Patent Application
20200128955
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The present invention relates to outdoor tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to outdoor tables that have heating, ventilation or air-conditioning cooperative therewith. More particularly, the present invention relates to outdoor environmental control systems wherein cooling or heating air can be delivered to a person sitting at the table.
In many areas of the world, large umbrellas are used in conjunction with tables for the purpose of providing shade to those dining or drinking at the table. These table umbrellas usually include several legs that support the table a desired distance above the earth and in proximity to the chair surrounding the table. A large pole extends from the legs upwardly above the table so as to support an umbrella thereabove. In certain circumstances, the umbrella can be fixed or foldable. The umbrella effectively provides shade to those dining at the table so as to enhance the comfort of such persons at the table.
It is often the common problem in warm areas that the umbrella does not provide a sufficient cooling effect to those persons at the table. Although shade is important in enhancing one's comfort while dining and/or drinking, elevated ambient temperatures can also create a discomfort. Additionally, if there is no breeze, insects can often provide discomfort to persons at the table. Many existing table umbrella apparatus ineffectively provide a full range of services and environmental effects to those at the table.
Various items have been employed in the past with outdoor patio activities. In particular, electric fans have been used as a source of air for those sitting outside. Electric fans commonly use an electric motor with fan blades attached to the shaft of the rotor of the motor such that the electric motor is positioned central to the fan blades. Unfortunately, when the electric fan is used outside, it does not provide a great deal of protection from the sun nor a full range of comfort to those sitting at tables.
In the past, various patents have issued relating to fan assemblies and environmental control apparatus associated with table umbrellas. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0096203, published on Jul. 25, 2002 to Cohen et al., describes a fan assembly for a table umbrella. A motor assembly is connected to the pole that supports the table umbrella. A rather complicated arrangement of drive rings allows the umbrella to rotate relative to the table by the action of the motor.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0121296, published on Sep. 5, 2002 to R. B. Copple, describes an integrated electric fan and patio umbrella. The device uses an electric fan mounted as integral part of a patio umbrella. The umbrella fabric is open at the top so as to expose the fan to direct air from above. The umbrella can be raised and lowered around the fan blades without the need to hinge the blades up or down.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0168091, published on Sep. 11, 2003 also to Cohen et al., describes another type of fan assembly for a table umbrella. The fans are located on the underside of the table umbrella. The fans are driven by a shaft which extends through the table umbrella. As a result, the fans provide an airflow downwardly onto patrons sitting at the table below the umbrella.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0149325, published on Aug. 5, 2004 to G. G. Kuelbs, shows another type of table umbrella apparatus having an integral lighting system so as to provide relatively bright outdoor light for reading and other activities. The umbrella apparatus also includes a cooling system that utilizes electric fans and misting systems. A motorized retraction system is also used so as to retract or open the umbrella.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0221882, published on Nov. 11, 2004 to Watson et al., describes an insect repellant structure for use in association with a table umbrella. The system is utilized so as to circulate air, along with an insect repellant, in an area below the umbrella and above the table.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0105898, published on May 19, 2005 to Bachinski et al., shows an infrared heating systems for patio umbrella. The heating system includes a shroud defining an inner volume and a plurality of electrical infrared heating elements positioned generally downward facing in the inner volume of the shroud.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,727,366, issued on Dec. 20, 1955 to 0. A. Hagen, describes sprinkler system attachment for a lawn umbrella. The sprinklers are rotatably mounted at a top of the umbrella so as to deliver a flow of water outwardly therefrom. The water will drain onto the top surface of the umbrella so as to flow downwardly beyond the outer periphery of the umbrella. The downward flow of such water will create a cooling effect for those persons sitting at the table below the canopy of the table umbrella.