Abstract:
Described is a cooler that stores and maintains food and beverages at a desired temperature, but also doubles as a training apparatus for steer roping. The steer roping apparatus may be integrated with a cooler handle configured as steer horns and an optional steer snout. The horns and/or snout may be extended, rotated or otherwise adjusted to generate various horn and snout positions for simulating a complete training regiment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to coolers, training devices and combinations thereof, more specifically, to a portable cooler that can be used to train for steer roping. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Coolers have become increasingly popular as their portability has been enhanced with wheels and handles. They are commonly used in various outings such as picnics, parties and camping for maintaining food and beverages at a desired temperature. In other instances, they are used at competitions and sporting events. 
         [0003]    Steer roping is perhaps one of the oldest roping skills practiced by those engaged in cattle ranching operations or at rodeo competitions. One of the ways to practice steer head roping is to use a training apparatus that simulates a steer&#39;s head so that roping practice can be repeated without undue or burdensome delay. 
         [0004]    Although both devices have been around for a long time, no one has thought to combine them such that a cooler may act as a training apparatus related to a rodeo competition. More particularly, there exists a need for a portable cooler that can also function as a training device for steer roping. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention discloses a cooler comprising: a body; and a handle coupled to said body, said handle configured as a pair of horns. The cooler can further include a cover and one or more coupled wheels. Ideally, the horns are retractable and extendable longitudinally and moveable vertically. Furthermore, the handle can also include a member configured as an animal&#39;s snout. The design of the cooler allows it to function as a training apparatus for steer roping. 
         [0006]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cooler with retractable horns according to the presently disclosed invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are corresponding side views of the cooler with the horns retracted and in a downward position; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are corresponding side views of the cooler with the horns in a retracted downward position and, after having moved through a range of motion, in a final extended upright position; and 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A-4B  are corresponding side views of the cooler with the horns upright and longitudinally extended for practicing the skill of steer roping. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0012]    Initial reference is made to  FIG. 1  illustrating a perspective view of a cooler  10  with a handle configured as horns  18  according to the presently disclosed invention. The cooler  10  includes a body  12  having an interior cavity for storing and maintaining food and beverages at a desired temperature. Although shown as substantially rectangular, the body  12  can take on any number of polygonal shapes and sizes. The cooler  10  further includes a cover  14  for closing the body  12  wherein the cover  14  is removably detachable from the body  12 . Alternatively, the cover  14  can be pivotably coupled to the body  12  by hinges or other means (not shown). Both the body  12  and the cover  14  can be made of known insulating materials and can further include inner and outer shells and/or foam layers. The body  12  may further include utensil drawers or hinged shelves (not shown) on the sides thereof. The cooler  10 , as shown, has wheels  16  for improved mobility and portability. Although the cooler  10  has only two wheels  16 , the cooler  10  can have fewer or more than two wheels  16 . 
         [0013]    The cooler  10  includes a handle configured in the shape of a pair of horns  18  along with a snout  20  disposed about one side of the body  12  of the cooler  10 . The horns  18  can be longhorns shaped to simulate those of a steer. Preferably, the length  22  of the horns  18  from end to end is about 44 cm (or 17.25 inches) when retracted and 55 cm (or 21.75 inches) when longitudinally extended. However, the length, shape and size of the horns  18  can vary depending on a user&#39;s and/or manufacturer&#39;s preference. The horns  18  as shown are operably coupled to a pair of handle rails  24 , which can be hingably attached to the sides of the body  12  of the cooler  10 . The handle rails  24  and corresponding hinges are better illustrated in subsequent figures. Alternatively, the horns  18  can be removably detached and stored when not in use. Ideally, the horns  18  can be rotatably coupled to the handle rails  24  such that the horns  18  can freely rotate themselves. Also, the handles may be configured as a steer&#39;s head as well. The snout  20 , in addition to being a decorative simulation of an animal&#39;s snout, can also function as a handlebar similar to that of the pair of horns  18 . In other words, both the horns  18  and the snout  20  can function as handlebars and need not be mutually exclusive. Ideally, the snout  20  is hingably attached to the handle rails  24  to provide a more realistic visual perspective of an animal for roping purposes, which will be discussed in more details to follow. Although only one set of horns  18  and one snout  20  are described and illustrated, there can be a plurality of horns  18  and/or snouts  20  disposed about the body  12  of the cooler  10 . 
