Abstract:
A vessel support and plate which allows the user to carry a plate, napkin, and drinking vessel in one hand. The assembly includes a drinking vessel support member [23], a napkin holding member [25], a plate member [22] and a mechanism to grasp the assembly [24]. The vessel support member [23] has a recess [60] to receive the base of a drinking vessel [95, 97]. This recess has a mouth [63] extending from its periphery to its center [66], allowing the supporting member to cradle stemware by its bowl, with the stem suspended therefrom. A tilted grip member [24] attached to the plate allows the user to hold the device with minimal effort. A bulge [46] cooperating with the grip member on the bottom surface [44] of the plate allows the user to comfortably cradle the plate in the palm of the hand. The assembly further includes a member to detachably receive a napkin [25].

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to glassware supporting means and cooperating dishes to be used while being held in the hand. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Formal dining occasions are often preceded by receptions, at which hors d&#39;oeurves and appetizers are served along with drinks while guests greet one another and converse. 
     This activity is conducted in a similar fashion at business receptions, buffets, as well as at informal picnics and barbeques. 
     The service of food and drinks to people who have no formal seating arrangement presents the problem of handling: 1) a plate holding food; 2) a drink; 3) a napkin; 4) a utensil; 5) a proper handshake when greeting another guest. In this situation, with a standard plate and drinking glass, the user would have both hands busy, and would need to carefully manipulate these items to free a hand for any other use, such as a handshake. As discussed further below, this problem has been addressed to a varying degree of satisfaction. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Prior art offers several adaptations of a dinner plate to support a drinking glass having a flat base within a recess. 
     These require the user&#39;s hand, wrist, and arm to be in an awkward position when holding such a plate and glass assembly for an extended period of time. Such discomfort is illustration that these offer no direct adaptation for hand-held use. 
     When a plate has additional food placed on it, this discomfort increases, since the additional weight is leveraged against the hand and wrist, which in turn, requires the grasping pressure of the hand to be increased, and the forearm muscles to work harder. 
     The situation may be further compounded by the use of stemware. Prior art provides a suitable support for a tumbler, but creates an unstable condition for stemware, as its center of gravity is far above the plate. 
     Users often place a napkin in one hand under the plate, thereby making access to the napkin more difficult. Grasping the napkin in this manner often this causes a user to lose control of the plate, resulting in spilling of its contents. 
     Prior art also offers several adaptations of the underside of a dinner plate to enable the user to attach a plate to a drinking glass at the rim of the glass. Such adaptations offer limited satisfaction, as an unbalanced plate would be unstable on the top of a drinking glass. Stability of this arrangement can be attained by numerous methods that provide a snug fit between plate and glass. When this connection is very snug, separating the two will be more likely to result in upsetting plate or drink. When frequent access to the drink is desired, the drink would be placed in a recess on top of the plate, however, stemware would again be in an unstable position. Also, the plate used in this manner would result in discomfort for reasons discussed above. 
     
         ______________________________________References Cited:United States Patents:Number    Date       Inventor     Class______________________________________D 116,623 9/1939     Lockwood2,920,804 1/1960     Minton       229/1.5D 211,532 6/1968     Ashton       D44/103,504,832 4/1970     Corvetti     224/483,955,672 5/1976     Brundage     206/724,461,396 7/1984     Harper       220/22.834,732,274 3/1988     Bouton       206/5614,823,958 4/1989     Mahmud       206/5614,867,331 9/1989     Task         220/23.84,938,373 7/1990     Mckee        220/23.865,058,737 10/1991    Patterson, et al.                             206/2175,060,820 10/1991    Boerner      220/574______________________________________ 
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 116,623 [Lockwood] describes a food tray with several recesses for a drinking vessel and food. It is intended for tabletop use. Further, it is not adapted for hand-held use, and thereby would require the user&#39;s hand, wrist, and arm to be in an awkward position while holding a tray so described for an extended period of time. Positioning the hand in this fashion causes general muscular discomfort, strains, stress, or cramps in the hand and forearm. It does not accomodate stemware in a secure and stable manner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,920,804 [Minton] describes a food serving tray with a central cup to receive a drinking glass. While this allows the user to hold both drink and food tray in one hand, it has no provision for stemware. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 211,532 [Ashton] describes a food serving tray with a central cup similar to U.S. Pat. No. 2,920,804. This device does not include a means to hold a napkin. It also does not accomodate stemware. