Plate dispensing and supporting apron

Abstract

A plate dispensing and supporting apron has a plate dispenser and support that can be stowed in a vertical configuration and released so that it extends horizontally in a deployed position. It can then support a plate with food, condiments, utensils, etc. The plate can be easily retained on the plate dispenser and support so that the wearer can cook, serve food, grill, etc. while having ready access to the materials on the plate dispenser and support. A horizontal pocket can be incorporated in the plate dispenser and support that can hold extra plates. A vertical pocket can be incorporated as well to hold additional items (such as utensils, napkins, etc.).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plate dispensing and supporting apron, comprising:
 an apron framework extending in a generally vertical orientation and having a front side and a rear side;   the apron framework having an apron framework chest portion and an apron framework waist extension, wherein the waist extension extends downwards from the chest portion;   a plate dispenser and support attached to the apron framework, the plate dispenser and support adapted such that it can be folded up and stored in a generally vertical orientation and deployed into a generally horizontal configuration;   the plate dispenser and support having a plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure that is adapted to hold one or more plates generally horizontally;   a plurality of plate dispenser and support fold-down suspension members attached to the plate dispenser and support and adapted to help maintain the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure in a horizontal configuration; and   a plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices adapted to secure the plate dispenser and support in a vertical stowed position and release the plate dispenser and support into a horizontal deployed position when actuated.   
     
     
         2 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of small sidewalls extending around a periphery of the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure adapted to ensure items placed on the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure are retained thereon.   
     
     
         3 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure having a plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket that is adapted to provide a storage space within the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure in which plates can be stored.   
     
     
         4 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure having a plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket that is adapted to provide a storage space within the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure in which plates can be stored.   
     
     
         5 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket having a horizontal pocket closure device that can be opened and closed and is adapted to securely retain items within the plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket.   
     
     
         6 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the plate dispenser and support having a plate dispenser and support vertical pocket configured against the front side of the apron framework and adapted to be a closeable storage area.   
     
     
         7 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 the plate dispenser and support vertical pocket having a vertical pocket closure device that is adapted to allow the vertical pocket to be opened and closed and securely hold items therein.   
     
     
         8 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension members have a plurality of suspension member adjusters that are adapted to allow the lengths of the suspension members to be adjusted. 
     
     
         9 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 2 , wherein the suspension members have a plurality of suspension member adjusters that are adapted to allow the lengths of the suspension members to be adjusted. 
     
     
         10 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 6 , wherein the suspension members have a plurality of suspension member adjusters that are adapted to allow the lengths of the suspension members to be adjusted. 
     
     
         11 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices comprises at least one of hook and loop materials, snaps, buttons, zippers, and magnets. 
     
     
         12 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices is attached to the plate dispenser and support. 
     
     
         13 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices is attached to the plate dispenser and support. 
     
     
         14 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices is attached to the plate dispenser and support. 
     
     
         15 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first plurality of waist extension pockets configured on the front side of the apron framework.   
     
     
         16 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising: a second plurality of waist extension pockets configured on the front side of the apron framework. 
     
     
         17 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 15  wherein at least one waist extension pocket of the first plurality of waist extension pockets is adapted to hold one of a standard beverage can and beverage bottle. 
     
     
         18 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of waist extension retention devices attached to at least one of the waist extension and the apron framework chest portion and adapted to allow the waist extension to be retained in a stowed position.   
     
     
         19 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first waist retention strap and a second waist retention strap, the straps extending outwards from either side of the apron framework and adapted to wrap around a body of a wearer and connect to one another in order to secure the apron on the wearer.   
     
     
         20 . The plate dispensing and supporting apron of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a neck retention strap extending from the top of the apron framework and adapted to be placed around a neck of a wearer and secured back to the apron framework in order to secure the apron on the wearer.