Abstract:
A multipurpose cooler for storing and transporting items includes a cooler body having an insulated interior and an exterior; a lid connected to the cooler body to permit selective access to the interior; a basket having three walls and a bottom and being slidably connected to the cooler body to slide between a fully extended position forming, with the cooler body, a basket cavity for storing and transporting items and a fully retracted position wherein the basket cavity is substantially nonexistent.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of coolers, and more specifically, to a multipurpose cooler configured for storing and transporting a variety of items both inside and outside the cooler.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Traveling away from one&#39;s own refrigerator often necessitates the use of some sort of refrigeration device, such as an insulated cooler. One form of such cooler includes an insulated rectangular box with a lid hingedly connected along one edge. A pair of wheels at one lower edge and one or more handles are sometimes provided to facilitate pulling or carrying the cooler, which may be stuffed full of food, beverages and ice. The addition of external carrying devices such as cargo nets and bungee cords has been suggested (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,474,097 and 5,407,218) to permit the user to carry additional items externally while pulling the cooler. Improvements are continually being sought.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Generally speaking, a multipurpose cooler and method are provided for storing a plurality of items. In one embodiment, a multipurpose cooler for storing and transporting items includes a cooler body having an insulated interior and an exterior; a lid connected to the cooler body to permit selective access to the interior; a basket having three walls and a bottom and being slidably connected to the cooler body to slide between a fully extended position defining a basket cavity for storing and transporting items and a fully retracted position collapsing the basket cavity.  
         [0004]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multipurpose cooler for storing and transporting items.  
         [0005]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multipurpose cooler  10  for storing and transporting items and including a cooler  11 , and with basket  12  shown in the fully retracted position  72 .  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  and showing basket  12  in the fully extended position  71 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 2  and shown in the transport position.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  taken along the lines  4 -- 4  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmented view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a portion of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 5  showing latch  36 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of the container  10  of  FIG. 2  showing hinge  23  and spring clip  49 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 2  and showing cutting board  28  positioned atop basket  12 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged, side and cross-sectional view of a portion of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 9  taken along the lines  10 -- 10  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  is cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  taken along the lines  11 -- 11  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of a portion of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 11  and showing track guide  50 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a portion of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 9  and showing track guide  50 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 14  taken along the lines  15 -- 15  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of a portion of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 15  showing handle arm  83 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged view of a portion of the basket  12  of  FIG. 2  identified in window F 17  and showing notch  79 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  and showing the addition of all-terrain wheels (one shown at  121 ) in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 18  taken along the lines  19 -- 19  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  
         [0025]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged perspective view of an all-terrain wheel  121  of the multipurpose cooler of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a standard wheel  100  of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  and showing the addition of a utensil holder  137  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 22  showing a utensil holder  137 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 24  is a side cross-sectional view of the utensil holder  137  connected with multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 23 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 25  is an enlarged side view of the utensil holder  137  and multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 22 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 26  is an exploded, perspective of the utensil holder  137  of  FIG. 22 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  and showing the addition of rod holders  148  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 28  is an end view of the multipurpose cooler  10  and rod holders  148  of  FIG. 27 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a