Abstract:
A cooler and tackle box combination includes a compartmentalized utility box, having a cooler section, a bait storage section, and a caddy section. The cooler section is provided with a cushioned seat attached to a top portion thereof. The cooler section is insulated and used to store and transport items desired to be maintained at certain temperatures. The caddy section is provided with trays and drawers to hold a plurality of tackle, fishing, or hunting gear. An outer side surface of the box is provided with a plurality of fastening mechanisms to removably secure fishing rods. The box is provided with an elongated pivoting and extendable handle and a plurality of wheels for transport.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/934,097, filed Jan. 31, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus that functions as a combination cooler and tackle box. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fishing is an intricate activity that encompasses many thousands of styles of equipment and strategies. The list of common equipment that is necessary to enjoy and succeed at fishing is seemingly endless. This list includes fishing poles, tackle boxes, bait boxes, chairs, hooks, rods, sinkers, bobbers, bait, lures, and the like. The long list of equipment and supplies that the fisherman has to carry sometimes creates a burden that can tend to spoil that enjoyment, calmness, and simplicity that are associated with fishing. While a fishing tackle box provides a great means of organizing such fishing materials and supplies, depending on the user&#39;s methods and intent, a cooler must be carried separately. Each of these devices provides different benefits in terms of permanent storage for inanimate accessories for the tackle box versus refreshments and a space to hold the caught fish for preservation. However, just these two (2) devices already occupy the available hands of a single fisherman additional items, such as rods and chairs, quickly become unduly cumbersome when attempting to transport their equipment to a fishing spot. This is doubly true in the cases where the fisherman&#39;s point of arrival is distant from their fishing spot or when the fisherman likes to move about on a regular basis, particularly in dark conditions. Accordingly, there is a need for a combination cooler and tackle box by which a fisherman can easily and effectively store and transport all of the necessary angling equipment in a manner that overcomes the problems above. The development of the cooler fulfills this need. 
     The device is a combination cooler and tackle box specifically configured to compartmentalize storage areas within a cavity portion thereof. The storage areas comprise a cooler compartment, a bait compartment, and a tackle compartment. Each compartment is separate and distinct so as to prevent infiltration of items and fluids from one (1) compartment to the other. At least the cooler compartment is insulated to impede heat transfer into and out from the cavity defined by that compartment. Each compartment is provided with a hinged lid or door that is secured by a latch. At least one (1) top lid is further provided with cushions for comfortable seating. Other features of the device include transport wheels, an extendable pull handle, pull-out tackle box drawers, and a drain. A plurality of rod holders is disposed on an outer surface of the device to removably retain at least one (1) fishing rod. The tackle box drawers further enable reconfiguration of storage sections within the drawers to accommodate items of various sizes. 
     Prior art in this field consists of coolers that double as a tackle box but such devices fail to isolate the compartments adequately to prevent infiltration of items and fluids from one compartment to the other. A further disadvantage exhibited by the prior art is the requirement to stack the tackle on top of the cooler region so as to force a user to remove tackle before gaining access to the cooler. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a chest that serves as cooler, a bait holder, and a tackle box in one (1) convenient unit. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable isolation of each holding region without detracting from access to each region and ease of use of the unit. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a pullout drawer assembly to the tackle box section to enable greater accessibility and storage capacity. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to afford the ability to reconfigure the pullout drawer assembly to accommodate various sized and shaped tackle. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to equip the chest with a wheel assembly and a carry handle to assist with maneuverability of the device. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a means to carry fishing rods along an exterior of the chest. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable the top of the chest to double as a cushioned seat and a lid for the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device is a combination cooler and tackle box comprising a cooler chest with a plurality of lids hingedly attached to a top portion thereof. Sidewalls of the cooler chest are insulated to impede heat transfer. The cooler chest is divided into a cooler compartment, a bait compartment, and a tackle box compartment. This bait compartment has a bait insert to serve as a tray for the bait compartment. Subjacent to the bait compartment is a tackle box, which is accessed via a tackle box door hingedly attached to a side portion of the cooler chest. A tackle box drawer is disposed within the tackle box and slidably extends and retracts from the tackle box. The tackle box drawer has reconfigurable compartment sections to enable a user to tailor the size and shape of the compartment sections to accommodate various sized and shaped tackle equipment. 