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,832 [Corvetti] describes a tray supported on the forearm by a central handle. The device does not provide recesses for drinking glasses or for stemware. Further, making its handle integral to the tray requires complex tooling. The handle also requires the hand to grasp it with thumb and fingers, and doing so for extended periods causes muscular discomfort described above. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,672 [Brundage] describes a drinking cup which passes through a plate, to be grasped and carried from below the plate. Grasping the cup indirectly provides stability to the plate. While this solves the problem of carrying both a drinking glass and plate, it provides no means to carry stemware. Also, it does not address holding a napkin, which is made more difficult as the plate is &#34;balanced&#34; on the user&#39;s forearm. It also complicates the matter of releasing the glass without losing control of the plate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,396 [Harper] describes an adaptation of a dinner plate to support a drinking glass with a substantially flat base and several depressions, one of which is for a drinking vessel. Its adaptation for hand-held use is accomplished by providing an orifice to accept the user&#39;s thumb. Its provision for stemware is unstable, as the center of gravity of such a glass is far above the plate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,274 [Bouton] describes a tray similar to U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,672. It differs by inclusion of a depending skirt. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,958 [Mahmud] describes a food serving tray with a central cup similar to U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,920,804 and D 211,532. This device does not include a means to hold a napkin. It also does not accomodate stemware. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,331 [Task] describes a plate similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,958, with several pockets or depressions which carry either utensils or a drinking vessel. It also provides no means to carry stemware or hold a napkin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,373 [McKee] describes a drinking cup with a plate that is secured above the orifice of the cup. While this solves a problem of carrying both a drinking glass and plate, it requires care when loading the plate to keep its contents balanced. Careful manipulation is required to provide access to: drink, food, napkin, and a free hand for greetings. When frequent access to the drink is desired, the drink would be placed on a recess on top of the plate, and the plate used thus would result in discomfort from the required grasp, for reasons discussed above. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,737 [Patterson, et al.] describes a drinking cup with a plate that is secured above the orifice of the cup similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,373 in its employment. It differs by the methods used to latch plate and vessel together, but it has similar utilitarian problems, and requires complex tooling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,820 [Boerner] describes a drinking cup with a plate that has a depending flap or handle with which one can grasp in one hand both the handle and the drink. Its use is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,373, but its grasping means has a more subsantial size. This device may fail when the user exerts too little pressure on the depending handle, allowing the drinking vessel to drop from the user&#39;s grasp as a consequence. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of this invention to: 
     a) provide a device to support drinking vessel, either with or without a stem, in a stable manner and support both food and drink, the combination to be held in one hand. Thus, the user is free to use the opposite hand for shaking hands, gesturing, raising the glass, or eating from the plate, and 
     b) provide a grip on the periphery of such a plate suitably designed to be comfortable when held for an extended period of time, and 
     c) provide secure support for a drinking vessel, so the user may support a tumbler, resting the base of the vessel within a recess formed on the top surface of the plate provided for such purpose, or support stemware, passing the stem of the drinking vessel through a slot, and resting the bowl of the glass in the cooperating depression provided for such purpose, and 
     d) provide a holding member or device to grasp or secure a napkin and release it without causing instability of the plate or its contents. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a plate assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modified interlocking vessel support means in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a section of plate assembly in FIG. 1 along line 6--6; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section thereof along line 7--7, with tumbler in place; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section thereof along line 7--7, with stemware in place; 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a modified plate assembly in accordance with the present invention, with stemware in place; 
     FIG. 10 is an elevational view thereof, as held in the hand; 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of modified plate assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of along line 14--14, of FIG. 11 in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a further modified plate assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a modified plate assembly of FIG. 15 in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of an interlocking grip extension of FIG. 15 in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of grip extension of FIG. 17. 
