Abstract:
The present invention relates to an insulated cooler that is configured for the reception of an umbrella therein. The cooler comprises upper and lower surfaces that house two internal compartments and a central section separating the compartments. The central section comprises a central channel that extends from the upper section to the lower section of the cooler, whereby the central channel is configured to receive an umbrella pole therethrough. Moreover, the doors of the cooler surface comprise half-moon cutouts that enable the doors of the cooler to open and close without becoming obstructed by an umbrella secured within the central channel. The insulated cooler enables users to easily transport food and beverages across sand or gravel using attached wheels, and eliminates the problem of an umbrella blowing away.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/703,456 filed on Sep. 20, 2012, entitled “Umbrella Cooler”. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to coolers. More specifically, the invention relates to a cooler that includes an umbrella stand mounted thereto, whereby the umbrella mount provides a user with a location to place and maintain an upstanding umbrella. 
     The beach is often a very relaxing place to visit in the summertime. The combination of the ocean, beach, and the sun bring many people out for vacation or just a day out with the family. However, spending too much time outdoors in direct sunlight is not healthy for one&#39;s skin, and people who remain out in the sun for long periods of time may develop issues such as sunburn, heat exhaustion and skin cancer risk. 
     Knowing all of these concerns, many people attempt to stay cool while on the beach by staying in the shade. Traditionally, users attempt to protect themselves from sun exposure by mounting umbrellas in the sand, which consist of a canopy that is mounted on an upstanding pole. These beach-mountable umbrellas typically resemble conventional umbrellas; however, the poles are modified for insertion into the sand, whereby the pole includes a hollow or a pointed end. Moreover, some of these umbrellas comprise hinged portions that facilitate the angling of the canopy in order to provide shade during the changing sun positioning. 
     While traditional umbrellas are suitable during situations where there are not many disturbances to the beach sand, these umbrellas have limitations when used in windy weather and in unsupportive sand. In these situations, the umbrella can easily become displaced and lean at an undesired angle. Traditional solutions to these situations include inserting the umbrella pole further into the sand or to configure a way to weigh the umbrella pole down. However, it is quickly discovered that these solutions have their limitations, whereby further insertion of the pole results in having the canopy closer to the sand surface, and the pole often lacks weight bearing structures configured to keep the pole stationary. In order to overcome these setbacks of traditional umbrellas, instead of altering the umbrella, other items that have been brought to the beach have instead been modified in order to add stability to a beach umbrella. 
     There are several devices in the prior art that attempt to provide stabilization of an umbrella pole while inserted within the beach sand. Some of these devices attempt to provide stabilization by mounting the pole on a beach cooler. These devices either mount the umbrella on the sides of the cooler with brackets or provide an aperture through the center of the cooler for the insertion of an umbrella pole; however, none of these prior art devices address the need for a cooler that provides stability of an umbrella while providing an umbrella-receiving tube that facilitates an additional level of stability by the closure of the pair of hinged doors around the umbrella pole. 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved cooler that is configured for the reception of an umbrella pole centrally therein. The cooler resembles a traditional cooler, whereby the cooler includes an insulated interior compartment, oversized wheels adapted for use on sand, a handle, and insulating doors; however the cooler of the present invention differs from the prior art coolers, whereby the cooler includes a central aperture adapted for receiving an umbrella pole, and further includes hinged doors that include umbrella pole cutouts adapted for securing around the umbrella positioned within the aperture of the cooler. The present invention facilitates the securement of an umbrella pole by utilizing the weight of a cooler and its contents. Moreover, the insertion tube of the cooler extends from the upper surface to the lower surface, whereby the umbrella pole is capable of extending through the cooler and into the sand in order to provide enhanced stability compared to that of an unsupported umbrella. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to umbrella holders. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to devices comprising exterior attachments onto which an umbrella may be mounted. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
     One such device in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,733 to Sharp, which discloses a cooler with an umbrella attachment configured for supporting an umbrella thereon, whereby the umbrella attachment mechanism includes two hinged rings which are adapted receiving an umbrella pole. The attachment rings may be positioned on the back of the cooler or within a cutout from the back of the cooler. However, while the cooler of Sharp comprises an umbrella pole receiving aperture, it differs from the present invention in that it fails to provide an aperture in the center of the cooler. 
