Systems and methods for suspending a tray above a table

Abstract

Systems and methods for operating a stand. The methods comprising: obtaining the stand comprising a stem member with a first coupler disposed at a proximal end thereof and a support member disposed at a distal end thereof; rotating a support member of the stand in a first direction relative to the stem member to transition the support member from a collapsed position in which the support member extends substantially parallel to the stem member to an extended position in which the support member extends substantially perpendicular to the stem member; attaching the stand to a first external object; suspending a second external object above the first external object using the support member in the extended position; and detaching the stand from the first external object by causing the planar portion of the first external object to slid out of the insert space of the first external object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a stand, comprising:
 obtaining the stand comprising a stem member with a first coupler disposed at a proximal end thereof and a support member disposed at a distal end thereof;   rotating a support member of the stand in a first direction relative to the stem member to transition the support member from a collapsed position in which the support member extends substantially parallel to the stem member to an extended position in which the support member extends substantially perpendicular to the stem member;   attaching the stand to a first external object by
 receiving a planar portion of the first external object in an insert space of the first coupler, 
 causing the planar portion of the first external object to slide within the insert space, and 
 applying a compression force to the planar portion of the first external object while located in the insert space; 
   suspending a second external object above the first external object using the support member in the extended position; and   detaching the stand from the first external object by causing the planar portion of the first external object to slid out of the insert space of the first coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first external object is a table and the second external object is a food serving tray, platter or plate. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising retaining the support member in the extended position exclusively using direct contact between a first surface of the support member and a second surface of the stem member. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the direct contact between the first surface of the support member and a second surface of the stem member (i) prevents further rotation of the support member in the first direction when the second external object applies a force in a downward direction during said suspending and (ii) allows rotation of the support member in an opposite second direction when a force is applied to the support member in an upward direction for transitioning the support member back to the collapsed position. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression force is applied using a resilient member disposed in the insert space of the first coupler. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 allowing the resilient member to be transitioned from an uncompressed state to a compressed state during said attaching, wherein the resilient member is compressed between a sidewall of the coupler and the second external object when in the compressed state; and   allowing the resilient member to return to the uncompressed state when the planar portion of the first external object no longer resides in the insert space of the coupler.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler is interchangeable with a plurality of second couplers configured to respectively attach the stand to planar structures with different thicknesses. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising replacing the first coupler with one of the plurality of second couplers that is sized and shaped to removably attach the stand to a third external object with a planar portion with a thickness that is different than a thickness of the planar portion of the first external object. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising using the support member to cool or heat the second external object. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the support member and the stem member comprised telescoping components. 
     
     
         11 . A stand, comprising:
 a stem member;   a support member rotatably coupled to a distal end of the stem member such that the support member is transitionable between a collapsed position in which the support member extends substantially parallel to the stem member and an extended position in which the support member extends substantially perpendicular to the stem member, wherein the support member is configured to structurally support a first external object when in the extended position; and   a mechanical coupler disposed at a proximal end of the stem member and configured to removably attach the stand to a second external object, wherein the mechanical coupler comprises:
 a receiver with an insert space sized and shaped to slidingly receive a planar portion of the second external object, and 
 a resilient member disposed in the receiver and configured to apply a compression force to the planar portion of the second external object while located in the insert space; 
   wherein the support member is further configured to suspend the first external object above the second external object when the support member is in the extended position and the stand is attached to the second external object.   
     
     
         12 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the stand is detachable from the second external object by causing the planar portion of the second external object to slide out of the insert space of the mechanical coupler. 
     
     
         13 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the second external object is a table and the first external object is a food serving tray, platter or plate. 
     
     
         14 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein a retention of the support member in the extended position is achieved exclusively using direct contact between a first surface of the support member and a second surface of the stem member. 
     
     
         15 . The stand according to  claim 14 , wherein the direct contact between the first surface of the support member and a second surface of the stem member (i) prevents further rotation of the support member in the first direction when the second external object applies a force in a downward direction during said suspending and (ii) allows rotation of the support member in an opposite second direction when a force is applied to the support member in an upward direction for transitioning the support member back to the collapsed position. 
     
     
         16 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the compression force is applied using a resilient member disposed in the insert space of the first coupler. 
     
     
         17 . The stand according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the resilient member is transitionable from an uncompressed state to a compressed state during said attaching, wherein the resilient member is compressed between a sidewall of the coupler and the second external object when in the compressed state; and   the resilient member is transitionable back from the compressed state to the uncompressed state when the planar portion of the first external object no longer resides in the insert space of the coupler.   
     
     
         18 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the first coupler is interchangeable with a plurality of second couplers configured to respectively attach the stand to planar structures with different thicknesses. 
     
     
         19 . The stand according to  claim 18 , wherein the first coupler is interchanged with one of the plurality of second couplers that is sized and shaped to removably attach the stand to a third external object with a planar portion with a thickness that is different than a thickness of the planar portion of the second external object. 
     
     
         20 . The stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the support member is configured to cool or heat the first external object.