Background

In a catering environment, catering trays are often used by customers to transfer purchased food to a table for consumption.

In these environments, those with limited mobility, for example wheelchair users, may be at a disadvantage when it comes to transporting the trays.

There is a need in the art for a means of assisting in the transportation of catering trays from till to table.

CN214759779 discloses a movable bedside table for a ward comprises a table plate, a lifting rod and a chassis with traveling wheels, wherein a fixed loop bar is vertically arranged on the outer edge of the chassis, the lower part of the lifting rod is in threaded connection with the fixed loop bar, and the top of the lifting rod penetrates through the table plate and is fixedly connected with a lifting button; a stopping upper rod is arranged in the cylindrical lifting rod, a stopping lower rod is sleeved on the outer side of the lower part of the stopping upper rod, the upper end of the stopping upper rod extends out of the top of the lifting rod, and a stopping button is fixedly connected to the extending part; the inner thread of the lower end of the stop lower rod is connected with a stop inner rod, and the lower end of the stop inner rod extends out of the fixed loop bar.

CN216021972 discloses a walking aid, which comprises a frame and a rising auxiliary unit, wherein the frame comprises a body, wheels, handrails and a tray, the wheels are arranged at the lower end of the body, and the tray is arranged in the middle of the body; the handrail is arranged at the upper end of the body, and the rising auxiliary unit is arranged on the body and opposite to the tray and used for providing supporting force for a user to change from a sitting posture to a standing posture so as to assist the user to stand.

KR10-1793126 discloses a car table comprising a seat portion including a flat plate-shaped table and an elastic string module which varies the length of an elastic string relative to the table; and a frame-shaped handle portion located at both side portions of the table on one side of the table and capable of rotating and moving up and down relative to the table; and a frame-shaped table moving portion located below the table on the other side of the table and rotatable relative to the table, wherein the seat portion, the handle portion, and the table moving portion can be mechanically deformed into a table shape or a carrier shape. DE 24 04 065 A1 to provides a three wheeled serving trolley having a central support and a T-shaped base without any evident gripping means.

Summary

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.

The present invention provides:

A three wheeled trolley for carrying a catering tray, for use by a customer in carrying served food to a table for consumption, the trolley having gripping means for a user to push the trolley, the means defining a rear side of the trolley.

The three wheels are supported in a triangular (V) or (II) arrangement, with two wheels positioned at the rear side and a single wheel at a forward apex side remote from the rear side. The V or II arrangement allows the frame to be open at the rear so that no portion of the frame may will be in contact with the body of a user in a wheelchair (or their wheelchair) when the user is pushing the trolley from the rear.

The trolley further comprises two upright bars each extending upward to an upper end and doing so from a lower end proximate to a rear side wheel and two horizontal bar supports that each extends, substantially perpendicular in said V or II arrangement, from the lower end of one of the vertical bars, meeting at an apex at or proximate to the single remaining wheel at the forward side.

The gripping means are a handle that extends between the upper ends of the upright bars. This provides a region for the user to grip whilst maneuvering the trolley.

As such, the present invention provides a tray that can assist a user with the transfer of customer refreshment items from a hospitality venue service counter to a venue table and/or from one venue table to another table.

The trolley further comprises a tray with means for connecting the tray to a frame, as defined by the bars, and configured such that the tray is at a suitable height to slide onto the surface of a dining table when the trolley is wheeled up to the table.

The tray may be the catering tray to be carried by the trolley. The tray may preferably be detachable. In this case, the user can load the tray at the counter, or the tray may be loaded by a member of staff at the venue before being transferred into the frame. The tray being detachable also makes cleaning of the trays easier as they can be removed to be cleaned in a dishwasher for example. The tray may be non-detachable and suitable for carrying the catering tray. In this case, the catering tray is not part of the trolley. This configuration may be more robust as it does not require any detachable parts.

The trolley may further comprise one or more support means extending from the upper ends of the upright bars, for supporting the tray. The support means may project substantially perpendicular from the upright bars.

The support means may be attached to the upright bars by means of slideable collars to adjust the height of the support means. This allows the trolley to be compatible with different heights of table.

In the case that the tray is the catering tray and is detachable and the trolley comprises support means, it may be preferable that the catering tray slots laterally between the support means for being slid in and out, such as if from a serving counter and out to a table top.

To allow for the catering tray to be detachable the support means may comprise the means for connecting the tray to the frame. In this case, it may be preferable that there are two support means. The support means may each comprise a groove along the length of the support means, the groove configured to receive an edge of the tray such that when the tray is attached to the frame, one edge of the tray is received by the groove of the first support means and an opposing edge of the tray is received by the groove of the second support means. This has the benefit of the tray being easily slid into the frame for transport and that the tray can be easily removed from the frame also. It is preferable that the two support means are substantially parallel to one another to allow for the full length of the opposing edges of the rectangular tray to be received by the grooves.