rod holder  148  of  FIG. 27 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 1  and showing the addition of backrest  160  in accordance with the present invention, and showing backrest  160  in the retracted position  168 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the multipurpose cooler  10  of  FIG. 30  and shown with backrest  160  in the up, and extended position  169 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 32  is perspective view of an alternative backrest  175  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 33  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cooler  10  and utensil holder  137  of  FIG. 25  and showing ridge  70 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and any alterations or modifications in the illustrated device, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , there is shown a multipurpose cooler  10  for storing and transporting items both internally and externally of such cooler in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At its minimum, multipurpose cooler  10  generally includes a cooler  11 , a basket  12  and preferably wheels  13 . Cooler  11  is intended to be similar to known coolers in that it is made of a lightweight plastic material and with suitable insulation material to provide temperature insulation to contents placed therein. That is, cooler  11  is constructed to exhibit a low rate of heat transfer through its walls and lid. Cooler  11  has a cooler body  14  that includes front wall  17 , opposing side walls  18  and  19 , rear wall  20 , bottom wall  21  and a lid  22  that is hingedly connected to and along the top edge of one of the side walls  18  by hinges  23  and  24 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein a lid is connected to the cooler body  14  by means other than hinges including buy not limited to a sliding interconnection or a pivoting interconnection. Handles  25  extend outwardly at the top of front and rear walls  17  and  20 . The width and length of cooler body  14  at its lower portion is less than at its upper portion to define a downwardly facing ledge  26  that runs all the way around cooler body  14 . (Ledge  26  need not run completely around cooler body  14 , but its presence enables removable connection of a variety of accessories (or accessory holding devices) to cooler body  14 , as described herein, and extension of ledge  26  completely around cooler body  14  maximizes the places where such accessories may be positioned. This includes the front side ( 64 ,  FIG. 2 ) of cooler body  14  as cooler body  14  may be used with basket  12  removed, and accessories could be attached to the front of cooler body  14 ). Lid  22  defines a number of recesses in its top surface: a main recess  27  for holding a shaped cutting board  28 , a number of round recesses  29  for receiving glasses, cans and the like, and other variously shaped recesses  30  for miscellaneous items. Recess  27  and cutting board  28  are complementarily shaped to permit cutting board  28  to firmly fit within and be snappingly held in place in recess  27 . Cutting board  28  is recessed on its underside to form a downwardly facing arcuate ledge  33  along the entire outer periphery. Ledge  33  mates with complementary shaped hump  34  that runs around the entire periphery of main recess  27  to ensure that cutting board  28  properly seats in main recess  27 . Cutting board  28  and its ledge  33  are sized and shaped so that cutting board  28  can be removed from recess  27  and seated on top of basket  18 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . That is, either the length or width of cutting board  28  are sized so that cutting board  28  can be set atop basket  18 , which is in either the fully extended position or in one of its partially extended positions, and whereby the top edge (top flange  44 ) of basket  18  seats within longitudinal ledge  33  of cutting board  28 . This configuration provides a stable positionment of cutting board  28  relative to basket  18 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein basket  12  include one or more ledges, other than top flange  44 , that form a shelf, which is sized and configured to receive and support cutting board  28 .  
         [0041]     Cutting board  28  has one or more outwardly extending rear locking tabs  31  that first extend into mating hole(s)  32  defined along the rear edge of main recess  27  when cutting board  28  is positioned in recess  27 . A molded plastic latch strap  35  connects atop lid  22 , as shown. Latch strap  35  includes a resilient, upwardly extending cutting board latch  36  that has a hook  37  that engages with the front edge of, or with a hook  38  at the front edge of cutting board  28  ( FIG. 6 ) to hold cutting board  28  firmly in place. Depressing the handle  39  of latch  36  pivots latch away from cutting board  28  sufficiently to enable cutting board  28  to be pulled out from recess  27 . Latch strap  35  extends out through the front edge of lid  22  and downwardly as a lid latch  40  to engage with a lip  41  of cooler body  14  to hold lid  22  closed. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein cutting board  28  is removably held within recess  27  by other appropriate means such as, and without limitation, detents or similar structures, magnets or Velcro®. The other recesses  29  and  30  in lid  11  are to provide a degree of lateral stability to items (such a beverage glass) that are placed therein. An opening  42  in cutting board  28  allows the user to access lid latch  36  and to lift cutting board  28  out from its recess  27 .  
