Abstract:
A self propelled food and beverage receptacle. This device has an insulated storage means, in combination with a driving mechanism. Said driving mechanism allows for differential speed, steering, and breaking. The present device is thought to be most beneficial in serving large crowds, where the stored cargo must be quickly and efficiently transported over relatively large distances. Particular embodiments are envisioned where a device operator may ride upon said receptacle, or merely guide said receptacle with very little effort.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to an improved food and beverage receptacle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved food and beverage receptacle where the receptacle servers as insulated storage, and the device is motorized. Particular embodiments are configured to provide transport of both the stored items and the device operator. As such, the device easily fulfills different tasks.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information  
         [0004]     Insulated food and beverage receptacles, commonly referred to as “ice chests,” are commonly carried or transported by simply hauling or dragging the chest. In order to alleviate the strain involved, and reduce the brute force required, some ice chests are equipped with wheels. Moreover, some ice chests have added appendages, including: cutting boards, drink holders, wheels and the like—all to make these chests more useful.  
         [0005]     However, even the ice chests that are equipped with wheels are subject to constraints. As the load becomes heavier, and the receptacle more bulky, the usefulness of wheels alone decreases. These problems are exaggerated in the common situation where the ice chest must be rolled up a graded surface. Further, such limitations become apparent in the context of accommodating large gatherings of people. Particularly, extremely large quantities of ice, food, and beverages need be stored and transported during sporting events or similar gatherings of people.  
         [0006]     Through a novel combination of components, Applicant&#39;s invention obviates several of the limitations associated with available ice chests. The present device is an ice chest integrated with a small lightweight motor. Such configuration allows the ice chest to serve both as a transportation vehicle for a driver and as an ice chest. With particular designs, a driver may ride on the device to a destination. Other designs allow for the driver to walk along the ice chest, directing it to a desired location, all the while guiding the device virtually with no effort.  
         [0007]     Further, particular versions of the invention allow for a particularly compact, lightweight device, where the device may be manually maneuvered with ease. Also, such embodiments are particularly useful for transporting relatively small amounts of cargo.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle configured to transport a person.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle configured to propel the receptacle by it&#39;s own motorization, with or without a driver.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to relatively light weight provide an food and beverage receptacle  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle to use a motorization source, such as a gasoline motor or electric motor.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having steering, braking, and throttle controls engaged with so the driver can control their related functions.  
         [0013]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle incorporating foot pegs which will allow the driver have a place to put their feet while riding.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle incorporating foot pegs which are retractable or will fold up to make carrying the invention easier.  
         [0015]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having one wheel.  
         [0016]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having two wheels.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having three wheels.  
         [0018]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having four wheels.  
         [0019]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle easily adapted to different sizes and types of motors.  
         [0020]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle easily adapted to different sizes and types of steering mechanisms.  
         [0021]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle conducive to easy, manual transport.  
         [0022]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle provide accessories or upgrades for the invention including a sidecar, a trailer, saddle bags, lights, a backrest, a cover, seat cushions, different design handlebars, different design foot pegs, white tires, off road suspension and four wheel drive.  
         [0023]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having a telescoping handle to steer the invention.  
         [0024]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having the steering handle pivot at the bottom so that the handle can be angled to make towing or pulling easier, in a single front wheel design. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view drawing of the receptacle with the preferred embodiment of the motorization of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view drawing of the invention with the preferred mode of steering, braking mechanism(s), throttle control, and motor embodiment  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view drawing showing the use of an electric motor and it&#39;s preferred embodiment within the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a top view drawing of the invention showing the physical placement of the drive and steering components along with steering component internal bracing.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing the motor placement in the invention and the division wall, which separates the motor from the storage area.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view drawing showing the alternative front steering mechanism with 4 wheels instead of three.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view drawing showing another alternative front steering mechanism with 4 wheels instead of three.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a drawing showing another alternative front steering mechanism with 4 wheels instead of three. This steering design uses the foot rests as the steering mechanism whereby pressure from the respective foot turns the invention as the wheels and axle turn upon a center pivot.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view drawing showing the use of an electric motor and battery instead of a liquid or gas powered motor. This drawing also shows an alternate extension of the steering arm whereby the handle can also serve as a pulling mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0034]     Referring generally to In  FIG. 1 , the device of the present invention is generally referred to by the numeral  10 . In  FIG. 1  insulated receptacle  100  is shown. Receptacle  100 , in the preferred embodiment may be generally configured to allow access either from the top or the bottom.  
         [0035]     Further, receptacle  100  is configured to receive and engage with motor means  104 . The pivoting or removable lid is shown on top of receptacle  100  as  103 . Receptacle  100  and other components are powered by motor  104 , through a chain  106 , to power the drive sprocket  108 , which turns the tire  105 . Braking is provided by pressure to a rear disk  107 .  
