Tray and system of said tray and a table top

Abstract

The invention relates to a tray (2) with a plate (3) and an edge (4) surrounding the plate (3) on its outer circumference (3a), the edge (4) being displaceable upwards and downwards and relative to the plate (3) with respect to a horizontally oriented plate (3) between a tray position in which an upper end (4e) of the edge (4) is raised above the level of the surface (3b) of the plate (3) of the tray (2) and a table position in which the edge (4) is lowered to the level of the surface (3b) of the plate (3) of the tray (2). The invention also relates to a system (1) comprising a tray (2) and a tabletop (6a). In order to create a tray (2) and a system (1) from this tray (2) and a table (6) in an alternative embodiment, it is proposed that the rim (4) on the plate (3) is held and guided by engaged pins (3c) and elongated holes (4a).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tray with a plate and a rim surrounding the plate at its outer periphery. The rim is movable upwards and downwards relative to a horizontally oriented plate between a tray position, in which an upper end of the rim is raised above the level of the surface of the tray plate, and a table position, in which the upper edge is lowered to the level of the surface of the tray plate. The invention also relates to a system comprising a tray and a table top.

[0002] A round tray and a system comprising this tray and a round table top are already known from European Patent Application EP 3 967 187 A1. The tray typically consists of a top and a rim surrounding this top. The rim is movable relative to a horizontally aligned top between a raised tray position and a lowered table position, and in this position is movable relative to the top. In the tray position, an upper end of the rim is raised above the level of the surface of the top and the rim remains in contact with the top, so that the tray can be used as a conventional tray and the rim prevents, for example, dishes, cutlery or drinking vessels transported on the tray from slipping off the tray.In the table position, the tray can take on the function of a table top because the upper edge is lowered to the level of the table top surface and the edge does not get in the way when the table is in use. To limit the movement of the vertically movable edge in its upper tray position and in its lower table position, the edge surrounds the outer circumference of the table top from above and below in a U-shape. For this purpose, the edge has a lower projection that projects inwards at the bottom and an upper projection that projects inwards at the top. In the tray position, the table top rests on the lower projection, and in the table position the upper projection rests on the table top. The lower and upper projections are each arranged all the way around the edge. This tray can be used in a system with a table top.The tray and tabletop are dimensioned in such a way that the edge of the tray sinks downward relative to the tray into a tabletop position when a tray is placed with its top on the tabletop. The tray can therefore also be used as a tabletop.

[0003] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of creating a tray and a system comprising this tray and a table in an alternative embodiment.

[0004] This object is achieved by a tray having the features of claim 1 and a system comprising this tray and a table top according to the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in subclaims 2 to 5 and 7 to 10.

[0005] According to the invention, in a tray with a plate and an edge surrounding the plate on its outer circumference, the edge being displaceable up and down and relative to the plate with respect to a horizontally aligned plate between a tray position in which an upper end of the edge is raised above the level of the surface of the plate of the tray, and a table position in which the upper edge is lowered to the level of the surface of the plate of the tray, an alternative embodiment is created in that the edge is held and guided on the plate via engaging pins and elongated holes. The use of pins and elongated holes proves to be particularly simple in design and also simplifies the assembly of the edge on the plate.This design of the tray means that when the tray is placed on a table whose outer dimensions are smaller than the tray top, the edge of the tray lowers to the level of the surface of the tray top. This means that items on the tray, in particular dishes, cutlery, drinking vessels, food, drinks, napkins and table decorations, can be easily reached without the edge being in the way. A quick and easy table setting can now be carried out on the tray in the kitchen and then finished in the garden or on the balcony by simply placing the tray on a suitable surface. This transforms the base of the tray into a tabletop suitable for everyday use. In addition, it is easy to serve a table completely set on the tray. Lowering the edge allows you to eat comfortably at the tray without being disturbed by the edge.

