Abstract:
The mountable tray for aboveground pools is a tray for holding beverages that is specially designed to be mounted on the standard edges of aboveground pools. Aboveground pools commonly have a peculiar shape, which the present invention is designed to fit in order to maximize security for the tray. Also included in the present invention are several features designed for holding beverages and loose items. Furthermore a structure is disclosed by the present invention that may be mounted to the tray in order to store ice.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for providing a poolside support for refreshments. In particular the design of the present invention is tailored for aboveground pools and for hot tubs.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The above-ground pool is one of the most common recreational accessories on the market. These structures consist of large containers that may be filled with water. The water contained in these pools provides an excellent environment for fun and relaxation. They are also more economical than the standard in ground pool. While in these pools it is desirable to have access to refreshment such as cold beverages or food. Thus the need for a device designed to hold refreshments so that bathers in the pool can easily access them without leaving the pool.  
           [0005]    A feature common to many of these aboveground pools is that the edges of the pool are rounded and form a rim around the pool. Thus a device designed to take advantage of this feature in order to mount a platform for holding refreshments would provide an economical and easily removed enhancement for most pools. The design should provide secure support for holding the weight of refreshments and be easy to mount and remove. An additional feature that might be added is a removable storage container that can be filled with ice.  
           [0006]    There are devices existing in the prior art for attaching platforms to edges so that refreshments may be accessible. Most of them are food trays or tables that are attached to a mounting mechanism. These mounting mechanisms however are not particularly suited for the unique shape of many above ground pools, in particular the rounded edge that is prevalent. This is a deficiency that greatly reduces the security of poolside trays provided by prior art. Additionally, none of these previous arrangements includes a means for storing ice. This is a major deficiency since it would be very convenient to have ice available to enjoy cold drinks poolside.  
           [0007]    The present invention comprises a plurality of holes that are suited for seating glasses and ensuring that they will not be knocked over. There are also recesses in the surface of the tray that will hold loose items and prevent them from falling off of the tray. There are trays that exist in the prior art that comprise features such as these but they are flotation devices. These devices are not attached to mounting mechanisms for the side of pools.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,630,889 to R. E. Clarke is a tray that is attached to a pair of mounting mechanisms that are designed for mounting on a car door. The mounting mechanism that the Clarke &#39;889 patent discloses is well suited for a squared edge. The device comprises two arms that are connected by a loop, which allows for the arms of the mounting mechanisms to be pulled apart to fit over doors and then pull the arms together. The present invention discloses arms that extend from the loop which depart greatly from the shape of the arms of Clarke &#39;889 design. The arms of the Clarke &#39;889 patent would not be well suited to the common curved edge of above ground pools. The Clarke &#39;889 patent does not incorporate a strut support to allow for supporting large weights such as might be used in a pool.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,282 to Stephen Postic, U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,363 to Harold E. Huff, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,178 to Louis Huczka disclose trays that are attached to a mounting mechanism that employs a squared hook. This type of hook would perform poorly on curved edges since the hook would tend to slide down over the curved surface. Additionally, the connection between the arms of these patents would not be a resilient member that would allow these arms to hug the sides of the structure upon which it is hung. The Huczka patent &#39;178 does disclose an adjustable hook but this would not supply the snug fit that the present invention is designed to provide.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,493 to Donald A. Kanehl, Jr. and U.S. Pat. Des. 401, 214 disclose trays mounted to a mounting mechanism that employs a curved hook. The curved shaped of these hooks do not provide a shape that would enable them to surround the curved edge of an above ground poll. Furthermore these patents do not disclose a pair of arms that would hug the straight lower surface of the wall of the aboveground pool.  
           [0011]    As mentioned above, a storage feature for ice would greatly enhance the utility of these devices. None of the abovementioned devices includes a feature that accommodates such a need.  
           [0012]    Therefore a need exists for a novel and enhanced mountable tray that may be mounted on the side of a pool. This device should comprise a mounting mechanism that would maximize the security of the tray. It should also provide features designed to securely hold items such as drinks and ice. In this respect, the mountable tray for aboveground pools according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for mounting a storage tray to the side of above ground pools that will hold refreshments and ice.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of mountable trays now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved combination of convenience and utility, and overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved mountable tray for above ground pools which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a mountable tray for above ground pools which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.  
           [0014]    In furtherance of this objective, the mountable tray for above ground pools comprises a rectangular platform  26 . This rectangular platform  26  is attached to a plurality of hooks and extends horizontally there from. The hooks comprise a C-shaped member. Attached to each end of the C-shaped member is an arm. These arms extend downward from the C-shaped member. The C-shaped member comprises a diameter similar to the diameter of the average rounded edge of an above ground pool and comprises a resilient material so that it may be flexed to encircle this edge. The arms of the hooks extend downward and hug the wall of the pool below the rounded upper edge.  
           [0015]    There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.  
