Poolside Beverage Center and Attached Floating Bar

A beverage center includes a body having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. At least one compartment is formed in the body, and a lid is movably attached to and configured to cover each compartment. An umbrella aperture is formed in a central portion of the body and is configured to receive an umbrella pole. A filling aperture and a drain aperture are formed in the body. A tongue is secured to the body and has a first portion configured to be secured to the body and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to extend vertically with respect to the body. A floating bar has a notch formed therein and is configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

FIELD

Aspects of this invention relate generally to outdoor beverage centers and more specifically to poolside beverage centers having a floating bar and umbrella anchored to the beverage center.

BACKGROUND

Individuals may often drink beverages when around and in a swimming pool. A portable cooler may be used by the individuals to hold the drink beverages along with ice to keep the beverages cold.

It would be desirable to provide a beverage center that can hold beverages and ice, and an umbrella that can provide shade for individuals in a swimming pool. Particular objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain embodiments.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a new beverage center is disclosed. The beverage center may be movable, portable, stationary or fixed in position. The beverage center may be located adjacent to or near a pool edge, on a pool ledge for in-pool use, out of the pool on a deck or yard, or near a lake or river, or nearly anywhere out of a pool.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage center may include one or more compartments for storage of beverages, food, ice, or dry goods. The compartments may include one or more bins that may be removable from the compartments of the main body of the beverage center. An umbrella pole and accompanying umbrella may be removably mounted to the main body and secured to it in a manner that allows the umbrella pole to be held in position in relation to the main body and to also be removed from the main body if desired. One or more movable lids may be mounted to an upper surface of the main body to cover the one or more compartments. The lids are movable to permit access to the contents in the containers and to close or seal off the containers. The main body may be made by a rotomolding process to create the overall shape of the main body and to also create a hollow interior defined by the walls of the main body. One or more fill holes may be formed in the walls of the main body and may be used to allow one to fill the main body with water. The added water will give the beverage center weight to hold the beverage center down, whether on land or in the water and whether an umbrella is mounted to the main body. One or more drain holes may be formed in the main body and may be located near the bottom of the main body to permit the draining of the water from the main body. The one or more fill holes and one or more drain holes may be closed and sealed through the use of a threaded plug system, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,676,245, which is owned by the same applicant. In an exemplary aspect, a tongue or adapter may be mounted to the main body near or at the bottom of the main body. The tongue or adapter may be sized and configured to receive a floating bar, plank or platform that can be used on the surface of the pool water. The floating bar, plank or platform may move up or down with the water level in the pool.

In accordance with one aspect, a beverage center includes a body having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. At least one compartment is formed in the body, and a lid is movably attached to and configured to cover each compartment. An umbrella aperture is formed in a central portion of the body and is configured to receive an umbrella pole. A filling aperture and a drain aperture are formed in the body. A tongue is secured to the body and has a first portion configured to be secured to the body and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to extend vertically with respect to the body. A floating bar has a notch formed therein and is configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

In accordance with another aspect, a beverage center includes a body having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. A pair of compartments is formed in the body. Each of a pair of lids is movably attached to and configured to cover one of the compartments. An umbrella aperture is formed in the body, and an umbrella has an umbrella pole received in the umbrella aperture. A filling aperture and a drain aperture are formed in the body, and a compartment drain aperture is formed at a bottom of each compartment. A tongue has a first portion secured to the body and extending horizontally with respect to the body, and a second portion extending from the first portion and extending vertically with respect to the body. A floating bar has a notch configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this area of technology, that the embodiments of a beverage center described in this disclosure may provide a significant technological advance over known beverage centers. These and additional features and advantages will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of the embodiments.

The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of a beverage center, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the beverage center depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Beverage centers as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in various forms. An exemplary embodiment of a beverage center10is shown inFIG.1. For convenience, the terms “upper” and “lower” and “top” and “bottom” are used herein to differentiate between the upper and lower ends of beverage center10and particular components of beverage center10and are used only for ease of description and understanding and are not intended to limit the possible spatial orientations of beverage center10or its components during assembly or use.

The term “substantially,” as used herein, is meant to mean mostly, or almost the same as, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of beverage center manufacturing and use, including rotomolding or thermoforming manufacturing. Similarly, the term “approximately” as used herein is meant to mean close to, or about a particular value, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of beverage center manufacturing and use, including rotomolding or thermoforming manufacturing.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a beverage center10is shown inFIG.1positioned on the coping12of a pool14. Beverage center10may have any one of numerous shapes and configurations with the shape and configuration not defined by the function of beverage center10, but rather being defined by the aesthetics that it creates. Depending on the desired aesthetic look, in an exemplary aspect, beverage center10may be cylindrical, oval, square, rectangular, oblong, spherical, round or may be any other symmetrical or non-symmetrical shape and design, and may define or include any number of aesthetic features and shapes.