[0006] The design of the tray is simplified by having elongated holes in the rim and pins in the plate. Stable guidance and secure holding of the rim on the plate is achieved by having at least three pins in the plate and at least three elongated holes in the rim. The pins and elongated holes are preferably dimensioned and aligned such that the rim can be moved from its tray position to its table position and vice versa, and the movement of the rim in the tray position and the table position is limited. In the case of a square tray, the rim is divided into several parts, in particular into several straight side parts. At least two elongated holes are then provided for each side part of the rim.

[0007] To simplify the assembly of the pin-slot connection, the edge is divided into several parts for mounting on the plate, which are then joined together to form a complete edge while simultaneously ensuring that the pins engage in the respective slots.

[0008] The advantages of the tray according to the invention are further enhanced when this tray is part of a system comprising a tray and a table top (tray-table system), in which the table is adapted to the tray. For this purpose, the top and the table top are dimensioned such that the edge moves downwards relative to the plate when a tray is placed with its top on the table top. The invention thus relates to a tray which can also be used as a table top. In particular, the top and the table top are dimensioned such that the edge moves downwards relative to the plate from a tray position to a table position when a tray is placed with its top on the table top. The inventive interaction of tray and table results in a tray that functions as a fully-fledged table.The tray-table system according to the invention also combines all the advantages of a tray and a table. The new table is therefore inventively manufactured in two parts: a tray and a table.

[0009] Particularly advantageous in this case is the table top designed according to the invention, which is a component of a table manufactured for this invention or which is a table top-like adapter for attachment to an already existing table.

[0010] Preferably, the height of the tabletop is greater than the height of the tray edge. If, in the table position, a gap remains between the outer perimeter of the table and a support opening of the lower support, the tray is aligned relative to the table when placed down, and the tray is also secured against lateral displacement.

[0011] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment illustrated in several figures. They show: Figure 1 a perspective and schematic view of a tray with a plate of round cross-section, Figure 2 a perspective and schematic exploded view of a system from the tray according to Figure 1 and a table, Figure 3 a perspective and schematic view of the system consisting of the tray and the table according to Figure 2 , Figure 4 a schematic side view of the tray-table system in tray position, Figure 5 a schematic side view of the tray-table system in table position, Figure 6 a top view of a tray with a square cross-section plate and Figure 7 a detail enlargement of Figure 4 or 5 from the area of the edge of the tray.

[0012] In the Figure 1is a perspective and schematic view of a tray 2 for transporting or serving objects not shown, in particular dishes, cutlery, drinking vessels, food, beverages, napkins and table decorations. The tray 2 essentially consists of a circular plate 3 surrounded by a circular rim 4. Other shapes of plate 3 and rim 4, such as oval, rectangular, square and polygonal, are of course also conceivable. In the usual way, the plate 3 forms a base on which the objects to be transported can be placed. The plate 3 has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 10 mm depending on the selected material. Wood, metal, plastic or composite materials can be used as the material. In the present case, the plate 3 is designed as a flat circular disk with a corresponding flat plate plane, within which a corresponding plate axis p of the plate 3 extends.The plate axis p corresponds to a diameter of the plate 3.

[0013] The edge 4 of the tray 2 can prevent objects transported on the tray 2 from slipping off. For this purpose, the peripheral edge 4 laterally delimits the plate 3 at its outer circumference 3a and extends upwards from the plate 3, ending with an upper end 4e. The peripheral edge 4 thus has the shape of a shell of a circular cylinder, which extends in the direction of its edge axis r parallel to a central axis of the circular cylinder. The edge axis r thus also corresponds to a height of the edge 4. Handles 5 for carrying the tray 2 can be arranged on the edge 4, which handles are designed, for example, as reach-through openings arranged in the edge 4. It is also conceivable to design the handles 5 as holding handles arranged laterally on the outside of the edge 4.

