This invention relates to swimming pool accessories, and in particular to stands, trays, devices, and methods for supporting beverage containers on the edge of a swimming pool while supporting a pool umbrella.
Swimming pools are popular locations for people in the pools to stand and socialize.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. Often it is enjoyable to enjoy a beverage while in the pool. However, balancing a liquid container such as a can, bottle and glass on the edge of a pool is not desirable, since the liquid in the beverage container can easily spill out.
Floating chairs have become popular for having a beverage holder in the armrest. However, the user must be seated in the chair to use the beverage holder, which is not always available or desirable.
Still furthermore, the floating chairs do not provide any shade for the user.
Devices have been proposed over the years to incorporate a beverage and umbrella stand. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,228,148 to Weir; to Weir and 6474244 to Karpinski.
However, the Weir devices are elaborate molded seats that sit in the pool, and are large and cumbersome to use and move, and are not inexpensive to make.
Karpinski ′244, requires an elaborate leg and angled support leg that extends below the tray, and is not desirable to pool users.
Additionally, the above referenced prior art devices would be expensive to manufacture and not be inexpensive to the end user. These devices would also not be desirable, since they take up substantial amounts of space in the pools when being used, and take up substantial space when being stored.
Thus, the need exists for solutions with the problems of the prior art.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide pool stands, trays, devices, and methods for supporting beverage containers on the edge of a swimming pool while supporting a pool umbrella that is easy to use when needed.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide pool stands, trays, devices, and methods for supporting beverage containers on the edge of a swimming pool while supporting a pool umbrella that is inexpensive to manufacture and sell.
Preferred embodiments of the stands can include a hollow plastic base for allowing the post of an umbrella to pass there-through. The purpose is to allow the shade of the umbrella to drop closer to the surface on which the base is setting.
The main purpose of this base is to allow the shade of the umbrella to be within inches of a person in the swimming pool for allowing maximum shade.
The base can be hollow with a fill cap to allow it to be filled with water or sand for stability and ballast.
The base can have a tear drop shaped through-hole so that when the clamping screw is tightened, it forces the post into the wedge shape side of the teardrop through-hole, keeping the umbrella stable.
The clamping screw also allows the installer to raise and lower the umbrella with east. The base can have a plurality of cup holder molded into the body, along with a recess in the top and a lip on the bottom allowing the base to be stacked without sliding apart.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
4A-4B supported on an edge of a swimming pool with an umbrella post clamped to the stand.
10A-10B supported on an edge of a swimming pool with an umbrella post clamped to the stand.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification does not include all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.
Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.
It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.
Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
A list of components will now be described.
100 First embodiment circular disc stand for supporting beverage holders and pool umbrella post
105 fill cap
110 upper disc member
112 front left indentation for beverage holder
113 rounded edge
114 right indentation of beverage holder
115 vertical through-hole for umbrella post
116 raised rim edge
118 raised ridges
120 lower disc member
122 front step member
123 rounded front edge
124 rear step edge
125 through-hole for umbrella post
130 clamping screw/knob
135 threaded stem member
137 horizontal through-hole
142 left beverage holder
144 right beverage holder
150 umbrella with canopy
160 umbrella post
170 swimming pool
175 inner edge of swimming pool
200 Second embodiment rectangular stand for supporting beverage holders and pool umbrella post
210 top
212 front left indentation for beverage holder
213 rounded front edge
214 right tops indentation of beverage holder
215 through-hole for umbrella post
217 flat angled sides
218 raised ridges
219 opposite facing cut outs
220 flat bottom
222 front step member
223 rounded front edge
224 rear step edge
225 through-hole for umbrella post
230 clamping screw/knob
235 threaded stem member
240 rectangular well
Referring to
The approximate overall dimensions of the base can be approximately 3.5 inches tall by approximately 16 inches in diameter.
The upper member 110 and the lower member 120 can be formed from injection molded plastic and the like, and be solid.
The upper member 110 and the lower member 120 can have a hollow interior, with a fill cap 105 to allow the stand to be filled with a ballast, such as water or sand. For example, pool water can be used to fill the hollow interior.
Alternatively, the upper member 110 and the lower member 120 can be solid molded form.
The upper disc member 110 can have a front left rounded indentation for supporting a beverage holder, and a front right rounded indentation for supporting a beverage holder. The upper surface of the upper disc member 110 can have a raised rim edge 116, and parallel raised ridges 118 that can form a gripping surface thereon. A round edge 113 can be circumferentially about the upper member 110.
A through-hole 115 in the upper disc member 110 can have a teardrop shape or oval shape or triangular shape therethrough.
The lower disc member 120 can have a similar diameter to the upper member 110 and thickness. The lower member 120 can have a front step member portion 122 with a rounded front edge 123, and a rear step edge 124. A through-hole 125 similar to the shape of through-hole 115 can pass through the lower member 120.
A clamping rotatable screw/knob 130 can have a threaded stem member 135 which passes through an exterior wall of a front side wall of the upper member 110 and lower member 120, and the threaded stem can pass through the generally horizontal through-hole 137 (
Referring to
Referring to
In the first embodiment 100, the stand 100 can have a small portion 122 overhanging(cantilevered) over the edge 175 of the swimming pool 170, so that substantially most of the mass of the stand 100 is supported by the upper surface of the edge 175 of the swimming pool 170.