Beverage center10may include a main body16. Body16may be made of a plastic material, and may be manufactured through a rotomolding process, or through another suitable process that creates a similar product. Body16may be formed of an outer sidewall18and an inner sidewall20spaced from outer sidewall18and defining a liquid cavity22(seen below inFIG.13) therebetween. The hollow interior of body16defined by liquid cavity22may be filled with water, for example, which serves to provide a weighted beverage center10that will stay in position once filled.

Body16may include an umbrella aperture24configured to receive an umbrella pole26to which an umbrella28(seen inFIG.2) is secured. Umbrella pole26will fit into umbrella aperture24and may be held to body16through any known mounting technique, including the techniques disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,576,510, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and which is commonly owned by the same applicant. Once umbrella pole26and accompanying umbrella28are secured to body16, the weight of body16with water, or any other liquid, contained within liquid cavity22may also serve as an anchor for umbrella pole26and umbrella28.

In other words, beverage center10may also function as an umbrella stand and will serve as a stylish accessory that is specifically designed to hold umbrella pole26and accompanying umbrella28in position, even against relatively windy conditions.

Body16may include one or more cavities or compartments30. Compartments30may be used to store beverages, food, ice, and dry goods, among other things. In the illustrated embodiment, body16includes two compartments30. It is to be appreciated that body16may include any number of compartments30.

A removable bin32may be inserted into each compartment30. Only one bin32is illustrated inFIG.1, however, it is to be appreciated that beverage center10may include two bins32in an embodiment where there are two compartments30. Bin32may be used to hold ice or beverages, to store any type of dry good, or to store any other item used in or around pool14. Bin32may be used as a carrying bucket for carrying the items stored within a corresponding compartment30, such as drinks, ice, food, beverage containers, toys, accessories, or anything else that may be used in, with or around beverage center10. Bin32may be made of a plastic material, with the walls of bin32being non-permeable, and the walls may define a mesh or porous configuration. Bin32may include a handle34, which may consist of one or more apertures34that allow one to easily remove bin32from a corresponding compartment30and to carry bin32to a different location. Bin32may take on any desired shape or appearance.

One or more movable covers or lids36may be mounted to an upper surface of body16to cover the one or more compartments30. Lids36are configured to be movable to permit access to the contents within compartments30and to close or seal off compartments30.

In the illustrated embodiment, two sliding lids36may be used to cover the two compartments30and to provide easy access to the contents within compartments30. It is to be appreciated that lids36may be slidable, pivotable, rotatable, or otherwise movable with respect to body16to allow access to the contents within compartments30. It is to be appreciated that each compartment30may be covered by a single lid36, while in other embodiments a single lid36may be used to cover more than one compartment30.

Lids36may also include a handle, knob, pulling device (not shown) or any other known way to facilitate the movement of lid36. Lids36may be mounted to or hinged to the top surface of body16. Other mounting techniques may be used to mount lids36to body16. Lids36may define a top surface38that may be planar on which to set items, or they may include formed trays or apertures that contain items or hold beverage cans or bottles. Lids may include cut-outs40that, when lids36are slid together, form umbrella aperture24through which may pass umbrella pole26. Lids36may have any number of different designs and configurations to create an aesthetic look for beverage center10. The exemplary shape shown inFIG.1is just one of numerous possible designs and configurations that are not dictated by function.

One or more accessory trays42may be located on top of body16, and may accommodate any items that may be used with beverage center10or in or around pool14. Accessory trays42may have any number of shapes and configurations and may define apertures sized and shaped to contain a beverage can or bottle, for example.

Beverage center10may include a tongue44, which may act as a receiver, adapter or connector for attaching a floating bar46to beverage center10. Floating bar46may be a bar, plank or platform that is freely and movably attached to tongue44to accommodate different water levels. That is, floating bar46may float up and down in the water along tongue44as the water level changes. Floating bar46may provide a surface on which an individual may place drinks and food, and may also be an area for gathering. In other words, people in pool14may stand or sit next to floating bar46, just as they would at a bar on land. Floating bar46may have any one of numerous shapes and configurations with the shape and configuration not defined by the function of the floating bar, rather being defined by the aesthetics that it creates.

