US20130087516A1

US20130087516A1 - Entertainment docking system and device

Info

Publication number: US20130087516A1
Application number: US13/647,721
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine Kowalewski; Andrew Kowalewski; Deborah Graham; Douglas Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-11
Filing date: 2012-10-09
Publication date: 2013-04-11

Abstract

An entertainment docking system includes a base having an upper end and a lower end; a post having an upper end and a lower end extending from the lower end of the base wherein the lower end of the post is removably secured to the lower end of the base. A tray is removably mounted to the post above the base. A holder is removably mounted to the upper end of the post. An entertainment docking system has a base; a tapered locking shaft having twist and lock ridges formed thereon and the shaft has a lower end secured to the base. A tray is removably attached to the shaft having mounting twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperate with the twist and lock ridges of the post. A holder is removably attached to an upper end of the shaft and has mating twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperate with the twist and lock ridges of the post.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 61/545,749 filed on Oct. 11, 2011 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an entertainment docking system. More particularly, it relates to an entertainment docking system designed to provide multiple entertainment amenities in an organized and accessible fashion. There is a need to provide customers with a convenient all-in-one solution that simplifies the task of dispensing and supplying items during populated or entertainment events, such as outdoor activities, games, or home parties. Current products on the market provide multiple entertainment amenities, however not in a single system. The alternative to using the entertainment docking system is providing each entertainment amenity separately, which takes up more space, is more timely and costly, and requires more personal resources to manage.
Thus, there is a need for an integrated entertainment docking system which overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies and other while providing better results.
Furthermore, it is desired to provide selected entertainment amenities in a single system that is adapted to a particular outing or function. For this reason, the entertainment docking system is adjustable and versatile to provide a selected combination of entertainment amenities depending on the particular event. Combinations of entertainment amenities are disclosed for a particular range of events.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an entertainment docking system. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an entertainment docking system has an ice chest, which serves as a base of the entertainment system, and a taper lock shaft, which is located in the center of the ice chest and projects upwardly approximately three to five feet.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the taper lock shaft is tapered to enable different entertainment amenities to be docked or undocked through a plurality of twist and lock or friction fit type seals.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an ice chest has a top lid.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an ash tray and a top holder are positioned and fastened onto an upper end of the taper lock shaft.
Another aspect of the disclosure is it is particularly fit for outdoor parties, which benefit from a mobile cooling unit and support structures for cooling and/or holding beverages and other items. However, this embodiment may also be used for different types of events.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an entertainment docking system has a base having an upper end and a lower end; a post having an upper end and a lower end extending from the lower end of the base wherein the lower end of the post is removably secured to the lower end of the base; a tray removably mounted to the post above the base; and a holder removably mounted to the upper end of the post.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, an entertainment docking system has a base; a tapered locking shaft having twist and lock ridges formed thereon and the shaft has a lower end secured to the base; a tray removably attached to the shaft having mounting twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperate with the ridges of the shaft; and a holder removably attached to an upper end of the shaft having mating twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperate with the ridges of the shaft.
Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the entertainment docking system;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an upper holder from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the upper holder from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an entertainment docking system. More particularly, it relates to an entertainment docking system that provides multiple entertainment amenities in an organized and accessible fashion. The system provides customers with a convenient all-in-one solution that simplifies the task of dispensing and supplying items during populated events, such as games, outdoor activities or home parties.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an entertainment docking system 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The system 10 includes a base 12 which serves as both a base of the docking system 10 and as a cooling unit. Preferably, the base 12 is thermally insulated and forms an ice or cooling insulated chest with a closed lower end 14 and an open upper end 16. The base 12 is preferably constructed out of light weight synthetic rubber polymers or plastics, however other materials are also contemplated.
A shaft 18 is positioned and located in the center of the base 12 and is secured to base lower end 14 and extends upwardly approximately three to five feet from the base. Other lengths are also contemplated by the disclosure. The shaft is preferably tapered and has a plurality of protrusions or tabs 19 which serve as a twisting and rotating locking feature in cooperation with recesses in tray and holder openings.
A plate or lid 20 for the base forms an airtight seal around the open upper end 16 of the base 12 and helps to maintain an isothermal environment for holding ice or anything else that needs to remain cool or chilled. The lid 20 preferably has a twist and lock style opening 22 having recesses 23 therein formed in the center of the lid for matingly engaging the tabs 19 of taper lock shaft 18. The lid 20 is placed on an upper end of the taper lock shaft 18, lowered down to upper open end 16 of the base 12, and twisted or rotated to form an airtight seal with both the shaft 18 and the lid 20 of base 12. A friction fit style opening on the lid 20 is also contemplated to form an airtight seal. When access to the inner contents of the base or ice chest 12 is desired, the lid 20 is translated or upwardly moved along the taper lock shaft 18 to provide access, and then translated or downwardly moved along the taper lock shaft 18 to re-establish an airtight seal between the lid and the base.
An upper tray 30 has a twist and lock style opening 32 having ridges or recesses 33 therein which is formed in the center of the tray for engaging the taper lock shaft 18. The tray 30 can serve as an ash tray, or card tray or to hold any other suitable items. The tray 30 is placed or inserted onto an upper end of the taper lock shaft 18 and lowered into position and twisted or rotated to keep its position fixed along the shaft 18. A friction fit style opening is also contemplated to secure the ash tray 30. The tray 30 is preferably constructed out of lightweight synthetic rubber polymers or plastic, however other materials are also contemplated. The tray 30 may include an insertable vegetable or condiment tray liner 34 which can be removably inserted into the tray 30. The vegetable tray liner 34 can also hold ice to help keep food cooled.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an upper or top holder 40 has a twist and lock style opening 42 with recesses 43 therein formed in the center for engaging upper end of the taper lock shaft 18. The holder 40 is placed on upper end of the taper lock shaft 18 and twisted or rotated to keep its position fixed on the upper end of the shaft 18. A friction fit style opening is also contemplated to secure the holder 40. The holder 40 can include a raised and tapered center 44 which facilitates the addition of other entertainment amenities on the holder 40 above the shaft 18. The holder 40 is also fabricated from light weight rubber polymers or plastic.
Referring to FIG. 2, an optional insert 46 having recesses 47 therein can be positioned and located in the center of the holder 40 such as for inserting and securing an umbrella within the raised and tapered center 44. An umbrella may be secured in the insert 46 by either a twist and lock or friction fit style seal. Four removable and releasable insulated drink holder inserts 48 are also illustrated, which are preferably made from lightweight materials that are suitable for thermal insulation. The holder inserts 48 are simply lifted into and out of openings 49 in holder 40. Openings 49 are formed in projecting arms 51. Four arms 51 are shown, but other numbers of arms are contemplated by the disclosure. Arms 51 are shown to have rounded edges 53, but other shapes are contemplated. More or less than four drink holder inserts 48 are also contemplated by the disclosure.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the holder 40 from FIG. 1 is illustrated in a top plan view with the raised and tapered center 44, the umbrella holder insert 46, four removable drink holder inserts 48, and four pockets or holders 50 for cigarettes, score cards, playing cards, or the like. The pocketed holders 50 are shown as rectangular but other shapes are contemplated by the disclosure. More or less than four drink holders 48 or pocketed holders 50 are also contemplated by the disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the holder 40 from FIG. 1 is illustrated in a side elevational view. The twist-and-lock style opening 42 for engaging the taper lock shaft 18 is located at a bottom center portion 52 of the holder 40. The taper lock shaft 18 is inserted through the opening 42, however, the shaft preferably does not continue past the vertical height or upper end 54 of the holder 40, stopping or terminating before the raised and tapered center 44. An unobstructed raised and tapered center 44 allows for the addition of entertainment amenities above the upper holder 40. A rounded or curved edge 60 located on the outer periphery of the drink holder inserts 48 provides an exemplary location for placing logos or symbols.
Although not shown in the foregoing Figures, it is intended that the entertainment docking system 10 can take on multiple embodiments depending on its intended use. For instance, common party amenities such as condiments, topical gels, sun glasses, towels, electric appliances, or the like, may in combination or on their own, be located on a separate support structure fixed along the taper lock shaft 18. Cooler climates may call for heating rather than cooling of items held within the docking system 10. The system is also contemplated to be used at night with lighting attached thereto. Also, the system may be used indoors such as to store pool sticks.
The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An entertainment docking system, comprising:

