Poolside Beverage Center and Attached Floating Bar

Abstract

A beverage center includes a body having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. At least one compartment is formed in the body, and a lid is movably attached to and configured to cover each compartment. An umbrella aperture is formed in a central portion of the body and is configured to receive an umbrella pole. A filling aperture and a drain aperture are formed in the body. A tongue is secured to the body and has a first portion configured to be secured to the body and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to extend vertically with respect to the body. A floating bar has a notch formed therein and is configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

Description

FIELD

Aspects of this invention relate generally to outdoor beverage centers and more specifically to poolside beverage centers having a floating bar and umbrella anchored to the beverage center.

BACKGROUND

Individuals may often drink beverages when around and in a swimming pool. A portable cooler may be used by the individuals to hold the drink beverages along with ice to keep the beverages cold.

It would be desirable to provide a beverage center that can hold beverages and ice, and an umbrella that can provide shade for individuals in a swimming pool. Particular objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain embodiments.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a new beverage center is disclosed. The beverage center may be movable, portable, stationary or fixed in position. The beverage center may be located adjacent to or near a pool edge, on a pool ledge for in-pool use, out of the pool on a deck or yard, or near a lake or river, or nearly anywhere out of a pool.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage center may include one or more compartments for storage of beverages, food, ice, or dry goods. The compartments may include one or more bins that may be removable from the compartments of the main body of the beverage center. An umbrella pole and accompanying umbrella may be removably mounted to the main body and secured to it in a manner that allows the umbrella pole to be held in position in relation to the main body and to also be removed from the main body if desired. One or more movable lids may be mounted to an upper surface of the main body to cover the one or more compartments. The lids are movable to permit access to the contents in the containers and to close or seal off the containers. The main body may be made by a rotomolding process to create the overall shape of the main body and to also create a hollow interior defined by the walls of the main body. One or more fill holes may be formed in the walls of the main body and may be used to allow one to fill the main body with water. The added water will give the beverage center weight to hold the beverage center down, whether on land or in the water and whether an umbrella is mounted to the main body. One or more drain holes may be formed in the main body and may be located near the bottom of the main body to permit the draining of the water from the main body. The one or more fill holes and one or more drain holes may be closed and sealed through the use of a threaded plug system, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,676,245, which is owned by the same applicant. In an exemplary aspect, a tongue or adapter may be mounted to the main body near or at the bottom of the main body. The tongue or adapter may be sized and configured to receive a floating bar, plank or platform that can be used on the surface of the pool water. The floating bar, plank or platform may move up or down with the water level in the pool.

In accordance with one aspect, a beverage center includes a body having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. At least one compartment is formed in the body, and a lid is movably attached to and configured to cover each compartment. An umbrella aperture is formed in a central portion of the body and is configured to receive an umbrella pole. A filling aperture and a drain aperture are formed in the body. A tongue is secured to the body and has a first portion configured to be secured to the body and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to extend vertically with respect to the body. A floating bar has a notch formed therein and is configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

In accordance with another aspect, a beverage center includes a body having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. A pair of compartments is formed in the body. Each of a pair of lids is movably attached to and configured to cover one of the compartments. An umbrella aperture is formed in the body, and an umbrella has an umbrella pole received in the umbrella aperture. A filling aperture and a drain aperture are formed in the body, and a compartment drain aperture is formed at a bottom of each compartment. A tongue has a first portion secured to the body and extending horizontally with respect to the body, and a second portion extending from the first portion and extending vertically with respect to the body. A floating bar has a notch configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this area of technology, that the embodiments of a beverage center described in this disclosure may provide a significant technological advance over known beverage centers. These and additional features and advantages will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage center according to aspects of the disclosure, shown seated on coping of a pool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of beverage centers of FIG. 1, shown in different positions around a pool.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing a floating bar of the beverage center.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing components for attaching the floating bar to a body of the beverage center.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing the beverage center seated on flat coping about a pool.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing the beverage center seated on pool coping with an upturned edge.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing the beverage center seated on a ledge within a pool.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a body of the beverage center of FIG. 1, shown without a lid.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the body of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing a fill aperture and mating plug.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the body of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing a drain aperture and mating plug.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a plug shown with a gasket.