Again, in the case that there are two support means, an alternative means for connecting the tray to the frame is that each support means comprises at least one securing protrusion. The at least one securing protrusion extending perpendicularly from the surface of the support means (which themselves are preferably substantially parallel to the ground) such that the securing protrusions protrude substantially vertically upwards from the support means when the trolley is in use. The tray preferably comprises corresponding apertures or recesses configured to receive the securing protrusions. This allows the tray to be set onto the support means, and the protrusions will be received by the corresponding apertures removably fixing the tray to the support means. The benefit of securing the tray in this way is that it prevents movement of the tray in the plane of the floor, which is the direction that the tray is most likely to slide as the trolley is moved. As a further alternative, the support means may be made of a ferromagnetic material and the underside of the tray comprises at least two magnets configured to align with the support means when the tray is positioned on the support means thus securing the tray in place.

The support means may be shaped such that they comprise a recess suitable for receiving a lip of the tray. The lip of the tray therefore would serve to prevent items from sliding off the tray and to prevent the tray from sliding

The apex wheel is preferably a 360 degree swivel wheel. This improves the maneuverability of the trolley.

The distance between the rear wheels is preferably between 50 and 70cm. further preferably, the distance is between 55 and 65cm. this distance allows the trolley to accommodate the footrest of standard wheelchairs between the wheels.

The handle height is preferably between 85 and 100 cm from the floor when the trolley is stood on its wheels. Further preferably the handle height is between 90 and 95 cm in height as this has been found to be the optimal range for wheelchair users.

The handle may preferably comprise a coin and chain mechanism suitable for connecting one trolley to another trolley. As such, a user may release a trolley for use through the introduction of a coin or similar token the coin and chain mechanism. This ensures the security of the trolleys and encourages their return.

The handle preferably comprises a pull to release or push to release actuator for a brake mechanism such that a brake mechanism attached the wheels is active when the handle is not released. A pull to release mechanism is preferred as a user falling forward the actuator push to release mechanism. This improves the safety of the trolley.

The coin/token release mechanism may be alternatively coupled to the brake.

The trolley may preferably be nestable such that multiple trolleys can be pushed together such that the overall length of the nested trolleys is less than the sum of the lengths of the individual trolleys for storage efficiency.

The handle preferably comprises an aperture, being an aperture of diameter between seven and 12 cm and having an axis perpendicular to the vertical. This is useful for the use of a walking stick to locate the walking stick in the aperture so as to reduce encumbrance when utilising the trolley. This may be on both sides of the handle. Vertically below and in line with the aperture may be a platform upon which the lower end of a walking stick may be located when so positioned on a trolley. The upper part of the trolley they comprise a visible bottle/tall glass holder. Such as relative to the tray frame underneath or in direct horizontal alignment with the bottle holder cage

Existing tray depth is fourteen inches. With bottle holder, include eight inches so overall tray depth is now a maximum of twenty-two inches which would assist with any stability or weight bearing issue. My preference is an overall maximum tray frame depth of twenty inches

The trolley may comprise a splashguard being the length of the shorter handlebar and likely from the top of the bottle holder up to the shorter handlebar.

The width of the handle is preferably between 50 and 70cm. further preferably, the distance is between 55 and 65cm.

In addition to the handle as depicted in the drawings need alternative handle grips for those with dexterity issues/WC user/child may be present.

The trolley, may comprise a base tray frame.

The tray may have a width, measured from the front to the rear of the trolley of between 30 and 60 cm. it may further be preferable that the width of the tray is between 35 and 50cm.

The tray may have a length, measured in a direction parallel to the handle. The length may be between 40 and 70cm, preferably between 40 and 50 cm.

Most preferably the tray is 46cm in length by 36 cm in width.

The overall depth of the tray may be between 1.5 and 4cm.

The tray may have a lip around its edge to prevent any items that slide from falling off the tray. The height of the lip may be between 0.5 and 2 cm.

The overall weight of the trolley is preferably between 5 and 15 kg, further preferably between 7 and 9kg. This range provides the optimal combination of stability and ease of maneuver.

The frame may further comprise two or more upright supports, the supports each comprising a bar that extends between one of the upright bars and the horizontal bar adjacent to said upright bar.

The two or more upright supports preferably begin at least 30cm below the tray on the upright bars. The upright bars may comprise a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the upright bars. These may be a spring button height adjustment mechanism. The trolley may further comprise a cover for each of the height adjustment mechanism to prevent the accidental deployment of the height adjustable mechanism.

The means for connecting the tray to the frame may be releasable.

The upright bars may extend vertically when viewed laterally and flare outward from the handle and toward the base when viewed from the rear of the trolley.

The trolley may comprise a brake mechanism for applying braking force to at least the two wheels positioned at the rear side of the trolley.