           [0016]    The present invention may in addition comprise a chamber mounted to the lower surface of the tray. Passing through the side of this chamber is an opening. The present invention also comprises a drawer in which ice may be placed. This drawer may be slid through the opening on the side of the chamber and remain seated therein. There is an opening passing from the top surface of the tray into the interior of the chamber. Through this opening ice may be removed form the drawer.  
           [0017]    To protect the surface of the pool and to provide a frictional resistance to motion, each end of the arms may be covered with a material such as rubber.  
           [0018]    The platform may comprise several holes. These holes will have an adequate diameter so that cups may be inserted therein and remain seated until further use.  
           [0019]    The platform may also include a storage compartment. In this compartment may be stored loose items so that they will not be knocked into the pool.  
           [0020]    Attached to between the hooks and the platform may be a strut. This strut will ensure that the platform will remain horizontal while holding the weight of the abovementioned items.  
           [0021]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.  
           [0022]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
           [0023]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mountable tray for above ground pools that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.  
           [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mountable tray for above ground pools that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.  
           [0025]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mountable tray for above ground pools that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such mountable tray for above ground pools economically available to the buying public.  
           [0026]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new mountable tray for above ground pools that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.  
           [0027]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the mountable tray for above ground pools of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the mountable tray for above ground pools of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a front view of the mountable tray for above ground pools of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the mountable tray for above ground pools of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the mountable tray for above ground pools with an ice storage container of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0034]    The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]    Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5, a preferred embodiment of the mountable tray for above-ground pools and hot tubs of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . Hereinafter, the invention shall refered to as a “pool tray” or shall be discussed solely for use in connection with above-ground pools; however, it should be readily recognized that the invention may be used in connection with hot tubs as well.  
         [0036]    In FIG. 1, a top perspective view of a new and improved mountable tray for above ground pools  10  of the present invention is illustrated mounted to the side of a typical above ground pool and will be described. A common design feature of aboveground pools is a rounded edge  12  mounted on its base to the wall of the pool. The exterior surface of said feature defines a C-shape about the rounded portion and two downward lines that extend vertically downward from the mouth of said C-shape. The present invention comprises a plurality of hooks  14  that are designed to conform generally to this unique shape in order to provide optimum security. Said hooks  14  comprise a C-shaped member  16  that may be constructed from an easily molded material that has resilient properties. The ends of said C-shaped member  16  may be stretched apart when outward force is applied on either side and will return to their original position when the force is released. Potential materials for said C-shaped member  16  are lightweight metals such as aluminum or tin. Said C-shaped member  16  should be made of a rectangular strip of said materials so that it will flex easily when installing, but will not bend easily from side to side. Said hooks  14  further comprise an inner arm  18  and an outer arm  20 . The first ends of said arms are attached to the ends of said C-shaped member  16  and extend downward there from. Said inner arm  18  extends further then said outer arm  20 . Said arms may be made as one unit with said C-shaped material and may be made of the same material. The second ends of said arms may be enclosed in a cover  22 . Said cover  22  serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides a protective layer between said arms of said hook  14  so that the surface of said pool would not be damaged. Secondly, it may be made of a material such as rubber that will provide a frictional interface with the surface of said pool to prevent slipping of said hook  14 . The installation of said hook would begin with force applied to each of said arms to pull them apart. The installer may grasp each of said arms and pull them apart until the gap defined by said ends of said C-shaped member  16  is adequate to pass around said rounded edge  12  of said pool. The installer will then pull said hook  14  downward until said ends of said C-shaped member  16  pass the bottom of said rounded edge  12 . Said arms are then released allowing said hook  14  to return to its original shape. Said C-shaped member will surround said rounded edge  12  and said arms will hug against said wall of said pool. If force is applied to said hook  14  in the upward direction then the arms of said hook will engage with the base of said rounded edge  12  and said hook will be prevented from moving.  
         [0037]    Also shown In FIG. 1 is a tray  24 . Said tray  24  may be used for holding refreshments and loose items while said pool is in use. Said tray  24  comprises a rectangular platform  26 . Extending downward from the sides of said rectangular platform  26  are walls. Said tray  24  may be made of a material such as plastic that would be waterproof and would be strong enough to hold the weight of several beverages and additional items. Said platform  26  could be made in other shapes such as an oval if so desired. The surface of said platform may be formed to define a plurality of rectangular platform  26 . The standard design for cups is circular with the diameter gradually increasing form the bottom of the cup to the top of the cup. The holes  28  defined by said platform would be circular and have a diameter greater then the base of said cups but smaller then the top of said cups. Thus said cups may be inserted into said holes  28  and will rest in said holes at the point where the diameter of said cups equals the diameter of said holes. This will prevent said cups from being spilled when said tray  24  is knocked. Said tray  24  may also be formed to define a rectangular recess  30 . Loose items may be placed in said recess  30  and will not slide off of the surface of said tray  24 . If further security is desired a lid may be included with said recess  30 . The wall of said tray  24  that abuts against said pool may be shaped to conform to the shape of particular pools. Said wall abutting said pool  32  is fastened to said C-shaped member  16  of said hooks  14 . In the illustrated embodiment said wall  32  is formed to define a hole. Said C-shaped member  16  is also shaped to define a hole. A bolt passes through said holes and holds said tray  24  to said hooks  14 . Said tray  24  extends horizontally from said hooks  14 . Other mechanisms for fastening said tray  24  to said hooks  14  may be used. For example it might be desirable to attach said tray  24  to said hook by a hinge. Said hinge could employ a locking mechanism to secure said tray  24  in a horizontal position and to allow said tray to be collapsed upon release. The present invention further comprises support struts  34 . Said struts  34  are attached on one end to the bottom surface of said platform. The other end of said struts  34  are attached to the second end of said outer arms  20  of said hooks  14 .  