FIG. 13 is a section view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing an umbrella pole sleeve formed in the body of the beverage center.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a body of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing a plurality of umbrella pole sleeves.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the body of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing an umbrella sleeve with a retaining pin used to secure an umbrella pole to the body.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing components of the movable lid.

FIG. 17 is a section view of a portion of the beverage center of FIG. 16, showing the interaction of components of the lid.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing bottle openers formed on a bottom of lids of the beverage center.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing an alternative embodiment of a lid.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the body of the beverage center of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a section view showing the body of the beverage center of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 19, showing the lid rotated with respect to the body.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 19, showing the lid raised and rotated with respect to the body.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 19, showing the lid raised and rotated 90° with a bin being removed from a compartment.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing another alternative embodiment of a lid.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the body of the beverage center of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a section view showing the body of the beverage center of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing another alternative embodiment of a lid.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 1, showing yet another alternative embodiment of a lid.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the beverage center of FIG. 29, shown with its lids open and a bin being removed from a compartment.

The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of a beverage center, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the beverage center depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Beverage centers as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in various forms. An exemplary embodiment of a beverage center 10 is shown in FIG. 1. For convenience, the terms “upper” and “lower” and “top” and “bottom” are used herein to differentiate between the upper and lower ends of beverage center 10 and particular components of beverage center 10 and are used only for ease of description and understanding and are not intended to limit the possible spatial orientations of beverage center 10 or its components during assembly or use.

The term “substantially,” as used herein, is meant to mean mostly, or almost the same as, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of beverage center manufacturing and use, including rotomolding or thermoforming manufacturing. Similarly, the term “approximately” as used herein is meant to mean close to, or about a particular value, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of beverage center manufacturing and use, including rotomolding or thermoforming manufacturing.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a beverage center 10 is shown in FIG. 1 positioned on the coping 12 of a pool 14. Beverage center 10 may have any one of numerous shapes and configurations with the shape and configuration not defined by the function of beverage center 10, but rather being defined by the aesthetics that it creates. Depending on the desired aesthetic look, in an exemplary aspect, beverage center 10 may be cylindrical, oval, square, rectangular, oblong, spherical, round or may be any other symmetrical or non-symmetrical shape and design, and may define or include any number of aesthetic features and shapes.

Beverage center 10 may include a main body 16. Body 16 may be made of a plastic material, and may be manufactured through a rotomolding process, or through another suitable process that creates a similar product. Body 16 may be formed of an outer sidewall 18 and an inner sidewall 20 spaced from outer sidewall 18 and defining a liquid cavity 22 (seen below in FIG. 13) therebetween. The hollow interior of body 16 defined by liquid cavity 22 may be filled with water, for example, which serves to provide a weighted beverage center 10 that will stay in position once filled.

Body 16 may include an umbrella aperture 24 configured to receive an umbrella pole 26 to which an umbrella 28 (seen in FIG. 2) is secured. Umbrella pole 26 will fit into umbrella aperture 24 and may be held to body 16 through any known mounting technique, including the techniques disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,576,510, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and which is commonly owned by the same applicant. Once umbrella pole 26 and accompanying umbrella 28 are secured to body 16, the weight of body 16 with water, or any other liquid, contained within liquid cavity 22 may also serve as an anchor for umbrella pole 26 and umbrella 28.

In other words, beverage center 10 may also function as an umbrella stand and will serve as a stylish accessory that is specifically designed to hold umbrella pole 26 and accompanying umbrella 28 in position, even against relatively windy conditions.

Body 16 may include one or more cavities or compartments 30. Compartments 30 may be used to store beverages, food, ice, and dry goods, among other things. In the illustrated embodiment, body 16 includes two compartments 30. It is to be appreciated that body 16 may include any number of compartments 30.

A removable bin 32 may be inserted into each compartment 30. Only one bin 32 is illustrated in FIG. 1, however, it is to be appreciated that beverage center 10 may include two bins 32 in an embodiment where there are two compartments 30. Bin 32 may be used to hold ice or beverages, to store any type of dry good, or to store any other item used in or around pool 14. Bin 32 may be used as a carrying bucket for carrying the items stored within a corresponding compartment 30, such as drinks, ice, food, beverage containers, toys, accessories, or anything else that may be used in, with or around beverage center 10. Bin 32 may be made of a plastic material, with the walls of bin 32 being non-permeable, and the walls may define a mesh or porous configuration. Bin 32 may include a handle 34, which may consist of one or more apertures 34 that allow one to easily remove bin 32 from a corresponding compartment 30 and to carry bin 32 to a different location. Bin 32 may take on any desired shape or appearance.