     Another such device, U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,601 to Jimenez, teaches a cooler and umbrella assembly, whereby the cooler includes a tube on a corner of the cooler for the reception of an umbrella therein. The cooler further comprises a radio, compact disc player, speakers and an bottle opener which provide the cooler with multiple forms of entertainment, whereas the present invention is directed towards a device for holding an umbrella within the center of the cooler instead of directed towards providing a party atmosphere. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0056233 to Flaker describes a recreational cooler, whereby the cooler includes a hollow accessory shaft that extends completely through the cooler from an upper surface to a lower surface. The cooler accessory shaft is sized to receive accessories which may include that of umbrellas, fishing poles, tables, cooking stands, chairs, and basketball stands. The upper surface of the cooler includes multiple hinged compartments, whereby the hinges are positioned near the center of the upper surface. Such hinged positioning teaches away from that of the present invention, whereas the hinges of the present invention are positioned around the perimeter of the cooler, and the hinged doors further comprise cutouts adapted for the reception of an umbrella pole. 
     Another device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,319 to Patarra, discloses a portable cooler with an umbrella, whereby the cooler comprises an umbrella stand located at the wheeled end of the cooler. The wheeled end of the cooler comprises a U-shaped cutout through which the mast of the umbrella is passed through to facilitate stability. 
     Finally, another device by Patarra, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0013358, describes a cooler with an umbrella mounting means. The mounting means comprises an aperture which extends through the upper surface of the cooler and terminates in an opening in the lower surface of the cooler. The umbrella pole is inserted through the upper surface and extends therethrough until an engaging end within the cooler, thereby holding the umbrella in an upright position. Thereafter an extension member may be attached to the underside of the cooler and inserted into the sand surface in order to provide additional securement. 
     The embodiments of Patarra disclose devices which facilitate the stability of an umbrella in a beach environment whereby the umbrella is secured within a cooler in either a central location along the cooler or on a side or end portion thereof. While the devices of Patarra may facilitate the task of securing an umbrella in a similar manner as that of the present invention, the prior art is structurally different in that Patarra fails to provide a pair of doors that further secure the umbrella pole when closed therearound. The umbrella pole is positioned within a central aperture in the cooler central portion that extends through both the upper and lower surface of the cooler, which enables the umbrella pole to further be inserted into the sand surface if desired. 
     The present invention relates to a cooler that is configured for securing an umbrella therein, whereby the cooler includes an aperture that extends therethrough in order to provide additional stability for the umbrella when within the unstable sand. The cooler resembles a conventional cooler in that it includes enlarged wheels, a handle, and surfaces which enclose an insulated interior. However, the present invention further comprises a pair of doors which comprise hinges at the perimeter along the width of the cooler, whereby the doors open at the centerline of the cooler. The doors each further comprise a half-moon shaped cutout, which is adapted to surround an umbrella pole in order to provide additional stability. Overall, the device of the present invention enables a user to secure an umbrella in the sand while shielding a cooler from the sun. 
     It is submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing umbrella securement devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of umbrella securing coolers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when desiring to secure an umbrella within a central portion of a cooler. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved umbrella mounting cooler device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cooler having a central aperture, whereby the aperture is configured for reception of an umbrella. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooler having a central aperture and a pair of doors having cutouts which overlap said aperture for additional lateral support thereof and for uninterrupted closure of the cooler doors. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cooler having an aperture which extends from an upper surface to a lower surface, whereby an umbrella pole extends therethrough and is capable of penetrating through the sand surface. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the cooler of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows an overhead perspective view of the present invention, whereby the cooler doors are open. 