[0014] In addition, the edge 4 is not firmly connected to the plate 3, but in the case of a horizontally aligned plate 3, it protrudes vertically or perpendicularly to the plate 3 downwards from a Figure 1shown raised tray position into a lowered table position or freely movable and vice versa upwards. Here, the plate 3 is displaced with its circumferential outer circumference 3a in a vertical displacement direction v along an inner circumference 4b of the edge 4 and guided on the plate 3. For the linear displacement movement, a play in the form of a circumferential gap, which is a maximum of 3 mm, preferably 1 mm, and a minimum of 0.1 mm, is provided between the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3 and the inner circumference 4b of the edge 4. With regard to these dimensions, it is assumed that the plate 3 and the edge 4 are aligned with each other so that the gap is uniform. The displacement movement in the displacement direction v is carried out upwards and downwards via pins 3c (see Figure 6 , 7and 8), each of which engages with an elongated hole 4a. Thus, exactly one pin 3c is provided for each elongated hole 4a. In total, at least three elongated holes 4a are provided per edge 4, which are distributed, preferably evenly distributed, on the inner circumference 4b of the edge 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, four evenly distributed elongated holes 4a are provided. Each elongated hole 4a is aligned with its longitudinal extent parallel to the displacement direction v and is arranged in the surface of the inner circumference 4b. In a corresponding manner, the plate 3 with the pins 3c and the edge 4 with the elongated holes 4a are thus joined together to form the tray 2 as a structural unit. The elongated holes 4a are each rectangular or rectangular with rounded corners and thus stadium-shaped, and an upper end of each elongated hole 4a acts as an upper support 4c for the pin 3c, and a lower end of each elongated hole 4a acts as a lower support 4d for the pin 3c.The upper and lower supports 4c, 4d are formed by the material of the edge 4, which remains between the upper end of the elongated hole 4a and an upper end 4e of the edge 4, as well as between the lower end of the elongated hole 4a and a lower end 4f of the edge 4. This remaining material, or the distance between the upper end 4e of the edge 4 and the upper support 4c of the elongated hole 4, as well as the lower end 4f of the edge 4 and the lower support 4d of the elongated hole 4, is approximately 1 to 10 mm, preferably 1 to 5 mm. The same dimensions apply to a depth of the elongated hole 4a in the edge 4, or a length of the part of the pin 3c protruding from the plate 3.

[0015] The plate 3 can thus be moved freely from top to bottom and / or vice versa relative to the edge 4 or the edge 4 relative to the plate 3 in the direction of displacement v, without the edge 4 being removed or separated from the plate 3. The edge 4 is guided along the plate 3 on the one hand by the inner circumference 4b of the edge 4 sliding along the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3 and by the pins 3c being guided in the elongated holes 4a. In addition, the pins 3c, in cooperation with the elongated holes 4a in the direction of displacement v, provide the upper and lower end positions of the edge 4 with respect to the plate 3, which in the present case are also referred to as the tray position and table position.

[0016] In the Figure 1the edge 4 is shown in its upwardly displaced or raised tray position, and thus the plate 3 rests via its pins 3c on the lower supports 4d of the elongated hole 4a. The edge 4 can be held by a work surface (not shown), such as a table or kitchen worktop, which is at least wider than the surface of the plate 3 in its raised transport position. When the tray 2 is gripped by the edge 4 and lifted, the plate 3 remains in its tray position with respect to the edge 4. In the tray position and raised, the inventive tray 2 behaves functionally like any known tray with a circumferential and fixed edge.

[0017] Preferably, in the tray position, the lower end 4f of the edge 4 is at the same height or flush with the underside 3d of the plate 3 when the plate 3 is oriented horizontally. Also, in the tray position, when the plate 3 is oriented horizontally, the edge 4 projects at least 10 mm, preferably 20 mm, and at most 10 mm, preferably 20 mm and less than a height r of the edge 4 upwards above the surface 3b of the plate 3.

[0018] In the event that the tray 2 is placed on a target surface which has smaller external dimensions than the plate 3 or is smaller than the opening a of the edge 4, the edge 4 automatically lowers from the tray position into the table position and the objects on the plate 3 can be easily and conveniently reached without being hindered by the now lowered edge 4. In this case, preferably in the table position, the edge 4 with its upper end 4e is on the same level as the plate 3 (see Figure 5). Also, there is no hindrance when using the tray 2 as a table if the edge 4, in the lowered table position, protrudes only slightly, i.e., a maximum of 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, upwards from the plate 3. Alternatively, the plate 3, in the lowered table position, can protrude a maximum of 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, upwards relative to the edge 4.