The clamping screw/knob 130 can be rotated so that the threaded stem 135 pushes one side of the umbrella post 160 into a narrow portion of the through-holes 115/125 to lock umbrella post 160 in place.
The upper raised ridges 118 on the stand 100 can be used as a nonslip surface to allow items, such as but not limited to smart phones, sunglasses, and the like to be supported on the stand 100.
Referring to
A clamping screw/knob 230 with threaded stem can pass through the rounded front edge 213 with an inner end that can press against the side of an umbrella post inserted into the through-hole 215.
The bottom of the stand 200 can have a generally flat bottom surface.
Under the rounded front edge 213 can be a front step member 222 with a rear step edge 224, which can work similar to the like members in the previous embodiment.
Stands 100/200 can have a hollow interior, with a fill cap 105 to allow the stand to be filled with a ballast, such as water or sand. Alternatively, the stands 100/200 can be formed from injection molded plastic and the like, and be solid.
Referring to
In the second embodiment 200, the stand 200 can have a small portion 242 overhanging(cantilevered) over the edge 175 of the swimming pool 170, so that substantially most of the mass of the stand 200 is supported by the upper surface of the edge 175 of the swimming pool 170.
The clamping screw/knob 230 can be rotated so that the threaded stem 235 pushes one side of the umbrella post 160 into a narrow portion of the through-holes 215 to lock umbrella post 160 in place.
The upper raised ridges 218 on the stand 200 can be used as a nonslip surface to allow items, such as but not limited to smart phones, sunglasses, and the like to be supported on the stand 200.
The rectangular cut-out in the top of the stand can be used as a support for a portable cooler, such as but not limited to a portable cooler having a footprint of approximately 11.5 inches by approximately 8 inches.
Stands 100, 200 can be formed to be stackable on top of one another in order to reduce storage space and allow for ease in transport.
While the stands are described for use on an edge of a swimming pool, the stands can be used in other applications. For example, the stands can be positioned on the edges of outdoor tables, such as picnic tables, where the bottom of the umbrella post abuts the ground. Additionally, the stands can be place on tailgates of trucks to be used for tail gating, with the umbrella post abutting the ground. In these other applications the umbrella can also provide shade to those around it, and the stands can be used for supporting beverage holders, and portable coolers.
The term “approximately”/“approximate” can be +/−10% of the amount referenced. Additionally, preferred amounts and ranges can include the amounts and ranges referenced without the prefix of being approximately.
Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2123257 | Provost | Jul 1938 | A |
2190222 | Strasser | Feb 1940 | A |
3036717 | Johnson | May 1962 | A |
3395692 | Johns | Aug 1968 | A |
3624732 | Bowden | Nov 1971 | A |
5228148 | Weir | Jul 1993 | A |
5333322 | Weir | Aug 1994 | A |
5427346 | Urgola | Jun 1995 | A |
5505645 | Engler, Jr. | Apr 1996 | A |
5572750 | Johnston | Nov 1996 | A |
5760751 | Gipson | Jun 1998 | A |
5803265 | Bergerman | Sep 1998 | A |
5829723 | Brunner | Nov 1998 | A |
5996511 | Swoger | Dec 1999 | A |
6061850 | Roper, III | May 2000 | A |
6101955 | Salce | Aug 2000 | A |
6138966 | Smith | Oct 2000 | A |
6139382 | Eschbacher | Oct 2000 | A |
6354554 | Hollenbeck | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6474244 | Karpinski | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6554012 | Patarra | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6676094 | Brown | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6796319 | Patarra | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6862755 | Crachy | Mar 2005 | B1 |
6889618 | Gromack | May 2005 | B1 |
6931998 | Leese | Aug 2005 | B1 |
6976434 | Roig | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7386896 | Spicer | Jun 2008 | B2 |
8381662 | Goldszer | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8393343 | VanVonderen | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8397648 | Palladino | Mar 2013 | B1 |
9150235 | Galante | Oct 2015 | B2 |
9192214 | Gambill | Nov 2015 | B2 |
9220337 | Wenzel | Dec 2015 | B1 |
9392868 | Nardi | Jul 2016 | B2 |
9463850 | Lovett | Oct 2016 | B2 |
9655437 | Clause | May 2017 | B2 |
9661917 | Dias | May 2017 | B2 |
9706820 | Lopez | Jul 2017 | B1 |
10272976 | Newhall | Apr 2019 | B1 |
11311103 | Wilson | Apr 2022 | B1 |
11401011 | Johns | Aug 2022 | B2 |
20040077235 | Cloutier | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20050039639 | Espenschied | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050241546 | Royse | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060017354 | DeMars | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20090000523 | Ciardelli | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20110185491 | Roberts | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20120118902 | Beltrante | May 2012 | A1 |
20140102337 | Ralph | Apr 2014 | A1 |
20150000716 | LeAnna | Jan 2015 | A1 |
20150208634 | Box | Jul 2015 | A1 |
20180249838 | Melaragno | Sep 2018 | A1 |
20180298929 | Lund | Oct 2018 | A1 |
20210145169 | Schwiebert | May 2021 | A1 |
20220133070 | Colin | May 2022 | A1 |
20220268049 | Frerich | Aug 2022 | A1 |
20230064396 | Foley | Mar 2023 | A1 |