         [0042]     At the top of each wall  17 - 20 , cooler body  14  extends outwardly to form a continuous cooler flange  43 , which then angles downwardly to form a downwardly facing ridge  45  against which the outwardly extending, upper flange  44  of basket  18  bears as basket  18  slides forward and back relative to cooler body  14 . Both top flange  44  of basket  18  and cooler flange  43  of cooler body  14  define a plurality of slots  46  and  47 , respectively, that are spaced around the periphery of the respective flanges  44  and  43 . Slots  46  and  47  may be evenly spaced or grouped as desired to achieve a certain accessory mounting configuration, as described herein. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein slots  46  and/or  47  have other shapes such as and without limitation, circular, square, rectangular, L-shaped, crescent-shaped or any other desired configuration. Use of the term “slot” herein is intended to include any other such configuration. The hooks ( 143 ) described herein for engagement with such slots  46  and  47  are intended to have any configuration necessary to provide a sufficiently reliable connection between the accessory and cooler body  14 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein connections other than slot and hook are employed between the accessory and the cooler body  14  such as, and without limitation, a Velcro® assembly or a hook and ridge assembly.  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , a molded plastic or nylon, generally L-shaped slide bushing  48  is held by a metal spring clip  49 , which is held by the cooler body near forward hinge  23 , as shown. Bushing  48  combines with upper ridge  45  and the side of the cooler body  14  to form a channel through which the basket upper flange  44  is constrained to slide, forward and backward. Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 11 - 13 , near the bottom and front of cooler body  14 , on opposing sides thereof, cooler body  14  is provided with plastic track guides  50  and  51 . Each guide  50  and  51  is seated within a complementarily shaped hole  52  defined in cooler body  14  and held firmly therein by appropriate means such as a screw, a pressure fit, pop rivet or glue. Either by their mating shapes with their holes  52  or by their means of attachment, guides  50  and  51  are constrained against movement of any kind. Each guide  50  and  51  includes a post  55  that extends outwardly from cooler body  14 , the post being oblong-shaped with opposing slide edges  56  and  57  that are mutually straight and parallel. In an alternative embodiment, track guides  50  and  51  are homogeneously and integrally molded with cooler body  14   
         [0044]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , and more to  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  8  and  14 , basket  12  is plastic and has a front wall  60 , opposing side walls  61  and  62  and a bottom wall  63 . When in the open, extended position  71  ( FIG. 2 ), basket walls  62 , bottom  63  and front wall  64  of cooler body  14  define a basket cavity  65  suitable for storing and transport items. At their bottoms, side walls  61  and  62  define elongate and closed-ended slots  66  and  67 , respectively, which are sized to slidably receive the oblong posts  55  of track guides  50  and  51 , respectively. The fit between slots  66  and  67  and posts  55  is loose enough to permit easy sliding motion between basket  12  and cooler body  14 , but tight enough so that, in combination with the length of straight slide edges  56  and  57  of posts  55 , there is a level of stability (against rotation about posts  50 ) between basket  12  and cooler body  14 , especially when basket  12  is in its fully extended position  71  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). As the length of slide edges  56  and  57  increases, so does the stability of basket  12  relative to cooler body  14 .  
         [0045]     The size and shape of basket  12  is just larger than the outer size and shape of cooler body  14  so that basket  12  can be telescopically received and slide between a fully retracted position  72  ( FIG. 1 ) and fully extended position  71  ( FIG. 2 ). Basket  12  is constrained to slide between these two positions by engagement of posts  55  of track guides  50  and  51  riding within slots  66  and  67 , and by top flange  44  of basket  12  positioned in sliding engagement subjacent to upper ridge  45  of cooler body  14 . The length of slide of basket  12  between the fully retracted position  72  and fully extended position  71  is defined by the length of slots  66  and  67 . Like cooler body  14 , the front and side walls  60 - 62  of basket  12  define a downwardly facing ledge  68 . Both ledge  26  of cooler body  14  and ledge  68  are generally at a right angle to the sides of cooler body  14 , and, perhaps even with a slight negative slope or elongate bead or ridge  70  running the length of ledge  68  ( FIG. 33 ). Basket  12  is shown with a plurality of vents  69 , which reduces weight, cost and wind resistance, as well as offering a better view of the contents of the basket. At its rear, the top of each side wall  61  and  62  extends rearwardly as support fins (one shown at  75 ) a short distance farther than the rearmost end  77  of guide slots  66  and  67 . When basket  12  is at its fully extended position  