support the second tray.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a structure which resembles a human being; wherein the structure has a head section, an arms section, a torso section, and a legs section; and further comprising a first tray fixed to the structure; and wherein at least a portion of the arms section is underneath the first tray, and supports the first tray; and further comprising first and second members which are configured to hold a plurality of glasses below the first tray; wherein there is a distance between the first and second members: wherein each of the plurality of glasses has a bottom section, connected to a neck section which is connected to a top section from which an individual drinks liquid; wherein the first and second members, and the plurality of glasses are configured so that each of the plurality of glasses is configured to be held suspended upside down, by a combination of the first and second members; wherein each of the plurality of glasses, when suspended by the combination of the first and second members is configured to be in a first orientation with respect to the first and second members, such that the bottom section and the top section of each of the plurality of glasses prevent detachment of each of the plurality of glasses from the apparatus, when each of the plurality of glasses is in the first orientation with respect to the first and second members; and wherein each of the plurality of glasses is configured to be separated from the apparatus by changing the orientation of each of the plurality of glasses with respect to the first and second members to a second orientation to allow detachment of each of the plurality of glasses from the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a second tray which is fixed to the structure at a location below the first tray.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first member has a first end, and an opposing second end; the second member has a first end, and an opposing second end; each of the first ends of the first and second members is fixed at a bottom surface of the second tray; and each of the second ends of the first and second members is fixed at a bottom surface of the second tray.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising first device having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and wherein the first end of the first device is attached to the first tray and the second end of the first device is attached to the second tray, and the the first tray supports the second tray through the first device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a second device having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the second device; and wherein the first end of the second device is attached to the first tray at a different location from the first end of the first device and the second end of the second device is attached to the second tray at a different location from the second end of the first device, and the first tray supports the second tray through the second device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a top article of clothing configured to removably attach to the structure to cover at least a front chest portion of the structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bottom article of clothing configured to removably attach to the structure to cover at least a waist portion of the structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a bottom article of clothing configured to removably attach to the structure to cover at least a waist portion of the structure.

9. A method comprising placing items on a first tray of an apparatus; and wherein the apparatus includes: a structure which resembles a human being; wherein the structure has a head section, an arms section, a torso section, and a legs section; wherein the first tray is fixed to the structure; and wherein at least a portion of the arms section is underneath the first tray, and supports the first tray; and wherein the apparatus is further comprised of: first and second members which are configured to hold a plurality of glasses below the first tray; wherein there is a distance between the first and second members; wherein each of the plurality of glasses has a bottom section, connected to a neck section which is connected to a top section from which an individual drinks liquid; wherein the first and second members, and the plurality of glasses are configured so that each of the plurality of glasses is configured to be held suspended upside down, by a combination of the first and second members; wherein each of the plurality of glasses, when suspended by the combination of the first and second members is configured to be in a first orientation with respect to the first and second members, such that the bottom section and the top section of each of the plurality of glasses prevent detachment of each of the plurality of glasses from the apparatus, when each of the plurality of glasses is in the first orientation with respect to the first and second members; and wherein each of the plurality of glasses is configured to be separated from the apparatus by changing the orientation of each of the plurality of glasses with respect to the first and second members to a second orientation to allow detachment of each of the plurality of glasses from the apparatus.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the apparatus includes second tray which is fixed to the structure at a location below the first tray.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the apparatus includes first and second members which are configured to hold a plurality of glasses below the second tray; and wherein the first member has a first end, and an opposing second end; the second member has a first end, and an opposing second end; each of the first ends of the first and second members is fixed at a bottom surface of the second tray; and each of the second ends of the first and second members is fixed at a bottom surface of the second tray.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein first device has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and wherein the first end of the first device is attached to the first tray and the second end of the first device is attached to the second tray, and the first device causes the first tray to support the second tray.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein The apparatus includes a second device having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the second device; and wherein the first end of the second device is attached to the first tray at a different location from the first end of the first device and the second end of the second device is attached to the second tray at a different location from the second end of the second device, and the second device causes the first tray to support the second tray.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the apparatus includes a top article of clothing configured to removably attach to the structure to cover at least a front chest portion of the structure.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the apparatus includes a bottom article of clothing configured to removably attach to the structure to cover at least a waist portion of the structure.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the apparatus includes a bottom article of clothing configured to removably attach to the structure to cover at least a waist portion of the structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a left side, top, and front perspective view of a human figure and tray apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of a second human figure and tray apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the second human figure and tray apparatus of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a human figure and tray apparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the human figure and tray apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the human figure and tray apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the human figure and tray apparatus 1.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the human figure and tray apparatus 1 includes a figure, physical representation, cutout, or statue of a person 2, a base or bases 28, and 30, a tray 40, and a tray 60.

