Abstract:
A piece of furniture having a relatively flat upper surface and at least one aperture for inserting at least one removable storage bucket. The bucket has a lid that also fits within the aperture, and is flush with the top of the furniture upper surface. Service items such as ice, bottles, sauce containers and the like may be stored within the bucket. Alternatively the lid may have a plurality of small holes so that flower stems, decorative grasses, or sparklers can be inserted into the bucket to provide decor without cluttering the upper surface. The underlying furniture may be a table, ottoman, side table, desk, or any other furniture with a flat upper surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/579,496 filed on Dec. 14, 2011, entitled “Outdoor and Indoor Table.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a dining surface with removable storage. More specifically, it relates to a table with a built-in storage recess. A lid is provided for the storage recess to prevent tabletop objects from falling down into the recess unintentionally. The table will be appreciated by crowded dining establishments with small tables or inadequate table space. 
         [0004]    A lack of available surface space is a common problem at restaurants, bars, and even in homes. Furniture quickly becomes cluttered with items, leaving users to seek out new and creative places to put things they want to keep close at hand. The most common manifestation of this problem is the dining table covered in plates, glasses, and serving dishes. Waiters, waitresses, and party hosts alike, all experience the frustration of trying to fit all the necessary serving items and dishes onto a single table. The problem is further compounded by the fact that many restaurants use small tables in order to conserve floor space. Poolside tables, side tables, and small dinning room tables present similar problems to homeowners. There simply is not enough table space to accommodate all the items that must be served at one time. 
         [0005]    Decorative table items make space usage even more difficult. Hosts and restaurants alike, use decorative table displays to make a room seem prettier, brighter, more interesting, or more fun. While these decorative elements certainly a touch of color to the dining environment, they present one more thing on a table that takes up space and can be easily knocked over. 
         [0006]    As the table surface space dwindles, and the stacks of dishes begin to mount, the risk of knocking items over begins to increase. Vertically oriented items such as wine glasses, wine bottles, flower vases, beer glasses, salt and pepper shakers, and the like, are all prone to collision with a user&#39;s hands or other tabletop items. This risk poses both a physical and economic threat in that broken glass and porcelain can cut users, and the cost of replacing the damaged items will cut the wallets of the restaurant or homeowner. A solution is needed that facilitates the effective storage and display of service and display items, so that surface space is freed up for users to place necessary items. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0008]    The present invention is a table with a removable recess for holding serving items or displaying décor. The table has a flat table top with a large aperture, in which a bucket sits. A cover for the bucket is provided that sits within the aperture and on top of the bucket, creating a flush fit with the tabletop surface. Items may be stored in the bucket for use during the meal. The cover may have a number of apertures to permit flower stems to pass through the cover. Thus when the recess is filled with water, flowers may be inserted through the apertures to create an attractive table display. The prior art devices are directed towards table with built-in storage but they do not describe a table with at least one removable bucket that can hold serving items or table décor such as flowers. 
         [0009]    Tables with storage compartments have been developed for use in nightclubs and restaurants where a number of drinks must fit on a single serving surface. One such table is described in Donnelly, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0129746, which discloses a desk or table with an aperture in the tabletop. A removable tray is provided that can be inserted down into the aperture and supported by the tabletop. An upper rim of the tray extends over the upper surface of the tabletop to support the weight of the tray and any items placed therein. Items such as pencils, pens, service items, or the like can be placed in the tray. It can be removed for easy cleaning and replaced as necessary. Unlike the present invention, Donnelly does not disclose a lid that fits flushly with the table surface. 
         [0010]    Similar versions of the Donnelly table include built in recesses for holding multiple beverage containers. One such table is disclosed in Luiso, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0000394. Luiso teaches a table with a solid outer wall that supports an upper tabletop surface. The surface has several built-in recess for holding drinks, ice buckets, and bottles. These recesses are trough shaped and may be oriented in various different directions. Multiple users can place drinks in the troughs and cup holders to reduce the likelihood that drinks will be knocked over as the surface becomes crowded. Like the Donnelly invention, the Luiso table does not disclose lids for the troughs. Nor does Luiso disclose removable recesses, like the bucket of the present invention. 
         [0011]    Devices that hold serving items at table height are also known in the art. Simmons, U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,127 teaches a large table-like piece of furniture without a tabletop surface. The device has two sets of folding legs secured to the underside of a large rectangular container. A number of troughs extend across the bottom of the container, separated by upstanding walls. When the container is filled with ice and serving items, the upper edges of the trough walls serve as supports to items placed within the container. Thus the device is a portable refrigeration table that is used to provide cold food and drink to guests. It does not include a tabletop surface, lids for the troughs or a means for displaying décor. 