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,820, issued on Aug. 17, 1965 to R. R. Garrett, shows a table umbrella apparatus with a solar energy collector affixed to a top surface thereof. The solar energy collector has a generally convex shape with respect to the table so as to provide for the collection of solar energy therein and also to provide shade and comfort to the persons sitting at the table therebelow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,811, issued on Apr. 16, 1991 to M. H. Hopkins, shows an electric fan for a patio umbrella. A rotatable fan is mounted on the interior of table umbrella above the table. A gear or belt drive system couples to the fan from a motor supported on the pole of the table umbrella. As a result, the fan blades can rotate so as to deliver a flow of air downwardly to those persons sitting at the table.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,639, issued on Jun. 25, 1991 to T. D. Thomas, shows a patio table cooler in which a central thermally-insulated container is located below the table. The container is cooled by an ice/chemical coolant or refrigeration coils. An electric fan, associated with the cooling element, is positioned below the table and on the base of the table.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,238, issued on May 4, 1993 to Rivera et al., shows an air flow lounge umbrella apparatus which includes a fan system that is located in the base of the table umbrella. The fan system delivers air through the pole associated with the umbrella. Airflow will pass through apertures formed on the pole so as to deliver air outwardly of the pole and to those person sitting at the table.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,152, issued on Feb. 9, 1999 to R. C. Brown, describes a rotating patio umbrella fan. A motor is located in the base so as to drive a shaft extending through the pole of the table umbrella. The canopy of the umbrella is connected to shaft so as to be rotatably connected to the motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,233, issued on Oct. 12, 1999 to Clark et al., provides a patio umbrella with a radiant heater. The heater is affixed to the pole of the table umbrella generally below the umbrella. As a result, the canopy will reflect heat from the heating element downwardly to those sitting at the table.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,793, issued on Nov. 9, 1999 to R. J. Louis, provides a self-contained misting device. A container has a support for water therein. An ice chamber is associated with the container so as to allow melted ice to be mixed with the water in the container. A pump delivers the cooled water upwardly and outwardly therefrom to a misting nozzle. The misting nozzle will then deliver a mist in a downward orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,188, issued on Jan. 25, 2000 to C. Benton, describes a patio table and fan combination. A fan is mounted to the pole directly below the canopy of the umbrella. A plurality of lights are mounted on the pole so as to deliver lighting toward the table. The fan motor is mounted co-axially with the fan and in close proximity to the underside of the patio umbrella.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,084, issued on Dec. 4, 2001 to R. B. Cohen, provides another type of combined umbrella and fan device. Once again, the fan is mounted directly below the underside of the canopy of the umbrella. A motor is affixed to the pole and drivingly connected to the fan blades.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,450, issued on Jan. 8, 2002 to J. Collet, provides a terrace heating device. This device has a reflector for reflecting rising heat from a heat downwardly toward person therebelow. The reflector is in the shape of an umbrella-like cover that is articulatable between an open position and a closed position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,647, issued on Nov. 25, 2003 to M. Waters, describes another type of heating apparatus having a slidable shroud. A fuel source is provided in a base of the heating apparatus so as to deliver fuel to a burner assembly positioned generally below a reflector. The reflector is in the form of a shroud which serves to direct heat downwardly therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,000, issued on Jan. 27, 2004 to P. C. Apple, provides a misting umbrella. The misting umbrella includes a pump that is connected to a supply of water. A tube extends from the pump upwardly along a pole associated an umbrella. Conduits extend from the tube outwardly toward the periphery of the umbrella so as to deliver a misting spray downwardly to an area under the fabric cover of the umbrella.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,875, issued on Jun. 21, 2005 to Eastman et al., provides an outdoor heater which has a movable table attachment thereto. A fuel supply is located on the underside of the table. A radiant heater is provided generally below a small canopy so as to direct heat downwardly toward the table.