One or more movable covers or lids 36 may be mounted to an upper surface of body 16 to cover the one or more compartments 30. Lids 36 are configured to be movable to permit access to the contents within compartments 30 and to close or seal off compartments 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, two sliding lids 36 may be used to cover the two compartments 30 and to provide easy access to the contents within compartments 30. It is to be appreciated that lids 36 may be slidable, pivotable, rotatable, or otherwise movable with respect to body 16 to allow access to the contents within compartments 30. It is to be appreciated that each compartment 30 may be covered by a single lid 36, while in other embodiments a single lid 36 may be used to cover more than one compartment 30.

Lids 36 may also include a handle, knob, pulling device (not shown) or any other known way to facilitate the movement of lid 36. Lids 36 may be mounted to or hinged to the top surface of body 16. Other mounting techniques may be used to mount lids 36 to body 16. Lids 36 may define a top surface 38 that may be planar on which to set items, or they may include formed trays or apertures that contain items or hold beverage cans or bottles. Lids may include cut-outs 40 that, when lids 36 are slid together, form umbrella aperture 24 through which may pass umbrella pole 26. Lids 36 may have any number of different designs and configurations to create an aesthetic look for beverage center 10. The exemplary shape shown in FIG. 1 is just one of numerous possible designs and configurations that are not dictated by function.

One or more accessory trays 42 may be located on top of body 16, and may accommodate any items that may be used with beverage center 10 or in or around pool 14. Accessory trays 42 may have any number of shapes and configurations and may define apertures sized and shaped to contain a beverage can or bottle, for example.

Beverage center 10 may include a tongue 44, which may act as a receiver, adapter or connector for attaching a floating bar 46 to beverage center 10. Floating bar 46 may be a bar, plank or platform that is freely and movably attached to tongue 44 to accommodate different water levels. That is, floating bar 46 may float up and down in the water along tongue 44 as the water level changes. Floating bar 46 may provide a surface on which an individual may place drinks and food, and may also be an area for gathering. In other words, people in pool 14 may stand or sit next to floating bar 46, just as they would at a bar on land. Floating bar 46 may have any one of numerous shapes and configurations with the shape and configuration not defined by the function of the floating bar, rather being defined by the aesthetics that it creates.

Tongue 44 may have a first portion 48 mounted, secured, or attached to body 16. First portion 48 may have a first end 50 (seen in FIG. 5), which may be positioned underneath body 16 as illustrated here, and an opposed second end 52, with tongue 44 held in position partly by body 16 being seated on first portion 48. Tongue 44 may have a second portion 54 extending from second end 52 of first portion 48 substantially perpendicular to first portion 48. Thus, tongue 44 may be substantially L-shaped with first portion 48 extending substantially horizontally with respect to body 16 and second portion 54 extending substantially vertically with respect to body 16. Tongue 22 may define other shapes and configurations that will allow tongue 22 to act as a receiver, adapter or connector for attaching the floating bar 46 to the beverage center 10.

Floating bar 46 may have a cut-out or notch 56 formed therein, which may be shaped and sized to mate with and receive second portion 54 of tongue 44 such that floating bar 46 may move vertically along second portion 54. In this embodiment, second portion 54 of tongue 44 extends downwardly through notch 56 into the water of pool 14 to permit or allow floating bar 46 to freely move up or down as the water level moves up or down in pool 14. This may allow floating bar 46 to move up and down with respect to body 16 as the water level in pool 14 fluctuates.

Floating bar 46 may be movably attached to second portion 54 in any desired manner that will permit the movable mounting of floating bar 46 to tongue 44 and permit the movement of floating bar 46 in relation to tongue 44 and body 16.