         [0036]     In the preferred embodiment, steering for the invention is through the front tire  102 , as steering shaft  101  is turned by turning handle  109 . Other useful embodiments are envisioned where lid  103  is configured to allow device  10  to be driven like an automobile, where the driver sits atop of lid  103 .  
         [0037]     Referring primarily to  FIG. 2  the throttle for the invention is controlled by the twisting of throttle tube  110 . Tube  110  is mounted over upper steering control arm  109 , which is attached cable  118 , and extends to rear motor  104 . Motor  104  then provides a regulated power supply to device  10 .  
         [0038]     Braking for device  10  is provided by the connection of one or more braking levers,  111  and  117 , attached to front cable  147  and rear cable  217 , respectively. Front cable  147  and rear cable  217  are connected to brake calipers  116  and  115  respectfully. The squeezing of levers  111  and  117  cause the calipers to close, providing pressure on the front disk  148  and the drive rear gear sprocket  108 . Such action allows device  10  to be stopped.  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 4 , in the alternative, one of the two braking systems (front/back) may be eliminated so that only one lever/caliper/cable assembly is required. Retractable footrest  113  allows the driver a place to rest their feet while riding.  
         [0040]     From  FIG. 5 a  fuel tank  128  is also incorporated into the design for the gasoline-powered embodiment of device  10 .  
         [0041]     Also shown in  FIG. 2  is the motor means  104  which is mounted in the rear of the body  100  providing direct power through chain  106  to rear sprocket  108  which turns tire  105 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows the electric-powered embodiment of device  10 , whereby an electric motor  120  is powered by battery  119 . And, from  FIG. 3  &amp;  FIG. 4 , motor  120  drives sprocket  123 , which in turn drives chain  106  to rear sprocket  122 , which turns tire  105 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows where the front steering mechanism is shown to be attached at collar  124 . In the preferred embodiment, such attachment is achieved through welding or other similar attachment means to plate  121 . Plate  121  is attached to receptacle  100  through screws or some other suitable attachment means, and is also internally made into body  100 . Steering of device  10  is made by turning handle  109  whose shaft  101  runs through a typical bearing collar  124  to make turning permissible.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  shows intake port and exhaust port  126  for motor  125 , which allows air to enter the motor from behind and allows the exhaust to exit the motor through tube  126 . There is an additional optional brake plate  127  shown so that in the event it is not feasible to apply a caliper to drive sprocket  122  there are optional braking means. The motor drive sprocket  123  is also shown.  
         [0045]     In  FIG. 5 a  cross sectional view of device  10  is shown depicting the separation of motor compartment  148  from receptacle storage area  129  by barrier or division wall  130 . The fuel tank  128  and rear brake caliper  115  are also shown.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative steering mechanism where the standard mechanical means for most typical wagons is used. This configuration is comprised of a turning platform  131  which is attached to axle  150  and whose assembly pivots upon spindle  133 . Turning of platform  131  is accomplished by the turning of the handle  109 , whose shaft  101  transfers the turning to the platform  131 . Both brake levers  111  and  117  are also shown.  
         [0047]     In  FIG. 7  another alternative turning method is shown whereby a standard automotive type of steering application is utilized. In this embodiment, steering is accomplished by the turning of handle  109  which turns shaft  138  which transfers the turning force to pivot  135 . The pivots on each respective wheel  136  are thereby turned by the tie rods  137  and wheel  102  turning is accomplished.  
         [0048]     In  FIG. 8  yet another turning method is accomplished by the simple pushing of the extended axle  141  by a drivers feet. The turning is provided, as differential pressure is applied to outer axle segment  141  by the driver and inner axle segment  140  turns upon pivot  133 . This design also incorporates a simple handle design outfitted with the throttle and braking lever.  
         [0049]     In  FIG. 9 a  more detailed, more complex steering application, used where lower steering tube shaft  143  is larger than the upper steering shaft  144  so that by loosening clamp  112  the steering tube can collapse into itself. This allows an operator to move the handle out of the way. The shaft assembly  144  and  112  can also be pivoted from its perpendicular position by the loosening of pivot clamp  113  and then the re-tightening of said clamp once the desired position is achieved. This design also incorporates a pivoting upper arm assembly  146  whose position can be changed by the suppression of a spring-loaded pin  145  whose new position is regulated by fixed holes in collar  151 .  
         [0050]     This configuration also uses a single brake level  117  and a single twisting throttle assembly  110 , fixed upon shaft  146 . This configuration allows the operator the ability to use this extended handle  146  to pull the invention if so desired. Also shown is the collapsible foot peg  142  which is a tube inside of another tube to allow extension.  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 10 a  detailed view of the foot peg assembly is shown where each of the two-foot pegs  152  can be retracted into shaft  155  by the suppression of spring pin  156 . The foot pegs  152  are spring loaded by the insertion of a elastic cord attached to each of the two pegs  152  which allows them to retract automatically once pin  156  is suppressed. It is also an alternate design of the invention to allow the foot pegs  152  to be folded up through a pivot point located approximately where pin  156  is located so that they are out of the way.