TABLE WITH ROTATABLE HOT TRAY

Abstract: A combination table, such as for example a coffee table or the like, which includes a support (1); a rotatable hot tray (7) locatable on the support (1); and a loose top (12) which fits over the tray (7) so that it can be rotatated with the tray. The top (12) is of such dimensions that it overlies the tray (7) sub­ stantially completely.

Description: A C INAZION jllABB THIS invention relates to a combination table Combination tables comprising a plurality of components which can be used in different combina- tions in order to provide different types of tables for different purposes are well known in the art. In his own South African patent No. 74/7931, and corresponding U S patent No. 4,034,200, the Applicant discloses, amongst others, a table provided with a recess in which a rotatable hot tray may be received and a lid which fits into the recess either rotatably or stationary. One disadvantage found with the 'combination' table disclosed in the Applicant's aforesaid patent(s) is that it requires a special table for supporting the hot tray. A further disadvantage is that the part of the table which peripherally surrounds the recess is non-rotatable. In addition the 'combination' table as disclosed is bulky and suffers from a lack of mobility. It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a combination table which overcomes the aforesaid problems and which the applicant believes under appropriate circumstances will have certain advantages over other known arrangements. According to the invention a combination table includes a support; a rotatable hot tray locatable on the support; and a rotatable table top locatable over the rotatable hot tray, the top being of such dimension that it overlies the tray substantially completely. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement the whole of the operative surface provided by the table top will be rotatable. Further according to the invention the suppdrt comprises a table capable of independent conventional use. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement even an existing table may be utilised as support for the tray. It will further be appreciated that the invention provides a combination table which lends itself to use in five different combinations, i.e. table + hot tray + top; table + hot tray; table + top; table only; and hot tray only. In one form of the invention the top is of such dimension that it overlies the support substantially completely. In one form of the invention means may be provided for locating the top relative to the tray. Further according to the invention means is provided for locating the tray relative to the support. In one form of the invention such means may comprise an annular element associated with the support. Further according to the invention the combination includes an annular flange which is located in the area between the top and the support. This flange, which can serve to locate the top relative to the tray, also servo to enclose the gap between the top and the support in order to conceal the rotatable hot tray when it is located on the support. In one form of the invention at least part of the flange may be defined by a downwardly depending annular skirt provided on the underside of the top. In another form of the invention the support may be provided with an upwardly extending annular skirt concentrically disposed relative to the skirt on the top and of substantially the same diameter, the free ends of the said two skirts being spaced from each other in order to allow for their rotation relative to each other. In this form of the invention the skirt on the support may define means for locating the rotatable hot tray relative to the support. In the embodiment where the table top is not rotatably carried on the tray, the two skirts may engage each other rotatably. In yet another form of the invention the flange is constituted by a loose ring on-the support. In this form of the invention the ring may be mounted rotatably relative te either the top or the support In yet another embodiment the outer side of the rotatable hot tray may be of such design and appearance as to obviate the need for a skirt, inconspicuous locating means being provided to hold the top in position relative to the rotatable hot tray. In a preferrred form of the invention the top is locatable on the rotatable hot tray to be rotatable with it and the flange is constituted by an annular skirt integral with the top. The table top may be provided.with gripping formations to facilitate its rotation by hand. The table top may also be extensible in the radial direction or alternatively tops of different diameter may be provided which may be used singly or stacked on top of one another. For the sake of convenience the table top may be provided in two or more segments to facilitate transportation and storage thereof. The table top may also be provided with one or more removable sections for the purpose of exposing certain desired portions of the rotatable hot tray when the table top is in position on the rotatable hot tray. The rotatable hot tray may include retaining and/or locking formations adapted to co-operate with complementary formations on the support and on the table top. The table top may also include retaining and/or locking formations adapted to co-operate with complementary formations on the tray and on the support. The support itself may also include retaining and/or locking formations adapted to co-operate with complementary formations on the tray and on the table top. It will be appreciated that the retaining formations may be employed for holding together the components in various combinations either rotatably or non-rotatably. It will be further appreciated that the locking formations may be employed for preventing relative rotation between various of the components when rotational capability is not desired. Preferably the support includes rotatable elements on which it can be moved about. Where the support comprises a table, such elements may for example comprise castors or the like which are carried on the free ends of the legs of the table. If required, the hot tray may also include one or more cooling units. It will be appreciated that the combination table according to the invention not only provides'a neat and compact arrangement but one of which the versatility is unmatched by any of the known arrangements particularly where lack ot space precludes the use of a large dining table. Thus for example tea and cake can conveniently be served in a confined space on a small combination table according to the invention having a completely rotatable top, each person being enabled to help himself without the need for getting up. Also, the people sitting around such a rotatable hot tray mounted on a mobile trolley can conveniently serve themselves whilst watching television without fear of the food getting cold. On other occasions the rotatable hot tray may be removed for independent use elsewhere such as for example as a "Lazy Susan" with heating capability on a conventional dining table or outside for keeping food warm during a barbecue. With all components in position in such a combination table, the rotatable hot tray is safely tucked away and occupies no space. The combination table as a whole provides great versatility with minimum space requirements, a very important feature under modern conditions as living quarters tend to become more and more compact. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the enclosed drawing which is a diagrammatic partly cross sectional view through a combination table according to the invention with the rotatable hot tray shown in elevation. In this embodiment of the invention a small table 1, such as for example a coffee table or the like, with an operative face 2, includes a pedestal 3 which is mounted on legs 4 which carry castors 5 at their free ends. Face 2 includes an annular upwardly directed peripherally extending locating means 6 which may be releasably mounted on it. A rotatable hot tray 7, comprising a stationary base 8 on which a top 9 is rotatably carried, includes an operative face 10 which is heatable by an electric element (not shown) located inside the tray. Tray 7 also includes feet 11 on which it can be supported on face 2 of table 1. A table top 12 which has on its underside an annular downwardly depending skirt 13, which is integral with it is locatable on tray 7 in order to be rotatable with it. Top 12 is of such dimensions that it completely overlies face 2 of table 1 while skirt 13 is of such length that it substantially conceals from view rotatable hot tray 7 when top 12 is carried on tray 7. Skirt 13 at the same time serves as means for locating top 12 relative to tray 7. Protective means 14 and 15 are provided respectively on the inner surface of skirt 13 and the underside oE top 12 to prevent tray 7 from being damaged by either skirt 13 or by the underside of top 12 when tray 7 is located on table 1 and top 12 is located on tray 7. Gripping means 16 is provided on the underside of table 1 to -facilitate the moving about of table 1, particularly when top 12 is in position on hot tray 7. An electric power cord (not shown) which brings power to the base 8 of tray 7 may pass through any convenient opening in table 1 or-through a gap between support 1 and rotatable skirt 13. In operation the combination table can be utilised in the form shown in the drawing as a conventional coffee table or the like with a rotatable top. Alternatively top 12 can be removed to expose rotatable tray 7 which may then be utilised for keeping food, snacks, etc. at a required temperature. In yet another arrangement tray 7 may be removed from table 1 for use elsewhere and table 1 itself then utilised as a conventional table with or without top 12 located on top of it. It will be appreciated that there are many variations in detail possible with a combination table according to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, for example, where the table top is not rotatably carried on the tray, the top may include a downwardly extending annular skirt of which the free end is adapted to engage the support rotatably.

