Abstract:
A cooler table comprising a storage compartment formed with a top edge, and a tabletop. The tabletop is manipulable between a closed position in which it closes the top edge, and a table position in which it is mounted on a post extending from the storage compartment serving as a table while allowing access to the storage compartment.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/960,940 filed Oct. 22, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cooler tables of the type comprising a storage compartment and a tabletop. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the hospitality industry there is often a need to provide tables with integral storage space. Even more so, it is often required that such storage space be capable of cooling its contents or at least maintaining its temperature for a while, chilled or heated, by isolation from the environment. Such furniture is often used in garden or porch happenings, e.g. BBQ parties, receptions, etc., where tables or standing tables are provided (standing tables are referred to as tables attended to while standing or seated on bar chairs which are high chairs). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,091 discloses a portable refrigerated table-bar useful in the hospitality industry comprises an upright cylindrical cabinet having a tabletop, a centrally disposed dual tube arrangement for raising or lowering slidingly a pair of trays affixed thereto in spaced apart relation and a thermoelectric refrigerating unit disposed within the lower portion of the cabinet. The sliding movement of the trays is activated by electromechanical means associated therewith. One tray is provided with a plurality of depressions for accommodation of beverage bottles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,639 discloses a patio table with a means for supporting an umbrella, incorporating a central thermally insulated container having access doors or the top surface of the table. The thermal container is cooled by an enclosure containing ice/chemical coolant or alternate refrigeration coils. A tubular member extends from the tabletop to a base structure of expanded area. The base structure has an enclosure for an alternate electric refrigeration unit. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D376,068 discloses a cooler tabletop. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a cooler container which is also a furniture article serving as a low table or a standing table. 
     According to the invention there is provided a cooler table comprising a storage compartment formed with a top edge, and a tabletop; said tabletop being manipulable between a closed position in which it closes said top edge, and a table position in which it is mounted on a post extending from said storage compartment serving as a table whilst allowing access to said storage compartment. 
     Any one or more of the following features may be applied to the invention subject of the present invention:
         the bucket-like storage compartment is thermally isolated.   at the table position the tabletop extends at a height rendering the table a bar-type table (also known as a standing table).   all components of the cooler table are receivable within the storage compartment when the tabletop is at the cover position.   the storage compartment is fitted at a bottommost portion thereof with at least one drain port.   the storage compartment is provided at its bottom with a drain port fitted with a movable sealing plug.   the tabletop is provided with a top opening and an opposite opening on a bottom of the storage compartment and a drain channel extending therebetween.   the drain channel extends trough the post.   the storage compartment is double-walled to thereby form a thermally isolating space.   the tabletop is mountable on an extendible post extending from the storage compartment. The post typically extends from an inside base of the storage compartment.   the tabletop is mountable on an extendible central post extending from the storage compartment.   the post is radially supported to side walls of the storage compartment.   the post may be telescopically extendible or constructed from two or more detachably attachable segments.   the post is constructed from two or more detachably attachable segments, wherein a first segment is integral with the storage compartment and extends to a height below the top edge of the storage compartment.   the second segment is integral with the tabletop.   the cooler table has a cylindrical structure and typically the components of the cooler table are coaxial.   a plurality of support legs are detachably attachable to a bottom base of the storage compartment, for elevating the cooler table. It is appreciated that different types of legs may be provided, fixed, collapsible or detachable to a lower part of the storage compartment.   the isolated bucket-like storage compartment is established of two coaxial shell-like members which at an assembled position define between them an air-isolation space. The shells may be secured to one another to form a solid member or may be detachable from one another. Optionally, the bucket-like storage compartment is a double-walled member so-formed in a molding process.   a thermally isolating agent may be applied in said space, e.g. foamed material, thermal fiber, etc.   the article is stackable over a like cooler table, wherein a base of a storage compartment of one cooler table fits over a tabletop of another cooler table.   at the closed position, where the table top rests over the storage compartment, the article serves as storage compartment, a coffee table and is sufficiently durable for sitting thereon.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, several embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the cooler table at a fully collapsed, closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the cooler table at a fully open, standing table position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the cooler table at the position of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectioned view of the cooler table of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectioned isometric view of an embodiment of the cooler table of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the cooler table in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric view of the cooler table in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of the cooler table at a sitting table position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a longitudinal section of the cooler table of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a bottom isometric view of the cooler table, at its fully assembled, closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric, longitudinally offset section of a cooler table according to a variation of the invention, at its deployed position; 
         FIG. 9A  is an isometric view if the cooler table according to variation of the invention at a fully open, standing table position; 
         FIG. 9B  is an exploded isometric view of the cooler table of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectioned isometric view of an embodiment of the cooler table of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom isometric view of the cooler table of  FIG. 10 , at its fully assembled, closed position; and 
         FIG. 12  is a longitudinal section of the cooler table according to variation of the invention, at a fully assembled, closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A cooler-table generally designated  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  at a completely collapsed/stowed position and noticeable are only a bucket-like storage compartment  12  and a table top  14 , which in this position serves as a cover for said storage compartment  12 . At this position the table may be used for storing goods contained therein and as a sitting table. 
