Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a table for serving and displaying food and beverages.

BACKGROUND ART

It is customary, on many occasions (such as wedding receptions, conferences and conventions, events held at hotels, etc.) to serve food and beverages and to do so using buffet tables from which the guests may serve themselves. Buffet tables commonly used today to serve food and beverages at events are relatively cumbersome, and the present invention refers to serving tables that offer an effective solution to existing problems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The intention of the drawings attached to the application is not to limit the scope of the invention and its application.

The drawings are intended only to illustrate the invention and they constitute only one of its many possible implementations.

FIG. 1 depicts a ring-shaped serving table (1).

FIG. 2 depicts an S-shaped serving table (1).

FIG. 3 depicts a three-tier ring-shaped serving table (1). FIG. 4 depicts a three-tier S-shaped serving table (1).

FIG. 5 presents a cross-section of the leg (41).

FIG. 6 presents a cross-section of the support shaft (42).

FIG. 7 presents a cross-section of the top screw (43).

FIG. 8 depicts half of a two-tier ring-shaped table (1).

FIG. 9 depicts half of a three-tier ring-shaped table (1).

FIGS 10-1 and 10 depict combinations involving two halves of a three-tier S- shaped serving table (1) and a three-tier rectangular extension table (5).

FIG. 11 illustrates in cross-section how three table surfaces (1) are connected by a leg (41), two support shafts (42) and one extension shaft (61).

FIG. 12 presents the upper tier (shown in Drawing No. 12) whereby a connector shaft (9) is inserted into the extension shaft (61).

FIGS 13 and 14 present two possible cross-sections of the holes (7) that are symmetrical relative to the holes' lateral axis.

FIG. 15 depicts the spring (90).

FIG. 16 depicts the spring (90) with a curtain (100) wrapped around it.

FIG. 17 depicts the curtain (100), whereby one end of the curtain (100) is attached to a spring (90) and the curtain is in open position.

FIG. 18 depicts a curtain (100) in open position that is attached to a pair of springs (90) that are fit over legs (not shown in the drawing).

FIG. 19 depicts a two-tier rectangular table (5) whereby the space between the tiers is closed by a curtain (100).

FIGS 20 - 23 describe the base (100) with the leg (200) and a table plate.

FIG. 24 describes the base (100) and its components. THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a ring-shaped serving table (1) that is made up of two identical or similar half-ring shaped plates (2)

(3) that can be connected in one of two ways: (a) to form an almost complete ring (with a relatively large, round space in the middle and an entry into that space) as depicted in Drawing No. 1 and (b) to form an S-shaped table as depicted in Drawing No. 2.

A second objective of the present invention is to provide a ring-shaped serving table (1), as described above, that has two or more tiers, each of which comprise a plates (2) (3), as mentioned, that are assembled using a leg system

(4) . A third objective of the present invention is to provide a rectangular extension table (5) with a leg system (4) that is identical or similar to the leg system (4) used for the ring-shaped serving table (1). A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide an attaching system (6) designed to attach accessories (8) to the ring-shaped serving table (1) and to the rectangular extension table (5).

In the first embodiment of the invention, the ring-shaped serving table (1) comprises two identical or similar half-ring shaped plates (2) (3) that when joined together to create an almost complete ring (with a relatively large space in the center and an entry into that space) form the shape described in Drawing No. 1. In order to explain the design of the half -ring shaped plates (2) (3) we will explain the final shape obtained when they are joined to form a ring, as mentioned above. Drawing No. 1 depicts the ring-shaped table (1) that is created when the sides of two half-ring shaped plates (2) (3) marked XI are placed joined. The round space in the middle of the table (1) is intended as standing room for a waiter serving at the said table and the opening in the ring enables the waiter to access that space. The space in the middle of the ring-shaped table (1) is slightly elliptical and is not a perfect circle, such that the sides marked X2 are the same length as sides XI and are parallel to them. This also enables the user to join the two half -ring shaped plates (2) (3) in the way depicted in Drawing No. 2 so that the interface and transition between the two plates is smooth and aesthetic.

