Multifunctional lazy susan

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a multifunctional lazy susan comprising a multifunctional lazy susan that includes a pedestal, a tray rotatably and detachably fastened to the pedestal, and an arrangement of assembled plates positioned about an axis of rotation that extends through the tray and the pedestal. Each plate includes an aperture radially spaced about and proximate the axis of rotation, and a food or condiment dish is releasably coupled to each assembled plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lazy susan assembly that comprises a plurality of dinnerware or party-plates, hereafter referred to as plates or plate, that include beverage holder apertures releasably coupled to a dish supported on or above the plates. The plates are arranged on a tray that is rotatably and detachably fastened to a pedestal so that the releasable plates and detachable tray are multifunctional in that the assembly may be used either as a conventional lazy susan, or the tray may be detached from the pedestal so that persons may be individually served from the detached tray. In addition, any one or more of the plates may be selectively uncoupled from the dish for use apart from the lazy susan assembly or from the detached tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional lazy susan assembly having a rotatable, detachably tray for use with or apart from the lazy susan assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional lazy susan assembly having an arrangement of four plates, each plate shaped to fit within one quadrant of the rotatable and detachable tray.

It is another object of the present invention to provide at least one aperture in each plate, each aperture shaped to clasp and suspend a portion of a beverage container below the plate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a food/condiment dish, hereafter referred to as a dish, supported above or supported on the arrangement of four plates, the dish including a coupling member that releasably couples the dish to each plate.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cover that encloses the tray, the four plates, and the dish, the cover including a storage compartment for additional plates.

In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a multifunctional lazy susan comprising a multifunctional lazy susan that includes a pedestal, a tray rotatably and detachably fastened to the pedestal, and an arrangement of assembled plates positioned about an axis of rotation that extends through the tray and the pedestal. Each plate includes an aperture radially spaced about and proximate the axis of rotation, and a food or condiment dish is releasably coupled to each assembled plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present lazy susan invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lazy susan shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-section view taken from the portion labeled 3A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view with the cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view rotated 90-degrees with respect to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the lazy susan with the cover removed.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the lazy susan.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the lazy susan invention with the dish removed.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the lazy susan with the dish removed.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of one plate taken from the arrangement of plates shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the plate in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view taken along the lines 12-12 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view taken along the lines 13-13 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view taken along the lines 14-14 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is an elevation view taken along the lines 15-15 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the dish shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the dish in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view showing the bottom of the dish in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18A is an isometric view showing an alternate embodiment of the dish bottom.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-section view showing a bearing arrangement.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-section view showing an alternate bearing assembly.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-section view of the of the present lazy susan invention with the bearing assembly shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showing an alternate tray embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view showing an alternate tray embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view showing an alternate tray embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a lazy susan assembly 1 that includes a pedestal 2, a tray 10, an arrangement of assembled plates 20 for placement on tray 10, a dish 30, and a cover 40. Referring in particular to FIG. 2, pedestal 2 comprises a base end 3, a second end 4 adapted to detachably fasten to tray 10, and a transition portion 5 extending between base 3 and the second end. The second end 4 is adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten tray 10 to pedestal 2.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2 through 7, tray 10 comprises a flat or planer portion 11 for holding the assembled plates 20 and dish 30, an arcuate portion 12 shaped to correspond with the shape of plates 20, an outward extending inclined portion 13, and a downward extending connection member 14 adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten to the second end 4 of pedestal 2. A skirt or rim 15, attached to inclined portion 13, extends along the periphery of tray 10. Skirt 15 extends in a downward direction from tray 10 to a depth equal to or greater than the bottom end 16 of connection member 14 so that the bottom end 17 of the skirt 15 supports tray 10 when the tray is used as a tableware article separate from the lazy susan assembly. Skirt 15 further includes an upward extending portion 18 that includes handles 19. It should be understood that, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention shows a continuous vertical skirt 15 along the periphery of tray 10, skirt 15 may be discontinuous and/or inclined, and any number of handles may be provided, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, dish 30 is supported on tray 10 so that it is positioned a distance above the assembled of plates 20, and the dish is releasably coupled to each plate assembled nested on tray 10. The relationship between dish 30 and the assembled plates 20 is described in greater detail below.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, cover 40 includes a lid portion 41, and a storage compartment 42. Lid 41 comprises a box like shape having an open end 43 that is shaped to correspond with and enclose skirt 15. In the event that tray does not include a skirt, open end 43 is shaped to correspond with the periphery of the tray. The closed end 44 of lid 41 is supported on handles 19, and the lid hermetically seals the assembled plates 20, dish 30, and tray 10 when cover 40 is in place.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the lid portion 41 of cover 40 may also include a flexible tab 45 that releasably clasps and seals the bottom end 17 of skirt 15 or the bottom of tray 10 if the tray does not include a skirt.

