Abstract:
A portable convertible ice cooled serving table comprised of two sections is foldable for carrying by a handle. The legs may be folded against the sections. Transparent covers to protect the food from insects and to keep atmospheric heat away from the food and cooling medium are removeably pivotally mountable to the sections when erected and are storable within the folded table, including handles thereon, for transport and storage. The two sections are pivotally openable to form a table and conveniently secured in table position wherein the bases of the two sections are in the same plane. The legs are also provided with easily insertable and releasable braces which are pivotally mounted to the bases of the sections. The sections may be preferably made of insulative material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/352,134 filed Jun. 7, 2010 by applicants herein and entitled Wagner Portable. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable convertible ice cooler serving table. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable convertible ice cooled serving table which may be compactly closed and folded for easy transport by means of a handle and easily opened and extended for serving ice cooled consumables under a transparent pivotally openable cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During warmer weather, people often like to have outdoor picnics or other outdoor events at which consumables in the form of food and drinks may be served. It is often desirable to provide these with some form of cooling for the cooling of drinks and food, and sometimes it is necessary to keep the food items cold such as in the case of potato salad and the like. 
     Usually the only way of keeping the items cold and serving them is to keep them in an ice chest which may be used to bring the consumables to the picnic or outdoor event. This is often unsatisfactory since the cooler chest may have to be placed on the ground where people may have to bend over to try to retrieve something to eat or drink or if a picnic table or the like is available, the chest or cooler is placed on the picnic table taking up limited and valuable space which would otherwise be used as an eating table. In either event, the consumables are not visibly displayed until the cooler chest is opened, allowing heat into the cooler chest and more rapid melting of the ice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a portable and easily transportable serving table to the desired location of serving. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the serving table may be easily and quickly closed and collapsed for transport. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the serving table of the present invention may be easily opened and erected at the desired site of serving. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that substantially transparent covers may be provided to keep flies and other insects off of the food, retain the consumables in a cooler condition, reduce melting of the ice all while allowing the consumables to be viewed by people being served without opening the lid. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the lid may be easily pivotally attached and removed allowing the lid to be pivotally opened and closed. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the transparent cover may be provided with a handle and still stored within the portable serving table. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the serving table may be comprised at least in part of insulative material enabling the consumables to be maintained in a cool condition and extending the life of the ice used to keep the consumables cool. 
     Briefly and basically, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a first and a second section, each of the sections has a base and a plurality of sidewall portions defining a first and a second receptacle, respectively. The first and second sections are of the same shape and size. Means is provided for pivotally joining the first and second sections. The means for pivotally joining the two sections enables the first and second sections to move between a closed position, wherein one of the sidewalls of the first and second sections are juxtaposed, and to an open position where the bases are in a single plane. Means for securing the juxtaposed sidewalls is provided to maintain the basis of the first and second sections in the same plane. Transparent covers are provided for each section with means for removeably pivotally mounting the transparent covers to the sidewall of the sections. A drain is provided in the base of each section for the drainage of water from melting ice and to provide a nesting space for the handle of the transparent cover when the transparent cover is inverted and stored in the receptacle of the section for transport. The apparatus is provided with folding legs pivotally attached to an outer portion of each section. The legs are lockable in a folded position and lockable in an extended position to support the sections. Latches are provided to hold the sections in a closed position for transport of the apparatus and at least one of the sections is provided with a handle for carrying the sections. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of a portable convertible ice cooled serving table in accordance with the present invention in its erected form. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially broken away cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  of the present invention in the process of being collapsed. 