[0019] The diameter of the plate 3, which corresponds to the length of the plate axis p, is slightly smaller than the distance designated by opening a between the opposite inner sides of the lower and upper supports 4c, 4d.

[0020] Overall, the tray 2 can thus be described as a plate 3 with a peripheral edge 4 that can be moved vertically between a tray position and a table position.

[0021] With regard to the assembly of the edge 4 to the plate 3, it is conceivable to form the edge 4 in at least two parts in order to arrange the edge 4 with the slots 4a on the plate 3 with the pins 3c. The edge 4 can be divided horizontally or vertically into two or more parts 4', 4", 4‴, 4ʺʺ (see Figure 6 ) are separated. After inserting the plate 3 with the pins 3c into the parts 4', 4", 4‴, 4"" of the edge 4 with the elongated holes 4a, the parts 4', 4", 4‴, 4"" of the edge 4 are to be connected to one another and the elongated holes 4a each enclose the associated pin 3c at the end.

[0022] The Figure 2 shows a perspective and schematic exploded view of a tray-table system 1 from the tray 2 according to Figure 1and a table 6 adapted to it and thus belonging to it. The tray 2 is shown separated into the otherwise connected parts plate 3 and edge 4 only for better understanding. The pins 3c on the plate 3 are also not shown. The plate 3 and the edge 4 are already shown with reference to the Figure 1described in detail above. The table 6 essentially consists of a table top 6a, which is also round and thus adapted to the shape and dimensions of the tray 2, and a central table leg 6b. It goes without saying that more than one table leg 6b can also be provided. The table top 6a has a table diameter d, which is slightly smaller than the opening a of the edge 4, and a table height t. The tray 2 can thus be placed precisely on the table top 6a. For this purpose, in a first step, the tray 2 is placed with its underside 3d of the plate 3 centrally on the table top 6a. The user of the tray 2 then relieves the load on the edge 4, so that the edge 4 moves automatically from the tray position to the table position.If the tray 2 has not been placed centrally on the table top 6a and the edge 4 thus remains hanging on the outer circumference 6c of the table 6 during its downward movement in the direction of displacement v, the position of the tray 2 on the table top 6a is corrected by the user until the edge 4 reaches its table position. During the movement in the direction of displacement v, the edge 4 is guided downwards with its inner circumference 4b along the outer circumference 6c of the table 6. Here, too, the dimensions of the table top 6a and the edge 4 are dimensioned such that a slight play remains between the outer circumference 6c of the table 6 and the opening a of the edge 4, with a circumferential gap with a width of a maximum of 3 mm, preferably 1 mm, and a minimum of 0.1 mm. With regard to the dimensions, it is assumed that the edge 4 and the table top 6a are aligned with one another so that the gap is uniform.In order to facilitate placing and aligning the tray 2 on the table 6, the outer circumference 6c of the table 6 tapers upwards with a bevel 6d.

[0023] In the Figure 3 is a perspective and schematic view of the tray-table system 1, in which the tray 2 rests in the table position on the table 6. It can be seen that the edge 4 is lowered into its table position and the plate 3 with its surface 3b now forms the surface of the table 6. The plate 3 and the edge 4 are thus loosely placed from above onto the table top 6a. In addition, the Figure 3that the table height t is greater or higher than the edge axis r, which corresponds to the height of the edge 4, and thus the edge 4 continues to be guided in the table position by the outer circumference 6c of the table 6 even in the area of its lower end 4f. The table height t is a maximum of twice as large and at least 10% greater than the edge axis r. This additionally secures the plate 3 against displacement on the table top 6a. This means that a covered tray 2 can easily be placed on the table 6 without the edge 4 subsequently getting in the way of eating and drinking. Conversely, to cover the table 6, the edge 4 is simply grasped and pulled up along the outer circumference 6c of the table top 6a and the entire tray 2 is picked up using the handles 5 and carried away.