     Pivotally attached to an outer surface of the cooler chest is a carrying handle that is also extendable and retractable. A bottom of the cooler chest is equipped with a wheel assembly and a stand. The wheel assembly assists a user in transporting the device while pulling it with the carrying handle. The stand supports the device in a level orientation due to the rise in elevation that the wheels create at one (1) end of the device. A cushion seat is disposed on at least one (1) of the top lids to provide a seating surface. A drain is formed into a sidewall of the cooler chest, and is preferably located within the cooler compartment. This drain is further provided with a plug to selectively permit flow of fluids from within the cooler compartment and to the outside of the device. A plurality of rod holders is disposed on an outer surface of the device to removably retain at least one (1) fishing rod via elastic ties. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  depicted with a cooler compartment lid  41 , a bait compartment lid  51 , and a tackle box door  62  open in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view along a line A-A as shown on  FIG. 1  cut through the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view along line B-B as shown on  FIG. 4  cut through the extendable handle assembly  90  of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an isolated view of a drawer insert  70  of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  depicted with a tackle box drawer  71  slid out and a drawer lid  82  pivoted open in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of the features in a tackle box drawer  71  of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  depicted with another tackle box drawer  71  open in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of a drawer lid pivot  76  of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the rear of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  illustrating a system of rod holders  90  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view of a fishing rod holder  90  of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a detail view of a fishing rod holder  90  with a tie  97  and an eye  98  extended for the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 13  is a section view along line C-C as shown in  FIG. 11  cut through the rod holder  90  of the combination cooler and tackle box  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  combination cooler and tackle box 
               20  cooler chest 
               21  shell 
               22  interior 
               23  cavity 
               24  sidewall 
               25  bottom 
               26  axle 
               27  wheel 
               28  hub 
               29  stand 
               31  carrying handle 
               32  handle pivot 
               33  handle fastener 
               36  drain 
               37  drain plug 
               40  cooler compartment 
               41  cooler compartment lid 
               42  lid hinge 
               43  fastener 
               44  seat 
               45  latch assembly 
               46  latch strike 
               48  dividing wall 
               50  bait compartment 
               51  bait compartment lid 
               53  bait compartment insert 
               60  tackle box 
               62  tackle box door 
               63  door hinge 
               64  hinge fastener 
               65  door latch 
               68  tackle box roof 
               69  cavity bottom 
               70  drawer insert 
               71  tackle box drawer 
               72  support post 
               73   a  longitudinal drawer divider 
               73   b  lateral drawer divider 
               74  counterfort 
               75  drawer pivot support 
               76  pivot aperture 
               77  drawer slide 
               78  drawer handle 
               79  insert fastener 
               82  drawer lid 
               83  lid edge 
               84  lid pivot 
               85  pivot knuckle 
               86  pivot pin 
               87  offset 
               90  rod holder 
               92  button 
               93  button cup 
               94  button fastener 
               95  first groove 
               96  second groove 
               97  tie 
               98  eye 
               100  fishing rod 
               110  extendable handle assembly 
               111  handle housing 
               112  extendable handle 
               113  extendable handle stop 
               114  handle slide way 
               115  handle aperture 
               116  handle aperture seal 
               117  slide way plug 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 13 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under the scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a combination cooler and tackle box (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means to transport various lures, hooks, sinkers and other items requisite to engage in the sport of fishing, including a certain amount of live bait and fishing rods, with or without attached reels, plus chilled food and/or beverages, and ice from one location to another. Reference in this embodiment to the front of the device  10  will indicated the sidewall  24  opposite of the lid hinges  42 . The right side of the device  10  will correspond to the user&#39;s right side while standing in front of and facing the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of the device  10  in various arrangements, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  includes a cooler chest  20  configured with an exterior shell  21 , an interior  22 , and a plurality of hinged, attached lids  41  and  51 . The cooler chest  20  includes a bottom  25  and sidewalls  24  which define the interior cavity  22 . The bottom  25  and sidewalls  24  are preferably made of a formed thermoplastic material with thermally insulating properties and as such can be presented in a variety of colors. The cooler chest  20  is separated longitudinally into a cooler compartment  40  and a bait compartment  50  by a dividing wall  48 . A tackle box  60  is disposed in a cavity  23  subjacent to the bait compartment  50  and is accessed by a tackle box door  62 . 
