US3367525A - Non-capsizable container - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 196s L, ELDERy 3,367,525

NON-CAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1968 c. ELDER 3,367,525

NON-GAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet E INVENTOR CLARENCE L. ELDER UQAM/57%@ ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1968 Q ELDER 3,367,525

NON-CAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4e f Q 57. f/g 53 Q7." i)

4, 'INVENTOR BY ll f l.

l ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,367,525 NON-CAPSIZABLE CONTAINER Clarence L. Elder, Baltimore, Md., assignor :to Elder Products Company, Baltimore, Md'., a corporation of Maryland Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 487,837 6 Claims. (Cl. 220-1) ABSTRACT OF 'THE DISCLOSURE A non-capsizable floating container or tray having a buoyant frame of vsemi-rigid material in the form of a closed geometrical figure, an article supporting member conforming at least in part to the shape of the frame and fitting therewithin and removably interlocked therewith,

the article supporting member being optionally formed as an ashtray, food tray, soapdish, or the like and may in addition be provided with a removable cover.

The present invention relates to containers or trays and in particular to a floating type to be used in bathtubs, swimming pools and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a container or tray in which the load carried thereby is supported at a low center of gravity which displaces water scientifically to insure stability of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container or tray that will float in the water with such buoyancy as to support certain types of articles that are necessary or convenient to have readily at hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a type of container which may be constructed in different forms, such as ducks or boats, for the amusement of children in combination with its special application of usefulness to the hold of various objects.

While several objects of the invention have been pointed out, other objects, uses and advantages will become more apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed, including its construction combination and arrangement of its several parts as shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the detailed description to follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a soap tray.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a modification of tray adapted for use as an ashtray.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of still another modification of a soap tray.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the tray showing its structure more in detail.

FIGURE 8 is a plan View of a further modified form of a container or tray of a type for serving refreshments.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 8 showing the addition of a cover.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view also taken on line 8 8 of FIGURE 8 without the cover.

FIGURE 11 is a schematic plan View of still a further modified form of the container.

In describing the invention like reference numerals are used to point out like and similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2 the tray A is provided with a float 10 extending entirely about the perimeter of ICC 'the tray. This float may be of semi-rigid material and will vmaintain its shape, or it may be of a flexible material and is inflated by a gas, air or the like. The gas is injected into the float through the valve 11 by any of the well-known devices.

Adapted to be supported within the float is a support 12. About its edges there is a double flange shown at 13 and 14 and is of such form as to be snapped into position about the inner surface of the float. The support 12 is provided with openings 15 for drainage and a thicker central portion 12' and a threaded openingy 16 therethrough to be later referred to.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrates the tray shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 with the addition of an ashtray. The floats 10', the support 12 are substantially the same as that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The ashtray is designated by the numeral 18, and is preferably of metal having positioned at its Yends metal rests 20 and 22 for a cigarette, cigar, pipe or the like. The ashtray 18 vis held to the support 12 by a stem 24 having a-shoulder 25 and a thread 26 on its lower end adapted to be threadably received in the threaded opening 16. The upper end of the stem is provided with a handle 27 for rotating the stern 24 and for carrying the same.

In the modified form shown in FIGURES 5 and 7, the float is constructed of a plastic foam 30 known commercially as Styrofoam- The float extends entirely about the tray. This type of float is substantially rigid and normally holds its shape. Adapted to snap into the float 30 is a support 32 and may be attached to the float by a press fit, glue or by a bead shown at 33. This particular support is shown in grid form having one set of grids 34 running in one direction and another set of grids 36 running in the opposite direction.

The form of container or tray shown in FIGURES 9 to 11 is particularly designed for use as floating snacks or refreshment trays and are quite similar in general construction to the smaller soap and/or ashtrays previously shown and described. This container is also provided with peripheral floats 40, a refreshment supporting element 42. The supporting element is provided with a double flange 43 and 44 which is adapted to snap into place about the inner surface of the float 40 as shown in FIGURES 9 and l0. The support 42 is provided with raised portions 46 upon which food or other articles may be placed and in the center of the tray there is a walled area 47 having partitions 47 adapted to receive one or more beverages container 48. This walled in area is preferably provided with openings 49 to relieve any air pressure beneath the surface of the supporting element 42.

This tray is provided with a cover 50, which may be placed over the tray if desired. The cover is provided with a flange 50. The float 40 is provided with holes 41 located about the sides and ends of the float to receive a plurality of pins, or legs 51 attached to the cover for positioning the cover over the tray or container and which may be used for legs when removed from the tray. The cover 50 is also preferably provided with a central cut-out section 53 for allowing beverage container to extend beyond the cover 50 as shown.

The float 40 may be self contained, or inflated by any of the well-known devices by inserting gas or air through the valve 11.

A further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 11 wherein floats 60 are positioned on opposite sides of the article carrying member 62. The cross-sectional diameter of the float may be increased over the encircling type of float to make up for the difference in buoyancy.

While a particular structure of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is not intended as a limitation and the scope of the invention is best dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A floating tray comprising:

(a) a float member in the form of a frame of closed geometrical shape with an open center area, said float member composed of buoyant semi-rigid material,

(b) an article supporting member having at least a portion thereof of a size and shape to t within the open center area of said oat member,

(c) the inner peripheral surface of the oat member and the outer peripheral surface of the article supporting member having cooperating intertting means thereon engageable and releasable by snap action for releasably holding the article supporting member in the oat member, said interftting means comprising a groove in one of said members and a rib 0n the other of said members adapted to snap into and out of said groove.

2. In a oating tray as claimed in claim 1 where the article supporting member is provided with means for removably securing a second article support over the upper surface of the tirst mentioned support.

3. In a floating tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the article supporting member is provided with holding means adjacent the center for retaining a plurality of relatively heavy articles adjacent the center.

4. In a Iloating container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray is provided with a cover for covering the entire upper surface of the tray.

5. In a oating container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cover is provided with a flange extending outwardly thereof adapted to engage and rest upon the said float for supporting the cover.

6. A oating tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the article supporting member is in the form of an open grid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,937 4/ 1944 Olson. 2,662,532 12/1953 Lyon 220-42 X 2,756,895 7/1956 Enders 220-21 X 3,015,406 1/1962 Nolte 220-1 3,048,317 8/ 1962 Cochrane 220-60 X 3,083,665 4/1963 Steidley.

3,184,071 5/1965 Delaire 220-22 X 3,201,017 8/ 1965 Morrissey 220-22 FOREIGN PATENTS 701,370 1/ 1965 Canada.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Examiner.

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