GB2257624A - Display receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A display receptacle 21 for engaging in an aperture in a garden table to accept the shaft of an umbrella or parasol comprises a central boss of 24 for engaging the table aperture, the boss being centrally open to accept the shaft (not shown) and a chamber 26 for material (eg. ornamental items, plants in growth medium, or food or drink) to display. The receptacle may have one or more lowered areas eg. for collection of liquids, and holes 29 for drainage. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY RECEPTACLE Garden parasols and the like may comprise canopies mounted on composite or integral shafts. Such a shaft may be located in an aperture comprised by position means for positioning e.g. a garden or conservatory parasol. Some examples of position means are garden or conservatory furniture (e.g. a table), the ground, and a support foot.

The aperture region where the shaft is located may be unsightly, e.g. the aperture region may be damaged and/or dirty through repeated use. Furthermore, a shaft portion adjacent the aperture region may be damaged and/or dirty through repeated use. It is possible at least one void may be between the located shaft and the aperture region, such that loose object(s) on e.g. a tabletop may fall into and otherwise interfere with the void(s), especially if the tabletop should be accidentally tilted. Sometimes, interfering object(s) may at least tend to jam the shaft into the aperture region.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a display receptacle (optionally a removable receptacle) for an aperture region of position means (optionally a table) for positioning a shaft (e.g. a shaft of a garden parasol), comprising: boss means for cooperating with the aperture region such that the shaft may pass through the boss means and thereby upwardly through the position means; at least one chamber for content(s); and at least one entrance for the at least one chamber, for enabling display of at least a portion of the content(s), the chamber having a floor optionally profiled to have at least one downward portion for providing at least one pocket region for said contents.

A second aspect of the invention provides a display method, comprising utilising a display receptacle of the first aspect of the invention.

The display receptacle may cooperate with the position means in any suitable manners. For example, during use, the display receptacle may be movably or statically located, e.g. the display receptacle may be rotated at least partly around the located shaft. If desired, at least one portion of the receptacle may enter the aperture of the position means, e.g. a portion of the boss means may enter the aperture. The receptacle may itself be an insert in the aperture, e.g. the position means may be a plant container into which the receptacle is to be inserted such that a shaft (e.g. a plant rod, stake, or stick) may be positioned in the container and pass upwardly through the boss means. The receptacle may have any suitable sizes. The receptacle may be a removable receptacle. But, it is possible for a receptacle to be permanently secured to the position means or to a locatable shaft.

The display receptacle may be embodied in various manners. Any embodiment may serve at least one display purpose. For example, a suitable embodiment may be a receptacle for decorations, drinks, foods, ornaments, or plants. When a receptacle is a plant receptacle, the content(s) may be chosen from e.g.: plant(s); plant portion(s); plant growth material(s) e.g. composts; plant support material(s) e.g. florists' block foams; and liquids. When a receptacle is a drinks or food receptacle, the content(s) may be chosen from e.g.: breads and rolls; drinks (e.g. removable by sucking a straw); fruits; nuts; vegetables. When a receptacle is a decorations or ornaments receptacle, the content(s) may be chosen from e.g.: pebbles or other attractive objects.

The receptacle may have any suitable appearance. For example, a plan view may be circular, elliptical, oblong, square, or any other required shape.

The boss means may be an integral or removable component of the receptacle. Preferably, the boss means is substantially centrally located of the receptacle. At least one portion of the boss means may be located above, in, or below the aperture in the position means. The top of the boss may project above the at least one chamber entrance. Some boss means are: collar means and sleeve means. If desired, at least a portion of the boss means may be adjustable, e.g. a collar means or sleeve means may have at least one adjustable end portion (e.g. resiliently adjustable or split) for aiding entrance of a shaft end into that portion. The boss means may cooperate in any suitable manner with the shaft. The boss means may be a gripping fit, loosef it, or any other suitable fit with the aperture and/or the shaft.If desired, the boss means may comprise at least one clamping means (e.g. screw means) for engaging the aperture and/or shaft. However, such a clamping means may be conveniently absent when the receptacle is to be rapidly removed from the position means and/or the shaft, e.g. when a garden parasol is to be dismounted during inclement weather. Preferably, the boss means is integral with the at least one chamber.

The at least one chamber may be a single annular chamber surrounding the boss means, e.g. in plan view a circular chamber irrespective of the general appearance of the receptacle. The at least one entrance may be an annular region upwardly open and surrounding the boss means. The floor of the annular chamber may be concave or otherwise sunk, or convex, domed or otherwise raised, or profiled to provide at least one pocket region.

Preferably, the at least one pocket region is an annular region at the periphery of the floor of the annular chamber.

The at least one pocket region may allow liquid content(s) to collect (e.g. adjacent or near the periphery of the floor), thereby constituting at least one reservoir from which liquid contents may be removed by capillary action of e.g. plant compost.

If desired, the content(s) received in the at least one pocket region may have weight for at least tending to stabilise seating of the receptacle.

If desired, the at least one chamber may comprise at least one partition means for providing compartments, e.g.

for different contents. The at least one partition means may be removable.

The receptacle may be made from any suitable materials, e.g. from chinas, earthenwares, glasses, metals, plastics, or terracottas. At least a portion of the receptacle may have predetermined visual properties chosen from e.g.: colour (e.g. white), opacity, transluscency, and transparency. Conveniently, the receptacle is a white plastics integral moulding.