[0022] The physical representation 2 has a plurality of sections or regions including a head 3, upper arms 4 and 8, lower arms including simplistic representation of hands 6 and 10, chest 12, torso or lower torso and hip region 14, upper legs 16 and 22, lower legs 18 and 24, and knees 17 and 23 (shown in FIG. 2). The physical representation 2 further includes shoes and/or feet 20 and 26.

[0023] The shoes and/or feet 20 and 26 are fixed to the base 28, which is fixed to the base 30.

[0024] The tray 40, in at least one embodiment, is preferably physically supported by lower arm portions 6 and 10 as shown by FIGS. 4 and 5. The lower arm portions 6 and 10 are shown underneath a bottom and/or bottom surface 50 of the tray 40.

[0025] The tray 40 includes walls 42, 44, 46, and 48, and the bottom and/or bottom surface 50 which make up a box structure having an opening at the top, leading to a recess or indentation enclosed by the walls 42, 44, 46, and 48. The tray 40 is shown as a rectangular shape but may be other shapes.

[0026] The tray 60 includes walls 62, 64, and 66, and a bottom and/or bottom surface 67. The tray 60 is fixed to physical representation 2 just below knee sections 17 and 24 as shown by the combination of FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. The tray 60 is also supported by cords 52 and 54. Cord 52 has one end fixed to wall 66 of tray 60 and an opposite end fixed to bottom 50 and/or to wall 46, nearer wall 46 than wall 42 the tray 40. Cord 54 has one end fixed to wall 62 of tray 60 and an opposite end fixed to bottom 50 or wall 42, nearer wall 42 than to wall 46 of the tray 40.

[0027] The human figure and tray apparatus 1 may be made substantially of wood, hard plastic or some other rigid material, which some exceptions.

[0028] Each of the cords 52 and 54 may be a chain or a rope. The human figure and tray apparatus 1 further includes members 68 and 70, each of which may be made of metal. The members 68 and 70 each has a first end fixed at the bottom surface of bottom 67, nearer the wall 66 than to the wall 62, and a second end fixed at the bottom surface of bottom 67, nearer the wall 62 than to the wall 66.

[0029] The tray 40 may be used to hold a drinking glass or glasses with a beverage inside of the glass or glasses, with the glasses in an upright position, and the bottom of the glasses resting and supported by the bottom or bottom surface 50 of the tray 40, shown in FIG. 1. The tray 40 may also be used to hold a plate or other receptacle containing food. The tray 60 may also be used to hold drinking glasses and/or receptacles of food in a similar or identical manner to the tray 40.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of a second human figure and tray apparatus 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the second human figure and tray apparatus 100 of FIG. 8.

[0032] The second human figure and tray apparatus may be identical and/or substantially similar to the human figure and tray apparatus 1, except as will be described.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the second human figure and tray apparatus 100 includes an electrical cord 102, which is stapled or otherwise fixed at various locations to the body of the second human figure and tray apparatus 100, such as by staples 106, 108, 110, and 112. The electrical cord 102 has an first end at which is located an electrical plug 104 having prongs for inserting into a conventional electrical outlet.