71  with track guides  50  and  51  at the rear most end  77  of slots  66  and  67 , fins  75  provide added length to the rear portion of top flange  44  to bear up against upper ridge  45  and support basket  12  in a cantilevered-type connection with cooler  14 . Basket  12  is latched in the fully retracted position  72  by a resilient latch  78  ( FIG. 1 ) extending from bottom wall  63  of basket  12 . Latch  78  engages with a lip defined at the front of bottom wall  21  of cooler body  14 . To open basket  12 , latch  78  can easily be depressed to release basket  12  from its fully retracted position  72 . To close basket  12 , it is slidably pushed all the way to the fully retracted position  72  until latch  78  snaps into engagement. A number of intermediate positions are provided for basket  12  between the fully extended and fully retracted positions  71  and  72 , respectively, by a temporary locking mechanism between top flange  44  of basket  12  and upper ridge  45  of cooler body  14 . In the present embodiment, such temporary locking mechanism is a passive detent configuration that includes a dent or notch  79  ( FIG. 17 ) defined in top flange  44 , proximal the front wall  60  and on at least one side of cooler body  14  and includes at least one protrusion (not shown) extending downwardly from upper ridge  45 . As basket  12  is slid between fully retracted and fully extended positions, the one or more protrusions (not shown) serially engage with notch  79  and somewhat fixedly hold basket  12  locked with cooler body  12 . This or any suitable configuration between basket  12  and cooler body  14  must not be too strong of a lock to require excessive pulling force on basket  12  to slide it between fully retracted and fully extended positions. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein such passive detent configuration, or a any other temporary locking mechanism (i.e. a hinged, spring biased latch mechanism) are strong enough to hold basket  12  and cooler body  14 , in a position somewhere between the fully extended and fully retracted positions  71  and  72 , as cooler  10  is being pulled, fully or substantially loaded. Also, the fully retracted position includes basket cavity  65  being substantially entirely collapsed against cooler body  14 , which minimizes the size of apparatus  10  for storage and transport when there are no items stowed or intended to be stowed in cavity  65 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein basket  12  may be fully retracted, but basket cavity  65  may not be fully collapsed. For example, basket  12  may be configured to be fully collapsed (retracted as far as it and cooler body  14  will allow), but there may still be some significant volume in cavity  65  to accommodate one or more items, such as a cooler carrying strap, collapsible bag, etc.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 14 - 16 , cooler  10  is further provided with an extendable handle  81 . Handle  81  is made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal and is generally U-shaped with legs  82  and  83  and hand grip  84  extending therebetween. The bottom wall  63  of basket  12  defines a pair of elongate channels  85  and  86  that are sized and positioned to slidingly receive handle arms  82  and  83 . Retention clips  89  and  90  are affixed by appropriate means (such as screws, not shown) to bottom wall  63  to hold arms  82  and  83  in place, but are complementarily shaped and sized to permit arms  82  and  83  to freely slide between clips  89  and  90 , respectively, and bottom wall  63 . Retention clips  89  and  90  are made of any suitable material such as plastic or nylon so long as they permit easy sliding action of handle  81 . Alternatively, a nylon bushing or similar element may be connected with basket  12  to ensure smooth sliding motion of handle  81 . A pop rivet  91  is provided at one or more strategic locations in the top of each channel  85  and  86 , and one or more holes  92  are defined in the top of each arm  82  and  83 . The holes  92  and pop rivets  91  comprise a detent assembly to provide handle  81  with a number of positions including a full-in, storage position  93 . ( FIGS. 1 and 14 ) and a full-out, transport position  94  ( FIG. 2 ) and preferably at least one intermediate position  94  ( FIGS. 3 and 8 ). The intermediate positions expand the range of user comfort while pulling cooler  10 . Bottom wall  63  further includes a rest pad  96  on which the front of cooler  10  rests when sitting on the ground. Front wall  60  of basket  12  dips down (at  97 ) at its upper edge to provide clearance for front handle  25 .  