         FIG. 4  is a view in perspective of the portable convertible ice cooled serving table of the present invention in its collapsed form with its legs folded. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a portable convertible serving table  10  which may be ice cooled in accordance with the present invention. Portable convertible serving table  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  in its erected form with transparent covers  12  and  14  by removeably pivotally attached to sections  20  and  40 , respectively. The serving table is supported by legs  22 ,  24 ,  42  and  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , it may be seen that the portable convertible serving table  10  is comprised of a first section  20  and a second section  40  with each section having a base,  26 ,  46  and a plurality of sidewall portions, namely  27 ,  28 ,  29  and  30  on section  20  and  47 ,  48 ,  49  and  50  on section  40 . Base  26  and sidewall portions  27  through  30  form a first respectable of section  20 . Base  46  and sidewall portions  47  through  50  form a second respectable of section  40 . First section  20  and second section  40  are of the same shape and size. Base  26  is provided with a drain opening  32  which will be described hereinafter as performing the functions not only of a drain for melting water ice but also as an opening for handle  62  of transparent cover  12 . Second section  40  is provided with a drain opening  52  which functions as a drain for melting ice when the table is erected and as an opening for receipt of handle  64  of transparent cover  14  when the portable convertible serving table  10  is folded for transport or storage. 
     First and second sections,  20 ,  40  are connected together by a hinge  60  which in a presently preferred embodiment may be an elongated hinge sometimes referred to as a piano hinge. Piano hinge  60  is a means for pivotally joining the first section with the second section and provides means for pivotally joining which enables first section  20  and second section  40  to move between a closed position wherein an outer edge of the sidewalls of first section  20  are juxtaposed with the outer edge of the sidewall of the second section  40  as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Piano hinge  60  also allows pivotal movement to an open position as shown in  FIG. 1  wherein bases  26  and  46  are in a single plane, or at least a portion of the bases  26  and  46  are in a single plane where, for example, bases  26  and  46  are not planar throughout their area. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a broken away portion of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  with transparent cover  12  removed from its pivotal attachment to section  20 , inverted and placed into section  20  for storage. It is noted that handle  62  of transparent cover  12  will be seated or placed into drain opening  32 . Further,  FIG. 2  shows means for securing  70  of the sidewall  30  in juxtaposed relationship with one of the sidewalls of section  40 , namely sidewall  50 . Piano hinge  60  is mounted at the outer edge of sidewalls  30  and  50 . Sidewalls  30  and  50  are secured by securing means  70  in the form of a latch. The means for securing  70  of the sidewalls  30 ,  50  of the first and second sections in juxtaposed relationship causes the bases or at least a portion of the bases of first section  20  and second section  40  to be in the same plane. Securing means  70  is preferably in the form of a latch or lock which tightens as lever  72  is forced to the closed position. Securing means  70  is shown in greater detail in the upwardly looking partially broken away view of  FIG. 2A . As may be best seen in  FIG. 2 , when securing means  70  is secured, this causes an outer surface of sidewalls  30  and  50  to be in juxtaposed relationship with each other and causes the base  26  of section  20  to be in the same plane as the base  46  of section  40 . It is noted that sidewall portions  27 ,  29 ,  47  and  49  need not be linear, but may be any suitable shape including rounded or curved. Sections  20  and  40  may be comprised of any suitable material, including plastic, foamed plastic with a skin covering as is commonly used in coolers, wood, or any other suitable fairly rigid material. Sections  20  and  40  are preferably made of an insulative material. 
     As may be best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , transparent covers  12  and  14  are provided with means for removably pivotally mounting the substantially transparent covers  12 ,  14  to a sidewall portion  28 ,  48  for selectively pivotally covering and exposing the receptacles. In a presently preferred embodiment, transparent cover  12  may be provided with “L” shaped pins  82 ,  92  which may be slidably inserted into tubes  102 ,  112  mounted to sidewall  28  in section  20 . In a similar manner, L-shaped pivot pins  84 ,  94  are provided on substantially transparent cover  14 . L shaped pins  84  and  94  may be slidably mounted within tubular structures  104 ,  114  on sidewall  48  of section  40 . As may be best seen in  FIG. 1 , substantially transparent covers  12 ,  14 , may be closed as shown with respect to substantially transparent cover  14  and may be opened as shown with respect to substantially transparent cover  12  in which the front end is being lifted as the cover pivots on the removable pivots structure comprised of pins  82 ,  92  pivoting in tubular structures  102  and  112 . 
