Shelf

Abstract

A tiered serving stand (100) with a central axis AA is proposed, wherein the tiered serving stand (100) is both height-adjustable and rotatable, wherein shelves (8) at selectable heights can be reversibly inserted into slots (14) of a column (2) and / or a rotation of the shelves (8) inserted into the slots (14) of the column (2) about the axis AA of the tiered serving stand (100) takes place.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tiered serving tray. State of the art

[0002] Tiered serving trays for food are either freestanding or portable and can be used for transporting or as decorative elements for presenting food. For example, several filled plates can be stacked on top of each other to save space and, if necessary, transported to their destination. Tiered serving trays can be round or square, with two or more tiers, for holding food, fruit, chocolates, or similar items. They are usually used as table centerpieces from which guests serve themselves. Typically, several plates are stacked one above the other, attached to a central support rod.

[0003] DE 20 2019 001 079 U1 discloses a "cake stand". The cake stand for multi-tiered cakes has a vertical axis element and at least one support plate with a central opening through which the vertical axis element can be guided, wherein the vertical axis element is designed in multiple parts, the parts can be detachably connected to each other and the parts can be of different lengths, and has positioning means with which the position of the support plate along the vertical axis element can be adjusted.

[0004] A disadvantage of the familiar tiered serving trays is their relatively bulky nature, making them easily damaged and, more importantly, difficult to store. Another drawback is that the plates are fixed to the rod once it's positioned. This means that to reach an item behind the rod, the user has to reach around it. Furthermore, the plates are attached to a vertical axis, which features a central opening. Moving the plates around this axis is a complicated and time-consuming process, requiring a self-locking mechanism to secure them in place. Removing the plates is also cumbersome, requiring the entire tray, or individual plate sections, to be twisted around the axis.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a tiered serving tray that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and allows the contents of at least part of the tray to be easily accessible from all sides. Furthermore, the tray should be easy to store. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The invention is disclosed by the features of the main claim. Embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subsequent claims.

[0007] A tiered serving stand is revealed, designed to be both height-adjustable and rotatable as a centerpiece.

[0008] A base plate for an inner tube, which is located inside a column of the tiered stand, serves to secure an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is positioned inside the inner tube. The inner tube is screwed to the base plate at its lower end. A sliding ring is located on the base plate between the column and the inner tube, which is welded to the flange. A screw for securing the inner tube to the base plate is inserted into a flange and held in place by a nut. The inner sleeve is covered at its upper end by a cap.

[0009] The inner sleeve is primarily made of plastic. A bolt is inserted into the inner sleeve. This bolt supports the tiered stand. A second cover protects the inner sleeve with the inserted bolt, as well as the first cover. The shelves, inserted into slots in the column, can rotate around the central axis AA of the tiered stand. This is achieved because the column, along with the first cover, the second cover, and the bolt, is held, centered, and supported by the inner sleeve on the inner tube.

[0010] The column features numerous slots, allowing for a variety of shelf mounting options. The shelves are inserted into the slots at the desired height, making them easily adjustable. They can be positioned at any height along the column. Each shelf has a hook-shaped mounting bracket that allows it to be inserted into a slot. This flexibility allows for height adjustment. Shelves can be positioned all around, on one side, two sides, or three sides of the column, depending on preference or need. The shelves are attached using a small tab. To attach the hook-shaped bracket, the shelf is held in a near-vertical position and inserted into the slot. It is then lowered into a horizontal position.The interaction between the nose of the suspension, the slot of the column and the shelf enables a stable arrangement or suspension of the shelf and easy removal from the slot after use.

[0011] The shelves can be individually removed from the column and easily cleaned separately. After use, they can be stacked on top of each other and stored separately from the column, reducing storage space. Furthermore, the shelves can be exchanged and removed at any time, even during use, or replaced with smaller, larger, round, rectangular, or other geometric shapes and sizes.

[0012] The tiered serving stand according to the invention has the advantage that it allows for a flexible arrangement of shelves on the column. It provides both horizontal adjustability by rotation and vertical height adjustment of the shelves along axis AA on the column of the tiered serving stand.

