Not applicable.
Not applicable.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. Some components have been removed from the figures to allow other components to be viewed.
This invention relates to an entertainment piece. Namely, this invention relates to a piece of furniture that combines a fire feature, a water feature, a light feature, and/or a music feature.
The outdoor recreation industry has experienced monumental growths in recent years. Consumers are expanding their desires for outdoor features and gadgets to turn back yard and outdoor commercial spaces into paradise escapes.
Fire features, such as fire pits are a mainstay in many backyards across the globe for both conventional warmth and for entertainment purposes. Fire pits, particularly fire pit tables, are a centerpiece around which friends and family can gather and enjoy each other's company.
Fountains and water features are another common attraction in outdoor settings that cause others to gather. The sounds of the water feature fill the ambient atmosphere, creating a calming ambience and white noise.
No outdoor gathering is complete without music and lighting. A sound system is a staple to any gathering, and even more so in an outdoor setting where common entertainment such as televisions may not be possible. True, the fire feature will give off some light; however, it does not light the area outside the purview of the flames, nor does it provide the flexibility to alter the lighting to change the ambience. Therefore, most outdoor spaces employ lighting features to allow users to continue the enjoyment into the nighttime hours.
Outdoor space, however, is a luxury commodity afforded only to a few in great quantity. Thus, there exists a need to integrate recreational components to the extent possible. To that end, an entertainment table is provided herein that marries otherwise incompatible components to provide a one-stop entertainment piece that can fit the growing needs of industry consumers.
In one or more embodiments, the entertainment piece comprises a piece of furniture with one or more of the following features: a fire feature, a water feature, a lighting feature, and/or a music feature. In a preferred embodiment, the entertainment piece is a table comprising all of the above features.
The furniture may be the height of a conventional fire pit. In other embodiments, the furniture may be bar height. In some embodiments, the height of the furniture is dictated by leg members. In a preferred embodiment, the legs place the top of the furniture at conversation height. In another embodiment, the legs are elongated to lift the top of the furniture to bar height. In a preferred embodiment, the furniture further comprises a flat surface upon which things can be placed. The flat surface may be a ledge on the top end of the side walls that surrounds an opening or basin in the furniture. In other embodiments, it may comprise at least two wheels to assist in moving the apparatus. When bar height is desired, an extender may be used to elongate the sidewalls or the sidewalls may be taller to make the ledge bar height without raising the center of gravity.
In a preferred embodiment, the entertainment table comprises a fire feature.
The fire feature comprises a flame element such as a burner or other apparatus designed to provide a flame when connected to a fuel source. The fuel source may be propane, natural gas, or another combustible fuel. When the fuel source is a combustible fuel, the fuel source may be provided from a tank or gas line. When the fuel source comes from a gas line, it may be stored within the furniture or external to the furniture piece and connected via hosing or other conduit. For example, the fuel may be provided from a tank such as a propane tank, which may be hidden within the furniture. A regulator and/or a valve may be used to control the amount of fuel accessible to the flame element.
The fire feature may also be provided through a burning tray and use combustible materials, such as wood or charcoal. In alternate embodiments, heat refractants may be added to the fire element for aesthetic purposes or functional purposes such as to spread heat. In at least one embodiment, refractants such as fire glass or lava rocks may be added to the heat element.
The entertainment table may also comprise a water feature in various embodiments. Preferably, the entertainment table comprises a water fountain feature that empties into a basin or container defined by and contained in the furniture piece. To power the fountain, a pump is operably installed to move water collected in the basin up through and out the fountain, thereby falling into and recollecting in the basin. The pump may be fluidly connected to the fountain element and the basin reservoir via conduits (i.e., hoses, piping, or other tubing), thereby allowing for the water to be recirculated by the pump. Various pumps may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the pump is a submersible bilge pump that is located within the basin reservoir such that the pump intake is below the water line of the basin. In at least one embodiment, the basin comprises a pluggable drain.