Claims: Claims: 1 A combination table including a support; a rotatable hot tray locatable on the support; and a rotatable table top loca table over the rotatable hot'tray, the top being of such dimension that it over lies the tray substantially completely. 2 The combination table of claim 1 wherein the support comprises a table capable of inde pendent conventional use. 3 The combination table of claim 1 wherein the top is of such dimension that it over lies the support substantially completely. 4 The combination table of claim 1 including means for locating the tray relative to the support. 5 The combination table of claim 4 wherein the locating means comprises an annular element associated with the support 6 The-combination table of claim 1 including an annular flange which is located in the area between the top and the support. 7 The combination table of claim 1 including means for locating the top relative to the tray. 8 The combination table of claim 7 wherein the locating means comprises an annular skirt associated with the top. 9 The combination table of claim 6 wherein the top is locatable on the rotatable hot tray to be rotatable with it and the flange is constituted by an annular downwardly depending skirt integral with the top 10 The combination table of claim 1 wherein the support includes rotatable elements on which it can be moved about. 11 The combination table of claim 10 wherein the support comprises a table and the ro tatable elements comprise castors or the like which are carried on the free ends of the legs of the table.

Inventors: VISAGIE, GERHARDUS JOHANNES CORNELIUS
Applicants: VISAGIE, GERHARDUS JOHANNES CORNELIUS
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A47B31
IPC codes: A47J39, A47B31, A47B37, A47B13