US2460533A - Combined hinged tray and door fastener - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1949. A. H. POTTS COMBINED HINGED TRAY AND DOOR'FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. '7, 1947 INVENTOR ALL EN ffiPorns BY E S ATTORNEY is Patented Feb. 1, 1949 COMBINED HINGED TRAY AND DOOR FASTENER Allen Hussell Potts, Chevy Chase, Md., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator, Federal Works Agency Application October 7, 1947, Serial No. 778,447

2 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 30, 1928 (Ch. 460, 45 Stat. L. 467).

My invention provides a hinged tray for use in women's toilet stalls for holding packages only so long as a cooperating fastening mechanism is in door fastened position. This forcibly reminds the occupant to carry away her packages when leaving, thereby preventing a probable loss of her possessions.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my device with my tray raised into operative position with the door fastened.

Figure 2 is an elevation of my device in door fastened position.

Figure 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the device in door fastened position.

Figure 4 is an end elevation, partly in section, in unfastened position, the tray being folded against the door.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of my catch, with a fastening lever in engaged position.

In the accompanying drawings:

A door plate H is provided with identical ends l2 each provided with a suitable pivot l3 and also with an elongated slot ll for a latching lever I5 which is provided with transverse apertures l6 and I1. Midway between the plate ends l2 there is rigidly attached to the door plate II a fulcrum support It for the lever I5 with a screw bolt l9 in the hole IS in said lever and mounted in said fulcrum support l8 serving as a fulcrum for the lever.

Each pivot I3 is provided with spacing members 20 between the ends l2 and a tray 2|, which tray is provided with reinforcing downturned walls 22. This tray has an inclined bottom 23 in which there is a discharge aperture 24 parallel with the door plate II. The tray walls 22 are provided with aligned apertures 25 for the pivots II and also with an aperture 26 for a link 21.

Suitable apertures in the door plate provide a means for securing my fastening unit to a door with bolts or screws. The width of the door is immaterial, and the catch mounting may be modified for narrow door jambs.

The lever I5 is terminally bent to form a handle 3| for releasing the door, which release permits the tray to drop into inoperative position (Fig. 4).

My link 21 (Fig. 2) provides a means for reversing the coupling of the lever IS with the tray wall 22. Y

My device may be assembled in a factory as a unit for attachment to a door and may be quickly changed at the place of installation for doors hung on the opposite side from that for which the unit was assembled.

The parts are relatively sLmpIe and inexpensive so that replacementsma'," be easily made by a layman.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An article supporting tray and door latching device which includes a supporting plate adapted to be attached to a door, two tray supporting pivots "and a tray hinged on said pivots to said plate, the improvement which comprises a fulcrum perpendicular to said plate and midway of the lateral margins of said plate, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said fulcrum extending be- The opposite end of the link 21 passes through i the terminal aperture ll of the lever 15 thereby operatively coupling lever I! with tray wall 22. A catch 28 is attached to a door frame by screws 32 and is provided with an inclined striking face 29 and a lever engaging notch 30.

yond one margin of the door plate and a link connecting one end of said arm with said tray eccentrically of said supporting pivots.

2. A latching device for doors comprising a door plate, two supporting pivots, a tray hinged on said pivots near one margin to said plate, a horizontal fulcrum rigidly mounted on said door plate midway of the lateral margins of said plate and perpendicular thereto, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said fulcrum, a connecting link coupling one end of said arm with said tray eccentrically of said supporting pivots and a lever engaging catch having an upwardly inclined striking face.

., ALLEN RUSSELL POI'IS.

No references cited.

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