         FIG. 1C  shows an underside view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of the present invention, whereby the umbrella reception channel extends through the cooler. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of the umbrella within the cooler, whereby the cooler doors are open and the umbrella pole is being supported. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the umbrella within the cooler, whereby the cooler doors are closed and the assembly is in a working state. 
         FIG. 4  shows the present invention in use, whereby the umbrella pole is inserted within the reception channel and the pole extends into the sand. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the umbrella pole receiving cooler. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a cooler having a central channel therein for the reception of an umbrella pole therethrough. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A through 1C , there are shown perspective and underside views of the cooler of the present invention, whereby  FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the cooler having closed doors  20 ,  FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view having open doors  20 , and  FIG. 1C  shows an underside view of the cooler of the present invention. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1A , there is shown a perspective view of the cooler  5  of the present invention. The cooler  5  resembles a traditional cooler, whereby the device includes a rectangular shape, an insulated interior  30 , a telescoping handle  40 , and oversized wheels  42 . The present invention, however, further includes securing straps  44 , a bottom shelf  48  configured for the placement of items thereon, and an interior channel extending from the upper surface  10  of the cooler to the lower surface  15  thereof. 
     The upper surface  10  of the cooler is split into left and right halves by the central channel  34 , whereby each half comprises a separate door  20  that seals a cooler half. Each door  20  comprises a mating edge (see  22  in  FIG. 1B ), having a cutout  24  that abuts against the mating edge and cutout of the opposing door. The cutouts  24  are half-moon shaped and when mated with the opposing door, form a circle that is concentric with, and overlaps the channel  36  within the cooler interior. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , there is shown a perspective view of the cooler  5  of the present invention in an open configuration.  FIG. 1B  displays the cooler having open doors  20 , a handle  40 , exterior article retention cords  44  having fasteners  46 , a bottom shelf  48 , and an insulated interior  30 . The interior  30  is separated into left and right sections  32  by a central section  34 , the central section  34  having an elongated channel  36  disposed vertically therethrough. The channel  36  starts from an upper surface  10  of the cooler, which includes the hinged doors  20 , and extends therethrough to the underside  15  of the cooler. The hinges  28  of the cooler doors  20  are positioned along the outer sides of the cooler width, whereby the mating edges  22  of the doors  20  abut against one another along the center line of the cooler when the doors are closed. The channel  36  extends through a center point of the cooler  5 , thereby providing a central location for the placement of a pole shaped object therein (see  50  in  FIG. 2 ). The central section  34  includes an aperture and a locking screw  52 , whereby the aperture extends through each side of the central channel  34 . The locking screw  52  is configured for placement therethrough, thereby locking in place objects placed within the channel  34 . However, if the locking screw  52  is not placed within the aperture, a plug may be placed therein to retain the desired temperature within the cooler  5 . A shelf  48  extends a short distance within the lower surface  15  of the cooler  5  and is utilized in combination with the retention cords  44  to retain objects thereon. The length of the shelf  48  does not extend beyond a midpoint along the cooler  5 , thereby preventing contact with the channel  36  that extends through the cooler  5 . 
     The interior compartments  32  are adapted to contain food, beverages, and other items therein, whereby the compartments  32  are insulated and configured for keeping the interior  30  cold for long periods of time. The structure of the cooler walls is adapted to take the form of most standard cooler structures in the art and provide an insulated interior. The separated compartments  32  are completely isolated from each other and enable a user to stock the compartments  32  with different items at different temperatures depending on the amount of temperature controlling devices within the compartments. Moreover, each door  20  includes a projection  26  that facilitates an increase the insulation of the interior of the cooler  30 , whereby the projections  26  extend into the compartment and to seal the same. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C , there is shown an underside  15  view of the cooler of the present invention, whereby the view illustrates the enlarged wheels  42  and through-hole channel  36  of the cooler. The wheels  42  are of a larger diameter than traditional cooler wheels, whereby the wheels  42  are adapted for traversing beach sand. Moreover, the wheels include treads which are configured for facilitating the rotation of the wheels along the sand surface. 