[0034] The electrical cord 102 has a second end, which is opposite the first end, and which is electrically connected to a light 116 shown in a simplistic form in FIG. 9. The electrical cord 102 may be connected to light 116 so that the second end of the electrical cord 102 is hidden in both FIGS. 8 and FIG. 9.

[0035] The second apparatus 100 also includes top piece of clothing 114 which covers an upper part of the body of the apparatus 100, such as a front chest and/or front neck area. The top piece of clothing 114 is shown in dashed line format, and may be removably attached to the front chest and/or neck area of the apparatus 100 by Velcro (trademarked) hooks and/or loop portions on the clothing 114 and mating portions on the chest and/or next area of the body of the apparatus 100.

[0036] The second apparatus 100 also includes a bottom piece of clothing 118, which in at least one embodiment covers only the upper thighs. However, in other embodiments, the bottom piece of clothing may cover a waist area and/or a portion of legs of the apparatus 100. The bottom piece of clothing 118 is shown in dashed line format, and may be removably attached to the waist and/or legs area of the apparatus 100 by Velcro (trademarked) hooks and/or loop portions on the clothing 118 and mating portions on the waist and/or legs area of the body of the apparatus 100.

[0037] The clothing 114 and/or 118 can be removably attached to the rest of apparatus 100 in other ways, such as with removable adhesives, such as used for Post It (trademarked), technologies, or by snaps or in any other known manner.

[0038] The removable nature of the clothing 114 and 118 allows someone to change the clothing 114 and 118 to a different style clothing, and a plurality of articles of clothing may be provided for 114 and/or 118, which can be changed depending on the day or occasion. One can select the particular article of clothing 114 and/or 118 that one wants to attach to the rest of the apparatus 100. The clothing 114 and 118 may be removed entirely.

[0039] In FIG. 9, there are also shown a plurality of drinking glasses 120, which may be a plurality of wine glasses. The plurality of drinking glasses 120 may be thought of as being connected to the apparatus 100 and/or as being part of the apparatus 100. The drinking glasses 120 include glass 121. The glass 121 has a bottom section 121a connected to a neck section 121b, which is connected to a top section 121c from which someone drinks liquid, such as wine. The glass 121 and each of glasses 120 are shown upside down in FIG. 9. Each of the other five glasses of glasses 120 may be identical to the glass 121.

[0040] Each glass of glasses 120, including glass 121, is shown suspended by the members 68 and 70 of the apparatus 100. There is a distance, D1, between the members 68 and 70, which is shown in FIG. 1. The smallest thickness and/or diameter part of the neck section 121b is configured to have a thickness and/or diameter which is less than the distance D1, so that the smallest thickness part of the neck section 121b can fit between the members 68 and 70. The bottom section 121a of the glass 121 has a thickness and/or diameter which is greater than the distance D1, so that the glass 121 is held in the position of FIG. 9 by the members 68 and 70. The top section 121c of the glass 121 has a thickness and/or diameter which is greater than the distance D1, so that the glass 121 cannot be removed by merely pulling the glass 121 upwards towards the head 3 of the apparatus 100.

[0041] In at least one embodiment, in order to remove the glass 121 from the apparatus 100, one needs to move the glass 121 upwards towards the head 3, and then rotate the glass 121, such as a rotation of ninety degrees so that the bottom section 121a is parallel or substantially parallel to the legs 18 and 24 of the apparatus 100. With the bottom section 121a rotated ninety degrees or about ninety degrees from the orientation shown in FIG. 9, and with glass moved upwards towards the head 3, the glass 121 is now configured to be pulled downwards towards the feet 20 and 26, and out and away from the apparatus 100.

[0042] In FIG. 9, the bottom section 121a is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the legs 18 and 24, and in this orientation, the glass 121 is held suspended by the members 68 and 70.

[0043] Unlike the tray 40, the tray 60 does not have a front wall (like wall 44) in order to allow someone to more easily remove the drinking glasses, such as drinking glasses 120, from the apparatus 100.

[0044] Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.