Multifunctional lazy susan
The present invention is directed to a multifunctional lazy susan comprising a multifunctional lazy susan that includes a pedestal, a tray rotatably and detachably fastened to the pedestal, and an arrangement of assembled plates positioned about an axis of rotation that extends through the tray and the pedestal. Each plate includes an aperture radially spaced about and proximate the axis of rotation, and a food or condiment dish is releasably coupled to each assembled plate.
1 . A lazy susan, comprising:
a) a rotatable tray;
b) an arrangement of assembled plates on said rotatable tray, each plate including at least one aperture extending there through, said assembly of plates arranged so that each said at least one aperture is radially spaced from and positioned proximate an axis of rotation that extends through said rotatable tray; and
c) a dish including at least one coupling member adapted to releasably couple to said assembly of plates.
2 . The lazy susan recited in claim 1 , wherein said tray comprises:
a) a tray surface shaped to contain said arrangement of assembled plates; and
b) a bearing mechanism attached to said rotatable tray, said bearing mechanism positioned to rotate said tray about said axis of rotation when said bearing is placed on a surface.
3 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , comprising: a skirt extending along a periphery of said tray, said skirt shaped to support said tray when said skirt is placed on a surface.
4 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: a mounting plate fixed to a bottom surface of said rotatable tray, a base plate, and a bearing race fixed between said mounting plate and said base plate.
5 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: a mounting ring fixed to a bottom surface of said rotatable tray; and at least three wheels rotatably fixed to said mounting ring, said at least three wheels positioned along a wheel circle about said axis of rotation.
6 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , wherein said bearing mechanism comprises: at least three wheels fixed to said rotatably tray, said at least three wheels positioned along a wheel circle about said axis of rotation.
7 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , wherein said arrangement of assembled plates comprises: four plates, each plate shaped to occupy substantially one quadrant portion of said tray surface.
8 . The lazy susan recited in claim 7 , wherein each said at least one aperture extending through each said plate comprises:
a) a first aperture shaped and sized to clasp a side wall of a beverage container and suspend a portion of the clasped container below said plate; and
b) a second smaller aperture that extends from said first aperture through an edge portion of said plate.
9 . The lazy susan recited in claim 8 , wherein each said plate is square shaped and said second aperture extends from said first aperture through a corner of said plate.
10 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , wherein said coupling member extends downward from said dish and comprises a continuous serpentine shape that corresponds with each radially spaced aperture positioned proximate said axis of rotation, said coupling member adapted for insertion into each said at least one aperture so that said dish may be releasably coupled to each said plate.
11 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , wherein said coupling member extends downward from said dish and comprises a plurality of separate members shaped to correspond with each radially spaced aperture positioned proximate said axis of rotation, each said shaped member adapted for insertion into a respective radially spaced aperture so that said dish may be releasably coupled to each said plate.
12 . The lazy susan recited in claim 10 , wherein said dish is supported above said assembled plates when releasably coupled.
13 . The lazy susan recited in claim 10 , wherein said dish supported on said assembled plates when releasably coupled.
14 . The lazy susan recited in claim 11 , wherein said dish is supported above said assembled plates when releasably coupled.
15 . The lazy susan recited in claim 11 , wherein said dish supported on said assembled plates when releasably coupled.
16 . The lazy susan recited in claim 2 , comprising a removable cover shaped to enclose said tray, said assembled plates, and said dish.
17 . The lazy susan recited in claim 16 , wherein said cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least one complete assembly of plates for said tray . . .
18 . The lazy susan recited in claim 16 , wherein said cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least one set of four plates.
19 . A collection of tableware articles adapted for use in a lazy susan assembly and suitable for use as separate tableware articles, said collection of tableware comprising:
a) a tray including a surface shaped to contain an arrangement of plates, and a bearing mechanism fixed to said tray;
b) plates, each plate having at least one beverage holder, each beverage holder comprising an aperture shaped and sized to clasp the side of a beverage container and suspend a portion of the clasped beverage container below said plate, and
c) a dish adapted to releasably couple each said arranged plate when said dish is used in said lazy susan assembly.
20 . The tableware recited in claim 19 , wherein said tray is shaped to hold four said plates when used in said lazy susan assembly.
21 . The tableware recited in claim 20 , wherein said plates are square and each said plate occupies substantially one quadrant of said tray.
22 . The tableware recited in claim 21 , wherein said plates are arranged so that each said at least one beverage holder is radially spaced about a center axis of said tray.
23 . The tableware recited in claim 22 , wherein said means to releasably couple said plates to said dish comprises a continuous serpentine shaped coupling member that extends in a downward direction from said dish and corresponds with each radially spaced beverage holder, said coupling member adapted for insertion into each radially spaced beverage holder so that said dish is releasably coupled to each plate when used in said lazy susan assembly.
24 . The tableware recited in claim 20 , wherein said means to releasably couple said plates to said dish comprises a plurality of separate coupling members, each coupling member shaped to correspond with one of said radially spaced beverage holders, each said coupling member adapted for insertion into a respective radially spaced beverage holder so that said dish may be releasably coupled to each plate when used in said lazy susan assembly.
25 . The tableware recited in claim 23 , wherein said dish is supported above said plates when releasably coupled.
26 . The tableware recited in claim 23 , wherein said dish is supported on said plates when releasably coupled.
27 . The tableware recited in claim 24 , wherein said dish is supported above said plates when releasably coupled.
28 . The tableware recited in claim 24 , wherein said dish is supported on said plates when releasably coupled.
29 . A multifunctional lazy susan comprising:
a) a rotatable tray;
b) an arrangement of assembled plates positioned on said rotatable tray about an axis of rotation that extends through said tray, each plate comprising at least one aperture radially spaced about and proximate said axis of rotation; and
c) a dish, releasably fixed within each radially spaced aperture.
30 . The lazy susan recited in claim 29 , comprising a removable cover shaped to enclose said tray, said assembled plates, and said dish.
31 . The lazy susan recited in claim 30 , wherein said cover includes a storage compartment adapted to store at least one complete assembly of plates for said tray.