Using the ring-shaped serving table (1) as described above offers a considerable advantage in that it may be efficiently and aesthetically assembled in two ways, as described above.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the ring-shaped table (1) comprises two or more identical or similar tiers, made up of the same plates (2) (3), which are assembled as depicted in Drawings Nos. 3 and 4. The plates (2) (3) are assembled using a leg system (4) that comprises a leg (41), a support shaft (42) and a top screw (43). The half-ring shaped plates (2) (3) in the second embodiment of the invention have several holes (7) that enable the user to assemble the said half-ring shaped plates using the leg system (4).

Components of the leg system (4): The leg (41) is a short shaft with a hole (411) in its upper end, which has an internal thread, as depicted in Drawing No. 5. The support shaft (42) is a shaft with a pin (421) protruding from its bottom end, which has an external thread, and a hole (422) in its upper end, which has an internal thread, as depicted in Drawing No. 6. The top screw (43) is a flat disc with a pin (431) protruding from its bottom end, which has an external thread, as depicted in Drawing No. 7.

The plates are assembled as follows to create the table (1) (this description refers to half a table but is the same for the half): First, the pins (421) protruding from the bottom ends of the support shafts (42) are screwed, from above, into the holes (7) in the bottom plate (2), and the legs (41) are then screwed, from below, onto the pins (421) that protrude through the holes. Then, for a two-tier serving table (1), a second plate (2) is placed on the support shafts (42) that are already in place and the pins (431) protruding from the bottom of the top screws (43) are screwed, through the holes (7) in the second plate (2), into the holes (422) in the upper end of the support shafts (42). The two-tier serving table (1) is now assembled and ready for use, as depicted in Drawing No. 8. For a serving table (1) with three or more tiers, the process is repeated whereby the top screws (43) are used only to secure the top plate. Drawing No. 9 depicts a three-tier serving table (1).

Using the ring-shaped serving table (1) as described above offers a considerable advantage in that it can be stored without taking up too much space, it can be transported relatively easily, and it can be assembled quickly, efficiently and easily. Another advantage is the fact that the same identical plates (2) (3) are used for all tiers of the table (1) and the plates need not be matched according to their position in the table and the legs, support shafts and top screws are uniform and there is no need to mark them or match them to specific holes in the said plates.

The ring-shaped table in the third embodiment of the invention includes a leg system and rectangular plates that are assembled, as described above, to form a rectangular extension table (5) that may then be joined to the ring-shaped table (1). The short side X3 of the rectangular extension table (5) is identical in length to the sides XI and X2 and so the rectangular table (5) can be used to extend the ring-shaped table (1) when it is assembled as an S-shaped table, as depicted in Drawings Nos. 10-1 and 10.

The fourth embodiment of the invention refers to a system for attaching accessories (8) to the ring-shaped table (1) and the rectangular extension table (5). The attaching system (6) comprises an extension shaft (61) that is a relatively wide shaft that has a pin (62) with an external thread protruding from its bottom end. If the user wishes to place an accessory on the serving table (1) (5), then an extension shaft (61) is used instead of using a top screw (43), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 11. The accessory (8) can be a light fixture, a sign, an umbrella, a fume hood or any other accessory the user wished to hang or place above the serving table (1) (5).

The accessory (8) is attached to the top of the connector shaft (9), whose bottom part is hollow and fits over the extension shaft (61), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 12. The fact that the accessory (8) is attached to a connector shaft (9) that fits over the extension shaft (61), which is the direct continuation of the leg of the table (1), imparts stability and durability.

Symmetrical holes (7); As mentioned, the ring-shaped table (1) and the rectangular table (5) have holes (7) through which the legs (41) are screwed on in the assembly of the tables, as described above. The holes (7) can and should be symmetrical relative to their lateral axis. In other words, the cross-section of the upper half (71) of each of the holes (7) is identical to the cross-section of the bottom half (72) of the said holes (7). Drawings Nos. 13 and 14 present two possible cross-sections of the holes (7) that are symmetrical relative to the holes' lateral axis.