         [0038]    In FIG. 2 is illustrated the cross section of said tray  24  at a point passing through said holes  28  defined by said platform. Said holes  28  defined by said platform have a diameter adequate to receive the bottom of a cup and to hold said cup in place. Extending downward from said holes  28  defined by said platform is circular walls  36 . Said walls  36  act to hug the sides of said cups. Extending downward from the sides of said platform are walls. Plastic is an ideal material for constructing said tray  24  since it would be easily molded and would be capable of holding ample weight for the desired use.  
         [0039]    Said tray  24  comprises a rectangular platform  26  with walls extending downwards on the sides of said platform. The wall shown in FIG. 3 is the wall attached to the front side of said platform. On the opposite side of said tray  24  are attached said hooks  14 . Said support struts  34  are not shown in FIG. 3 to illustrate the front surface of said outer arm  20  of said hooks  14 . Said covers  22  enclose said outer arms  20 . However said covers  22  of said outer arms  20  are formed to define an opening. Said struts  34  pass through said opening in said covers  22  and are attached to said outer arm  20  of said hooks  14 . Said inner arms  18  extend further down then said outer arms  20 . This is to create a juxtaposition of force that enhances the grip between said outer arms  20  and said inner arms  18 . The ends of said inner arm  18  are fully enclosed by said covers  22 .  
         [0040]    The sectional view of FIG. 4 illustrates the fastening mechanism between said tray  24  and said hooks  14  in the preferred embodiment. Said wall  32  of said tray  24  that abuts against said pool is formed to define a plurality of holes. Said C-shaped members  16  are also formed to define a hole. A bolt passes through said holes and widens on either end to hold said tray  24  and said hooks  14  together. As suggested earlier, other fastening mechanisms may be used if so desired. Also illustrated by FIG. 4 is the design and orientation of said support strut  34 . Said strut  34  comprises a rectangular member. Attached to the bottom surface of said platform is a mount  38 . Said mount  38  is formed to define a passage. Said passage of said mount receives the first end of said strut  34 . The second end of said strut  34  may be attached to said second end of said outer arm  20 . Said struts  34  may be made of the same material as said hooks  14 . If this material is metal then said struts  34  may be welded to said second ends of said outer arms  20 . If this material is plastic then the struts  34  and hooks  14  may be molded as one solid unit.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 illustrates an additional feature that may be included in the present invention that would allow for the storage of ice. Attached to the bottom surface of said platform  26  is a case  40 . Said case  40  may be made of a material or a combination of materials that would provide insulation. Perhaps the exterior of said case  40  can be made of plastic molded to the lower surface of said platform  26  and may be filled with Styrofoam. Said case  40  is formed to define a chamber  42 . A hole  44  is defined by said platform  26  and passes through to said chamber  42  of said case  40 . The front side of said case  40  is formed to define a hole  46  passing into said chamber  42 . The present invention may also include a drawer  48 . Said drawer  48  comprises a second case  50  comprising an exterior shape that matches the shape of said chamber  42  of said first case  40 . This shape is rectangular in the illustration. Said second case  50  is formed to define a chamber  52 . The top of said second case  50  is formed to define a hole passing into said chamber  52 . A handle  54  is attached to the front side of said drawer  48 . Said drawer  48  might be made of a material such as metal which would act as a good insulator. Said drawer  48  may be slid into said chamber  42  of said first case  40  through said hole  46  defined by the front side of said first case. Ice may be inserted into said drawer  48  and may be accessed by reaching in to said chamber  52  through said hole  44  defined by said platform  26 . To remove said drawer  48  said handle  54  may be grasped and pulled to slide said drawer from said chamber of said first case.  
         [0042]    While a preferred embodiment of the mountable tray for above ground pools  10  has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, metal or fiberglass may be used for said tray instead of the plastic that has been described. And although the holes for cups have been described, there are slight variations, such as shape and size that would make the invention appropriate for other liquid containers such as bottles.  
         [0043]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.