         [0012]    Levesque, U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,881 discloses a flowerpot holder that includes a removable tabletop surface. The device has an upper support ring, a base platform and three supporting legs extending between the upper support ring and the base support. A flowerpot can be placed within the upper support ring, for display purposes. When a flowerpot is not in use, a tabletop surface may be secured to the support ring, transforming the supports into a small table. Though this invention does provide uses with the option of displaying décor or using the table surface, it does not permit the user to do both at the same time. The present invention gives users the ability to have a flowerpot, cut flowers, or other decorative items set into the table surface. 
         [0013]    The prior art fails to disclose a piece of furniture having a flat upper surface and an aperture with an interior ridge that holds a removable bucket with a lid. The present invention provides a device having these elements and giving users the ability to store serving items or decorative items. It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing furniture with storage recesses. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of furniture with removable storage recesses now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new furniture with at least one removable bucket insert with a lid wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing service items or décor on a tabletop surface. 
         [0015]    The present invention is a piece of furniture that can hold a variety of service items or decorative pieces, within a removable storage container. The furniture comprises an upper surface that is generally flat and has a large aperture disposed along the surface. A ridge extends around the interior of the aperture for engaging with a removable storage container, such as a bucket. The container may have any geometrical shape, but must have at least one wall, a bottom, and a rim around the top of the wall(s). When the container is inserted into the upper surface aperture, the rim of the container engages with the aperture ledge. A lid is included that fits over the container or may engage with the container opening and rim. The lid fits flushly with the upper surface, so that a smooth tabletop surface is created when the lid is in place. 
         [0016]    A benefit of the present invention is the many uses the storage container provides. Serving items such as flatware and napkins can be stored in the container when the furniture is not in use. Ice, food, and drink can be placed in the container when the tabletop surface is needed for other food and drink items. This reduces clutter and the risk of spilled items, via removal of loose items from the tabletop surface. One embodiment of the invention provides a lid with a number of small apertures in it. Decorative items such as flower stems, pipe cleaners, decorative grasses, sparklers, and the like, may be inserted into the holes and held in place over the tabletop surface. This eliminates the need for a vase, flowerpot, or other decor container. 
         [0017]    The container can be removed from the upper surface aperture and cleaned as necessary. Containers of different shape and size may be used according to the need of the user. Insulated containers are also contemplated. In another embodiment, the container may be a bag made of a durable material such as burlap, canvas, or heavy duty plastic. 
         [0018]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved furniture with removable storage device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0019]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a piece of furniture that has at least one removable storage container for retaining a variety of items. 
         [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for the removable storage container that sits flush with the top of the upper furniture surface, to allow full use of the surface when the container is not in use. 
         [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for the storage container that has a number of apertures for insertion of flower stems or other decorative items. 
         [0022]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a storage container for a piece of furniture that can be easily removed for cleaning. 
         [0023]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture having a removable storage container to reduce the amount of clutter on the upper surface of the furniture. 
         [0024]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the furniture in a table embodiment with the removable bucket set within an aperture in the tabletop. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the table embodiment of the present invention with flowers placed in the bucket and held in place via the lid. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the bucket inserted into the tabletop surface and held in place via the aperture ledge. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of an insulated bucket inserted into the tabletop surface and held in place via the aperture ridge. A lid is placed on of the bucket, fitting flush with the top of the tabletop surface. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  shows an overhead view of the bucket lid with a plurality of small apertures in the top. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5B  shows an overhead view of the bucket lid with a handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the furniture with a removable storage recess. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for storing service and décor items in the upper surface of a piece of furniture while the furniture is in use. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in a table embodiment. The invention may be expressed in any type of furniture that has a relatively flat upper surface. Furniture such as ottomans, coffee tables, side tables, dressers, and desks are contemplated for use with the removable storage recess. The invention comprises a piece of furniture, shown in the figure as a table, with an upper surface and a support means. In the table embodiment, the table has a tabletop  11  that is supported by a plurality of legs  15 . The tabletop has an upper surface  12  bounded by an outer edge  26  and an aperture  14  extending through the tabletop. A removable storage container  16  in the form of a bucket is secured within the upper surface aperture. The bucket extends down below the tabletop to allow tall or cumbersome items to be securely held while the upper surface is in use. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a side view of the table with the removable storage means in use as a décor holder. The tabletop  11  is shown with a plurality of legs  15  secured to a lower surface  13  of the table. An aperture extends through the tabletop, from the upper surface  12  to the lower surface. A removable storage container  16  is secured within the aperture and holds a bouquet of flowers  17 . In this way, the removable storage means can be used to store both practical and decorative items. Rather than placing a vase on the upper surface, where it can be easily tipped over, water can be placed in the bucket along with the flower bouquet. Unlike a vase, the bucket cannot be knocked over by people using the table upper surface. Service items such as wine bottles or glasses can also be placed in the storage means reduce the likelihood that they will be knocked over by a user. 
