Vertically adjustable cantilever serving tray

Abstract

A vertically adjustable cantilever serving tray includes a cantilever bracket with two parallel planar braces, each having an elongated front portion with a flat horizontal upper surface, a rear portion with a first horizontal aperture, and a center portion disposed between the elongated front portion and the rear portion. The center portion of each brace has a second horizontal aperture spaced below and forward of the first horizontal aperture. A shelf is fastened to the upper surface of the elongated front portion of each brace. First and second transverse pins are removably mated with the first horizontal and second apertures in each brace respectively. When the serving tray is installed on a vertical post, the first and second transverse pins are frictionally engaged with opposite surfaces of the post.

1 . A vertically adjustable cantilever serving tray, comprising:
 a cantilever bracket comprising two parallel planar braces, each brace comprising:
 an elongated front portion having a flat horizontal upper surface; 
 a rear portion having a first horizontal aperture passing completely through the rear portion perpendicularly to the elongated front portion; and 
 a center portion disposed between the elongated front portion and the rear portion, the center portion having a second horizontal aperture spaced below and forward of the first horizontal aperture, the second horizontal aperture passing completely through the center portion parallel to the first horizontal aperture; 
   a shelf fastened to the upper surface of the elongated front portion of each brace;   a first transverse pin removably mated with the first horizontal aperture in each brace; and   a second transverse pin removably mated with the second horizontal aperture in each brace;   wherein when the serving tray is installed on a vertical post, the first transverse pin is frictionally engaged with a first surface of the post and the second transverse pin is frictionally engaged with an opposite second surface of the post to frictionally secure the serving tray to the post in a stationary position with the shelf extending horizontally from the second surface of the post; and   wherein the serving tray is vertically adjustable along the post by tilting the elongated front portions of the braces upward to decrease friction between the serving tray and the post to permit moving the serving tray vertically along the post.   
   
   
       2 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf has a rear edge in contact with the second surface of the post when the serving tray is in the stationary position installed on the post. 
   
   
       3 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf has a rear edge spaced apart from the second surface of the post when the serving tray is in the stationary position installed on the post. 
   
   
       4 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf further comprises at least two slats parallel to the first and second transverse pins. 
   
   
       5 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein a horizontal distance between the first transverse pin and the second transverse pin is equal to a horizontal distance between the first and second surfaces of the post. 
   
   
       6 . The serving tray of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal distance between the first transverse pin and the second transverse pin is about 3.5 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first horizontal aperture is spaced below the flat horizontal upper surface of the elongated front portion of each brace. 
   
   
       8 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first horizontal aperture is spaced above the second horizontal aperture by a vertical distance of not less than about 1.75 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The serving tray of  claim 1  wherein the parallel braces are identical. 
   
   
       10 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second transverse pins and the first and second horizontal apertures are round. 
   
   
       11 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf is fastened to the parallel braces with screws. 
   
   
       12 . The serving tray of  claim 1 , wherein the parallel braces each have upper surfaces that are flat and horizontal along their entire length.