[0024] The Figure 4shows a schematic side view of the tray-table system 1 with the tray 2 in the tray position, placed on the table 6. The edge 4 is still held in the tray position before the edge 4 automatically lowers into the table position. The edge 4 is shown in section to show the elongated holes 4a and the pins 3c.

[0025] In the Figure 5 A schematic side view of the tray-table system 1 according to the invention is shown in table position. In the lowered table position, the upper end 4e of the edge 4 is preferably on a horizontal plane with the surface 3b of the plate 3.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment described above, the tray 2 or the plate 3 is a circular disk. In principle, it is also conceivable that angular, rectangular or square shapes are selected for this purpose. The same applies accordingly to the corresponding table tops 6a of the table 6 of the tray-table system 1. The tray-table system 1 described above is also preferably made of wood. Metal, plastic or composite materials are also suitable for the plate 3 and / or the edge 4. In this case, it is preferred that the same basic geometric shape is selected for the tray 2 or the plate 3 and the associated table top 6a of the table 6. It is also conceivable that the tray 2 or the plate 3 and the associated table top 6a of the table 6 differ from one another in their basic geometric shape, so that, for example, the tray 2 or the plate 3 is round and the table top 6a is rectangular.In this case, the respective dimensions must then be coordinated with one another in a corresponding manner so that the desired gap is maintained between the inner circumference 4b of the edge 4 and then only the corners of the table top 6a in order to ensure that the tray 2 is guided and secured against displacement.

[0027] Furthermore, it is also conceivable in principle that the table top 6a is not a component of a table 6 as previously described, but rather an adapter in the form of a table top 6a that is attached to an existing table 6, in particular by gluing or screwing. In this case, the adapter is designed as a table top 6a with a small plate thickness and a downwardly projecting table top edge, so that the table top 6a of the existing table 6 can be slipped over it, ensuring the lateral guidance of the edge 4.

[0028] In the Figure 6is a plan view of a tray 2 with a plate 3 with a square cross-section shown in a kind of exploded view, based on which an assembly of the tray 2 is described in more detail. It can be seen that the edge 4 is divided into four parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ. Since the plate 3 is square, the parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ are identical. Essentially, the parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ are side parts or rectangular strips. In addition, the Figure 6The parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ are shown twice for a better understanding of the assembly. A first set of parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ is arranged along the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3 in the respective intended mounting positions and is placed with its inner circumference 4b facing upwards in order to clearly show the elongated holes 4a. For the assembly of the edge 4, the parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ are placed one after the other and the elongated holes 4a are engaged with the respective pins 3c. For each part 4', 4", 4‴, at least two elongated holes 4a are provided and correspondingly assigned pins 3c in the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3. This assembly state is achieved by a second set of parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ in the Figure 6 shown. Subsequently, the adjacent parts 4', 4", 4‴ and 4ʺʺ of the edge 4 are connected to each other, in particular glued, screwed, plugged or combinations thereof.

[0029] The Figure 7shows an enlarged detail of the area of the edge 4 of the tablet 2. Based on this Figure 7 The interaction of pin 3c and slot 4a is explained in more detail below in order to achieve not only the displaceability of the edge 4 in the displacement direction v and along the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3 but also the desired flat alignment of the upper end 4e of the edge 4 to the surface 3b of the plate 3 in the table position. Figure 7the edge 4 is shown in an unusual middle position between the tray position and the table position in order to show the upper support 4c and the lower support 4d more clearly. It can be seen that the pin 3c is arranged centrally with regard to the height h or thickness of the plate 3, has the shape of a circular cylinder and is aligned with its longitudinal extent parallel to the surface 3b of the plate 3 and at right angles to the outer circumference 3a or, in the case of a plate 3 with a curved outer circumference 3a, to a tangent through the longitudinal extent of the pin 3c in the region of the outer circumference 3a. In a preferred embodiment, the pin 3c can be inserted into a cylindrical blind hole arranged in the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3 and fastened there. An upper distance bo and a lower distance bu are also defined via the position of the pin 3c in the outer circumference 3a.The upper distance bo, running in the direction of displacement v, begins at the upper end of the pin 3c and ends at the surface 3b of the plate 3, and the lower distance bu, running in the direction of displacement v, begins at the lower end of the pin 3c and ends at the underside 3d of the plate 3. Since the upper distance bo approximately corresponds to a further upper distance co, in the table position of the tray 2, the upper end 4e of the edge 4 and the surface 3b of the plate 3 lie approximately in a horizontal plane. The upper distance co runs between the upper end 4e of the edge 4 and the upper support 4c of the edge 4.