     The bottom  25  of the cooler chest  20  is of sufficient thickness to adequately support an axle  26 . The centerline of the axle  26  is configured to be held perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device  10 . A wheel  27  approximately six inches (6 in.) in diameter, preferably comprised of a nylon material, is attached to either end of the axle  26  and retained thereon with a hub  28 . The wheels  27  provide a means for transporting the device  10  without entirely lifting the device  10 . The hub  28  is preferably configured to have an interference spring tab. However, any other type of retention device, or hub, such as a snap ring or a threaded fastener, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     A carrying handle  31  is attached to supportive handle pivots  32 , as more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 3 , by means of handle fasteners  33  located on each of the opposing narrow sidewalls  24  for lifting or carrying the device  10 . The carrying handle  31  is preferably composed of a rigid thermoplastic material and molded generally as a “C”-shape with a sufficient draw to pivot in front of, or to the rear of, the cooler chest  20  without interfering with the closed lids  41 , and  51 . 
     A stand  29  is disposed along at least a portion of a right side edge of the bottom  25  for maintaining the device  10  at a generally level orientation when the device  10  is not being transported. 
     The cooler chest  20  is provided with a cooler compartment lid  41  and a bait compartment lid  51 . These lids  41  and  51  are preferably composed of a formed thermoplastic material with thermally insulating properties in keeping with the sidewalls  24 . The cooler compartment lid  41  and the bait compartment lid  51  are pivotally attached to the rear sidewall  24  of the shell  21  by a plurality of lid hinges  42 . These lid hinges  42  are attached first to the shell  21  and then to the lids  41  and  51  with threaded fasteners  43  which are preferably composed of an aluminum alloy or another metal with a plating to inhibit corrosion. The lid hinges  42  may be provided with any additional provisions necessary to limit the extent to which lids  41  and  51  are capable of being opened; however, it is understood that any such eventualities do not modify the scope or intent of the present device  10  and this preferred embodiment does not preclude any other embodiment. 
     A cushioned seat  44 , preferably in the form of a vinyl covered foam pad, is attached to at least the cooler compartment lid  41 , preferably by means of an adhesive bond, to provide a comfortable place for a user to sit. This cushioned seat  44  may also be attached to the bait compartment lid  51 . 
     A plurality of over-center, spring-biased, latch assemblies  45  is deployed along the upper front sidewall  24  of the shell  21  and can engage the corresponding latch strikes  46  located on the cooler compartment lid  41  and the bait compartment lid  51  to secure those lids  41 ,  51  in a closed position. The latch assemblies  45  could be comprised of any other suitable latching mechanism, such as hasp-type latches, toggle latches, cam latches, or the like without violating the form of this embodiment. 
     The cooler compartment  40  includes a drain  36  formed into the shell  21  and which can be plugged with an integrally attached drain plug  37 . The drain  36  provides an operable means to dispose of any unwanted liquid from the cooler compartment  40  to the outside of the device  10 . 
     Disposed upon the front sidewall  24  is the tackle box door  62  which provides access to the tackle box  60 , as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 8 . The tackle box door  62  is pivotally attached to the front sidewall  24  by means of at least one (1) door hinge  63 , which is preferably comprised of a non-reactive metal, or a metal with a plating to inhibit corrosion. Other materials may be utilized in the fabrication of the door hinge  63 , such as a thermoplastic material, without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The door hinge  63  is secured to the tackle box door  62  and the front sidewall  24  by means of a plurality of hinge fasteners  64 . The hinge fasteners  64  may be of the same style as the fasteners  43  provided for the lid hinges  42  or may alternately be configured with a different head style without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The tackle box door  62  is normally held in the closed position by a door latch  65 . The door latch  65  is preferably a cam-type latch, but may be a hasp-type latch, a toggle latch or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view along line A-A as seen in  FIG. 1  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The bait compartment  50  is preferably located in the space superjacent to the tackle box  60  and is provided for carrying live bait or chum in a separate contained area away from the cooler compartment  40 . A bait compartment insert  53  is removably disposed in the bait compartment  50  for the purpose of facilitating the eventual cleaning of the bait compartment  50 . The bait compartment insert  53  is preferably fabricated from stainless steel and stamped to conform to the general dimensions of the bait compartment  50 . It is understood that other materials, such as alternate metals or a thermoplastic, may be utilized in the fabrication of the bait compartment insert  53  without limiting the scope of the device  10 . Furthermore, it is understood that the device  10  may be configured without the bait compartment insert  53 , if desired, without limiting the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a section view along the line B-B, as seen on  FIG. 4 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  includes an extendable handle assembly  110  comprised of a handle housing  111  with a handle slide way  114 . An extendable handle assembly  110  is attached to the right sidewall  24  for providing the impetus for motion as well