Beverage service station and bar

Abstract

The invention involves a beverage station and bar. The beverage station and bar is constructed from lightweight blow molded panels secured to a metal frame. This construction provides a structure that can be shipped to homes and assembled on site. Ballast containers that utilize locally sourced ballast material are securable within the base of the beverage station and bar to provide stability and reduce the tendency of the beverage station and bar to tip from users leaning against the structure during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage station and bar ( 100 ) comprising:
 a space frame ( 10 ), the space frame ( 10 ) constructed to provide structure for the attachment of interlocking outer panels ( 16 ), said space frame ( 10 ) forming a load bearing structure constructed and arranged to transfer loads to other portions of the space frame ( 10 ) to increase weight capacity and rigidity to the beverage station and bar ( 100 ),   a bar panel ( 18 ) secured to a spine portion ( 14 ) of the space frame ( 10 ) such that loads applied to the bar panel ( 18 ) are transferred through the space frame ( 10 ) and distributed to other portions of the beverage station and bar ( 100 ),   a plurality of interlocking panels ( 16 ) secured to a plurality of rib members ( 12 ), the rib members ( 12 ) secured to the spine ( 14 ) of the space frame ( 10 ), the panels ( 16 ) interlocked at least along the edges and secured to the space frame ( 10 ) to create a hybrid structure.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the spine ( 14 ) is oriented to be horizontal with respect to a ground surface and wherein the ribs are oriented to be vertical with respect to a ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the spine ( 14 ) includes at least two beams ( 30 ) and at least two cantilever beams ( 32 ). 
     
     
         4 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each cantilever beam ( 32 ) includes a balance beam ( 34 ), the balance beam ( 34 ) constructed and arranged to transfer unbalanced loads applied to the cantilever beams ( 32 ) to the rib members ( 12 ) as a torque. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the space frame ( 10 ) includes a base assembly ( 22 ) secured to a bottom portion ( 24 ) of the ribs ( 12 ). 
     
     
         6 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base assembly ( 22 ) includes a cross grid comprising at least two longitudinal members ( 26 ) and at least two cross members ( 28 ), the longitudinal members ( 26 ) and the cross members ( 28 ) secured together in a suitable manner to transfer load from the ribs ( 12 ) to the base assembly ( 22 ). 
     
     
         7 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  including a foot rail ( 36 ), the foot rail ( 36 ) secured to the interlocking panels ( 16 ). 
     
     
         8 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the foot rail ( 36 ) includes a plurality of base loops ( 38 ), the base loops ( 38 ) resting on a ground surface. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the base loops ( 38 ) increase the overall footprint of the beverage station and bar ( 100 ). 
     
     
         10 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1  including a plurality of support panels ( 42 ) positioned to extend rearwardly from the ribs ( 12 ), the support panels ( 42 ) extending vertically from a top surface ( 44 ) of a base panel ( 46 ) to a bottom surface ( 48 ) of a preparation surface ( 40 ), the preparation surface ( 40 ) positioned to be below the bar panel ( 18 ) and oriented parallel thereto. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 10  including at least one span beam ( 50 ), the span beam ( 50 ) secured to the bottom surface ( 48 ) of the preparation surface ( 40 ) and supported on an upper surface of the support panels ( 42 ). 
     
     
         12 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 10  including at least one drawer ( 52 ) positioned adjacent the support panels ( 42 ). 
     
     
         13 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the at least one drawer ( 52 ) is constructed from hollow blow molded drawer side panels ( 54 ) and hollow blow molded face panels ( 56 ). 
     
     
         14 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 13  wherein each blow molded panel includes a plurality of tack-offs ( 58 ) to add rigidity to the hollow panel. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage station and bar ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the tack-offs ( 58 ) are positioned in rows.