If the holes (7) are designed so that only one side is intended to face up, the assembly of the tables (1) (5) will be restricted since the user would then have to pay attention that the correct side of the table plates are facing up during assembly, among other disadvantages. On the other hand, the fact that the holes (7) in the plates used to assemble the tables (1) (5) are symmetrical in terms of their lateral axes, enables either side of the said plates to face up when assembling the tables (1) (5). This offers several advantages, including the following: (a) The said plates may be manufactured so that one side is one color and the other side is another color, enabling the user to play with the colors while assembling the tables, (b) The assembly of the tables is easier and simpler since no attention must be paid to determining which side of each plate should face up and in fact each plate may be assembled in either position. In addition, when assembling the ring-shaped table (1) it makes no difference whether the plate is intended to be assembled on the left or right side, (c) If one side of the plate becomes damaged due to usage (scratching, scorch marks from hot cookware, etc.) the damaged plate may still be used such that the damaged side faces down.

Decorative curtain with pair of springs for tables: Tables (1) (5) that are assembled as depicted for instance in Drawings Nos. 3, 4 and 10 have spaces between their tiers. These spaces can and should be closed using a decorative curtain with a pair of springs.

The spring (90) comprises two thin vertical rods (91) and two bows: a top bow (92) and a bottom bow (93). The two rods (91) are connected by the two bows (92) so that each of the upper ends (911) of the rods (91) is attached respectively to one of the two ends (921) of the top bow (92) and each of the bottom ends (912) of the rods (91) is attached respectively to one of the two ends (931) of the bottom bow (93).

The rods (91) can and should be the same length as the legs (41) so that the curtain that is attached to them closes the entire height of the space between the two tiers of the tables (1) (5). It is also recommended that the diameter of the bows (92) (93) be slightly smaller than the diameter of the legs (41) so that they fit over the legs (41) tightly. It is also recommended that the bows (92) (93) be made of a springy material so that they have a good grasp on the legs (41). Drawing No. 15 depicts the spring (90).

Drawing No. 16 depicts the spring (90) with a curtain (100) wrapped around it. The curtain (100) can and should be attached to two springs (90) such that one end of the curtain (100) is attached to one spring (90) and the other end of the curtain (100) is attached the other spring (90). Drawing No. 17 depicts the curtain (100), whereby one end of the curtain (100) is attached to a spring (90) and the curtain is in open position. Drawing No. 18 depicts a curtain (100) in open position that is attached to a pair of springs (90) that are fit over legs (not shown in the drawing). Drawing No. 19 depicts a two-tier rectangular table (5) whereby the space between the tiers is closed by a curtain (100).

The present invention further includes a base (100) for a table leg (200) on which it is possible to assemble a plate or any kind of component. FIGS 20 - 22 describe the base (100) wherein a leg (200) is attached onto it and a table plate (300) is assembled on the top of the said leg (200). The innovative element of the said system is the base (100) which intends to solve the following problem. It is customary to design a standard base for tables by using couple of arms, to create niche in the middle of each of them and to assemble them together wherein the niches should be complementary to each other and then securing and fastening them together to the pole by a screw. The problem in this way is that the niches must be accurate and even a tolerance of 1%, usually around 0.5 mm, causes to the base shake and be unstable. To manufacture or to create an accurate niches in a way the they will fit one to each other without damaging the stability of the base is hard and expensive and need more sophisticated technology. The base (100) is aimed to provide good and efficient solution for this problem.

FIG. 23 describes the base (100), its components and the way they are connect to each other. The base (100) comprises a couple of arms: upper arm (101) and a bottom arm (102) and a bottom ring (103). It is possible to add to the base (100) also an upper ring (104). Each of the arms (102 (103) include a niche (105) in the middle of it. The innovative part of the invention with this regard is that there is no need that the measurements of the said niches (105) will be accurate and exactly fit to each other. The niches (105) of the arms (101) and (102) can be bigger and therefore it is easier and less expensive to manufacture them. The bottom ring (103) with a screw (106) are used to connect and fastened the arms (102 (103) to the leg (300) in a way that prevent any instability of the base (100). It is also possible to includes in the upper ring (104) a couple of pins (1040) which intend to be inserted into a couple of holes (201) in the bottom of the leg (200) and by that to prevent releasing the base (100) in case the user turn around the plate of the table. FIG. 23 also describes the way of connecting the components of the base (100) one to each other. The base (100) can be used not only for table legs bit also to any kind of means that etanrle r»« a 1 rr ctanrlc ntl a hasp.