Tongue44may have a first portion48mounted, secured, or attached to body16. First portion48may have a first end50(seen inFIG.5), which may be positioned underneath body16as illustrated here, and an opposed second end52, with tongue44held in position partly by body16being seated on first portion48. Tongue44may have a second portion54extending from second end52of first portion48substantially perpendicular to first portion48. Thus, tongue44may be substantially L-shaped with first portion48extending substantially horizontally with respect to body16and second portion54extending substantially vertically with respect to body16. Tongue22may define other shapes and configurations that will allow tongue22to act as a receiver, adapter or connector for attaching the floating bar46to the beverage center10.

Floating bar46may have a cut-out or notch56formed therein, which may be shaped and sized to mate with and receive second portion54of tongue44such that floating bar46may move vertically along second portion54. In this embodiment, second portion54of tongue44extends downwardly through notch56into the water of pool14to permit or allow floating bar46to freely move up or down as the water level moves up or down in pool14. This may allow floating bar46to move up and down with respect to body16as the water level in pool14fluctuates.

Floating bar46may be movably attached to second portion54in any desired manner that will permit the movable mounting of floating bar46to tongue44and permit the movement of floating bar46in relation to tongue44and body16.

It is to be appreciated that beverage center10may be placed in various locations in and around pool14. As illustrated inFIG.2, a body16A of beverage center10may be placed on coping12as described above with respect toFIG.1. In another embodiment, a body16B may be seated in pool14itself on a pool ledge58. In this embodiment, tongue44may be secured to body16B such that second portion54extends upwardly. Floating bar46will naturally move up and down along second portion54as the water level rises or falls. In one exemplary aspect of this embodiment, body16B of beverage center10may be placed in up to −10 inches of water, when body16B of beverage center10is placed in the water on pool ledge58. It should be understood that beverage center10may function in other negative pool depths, including depths greater than or less than −10 inches of water.

It is to be appreciated that a body16C of beverage center10may be used in many locations, including anywhere out of a pool, such as on the grass, on decking60around pool14, as illustrated here, or on a patio. It may also be used along the edge of a lake or river or nearly anywhere else. In alternative aspects, body16C of beverage center10may be movable, portable, stationary or fixed in position. It is to be appreciated that when beverage center10is positioned remote from pool14that tongue44and floating bar46need not be included with beverage center10.

Body16of beverage center10may be made of any number of thermoplastic materials that may also be ultraviolet ray resistive, and may have any number of colors. Body16may also include any number of surface textures to provide a smooth, rough, or coarse external surface finish, as desired.

As illustrated more clearly inFIGS.3-5, tongue44may be mounted to a bottom of body16such that second portion54extends downwardly through notch56of floating bar46. Notch56may be formed with a pair of arms62that wrap partially around second portion54of tongue44. As seen inFIG.5, first portion48of tongue44may be received in a recess64formed in a bottom of body16. First portion48may be secured within recess64in snap-fit fashion with a male projection (not shown) formed on one of first portion48and body16within recess64, and a mating female recess (not shown) formed in the other of first portion48and body16within recess64. In other embodiments, first portion48may be secured within recess64with any suitable fastener (not shown).

In certain embodiments, raised surfaces or projections65may extend outwardly from a bottom surface of floating bar46, and serve to provide stability and buoyancy for floating bar46, and help define the waterline for floating bar46. In the illustrated embodiment, four projections65are provided at each corner of floating bar46.

As illustrated inFIG.6, beverage center10may be seated on flat coping12. In other embodiments, a seen inFIG.7, beverage center10may be seated on coping12with an upturned edge66. In such an embodiment, first portion48of tongue44may curve downwardly from first end50in order to wrap around upturned edge66, providing a safe interlocking engagement between tongue44and coping12, thereby safely anchoring beverage center10with respect to coping12.

As noted above, and illustrated inFIG.8, tongue44may be secured to body16such that second portion54extends upwardly, with floating bar46moving up and down in pool14along second portion54such that floating bar46stays on the surface of the water in pool14. In certain embodiments, the perimeter of an upper surface68of floating bar46may be angled or sloped downwardly such that any water from pool14that splashes onto upper surface68will drain into pool14.

