Cooler with game lid

A cooler can include a game table formed in a top surface thereof. The game table can include a game surface surrounded by side walls about its perimeter for storage of the game elements and to prevent game elements, such as game balls, from escaping from the recessed game surface. The game surface can include elements for various games, including foosball, hockey, football, pool, craps, roulette, chess, checkers, backgammon or the like. In some embodiments, the game elements may be interchanged to provide multiple different games that can be played in the recessed gaming surface. In some embodiments, game players may be disposed on arms that extend across the game table in a manner similar to conventional foosball players. Such arms may be made removable to permit changing between game player-based games and games that can be played directly on the recessed surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application number 29/699,117, filed Jul. 23, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to recreation devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a cooler having a game lid that can be used to play various games.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

Coolers are used for many occasions and outings, including picnics, holidays, beach visits and the like. Further, on such outings, people can often bring games to play at these occasions and outings, requiring separate elements for each game, often required to be carried separately.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a cooler that can include game elements to provide a single, integrated storage and entertainment solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a cooler comprising a cooler body; a cooler top at least partially removable from the cooler body, the cooler top covering the cooler body to create a space therein; side walls extending upward from an outer perimeter of the cooler top; and a game surface formed on top of the cooler top, the game surface being recessed and surrounded by the side walls.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a cooler comprising a cooler body; a cooler top at least partially removable from the cooler body, the cooler top covering the cooler body to create a space therein; side walls extending upward from an outer perimeter of the cooler top; a game surface formed on top of the cooler top, the game surface being recessed and surrounded by the side walls; a plurality of tubes extending between opposite pairs of side walls; and a plurality of game players, at least one game player disposed on each of the plurality of tubes, the plurality of game players configured to cause an interaction with a game piece disposed on the game surface, wherein the plurality of tubes are movable to move the plurality of game players in a first direction, and the plurality of tubes are further movable to move the plurality of game players in a second direction, at least one of the first and second directions causing an interaction with the game piece.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a cooler comprising a cooler body; a cooler top at least partially removable from the cooler body, the cooler top covering the cooler body to create a space therein; side walls extending upward from an outer perimeter of the cooler top; and a game surface formed on top of the cooler top, the game surface being recessed and surrounded by the side walls, wherein the game surface is selected from a board game surface, a gambling game surface and a pool table surface.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a cooler that can include a game table formed in a top surface thereof. The game surface can include side walls for storage of the game elements and to prevent game elements, such as game balls, from escaping from the recessed game surface. The game surface can include elements for various games, including foosball, hockey, football, pool, craps, roulette, chess, checkers, backgammon or the like. In some embodiments, the game elements may be interchanged to provide multiple different games that can be played in the recessed gaming surface. In some embodiments, game players may be disposed on arms that extend across the game table in a manner similar to conventional foosball players. Such arms may be made removable to permit changing between game player-based games and games that can be played directly on the recessed surface. A lid may be provided over the game table to prevent loss of game elements during transport.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 10, a cooler and game combination device10, also referred to as a game-cooler10, or simply cooler10, can include a cooler body12having an interior space12A defined by insulated side walls12B and an insulated base12C. A cooler top14may fit over an open end of the cooler body12to enclose the interior space12A. Typically, the cooler top14is at least partially insulated. A hinge area24, as best seen inFIG. 10, may permit a hinged connection between the cooler body12and the cooler top14. While the hinge area24is shown along a lengthwise edge of the cooler body12and cooler top14, the hinge area24may be disposed along a widthwise edge to create a similar function for providing access to the interior space12A of the cooler body12.

The cooler body12may be disposed on a cooler stand16. While the Figures show one particular embodiment of a cooler stand, it should be understood that the stand may take various forms as may be contemplated by one skilled in the art. Wheels18may be disposed on the cooler stand16for portability. The wheels18shown in the Figures may be useful on smooth or hard surfaces. The wheels14may be larger and/or wider, for example, for use on a sandy surface, such as a beach. The cooler stand16can include a lower shelf20positioned under the cooler body12when the cooler body12is disposed on the cooler stand16.

A plurality of stand connectors22may be disposed between the cooler stand16and the cooler body12. The stand connectors22may be useful for attaching and removing the cooler body12from the cooler stand16. In some embodiments, the stand connectors22may create a fixed attachment between the cooler stand16and the cooler body12. In other embodiments, the attachment may be a removable attachment, via various connections, such a twist lock, a pin and recess, a threaded connection, or the like.

The cooler top14can includes a game table34formed therein. The cooler top14can include a plurality of side walls30extending upward from the cooler top14. Typically, the side walls30are formed integrally with the cooler top14. However, in some embodiments, the side walls30may be removably attached to the cooler top14. The side walls30may extend upward about an entirety of the outer perimeter of the cooler top14, forming a recessed game area36therein. In some embodiments, at least two opposite ends of the side walls30, also referred to an end walls32, on an interior portion thereof, may be cut out to form a cut out region that may be used as a goal, a storage area, or the like, as discussed in greater detail below.