[0013] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen in the following description of the figures, the drawings and the claims.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the solution according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. It shows: Fig. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of the tiered stand with the axis direction AA indicated. Fig. Figure 2 shows the position of areas B and C in the section view. Fig. 3 shows details of the tiered serving stand in area B of the sectional view, Fig. 4 shows details of the tiered serving tray in area C, Fig. Figure 5 shows an isometric axonometric representation in oblique view from above onto the tiered stand, Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the tiered serving tray, Fig. Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the tiered serving tray. Fig. Figure 8 shows the tiered serving tray in a side view, Fig. 9 shows an isometric bottom view of the tiered stand, Fig. Figure 10 shows the tiered stand in an isometric oblique view and Fig. Figure 11 shows a top view of shelves on a column of the tiered stand.

[0015] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a tiered serving stand 100, which is designed as a table centerpiece that is both height-adjustable and rotatable. The tiered serving stand 100 has a column 2. The column 2 is arranged upright with an axis AA above a base plate 11.

[0016] Fig. Figure 2 represents column 2 of the etagere 100 with the shelves 8 and the slots 14. Both area B and area C are indicated by a circle. Details of these marked areas are given in the following. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0017] Fig. Figure 3 represents section B. The column 2 is shown. An inner tube 4 with an inner sleeve 6 is depicted. The inner sleeve 6 is specifically designed as a plastic sleeve. A bolt 7 is inserted into the inner sleeve 6. This bolt 7 supports the tiered stand 100. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. A second cover 9 covers the inner sleeve 6 with the inserted bolt 7 and a first cover 3. This allows for rotation of the shelves 8 inserted in slots 14 of the column 2 around the central axis AA of the tiered stand 100. This is achieved by the column 2, with the first cover 3, the second cover 9, and the bolt 7, being received, centered, and supported by the inner sleeve 6 on the inner tube 4.

[0018] Fig. Figure 4 shows the column 2 with the shelves 8, slots 14, and inner tube 4. The shelves 8 are suspended in the slots 14 by means of hangers 13. A base plate 11 serves to attach the inner sleeve 6, which is covered by a first cover 3. The inner sleeve 6 is located inside the inner tube 4. The inner tube 4 is screwed to the base plate 11 at its lower end. The column 2 itself is designed to be freely movable. The base plate 11 supports the inner sleeve 6. The bolt 7, with the column, is placed on the base plate 11, allowing the column to move freely and rotate. The inner tube 4 is welded to the flange 1. A sliding ring 5 is arranged on the base plate 11 between the column 2 and the inner tube 4. A screw 10 is inserted into the base plate 11 to fasten the inner tube 4. It is held in place by a nut 12. The flange 1 is screwed to the base plate 11. At its upper end, the inner sleeve 6 is covered by the first cover 3.

[0019] Fig. Figure 5 shows the shelves 8 in a possible arrangement on the column 2. The arrangement of the shelves 8 can be made in selected slots 14 as desired. This also allows the distances between the shelves 8 to be freely chosen depending on the type of support. The column 2 "floats" above the base plate 11.

[0020] Fig. Figure 6 shows shelves 8 arranged at different heights and the base plate 11, shown with dashed lines. In the top view, the inner sleeve 6 with the inserted bolt 7 is shown.

[0021] Fig. Figure 7 shows the Etagere 100 with a representation of its individual parts. In the Fig. Figure 7 shows that the column 2 has a multitude of slots 14, thus enabling a variable number of mounting options for the shelves 8. The shelves 8 are suspended in the respective slots 14 of the column 2 at the desired height, making them easily adjustable. They can be arranged at any height on the column 2. Each shelf 8 has a hook-shaped suspension 13, including a lug, which serves to slide or suspend the shelf 8 in a selected slot 14 of the column 2. This allows for flexibility in choosing the height. The shelves 8 can therefore be positioned all around, on one side, on both sides, or on three sides of the column 2, as desired.

[0022] The inner tube 4 is screwed onto the base plate 11. The base plate 11 of the inner tube 4 of the tiered stand 100 serves to secure the inner sleeve 6, which is covered by the first cover 3. The inner sleeve 6 is located inside the inner tube 4. The inner tube 4 is screwed to the base plate 11 at its lower end by the screws 10. The sliding ring 5 is located on the base plate 11 between the column 2 and the inner tube 4. The screw 10 for securing the inner tube 4 to the base plate 11 is inserted into the flange 1. It is held by the nut 12. At its upper end, the inner sleeve 6 is covered by the first cover 3. The inner tube 4 with the inner sleeve 6 is shown. The bolt 7 is inserted into the inner sleeve 6. This bolt 7 supports the tiered stand 100 via the cover 3 and the column 2. The second cover 9 covers the inner sleeve 6 with the inserted bolt 7 as well as the first cover 3.The flange 1 with the inner tube 4 is inserted into the sliding ring 5 and screwed to the base plate 11. The column 2 with the first cover 3 and the second cover 9, as well as the bolt 7, is received, centered, and supported by the inner sleeve 6 on the inner tube 4. This allows the column 2 of the tiered stand 100 to rotate.