As illustrated inFIGS.9-10, one or more filling apertures70may be formed in body16and may be used to allow a user to fill body16with water or any other liquid. Lids36are not shown inFIG.9in order to more clearly illustrate the location of filling aperture70. The added water will add weight to hold beverage center10down, whether on land or in the water of pool14. The added weight will help prevent body16from becoming buoyant and moving within pool14, and will help withstand wind forces encountered by umbrella28when one is mounted to body16. In the illustrated embodiment, filling aperture70is formed in a top72of body16. It is to be appreciated that any number of filling apertures70can be formed in body16at any location within body16.

A plug74may be secured within each filling aperture70to close and seal the filling aperture so as to retain the water in body16. In the illustrated embodiment, each plug74includes a flange76that sits on body16when the plug74is secured within a corresponding filling aperture70. Each plug74may also include a threaded shaft78that threadingly mates with internal threads80formed in filling aperture70. In certain embodiments, a slot82may be formed in a top surface of plug74to receive a screwdriver of other flat tool that may be used to rotate plug74.

As illustrated inFIGS.9,11, and13, one or more body drain apertures84may be formed in body16, and may be located near the bottom of body16to permit the draining of the water from body16. In the illustrated embodiment a single body drain aperture84is shown formed in outer sidewall18. Each body drain aperture84may include internal threads80and may be closed and sealed with a plug74. As illustrated inFIG.12, each plug74may include a gasket86formed of rubber or any other resilient material to help seal each filling aperture70and body drain aperture84.

As illustrated inFIGS.9,11, and13, a compartment drain aperture87may be formed in body16at the bottom of each compartment30, allowing any water that has accumulated in compartments30to be drained. In certain embodiments, the bottom of compartments30may be sloped inwardly toward drain apertures87to facilitate drainage. Each compartment drain aperture87may include internal threads80and may be closed and sealed with a plug74and gasket86as described above.

The one or more filling apertures70, body drain apertures84, and compartment drain apertures87may be closed and sealed through the use of a threaded plug system, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,676,245, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and which is commonly owned by the same applicant.

As described above in connection withFIG.1, and seen inFIG.13, outer wall18of body16is spaced from inner wall20creating a liquid cavity22therebetween. Water may be introduced into liquid cavity22through filling aperture70. The water may be drained from liquid cavity22through body drain aperture84once plug74is removed from body drain aperture84.

As seen here, umbrella aperture24may extend from top72of body16to the bottom of body16, and may be tapered. Umbrella aperture24may extend completely through body16in order to prevent any water from accumulating within body16. Umbrella aperture24may have a diameter suitable to receive umbrella poles having a diameter of 1.5 or 2 inches, for example. As shown inFIGS.13-15, an umbrella pole sleeve88may be seated in a sleeve recess90formed on top72of body16. Umbrella pole sleeve88may have a central aperture92extending therethrough that is configured to receive umbrella pole26. Umbrella pole sleeve88may be secured to body16with fasteners94, which may be screws or bolts, for example.

As seen inFIG.15, a retaining pin96may be used to secure umbrella pole26. Retaining pin96may extend through a pin aperture98formed in umbrella pole sleeve88and through an aperture formed in umbrella pole26(not shown), which serves to help retain umbrella pole26on body16.

As shown inFIG.14, an additional or second umbrella pole sleeve88′ with a central aperture92′ may be provided in addition to first umbrella pole sleeve88. In such an embodiment, central aperture92of first umbrella pole sleeve88may have a diameter different than that of central aperture92′ of second umbrella pole sleeve88′ to accommodate an umbrella poles of a different diameter. For example, central aperture92could have a diameter suitable to receive an umbrella pole26having a diameter of 1.5 inches, while central aperture92′ could have a diameter suitable to receive an umbrella pole26have a diameter of 2 inches.

As noted above, lids36may be movable with respect to body16. In certain embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS.1and16, lids36may move horizontally with respect to body16. In the illustrated embodiment, a retaining member100may include a base or web102that is secured to body16with one or more fasteners (not shown) such as screws or bolts, and a cross member or flange104formed at a top of web102such that retaining member100is T-shaped.

A mating slot member106may be secured within a slot recess107formed in a bottom of each lid36, with each slot member106slidingly mating with a corresponding retaining member100such that lid36may slide horizontally along body16. Each slot member106may include a plate108that is secured within slot recess107with one or more fasteners (not shown) such as screws or bolts, for example. Plate108may include a longitudinal slot110extending along plate108from an inward end112thereof toward an outward end114thereof. Thus, longitudinal slot110is open at inward end112and ends proximate outward end114such that plate108is substantially U-shaped. Slot member106mates with a retaining member100with web102extending through and sliding along longitudinal slot110, and flange104positioned above plate108within a flange recess116formed in the bottom of lid36. Thus, as illustrated most clearly inFIG.17, web102may slide horizontally along and within longitudinal slot110, and flange104may slide horizontally above plate108within flange recess116. In certain embodiments, flange nubs117may be provided on a bottom surface of flange104such that flange104may slide along plate108with less friction.