It is to be appreciated that beverage center 10 may be placed in various locations in and around pool 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a body 16A of beverage center 10 may be placed on coping 12 as described above with respect to FIG. 1. In another embodiment, a body 16B may be seated in pool 14 itself on a pool ledge 58. In this embodiment, tongue 44 may be secured to body 16B such that second portion 54 extends upwardly. Floating bar 46 will naturally move up and down along second portion 54 as the water level rises or falls. In one exemplary aspect of this embodiment, body 16B of beverage center 10 may be placed in up to −10 inches of water, when body 16B of beverage center 10 is placed in the water on pool ledge 58. It should be understood that beverage center 10 may function in other negative pool depths, including depths greater than or less than −10 inches of water.

It is to be appreciated that a body 16C of beverage center 10 may be used in many locations, including anywhere out of a pool, such as on the grass, on decking 60 around pool 14, as illustrated here, or on a patio. It may also be used along the edge of a lake or river or nearly anywhere else. In alternative aspects, body 16C of beverage center 10 may be movable, portable, stationary or fixed in position. It is to be appreciated that when beverage center 10 is positioned remote from pool 14 that tongue 44 and floating bar 46 need not be included with beverage center 10.

Body 16 of beverage center 10 may be made of any number of thermoplastic materials that may also be ultraviolet ray resistive, and may have any number of colors. Body 16 may also include any number of surface textures to provide a smooth, rough, or coarse external surface finish, as desired.

As illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 3-5, tongue 44 may be mounted to a bottom of body 16 such that second portion 54 extends downwardly through notch 56 of floating bar 46. Notch 56 may be formed with a pair of arms 62 that wrap partially around second portion 54 of tongue 44. As seen in FIG. 5, first portion 48 of tongue 44 may be received in a recess 64 formed in a bottom of body 16. First portion 48 may be secured within recess 64 in snap-fit fashion with a male projection (not shown) formed on one of first portion 48 and body 16 within recess 64, and a mating female recess (not shown) formed in the other of first portion 48 and body 16 within recess 64. In other embodiments, first portion 48 may be secured within recess 64 with any suitable fastener (not shown).

In certain embodiments, raised surfaces or projections 65 may extend outwardly from a bottom surface of floating bar 46, and serve to provide stability and buoyancy for floating bar 46, and help define the waterline for floating bar 46. In the illustrated embodiment, four projections 65 are provided at each corner of floating bar 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, beverage center 10 may be seated on flat coping 12. In other embodiments, a seen in FIG. 7, beverage center 10 may be seated on coping 12 with an upturned edge 66. In such an embodiment, first portion 48 of tongue 44 may curve downwardly from first end 50 in order to wrap around upturned edge 66, providing a safe interlocking engagement between tongue 44 and coping 12, thereby safely anchoring beverage center 10 with respect to coping 12.

As noted above, and illustrated in FIG. 8, tongue 44 may be secured to body 16 such that second portion 54 extends upwardly, with floating bar 46 moving up and down in pool 14 along second portion 54 such that floating bar 46 stays on the surface of the water in pool 14. In certain embodiments, the perimeter of an upper surface 68 of floating bar 46 may be angled or sloped downwardly such that any water from pool 14 that splashes onto upper surface 68 will drain into pool 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, one or more filling apertures 70 may be formed in body 16 and may be used to allow a user to fill body 16 with water or any other liquid. Lids 36 are not shown in FIG. 9 in order to more clearly illustrate the location of filling aperture 70. The added water will add weight to hold beverage center 10 down, whether on land or in the water of pool 14. The added weight will help prevent body 16 from becoming buoyant and moving within pool 14, and will help withstand wind forces encountered by umbrella 28 when one is mounted to body 16. In the illustrated embodiment, filling aperture 70 is formed in a top 72 of body 16. It is to be appreciated that any number of filling apertures 70 can be formed in body 16 at any location within body 16.

