ACCESORY STAND

Abstract

A stand comprising: one or more trays pivotally attached to one or more hinge bars; wherein at least one of the one or more trays is pivotally attached to a frame; wherein the frame comprises a top member and two sub-frame members hingedly attached to said top member, wherein each sub-frame member comprises two legs and top and bottom cross members; and wherein the one or more trays are rotatable from a stowed position to an open, operational position and may be locked in the operational position by a locking mechanism comprises a hook disposed on an edge of one of the trays which is engaged with a mating hook disposed in one of the cross-members.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/239,097, filed on Oct. 8, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to portable stands or shelves and particularly to stands and shelves as accessories to portable grilling environments.

BACKGROUND

Barbecuing or grilling in a temporary location, such as a tailgate party or picnic, can be cumbersome where basic facilities such as counter space, tables, and shelving are usually unavailable to the cook.

Thus, there exists a need for a portable, stowable accessory stand for staging and holding food, cooking supplies, ingredients and grilling utensils, in temporary grilling environments.

SUMMARY

One aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a stand comprising: one or more trays pivotally attached to one or more hinge bars; wherein at least one of the one or more trays is pivotally attached to a frame; wherein the frame comprises a top member and two sub-frame members hingedly attached to said top member, wherein each sub-frame member comprises two legs and top and bottom cross members; and wherein the one or more trays are rotatable from a stowed position to an open, operational position and may be locked in the operational position by a locking mechanism comprises a hook disposed on an edge of one of the trays which is engaged with a mating hook disposed in one of the cross-members.

In another aspect of a preferred stand of the present disclosure, the trays in their operational position are disposed with their upper surfaces horizontal or with the front edges of the trays tilted upwardly.

In a further aspect, a preferred stand of the present disclosure further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the one or more trays in their stowed position comprising a pin in clasp mechanism, wherein either the pin or clasp is disposed on one of the trays and the other component is disposed on the frame or vice versa.

In another aspect, a preferred stand of the present disclosure further comprises one or more of the group consisting of a paper towel roll holder, grill tool holder disposed on the frame or recessed within the frame wherein such items may be moved to and from stowed or recessed position and operational or extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a left front prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a right front prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a left rear prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a right rear prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows another left front prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows another left rear prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows yet another left front prospective view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a partial front elevational close-up view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure in a stowed position;

FIG. 9 shows a partial front elevational close-up view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure being locked into an operational, open position;

FIG. 10 shows a partial front elevational close-up view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure in an operational, open position; and

FIG. 11 shows a partial elevational close-up view of a preferred embodiment of a stand of the present disclosure in a stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying examples and figures that faun a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the inventive subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice them, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to, individually and/or collectively, herein by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed.

The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present disclosure is directed to a unique portable accessory stand, specifically designed to assist in indoor/outdoor grilling, food preparation and/or serving in a compact vertically arranged space. It is particularly suitable to be utilized in a temporary manner such as patio grilling and “tailgate” parties, such as those found at all sporting events and auto racing. The portable accessory stand of the present disclosure is designed to easily fold and fit into an auto trunk for transport to and from the party or other place of grilling or food preparation.

As shown in FIGS. 1-11, a preferred portable accessory stand 10 of the present disclosure comprises one or more of the following features:

(1) lightweight, folding legs 12 with cross-members 13 and trays/shelves 14, of a size and strength to be utilized for normal food trays and other items of about 10-15 lbs. per tray 14. Trays 14 and legs 12 preferably may be painted in various colors.

(2) one leg or both legs 12 has a locking mechanism in to secure the legs 12 in a stowed, compact collapsed/folded position for storage and/or transport comprising a pin 30 and clasp 32 mechanism

(3) one or more trays 14 trays are made of lightweight metal, steel, plastic or other suitable material, of a size designed to hold one normal serving platter, and fitted with a single strip 15 of neoprene rubber or other non-slip material near the front of the tray 14 in order that a serving platter may be slid onto the tray 14 then set down on the neoprene strip 15 to prevent serving tray 14 slippage.

(4) top tray 14 has a unique locking mechanism best seen in FIGS. 8-10 comprising handle 40 and opposing latching hooks 42, 44. FIG. 8 is a partial, close-up front elevational view of the portable accessory stand of the present disclosure showing how hooks 42 are in a generally horizontal position when the trays 14 are in the stowed, folded position. To set up the portable accessory stand of the present disclosure, the pin 30 and clasp 32 mechanisms securing the trays 14 (see FIG. 2, via tray hinge bars 18 to which each of the trays 14 is preferably rotatably attached) and securing the legs 12 (see FIG. 11) are released by pulling on the respective tray 14 or leg 12 to release the pins 30 from the clasps 32. Handle 40 may then be grasped to swing the trays 14 on hinges 18 into their deployed positions (which preferably are horizontal or slightly angled positions with front edge of trays 14 angled upwardly to help prevent items from sliding off the front of the trays 14) from where the handle 40 is used to force the hooks 42 upwardly into engagement with mating hooks 44 in cross member 48. With hooks 42 and 44 engaged in this manner, the trays 14 on hinges 18 are locked into their open and operational positions (FIGS. 1-7).

(5) top plastic molded part 16 contains a recessed paper towel roll holder 24, which is extended during use (FIGS. 5-6).

(6) top plastic molded part 16 contains a recessed grill tool holder 22, which is extended during use (FIGS. 5-6).

(7) top plastic molded part 16 contains a bottle opener 20.

Each of the trays 14 preferably has a back lip or shoulder 50 for preventing items from sliding off of the trays 14.

Preferably, one or more of the trays 14 is pivotally attached to one or both legs 12 and more preferably, each of the trays 14 is pivotally connected to the front legs 12 and is connected to each other via connector 18 so that they move in unison when deployed.

It should be understood that while this invention has been described herein in terms of specific embodiments set forth in detail, such embodiments are presented by way of illustration of the general principles of the invention, and the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Certain modifications and variations in any given material, process step or chemical formula will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and variations should be considered within the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A stand comprising:

one or more trays pivotally attached to one or more hinge bars;

wherein at least one of the one or more trays is pivotally attached to a frame;

wherein the frame comprises a top member and two sub-frame members hingedly attached to said top member, wherein each sub-frame member comprises two legs and top and bottom cross members; and

wherein the one or more trays are rotatable from a stowed position to an open, operational position and may be locked in the operational position by a locking mechanism comprises a hook disposed on an edge of one of the trays which is engaged with a mating hook disposed in one of the cross-members.

2. The stand of claim 1 wherein the trays in their operational position are disposed with their upper surfaces horizontal or with the front edges of the trays tilted upwardly.

3. The stand of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the one or more trays in their stowed position comprising a pin in clasp mechanism, wherein either the pin or clasp is disposed on one of the trays and the other component is disposed on the frame or vice versa.

4. The stand of claim 1 further comprising one or more of the group consisting of a paper towel roll holder, grill tool holder disposed on the frame or recessed within the frame wherein such items may be moved to and from stowed or recessed position and operational or extended position.