     In  FIG. 2  the cooler-table  10  is illustrated at a first, so-called table position, in a fully extended, fully erected position wherein the storage compartment  12  is mounted on four support legs  18  and the table top  14  is elevated from the storage compartment  12  and is supported spaced therefrom by means of support post  20 , thus allowing access to the contents of the cooler received within the interior space  24 . It is noted that at this position, namely the standing-table position, at times referred to also as a bar-table, the table top  14  extends at an elevation for conveniently standing by the table or sitting over a bar chair (an elevated chair). 
     The bucket-like storage compartment  12  is constructed of two shell-like members namely an external housing  12 A and an internal liner  12 B (e.g. best seen in  FIGS. 4A ,  6  and  7 B) fixedly articulated to one another (e.g. by snap fitting or otherwise), defining between them a thermally isolated space  28  (e.g. best seen in  FIG. 4A ). It is noted that the storage compartment  12  may be a solid unit with the components  12 A and  12 B affixed to one another e.g. integrated during a molding process or otherwise adhered or fixed to one another thereafter and that the thermally isolated space  28  may be stuffed with a thermally isolating agent e.g. foamed material, thermal fibers, thermal gels, etc. Such stuffing further increases rigidity of the structure. 
     As can further be seen in  FIG. 4A , at a lower part of the storage compartment  12  there is illustrated a draining port fitted with a faucet  30  for draining the interior of the storage compartment or for dispensing a liquid stored therein. The faucet  30  is optional and may be fitted at a later stage if a-priori provided there is an appropriate sealable faucet socket. This may be useful for storing a chilled/warm beverage to be dispensed through the faucet  30 . According to an example of the invention, the cooler table is further provided with indicia (not shown) for indicating the amount of fluid contained within the storage compartment or dispensed therefrom. 
     According to a variation of the invention, illustrated in  FIGS. 9A to 12 , where for sake of clarity like elements are designated with like reference numerals, the cooler-table  10  comprises a draining port  155  at the bottom  19  thereof (best seen in  FIG. 12 ). The draining port  155  is fitted with a movable sealing plug  150 , which may be pushed by a user from underneath the cooler-table or pulled from the interior  24  thereof and thus allows draining of the liquid from within the cooler-table  10 . 
     According to yet another variation of the invention, best seen in  FIGS. 9A to 11 , cooler table is provided with a draining channel having a top opening  251  on a table top  14  and an opposite opening  253  on a bottom  19  of the cooler-table  10 . Such draining channel allows draining of fluid from the surface of the table top  14  in the direction of arrows  111  in  FIG. 10  via the support post  20  and out through the opening  253 . 
     The support legs  18  are attached to a bottom surface  19  of the storage compartment by screw coupling of threaded stems  21  projecting from the legs and coupled into the base (as seen in  FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 7   b  and  7 C, legs  18 A are attached to the base  19 A by a snap-type engagement and for that purpose, the bottom surface  19 A is fitted with respective receptacles  21  for supportingly receiving a portion of the legs  18 A, and appropriate recesses  23  for snap engagement with projecting lugs  25  of the legs. It is appreciated that respective portions of the internal liner  12 B rest over the leg receptacles  21 , thus increasing rigidity of the structure and its durability to bear axial loads. 
     According to still an embodiment of the present invention, the legs may be pivotally articulated to the base  19  such that they may be displaceable between an open position in which they extend as exemplified in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7 A or a collapsed/folded position. 
     In the present embodiment and as can best be seen in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  6  and  7 B, the support stem  20  is composed of a first stem member  20 A and second stem member  20 B telescopically displaceable within the first stem member. The first stem member  20 A is integrally formed (typically during molding process) with the internal liner  12 B. At the assembled position the second stem member  20 B is screw coupled within the first stem member  20 A via threads  27  and  31  of the first stem member  20 A and the second stem member  20 B, respectively. According to another example, there may be a snap-type engagement, between the two stem members. According to yet an example, the two stem members may be either threadably engaged or collapsed and extended through a piston. In addition, there may be provided a locking mechanism  90  (as exemplified in  FIG. 9B ), e.g. in the form of a locking ring, a retention member etc. to thereby prevent telescopic collapse of the second stem member  20 B into the first stem member  20 A. The table top  14  is screw coupled over the top end  35  of the second stem member  20 B, as can best be seen in  FIGS. 4B and 7B . However, the table top  14  may also be snappingly mounted over the second stem member  20 B. According to a modification of the invention, (e.g.  FIG. 10 ), the table top  14  and a second stem member  20 B are formed as an integral unit. 