as controlling the direction and speed of travel of the device  10 . The handle housing  111  can be integrally molded with the shell  21  during fabrication of the device  10 . The extendable handle  112  retracts downwardly within the handle housing  111  when not in use, as seen in  FIG. 1 , and extends upwardly into the deployed position when in use. The extendable handle  112  includes a pair of vertical supports and a horizontal grip connected between upper ends of the vertical supports. The vertical supports move along the interior vertical handle slide way  114  formed into the handle housing  111 . An extendable handle stop  113  is placed horizontally on the ends of the vertical supports of the extendable handle  112  to limit the upward travel of the extendable handle  112 . The geometry of the handle slide way  114  in the handle housing  111  is configured to be sufficient to accommodate the extendable handle stop  113  for the majority of the upward travel, but then terminate to limit the travel and keep the extendable handle  112  from becoming dislodged from the handle housing  111 . That distance between the terminus of the handle slide way  114  and the top of the handle housing  111  would be provided with two (2) handle apertures  115  to accommodate the vertical supports of the extendable handle  112 . The top of the handle apertures  115  are preferably provided with handle aperture seals  116  which would seal around the vertical supports of the extendable handle  112  to exclude debris and moisture from entering the handle slide way  114 . The handle aperture seals  116  will provide a sufficient interference fit around the vertical supports of the extendable handle  112  to retain the extendable handle  112  in the up position while also allowing it to easily be pushed downward when not in use. A slide way plug  117  is inserted into the lower open end of the handle slide way  114  after the extendable handle stop  113  is installed on the extendable handle  112  at the time of manufacturing to keep out debris or other foreign matter. It is understood that the device  10  may be configured without the extendable handle assembly  110 , if desired, thereby limiting the mode of transportation of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an isolated view of a drawer insert  70 , and  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of the device  10 , depicted with another tackle box drawer  71  in an open configuration, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Disposed within the cavity  23  of the tackle box  60  is a drawer insert  70 . The drawer insert  70  includes at least four (4) support posts  72  from which a plurality of paired drawer slides  77  are suspended. The purpose of these drawer slides  77  is to provide the means of extending the tackle box drawers  71  out of the tackle box  60  for convenient access to the stored items. The drawer slides  77  are a type of slide roller bearing typically manufactured with an outer race, an inner race, and a sliding race complete with captured ball bearings, and an integral stop mechanism to limit the extension of the races. However, roller wheels and formed slide rails could alternately be utilized, among other techniques, as a means of providing the necessary support and mobility for the tackle box drawers  71  without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The outer races are attached to the support posts  72  preferably with threaded fasteners while the inner races are attached to the sides of the respective tackle box drawers  71  by a similar means. The support posts  72  are attached to the tackle box roof  68  and the cavity bottom  69  of the tackle box  60  by means of a plurality of threaded insert fasteners  79 . 
     The tackle box drawers  71  are preferably composed of a rigid thermoplastic and formed in an injection molding process. The tackle box drawers can be fabricated from a translucent or an opaque polymer and as such may be presented in a wide variety of colors. The tackle box drawers  71  will generally be of the same width and length, however, the depth may be variable throughout the drawer insert  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The tackle box drawers  71  are preferably fabricated with integral counterforts  74 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , to support the insertion of longitudinal drawer dividers  73   a  as well as lateral drawer dividers  73   b . The counterfort  74  is a type of partial wall support buttress that is configured to structurally retain and reinforce a wall, in this case the applicable drawer dividers  73   a , and  73   b . The longitudinal drawer dividers  73   a  would additionally be provided with integral counterforts  74  located appropriately to coincide with the locations of counterforts  74  along the walls of the tackle box drawers  71  to retain the lateral drawer dividers  73   b . The drawer dividers  73   a  and  73   b  may be of a height to exactly match the depth of the tackle box drawer  71  into which the dividers  73   a  and  73   b  are inserted, or the may be shorter depending upon the contents and the taste of the user. The drawer dividers  73   a  and  73   b  may be inserted as shown in  FIG. 8  to evenly transect the space within the tackle box drawer  71 . Alternately, any lateral drawer divider  73   b  may be omitted to create larger sections to accommodate items of a greater size. A longitudinal drawer divider  73   a  may also be truncated or foreshortened after a pair of counterforts  74  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to create an even larger space. The tackle box drawer  71  may be provided with any relief or reinforcement rib as deemed necessary without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     Disposed upon the front of each tackle box drawer  71  is a drawer handle  78  to facilitate the opening and closing thereof. The drawer handle  78  may be any formed thermoplastic, or metal, pull device attached to the tackle box drawer  71  by any suitable means. 