A plug 74 may be secured within each filling aperture 70 to close and seal the filling aperture so as to retain the water in body 16. In the illustrated embodiment, each plug 74 includes a flange 76 that sits on body 16 when the plug 74 is secured within a corresponding filling aperture 70. Each plug 74 may also include a threaded shaft 78 that threadingly mates with internal threads 80 formed in filling aperture 70. In certain embodiments, a slot 82 may be formed in a top surface of plug 74 to receive a screwdriver of other flat tool that may be used to rotate plug 74.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11, and 13, one or more body drain apertures 84 may be formed in body 16, and may be located near the bottom of body 16 to permit the draining of the water from body 16. In the illustrated embodiment a single body drain aperture 84 is shown formed in outer sidewall 18. Each body drain aperture 84 may include internal threads 80 and may be closed and sealed with a plug 74. As illustrated in FIG. 12, each plug 74 may include a gasket 86 formed of rubber or any other resilient material to help seal each filling aperture 70 and body drain aperture 84.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11, and 13, a compartment drain aperture 87 may be formed in body 16 at the bottom of each compartment 30, allowing any water that has accumulated in compartments 30 to be drained. In certain embodiments, the bottom of compartments 30 may be sloped inwardly toward drain apertures 87 to facilitate drainage. Each compartment drain aperture 87 may include internal threads 80 and may be closed and sealed with a plug 74 and gasket 86 as described above.

The one or more filling apertures 70, body drain apertures 84, and compartment drain apertures 87 may be closed and sealed through the use of a threaded plug system, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,676,245, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and which is commonly owned by the same applicant.

As described above in connection with FIG. 1, and seen in FIG. 13, outer wall 18 of body 16 is spaced from inner wall 20 creating a liquid cavity 22 therebetween. Water may be introduced into liquid cavity 22 through filling aperture 70. The water may be drained from liquid cavity 22 through body drain aperture 84 once plug 74 is removed from body drain aperture 84.

As seen here, umbrella aperture 24 may extend from top 72 of body 16 to the bottom of body 16, and may be tapered. Umbrella aperture 24 may extend completely through body 16 in order to prevent any water from accumulating within body 16. Umbrella aperture 24 may have a diameter suitable to receive umbrella poles having a diameter of 1.5 or 2 inches, for example. As shown in FIGS. 13-15, an umbrella pole sleeve 88 may be seated in a sleeve recess 90 formed on top 72 of body 16. Umbrella pole sleeve 88 may have a central aperture 92 extending therethrough that is configured to receive umbrella pole 26. Umbrella pole sleeve 88 may be secured to body 16 with fasteners 94, which may be screws or bolts, for example.

As seen in FIG. 15, a retaining pin 96 may be used to secure umbrella pole 26. Retaining pin 96 may extend through a pin aperture 98 formed in umbrella pole sleeve 88 and through an aperture formed in umbrella pole 26 (not shown), which serves to help retain umbrella pole 26 on body 16.

As shown in FIG. 14, an additional or second umbrella pole sleeve 88′ with a central aperture 92′ may be provided in addition to first umbrella pole sleeve 88. In such an embodiment, central aperture 92 of first umbrella pole sleeve 88 may have a diameter different than that of central aperture 92′ of second umbrella pole sleeve 88′ to accommodate an umbrella poles of a different diameter. For example, central aperture 92 could have a diameter suitable to receive an umbrella pole 26 having a diameter of 1.5 inches, while central aperture 92′ could have a diameter suitable to receive an umbrella pole 26 have a diameter of 2 inches.

As noted above, lids 36 may be movable with respect to body 16. In certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 16, lids 36 may move horizontally with respect to body 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a retaining member 100 may include a base or web 102 that is secured to body 16 with one or more fasteners (not shown) such as screws or bolts, and a cross member or flange 104 formed at a top of web 102 such that retaining member 100 is T-shaped.

A mating slot member 106 may be secured within a slot recess 107 formed in a bottom of each lid 36, with each slot member 106 slidingly mating with a corresponding retaining member 100 such that lid 36 may slide horizontally along body 16. Each slot member 106 may include a plate 108 that is secured within slot recess 107 with one or more fasteners (not shown) such as screws or bolts, for example. Plate 108 may include a longitudinal slot 110 extending along plate 108 from an inward end 112 thereof toward an outward end 114 thereof. Thus, longitudinal slot 110 is open at inward end 112 and ends proximate outward end 114 such that plate 108 is substantially U-shaped. Slot member 106 mates with a retaining member 100 with web 102 extending through and sliding along longitudinal slot 110, and flange 104 positioned above plate 108 within a flange recess 116 formed in the bottom of lid 36. Thus, as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 17, web 102 may slide horizontally along and within longitudinal slot 110, and flange 104 may slide horizontally above plate 108 within flange recess 116. In certain embodiments, flange nubs 117 may be provided on a bottom surface of flange 104 such that flange 104 may slide along plate 108 with less friction.

