US2237361A - Tray rack - Google Patents

Description

TRAY RACK Filed June 9, 1939 grWQ H WD JAMES E, POVNTEAZ (5v I r Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a tray rack.

An object of the invention is to provide a rack of the character described that may be readily applied to a serving tray for holding goblets, drinking glasses, bottles and the like, so that they will not be liable to be overturned while the customer is being served.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rack of the character described which may be readily applied to the tray, which will be securely clamped in position thereon and which may be readily removed when not in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tray rack of the character described which may be readily constructed of a single length of wire, which is sufiiciently flexible to permit it to be adjusted to trays of different sizes, which may be very cheaply produced and which is very efficient for the intended purpose.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, use and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the rack.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation.

Figure 3 shows a fragmentary perspective view and Figure 4 shows a side view as applied to the serving tray.

Referring now more particularly to the draw ing wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral l designates the serving tray having the surrounding upstanding rim 2 which terminates in a head, or sleeve, 3.

The rack may be formed of a single length of wire of the required stiffness. At opposite ends of the rack it is formed with the overturned hooklike clamps 4, 4 shaped to clamp over and grip the beads 3 at opposite sides of the tray as shown in Figure 4. It has the upstanding end legs 5, 5 whose upper ends are connected by the series of ring like holders 6 shaped to receive a goblet as I, or other similar article used for serving customers. In manufacturing the rack, a single length of wire may be used and bent into substantially U-shape, thus forming at one end a cross bar 40. and the side bars 4b at each end of said cross bar. These side bars are formed into a hook like shape thus forming one of the end clamps 4. On each side the wire is then turned upwardly forming the side leg 5. 5,

and then inwardly forming the top cross bars The wires are then twisted together and formed successively into the ring like holders 6 as illustrated in Figure 1, the strands of wire on each side being twisted together between said holders as illustrated in Figure 1. At the other end the wires are turned outwardly forming the upper side bars 4d, 4d, and then downwardly forming the other end legs 5 and are then turned upwardly forming the side bars 4e, hook like in form and connected by the other end cross bar 4e, thus providing the other end clamp 4. The free ends of the strand are then brought into aligned relation and connected by a sleeve 8 into which they may be fitted and soldered.

Before the rack is applied to the tray, the assembly of holders 6 are slightly arched upwardly and the end legs 5, 5 converge slightly downwardly. When the rack is applied to the tray the end legs 5, 5 on each side are drawn outwardly and the hooks 4 engaged over the corresponding heads 3, the assembly of holders 6 assuming a horizontal position, thus placing the rack under tension so that it will grip the side margins of the tray and be held firmly in place.

It may be readily removed from the tray by disengaging the hooks therefrom.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a tray having upstanding rims, of an elongated rack of heavy wire, a portion of said rack being formed with a single series of aligned ringlike holders located so as to define an arc, downwardly turned side legs on the rack at substantially right angles to i said are, the lower ends of said legs being formed into overturned hooks adapted to engage said tray rims at opposite sides of the tray, the distance between said hooks being normally different from the distance between said rims whereby the holders are brought into a substantially common plane while the hooks are engaged with said rims to cause the hooks to grip the rim.

2.. A tray rack formed of heavy wire and comprising a single series of connected aligned ringlike holders located so as to define an are, means for supporting said holders comprising a. pair of parallel spaced legs at each end of the series of rings and substantially at right angles to said arc, the free ends of the legs having over-turned supporting hooks formed thereon, the are being curved in an outwardly direction from the legs, side bars connecting each pair of hooks.

J. R. POYNTER.

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