     The channel  36  extends through the center of both the upper  10  and lower surfaces  15  of the cooler  5 , whereby the channel  36  is configured for the reception of a pole-shaped object therein. In the preferred embodiment the channel  36  is configured for the reception of an umbrella pole. However, it is contemplated that the channel of the cooler is capable of receiving other pole-shaped objects therein, including that of volleyball net poles, canopy poles, or objects containing similar shaped poles which are sized to fit therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a view of the present invention, whereby the reception channel  36  extends through the cooler  5 . The cooler  5  includes an upper surface  10  having left and right hinged doors  20 , a lower surface  15 , left and right compartments  32 , a central section  34 , and a channel  36  extending through the upper  10  and lower  15  surfaces of the cooler  5 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cooler  5  of the present invention is adapted for the reception of a beach style umbrella  50 ; however it is contemplated that conventional umbrellas which fit within the channel are suitable for reception within the channel. As shown, the channel  36  is built into the central section  34  which separates the cooler into left and right compartments  32 . The central section  34  includes a channel  36  which extends from the upper surface  10  to the lower surface  15 . An umbrella  50  is insertable into the channel  36  in order to facilitate increased stability of the umbrella on the beach sand, whereby the umbrella is provided a stabilizing barrier within the channel  36 . The umbrella  50  may include a series of apertures  54  extending along the length of the pole, whereby the apertures  54  are configured for the reception of a locking screw ( 52 , see  FIG. 1B ) that secures the umbrella in place within the cooler  5 . Moreover the contents within the cooler compartments  32  add a level of weighted stability, which reduces unwanted movements of the umbrella  50  during periods of high wind. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there are shown open and closed door perspective views of the cooler having an umbrella therein, whereby  FIG. 3A  comprises an open door configuration, and  FIG. 3B  comprises an alternative embodiment having closed door configuration. 
     In reference to  FIG. 3A , there is shown the preferred embodiment of the present invention, whereby the cooler doors  20  have an open orientation. The doors each include hinges  28 , projections  26 , edges  22 , and cutouts  24 , whereby the doors open outwardly from the central section as illustrated by arrows. The central section  34  includes a receiving channel  36  which is adapted for the reception of an umbrella  50 . Moreover, each door  20  comprises a half-moon shaped cutout  24  which coincide with a portion of the channel  36 , thereby enabling an umbrella  50  to be inserted within the cooler  5  whether the doors  20  are opened or closed. The projections  26  of the doors extend within the compartments  32  in order to facilitate further insulation of the interior  30 , whereby the projections  26  also include cutouts  24  which coincide with the umbrella receiving channel  36  of the cooler. These cutouts  24  coincide with the channel  36  of the central section  34 , however, the width of the central section  34  ensures that the cooler remains fully insulated regardless of the diameter of the device inserted within the receiving channel  36 . The edges  22  of the doors  20  each rest on a half of the central section  34  and provide insulation through the left and right compartments  32  therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention, whereby the left and right doors  20  are closed. The doors  20  and compartments  32  of the cooler  5  are divided lengthwise along the cooler, thus providing an alternative embodiment with compartments which are longer in length. Moreover, it is contemplated that the handle  40  and enlarged wheels  42  may be installed along the length or width of the cooler. Furthermore, the cooler may comprise a more circular, squared, other polygonal shape which is suitable for insulating contents therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the present invention while in use, whereby an umbrella  50  is inserted into the channel  36  and extends therethrough and into the sand. The channel  36  of the central section  34  extends from the upper surface  10  of the cooler to a lower surface  15  thereof. The channel  36  is configured for the reception of the pole of an umbrella  50  therein, whereby the umbrella is capable of extending through both the upper  10  and lower surfaces  15  of the cooler  5  and thereafter being inserted into the sand. The insertion of the umbrella  50  through the cooler  5  and into the sand provides an increased level of protection against displacement, whereby a gust of wind or human interaction must overcome the weight of the cooler, in addition to the forces holding the umbrella within the sand to displace the umbrella. Furthermore, the cooler  5  or its internal compartments may comprise a more square or rectangular alternative designs. Moreover, the cooler may comprise larger or smaller sizes to suit the storage or transportation needs of the user. 