a base having an upper end and a lower end;

a post having an upper end and a lower end extending from said lower end of said base wherein said lower end of said post is removably secured to said lower end of said base;

a tray removably mounted to said post at a position above said base; and

a holder removably mounted to said upper end of said post above said tray.

2. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, comprising:

a plate removably secured to said upper end of said base forming a lid.

3. The entertainment docking system of claim 2, wherein

said plate has an opening with recesses therein for receiving said post.

4. The entertainment docking system of claim 3, wherein said tray has an opening with recesses for receiving said post.

5. The entertainment docking system of claim 4 wherein said holder has an opening with recesses for receiving said posts.

6. The entertainment docking system of claim 5, wherein said post has protrusions to form a locking mechanism with said recesses of said openings of said plate, said tray and said holder.

7. The entertainment docking system of claim 6, wherein said post is tapered to facilitate installation of said plate, said tray and said holder onto.

8. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said base is thermally insulated.

9. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said tray further comprises a removable tray liner.

10. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said base is fabricated from synthetic rubber or plastic material.

11. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said tray is fabricated from synthetic rubber or plastic material.

12. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said holder is fabricated from synthetic rubber or plastic material.

13. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said holder has a raised center portion.

14. The entertainment docking system of claim 13, wherein said holder comprises an insert with recesses therein for receiving an umbrella.

15. The entertainment docking system of claim 13, wherein said holder comprises a plurality of arms having openings therein.

16. The entertainment docking system of claim 15, wherein said holder comprises removable inserts received by said openings of said arms.

17. The entertainment docking system of claim 16 wherein said arms have rounded edges.

18. The entertainment docking system of claim 13, wherein said holder comprises pockets for receiving cards or other items.

19. The entertainment docking system of claim 18, wherein said pockets are substantially rectangular in configuration.

20. An entertainment docking system comprising:

a base;

a tapered locking shaft having twist and lock ridges formed thereon wherein said shaft has a lower end secured to said base;

a tray removably attached to said shaft having mounting twist and lock openings having recesses therein which cooperate with said twist and lock ridges of said shaft; and

a holder removably attached to an upper end of said shaft having mating twist and lock openings having recesses therein which cooperate with said twist and lock ridges of said shaft.