The brake mechanism may be operated by the handle. A user may push down on the handle to release the brake. In this case, the handle will comprise a hinged portion that the user can push down to release the brake. Having the user push down on the handle to release the brake has the benefit that when the handle is in its resting position, the brakes will be applied and the trolley will not move.

The preferred age range of user of the trolley may be between 10 and 80 years.

The trolley is preferably suitable for use by both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users.

The material of the frame is preferably sturdy and hardwearing, for example stainless steel.

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a system comprising, a table and trolley. The trolley being any of the trolleys as described above. The table having a table surface and one or more pedestal legs, the one or more pedestal legs positioned a distance from the edge of the table surface that the front wheel of the trolley may abut one of the pedestal legs whilst positioning the tray over the table surface.

The trolley at or proximate the apex may comprise a magnet and the table may have a ferromagnetic pedestal; the trolley and tray being configured for the magnet to contact the pedestal for securing the trolley in place at the table.

The rear wheels of the trolley of the system may fixed for rotation forwards backwards and the apex wheel may be a 360 degree swivel wheel. This configuration provides a balance of predictable movement and maneuverability.

Alternatively, the rear wheels of the trolley may be 360 degree swivel wheel and the apex wheels is a 360 degree swivel wheel, the table preferably having at least one circular circumferential side with said pedestal at its centre. This configuration allows the trolly to be wheeled around the table with the apex wheel remaining in contact with the pedestal at the centre of the table.

In a preferred embodiment the upright bars may telescope and be secured by means of a compression fitting lateral to the axis of the bar. This enables the height of the tray portion of the trolley to be adjusted to accommodate different table heights. Preferably the compression fitting is in the form of a toggle clamp or simply a bolt located in a screw aperture on the outer portion of the telescoped bar enabling the bolt to compress against the inner portion of the telescoped bar to secure the bars in place.

The upright bars may comprise wheelchair clasps for grabbing onto a wheelchair so as to secure the trolley to a wheelchair for the two to be used in conjunction.

The override bars may comprise a lateral panel upon which indicia can be placed.

Corners of the cart, such as outer corners of the tray and the apex of the base may comprise polymeric bumpers to reduce damage on impact and improve safety by rounding the corners.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described in terms of the following figures:

Figure 1: A trolley according to the present invention in perspective view.

Figure 2: A trolley according to the present invention viewed from the side.

Figure 3: A trolley according to the present invention viewed from the front.

Figure 4: A trolley according to the present invention viewed from the top.

Figure 5: A trolley according to the present invention viewed from the bottom.

The present invention will be described in terms of the following features:

10 Trolley

100 Wheel

110 Upright bar

111 Upright bar upper end

112 Upright bar lower end 120 Horizontal bar support

121 Horizontal bar support apex

130 Tray

140 Handle

In the description, like features will be given like numerals.

Figure 1 discloses a trolley 10 seen in perspective view.

The trolley 10 is a three wheeled trolley for carrying a catering tray, for use by a customer in carrying served food to a table for consumption, the trolley having gripping means in the form of a handle 140 for a user to push the trolley, the means defining a rear side of the trolley. The handle may comprise an antimicrobial coating.

The three wheels 100 are supported in a triangular (V), with two wheels 100 positioned at the rear side and a single wheel 100 at a forward apex side remote from the rear side. The V arrangement allows the frame to be open at the rear so that no portion of the frame may will be in contact with the body of a user in a wheelchair (or their wheelchair) when the user is pushing the trolley from the rear.

The trolley further comprises two upright bars 110 each extending upward to an upper end 111 and doing so from a lower 112 end proximate to a rear side wheel 100. The trolley further comprises two horizontal bar supports 120 that each extends, substantially perpendicular in said V arrangement, from the lower 112 end of one of the vertical bars 110, meeting at an apex 121 at or proximate to the single remaining wheel 100 at the forward side.

The gripping means are a handle 140 that extends between the upper ends of the upright bars. This provides a region for the use to grip whilst maneuvering the trolley.

The trolley further comprises a tray 130 and configured such that the tray 130 is at a suitable height to slide onto the surface of a dining table when the trolley is wheeled up to the table.

The tray may preferably comprise lateral slots so that a user can place their hands or readily underneath the tray. The slots are preferably equally spaced midway on either side of the tray. The slots may have underneath them a support so that the fingers of the user may be moved underneath the tray whilst the tray is still supported.

Figure 2 discloses the trolley of figure 1 in a side on view. Figure 3 discloses the trolley of figure 1 as viewed from the front side. From this angle the 3 wheels 100 are clearly visible.

Figure 4 discloses the trolley of figure 1 as viewed from the top.

Figure 5 discloses the trolley 10 of figure 1 as viewed from the base. From this angle the V arrangement of the wheels 100 as supported by the horizontal bar supports 120 can be clearly seen.

The present invention may be described generically as a trolley tray and is herein described as WynTray (TM).