Patent Publication Number: US-2010116177-A1

Title: Table

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is Divisional of Ser. No. 11/641,996 filed Dec. 19, 2006, entitled “A TABLE”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to tables. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     For many years ponds and tables have coexisted in gardens. The designs of ponds have evolved over the years to incorporate innovative shapes due in large part to advances in materials. These currently often include lighting, pumps, aeration and even filtration systems. Similarly, tables for outdoor use have been available in almost any shape or form and of almost any material from stone to plastics. Despite these numerous designs and constant improvements the combination of features of the invention has not been previously suggested. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In its broadest independent aspect, the invention provides a table comprising a table top with at least one portion suitable for overhanging at least a portion of a chair, at least one foot for carrying said table top, and an integral aquatic container. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows ponds and tables to coexist in relatively confided spaces such as a small patio area of a garden. In addition, the table is particularly resistant to being toppled over by strong winds and therefore it neither needs to be anchored to the ground nor stowed away during high winds. 
     In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention&#39;s broadest independent aspect, the table top incorporates an opening suitable for the insertion of a parasol; the table further comprises a channel and a drain; wherein the channel extends from said opening through the aquatic container to said drain. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it prevents the parasol mast particularly if it is wooden to be located in a relatively dry channel—thus preventing the parasol mast from rotting away. It also allows water, which maybe splashed from neighbouring aquatic containers into the channel to simply drain away without stagnating on the foot of the mast. 
     In a further subsidiary aspect, the tabletop incorporates at least one top opening of said aquatic container and a number of slats arranged around said opening. This provides a particularly stable structure, which may also be readily transported in the form of a kit. 
     In a further subsidiary aspect, when viewed in plan, the tabletop has a geometry shape with a number of sides and slats have extremities, which abut against a junction bracket, located between the sides of said tabletop. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it reduces the need to mitre the extremities of slats in order to simplify the assembly process of the table. It also allows the outer slats of the tabletop to be readily removed and then replaced if necessary. This is particularly advantageous when the table is provided in a part assembled form in order to be transported without the overhanging portions. The assembly of the overhanging portions is simplified by this feature. 
     In a further subsidiary aspect, the tabletop incorporates at least one top opening of said aquatic container and at least one lid for closing said at least one opening. This allows the contents of the aquatic container to be protected or for the table to be used to its full top surface extent without requiring extension pieces to be fitted to the overhanging portions of the table. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the table. 
         FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the table in perspective view. 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  b  show respectively a top view of the bracket junction between two sides of a tabletop and a perspective view of a bracket. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of the aquatic container equipped to channel and drain. 
         FIG. 5  shows an aquatic container compartment of a table in perspective view incorporating a further embodiment of a lid. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a table with an aquatic container in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows a pond table or a table incorporating an aquatic table generally referenced  1 . The table has a top  2  with two opposite overhanging portions  3  and  4 , which respectively comprise three slats such as slat  5 . The slats are supported by two beams  6  and  7  extending away from the pond table aquatic container portion generally referenced  8 . Tabletop  2  has two aquatic container openings  9  and  10  through which the contents of the container can be seen. The walls of the aquatic container may be constituted of a black plastic sheet or portions of a moulded plastic box. The tabletop incorporates a cross piece  11  which extends from overhang portion  3  to overhang portion  4 . Crosspiece  11  incorporates a bore  12  for the insertion of a parasol mast. Beneath the bore  12  there is connected a tube  13  traversing the entire depth of the aquatic container. The tube  13  may be joined to the base of the pond table in a watertight manner and incorporate at its lower most extremity an opening to allow water to drain away. In addition, a lighting unit  14  was attached to the crosspiece  11  in order to illuminate the contents of the aquatic container. In addition, an aerator, a pump and/or a filter are also envisaged. The pond table may be connected to mains power through power box  15 . 
     Furthermore, the pond table incorporates oppositely located benches  16  and  17 , which are attached to the central portion of the table via laterally extending beams such as beams  18  and  19 . 
     Between the waterproof membrane, which contains the water of the pond table and its outer surface, it is envisaged optionally to incorporate an insulating layer to prevent heat loss from the pond table if for example the aquatic container is a heated pool. Furthermore, the aquatic container may be a single chamber with two upper openings as described above or may incorporate a partition underneath crosspiece  11  in order to incorporate two types of aquatic containers within a single pond table. 
       FIG. 2  shows a further pond table generally referenced  20  with  4  overhanging portions  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24 . The extremities of the slats which, constitute the overhanging portions, are mitred in order to abut against neighbouring extremities. The pond table shown incorporates two lids  25  and  26 . These incorporate five upper slats, which are joined together by crosspieces. The lids are oversized when compared to their respective openings in order to fit on top of the inner most portions of the overhanging portions. The invention also envisages the incorporation of abutments inside the openings in order to allow the lids to sit flush with the rest of the table top. 
       FIG. 3   a  shows the junction between two sides of a tabletop, which incorporate a plurality of slats. Bracket  27  is employed between neighbouring extremities of slats. For example, the bracket may be T-shaped in cross-section as shown in  FIG. 3   b  with the two overhanging upper portions  28  and  29  in order to cover the extremities of the slats. This avoids or at least limits the requirement to mitre the extremities of slats. This also simplifies the installation of the slats. In addition, the bracket may have a number of bores such as bore  30  through which a screw or other appropriate attachment means may be used to attach the bracket to the extremities of the slats. 
       FIG. 4  shows an aquatic container  31  and a tube  32  which is sized and shaped to receive the mast of a parasol. The lower extremity  33  of the tube is open to allow any water located within the tube to drain out. At its lowest extremity the tube also incorporates a flange  34 , which creates a watertight junction with the base  35  of the aquatic container. The watertight junction may be achieved by tightening flange  34  against base  35  and employing an O-ring  36 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an aquatic container of the kind, which might be used in a square pond table. Aquatic container  37  incorporates a lid  40 , which engages vertical troughs  38  and  39 , so that the lid may be joined throughout its use to the aquatic container. Lid  40  has two projecting axels  41  and  42  which are sized and shaped to slot into the troughs. 
       FIG. 6  shows a table  43  with a tabletop  44  incorporating an overhanging portion  45  and an aquatic container  46  which may have see-through sides such as those used in aquaria. Similarly to the previous embodiments, the tabletop may incorporate a parasol mast channel  47 . 
     The scope of the invention is defined in the claims which now follow.