Various games can be set up on the game table34, as discussed in greater detail below. These games may take advantage of the recessed game surface36so that game balls, game pieces, and the like, are not lost should the cooler10be moved or shifted.

InFIGS. 1 through 10, a foosball game may be configured on the game table34. Foosball players40may be disposed on sliding tubes42having handles44on ends thereof. A goal46may be formed by a cutout on an interior of opposing widthwise end walls32. As in a conventional foosball game, a user may twist the handles44to cause the foosball players40to rotate on an axis defined by the axis of the sliding tubes42.

InFIGS. 11 and 12, the game table34may be configured into a hockey game. In this embodiment, the foosball players may be replaced by hockey players50, each having a hockey stick52. A hockey puck56may be slid along the game surface36. In some embodiments, a space54may be formed between the ends of the hockey players50and the game surface36, where the space54may be sized to permit the hockey puck56to slide thereunder. In this embodiment, only the hockey sticks52may be used to move the hockey puck56on the game surface36.

In some embodiments, the hockey players50may be attached to moving tubes58having handles59on ends thereof, similar in appearance to the foosball configuration discussed above. However, in some embodiments, twisting the handles59may cause the hockey players50to rotate along a longitudinal axis of the players themselves, rather than the axis of the tubes, as is the case with the foosball configuration. In other words, turning the handles may cause the hockey sticks52to move adjacent to the game surface36, with the player50rotating along a player axis defined as extending from head to foot of the player. Appropriate gearing may be used to create such rotational movement, as may be contemplated by one skilled in the art.

Referring toFIGS. 13 and 14, in an embodiment similar to the foosball game, a soccer game may be configured in the game table34. The soccer game can include soccer players60and a soccer ball62, where the players may move in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the foosball table. In some embodiments, a goalie may be provided. In some embodiments, the user may control the goalie, where in other embodiments, the goalie may automatically slide from side to side of the goal, powered by a mechanical or electronic mechanism, for example, thus adding a level of difficulty in scoring.

In the various player/ball games discussed above, the foosball, soccer ball, hockey puck, or the like, may move along the game surface36via action of the players. Goals may be provided at ends as a desired destination for the game balls. In some embodiments, the goals may be recessed into the cooler top14to prevent escape of the game balls when a goal is scored.

In some embodiments, the sliding tubes42of the foosball or soccer games, or the moving tubes58of the hockey game may be removable disposed through the side walls30, so that the tubes may be stored for transport, for example. Various mechanisms can permit removal of the tubes, while avoiding inadvertent removal during game play. For example, a resiliently movable end may be depressed to shorten the tube for removal, but, during game play, may extend to prevent removal of the tubes.

Referring toFIGS. 15 through 17, a chess or checker board64may be configured in the game table34. The chess or checker board64may employ the standard 8×8 grid pattern, as shown. Of course, other designs may be used, depending on the type of game desired. As shown inFIG. 16A, the goals, as used in the ball games discussed above, may be used as a storage region66for storage of the chess or checker pieces (not shown). In some embodiments, the storage region66may be absent, as shown inFIG. 16B. In some embodiments, a cover (not shown) may be provided to cover the storage region66, preventing the pieces from escape therefrom. In some embodiments, the chess or checker board64may be formed in the game surface36, integral with the cooler top14. In other embodiments, the chess or checker board64may be printed on a piece of sheet material that may be placed on the game surface36.

As shown inFIG. 17, an optional lid68may be removable disposed to cover the game table34. Typically, the lid68may be placed on top of ends of the side walls30to create a space above the recessed game surface36. The lid68may have a hinge area70or may be completely removable from the cooler10via various mechanisms, such as pins and holes, snaps, friction fit, and the like. The lid68may permit storage of the various game parts, such as the tubes, balls, game pieces, or the like, during transport or storage of the cooler10.

Other games may be played on the game surface as illustrated inFIGS. 18 through 23. A backgammon surface72may be disposed on the game surface36or, as discussed above, may be disposed on a sheet that can fit on top of the game surface36. A craps table design surface74may also be similarly disposed on the game surface36. In another embodiment, a roulette game may be disposed on the game surface36, including a roulette wheel48and a betting area80. Other games may also be contemplated within the scope of the present invention, including various board games, cribbage games, card games, or the like. In each game, the goals may be included as optional storage regions, or may be removed, as shown in the Figures.

Referring now toFIGS. 24 and 25, the cooler top14may be configured as in a pool table82. The pool table82can include pockets84having a recess86to indicate when pool balls (not shown) fall into the pickets84. Similar to the other embodiments, the recessed game surface36may be used as the pool table.

In some embodiments, multiple games may be played on a single device. For example, the pool table configuration may include elements to fill in the pockets of the pool table and tubes with players may be inserted in holes in the side walls to create a foosball game, for example. Likewise, the pool or foosball game configurations may include a board insert to create a chess, checkers, backgammon, or craps configuration.