Storage table and planter combination

A combination storage table and planter has a tubular body extending upwardly from a base. Received within the tubular body is an open ended spool. A reversible top is adapted to be received upon the tubular member such that in one orientation a table having a substantially flat planar surface is defined, and in another orientation the top has a recess or cavity for receiving soil and plants. The storage compartments are separated for dry and wet storage. Accordingly, a storage unit is provided which may also alternatively function as either a table or a plantar.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention herein resides in the art of storage devices and, more 
particularly, to such storage devices for outdoor residential use. The 
invention pertains to a storage device which performs functions apart from 
the storage of materials and implements. Specifically, the invention 
relates to a storage device which can also selectively serve as a planter 
or table. 
BACKGROUND ART 
The landscaping of most residences requires a water hose, garden tools, 
fertilizers and like for ready accessibility to maintain the landscaping 
in proper order. Typically, such materials are stored in a garage or a 
shed where space is scarce. Moreover, such storage areas are often a 
distance from the area of need such as a patio, deck, or the like. 
Accordingly, the time to retrieve and/or replace the material is 
bothersome, often resulting in the material not being used or replaced. 
It is most desirable to provide storage for basic landscaping maintenance 
devices and materials at an area proximate to the area of use. It is 
further desirable that such storage facility conceal the stored materials 
or articles and that it serve a purpose in addition to that of storage. 
It has been previously known to provide a tool caddie and stool combination 
for storing various hand and power tools for easy access. See U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,458,963. A portable nestable storage bin having drainage apertures 
in the bottom thereof has also been previously known from U.S. Pat. No. 
4,200,346. A combination table and bar cabinet having a storage unit is 
known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,742, while U.S. Pat. No. 2,871,057 presents 
a hose basket and U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,613 discloses a combination tool box 
and stool which provides compartmentalized storage. 
The foregoing prior art is unsuitable for implementation in accordance with 
the concept of the invention which is particularly adapted for use on 
residential patios and decks. Often, these areas accommodate tables and/or 
planters, serving both utilitarian and aesthetic functions. In accordance 
with the invention, it is most desirable to devise a storage unit which 
can serve not only to store materials and devices, but which can also 
serve selectively as a storage table or planter. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide 
a storage unit which serves additional utilitarian functions. 
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a storage unit which can 
serve as a table. 
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a storage unit which can 
serve as a planter. 
A further aspect of the invention is to provide a storage unit which can 
selectively serve as either a table or a planter. 
Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of a storage unit 
which is reliable and durable in use, easily constructed from state of the 
art materials, and conducive to implementation in a wide variety of 
environments. 
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become apparent 
as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a storage unit, 
comprising: a base member; a hollow body member extending upwardly from 
said base member; and a top removably received by said hollow body member 
at an end thereof opposite said base, said top being reversible in its 
orientation of reception by said hollow body member, said top defining a 
substantially planar table top surface in a first orientation of 
reception, and said top defining a receptacle in a second orientation of 
reception. 
Other aspects of the invention which will become apparent herein are 
achieved by a convertible storage unit, comprising: a base; a tubular body 
member extending upwardly from said base; a top having first and second 
parallel sides, said top having means on each said side for engagingly 
receiving said tubular body member; and divider means receiving with said 
tubular body member for defining plural storage compartments within said 
tubular body member.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, it can 
be seen that a storage unit made in accordance with the invention is 
designated generally by the numeral 10. As will become apparent herein, 
the storage unit 10 is adapted to selectively serve as a table or a 
planter in combination with its storage functions. The storage unit 10 
includes a base and body member 12 consisting of a cylindrical or tubular 
body portion 14 open at the top end thereof, and a flared out base member 
16 having a circular concave side, as shown. A bottom plate 18 is received 
at the bottom of the base 16 and encloses the same. While it will be 
appreciated that the bottom plate 18 is optional, its provision does add 
strength and integrity to the entire unit, while also serving to close the 
bottom of the base. 
A rim or support flange 20 is circumferentially positioned about the 
interior of the base and body member 12 at an area substantially 
intermediate the body portion 14 and base member 16. The support flange 20 
extends inwardly into the cavity so defined. An open ended spool 22 is 
removable received upon and supported by the flange 20, as shown. The 
spool 22 includes a cylindrical body 24 having a circular base plate 26 
connected to one end thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, as 
illustrated. The diameter of the circular base plate 26 is approximately 
equal to, but slightly less than, the inside diameter of the cylindrical 
body portion 14 to accomodate removal and replacement of the spool 22. The 
outer circumferential portion of the base plate 26 is in engagement with 
the rim or support flange 20, as illustrated. 
A reversible top 28 is received upon and supported by the cylindrical body 
portion 14 and, in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, by cylindrical 
body 24 of the spool 22. In other words, the reversible top 28 is 
supported by the open ends of the cylindrical members 14, 24. The top 28 
is substantially disk shaped, as shown. 