     
         ______________________________________PARTS LIST:______________________________________21,  plate assembly22,  plate member             formed by                         32, 36, 44, 5823,  vessel support member    formed by 58,                         60, 63, 66,                         68, [76]24,  grip member              formed by                         36, 46, [48]25,  means to hold a napkin32,  substantially flat or dished plate surface36,  upwardly tilted flange extension44,  underside of plate surface46,  downward extending bulge48,  elastomeric covering on grip58,  generally flat surface extending from edgeof plate surface60,  flate annular depression in flat surfaceextending from edge63,  slot, bight, or opening66,  opening substantially concentric to annulardepression68,  concave surface in annular depression72,  detent73,  slot in edge of support member73a, slot in edge of grip member74,  rim of plate76,  elastomeric covering of interior surfaces ofbight82   clip84   opposing faces of clip [82]95   drinking vessel97   drinking vessels (stemware)______________________________________ 
    
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8, there is illustrated one embodiment of a serving plate assembly in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral [21]. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a plate assembly [21] in plan view. As seen in this view, plate assembly [21] consists of a plate member [22]; and a separable, outwardly extending vessel support member [23] described in greater detail below. 
     FIG. 1 further illustrates the plate member [22], consisting of a substantially flat or dished plate surface [32] to support food, an upwardly tilted flange extension [36] connected to a surface, described in greater detail below, and a raised rim [74] on the outer periphery of the plate member [22]. 
     FIG. 1 also illustrates details of the separable vessel support member [23]. The member consists of a generally flat surface [58] extending laterally from the edge of the plate surface [32], and a substantially flat annular depression [60] in the surface [58] to receive the base of a drinking vessel (not shown). The depression generally conforms to the base of a vessel such as a tumbler. FIG. 7 illustrates a drinking vessel [95] supported according to the above description. An alternate position for the vessel support member [23a] shows orientation to a user&#39;s left hand. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show the separable support member [23] attached to the plate surface [32]. When so disposed, the support member [23] lies in a plane generally parallel to the plane of plate surface [32]. 
     FIG. 5 further illustrates the separable vessel support member [23] and means to attach to the plate member [22]. The vessel support member is separably attached by the elastic properties of the described support member cooperating with an integral detent or detents [72] within a slot [73] in the internal edge of the support member [23] and interlocking with a raised rim [74] on the plate member [22]. The support member [23] is alternately separably attached by means of interlocking ribs, or similar hidden fastening hardware (not shown) communicating between the separable vessel support member [23] and the edge, underside, or rim of the plate member [22]. The vessel support member [23] is, at the choice of the user, attached for use with the vessel support, oriented to the user&#39;s right hand, or re-oriented to the user&#39;s left hand, or detached. 
     Returning to FIG. 1, the vessel support member [23] includes a slot, bight, or opening [63] extending from the external edge of the support member to an opening [66] substantially concentric to the annular depression [60]. Bight [63] allows passage of the supporting stem member of a piece of stemware [97], shown more clearly in FIG. 8. The bowl of such vessels is thus supported by the surface of the depression [60]. This allows the user to hold the plate assembly [21] in either hand and support the stemware [97] in a stable manner leaving the opposite hand free. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the drinking vessel [97] so supported. A dished, conic, or otherwise concave surface [68] in the center of the depression [60] provides additional stability and support to the bowl of the stemware [97]. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the flange extension [36] cooperates with a downward extending bulge [46] on the underside [44] of the plate surface, to provide a grip member [24] for holding the plate assembly [21] in the hand. When the user holds the grip member [24] in the hand, this arrangement allows the user to cradle the plate in the palm of the hand while stabilizing the plate assembly [21] with the thumb communicating with the flange [36]. 
     FIG. 2 further illustrates the plate assembly [21] in side elevation with additional detail of the features of the grip member [24]. The grip member [24] is optionally covered or coated on the external surfaces by an elastomeric material [48]. This is accomplished by co-injection in the case of an injection-molded plastic plate, or by dipping in vinyl or other elastomeric material in the case of ceramic, metal, wood or similar materials not suitable to the co-injection process. Further, the grip member [24] is optionally covered by elastomeric material that is adhered to the surface of the grip member. Further, the grip member is optionally covered by a separately molded elastomeric material secured to the grip member [24] by means of rivets, detents, or other concealed internal mechanical means. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the plate assembly [21] in plan view from the underside, showing the contours relating to the topographical features of the downward extending bulge [46]. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the vessel support member [23] has a means to hold a napkin [25] or serviette and release it without causing the plate member [22] and its contents to upset. Holding means in this embodiment is integrally formed as a clip with opposing faces [84] providing pressure to grasp the napkin [25] by frictional force. The material used in forming the vessel support member [23] is an elastomeric material or a flexible substance such as steel or plastic to allow the clip [84] to flex repeatedly. Alternately, means is formed separately and assembled to the vessel support member [23] or another member of the plate assembly [21]. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 9-14, an additional embodiment of the plate assembly generally designated by the numeral [21], is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the plate assembly [21] in plan view. Herein, the plate member [22] consists of the substantially flat or dished surface [32] to support food, an integral grip member [24], described in greater detail below, and an integral outwardly extending vessel support member [23] described in greater detail below. 