The pumps are preferably selected to operatively provide a flow commensurate with the size and amount of spigots or outlets for the waterfall. In a typical embodiment, the pump may selected that is rated to move between 0.5 to 50+ gallons per minute. The pump may also be operatively controllable to throttle the amount of water it moves from a trickle to a full stream. It may be desirable for the outlet or spigot to be shaped to cause the water to cascade out like a waterfall.
The fire feature is preferably centered in the entertainment table. In a further preferred embodiment, the fire feature is located on a platform that raises out of the center of the basin and the fountain cascades out from the platform and into the basin.
The entertainment table may also comprise a music feature comprising an amplifier, a receiver or other input, and one or more speakers. It is preferred that the music feature is capable of interfacing with external music sources either wirelessly or via a wired connection. A speaker may be mounted on the side wall of the furniture piece. In an embodiment, at least one speaker is mounted on the other side of a side wall in relation to the basin being the interior side. In another embodiment, at least one speaker is mounted in each of two opposing sides of the furniture piece to emit sounds in opposite directions of each other. In a square or rectangular embodiment of the table, as opposed to a table with a circular base, at least one speaker may be mounted in two opposing side walls, but preferably all four. It is preferred that the speakers and other electronic components be incorporated to minimize their exposure to the water in the basin. In some embodiments, the speakers are installed to minimize exposure to the water in the basin and from ambient weather such as rain. In one or more embodiments, marine rated speakers may be used. In such an embodiment, one or more speakers may be placed on the interior side of the side walls facing into the basin to use the natural amplification effect. And in other embodiments, the ridge or ledge formed from and extending outwards from the top of the side wall at least partially shields the speakers from ambient precipitation. In other embodiments, the speakers may be mounted on, in, or at least in substantially close proximity to the base to minimize their view. In embodiments wherein the speakers are mounted underneath the system, they are more shielded from the environment.
The music feature is preferably connectable to external music sources, either wirelessly or through wired connection. In one or more embodiments, the music feature is capable of connecting to external sources through Bluetooth technology.
Lighting features connected to a power source are also mounted throughout the furniture piece. Preferably, the lights are LEDs. The lights may be used as accent lights. Lights may also be placed in the basin to provide light to the water collected therein. In some embodiments, the lights are in communication with the music feature and react to the music such as by an onboard controller. In other embodiments, the lights used may have a built-in controller.
To understand the novelty of the entertainment table, reference is hereafter made to the accompanying figures. With reference to
In general, the frame of the entertainment table 0 is defined by a plurality of side walls 1a,b,c,d bound and connected on the bottom by base plate 2 to define a basin 3 in which water can be collected. A ledge 4 bounds the top edge of side walls 1a,b,c,d opposite the base plate 2. Ledge 4 defines the opening into the basin 3. It is preferred that the ledge 4 extend outward, away from the basin a sufficient width and strength to hold drinks and, in some applications, plates, although larger widths may be desired in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the ledge may be on at least one side wall.
Additionally, a support column 5 extends upwards from the center of the base plate 2 and terminates in a platform 6 which sits above the basin. Support legs 7 attach to the bottom side of the base plate 2 to provide height to the entertainment table 0. The support legs 7 should be at least 2-12 inches to provide clearance from the ground, although embodiments are envisioned wherein the entertainment table 0 sits on the ground or wherein the support legs 7 are longer than 12 inches. In some embodiments, the legs may be adjustable. Foot rests 8 which is depicted as a rail can be mounted to the entertainment table 0 as well such as to either the support legs 7 or to the side walls 1a,b,c,d. In one or more embodiments, the top ledge 4 is between 12-48 inches off the ground (or other external surface). In alternate embodiments, it may sit between 12-28 inches off the ground for conversational setups, between 28-32 inches for dining set ups, between 32-38 inches off the ground for counter height, and between 38-48 inches off the ground for bar height.
As depicted, the side walls 1a,b,c,d comprise two sets of opposing walls that extend upwards from base plate 2 to define a square interior chamber in basin 3. In various embodiments, the side walls can define a basin with a cross section of various shapes such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle, or even less commons shapes such as stars or a fleur de lis, based on consumer preference. The side walls further comprise ports 9 which allow viewing of the interior chamber or for light to permeate through to ambient.