         [0035]    The shape of the removable storage container and the means of engagement between the container and upper surface aperture will differ according to the preferred use of the device. An exemplary embodiment of the removable storage container is shown in  FIG. 3 . The tabletop  11  has an upper surface  12  and a lower surface  13  and an aperture  14  extending therebetween. Extending around the interior of the aperture is a supporting ledge  19 . This rim engages with the removable storage container  16  via a rim  18  that protrudes outward from the upper edges of the container. The diameter of the rim is similar to that of the aperture, but should be larger than that of the aperture ledge, so that the rim rests on top of the ledge. A single material is used in the construction of the wall  20  of the removable storage container and may consist of plastic, metal, wood, or a durable fabric. 
         [0036]    Another embodiment of the aperture is shown in  FIG. 4 . The aperture  14  extends through the upper surface  12  of the tabletop  11  to the lower surface  13  and has slanted sidewalls. The walls taper inward from the upper to lower surface such that the diameter of the aperture is largest at the upper surface. A removable storage container  16  with at least one wall  20 ,  21  a bottom defining an open cavity, and a rim  18  extending outward along the upper edge of the wall. Walls of the container may be single layered, as shown in  FIG. 3 , or double layered as in  FIG. 4  to provide better thermal insulation to objects stored within the container. Insulated versions of the storage container will be useful for storing ice, fondue sauces, and other substances that require particular thermal conditions. 
         [0037]    In this embodiment the container rim has a diameter larger than that of the bottom of the aperture sits thereon. On top of the storage container is a lid  22  that covers the open portion of the container. The thickness of the lid should permit it to lie flush with the upper surface of the tabletop when the lid is placed over the container. Users will be able to have full use of all available surface space when the lid is in place because it will not result in an uneven surface. Uneven serving surfaces can increase the risk that items will be spilled or knocked over because the base of the items are not level on the table surface. Thus the flush fitting lid of the present invention will be appreciated by restaurants and users who need to maximize their use of small table surfaces. 
         [0038]    Several embodiments of the lid are contemplated for use with the furniture and the removable storage container. In a preferred embodiment the device will come with several lids, so that a restaurant or personal user can switch the lid out according to the intended use of the storage container. In  FIG. 5A  a lid  22  is shown with a plurality of apertures  25 , and a cutout region along one of the lid outer ridge. This cutout is large enough for a user to fit at least one finger into so that the lid can be pried out of the aperture for removal. The holes in the lid permit flower stems, pipe cleaners, sparklers, or decorative grasses to be inserted into the container and held in an upright position. This lid facilitates the presentation of decorative items on the tabletop without taking up surface space with a vase. Another embodiment of the lid is shown in  FIG. 5B . The lid  22  has a built-in handle  23  and a recessed region  24  below the handle to permit a user&#39;s fingers to curl around the handle. A handled lid without apertures will be useful when a user stores thermally sensitive materials, because this lid does not have apertures that would allow air to escape the container. Other embodiments of the lid are also contemplated such as one with a single aperture that is sized to allow the top of a wine bottle to pass therethrough. The specific design of the lid will vary according to the practical and aesthetic needs of the user. 
         [0039]    In use an individual inserts the removable storage container into the aperture in the furniture surface with the open end of the container facing upward. The container is positioned so that the rim of the container engages with a corresponding part of the aperture, either a ledge or a protruding slope. Water is poured into the container and a lid with many apertures is placed on top of the container. The lid should fit flush with the upper surface of the furniture. Next a user inserts the stems of flowers through the apertures in the lid, such that the bottom of the stem is dipped into the water in the container. Once all the flowers are inserted, the user can orient them individually, to form an attractive arrangement for the table. Service items can be placed around the flowers without concern that the flower container will be knocked over by items on the surface. 
         [0040]    The present invention is a piece of furniture with a removable storage recess. A variety of different furniture types can be used, but the selected furniture embodiment should have a flat upper surface. An aperture extends down through the upper surface, and is adapted to receive and retain a storage container. The aperture does not need to be centered in the furniture surface, but may be offset. It may also be of any geometric shape desired by the manufacturer. A number of different lid styles are provided for closing off the open top of the storage container and creating a level surface with the furniture. Lids can be used to help insulate thermally sensitive objects stored in the container or retain decorative items within the container. The container itself may be solid, such as a bucket or bowl, or may be flexible, such as a burlap bag. Thus the invention provides users with a variety of ways to store and display items on their furniture while preserving as much surface space as possible. 
         [0041]    To this point, the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0042]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.