     The vessel support member [23] has features of the above described embodiment respectively numbered [60, 63, 66, 68] to receive a drinking vessel [95, 97]. FIGS. 9 and 14 illustrate drinking vessels similarly supported, and the features listed above. The plane of the support member [23] is generally parallel to the plane of the plate surface [32], and consists of the generally flat surface [58] extending laterally from the edge of the plate surface [32]. 
     FIG. 14 further illustrates a soft elastomeric covering, coating, or pad [76] on the interior edges and the surfaces [60, 66, 68] of the annular depression and the concave surface, providing cushion for the drinking vessel [95, 97], thus protecting crystal stemware from scratching during use. Locally inserted pads (not shown) are substituted in a circular array around the depression or the concave surface to accomplish the above purpose. The separable vessel support member [23] is optionally made in its entirety of elastomeric material. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, the integral grip member [24] consists of the upwardly tilted flange [36], and the downward extending bulge [46] on the underside [44] of plate surface [32]. When the user holds the grip member [24] in the left hand, this arrangement cooperates to allow the user to cradle the plate assembly [21] in the palm of the hand while stabilizing the plate assembly [21] with the thumb communicating with the flange [36], and support the stemware in a stable manner while leaving the right hand free. This arrangement is shown more clearly in FIG. 10. 
     FIG. 12 further illustrates the plate assembly [21] in side elevation with additional detail of features of the grip member [24]. Grip member [24] is optionally covered or coated on external surfaces by an elastomeric material [48]. This is accomplished in a manner similar to the first embodiment. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the plate assembly [21] in plan view from the underside, showing contours relating to the topographical features of the downward extending bulge [46] and underside of the concave surface [68]. 
     FIG. 11 further illustrates the vessel support member [23]. The vessel support member [23] includes the slot, bight, or opening [63] extending from the external edge of the support member to the opening [66] substantially concentric to the annular depression [60]. The bight [63] allows passage of the supporting stem member of the stemware [97]. The bowl of such a vessel is thus supported by the surface of the depression [60]. This arrangement is shown more clearly in FIG. 14. This allows the user to hold the plate assembly [21] in the left hand the support the stemware in a stable manner leaving the right hand free. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 15-18, an additional embodiment of the plate assembly generally designated by the numeral [21], is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. Herein, the plate member [22] consists of the substantially flat or dished surface [32] to support food, and the integral outwardly extending vessel support member [23] described in greater detail below. 
     The plane of support member [23] is generally parallel to the plane of the plate surface [32], and consists of the generally flat surface [58] extending laterally from the edge of the plate surface [32]. The support member [23] has features of above described embodiment respectively numbered [60, 63, 66, 68] to receive the base of drinking vessels [95, 97]. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate drinking vessels so supported, and features similar to those listed above. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 15-18, the plate assembly [21] is provided with a separable grip member [24], consisting of the upwardly tilted flange [36], and the downward extending bulge [46] on the underside [44] of the plate surface [32]. 
     The grip member [24] is, at the choice of the user, attached for use with the vessel support member [23] oriented to the user&#39;s right hand, or re-oriented to the user&#39;s left hand, or detached. When the user holds the plate assembly in either hand, this arrangement allows the user to cradle the plate assembly [21] in the palm of the hand while stabilizing the plate assembly [21] with the thumb communicating with the flange extension [36]. 
     The grip member is alternately separably attached by means of interlocking ribs [24], or similar hidden fastening hardware (not shown) communicating between the separable grip member [24] and the edge, underside, or rim of the plate member [22]. 