[0023] Fig. Figure 8 shows the tiered serving stand 100 in side view. The column 2 floats above the base plate 11. The shelves 8 are suspended in the slots 14 by means of hangers 13.

[0024] The arrangement of the supports 8 allows for positioning on the column 2 at different intervals, depending on the height of the food items placed on the shelves 8. Through the interaction of the support 13 of the shelf 8 with the lug and its insertion into the slot 14, the shelf 8 hangs stably in a horizontal position on the column 2 after being lowered. The column 2 is covered with the second lid 9. The shelves 8 can be individually removed from the column 2 and easily cleaned separately. After use, they can be stacked on top of each other and stored separately from the column 2, reducing storage space. Furthermore, the shelves 8 can be exchanged, removed, or replaced at any time, even during use. The column 2 can also be removed from the inner tube 4 for cleaning.

[0025] Fig. Figure 9 shows the 100-piece tiered serving stand. Fig. Figure 8 shows a different view from below at an angle. The underside of the base plate 11 shows the screws 10 for attaching the column 2 to the base plate 11. Shelves 8 are inserted into slots 14 in the column 2. The second cover 9 covers the column 2.

[0026] Fig. 10 past Fig. Figure 9 shows the Etagere 100 from a slightly oblique angle above.

[0027] The top view of the Fig. 11 displays the shelves 8 of the tiered stand 100 Fig. 10 and the second lid 9.

[0028] All features shown in the description, the following claims and the drawings can be essential to the invention, either individually or in any combination. Reference symbol list 1 flange 2nd pillar 3 First lid 4 inner tube 5 sliding ring 6 inner sleeve 7 bolts 8 Storage 9 Second lid 10 screws 11 Footplate 12 Mother 13 Suspension 14 slots 100 tiered serving trays AA Cutting direction central axis BB Cutting direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2019 001 079 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Etagere (100) with a central axis AA, characterized by , that the tiered stand (100) is designed to be both height-adjustable and rotatable, wherein shelves (8) at selectable heights can be reversibly inserted into slots (14) of a column (2) and / or a rotation of the shelves (8) inserted into the slots (14) of the column (2) takes place around the central axis AA of the tiered stand (100). [2] Etagere (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the column (2) is mounted separately from a base plate (11) with a vertical axis direction of the central axis AA above the base plate (11). [3] Etagere (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the column (2) is received, centered and supported by an inner sleeve (6) in an inner tube (4) with a first cover (3) and a second cover (9) and a bolt (7). [4] Etagere (100) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the inner sleeve (6) is covered at its upper end by the first cover (3) and the column (2), the inner sleeve (6) and the bolt (7) are covered at their upper end by the second cover (9). [5] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the shelves (8) are suspended by means of suspensions (13), each having a nose and being hook-shaped, and are inserted into the slots (14). [6] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a sliding ring (5) is arranged on the base plate (11) between the column (2) and the inner tube (4) and at least one screw (10) is provided on a flange (1) for fastening the inner tube (4) to the base plate (11). [7] Etagere (100) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the screw (10) is held by a nut (12). [8] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the suspension (13) interacts with the shelf (8) in such a way that, after being inserted into the slot (14) in an almost upright position, the shelf (8) is lowered so that the shelf (8) is then stably positioned in a horizontal position on the column (2). [9] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that flexibility is achieved by choosing the height of the mounting of the shelves (8) by selecting the slots (14) on the column (2) and that the shelves (8) can be positioned optionally all around, on one side, on both sides or on three sides of the column (2). [10] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the shelves (8) can be individually removed from the column (2) and cleaned separately from the column (2), and that the shelves (8) can be exchanged, removed and replaced during use, wherein the column (2) can be removed for cleaning by taking it off the inner tube (4). [11] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that after use the shelves (8) can be removed and stacked on top of each other and stored separately from the column (2), which reduces the space required when storing the tiered stand (100). [12] Etagere (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the column (2) is designed to be removable for cleaning by pulling it out of the inner sleeve (6).

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