Improvements in Children's Table Trays.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Children's Table Trays.
I, CHARLES LEWIS WAGANDT, residing at 30 South Calvert Street, City of Baltimore,
State of Maryland, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CHILDREN'S TABLE TRAYS, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to those trays which are designed for the use of young
children at the table, and has for its object the production of a tray of improved
construction which will be better adapted to holding dishes and preventing the spilling
and dropping of food, which will protect the garments of the child, which cannot be
displaced from its proper position at the edge of the table so long as the child is
situated before it, which will conceal and keep out of the child's reach any liquids
which may be spilled within the tray, and which when not in use may have its
securing devices folded down upon its surface to enable it to be conveniently packed
or laid aside.
According to my invention the front portion of the tray projects a considerable
distance over the edge of the table, and is formed with a cut-out portion, which
recess fits the body of the child, the portions of the tray at each side of the recess
projecting forward and past the position ordinarily occupied by the infant's body.
The inner sides of the recess, therefore, constitute what may be termed " supporting
walls," extending forward at substantially right angles to the edge of the table, and
are adapted to support the child in an upright position. It further results from this
construction that portions of the tray, when in use, are situated at each side of the
child and extend forward for such distance as to render it almost impossible for dishes
or articles of food to be dropped upon the floor.
My invention further consists in certain parts and combinations thereof, hereinafter
particularly set forth.
In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the
accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into effect.
In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a child's tray embodying my
improvements.
Figure 2 is a front view of the same.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view, illustrating the manner of folding the securing
devices when the tray is not in use.
Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4, Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a perforated removable bottom for tray shewn in plan.
Referring to the drawings, A is the body of the tray, which is provided with a
surrounding rim, a, of suitable height. The material of the tray may be tin suitably
japanned or ornamented.
At B is indicated the space formed by cutting out the front edge of the tray so as
to leave two forwardly-projecting portions A¹ A, which will be adapted in use, when
the body of the child is situated in the space B, to extend forward for a considerable
distance and to be situated at each side of the user.
The tray is designed to be so placed upon the table that the front edge of the latter
will be substantially in line with the inner side of space B, and to insure such placing
of the tray, and also to prevent its being tipped up and its contents spilled by down-
ward pressure upon the projections A', I have provided suitable securing devices for
regulating the position of the tray and holding the rear edge of the tray down upon
the table. In this instance said devices consist of strong spring fingers or clasps of
wire or other suitable material. In the construction shown the tray is provided upon
the outer and under sides of the rim a with sleeves b, soldered to said rim. The spring

page_text: clasps, the securing arms of which are indicated at C, are provided also with vertical
portions and arms or journals c, which are adapted to fit and turn within the
sleeve b. The clasps are also provided with a bend or set-off, (shown at c'), by which
the portions c² of the clasps are held at sufficient distance from the journal or pivot c
to clear the edge of the bottom of the tray and enable the said clasps to be folded
flat upon the bottom surface of the latter, as shown in Fig. 3. In placing the tray
for use the portion's 2 bear against the edge of the table and insure the proper
position of the tray, while the arms C bear against the under side of the table and
hold down the rear portion and sustain the front portions, A' A'.
The securing devices or clasps are preferably made removable, the pivot c being
adapted, in the construction shown, to be withdrawn from the sleeves B. When this
has been done, it will be seen that, on account of the position of the sleeves b,
there will be no projection of any kind upon the bottom of the tray and the trays
will be well adapted to be packed one upon the other ready for shipment without
occupying much space and without danger of jamming or collapsing the sleeves.
I preferably form the rim of the tray where it bounds the rear side of the space B
in such manner, as shown. at a', that it constitutes an upward extension from the
main portion of the rim and forms a protector or apron by which the garments of the
child will be protected and food caught and deflected upon the tray, instead of being
allowed to drop into the lap or upon the floor.
A band around the child's body, or supports adapted to sustain the projections A¹A'
upon the arms of the child's chair, might be employed to prevent the tipping of the
tray, instead of using, as in the illustration, holding devices which engage the
table.
D indicates a perforated removable bottom, of a shape to conform to the tray and
adapted to fit neatly within the rim a thereof. The bottom D has supports by which
it is held slightly above the bottom of the tray forming a space into which liquids
spilled by the child may immediately pass out of sight and out of reach of the hands
or sleeves of the infant. Such supports may be furnished by a downwardly turned
stiffening rim with which the removable bottom may be provided, the middle portions
of the latter being also preferably supported by the ribs d' soldered or otherwise
secured thereto. Catches may also be provided for holding the bottom D in place
within the tray in such manner as to permit of its easy removal, such for instance as
projections d² formed or secured upon the inner face of the rim a at such height
above the bottom of the tray as to engage the removable bottom above its edge. By
slightly bending or springing the tray A these projections may be caused to release
the bottom D to permit its removal. It can be put in place by simply being pressed
down past the projections d², the tray and bottom D mutually yielding or springing
sufficiently for the purpose.
I am aware that it has been heretofore proposed to construct waiters with a recess
for the arm of the person carrying them, with a view to prevent the accidental
dropping of the waiters, and I do not wish to be understood as claiming anything
contained in such construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
As an improved manufacture, a child's table tray when constructed and arranged
substantially as herein shown and described.
2th day or may loo.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.