Table for food preparation and/or consumption

Abstract

A table, for either indoor or outdoor use, may comprise a generally flat table top that can be stably positioned horizontally, or substantially horizontally, at a suitable height by a support system comprising at least two vertical, or substantially vertical, table top support members (e.g., two load-bearing members with stabilizing footing or plate at the floor or ground or a sufficient number of individual support legs). The table may be configured such that at least one food container or cooking tray may be received and stably held above and proximate the at least one aperture through which heat may be supplied from underneath by a cooking system comprising at least one heat-adjustable, regulated heat source, which is at least partially shielded by a heat shroud configured to provide a heat-insulating air barrier for reducing or preventing heat radiation to structural areas of the table.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A table comprising:
 (a) a generally flat table top comprising at least one aperture, wherein a peripheral portion of the table adjacent to the at least one aperture is configured to receive and stably hold at least one cooking tray;   (b) a support system comprising at least two vertical, or substantially vertical, support members for stably positioning the generally flat table top in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position at an elevated height; and   (c) at least one cooking system comprising at least one adjustable gas burner heat source positioned underneath the at least one aperture for providing heat through the at least one aperture and to the at least one cooking tray;   wherein the adjustable gas burner heat source is at least partially shielded with a heat shroud configured to provide a heat-insulative air barrier for reducing or preventing heat radiation to structural areas of the table.   
     
     
         2 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein the cooking tray is a chafing dishes comprising a perforated inner tray. 
     
     
         3 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein the heat shroud is made from a noncombustible material. 
     
     
         4 . A table comprising:
 (a) a generally flat table top comprising at least one aperture, wherein a peripheral portion of the table adjacent the at least one aperture is configured to receive and stably hold at least one cooking tray;   (b) a frame structure comprising (i) a plurality of vertical, or substantially vertical, support members for stably positioning the generally flat table top in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position at an elevated height and (ii) a plurality of horizontal, or substantially horizontal, beam members, wherein the beam members are made from a noncombustible material; and   (c) at least one cooking system comprising at least one adjustable gas burner heat source positioned underneath the at least one aperture for providing heat through the at least one aperture and to the at least one cooking tray, wherein the at least one adjustable gas burner heat source is at least partially shielded with a heat shroud configured to provide an insulative air barrier for reducing or preventing heat radiation to structural areas of the table.   
     
     
         5 . A table according to  claim 4 , wherein the frame structure comprises an outer frame structure comprising pressure-treated wood beam members and pressure-treated wood support legs and an inner frame structure comprising milled steel beam members. 
     
     
         6 . A table according to  claim 4 , wherein the generally flat table top is comprised of concrete fibrous board material. 
     
     
         7 . A table according to  claim 4 , wherein the heat shroud defines heat shielding or heat breaks in the form of a  16 -gauge steel apron placed around the perimeter of a recessed well in the aperture of the generally flat table top, the recessed well being configured to receive the cooking tray, pot, pan, or dish. 
     
     
         8 . A table according to  claim 7 , wherein brackets are attached to the heat shroud for holding the at least one adjustable gas burner heat source. 
     
     
         9 . A table according to  claim 7 , wherein the recessed well is configured to receive at least one chafing pan. 
     
     
         10 . A table according to  claim 9 , wherein the chafing pan rests on or is cantilevered or suspended by the heat shroud. 
     
     
         11 . A table according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat shroud is configured to provide an insulative air barrier of at least about ¾″. 
     
     
         12 . A table according to  claim 7 , wherein the cooking system is capable of providing up to about 200,000 BTUs. 
     
     
         13 . The table of  claim 4 , wherein the cooking tray is a chafing dishes comprising a perforated inner tray. 
     
     
         14 . The table of  claim 4 , wherein the heat shroud is made from a noncombustible material.