A circular plate 30 defines one surface of the top assembly 28 which is 
encompassed about a circumference by a ring 32 of rectangular cross 
section. The ring 32 further encircles and defines a cylindrical recess or 
cavity 34 which is closed at one end by the circular plate 30 and opened 
at the opposite end. Circular grooves or channels 36, 38 are defined on 
opposite parallel sides of the ring 32. In a preferred embodiment of the 
invention, the grooves or channels 36, 38 are maintained in respective 
circular ribs 40, 42 defined on the opposite inner surfaces of ring 32. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top 28 is oriented such that the circular 
groove 38 receives the top circular edge of the cylindrical body portion 
14 to provide a planter arrangement. In such an orientation, a decorative 
ring 44 may be placed in and received by the channel 36 to close and 
conceal the channel 36 in a fashionable way. The cavity 34 opens upwardly 
such that the storage unit 10 may serve as a planter. Soil and plants may 
then be appropriately placed in the cavity 34, as desired. Preferably, and 
for added support, the cylindrical body portion 14 extends above the 
cylindrical body member 24 a distance substantially equal to the depth of 
the groove 38 such that, in the planter orientation, the top circular 
surface at the open end of the cylindrical body 24 also engages and 
supports the circular plate 30. 
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the structure just 
defined can readily be configured from plastic parts appropriately molded 
and fitted together. Additionally, and as is readily appreciated by 
viewing the drawings, such a structure is of substantial integrity. 
With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that a cylindrical 
cavity 46 is defined within the cylindrical body 24 of the spool 22. That 
cavity is closed by the top 28 and the circular base plate 26. A second 
ring-like cavity 48 is defined between the cylindrical members 14, 24 and 
between the base plate 26 and top assembly 28. In accordance with the 
invention, items which are preferably kept dry, such as fertilizer, 
potting soil, implements, and the like, designated generally by the 
numeral 50, may be maintained within the cavity 46. A hose 52 may be 
coiled or wrapped about the cylindrical body 24 of the spool 22 within the 
cavity 48. This cavity defines "wet" storage in contradistinction to the 
"dry" storage of the cavity 46. The end 54 of the hose 52 passes through a 
vertical slot 56 in the cylindrical body portion 14 and may extend 
therefrom to a faucet or spigot, where it may be substantially continually 
attached. 
Drainage holes 58 are provided in the circular plate 30, as are drainage 
holes 60 in the circular base plate 26, and drainage holes 62 in the 
bottom plate 18. The drainage holes 58 allow for water to drain from the 
planter receptacle or cavity 34, through the compartment 48, through the 
drainage holes 60, and out of the draining holes 62. In similar fashion, 
the water from hose 52 may drain through the drainage holes 60, 62. 
In use, one removes the top 28 and exposes the cavities 46, 48 for placing 
items or implements 50, 52 therein. The slot 56 accommodates placement of 
the end 54 of the hose 52 as should be apparent to those skilled in the 
art. With all of the drainage holes 58, 60, 62 being outside the perimeter 
of the compartment 46, that compartment remains dry. After the articles or 
items 50, 52 are placed in their appropriate storage compartments 46, 48, 
the top assembly 28 may be replaced. 
With reference now to FIG. 3, the storage unit 10 can be seen wherein the 
reversible top 28 is oriented to configure the unit into a table. In this 
instance, the grooves or channels 36 are engaged by the circular top edge 
of the cylindrical body portion 14, such that the continuous circular 
plate 30 defines a table top. The decorative ring 44 is placed into and 
conceals the groove or channel 38. In this situation, the top edge of the 
cylindrical body 24 of the spool 22 does not engage the top assembly 28, 
but is maintained beneath the inverted cavity 34. 
With further reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that a cavity 64 is 
defined within the base 16 between the bottom plate 18 and the circular 
base plate 26. Additional wet storage may be accomplished in the cavity 
64. For instance, the hose 50 may be stored therein, as illustrated. 
Access to the storage area 64 is easily achieved by removing the top 28 
and then removing the open ended spool 22. 
With reference now to FIG. 4, the various elements of the storage unit 10 
can be seen in separated fashion for implementation as a storage table. It 
will readily be appreciated that the decorative ring 44 may be placed into 
either of the circular grooves or channels 36, 38, depending upon the 
orientation of the top 28. That orientation determines whether the unit 10 
is employed as a storage table or a storage planter. Additionally, it can 
be seen that the open ended spool assembly 22 is easily removed from and 
placed into the cylinder defined by the cylindrical body portion 14. The 
circular base plate 26 is received upon and supported by the rim or 
support flange 20. The flared out base member 16 provides not only an 
aesthetically pleasing appearance, but also adds to rigidity and stability 
of the unit 10. 
Moreover, and as can be seen in FIG. 4, the body 24 of the spool 22 may 
include a pair of diametrically disposed handle apertures 66 formed 
therein. Such handles facilitate removal and replacement of the spool 22 
as desired. 
Thus it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been achieved by 
the structure presented and discussed above. A storage unit provides 
multiple compartments for wet or dry storage, and in which the unit itself 
may additionally serve the function of a table or planter. The system may 
readily be manufactured from wood or metal, although plastic is preferred. 
While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and 
preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in 
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto 
or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth 
of the invention reference should be made to the following claims.