[0030] A corresponding alignment of the lower end 4f of the edge 4 to the underside 3d of the plate 3 is also achieved in the tray position, although in the tray position the tray 2 can also rest on a base with the lower end 4f of the edge 4 and the plate 3 rests via the pins 3c on the lower supports 4d and at a distance from the base. However, even in the tray position it is preferred that the lower end 4f of the edge 4 lies approximately in a horizontal plane with the underside 3d of the plate 3. This arrangement in a common horizontal plane is achieved in that on the outer circumference 3a of the plate 3 a lower distance bu running in the direction of displacement v between the underside 3d of the plate 3 and a lower end of the pin 3c corresponds approximately to a lower distance cu running in the direction of displacement v between the lower end 4f of the edge 4 and the lower support 4d of the edge 4. List of reference symbols

[0031] 1 Tray-table system 2 Tray 3 Plate 3a Outer circumference 3b Surface 3c Pin 3d Bottom 4 Rim 4', 4", 4‴, 4"" Parts 4a Slot 4b Inner circumference 4c Upper support 4d Lower support 4e Upper end 4f Lower end 5 Handles 6 Table 6a Table top 6b Table leg 6c Outer circumference 6d Bevel a Opening bo Upper distance bu Lower distance co Upper distance cu Lower distance d Table diameter h Height p Plate axis r Rim axis v Direction of displacement t Table height

Claims

1. Tray (2) comprising a plate (3) and an edge (4) surrounding the plate (3) on its outer circumference (3a), the edge (4) being displaceable with respect to a horizontally aligned plate (3), up and down and relative to the plate (3), between a tray position in which an upper end (4e) of the edge (4) is raised above the level of the surface of the plate (3) of the tray (2), and a table position in which the edge (4) is lowered to the level of the surface (3b) of the plate (3) of the tray (2), characterized in that the edge (4) is held and guided on the plate (3) via engaging pins (3c) and slots (4a).

2. Tray (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the slots (4a) are arranged in the edge (4) and the pins (3c) are arranged in the plate (3).

3. Tray (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least three pins (3c) are arranged in the plate (3) and at least three slots (4a) are arranged in the edge (4).

4. Tray (2) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pins (3c) and the slots (4a) are dimensioned and aligned such that the edge (4) can be moved from its tray position into its table position and vice versa and the movement of the edge (4) in the tray position and the table position is limited.

5. Tray (2) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the edge (4) is divided into several parts (4'. 4", 4‴, 4"") for mounting on the plate (3).

6. System (1) comprising a tray (2) according to any of claims 1 to 5 and a table top (6a), characterized in that the plate (3) and the table top (6a) are dimensioned such that the edge (4) shifts relative to the plate (3) when a tray (2) is placed together with its plate (3) on the table top (6a).

7. System (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the table top (6a) is part of a table (6) or an adapter for attaching to a table.

8. System (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the plate (3) and the table top (6a) are dimensioned such that the edge (4) shifts relative to the plate (3) from a tray position into a table position when a tray (2) is placed together with its plate (3) on the table top (6a).

9. System (1) according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a table height (t) of the table top (6a) is greater than a height of the edge (4) of the tray (2).

10. System (1) according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that in the table position, clearance with a gap remains between the outer circumference (6c) of the table (6) and an opening (a) of the lower support (4d).

Images