Patent Publication Number: US-5025639-A

Title: Patio cooler table

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates to patio tables with a cooling receptacle for food and beverages occupying the center section of the table. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art describes several tables having cooling receptacles mounted in the center or on the top portion of the table. U.S. Pat. No. 1,351,097 Cook, discloses a combination refrigerator and table. Refrigeration being furnished by an ice chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 3,364,882 Mervick, discloses a leaf-type table wherein an ice cooled beverage container is used in lieu of the center leaf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,780 Brickman discloses a foldable bar table with openings in the top surface to enable containers to be inserted therethrough. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention describes a conventional patio table constructed of plastic, rattan, metal or the like wherein the center section comprises a thermally insulated container cooled by ice, a chemical coolant, or an electric refrigeration unit. A reinforced tubular section in the center of the container has a means for supporting the center pole of an umbrella. A hinged door on either side of the center pole support provides access to the center container from either side of the table. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top front partially sectioned perspective view of the patio cooler table; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional front end view of the patio cooler table. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIG. 1 the table top 2 is shown supported by tubular center post 3 extends downward to circular base support 6, radial structure members 8 and 9 and central thermally insulated container 1. Top access doors 4 supported by hinge 5 to radial member 8. The drain plug 7 on the bottom of container 1 provides drainage access to the container 11. 
     The sectional veiw of FIG. 2 shows the table top 2, the tubular support 3, the radial structural members 8 and 9, the access doors 4 attached to hinge 5 and the circumferential support member 10 for the container 1. The thermally insulated metal or plastic and fiberglass container 1 having an inner ventilated receptacle 11 for ice, chemical coolant or the refrigerating coils 13 from the alternate refrigerator unit 15 mounted on the base structure 6. A drain plug 7 for cleaning and draining the container 11 is shown on the bottom of the container. The coil 13 extends from the refrigeration unit 15, located in space 12, upward along the center post, as shown in FIG. 2, and wraps around container 14 and cools container 14.