         [0014]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrating corresponding side views of the cooler  10  with the horns  18  longitudinally retracted and in a downward position, which is a preferred position for storing the cooler  10 . As described above, the horns  18  may also be detachably removed from the cooler  10  for storage purposes. As shown, the handle rails  24  can be coupled to the side of the body  12  by a hinge  26  or other means, which allows the handle rails  24  along with the horns  18  and the snout  20  to swing through a range of motions as shown in subsequent figures. In  FIGS. 2A-2B , the handle rails  24  and the horns  18  are pointed in a downward position with the horns  18  being longitudinally retracted. The snout  20  is pointing upward, but remains aligned with and between the handle rails  24  as viewed from the side as shown in  FIG. 2B . Alternatively, the snout  20  may extend away from the side of the cooler  10  and be used as a handlebar even when the handle rails  24  and the horns  18  are pointing downward. Additionally, although the snout  20  is hingably attached to the handle rails  24 , the snout  20  has the ability to slide the length of the handle rails  24  along slits or slots (not shown) formed within the handle rails  24 . In other words, the snout  20  can slide upward or downward independent of the horns  18 . 
         [0015]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrating corresponding side views of the cooler  10  with the horns  18   a,  snout  18   a  and handle rails  24   a  in an initial position similar to those shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B  and a final position with the horns  18   b  and handle rails  24   b  upright and the snout  20   b  pointing downward in a preferred position for moving or transporting the cooler  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the handle rails  24   a,  horns  18   a  and snout  20   a  are initially situated as they are shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . By means of the hinge  26 , the horns  18   a,  snout  20   a  and handle rails  24   a  are able to swing through a range of motion of approximately 180 degrees centered about the hinge  26  in the direction as shown by the arrows  21  (i.e., counter-clockwise from 6 o&#39;clock to 12 o&#39;clock as best illustrated in  FIG. 3B ). The final upright position of the handle has the horns  18   b  and the handle rails  24   b  pointing upward while the snout  20   b  is pointing downward. Similar to the initial lower position of the handle, the snout  20   b  can be aligned and between the handle rails  24   b  as viewed from the side as shown in  FIG. 3B . Furthermore, while in a final upright position, the horns  18   b  may be extended (shown by the two arrows  23  in  FIG. 3A  and by comparing the total length of the initial horns  18   a  to those of the final horns  18   b ) to provide additional handling area for moving or carrying the cooler  10  as necessary. In addition, the horns  18   b  may be extended for while in the upright position to allow the cooler  10  to be utilized as a roping dummy for steer roping practice. 
         [0016]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrating corresponding side views of the cooler  10  having the horns  18  in different roping positions.  FIGS. 4A-4B  show the horns  18   b  and handle rails  24   b  in an upright position and the horns  18   c  and handle rails  24   c  in a lower position both with the snout  20   c  pointing downward. In this portion, as previously suggested and shown, the horns  18   b  may be used for steer roping practice as if roping an older or larger steer. Alternatively, the horns  18  may be manipulated so that they point straight upward and parallel with the handle rails  24  (not shown). Preferably, to realistically simulate steer roping, the height of the horns  18  and the snout  20  can be adjusted by manipulating the handle rails  24 . Because of slits or slots within the handle rails  24   b,  the horns  18   b  along with the snout  20  can slide the length of the handle rails  24   b  resulting in the horns  18   c  and the snout  20   c  having a final position that is lower than the initial position and more flush with the handle rails  24   c  and the sides of the cooler  10 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the horns  18   c  can be situated closer to the top of the cooler  10  cover  14  such as if to simulate roping a older or larger steer. Also shown in  FIG. 4B , the final position of the snout  20   c  simulates a protruding snout  20   c,  which is as expected when one attempts to simulate roping a young steer. 
         [0017]    The means, including springs, hinges, coils and the like, for manipulating, such as retracting, extending or adjusting, the horns  18  are well known and are not discussed in further detail herein. Ideally, the horns  18  are made of plastic, metal or other synthetic material. Alternatively, the horns  18  can be actual bull horns. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.