The present inventor has three patents relating to the present invention. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,582, issued on Jun. 16, 1998 to the present inventor, describes a table umbrella apparatus including a tubular support member, a hub rotatably mounted at an end of the tubular support member, a fan extending radially outwardly of the hub so as to be in the form of a table umbrella, and a motor connected to the hub for rotating the fan about a longitudinal axis of the tubular support member. A shaft is connected to the motor and is connected to the hub. The shaft extends longitudinally along an interior of the tubular support member. The shaft is supported by bearings interior of the tubular support member. A base is connected to the bottom of the tubular support member so as to support the tubular support member in a vertical orientation. A table is supported around the tubular support member in a horizontal plane.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,866, issued on Oct. 9, 2001 to the present inventor, also describes a table umbrella apparatus that has a base, an umbrella with an inner surface extending therealong, a tubular support affixed to and extending from the base and supporting a umbrella a desired distance above the base, and a fan connected to the tubular support. The fan has a fan blade mounted so as to rotate about a vertical axis. The fan directs airflow at least upwardly through the umbrella. A motor is connected to the fan so as to rotate the fan blade in a desired direction. A baffle is affixed to the umbrella so as to direct air from the fan along the inner surface of the umbrella. The umbrella has at least one adjustable slat extending outwardly from the inner surface so as to direct airflow from the fan to a desired location below the umbrella. A table is positioned around the tubular support and over the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,015, issued on May 26, 2009 to the present inventor, teaches a table umbrella apparatus that has a base, a table affixed to the base, a canopy supported by the base a distance above the table, and an air treating means positioned in the base for delivering a flow of air outwardly of the base. The air treating system includes a fan, a motor drivingly connected to the fan, a reservoir positioned in the base, and a pump cooperative with the water in the reservoir for passing a flow of water across air urged by the fan. An aspen wood intake filter is positioned in the base so that the air is urged by the fan across this intake filter.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0123335, published on May 5, 2016 to Molnar et al., describes a table umbrella apparatus that has a base, table affixed to the base, a fan positioned in the base so as to deliver a flow of air outwardly of the base, a motor drivingly connected to the fan, and an air plenum formed adjacent to the table. There is a plurality of airflow lines extending through the table. Each of the plurality of airflow lines has an outlet adjacent to a periphery of the table. A plurality of louvers are adjustably positioned at the outlet so as to direct the flow of air from the outlet.
In the previous patents to the present inventor, it was noted that there was a problem associated with the delivery of air from the air plenum toward the person sitting at the table. In certain circumstances, the air would have to travel a great distance before actually cooling a person at the table. There would be heat transfer between the warm table and the cool air. In hot weather conditions, the cool air would actually become warmer before reaching the person. The maximum effectiveness of such cooling or heating systems was diminished. As such, need developed so as to position the outlets as close as possible to the occupant of the table.
Additionally, in these prior patents, there was often an awkward and inconvenient arrangement of the table. Various appliances were positioned onto the table or onto the umbrella. Under certain circumstances, the umbrella could not be properly utilized because of these added appliances. In other circumstances, it was difficult to store or to transport the table umbrella apparatus because of the arrangement of components. In particular, it was difficult to stack tables one upon the other. In other circumstances, the appliances required for the delivery of cooling or heating air added unnecessary cost to the table. As such, a need developed so as to allow for the delivery of air in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which provides a breeze to those sitting at the table.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus in which the flow of air can be directed, as desired, by the person sitting at the table.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus in which a cooling flow of air can be delivered outwardly of the table in a location adjacent to the person sitting at the table.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be easily moved and assembled with minimal trouble and difficulty.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be easily transported.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is easy to assemble, easy-to-use, relatively inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an outdoor environmental control system which allows air to be piped to a remote location.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an outdoor environmental control system which allows a table umbrella or a radiant heater to be connected thereto.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an outdoor environmental control system which is aesthetically pleasing.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.
The present invention is an outdoor environmental control system that comprises a housing, a heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) system positioned in the housing and adapted to pass air outwardly of the housing, a table positioned at or adjacent to a top surface of the housing, and at least one ventilation tube positioned at an underside of the table and adapted to pass air outwardly from the HVAC system.
The ventilation tube extends from the house into an edge of the table. The ventilation tube is affixed by a frame to the underside of the table. The ventilation tube, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a plurality of ventilation tubes extending in a cruciform pattern beneath the table. An air plenum is positioned adjacent the top of the housing and connected to the HVAC system. The air plenum is adapted to receive air from the HVAC system. The plurality of ventilation tubes have one end communicating with the air plenum. The table is positioned at the top of the air plenum. The ventilation tube has a louver set at one end thereof. The louver set is adapted to allow a person at the table to control a direction or a volume of air delivered from the ventilation tube.
An air outlet is connected to the HVAC system and extends from a side of the housing. The air outlet is adapted to allow air from the HVAC system to pass outwardly from the housing. The air outlet has a coupling at one end thereof. The coupling is adapted to allow the air outlet to be connected to a conduit.
A console is positioned at the top surface of the table. The console communicates with the HVAC system so as to pass air from the HVAC system outwardly at the top of the table. The console is rotatably mounted at the top surface of the table. The console has a receptacle formed therein. The receptacle is adapted to receive a tubular member therein. This tubular member can be either a table umbrella or a radiant heater.