     The present invention provides a cooler  5 , whereby the cooler includes upper  10  and lower sections  15 , hinged doors  20 , and a central section  34  which separates the interior  30  of the cooler into left and right compartments  32 . The upper section  15  includes a pair of hinged doors  20 , whereby the doors  20  are hinged  28  at positions along a side of the perimeter thereof in order to enable the doors to close along a central axis of the cooler. The doors each include projections  26  and edges  22  which comprise a half-moon shaped cutout  24  configured to coincide with a channel  36  that extends through the central section  34 . The central section  34  separates the left and right chambers  32  and includes a channel therein  36 , whereby the channel  36  extends from an upper surface  10  of the cooler to a lower surface  15  therebelow. The central section  34  has a generally rectangular width which facilitates a connection between the edges  22  of the doors  20 , whereby the door projections  26  rest upon the surface of the central section  34  when the doors  20  are closed. Moreover, the cutouts  24  of the edges  22  align with a half of the channel  36  of the central section  34  in order to provide unobstructed closure of the doors, whereby an umbrella  50  placed within the central channel  36  fits within both the channel  36  and the cutouts  24  of the cooler  5 . 
     Furthermore, the cooler includes retention cords  44  having fasteners  46 , a bottom shelf  48 , a handle  40 , and enlarged wheels  42 . The retention cords  44  are configured for retaining objects therein, or by attached thereon by hooks. The cords  44  comprise inelastic or elastic bands which are attached to the side of the cooler by fasteners  46 , whereby the cables  44  cross each other and are secured at upper  10  and lower  15  positions along the cooler  5 . The bottom shelf  48  extends out a short distance from the exterior of the cooler  5 . Items may be placed on the shelf  48  and secured within the retention cords  44  to provide a secure attachment onto the exterior of the cooler, thereby keeping the items out of the sand. Alternatively it is contemplated that the exterior of the cooler  5  can comprise a netting configured for holding contents therein for the purpose of keeping the contents within the netting above the beach sand. The handle  40  of the cooler  5  comprises a telescoping mechanism, which facilitates the transportation of the cooler, whereby the handle is extendible when in use and retractable when stationary. The enlarged wheels are attached to the lower exterior of the cooler, whereby the wheels  42  can be attached along the width or the length of the cooler. The wheels are enlarged in order to facilitate the transportation of the cooler through beach sand, and further comprises treads that facilitate rotation of the wheels. 
     Overall, the present invention relates to an insulated cooler  5  which is configured for the reception of an umbrella therein. The cooler  5  comprises a set of interior compartments  32  which are separated by a central section  34  having a channel  36  extending therethrough. The doors  20  of the cooler  5  include cutouts  24  which are adapted to coincide with the channel  36  of the central section  34 , whereby the cutouts  24  enable the doors  20  to be shut without contacting an umbrella  50  positioned within the central channel  36 . The doors  20  further include projections  26  which facilitate the insulation of the interior  30  when the doors  20  are closed. The central channel  36  extends from an upper surface  10  of the cooler and extends therethrough until the lower surface  15  of the cooler  5 . An umbrella  50  positioned within the central channel  36  is capable of extending therethrough and exiting the channel. The umbrella  50  is then capable of being inserted directly into the sand, whereby the umbrella is secured within the sand and is further stabilized within the central channel  36  of the cooler. In this way, the present invention provides an insulated cooler  5  which comprises a channel  36  that is configured for the reception of an umbrella  50 , in order to prevent the loss of an umbrella caused by wind or unstable sand. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.