Storage compartment 42 includes a sidewall 46 that extends in an upward direction from the lid 41, a closed top 47, and an opening 48 along wall 46 that provides access to a storage space 49 within the enclosure, the storage space sized to store at least one replacement assembly of four plates. In the preferred embodiment, storage compartment provides a storage space 49 for storing two sets of replacement plates 20a and 20b, each set comprising four plates.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, showing the multifunction lazy susan 1 with the food/condiment dish removed from the assembly, FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of four assembled plates 20 properly positioned on tray 10 with each plate occupying one quadrant of the tray. It should be understood that although the preferred embodiment shows a square plate, any plate shape, for example rectangular, circular, triangular, etc. may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention as long as the different shaped plate is capable of coupling to dish 30 as described below.

Each plate 20, in the arrangement of assembled plates, includes at least one beverage holder comprising a first aperture 21 and a smaller aperture 22 that extends from aperture 21 through one edge portion of plate 20. Both apertures 21 and 22 extend from top surface of each plate 20 through the bottom surface of the plate, and in the preferred embodiment, aperture 22 is a slot shape and it extends from the larger aperture 21 through one corner 23 of each square shaped plate 20. Aperture 21 is shaped and sized to clasp the side wall of a beverage container and suspend a portion of the container, for example a wine glass 27 as shown in FIG. 14, below the plate. Referring for a moment to FIG. 15, the smaller aperture 22 is shaped to accommodate a cup handle or the like. The cut through the edge of the plate provides clearance and enables the handle of cup 28 to extend outboard from the plate. Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, when the assembly of four plates 20 is properly positioned on tray 10, the first and second apertures 21 and 22 respectively, are radially spaced about a center axis or axis of rotation X-X that extends through tray 10 and pedestal 2.

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 15, each plate 20 includes a flat portion 24, an arcuate portion 25, and an inclined portion 26 that corresponds with the tray portions 11, 12, and 13 respectively so that the assembly of four plates is nested within tray 10 as shown in FIG. 8. It should be understood that although the plates 20 are intended for use with the present multifunctional lazy susan, they are suitable for use as separate tableware in any other food service or application without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 16 through 18, dish 30 comprises a top surface 31 shaped to hold foods or condiments, a bottom surface 32, and a continuous serpentine shaped coupling member 33 extending in a downward direction, the serpentine shape corresponding with the size, shape and arrangement of the plate apertures 21 and 22 when properly assembled and nested on tray 10 as shown in FIG. 9. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling member 33 extends through each aperture and contacts the flat portion 11 of tray 10 so that the bottom surface 32 of the dish supported a distance above the assembled plates 20, and so that each aperture portion of each plate 20 is releasably coupled to dish 30. The dish support arrangement is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the depth of coupling member 33 may be reduced so that it does not contact tray 10. In such an instance, the bottom surface 32 of dish 30 is supported directly on the arrangement of plates. This is less desirable than the preferred embodiment because when plates are uncoupled and removed from tray 10, the dish may tilt and spill its contents.

It should be understood that, although the preferred coupling member 33 comprises a single serpentine shape that resembles a clover shape, any shape and any number of coupling members may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, referring to FIG. 18A showing an alternate dish embodiment 30a, the dish comprises top surface 34, a bottom surface 35, and an arrangement of separate and downward extending coupling members 36 that correspond in size, shape, and number with the apertures extending through the arrangement of assembled plates 20 in FIG. 9.

Referring in general to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunctional lazy susan assembly 1 of the present invention enables a host to use selectively the collection of tableware articles in a lazy susan arrangement or apart from a lazy susan. When used in a lazy susan arrangement, the nested assembled plates 20 that are releasably coupled to dish 30 prevent the dish from sliding off the lazy susan when tray 10 is rotated on pedestal 2. In addition, tray 10 may be detached with the assembled plates 20 and dish 30 in place to serve individual guests. When served either from the lazy susan or by the host, the guest may uncouple his/her plate 20 from dish 30, and the beverage holder apertures clasp and suspend a beverage container from the plate, enabling the user to hold both food and beverage with a single hand. Because the beverage container is suspended below plate 20, the likelihood of spilling the beverage is reduced as compared to plates having holders that support a beverage container on a surface of the plate.