     The above described separable grip is optionally covered or coated on external surfaces by the elastomeric material [48] for a more secure grasp, as in previously described embodiments, or is manufactured in its entirety of elastomeric material. 
     Referring to FIG. 17, the grip member [24] is separably attached by elastic properties of the described grip member [24] cooperating with the integral detent or detents [72] within a slot [73a] in the edge of the grip member [24] and interlocking with the raised rim [74] on plate member (not shown). 
     The grip member [24] is alternately separably attached to the plate member [22] by means of interlocking ribs or other concealed internal mechanical means (not shown) communicating between the separable grasping means and the edge, underside, or rim of the plate member [22]. 
     Referring to FIG. 15, the plate assembly [21] has the means for temporarily holding the napkin [25] or serviette. Holding means in this embodiment is integrally formed as a clip with opposing faces [84] providing pressure to grasp the napkin [25] by frictional force. Holding means is alternately integral to the grip member [24]. 
     The described embodiments are manufactured of numerous materials including, but not limited to, ceramics, plaster, paper, plastics, rubber, wood, metals, and glass. 
     The embodiments described are manufactured by numerous processes including, but not limited to, compression molding, injection molding, casting, and machining. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it should be readily understood that those skilled in the art may find numerous variations, alterations, adaptations and modifications, and that these may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims, and are intended to be covered thereby. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention successfully addresses the issues presented by combining functions required of a plate assembly for use at a reception. 
     The device improves utility over prior art by providing stable support for a drinking vessel, either with or without a stem. The device is an improvement over prior art as it specifically allows use with stemware. The user passes the stem of the drinking vessel through a slot, and rests the bowl in the cooperating depression provided for such purpose. 
     The plate assembly supports both food and drink in one hand in a comfortable and stable manner. The plate assembly is designed to be cradled in the palm of the hand with the thumb extended out and against an upwardly tilted flange, an arrangement which stabilizes the plate and reduces muscular stress as compared with more common designs which require the user to grasp the edge of such plates. 
     The grip located on the periphery of the plate assembly in combination with a bulge on the underside of the plate provides further comfort when held for an extended period of time. 
     The plate assembly&#39;s simple configuration allows easy manufacture in a wide variety of materials, as outlined below. 
     The device could be made of numerous materials, either rigid, such as ceramics, wood, metals, or glass, or more flexible materials such as plastics, rubber, paperboard, and the like. The assembly is designed to allow several of its parts to be made of differing materials to impart qualities such as: 
     a) modification of orientation, for example, reorientation for left-hand users; 
     b) cushioning crystal stemware; 
     c) provision for decorative features and color contrast; 
     d) provision for insulation; 
     e) holding means for napkin; 
     f) adaptation to specific drinking vessels. 
     OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention as shown in the preferred embodiment offers a coordinated system to handle, in one hand, food, drink, and napkin at a cocktail reception. It offers the user movable components to allow orientation of the assembly for either hand. The position of such attachments is at the discretion of the user. Either or both the grasping means or the drinking vessel support member are firmly attached by interlocking detents with a raised rim on plate using the elastic properties of the material of their manufacture. 
     The user cradles the plate in the palm of the hand and orients the drinking vessel support member toward the opposite hand. When extending the thumb to exert moderate lateral pressure on the upwardly tilted flange extension, the plate is stable for food and drink. The depending bulge on the underside of the plate fills the curve of the palm of a relaxed hand. This maintains stability while the fingers are extended and the hand is in a relaxed condition, thus offering comfort for an extended period of time. 
     A drinking vessel of substantially cylindrical shape can be supported by nesting the base of such a vessel in the flat annular depression provided within the horizontal surface extending from the plate assembly. Stemware is supported in same annular depression by passing the supporting stem of such vessel into the bight and supporting the bowl with stem extending through bight near the center of depression. 
     A napkin or serviette is optionally attached to the plate or one of its components by an extending clip or holding means. 
     One embodiment shown is intended for use in the left hand. The user cradles the plate in the palm of the left hand and orients the drinking vessel support member toward the right hand. Operation is similar to preferred embodiment, with emphasis for use to keep the right hand free for handshake greetings.