The fire feature 10 is located on top of the center platform 6. It is preferred that the fire feature is located within or at least spatially above the confines of the basin to provide a barrier or separation between the fire and users nearby. The fire feature comprises a fire plate 11, a flame element 12, a heat dispersant 13, a gas hose conduit 14, a fuel source 15, and an igniter 16 operationally located to ignite the flame element. The representative burner is only depicted in
The water feature 20 comprises basin 3, a waterfall feature 21, a pump 22 further comprising an inlet 22a and an outlet 22b, a water spreader 23, and a water hose conduit 24 connecting the outlet 22b and the water spreader 23. A gap is formed between the raised fire plate 11 and the top of platform 6 by spacers 6a,b,c,d. The spacers act to provide a gap to allow water to flow and also as barriers that help direct the flow of water. As depicted in
Water is pumped from the reservoir defined by basin 3 through the pump 22 wherein it flows into water hose conduit 24. Again, to maximize aesthetics, the water hose conduit 24 also runs through support column 5 and onto platform 6 wherein the water exits an outlet. As depicted, the outlet comprises, but does not necessarily need to comprise, a water spreader 23 that spreads the water outwards and across the platform 6 wherein it cascades off the edge of the platform 6 to form a waterfall feature 23. The water spreader may be in different shapes and may be slotted to divert water. It may be elongated in shape. The water falls into the basin 3 reservoir, thereby allowing it to be pumped again via recirculation. To further assist in aesthetics, the pump 22 may be housed in a permeable housing within the basin 3 created out of a similar or identical material to the interior wall, thereby hiding the pump 22 from view.
In alternate embodiments, the water may flow outward from the interior side of one or more side walls 1. In such an embodiment, the water outlet may be in the form of a jet or may continue to employ a water spreader, such as an elongated water spreader to provide the shape of wider waterfall.
The music feature 30 comprises an amplifier 31, a receiver 32, a plurality of speakers 33a,b,c,d, speaker wires 34, and an electrical power source. The amplifier 31 and receiver 32 are located in a substantially weatherproof housing either in the side wall 1a or, in alternate embodiments, may be located underneath the base plate 2. The receiver 32 is capable of receiving signals both wirelessly and via wire from external music sources. The receiver 32 is also capable of communicating these signals to the amplifier 31 so that it can, in turn, power the speakers 33. A commercially readily available amplifier is the Pyle Hydra Marine Amplifier, model: PLMRMB4CB Wireless Bluetooth. The speakers 33a,b,c,d are located in each side wall 1a,b,c,d to play omnidirectional music.
As shown in
The lighting system 40 comprises a control unit 41, a series of LED light strips 42, and a remote 43. The LED Light strips 42 are positioned about the entertainment table 0 to provide accent lights which are color changeable and dimmable. The controller is programmable. It can also be programmed to change lights based on the music played by the music feature 30. It is preferred, but not required, that a common controller control both the lights and the music feature.
Numerous components of the system may require electricity to operate. For example, the pump, the speakers, and the lights will require a power source which is not depicted. This may come in numerous forms and may either be a consolidated power source or it may be a discrete source for one or more of the individual components. In one or more embodiments, the power supply will come through an electrical conduit. In others, it may come from a battery, or a combination of a battery and a hard wired line. In others, a/c or d/c currents may provide the necessary electricity.
When not in use, a cover 50 can be placed over the flame feature 10 and basin opening. Additionally, slats may be cut in the cover such that the cover may be placed on the apparatus even when operating.
In alternate embodiments, it may be advantageous to have the ledge at bar height. This can be accomplished by using longer leg members; however, consideration must be given to center of weight and balance of the unit. Therefore, as depicted in
For the purpose of understanding the entertainment apparatus, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of an entertainment apparatus, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent components, materials, designs, and equipment may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized should be or are in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the entertainment apparatus may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change to the basic function to which it is related.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/640,812, filed on Mar. 9, 2018, entitled “Entertainment Apparatus.”
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62640812 | Mar 2018 | US |