Abstract:
Described is a device that can be used to hold a plurality of items such as plates, bowls and glasses on a patio table. The device is attached to the pole of the table umbrella and can be attached or detached in seconds without the use of any tools.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to accessories for a patio table and specifically to a device for holding a plurality of items such as plates, bowls, and glasses that can be easily attached and removed from the pole of a patio table umbrella. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people have patio tables that they use for eating, drinking, and visiting. Most of these tables are relatively small in size so that they do not take up an undue amount of space on a patio or deck, and they usually have an umbrella for shade. The small size of these tables can be troublesome when food or drinks are being served due to the limited space to set serving items such as plates, bowls, glasses, etc. 
         [0003]    This table clutter can also lead to items being either spilled on the table or knocked on to the floor as other items are shuffled around. 
         [0004]    It can also be difficult to find space on the table for candles, other light sources, or bug repellant devices when the table is full of eating and drinking items. 
         [0005]    Most people will store items that are not being used at the immediate time on an additional table or chair, which is usually out of reach when the items are needed. 
         [0006]    One way to reduce the chance of dropping items to the floor would be to have an additional storage area above the table surface to augment the usable table area. This would allow items to be stored within easy reach of any person seated at the table. 
         [0007]    This additional storage area could also be used to place candles, lighting devices, or bug repellant devices above the table surface which would reduce the chance of burn injury to persons using the table. 
         [0008]    Also, by placing the most frequently needed item on the additional storage area, they would be readily accessible to anyone seated at the table. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An object of the present invention is to provide a Detachable Utility Holder For Table Umbrella that would add usable space to a patio table. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a Detachable Utility Holder For Table Umbrella that is easy to manufacture. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a Detachable Utility Holder For Table Umbrella that can be easily installed on the table umbrella pole in seconds without the use of any tools. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a Detachable Utility Holder For Table Umbrella that is inexpensive to manufacture 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a Detachable Utility Holder For Table Umbrella that can be removed in seconds without the use of any tools when the device needs to be cleaned. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a Detachable Utility Holder For Table Umbrella that is safe and easy to use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is northeast isometric view of a DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA showing patio table and table umbrella. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front end plan view of the DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is northwest isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is northeast isometric view the preferred embodiment of the DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a northeast isometric view of the DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA showing radius cut-out inserts 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the radius cut-out inserts 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is northeast isometric view of a DETACHABLE UTILITY HOLDER FOR TABLE UMBRELLA showing alternate embodiment with attachment means for plurality of holding appendages. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a close up northwest isometric view of the preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    The Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ) is particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , and  9 - 10 . In the preferred embodiment of the Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ), the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) are not coplanar, but are concentric when viewed in the Z axis. The lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) are positioned so they are rotated 180 degrees to each other. The planar offset between the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) is equal to, or greater than the diameter of the umbrella pole ( 3 ). This feature allows the table umbrella pole ( 3 ) to move freely between lower base portion ( 4 ) and the top retaining portion ( 10 ) during assembly to the umbrella pole ( 3 ). 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment of the Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ), the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) have a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the umbrella pole ( 3 ). 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment of the Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ), the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) have a radius angle of greater than 180 degrees but less than 250 degrees. This feature will allow the upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) and the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) to snap on to the umbrella pole and act as a retention feature. In this embodiment, the top retaining portion front edge ( 13 ) and the lower base portion back edge ( 6 ) will be slightly off-set and overlapping each other (when viewed in the Z-axis) in order to capture the additional radius angles of the radius cut outs. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, only one of the radius cut outs would have a radius angle greater than 180 degrees and the other radius cut out would have a radius angle approximately equal to or less than 180 degrees. 
         [0028]    In an alternate embodiment of the Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ), the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the umbrella pole ( 3 ). In this embodiment, radius cut out inserts ( 17 ) with inside diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the umbrella pole ( 3 ) and outside diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and the diameter of the upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ) are attached to the lower base portion radius cut out ( 15 ) and upper retaining portion radius cut out ( 16 ). This feature will allow the Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ) to be used on a plurality of umbrella pole diameters by simply changing the radius cut out inserts ( 17 ) to match the diameter of the umbrella pole ( 3 ). 
         [0029]    In a variation of the preferred embodiment ( 18 ), the lower base portion front edge ( 5 ) of the Detachable Utility Holder for Table Umbrella ( 1 ) is configured with a connection means ( 19 ) that would accept a plurality of attachments. One possible connection means could be a square, rectangular, or multi-sided tube portion on the lower base portion front edge ( 5 ) and a mating square, rectangular or multi-sided mating piece on the plurality of attachments that would be inserted into the aforementioned tube. The square, rectangular or multi-sided configuration of tube/mating parts function to keep the plurality of attachments from unwanted rotation. 
         [0030]    In the variation of the preferred embodiment ( 18 ), the plurality of attachments could include a table platform or a hook for hanging a light source. The table platform could additionally have slots or holes cut to allow wine glasses or cups to be securely retained. 
         [0031]    Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the specification of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiments are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.