In certain embodiments, one or more lids36may include a bottle opener118to facilitate opening bottles. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.18, a bottle opener118is formed in the bottom surface of both lids36. In such an embodiment, bottle openers118are accessible when lids36are opened. It is to be appreciated that bottle opener118can be formed on different portions of body16, such as in outer sidewall18for example. Other suitable locations for bottle opener118will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.

In certain embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS.19-24, a single lid36may be configured to cover the entirety of body16and two compartments30. In such an embodiment, lid36may include a post120extending downwardly from a bottom surface of lid36. Post120may be received in a post recess122formed in body16. A pair of opposed post nubs124may extend outwardly from post120proximate a bottom thereof. In such an embodiment, umbrella aperture24is formed within post120.

As seen inFIGS.20and21, a pair of opposed post flanges126may extend inwardly from the sidewall of post recess122. When post120is fully inserted into post recess122and lid36is fully seated on the top of body16, post nubs124are positioned beneath post flanges126such that lid36can be rotated a full 360°, as seen inFIG.22, allowing full access to compartments30.

When lid36is positioned so that post nubs124are not aligned with post flanges126(e.g., when lid36is in the closed position), post120can be lifted vertically such that post nubs124pass by and are then positioned higher than post flanges126, at which point lid36can be rotated 90° to a point where post nubs124are positioned directly above and can be seated on post flanges126. With post nubs124seated on post flanges, as illustrated inFIG.23, and lid36in an elevated position, beverage center10may function a bistro table, while allowing some access to compartments30. As seen inFIG.24, in such an embodiment bins32may be removed from compartments30.

An alternative embodiment is shown inFIGS.25-27, in which opposed post nubs124are positioned at different heights along post120, and a groove128is formed in post120above post nubs124. A pair of spiral recesses128are formed in post120and extend from groove128down to the bottom of post120. When post120is inserted into post recess122and lid36is rotated, post flanges124slide along spiral recesses128until lid36is fully seated on the top of body16, at which point lid36can be rotated a full 360° with post nubs124riding within groove128. When lid36is lifted and rotated 90° and lid36is in the elevated bistro position shown inFIG.23, notches132in spiral recesses130rest on post flanges126.

An alternative embodiment of lid36is illustrated inFIG.28, in which lid36includes a lid base134having two lid apertures136formed therein. Lid flanges138may extend inwardly about the periphery of lid apertures136. Lid covers140may be seated on lid flanges138and serve to cover compartments30. A lid notch142may be formed along the periphery of each lid aperture136, allowing a user to insert their finger/fingers under lid covers140in order to remove them from lid base134. One or more lid alignment flanges144may extend upwardly from top72of body16, and may be received in mating recesses (not shown) in the bottom surface of lid base134, helping to maintain lid36fixed in position on body16. Lid apertures136and lid covers140may have a shape that matches the perimeter shape of compartments30. In the illustrated embodiment, compartments30, lid apertures136, and lid covers140are all circular. It is to be appreciated that compartments30, lid apertures136, and lid covers140can have any desired shape.

Another alternative embodiment of lid36is illustrated inFIGS.29-30in which lids36are pivotally secured to body16. A pair of lid pins146may extend outwardly from a periphery of each lid36and be received in mating lid pin recesses148formed in body16. Lid36may then rotate upwardly about lid pins146from a closed position covering compartment30to an open position allowing access to compartment30, and allowing bin32to be removed from compartment30.

Various embodiments of a new beverage center have been described herein, which include various components and features. In other embodiments, the beverage center may be provided with any combination of such components and features. It is also understood that in other embodiments, the various devices, components, and features of the beverage center described herein may be constructed with similar structural and functional elements having different configurations, including different ornamental appearances.

Those having skill in the art, with the knowledge gained from the present disclosure, will recognize that various changes can be made to the disclosed apparatuses and methods in attaining these and other advantages, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that the features described herein are susceptible to modification, alteration, changes, or substitution. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the embodiments described herein. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. The specific embodiments illustrated and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and not limiting of that which is set forth in the appended claims. Other embodiments will be evident to those of skill in the art. It should be understood that the foregoing description is provided for clarity only and is merely exemplary. The spirit and scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is encompassed by the following claims.