     Located on the rear of each tackle box drawer  71  is a matched pair of drawer pivot supports  75  as seen in  FIG. 9 . These drawer pivot supports  75  are configured to be projections of the rear wall of the tackle box drawer  71 . The drawer pivot supports  76  are provided with pivot apertures  76  into which a pivot pin  86  is engaged with a sliding fit. The pivot pin  86  is disposed in the pivot knuckle  85  attached to the drawer lid  82 . The drawer lid  82  lies over the top of the tackle box drawer  71  to cover the contents therein. This drawer lid  82  is primarily intended to restrain the contents of the tackle box drawer  71  from being dislodged while the device  10  is being jostled such as during transport. The drawer lid  82  is preferably a molded thermoplastic part configured to be generally planar with the lid edges  83  turned down perpendicularly to the top. The lid edges  83  are extended toward the rear of the tackle box drawer  71  and further developed into a lid pivot  84  to incorporate a pivot knuckle  85 . The pivot knuckle  85  is generally a cylinder into which a first end of the pivot pin  86  is pressed. The pivot pin  86  is thus secured in the pivot knuckle  85  while the second end is engaged into the pivot aperture  76  of the corresponding drawer pivot support  75 . In this configuration the drawer lid  82  can be pivoted to an open position allowing access to the contents of the tackle box drawer  71  or to a closed position. Disposed along the front edge of the drawer lid  82  is an offset  87  which is a slightly raised indentation that would separate a portion of the drawer lid  82  from the tackle box drawer  71  to permit a finger hold for raising the drawer lid  82 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a perspective view of the rear of the device  10 , and  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   , detail views of a rod holder  90  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Disposed along the exterior of the rear sidewall  24  is a plurality of rod holders  90  arranged in at least two (2) vertically aligned rows and having at least two (2) rod holders  90  in each row. The rod holders  90  are configured as buttons  92  having a modified cylindrical shape. The buttons  92  are preferably composed of a molded, rigid thermoplastic material. It is understood that different materials, such as a metal casting, could also be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . Each button  92  has a through hole with a countersunk button cup  93  at a first end as seen in  FIG. 13 . The countersunk button cup  93  would preferably accommodate a threaded button fastener  94  with a socket head. The button fastener  94  would be used to secure the rod holders  90  to the sidewall  24 . Disposed on the outer diameter of the button  92  are a first groove  95  and a second groove  96 . An elastic tie  97  is fixed in the second groove  96  by having a first end permanently attached, or molded, to a portion of the length so as to form a restrictive loop. A second end of the tie  97  would be configured to have an eye  98 . This eye  97  would be a somewhat less restrictive loop which could be expanded to deform around the outside diameter of the button  92  and then relax to fit into the first groove  95  so as to have formed an encircling wrap around an extended cylindrical object such as a fishing rod  100 . In this manner fishing rods  100  could be removable secured to the device  10  so as to be coincidentally transported on the fishing expedition. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be configured as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the operational steps may be performed in alternative order and as such any operational description of use should not be viewed as a limiting factor. The first step would, of course, be acquiring a model of the device  10  having the desired options and style to suit the user&#39;s taste. 
     The multiple-compartment configuration of the interior  22  allows the device  10  to perform multiple storage tasks. The cooler compartment  40  can be used to store various foodstuffs in a cold environment by placing ice or an ice/water mixture within the cooler compartment  40 . The bait compartment  50 , with the bait compartment insert  53  can be used to store either live bait or chum for the purpose of enticing game fish to place a hook into their mouth and subsequently be caught. Alternately, when the bait is expended or no longer deemed necessary, the bait compartment insert  53  may be emptied and used to store a portion of the catch as may fit in that volume. 
     The tackle box  60  can accommodate such items as lures, hooks, leaders, bobbers, and sinkers in any or all of the tackle box drawers  71 . The previously mention items can be accessed by placing the device  10  on a fairly flat, level support surface; disengaging the door latch  65 ; opening the tackle box door  62 ; sliding the appropriate tackle box drawer  71  forward from the drawer insert  70  as shown in  FIG. 8 ; raising the drawer lid  82 ; selecting the desired item; lowering the drawer lid  82  against the tackle box drawer  71 ; sliding the tackle box drawer  71  back into the drawer insert  70 ; closing the tackle box door  62 ; and engaging the door latch  65 . 
     The device  10  can be transported from one location to another by picking the device  10  up by the carrying handle  31 . The device  10  can also be moved about on the wheels  27  attached to the bottom  25  of the shell  21  by manipulating the extendable handle  112 . The user can enjoy fishing activities while comfortably seated on the padded seat  44 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.