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 18 - 21 , wheels  13  include a pair of wheels  100  and  101  that are mounted to the rear, underside of cooler body  14  by an axle  102  and largely in a recess  103  shaped to enclose the majority of each wheel. Axle  102  is held by an axle housing  104  that is an extension of the integrally molded cooler body  14 . Wheels  100  and  101  are identical and description will be limited to just wheel  100 . Wheel  100  includes a central hub  106  that includes a central mounting plate  107  that is surrounded by and connected to a wheel adapter tube  108 , which is surrounded by and connected to an outer rim tube  109  by spokes  109   a . In one embodiment, wheel  100  is a homogeneous, injection molded plastic unit, but other materials and configurations are contemplated. For example and without limitation, alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein a rubber tread or similar material encircles rim tube  109 . Central mounting plate  107  defines a central hole  110  through which axle  102  extends and is capped to retain wheel  100 , as is well known in the art. Central mounting hub  107  further defines a set of three arcuate keyholes  113 , each defining a larger, keyhole opening  114  at its counterclockwise end. Wheel adapter tube  108  includes three centering ribs (two shown at  115 ) that are ramped down to the inner surface  116  of wheel adapter tube  108 . Wheels  100  and  101  provide adequate rolling action for cooler  10  over normal terrain. For more aggressive terrain, the mutually identical wheels  100  and  101  of cooler  10  further include a pair of mutually identical all-terrain wheels  120  and  121  ( FIGS. 18 and 30 ). The term “all-terrain” is intended to signify that wheels  120  and  121  are sized and configured to facilitate pulling apparatus  10  over fairly rough, uneven and non-solid surfaces, such as a rocky or sandy terrains. Preferably, all-terrain wheels  120  and  121  have diameter that is twice the diameter of standard wheels  100  and  101 . Wheel  121  includes a central hub  123  and a large outer rim  124  that is connected to central hub  123  by spokes  125 . Central hub  123  includes a central tube member  126 , which has a set of three keyhooks  127  that are sized to mate with keyholes  113  of wheel  100 . Each keyhook defines a radially, outwardly opening slot  129  that permits keyhooks  127  to pass through keyhole openings  114  and then rotate through and lock with the smaller-dimensioned arcuate slots of keyhole  113 . The diameter of tube member  126  proximal the spokes  125  (at  130 ) has a diameter that is greater than the diameter proximal the keyhooks  127  (at  131 ) and has a ramping, transitional diameter section in between (at  133 ). To the outside of outer rim  124  in one embodiment is secured a tire or layer  134  made of rubber or similar substance to soften the ride of cooler  10 .  
         [0048]     In assembly, all-terrain wheel  121  can be mounted by inserting central hub  123  into wheel adaptor tube  108  and gently twisting wheel  121  until keyhooks  127  register with and pass into their mating keyholes  113 . At this point, ramped outer ends of centering ribs  115  have engaged with ramped transition section  133 , the sizing and configurations of which produce a snug fit between wheels  100  and  121 . Twisting all-terrain wheel  121  clockwise relative to standard wheel  100  drives keyhooks  127  into arcuate keyholes  113  and tightens wheel  121  in place. All-terrain wheels  121  may be removed by performing these steps in reverse.  
         [0049]     Cooler  10  is further provided with a variety of accessories including containers and article holding devices. Referring to  FIGS. 22-25  there is shown a utensil carrier  137  removably connected with cooler body  14  or a cooler  10  in accordance with the present invention. Utensil carrier  137  and other add-on accessories as are contemplated herein, utilize top flange  44  and its spaced slots  46  along with ledge  26  of cooler body  14 . More specifically, utensil carrier  137  includes a container body  138 , a mating lid  139  and a mounting bracket  140 . Container body  138  provides storage space configured as desired to fit various items, such as dishes and flatware, as shown in  FIG. 26 . Lid  139  is sized and shaped to cover and preferably snap fit onto body  138  to keep the contents of container body  138  clean and dry. Mounting bracket  140  includes one or more upper arms  141  and one or more lower arms  142 , both upper and lower arms  141  and  142  extending laterally from body  138  for mounting to cooler body  14  or basket  12 . At its outboard end, upper arm  142  turns downwardly to form a hook  143  that is sized and shaped for a snug and preferably snap fit in any of the slots  47  (of cooler body  14 ) or  46  (of basket  12 ). At its outboard end, the one or more lower arm(s)  142  turns up slightly to form a nub  144  to lodge subjacent to either ledge  26  (of cooler body  14 ) or ledge  68  (of basket  12 ). Where ledge  26  and or ledge  68  includes a ridge  70  ( FIG. 33 ) to define a recess thereat, the nub  144  of arm  142  provides a detent type of engagement with such ledge  26  and or ledge  68 . Due to its width and expected load, utensil carrier  137  includes at least two, if not three upper arms  141  that will be spaced apart appropriately to align with the two or three slots  47  or  46  of cooler body  14  or basket  12 , respectively. Utensil carrier  137  can thus be mounted in a variety of different places on cooler body  14  or basket  12 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 27-29 , there is shown a rod holder  148  connected with a cooler  10  in accordance with the present invention. Like utensil carrier  137 , rod holder  148  is removably connected to cooler body  14  of cooler  10 . Rod holder  148  includes a pair of sleeves  149  and  150  and a mounting bracket  151 . Each sleeve is a tube with bottom (not shown) or elements at the bottom of the sleeve that prevent large objects form falling through the sleeve. Each sleeve is intended to receive