     Portable convertible serving table  10  is supported on legs  22 ,  24 ,  42  and  44  as described above. Legs  22 ,  24 ,  42  and  45  may be made of any suitable rigid material, including wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material. These legs are foldable along the bottom surface of the bases  26 ,  46 . The legs are held in position by braces which secure them in the vertical or erect position or allow them to pivot to a retracted position along the outer surface of the bases  26 ,  46 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , legs  22 ,  24  of section  20  are secured in position by brace  120 . In a similar manner, legs  42  and  44  of section  40  are secured by a brace  140 . Braces  120  and  140  may be preferably constructed of a resilient material, such as spring steel. Braces  120 ,  140  are pivotally mounted at their upper ends to the under surface of bases  26 ,  46 , respectively. Particularly referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a pivotal mount  122  for brace  120  and in  FIG. 4  there is shown a pivotal mount  142  for brace  140 . The resilient ends of the braces may be flexed towards each other to allow them to be inserted into a hole in the legs. For example, the free ends of brace  120  shown in  FIG. 3  may be inserted into holes  124 . The free end of brace  140  may be inserted into holes  144 . To lower the legs, the two ends of the brace are forced slightly towards each other to allow them to be released from the holes in the legs and the table may be folded as illustrated in  FIG. 3  wherein sections  20  and  40  are allowed to come together in the direction of arrows  126  and  146  once securing means  70  is released. The leg braces  120  and  140  are compressed together slightly to allow them to be removed from their respective holes  124  and  144  in the legs. The serving table may continue to be folded until it achieves the form shown in  FIG. 4  wherein the edges of the sidewalls of the two sections  20 ,  40  are juxtaposed and held together by means of latches  150 ,  152 . The legs are secured to the outer surface of the bases by a resilient clip  154 . The ends of the braces may be placed behind the legs, that is between the legs and the outer surface of the base and held in that position for transport, as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The portable convertible serving table  10  is provided with at least one handle  160  on one of the sections. As illustrated in the drawings, handle  160  is provided on section  40  for ease of transport. 
     The legs may be provided with threadable height adjustments in the form of threadable height adjustable feet  23 ,  25 ,  43  and  45 . 
     In use, the portable convertible serving table  10  may be carried by handle  160  or otherwise transported to a desired location of a party, picnic or other event which requires the serving of consumable food items. Usually, these consumable food items need to be kept cold, and preferably, would be kept cold by the use of ice, either ice made from water or carbon dioxide, sometimes referred to as dry ice. In any event, the portable convertible serving table  10  may be transported to the desired location. At the desired location, latches  150 ,  152  may be released and the portable convertible serving table opened in the reverse of that shown by the arrows in  FIG. 3 . It is understood that two latches  150  and  152  are not needed, and that this may be accomplished by a single latch positioned in the center or otherwise along the edge. In erection, the legs are pivotally secured in position by insertion of the brace ends into the holes provided for them in the legs, namely holes  124  and  144 . The outer surfaces of sidewalls  30  and  50  are brought in juxtaposition relationship and secured in that position by securing means  70 . It is understood that one or more securing means  70  may be utilized. 
     The substantially transparent covers  12  and  14  are removed from the receptacles of section  20  and  40 , are inverted and mounted to the sidewalls. Substantially transparent cover  12  is pivotally mounted by means of sliding pins  82 ,  92  into the tubular mounts  102  and  112  on sidewall  28 . In a similar manner, the substantially transparent cover  14  is mounted over the receptacle formed by the base and sidewalls of section  40 . 
     Preferably, the structure of the base and sidewalls of sections  20  and  40  is made of an insulative material which enables the consumable food items to be more easily kept cold and extends the life of the ice or other cooling medium which may be utilized for cooling purposes. If ice made from water is utilized for cooling, the drains  32  and  52  function to allow release of water resulting from the melting ice. An important advantage of the present invention is that the food consumables are easily visible through the transparent covers and yet the food consumables are covered preventing insects and the like from landing thereon and helping to maintain the food cool by providing a barrier between the ice and chilled food on the one hand and the atmosphere on the other hand. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.