PORTABLE BEVERAGE TABLE

Abstract

A portable beverage table including a central aperture for holding a wine bucket and outer apertures for holding wine glasses. The central aperture and outer apertures of the table top form a pair of table top handles for folding the portable beverage table in a single, easy motion. A central divide in the table top allows the table top to be separated at the center, and the table top handles allow a user to grip on both sides of a table top and extend the two halves of the table top for folding. The central aperture and the outer apertures, therefore, serve the dual purpose of holding a bucket in the center of the table and wine glasses at a perimeter of the table, while also serving as a handle. When the table is folded, a carrying handle is exposed, allowing a user to easily transport the table.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to portable, collapsible tables that can hold beverage containers.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor activities that include eating and drinking beverages are popular when weather is warm. Whether attending concerts, going to the beach, attending a picnic with family and friends or stopping at a scenic area, people generally consume food and beverages during these activities. Portable chairs and tables are known to include beverage holders for this purpose. Portable tables are also well known for use during picnics and the like. Portable tables and chairs that also fold are typically chosen for this purpose due to their ease of portability and light weight.

Tables that fold flat are ideal for transporting to outdoor events. Tables that fold flat and also include beverage holders are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,337 to Wenzel discloses a table that folds flat and includes apertures for holding wine glasses on each side of the table. In the '337 patent, the surface of the table folds to one side over a central post that can be staked in the ground. Once the table surface is folded, a handle on the side of the table surface can be gripped for transporting the table. A significant disadvantage of the folding table of the '337 patent is that the legs, or supports, do not also fold, making it difficult for a user to transport the table.

In contrast to the '337 patent, U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,156 to Medders discloses a portable beverage table with folding legs, however, the table top does not fold flat, thereby limiting ease of transport.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,392,868 to Nardi discloses a portable folding outdoor table includes a foldable table top including a flat top and includes foldable portions joined together at joints that extend through the table top and bottom, cup holders extending through the table top, and a beach umbrella shaft substantially positioned in the center, extending through the table top and sized to accept a shaft of a beach umbrella. However, the mechanism of folding the legs of the '868 patent under the table requires first repositioning the legs along a track, thereby creating additional steps and inconvenience for a user.

U.S. Patent App. No. 2009241811 to Markegard discloses a collapsible table comprising a table top that is both removable and foldable and a leg assembly that is fully collapsible and that comprises six sliding points. The table top attaches to the leg assembly by inserting hooks on horizontal arms of the leg assembly into apertures on the side surfaces of the folding table top and then pressing the table top flat onto the leg assembly. However, the table does not disclose beverage holders in the table top or a handle to assist in folding the table.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,392,868 discloses a portable folding outdoor table that includes a foldable table top including a flat top and includes foldable portions joined together at joint(s) that extend through the table top and bottom, cup holders extending through the table top, where a beach umbrella shaft may be positioned in a central hole. The '868 patent, however, does not allow a user to grip handles on opposite sides of the table created by the holes in the table top surface.

