Patent Application
20230363556
The present invention generally relates to beverage stations and, more particularly, to a lightweight polymeric beverage station and bar that can be shipped in a disassembled condition and assembled at a remote location with the user adding locally available weight material to create a stabilized structure.
Beverage stations, and particularly those that can be used as a stand-up bar, are known in the art. The known beverage stations are generally heavy permanent structures made from metal, wood and steel. The location of the liquids, which is generally at the top surface of the beverage station, make the structures definitively top heavy. Thus, the structures are generally very heavy to both support the heavy liquids stored in and on the bar and to prevent tipping when patrons lean against the bar. In order to facilitate movement of the heavy structures, many are provided with wheels. However, the wheels exacerbate the tipping problem and add an additional problem of preventing the structure from inadvertently moving when used.
An additional drawback to the known structures relates to the cost associated with shipping and moving the beverage stations to their desired location. The weight of the structures requires loading docks, forklifts, and multiple personnel to move and set up the beverage stations.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a beverage station and bar that is lightweight and easily shipped for delivery at a home address. The beverage station and bar should be easily and quickly assembled using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the system should not require excessive strength to assemble or include heavy component parts. Moreover, the system must assemble together in such a way so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the assembled beverage station and bar.
Thus, the present invention provides a beverage station and bar which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art. The beverage station and bar structure of the present invention not only provides for relative ease in the assembly, but the structure also permits a lightweight overall structure that can withstand large loads and resists tipping.
Briefly, the invention involves a beverage station and bar. The beverage station and bar is constructed from lightweight blow molded panels secured to a metal frame. This construction provides a structure that can be shipped to homes and assembled on site. Ballast tanks that utilize locally sourced ballast material are securable within the base of the beverage station and bar to provide stability and reduce the tendency of the beverage station and bar to tip from users leaning against the structure during use.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a beverage station and bar.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a beverage station and bar that can be shipped in a disassembled condition and shipped to a home.
It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a beverage station and bar that is constructed from hollow blow molded polymeric panels including a metal structure.
It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a beverage station and bar that include ballast tanks securable within the base of the beverage station and bar to provide stability to the structure.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring generally to the Figures, and more specifically to
Still referring to the figures, in a most preferred embodiment, the spine portion 14 is oriented to be horizontal with respect to a ground surface, and wherein the ribs 12 are oriented to be vertical with respect to a ground surface. The spine 14 includes at least two beams 30 and at least two cantilever beams 32. Each cantilever beam 32 includes a balance beam 34, the balance beam 34 constructed and arranged to transfer unbalanced loads applied to the cantilever beams 32 to the rib members 12 as a torque. In this manner, dynamic and static loads applied to the bar panel 18 are transferred through to the space frame 10 where the load is dispersed without damaging the bar panel 18 or the construction of the bar 100. In at least one embodiment, the space frame 10 includes a base assembly 22 secured to a bottom portion 24 of the ribs 12. The base assembly 22 includes a cross grid comprising at least two longitudinal members 26 and at least two cross members 28, the longitudinal members 26 and the cross members 28 secured together in a suitable manner to transfer load from the ribs 12 to the base assembly 22, and thus to the surface below the beverage station and bar 100.
Still referring to the figures, the beverage station and bar 100 preferably includes a plurality of support panels 42 positioned to extend rearward from the ribs 12, the support panels 42 extending vertically from a top surface 44 of a base panel 46 to a bottom surface 48 of a preparation surface 40, the preparation surface 40 positioned to be below the bar panel 18 and oriented parallel thereto. At least one span beam 50 is provided; the span beam 50 secured to the bottom surface 48 of the preparation surface 40 and supported on an upper surface of the support panels 42. The spacing of the support panels 42 not only provides structural support for the preparation surface 40, but they are spaced apart to accommodate drawers 52, and may accommodate mini refrigerators, trash containers and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the drawers 52 are constructed from hollow blow molded drawer side panels 54 and hollow blow molded face panels 56; and in a most preferred embodiment, each blow molded panel, including the base panel 46, bar panel 18, preparation panel 62, and outer panels 16 are constructed to include a plurality of tack-offs 58 to add rigidity to the hollow panel. The tack-offs 58 are positioned in rows and columns to provide additional rigidity and weight capacity to the hollow structure. In this manner, the panels can be constructed hollow for weight reduction while still retaining significant structure and rigidity. In some embodiments, a ballast panel 64 is provided to allow a ballast container 66 to be placed within the base portion of the beverage station and bar 100. The ballast containers 66 are shipped empty and ballast, such as sand or water, is added before placement of the ballast caps 68 on the ballast containers 66. The ballast adds significant stability to the beverage station and bar 100, giving the assembly the stability of a permanent structure. Removal of the ballast panel 64 allows the ballast containers 66 to be removed for movement of the beverage station and bar 100. In at least some embodiments, a flip door panel 74 is provided between the drawers 52. An adjustable shelf 78 (see
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, this application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/838,190, entitled Patio Bar, filed May 11, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29838190 | May 2022 | US |
| Child | 18342847 | US |