If desired, the receptacle may comprise at least one drainage aperture for at least a portion of contents, e.g.

at least to aid or enable drainage of surplus rain water that may have entered the chamber. Drainage aperture(s) may have any suitable shapes, e.g. have circular shape(s).

There may be at least one plurality of the same or different kinds of drainage apertures. For example, there may be an annular array of drainage apertures surrounding the boss means, e.g. in a region relatively close to the boss means compared with the periphery of the receptacle.

The height(s) of the drainage aperture(s) above the lowest level of the pocket region(s) gives predetermined control of the amount of liquid content(s) that may be in the pocket region(s).

In the accompanying drawings, which are by way of example of the present invention: Fig. 1 shows a detail of a garden table, and a perspective view of one example of a removable receptacle for the table.

Fig. 2 is a top view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectioned side view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another example of a removable receptacle.

Fig. 7 is a top view corresponding to Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view corresponding to Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a sectioned side view corresponding to Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a side view of a further example of a removable receptacle.

In Figs. 1 to 5, a removable receptacle 1 is seatable on and over the aperture region 2 of the tabletop 3 of a garden table. A central boss 4 within receptacle 1 but projecting upwardly therefrom is seated on and over the aperture region 2 so that the shaft 5 of a garden parasol may pass upwardly through boss 4 and aperture region 2.

Receptacle 1 has an annular chamber 6 with an annular entrance 7 upwardly open and surrounding boss 4 (see Figs.

1, 5). Floor 8 of chamber 6 is convex, domed, or otherwise raised 9 to provide an annular pocket region 10 at periphery 11 of the floor. Contents may be received in chamber 6 and pocket region 10 via entrance 7. The open nature of entrance 7 allows at least a portion of the received content(s) to be displayed, e.g. flowers may project from entrance 7 or content(s) may be seen by looking into entrance 7.

In Figs. 6 to 10, a removable receptacle 21 corresponding to receptacle 1 of Figs 1 to 5 is seatable on and over the aperture region 2 of the tabletop 3 of a garden table. A central boss 24 within receptacle 21 but projecting upwardly therefrom is seated on and over the aperture region 2 so that the shaft 5 of a garden parasol may pass upwardly through aperture region 22. Receptacle 21 has an annular chamber 26 with an annular entrance 27 upwardly open and surrounding boss 24 (see Figs. 6,10).

Floor 28 of chamber 26 is convex, domed, or otherwise raised 29 to provide an annular pocket region 30 at periphery 31 of the floor. Floor 28 has at least one annular array of circular drainage apertures 32 surrounding the base of boss 24. The heights of drainage apertures 32 above the lowest level of annular pocket region 30 gives predetermined control of the amount of liquid content(s) that may be in the pocket regions.

There may be any suitable number of drainage apertures 29, e.g. eight as shown. Contents may be received in chamber 26 and pocket region 30 via entrance 27. The open nature of entrance 27 allows at least a portion of the received contents to be displayed, e.g. flowers may project from entrance 27 or contents(s) may be seen by looking into entrance 7.

Fig. 11 corresponds to Figs. 1 to 6 or Figs. 6 to 10.

Fig. 11 shows a removable receptacle 41 that may be seated in a plant pot or tub. A garden rod, stake, or stick, etc. may be located in the pot or tub via the projecting boss 44.

The present invention as exemplified in the drawings may be embodied and used in any suitable manner as described above before the first reference to the drawings.

The present invention includes equivalents and modifications within the disclosures of the present application.

The position means may be embodied in any suitable manner, e.g. be garden or conservatory furniture, for instance a table for a parasol to be used in a conservatory, a garden, or by a swimming pool, etc.

Claims (20)

1. A display receptacle (optionally a removable receptacle) for an aperture region of position means (optionally a table) for positioning a shaft (optionally a shaft of a garden parasol), comprising: boss means for cooperating with the aperture region such that the shaft may pass through the boss means and thereby upwardly through the position means; at least one chamber for content(s); and at least one entrance for the at least one chamber, for enabling display of at least a portion of the content(s), the chamber having a floor optionally profiled to have at least one downward portion for providing at least one pocket region for said contents.

2. A display receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is adapted to be movably or statically located around said shaft.

3. A display receptacle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one portion of said receptacle is adapted to seat on and over the aperture region of said position means.

4. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said display receptacle is adapted to be an insert in said aperture.

5. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said boss means is an integral or removable component of said receptacle.

6. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said boss means is substantially centrally located of said receptacle.

7. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the top of said boss means projects above said at least one chamber entrance.

8. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said boss means is integral with said at least one chamber.

9. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said at least one chamber is an annular chamber surrounding said boss means.

10. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said at least one chamber entrance is an annular region upwardly open and surrounding said boss means.

11. A display receptacle as claimed in claim 10, when according to claim 9, wherein the floor of said annular chamber is adapted to provide said at least one pocket region.

12. A display receptacle as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one pocket region is an annular region at the periphery of the floor of said annular chamber.

13. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said at least one pocket region constitutes at least one reservoir.

14. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one drainage aperture.

15. A display receptacle as claimed in claim 14, wherein there is an annular array of drainage apertures surrounding said boss means.

16. A display receptacle as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the height(s) of said at least one drainage aperture above the lowest level of said at least one pocket region gives predetermined control of the amount of liquid content(s) that may be in said pocket region(s).

17. A display receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, when cooperating with said position means and said shaft, said position means optionally being a table, and said shaft optionally being the shaft of a garden parasol.

18. A display receptacle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A display receptacle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A display receptacle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 11 of the accompanying drawings.