Therefore, there is a need for a collapsible table that includes a handle in the table surface for ease of gripping, and also includes apertures for holding glasses in addition to having the capability to hold a common beverage container for sharing the beverage between users.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. These and other advantages are achieved by, for example, a portable folding outdoor table, that includes a foldable table top including a substantially flat top surface, said table top including two foldable sections joined to collapsible legs. The present disclosure also includes two or more wine glass holders extending through said top surface and said bottom surface, and a bucket hole extending through the table top, substantially positioned at said table top center, and extending through said top surface and said bottom surface, wherein the bucket hole is sized to accept a bucket for a bottle of wine, and a plurality of foldable legs attached to said bottom surface of said table top, said plurality of foldable legs are designed to position said top surface of said table top at a height in the range of 10″ to 20″ above a ground surface on which said portable outdoor table sits. The handles are formed by the central aperture and the outer apertures, such that the central and outer apertures serve a dual function as both beverage and container holders and handles. The bucket holder, coupled with the wine glass holders forms two table top handles, such that the table top handles allows a user to separate to two sections of the table top horizontally, and, in a single motion, causing the table to collapse flat for transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and the manner in which it may be practiced is further illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table including a bucket and a wine glass according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table wherein hands are positioned on table top handles with the portable beverage table in an open position according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table wherein hands have separated two sections of the table top using table top handles according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table wherein hands are folding the table top sections according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table wherein hands are positioned on table top handles with the portable beverage table in a closed position according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table wherein a first hand is positioned on a carrying handle and a second hand is positioned on the a table top handle according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the portable beverage table wherein a first hand is positioned on a carrying handle for transporting the portable beverage table according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific systems and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The present disclosure describes a portable beverage table including a central aperture for, preferably, holding a wine bucket and at least two outer apertures designed, preferably, to securely hold wine glasses. The central aperture and outer apertures of the table top form a pair of table top handles for folding the portable beverage table. The legs fold flat and the two halves of the table top fold flat on top of the legs when the portable beverage table is in a collapsed, closed position. A carrying handle may be exposed when the portable beverage table is in a closed position, allowing a user to easily transport the table. The portable nature of the beverage table is enhanced by the use of a plurality of legs that fold to provide support for the portable beverage table on almost any surface including sand, ground and pavement. Legs may be sized to position the table top ten to twenty inches (10″ to 20″) off the ground. Embodiments provide a flat surface useful for food, beverages or other items related to outdoor and indoor entertainment activities. Embodiments provide drink holders designed to securely hold drinks. Embodiments are adapted to work with buckets or coolers in a central aperture. The bucket may contain ice and a wine bottle. The portable beverage table is collapsible and separates at the center of the table top.

As shown in FIG. 1, portable beverage table 100 includes a table top 10. Table top 10 may, preferably have a generally rectangular shape where the curved sides 13 are shorter and flat sides 15 are longer. Other shapes for table top 10 are contemplated within the present disclosure, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including square, rectangular, circular and oval. Table top 10, in one embodiment, includes a central aperture 12 and at least two outer apertures 14 and has a top side and a bottom side. In one embodiment, two outer apertures 12 are positioned on opposite sides of table top 10 on the curved the portable table and are generally located linearly between central aperture 12. Table top 10 further includes a central divide 16. Central divide 16 allows table top 10 to separate into halves. Inner legs 18 and outer legs 20 support table top 10 when portable beverage table 100 is in an open position.

FIG. 2 depicts a top perspective view of portable beverage table including a wine glass 22 in outer aperture glass holder 28 and a wine bucket in central aperture 12. Central aperture 12, may, preferably, be used for holding a beverage source container, wherein the beverage source container may be a bucket 24 or a cooler for holding ice and a wine bottle. Outer apertures 14 have a passage 26. Outer aperture glass holder 28 may include a generally circular shelf adjacent to the interior or sidewall of the passage 26. Passage 26 extends from a generally circular portion of outer aperture glass holder 28 to the periphery of table top 10 and provides an opening to allow for the passage of varying diameter beverage glasses and beverage containers as described herein. A varying diameter wine glass 22 or beverage container can be placed through the passage 26 in outer aperture 14 such that the large diameter portion (such as the bowl of a wine glass) is held by the generally circular shelf and the smaller diameter portions (such as a wine glass stem) are below the outer aperture glass holder and the bottom surface of the portable beverage table. The shelf of outer aperture glass holder 28 may, in one embodiment, be approximately 0.25″ inch thick while table top 10 may be approximately 0.75″ thick. Central aperture 12 is larger in diameter than outer apertures 14. In one embodiment, outer aperture glass holder 28 has a diameter of 2.5″ and central aperture 12 has a diameter of 5.5″. A distance between the closest points of the central aperture 12 and outer aperture glass holder 28 may preferably be 3″. Portable beverage table 100 may be comprised of wood, metal (such as aluminum), plastic, a composite material, or any material with sufficient structural strength to serve as a table and a support for beverage glasses or containers. Table top 10 typically has a smooth finish that is provided in differently depending upon the type of material used. If portable beverage table 100 is made of wood, the top surface and periphery can be polished and varnished.

FIG. 3 shows hands 32 gripping portable beverage table 100. To fold and collapse portable beverage table 100, hands 32 are applied to table top 10. For collapsing portable beverage table 100, first, thumbs are placed within central aperture 12 at central aperture grip portion 30 and fingers are placed within outer apertures 14 at outer aperture grip portion 31 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Central aperture grip portion 30 and outer aperture grip portion 31 together form table top handles 29. In one embodiment, proper dimension to form table top handles 29 include outer aperture glass holder 28 having a diameter of 2.5″ and central aperture 12 having a diameter of 5.5″, with a distance between the closest points of the central aperture 12 and outer aperture glass holder 28 being 3″. These dimensions allow for typically sized hands to grip table top handles 29.

