Supports – Supporting base
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-05
2004-02-10
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Supporting base
C248S346300, C248S188100, C248S219200, C108S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06688573
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to pedestals. The term “pedestal” is used herein to denote a structure which can be placed on the earth, on the floor of a building, or on an elevated surface (for example a buffet or other table, sideboard or desk) and which will support objects (e.g. tableware of all kinds) placed on top of the pedestal. For example, pedestals are widely used in the catering industry to support serving dishes, containers, platters, trays, jugs, glasses, bottles, cutlery, ice sculptures and flower vases at positions chosen for functional and/or decorative reasons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have discovered new and useful pedestal bases, and new and useful pedestals incorporating one or more such pedestal bases and a plurality of support members. The pedestals of the invention can be easily assembled and disassembled, and the invention includes new and useful kits containing one or more pedestal bases and a plurality of support members which can be assembled with the pedestal base(s) to form the new and useful pedestals. The components of a kit can be packed into any suitable container, optionally having compartments for different components, for example a fabric bag. A kit comprising a plurality of separate pedestal bases and support members can be assembled into a wide variety of pedestals of different functionalities, shapes, dimensions and decorative appearances. The invention makes it possible for users to transport a kit of relatively small dimensions to, for example, a particular catering or display event, and to construct, on site, one or more pedestals adapted to the particular requirements of the event. After the event, the pedestal(s) can be easily disassembled, cleaned (for example in commercial washing facilities) and repacked as a compact kit for transport to storage or to another event.
We have also discovered new, original and ornamental designs for pedestal bases and for pedestals.
In a first aspect, this invention provides a pedestal base which comprises a hollow tube having a first periphery and a second periphery,
at least one of the first and second peripheries including at least two pairs of open channels, preferably at least four pairs of open channels,
each pair of open channels being sized and spaced around the periphery so that a straight support member of constant cross-section can be slidably fitted into the pair of channels, and
the pairs of channels being spaced around the periphery so that, when a straight support member is fitted into each pair of channels, all the support members are parallel to each other.
In a second aspect, this invention provides a pedestal which comprises
(1) a pedestal base according to the first aspect of the invention, and
(2) at least two support members, each support member being slidably fitted into a pair of said channels.
The term “slidably fitted” is used herein to mean that, when the pedestal base is upright, with the open channels exposed, the support members can be placed in respective pairs of the channels, and are supported by the channels so that the support members are parallel to each other and so that the position of each support member can be changed by sliding the support member within the channels. The term “comprises” is used herein in its normal sense in patent law to mean that other components are optionally present.
In a third aspect, this invention provides a pedestal which comprises
(1) first and second pedestal bases according to the first aspect of the invention, and
(3) at least two support members, each support member being slidably fitted into at least one of said channels in the first pedestal base and at least one of said channels in the second pedestal base.
In a fourth aspect, this invention provides a kit comprising one or more pedestal bases according to the first aspect of the invention, and a plurality of support members which can be slidably fitted onto the pedestal(s) to assemble one or more pedestals according to the second aspect of the invention.
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ALOK Trade Brochure (Pedestal Designs).
Reed James P.
Reed Petra
Braun Leslie A.
Marsh Steven
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