Patent Publication Number: US-2016242537-A1

Title: Adjustable pedestal table for pools and tubs

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to pool type tub accessories and, more particularly, to an adjustable, pedestal supported table structure for placement in pools and tubs. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is well known that typical designs for in pools, hot tubs or other recreational pool type tubs (referred to herein collectively as “pools”) lack any internal structure on which beverages can be placed. For individuals desiring to alleviate the need to constantly hold their beverage containers or place their container on a ground surface outside of the pool, often times the only option is to utilize floating trays placed on the surface of the water in the pool. A problem which still exists, however, is that such floating trays are subject to the motion of the water, resulting in them being prone to being tipped over or floating away. Furthermore, they generally do not provide a stable surface on which a beverage container can be placed without tipping. Thus, there remains a need for a pedestal table for placement in pools that is anchored so as to remain stable and stationary. It would be helpful if such a pedestal table was adjustable in height to accommodate various depths of water. It would be additionally desirable for such a pedestal table to include a weighted base to improve its ability to remain stable when surrounded by moving water or when bumped by users. 
     The Applicant&#39;s invention described herein provides for an adjustable pedestal table adapted to allow a user place a beverage container or other receptacle on an anchored planar surface inside the pool. The primary components in Applicant&#39;s rotating adjustable pedestal table are a table member, an adjustable shaft, and a base stand. When in operation, the adjustable pedestal table enables the placement of a fixed table structure that extends above the water surface in a desired location in a pool. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An adjustable pedestal table for providing a selectively deployable, anchored support surface in a pool above the water surface. The adjustable pedestal table comprises a planar table member suitable to provide a supporting surface for objects and having a plurality of cup holders, a adjustable shaft, and a hollow base stand configured to be filled with material to selectively increase or decrease its weight. The adjustable shaft includes an upper pole telescopically disposed in a lower pole, with the upper pole is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the table member, the lower pole is fixedly attached to the top surface of the base stand, and the upper pole adjustable to any position in the lower pole between an extended position and a retracted position. A conventional lever operated closure clamp is disposed at the interface between the upper pole and lower pole to allow the adjustable shaft to be selectively locked in a desired position. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a pedestal table for placement in pools that is anchored so as to remain stable and stationary. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a pedestal table that is adjustable in height to accommodate various depths of water. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pedestal table that includes a weighted base to improve its ability to remain stable when surrounded by moving water or when bumped by users. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an adjustable pedestal table built in accordance with the present invention having its table member fully extended and its fill cap open. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an adjustable pedestal table built in accordance with the present invention having its table member fully retracted and its fill cap closed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an adjustable pedestal table  10  is shown having a table member  20 , an adjustable shaft  30 , and a base stand  40 . The table member  20  defines a planar member suitable to provide a supporting surface for objects, such as a beverage container. The base stand  40  defines a hollow body that includes a fill hole  41 , thereby enabling material to be added or removed therefrom to selectively increase or decrease its weight. A fill cap  42  is included to be secured over the fill hole  41  when it material is not desired to be added or removed from the base stand. The adjustable shaft  30  defines a single table leg having an upper pole  31  telescopically disposed in a lower pole  32 , with the upper pole  31  is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the table member  20  and the lower pole  32  is fixedly attached to the top surface of the base stand  40 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the upper pole  31  may be telescopically adjusted to any position in the lower pole  32  between an extended position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thereby enabling the height of the table member  20  from the base stand  40  to be adjusted. A conventional lever operated closure clamp  33  is disposed at the interface between the upper pole  31  and lower pole  32  to provide a locking mechanism for selectively fixing the poles in their relative place once in a desired position. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the table member  20  is circular structure with a 24″ diameter and is 1″ thick. The table member  20  includes a plurality of cup holders  21 , each defined as depressions in the top surface of the table member  20  sized to receive the bottom of a conventional beverage receptacle (not shown). In alternate embodiments, the cup holders  21  may each define an aperture in the table member  20  or the cup holders  21  may be either a depression or aperture. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the base stand  40  is a circular structure that has a 12″ diameter and is 4″ thick. 
     It is contemplated that while water may be used to fill the base stand  40 , any fluid or granular material may be used in addition to or in the alternative of water. 
     In one embodiment, the fill hole  41  and fill cap  42  include corresponding threads to allow the fill cap  42  to be removably secured over the fill hole  41 . 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.