FIG. 4 shows hands 32 separating a first section of table top 50 and a second section of table top 51. In order to separate first section of table top 50 and second section of table top 51, hands 32 are first placed as shown in FIG. 3, then hands 32 are moved horizontally in opposite directions and inner legs 18 and outer legs 20 pivot (as shown in FIG. 3) along central leg pivot fastener 42, which may be a metal bolt. When first section of table top 50 and second section of table top 51 are separated, a carrying handle 52 is exposed, wherein the carrying handle 52 may be a longitudinal elongate rod. Carrying handle 52 pivotally passes through apertures in inner table top supports 56 and fastens within the ends of inner legs 18 with an adhesive or other means of attachment, as described herein and would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. When first section of table top 50 and second section of table top 51 are separated, inner legs 18 and outer legs 20 pivot and collapse inward by gravity.

Outer table top supports 36 are fastened to a first table top section 50 while inner table top supports 56 are fastened to a second table top section 51. Fasteners 38 connect lower cross beam 40 to outer legs 20 and inner legs 18. Outer table top supports 36 are pivotally fastened to outer legs 20.

Portable beverage table 100 can have multiple fastening device(s) for each leg and table top support. Fastening means may include, but are not limited to, friction, screws, nails and other means of holding the components of portable beverage table which together may be used alone or in combination as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Fastening device 10 can be made of metal, plastic, or any material with sufficient structural strength to hold components of portable beverage table.

With regard to FIG. 5, first table top section 50 and second table top section 51 are folded down along pivot points. First table top section 50 is fastened to outer table top supports 36, wherein outer table top supports 36 are pivotally fastened to outer legs 20, thereby allowing first table top section 50 to fold down. Second table top section 51 is fastened to inner table top supports 56 and inner table top supports 56 are pivotally fastened to carrying handle 52, thereby allowing second table top section 51 to fold down. Hands 32 grip table top handles 29 as previously described, thereby providing convenient and easy gripping and folding, such that a user is not required to bend at the waist to a greater extent when compared a table without table top grips 29. A table without table top grips 29 requires a user to grasp the ends of a table top in order to fold the table, and the ends of the table do not provide a firm grip such that gripping the table is awkward. Without table top handles 29, the user is required to reach lower to the ground or other surface upon which the table is placed and the hands may come into contact with the ground or other members of the table.

FIG. 6 shows a location of hands when table top sections 50 and 51 are completely folded. Table top handles 29 allows for hands 32 to be placed conveniently for a user and avoid hands contacting lower portions of portable beverage table 100 such as the legs or lower cross beams 40. Carrying handle 52 is exposed for gripping by one of hands 32.

FIG. 7 shows how, when portable beverage table 100 is in a closed position, a first hand 60 may grip carrying handle 52 while a second hand 62 grips table top handles 29. The location of table top handles 29 relative to carrying handle 52 provides a decreased distance between hands 32 when compared to a similar table not having table top handles 29 for which the end of the table would be used as a handle. Portable beverage table 100 according to the present disclosure allows for a user to more easily fold portable beverage table 100 and grip carrying handle 52. FIG. 8 shows a user grasping carrying handle 52 with first hand 60, such that a user may then transport portable beverage table 100 for further use or storage.

Having described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may otherwise be embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable beverage table comprising: a table top;wherein the table top includes a substantially flat top surface having a top side and a bottom side;wherein the table top has two table top sections that are separable along a central divide;wherein a central aperture is substantially positioned at a table top center and passes through the top side and the bottom side of the table top;wherein the central aperture is sized to accept a wine bucket;wherein the central aperture spans the central divide such that the central aperture is comprised of two semicircular halves;a first outer aperture and a second outer aperture extending through the top side and the bottom side of the table top;wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture are smaller in diameter than the central aperture and have a passage to a periphery of the table through which a stem of a wine glass can pass;wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture are sized to accept the wine glass;wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture and the central aperture are positioned linearly along a longitudinal axis of the table top;first table top handle and second table top handle integral with the table top;wherein a first side of the first table top handle and the second table top handle is formed from an edge of the central aperture, and a second side of the first table top handle and the second table top handle is formed from an edge of each of the outer apertures, such that each of two hands of a user can grip the first table top handle and second table top handle in order to separate the two table top sections;two inner legs and two outer legs;wherein each of the two inner legs are pivotally attached to an adjacent outer leg at a central point on the two inner legs and the two outer legs;wherein the two outer legs are pivotally attached to two outer table top supports and wherein the each of the two inner legs are pivotally attached to a carrying handle;wherein the carrying handle is a rod;wherein each of the two inner legs are fastened to the carrying handle at each end of the carrying handle;wherein the carrying handle is exposed at a top of the portable beverage table when the portable beverage table in a closed position.