In certain embodiments, one or more lids 36 may include a bottle opener 118 to facilitate opening bottles. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, a bottle opener 118 is formed in the bottom surface of both lids 36. In such an embodiment, bottle openers 118 are accessible when lids 36 are opened. It is to be appreciated that bottle opener 118 can be formed on different portions of body 16, such as in outer sidewall 18 for example. Other suitable locations for bottle opener 118 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.

In certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 19-24, a single lid 36 may be configured to cover the entirety of body 16 and two compartments 30. In such an embodiment, lid 36 may include a post 120 extending downwardly from a bottom surface of lid 36. Post 120 may be received in a post recess 122 formed in body 16. A pair of opposed post nubs 124 may extend outwardly from post 120 proximate a bottom thereof. In such an embodiment, umbrella aperture 24 is formed within post 120.

As seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, a pair of opposed post flanges 126 may extend inwardly from the sidewall of post recess 122. When post 120 is fully inserted into post recess 122 and lid 36 is fully seated on the top of body 16, post nubs 124 are positioned beneath post flanges 126 such that lid 36 can be rotated a full 360°, as seen in FIG. 22, allowing full access to compartments 30.

When lid 36 is positioned so that post nubs 124 are not aligned with post flanges 126 (e.g., when lid 36 is in the closed position), post 120 can be lifted vertically such that post nubs 124 pass by and are then positioned higher than post flanges 126, at which point lid 36 can be rotated 90° to a point where post nubs 124 are positioned directly above and can be seated on post flanges 126. With post nubs 124 seated on post flanges, as illustrated in FIG. 23, and lid 36 in an elevated position, beverage center 10 may function a bistro table, while allowing some access to compartments 30. As seen in FIG. 24, in such an embodiment bins 32 may be removed from compartments 30.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 25-27, in which opposed post nubs 124 are positioned at different heights along post 120, and a groove 128 is formed in post 120 above post nubs 124. A pair of spiral recesses 128 are formed in post 120 and extend from groove 128 down to the bottom of post 120. When post 120 is inserted into post recess 122 and lid 36 is rotated, post flanges 124 slide along spiral recesses 128 until lid 36 is fully seated on the top of body 16, at which point lid 36 can be rotated a full 360° with post nubs 124 riding within groove 128. When lid 36 is lifted and rotated 90° and lid 36 is in the elevated bistro position shown in FIG. 23, notches 132 in spiral recesses 130 rest on post flanges 126.

An alternative embodiment of lid 36 is illustrated in FIG. 28, in which lid 36 includes a lid base 134 having two lid apertures 136 formed therein. Lid flanges 138 may extend inwardly about the periphery of lid apertures 136. Lid covers 140 may be seated on lid flanges 138 and serve to cover compartments 30. A lid notch 142 may be formed along the periphery of each lid aperture 136, allowing a user to insert their finger/fingers under lid covers 140 in order to remove them from lid base 134. One or more lid alignment flanges 144 may extend upwardly from top 72 of body 16, and may be received in mating recesses (not shown) in the bottom surface of lid base 134, helping to maintain lid 36 fixed in position on body 16. Lid apertures 136 and lid covers 140 may have a shape that matches the perimeter shape of compartments 30. In the illustrated embodiment, compartments 30, lid apertures 136, and lid covers 140 are all circular. It is to be appreciated that compartments 30, lid apertures 136, and lid covers 140 can have any desired shape.

Another alternative embodiment of lid 36 is illustrated in FIGS. 29-30 in which lids 36 are pivotally secured to body 16. A pair of lid pins 146 may extend outwardly from a periphery of each lid 36 and be received in mating lid pin recesses 148 formed in body 16. Lid 36 may then rotate upwardly about lid pins 146 from a closed position covering compartment 30 to an open position allowing access to compartment 30, and allowing bin 32 to be removed from compartment 30.