and hold a tubular element such as, and not limited to, a fishing pole, umbrella, cane or other stick-shaped item. In the event of a fishing pole that has a reel extending laterally from the lower rod portion, a bottom for the sleeve is unnecessary because the reel will prevent the fishing pole from going all the way through the sleeve. The mounting bracket  151  of rod holder  148  is the same as the mounting bracket  140  of utensil carrier  137  and of any other accessory for connection to cooler body  14  or basket  12 , essentially having upper and lower mounting arms  152  and  153  that are sized and shaped for removable engagement with slots  47  (or  46 ) and ledge  26  (or  68 ). Upper arms  152  likewise have hooks  155  for engagement in slots  47  (or  46 ), and arm  153  has upstanding nub  156  for engagement with ledge  26  (or  68 ).  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIGS. 30-31 , there is shown another accessory attachment—a backrest  160 —for connection with a cooler  10  in accordance with the present invention. Backrest  160  includes a pair of frame sleeves  161  and  162 , a mounting bracket  163  connecting mutually parallel frame sleeves  161  and  162  together, and a U-shaped slide  164 . Like utensil carrier  137  and rod holder  148 , mounting bracket  163  includes upper and lower arms sized and configured for mounting to slots  47  (or  46 ) and ledge  26  (or  68 ) of cooler body  14  or basket  12 , as desired. Mounting bracket  163  holds frame sleeves  161  and  162  securely aligned and positioned to slidingly receive the opposing arms  166  and  167  of slide  164  which, when mounted to the rear end of cooler body  14  (as shown in  FIG. 30 ), can slide between a down, retracted position  168  ( FIG. 30 ) and an up, extended position  169  ( FIG. 31 ). An appropriate detent or latch mechanism (not shown) is provide to appropriately hold slide  164  in the up, extended position  169 . In the up, extended position  169 , items such as a tool box  172  and sleeping bag  173 , for example, can be loaded atop cooler body  14  where they are supported against sliding off the rear of cooler body  14  by backrest  160  when cooler body  14  is tilted for transport, as shown in  FIG. 31 . An alternative backrest  175  is shown in  FIG. 32 , backrest  175  likewise being attachable to cooler body  14 . But unlike backrest  160  of  FIGS. 30-31 , backrest  175  is fixed and does not extend between up and down positions. Though not shown, alternative accessories designed for connection to cooler body  14  or basket  12  are contemplated for holding items either during transport or when cooler  10  is stationary. For example, and without limitation, a simple watertight accessory container (not shown) with a mounting bracket like that of utensil carrier  137  is contemplated. Such accessory container could hold and keep dry money, music devices, jewelry, etc.  
         [0052]     It is noted that the cooler  10  with backrest  160  ( FIG. 30 ) is fitted with rough terrain wheels  120  and  121 . Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein cooler  10  does not include wheels, but instead merely slides at its lower edge. The point or area of sliding may be provided with a material that exhibits a low coefficient of friction with other surfaces. Alternatively, it is contemplated that separate wheels or other structure may be provided separately from multipurpose cooler  10 , such as a wheeled dolly.  
         [0053]     Basket  12  is contemplated to include any suitable configuration for holding articles, and the term “basket” is not intended to in any way limit the composition or configuration of member  12 , which could therefore, for example, have solid, non-porous walls and or bottom.  
         [0054]     As used herein, cutting board  28  is contemplated include both a surface suitable for cutting as well as a just flat surface for other uses. In the latter case, board  28  would still serve as an alternative flat surface to be placed atop basket  12 , which would provide an additional work surface and would provide a cover to protect the contents of basket  12 .  
         [0055]     Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the slots ( 43  and  44 ) and hook (e.g.  155 ) arrangement is comprised of any other appropriate structure for providing removable connection of an accessory holding device to cooler body  14 . For example and without limitation, slots  43  and  44  can be replaced with a groove or flange that is engaged by a one or more hooks on each accessory that appropriately engages such groove or flange to removably connect the accessory holding device to the cooler body. In further example and without limitation, slots  43  and  44  can be replaced with a Velcro® configuration. Also, the slot, groove, flange or other such structure may be a part of the accessory holding device, and the complementary hook or other connecting structure may be applied to the cooler body. Further, alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein only one connection assembly is provided to removably connect an accessory holding device to the cooler body  14  (instead of the two arms,  152  and  153 , for example).  
         [0056]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrated and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment and a few alternative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.