2. The portable beverage table of claim 1 wherein the two outer legs and the two inner legs are designed to position the table top at approximately 15″ above a ground surface.

3. The portable beverage table of claim 1, wherein said portable beverage table has a pair of curved perimeter edges and a pair of flat perimeter edges.

4. The portable beverage table of claim 1, wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture are located adjacent to a pair of curved perimeter edges on opposite sides of the portable beverage table.

5. (canceled)

6. The portable beverage table of claim 1, wherein said table top is generally rectangular.

7. The portable beverage table of claim 1, wherein a diameter of an outer aperture glass holder is 2.5″ and a diameter of the central aperture is 5.5″.

8. The portable beverage table of claim 1, wherein said table top is made from recycled material.

9. A method comprising: removing a wine bucket from a central aperture of a portable beverage table, gripping with a first hand and a second hand a first table top handle and a second table top handle formed between the central aperture and two outer apertures, wherein a first side of each table top handle is formed from an edge of the central aperture, and a second side of each table top handle is formed from an edge of each of the two outer apertures, such that each of two hands of a user can grip the first table top handle and second table top handle in order to separate two table top sections;separating, along a central divide, a first table top section and a second table top section by moving the first hand and the second hand in an opposite direction along a horizontal plane while gripping the table top;exposing a carrying handle at a central, top portion of the portable beverage table;rotating the first table top section and the second table top section in a downward direction the first table top section and the second table top section until the portable beverage table is collapsed into a flat, closed position;releasing, with a first hand, a grip on the first table top handle;gripping, with the first hand, the carrying handle;releasing, with a second hand, a grip on a second table top handle;carrying the portable beverage table with the carrying handle.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prior to removing the wine bucket from the central aperture, removing a wine glass from the outer aperture through a passage; wherein the two outer apertures are sized to accept the wine glass;wherein the two outer apertures and the central aperture are positioned linearly along a longitudinal axis of the table top.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a pair of inner legs and a pair of outer legs fold along pivots.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the table top has two curved perimeter edges and two flat perimeter edges.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the two outer apertures are located adjacent two curved edges on opposite sides of the portable beverage table.

14. (canceled)

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the table top is generally rectangular.

16. (canceled)

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the table top is made from recycled material.

18. A portable beverage table comprising: a table top;wherein the table top includes a substantially flat top surface having a top side and a bottom side;wherein the table top includes two table top sections that are separable along a central divide;wherein a central aperture is substantially positioned at a table top center and passes through the top side and the bottom side of the table top;wherein the central aperture is sized to accept a wine bucket;wherein the central aperture spans the central divide such that the central aperture is comprised of two semicircular halves;a first outer aperture and a second outer aperture extending through the top side and the bottom side of the table top;wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture are smaller in diameter than the central aperture and have a passage to a periphery of the table through which a stem of a wine glass can pass;wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture are sized to accept the wine glass;wherein the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture and the central aperture are positioned linearly along a longitudinal axis of the table top;a first table top handle and a second table top handle integral with the table top;wherein a first side of the first table top handle and the second table top handle is formed from an edge of the central aperture and a second side of each table top handle is formed from an edge of each of the first outer aperture and the second outer aperture, such that each of two hands of a user can grip the first table top handle and second table top handle in order to separate the two table top sections;two inner legs and two outer legs;wherein each of the two inner legs are pivotally attached to an adjacent outer leg at a central point on the two inner legs and the two outer legs;wherein the two outer legs are pivotally attached to two outer table top supports and wherein each of the two inner legs are pivotally attached to a carrying handle.