GB2286525A

GB2286525A - Receptacle for patio table and parasol

Info

Publication number: GB2286525A
Application number: GB9402190A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-02-04
Filing date: 1994-02-04
Publication date: 1995-08-23
Also published as: GB9402190D0

Abstract

A receptacle for a garden or patio table comprises a circular plastics bowl 10 having a flat base 11 and a vertical tubular portion 13 extending through its centre for receiving the shaft 22 of a garden umbrella or parasol. The lower end of the tubular portion 13 forms a depending collar 14 which locates in an aperture in the centre of the table, to securely mount the receptacle in place. <IMAGE>

Description

Receptacle for Patio Tables This invention relates to a receptacle and more particularly to a receptacle for placing on garden or patio tables and used e.g. as a planter.

Garden or patio tables often comprise an aperture in their centre, so that the shaft of a parasol can extend through the table to mount the parasol canopy directly over the table.

US 4 597 221 discloses a planter for placing on garden or patio tables, the planter having a central vertical tube through which the shaft of the parasol can extend. Thus, in use the planter is held in the centre of the table by the shaft, so that it forms an attractive decoration for persons sitting around the table.

A disadvantage with garden or patio tables is that the aperture for receiving the shaft of the parasol is generally oversized. Thus, on windy days the shaft of the parasol moves from side-to-side thereby shaking the table.

We have now devised a receptacle which alleviates the above mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a receptacle comprising an aperture in its base and a depending collar mounted substantially co-axially with the aperture on the underside of the base.

In use, the receptacle can be placed on a garden or patio table such that the depending collar locates into the aperture in the centre of the table. The shaft of a parasol can then be inserted through the aperture in the receptacle.

The collar serves to reduce the clearance between the shaft of the parasol and the aperture in the table, thereby restricting lateral movement of the shaft. Furthermore, when a parasol is not fitted, the collar serves to locate the receptacle firmly in the centre of the table.

The receptacle may be used for a wide variety of purposes including as an ashtray, waste receptacle, planter for pot-plants, vase for cut flowers or food container.

Alternatively it may be filled with ice for keeping beverages cool.

Preferably the outer surface of the depending collar tapers radially inwardly towards its free lower end to form a wedge for locating into the aperture in the table.

Preferably an upwardly projecting collar is mounted substantially co-axially with the aperture on the upperside of the base. Thus, the upwardly projecting collar prevents any matter within the receptacle from falling through the aperture in the base.

Preferably the free upper end of the upwardly projecting collar is arranged substantially level with the rim of the receptacle, so that the receptacle can be filled with matter.

Preferably the depending and upwardly projecting collars comprise a tube which extends through the aperture in the base.

Preferably the inner surface of the tube tapers radially inwardly towards its upper end. Thus, the clearance between the shaft of the parasol and the tube is greater at its upper end than at its lower end, thereby allowing the shaft to extend at an inclined angle through the table.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a planter for placing on a garden or patio table, with some parts shown in section; and Figure 2 is a vertical section through the planter of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a planter comprising a circular plastics bowl 10 having a flat base 11 and a vertical tubular portion 13 extending through the centre of the base 11 so as to form an aperture therein. The upper end of the tubular portion 13 lies substantially level with the rim 12 of the bowl. The lower end of the tubular portion 13 forms a collar 14 which depends from the base 11. The outer surface of the collar 14 tapers radially inwards towards its lower end. The inside surface of the tubular portion 13 tapers radially inwards towards its upper end.

In use, the planter is stood on a garden or patio table 20, such that the depending collar 14 locates into an aperture 21 formed in the centre of the table. The tapered outer surface of the collar 14 wedges into the aperture 21 in the table to securely locate the planter. The shaft 22 of a parasol is shown, extending axially through the tubular portion 13 of the planter and through the aperture 21 in the table 10.

The upper end of the tubular portion 13 of the planter forms a close fit around the shaft 22, so as to prevent lateral movement thereof. The lower end of the tubular portion is separated from the shaft 22 by a gap, which allows the shaft to be set at an angle a with respect to an axis normal to the table.

The planter may be filled with soil as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the planter may be used as a receptacle e.g.

for foodstuffs.

It will be appreciated that the planter forms an attractive centre piece for the table, which occupies a space that would otherwise be unused. Furthermore, it has the added advantage that it locates with the aperture in the centre of the table, thereby preventing lateral movement of the shaft of the parasol.

Claims

1) A receptacle comprising an aperture in its base and a depending collar disposed on the underside of the base and mounted substantially co-axially with the aperture.

2) A receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer surface of the depending collar tapers radially inwardly towards its free lower end.

3) A receptacle as claimed in claims 1 or 2, comprising an upwardly projecting collar disposed on the upperside of the base and mounted substantially co-axially with the aperture.

4) A receptacle as claimed in claim 3, in which the free upper end of the upwardly projecting collar is arranged substantially level with a rim of the receptacle.

5) A receptacle as claimed in claims 3 or 4, comprising a tube which extends through the aperture in the base and forms the depending and upwardly projecting collars.

6) A receptacle as claimed in claim 5, in which the inner surface of the tube tapers radially inwardly towards its upper end.

7) A receptacle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.