A plurality of feet is affixed to an underside of the housing. The plurality of feet is adapted to allow a user to adjust a height of the table. Alternatively, plurality of wheels are mounted to an underside of the housing. The plurality of wheels is adapted to allow a user to move the housing along an underlying surface. The housing has at least one decorative side panel. This decorative side panel is removably mounted to the housing. The housing or the table can have an electrical outlet thereon. An umbrella having a pole is connected to the air outlet. The HVAC system directs air through the air outlet and through the pole of the umbrella.
This foregoing Section is intended to describe, with particularity, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that modifications to these preferred embodiments can be made within the scope of the present claims. As such, this Section should not to be construed, in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
Referring to
As can be seen in
The canopy 16 is in the nature of a foldable umbrella 40. The foldable umbrella is supported by struts 42 extending upwardly from pole 18. The umbrella 40 can be folded in a conventional manner in the nature of a conventional table umbrella apparatus. A misting ring 41 is affixed to the pole 18 in a position below the umbrella 40.
In
In
A motor 52 is mounted in the base 12 generally centrally in the base and within air plenum 50. Motor 52 is drivingly connected to fan 54. The fan 54 is a squirrel cage fan that is also mounted generally centrally of the base 12. Fan 54, along with motor 52, is arranged so as to draw air inwardly of the base 12 through the vents 22 located on wall 24 of the base 12. A reservoir 56 is received on the interior of the base 12. The reservoir 56 is suitable for receiving a supply of water therein. An aspen wood intake filter 58 is positioned on the interior of the vents 22 so as to allow air passing through inwardly of the base 12, through the vents 22, to pass through the aspen wood intake filter 58. A pump 60 is mounted in the base 12 so as to pass water from the reservoir 56 upwardly and into the top of the aspen wood intake filter 58 so as to allow the water to pass, by osmosis, through the porous wood associated with the aspen wood intake filter 58. As used herein, the preferred embodiment is an aspen wood intake filter. However, various other types of porous, absorbent and distributive intake surfaces can be utilized in place of the aspen wood intake filter 58. It is important that the intake filter 58 be suitably porous and absorbent so as to allow air to pass therethrough while retaining downwardly flowing water therein. Slowly, the water will drop through the structure of the intake filter 58 so as to be collected at a bottom of the reservoir 56. The pump 60 can then redeliver and recirculate the water back to the top of the interior of the intake filter 58.
In normal use, the motor 52 will rotate the fan 54 so as to draw air through the intake vents 22 and across the intake filter 58. This action causes the air to be cooled by the evaporative action. The air then passes from the fan 54 upwardly into the air plenum 50 and outwardly through vents 38 located at the top of table 14 and the vents 62 located below the table 14. As a result, the present invention effectively allows for the delivery of cooled air to those persons sitting at the table 14.
As can be seen in
In
In
Referring to
An air outlet 108 is connected to the housing 102 and is cooperative with the HVAC system within the housing 102 so as to direct air from the HVAC system toward a conduit 110.
In
The table 104 has an area greater than the area of the top 116 of the housing 102. As such, the ventilation tubes 106 will extend from the housing 102 to the outer edge 118 of the table 104. The top 116 of the housing 102 actually covers an air plenum located within the housing 102. The plurality of ventilation tubes 106 will extend from this air plenum and extend outwardly of the housing 102. As can be seen, there is a frame 120 that secures the ventilation tubes 106 to the underside of the table 104. In this configuration, the plurality of ventilation tubes 106 will be located at the underside of the table 104. The frame 120, in combination with the ventilation tubes 106, can provide further structural integrity to the table 104. The location of the ventilation tubes 106 beneath the table 104 serves to insulate the ventilation tubes 106 from the outdoor elements, such as heat and sunshine. Additionally, by extending the ventilation tubes 106 to the outer edge 118 of the table 104, the cooling or heating air from the HVAC system is delivered in close proximity to a person sitting at the table 104.
The air outlet 108 is cooperative with the HVAC system and allows air to be piped to the exterior of the housing 102 and beyond the table 104. In particular, the air outlet 108 delivers cooling or heating air into the interior of a conduit 110. The conduit 110 can be in the nature of the table umbrella. The air outlet 108 can include suitable valves or dampers so as to control the amount of air that flows from the interior of the housing 100 and from the HVAC system into the conduit 110. The conduit 110 is supported upon the underlying surface by a panel 122. A portion of the housing 102 or the feet or wheels 112 rests upon this panel 122 so as to provide support for the conduit 110.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