Referring to FIGS. 19-21, an alternate embodiment 1a of the present lazy susan assembly, as described above, tray 10 includes a flat or planer portion 11 for holding the assembled plates, and a downward extending connection member 14 that is adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten to a pedestal. In the present alternate embodiment 1a, connection member 14 includes a bearing mechanism 50 fixed within the connection member and adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten to pedestal 2 as shown in FIG. 21. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 20, a bearing mechanism 51 may be fixed to the second end 4 of pedestal 2 instead of tray 10, and bearing 51 is adapted to rotatably and detachably fasten within connection member 14 of tray 10 as shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showings an alternate tray embodiment 10a where tray 10a is inverted so that bearing mechanism 53 can be viewed. Tray 10a includes a flat or planer portion 11a for holding the assembled or nested plates as shown in FIG. 6, and a curved rim 52 that extends along the periphery of tray 10a. Curved rim 52 is shaped to correspond with and receive the nested arcuate portions 25 of plates 20 shown in FIGS. 10-15, and tray 10a does not include skirt 15 shown in FIGS. 2-7. Bearing mechanism 53 includes a mounting plate 54 fixed to the bottom surface of planer portion 11a, a base plate 55, and a bearing race 56 fixed between mounting plate 54 and base plate 55 to provide means to rotate tray 10a about the vertical axis X-X. Base plate 55 is adapted to either detachably fasten to a pedestal as shown in FIG. 21 or be placed directly on a flat surface, for example a table top, and because tray 10a does not include skirt 15 the distance between the supporting surface and tray 10a may be reduced.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view showings an alternate tray embodiment 10b where tray 10b is inverted so that bearing mechanism 57 can be viewed. Tray 10b includes a flat or planer portion 11b for holding the assembled or nested plates as shown in FIG. 6, and a curved rim 58 that extends along the periphery of tray 10b. Curved rim 58 is shaped to correspond with and receive the nested arcuate portions 25 of plates 20 shown in FIGS. 10-15, and tray 10b does not include skirt 15 shown in FIGS. 2-7. Bearing mechanism 57 includes a mounting ring 59 fixed to the bottom surface of planer portion 11b, and at least three rollers or wheels 60 rotatably attached to mounting ring 59. Wheels 60 are radially spaced apart along a wheel circle defined by mounting ring 59 coaxially aligned with the vertical axis of rotation X-X through tray 10b. Bearing mechanism 57 may be placed on a pedestal or any suitable flat surface such as a table top. Because tray 10b does not include skirt 15, the distance between the supporting surface and tray 10b may be reduced.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view showings an alternate tray embodiment 10c where tray 10cb is inverted so that bearing mechanism 61 can be viewed. Tray 10c includes a flat or planer portion 11c for holding the assembled or nested plates as shown in FIG. 6, and a curved rim 62 that extends along the periphery of tray 10c. Curved rim 62 is shaped to correspond with and receive the nested arcuate portions 25 of plates 20 shown in FIGS. 10-15, and tray 10c does not include skirt 15 shown in FIGS. 2-7. Bearing mechanism 61 includes at least three rollers or wheels 63 attached to the bottom surface of planer portion 11b along wheel circle 64 positioned about the vertical axis X-X of tray 10c. Wheels 63 may be placed on a pedestal or any suitable flat surface such as a table top. Because tray 10c does not include skirt 15, the distance between the supporting surface and tray 10c may be reduced.

As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments thereof that fulfill the objects of the present invention as set forth above and provides new and improved lazy susan device. Of course, various changes, modifications, and alterations from the teaching of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope hereof.

Claims

1. A lazy susan, comprising:

a) a rotatable tray;

b) an arrangement of assembled plates on said rotatable tray, each plate including at least one aperture extending there through, said assembly of plates arranged so that each said at least one aperture is radially spaced from and positioned proximate an axis of rotation that extends through said rotatable tray; and

c) a dish including at least one coupling member adapted to releasably couple to said assembly of plates.

2. The lazy susan recited in claim 1, wherein said tray comprises:

a) a tray surface shaped to contain said arrangement of assembled plates; and

b) a bearing mechanism attached to said rotatable tray, said bearing mechanism positioned to rotate said tray about said axis of rotation when said bearing is placed on a surface.

3. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, comprising: a skirt extending along a periphery of said tray, said skirt shaped to support said tray when said skirt is placed on a surface.

4. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: a mounting plate fixed to a bottom surface of said rotatable tray, a base plate, and a bearing race fixed between said mounting plate and said base plate.

5. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: a mounting ring fixed to a bottom surface of said rotatable tray; and at least three wheels rotatably fixed to said mounting ring, said at least three wheels positioned along a wheel circle about said axis of rotation.

6. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: at least three wheels fixed to said rotatably tray, said at least three wheels positioned along a wheel circle about said axis of rotation.

7. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said arrangement of assembled plates comprises: four plates, each plate shaped to occupy substantially one quadrant portion of said tray surface.

8. The lazy susan recited in claim 7, wherein each said at least one aperture extending through each said plate comprises:

a) a first aperture shaped and sized to clasp a side wall of a beverage container and suspend a portion of the clasped container below said plate; and

b) a second smaller aperture that extends from said first aperture through an edge portion of said plate.

9. The lazy susan recited in claim 8, wherein each said plate is square shaped and said second aperture extends from said first aperture through a corner of said plate.

10. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said coupling member extends downward from said dish and comprises a continuous serpentine shape that corresponds with each radially spaced aperture positioned proximate said axis of rotation, said coupling member adapted for insertion into each said at least one aperture so that said dish may be releasably coupled to each said plate.

11. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, wherein said coupling member extends downward from said dish and comprises a plurality of separate members shaped to correspond with each radially spaced aperture positioned proximate said axis of rotation, each said shaped member adapted for insertion into a respective radially spaced aperture so that said dish may be releasably coupled to each said plate.

12. The lazy susan recited in claim 10, wherein said dish is supported above said assembled plates when releasably coupled.

13. The lazy susan recited in claim 10, wherein said dish supported on said assembled plates when releasably coupled.

14. The lazy susan recited in claim 11, wherein said dish is supported above said assembled plates when releasably coupled.

15. The lazy susan recited in claim 11, wherein said dish supported on said assembled plates when releasably coupled.

16. The lazy susan recited in claim 2, comprising a removable cover shaped to enclose said tray, said assembled plates, and said dish.

17. The lazy susan recited in claim 16, wherein said cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least one complete assembly of plates for said tray...

18. The lazy susan recited in claim 16, wherein said cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least one set of four plates.

19. A collection of tableware articles adapted for use in a lazy susan assembly and suitable for use as separate tableware articles, said collection of tableware comprising:

a) a tray including a surface shaped to contain an arrangement of plates, and a bearing mechanism fixed to said tray;

b) plates, each plate having at least one beverage holder, each beverage holder comprising an aperture shaped and sized to clasp the side of a beverage container and suspend a portion of the clasped beverage container below said plate, and

c) a dish adapted to releasably couple each said arranged plate when said dish is used in said lazy susan assembly.

20. The tableware recited in claim 19, wherein said tray is shaped to hold four said plates when used in said lazy susan assembly.

21. The tableware recited in claim 20, wherein said plates are square and each said plate occupies substantially one quadrant of said tray.

22. The tableware recited in claim 21, wherein said plates are arranged so that each said at least one beverage holder is radially spaced about a center axis of said tray.

23. The tableware recited in claim 22, wherein said means to releasably couple said plates to said dish comprises a continuous serpentine shaped coupling member that extends in a downward direction from said dish and corresponds with each radially spaced beverage holder, said coupling member adapted for insertion into each radially spaced beverage holder so that said dish is releasably coupled to each plate when used in said lazy susan assembly.

24. The tableware recited in claim 20, wherein said means to releasably couple said plates to said dish comprises a plurality of separate coupling members, each coupling member shaped to correspond with one of said radially spaced beverage holders, each said coupling member adapted for insertion into a respective radially spaced beverage holder so that said dish may be releasably coupled to each plate when used in said lazy susan assembly.

25. The tableware recited in claim 23, wherein said dish is supported above said plates when releasably coupled.

26. The tableware recited in claim 23, wherein said dish is supported on said plates when releasably coupled.

27. The tableware recited in claim 24, wherein said dish is supported above said plates when releasably coupled.

28. The tableware recited in claim 24, wherein said dish is supported on said plates when releasably coupled.

29. A multifunctional lazy susan comprising:

a) a rotatable tray;

b) an arrangement of assembled plates positioned on said rotatable tray about an axis of rotation that extends through said tray, each plate comprising at least one aperture radially spaced about and proximate said axis of rotation; and

c) a dish, releasably fixed within each radially spaced aperture.

30. The lazy susan recited in claim 29, comprising a removable cover shaped to enclose said tray, said assembled plates, and said dish.

31. The lazy susan recited in claim 30, wherein said cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least one complete assembly of plates for said tray.