     It is noted that the lower stem member  20 A does not exceed beyond a top edge  15  of the storage compartment. Still, at the stowed position of  FIG. 1 , or at the low-table semi-stowed position of  FIG. 7A , the table top  14  rests over the top edge  15  of the storage compartment  12  and may further be secured over a top end  27  of the lower stem member  20 A such that the table top  14  is secured to the storage compartment  12 . By this arrangement the table top  14  may bear heavier loads and will not collapse as it is centrally supported. According to a modification of the invention, the rim of the table top  14  may further be provided with protuberance for increasing friction between the rim of table top and the top edge  15  of the storage compartment  12 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the table top  14  is composed of a top surface  14 A and a bottom dish-like member  14 B, snappingly or otherwise secured to one another, the latter being detachably attachable to a top end  29  of the upper stem member  20 B. 
     The semi-stowed position of  FIG. 7A  (namely, telescopic stem  20  collapsed with table top  14  resting over storage compartment  12 , however legs  18  still deployed) may be useful for sitting around the table and in this position the storage compartment  12  is closed and thermal isolation is maintained. Cover (table top)  14  must be first removed in order to allow access to the storage compartment  12 . 
     Collapsing and stowing of the cooler table  10  requires disassembly of the support stem members  20 A and  20 B which are then telescopically positioned within the storage compartment as in  FIG. 7B , with the table top  14  sealingly resting over the top edge  15  of the storage compartment  12 . 
     As can further be seen in  FIG. 7B  at the collapsed position, a lower end  41  of the top stem member  20 B is coaxially supported over an upwards projection  43  extending from the base of the storage compartment  12 , thereby bearing axial loads acting on the table top  14  and retaining it centrally with respect to the opening of the storage compartment  12 , e.g. at the event of a load resting over the table top  14 . 
     The support legs  18  may be detached from the base  19  of the storage compartment  12  and also inserted into the storage compartment at the position of  FIG. 1  where the cooler table  10  assumes a minimal volume with all its components stowed therein. In this position, like cooler tables may be conveniently stacked on top of each other for shipping and storage purposes. Alternatively, the legs  18  are folded into their collapsed, pivoted position as in  FIG. 5 , or the legs may be altogether detachable. 
     As can further be noted in the drawings, the bottom dish-like element  14 B is formed at its lower perimeter with a tapering annular portion  37  in order to facilitate engagement over the top edge  15  of the storage compartment  12  and allow sealing and thermal isolation. Alternatively, the bottom dish-like element  14 B may be formed with an annular rim corresponding for sealing engagement with the top edge  15  of the storage compartment  12 . Evenmoreso, there may be provided a resilient sealing member for enhancing sealing therebetween. 
     Furthermore, it is appreciated that the table top  14  is assembled such that a sealed space  39 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 4B and 7B , extends between the two table top components  14 A and  14 B, thus improving thermal isolation when the cooler table is at its closed position, to thereby retain articles stored therein at their temperature (chilled or warm). Space  39  may be a filled with a thermally isolating agent or may be an air tight space. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 8  there is illustrated a modification of the invention where for sake of clarity like elements are designated with like reference numbers. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8  it is noted that the table top  14  is formed with a plurality of glass/bottle receptacles in the form of indentions  82 . Furthermore, there is a bottle support  84  received within the storage compartment  12 , in the form of a ring fitted with a central opening resting over the lower stem member  20 B and with its peripheral edge  88  bearing against the inner liner  12 B, whereby it is prevented from descending. The bottle support  84  is formed with a plurality of openings  90  to support bottles at an upright position. It is appreciated that the ring also increases support of the post member  20 B. 
     The components of the cooler table are advantageously made of a light-weight material, e.g. durable plastic material, typically in a molding process and at a variety of colors. Different additives may be added such as for increasing UV resistance, etc. According to yet an example, some or all components of the cooler table may be made from metal material, wood etc. 
     In accordance with a further modification of the invention (not shown), the cooler-table is provided with an AC/DC power unit, built in fan and/or a set-point thermostat for cooling/warming the content of the cooler-table. The power source may be adapted to plug into vehicle&#39;s DC outlet or AC power outlet. 
     Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.