Patent Application
20220022673
The present invention relates generally to mechanical arts, and, more particularly, to an adjustable cover for supporting enclosing and protecting a cake.
While good hygiene has always been important, the current environment underscores the criticality of positive efforts to halt the spread of infectious diseases. One example of unnecessary risk is the breath contamination of a cake in a party situation. Cakes tend to be the centerpiece of celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, retirement parties, and the like, and as such are often in direct communication with the exhalations of a number of people.
While cake-covers exist, they are typically bulky and difficult to store between uses, and are thus not always readily available for use when wanted. Thus, there remains a need for an improved cake guard that may be easily stored between uses and easily deployed when desired. The present invention addresses this need.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Pivotable legs 130 are also connected to elongated members 115, with each elongated member 115 typically having one leg 130 connected by a pivot connection 135 adjacent each notch 125. The legs 130 are likewise notched 140 to receive elongated serrated members 120. Stopping pegs 150 are connected adjacent legs 130 opposite notches 125 to prevent legs 130 from freely rotating about connections 135.
Plastic film 110 is stretched taught between the elongated serrated cross-members 120, and is typically anchored by engaging the serrated cross-members 120 with the serrations 123 (also sometimes referred to as teeth 123). The plastic film 115 is typically transparent to allow a view of a cake positioned therebelow.
Pivotable legs 130 are also connected to elongated members 115, with each elongated member 115 typically having one leg 130 connected by a pivot connection 135 adjacent each notch 125. The legs 130 are likewise notched 140 to receive elongated support members 145. Typically, support members 145 are also notched 147, enabling notch-notch 140, 147 locking engagement of the two members 130, 145. Stopping pegs 150 are connected adjacent legs 130 opposite notches 125 to prevent legs 130 from freely rotating about connections 135.
The plastic film 110 is stretched taught between the elongated members 115 and anchored by engaging the serrated cross members 120. The plastic film 115 is typically transparent to allow a view of a cake positioned therebelow.
When not in use, the various pieces of the assembly 100 (two elongated members 115, two serrated members 120, four pivotable legs 130, two support members 145, and four pegs 150) are separated and stored, such as in a box or bag, until needed. Typically, the pivotable legs 130 remain connected to the elongated members 115 by the pivot connections 135 (two legs 130 per elongated member 115) and are merely pivoted into parallel orientation with the respective elongated members 115 to which they are connected for ease of storage.
In operation, the various pieces of the assembly 100 as described above are removed from storage for assembly into the protector assembly 100. The elongated members 115 are positioned parallel one another and separated with the notches 125 accessible. Serrated members 120 are engaged with the notches 125 with the serrations dispose opposite the notches 125, and the serrated members 125 are disposed parallel with one another and orthogonal to the elongated members 115. The legs 130 are pivoted away from the elongated members 115 and oriented perpendicular thereto. Pegs 150 are engaged with apertures 155 in the elongated members 115 to prevent further pivoting of the legs 130. Support members 145 are engaged with eh notches 140 in the legs 130, with each support member 145 extending between two legs 130 and oriented parallel to the serrated members 120. Film 110 is extended between the separated elongated members 115 and anchored through engagement with the serrated members 120. Assembly 100 is then positioned over a cake such that the cake is visible therebelow through the film 110. The guard assembly 100 may be removed to access the cake, or the plastic film 110 may be completely or partially removed to access a portion of the cake.
After the cake has been served or otherwise disposed of, the guard assembly 100 may be disassembled down to its component parts 115, 120, 130, 145, 150, by essentially reversing the above assembly steps.
The assembly components 115, 120, 130, 145, 150 may be provided and/or stored as a kit 160. The kit 160 may include a length or roll of plastic film 110, or the film 110 may be provided separately by the user.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