Various embodiments of a new beverage center have been described herein, which include various components and features. In other embodiments, the beverage center may be provided with any combination of such components and features. It is also understood that in other embodiments, the various devices, components, and features of the beverage center described herein may be constructed with similar structural and functional elements having different configurations, including different ornamental appearances.

Those having skill in the art, with the knowledge gained from the present disclosure, will recognize that various changes can be made to the disclosed apparatuses and methods in attaining these and other advantages, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that the features described herein are susceptible to modification, alteration, changes, or substitution. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the embodiments described herein. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. The specific embodiments illustrated and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and not limiting of that which is set forth in the appended claims. Other embodiments will be evident to those of skill in the art. It should be understood that the foregoing description is provided for clarity only and is merely exemplary. The spirit and scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A beverage center comprising: a body including an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall;at least one compartment formed in the body;a lid movably attached to and configured to cover each compartment;a filling aperture formed in the body;a body drain aperture formed in the body;a tongue secured to the body and having a first portion configured to be secured to the body and a second portion extending from the first portion and configured to extend vertically with respect to the body; anda floating bar having a notch formed therein and configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.

2. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising a filling aperture plug and a drain aperture plug.

3. The beverage center of claim 2, further comprising a first gasket seated on the filling aperture plug, and a second gasket seated on the drain aperture plug.

4. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising an umbrella aperture formed in a central portion of the body and configured to receive an umbrella pole, and a first umbrella pole sleeve having a first central aperture extending therethrough, the first central aperture having a first diameter.

5. The beverage center of claim 4, further comprising a second umbrella pole sleeve having a second central aperture extending therethrough, the second central aperture of the having a second diameter that is different than the first diameter.

6. The beverage center of claim 5, further comprising a retaining pin configured to be received in pin apertures formed in the first and second umbrella pole sleeves and in an aperture in the umbrella pole.

7. The beverage center of claim 1, wherein each lid is slidable horizontally with respect to the body.

8. The beverage center of claim 7, further comprising: at least one retaining member, each retaining member having a web secured to and extending upwardly from the body and a flange formed at a top of the first portion, the retaining member having a T-shaped cross section; andat least one slot member, each slot member secured to one of the lids and having a longitudinal slot formed therein and configured to receive the web of a corresponding retaining member such that the one of the lids is slidable horizontally with respect to the body.

9. The beverage center of claim 1, wherein each lid is pivotally secured to the body.

10. The beverage center of claim 1, wherein each lid is sloped downwardly toward a center of the body such that water will flow along the lid toward the umbrella aperture.

11. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising a bottle opener positioned on a bottom surface of each lid.

12. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising at least one bin, each bin removably received in one of the compartments.

13. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising: a post extending downwardly from the lid, a pair of opposed post nubs extending outwardly from the post;a post recess formed in the body, the post being received in the post recess; anda pair of opposed post flanges extending inwardly from the post recess,wherein when the post is fully inserted into the post recess, the post nubs are positioned beneath the post flanges such that the lid can be rotated 360°, and when the post is lifted such that the post nubs are positioned above the post flanges the lid may be rotated 90° and the post nubs may be seated on the post flanges.

14. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising at least one accessory tray formed in a top surface of the body.

15. The beverage center of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the floating bar is sloped such that water will drain off the top surface.

16. The beverage center of claim 1, wherein two circular compartments are formed in the body, and each lid is circular.

17. The beverage center of claim 1, further comprising a compartment drain aperture formed at a bottom of each compartment.

18. The beverage center of claim 17, wherein a bottom of each compartment is sloped toward the compartment drain aperture.

19. The beverage center of claim 1, wherein two compartments are formed in the body, and a single lid covers both compartments.

20. A beverage center comprising: a body including an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, a liquid cavity between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall;a pair of compartments formed in the body;a pair of lids, each lid movably attached to and configured to cover one of the compartments;an umbrella aperture formed in the body;an umbrella having an umbrella pole received in the umbrella aperture;a filling aperture formed in the body;a body drain aperture formed proximate a bottom of the body;a compartment drain aperture formed at a bottom of each compartment;a tongue having a first portion secured to the body and extending horizontally with respect to the body, and a second portion extending from the first portion and extending vertically with respect to the body; anda floating bar having a notch configured to slidably receive the second portion of the tongue such that the floating bar is movable vertically with respect to the body.