Abstract:
A recreational amusement takes the form a cooler having a toss-type game board integrated with the cooler&#39;s lid. The toss-type game board includes one or more cavities in the top of the lid. Provision is made for orienting the top of the lid in a sloping position for play of the game enabled by the game board. The cooler retains all conventional features of a beverage type cooler.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to recreation. More particularly, the invention relates to a recreational amusement specifically adapted to enable convenient transport of a game by integrating elements of the game into a cooler such as would be expected to be brought along to a recreational outing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Few things are as rejuvenating as going on a recreational outing with family or friends. Unfortunately, some of the fun of such outings is often dampened for those assigned the tasks of packing up and transporting food and beverages, picnic wares, sporting equipment and the like. Often, due to a limited space for transportation of such items, those assigned the tasks are often force to make difficult decisions regarding what to take and what to leave behind, often to the disappointment of at least some others. 
         [0003]    It is therefore an overriding object of the present invention to eliminate at lease a part of the resulting frustration by providing a recreational amusement that is highly integrated with an otherwise conventional food and beverage cooler, which, of course, is an item rarely omitted from the outing. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide such a recreational amusement that may be utilized in a number of manners, thereby ensuring that those who are fortunate enough to often embark on recreational outings do not quickly bore of the amusement. Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a recreational amusement that is economical to manufacture and easy to play, thereby ensuring the benefit by those of virtually any economic means or age. 
       SUMMARY OF TH E INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—a recreational amtisement—generally comprises a cooler having a toss-type game board integrated with the lid thereof. The toss-type game board generally includes one or more cavities provided in the top of the lid of the cooler. Additionally, provision is made in the recreational amusement of the present invention for orienting the top of the lid in a sloping position for play of the game enabled by the game board. 
         [0005]    Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows, in a perspective view, a first preferred embodiment of the recreational amusement of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows, in a left side elevational view, the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows, in a front end view, the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows, in a top plan view, the lid of the cooler embodying the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows, in right side elevational view, the lid of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows, in a left side elevational view, the lid of a cooler as formed to implement a second preferred embodiment of the recreational amusement of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows, in a cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 6 , the lid of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows, in a top plan view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 4 , a first extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows, in a top plan view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 4 , a second extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows, in a top plan view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 4 , a third extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  shows, in a perspective view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 1 , a fourth extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  shows, in a perspective view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 1 , a fifth extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12A  shows, in a top plan view, details of the extension of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  shows, in a perspective view, an alternative embodiment of the extension of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  shows, in a top plan view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 4 , a sixth extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  shows, in a top plan view, a seventh extension of various aspects of the recreational amusement of  FIG. 1  or  6 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 15A , shows in a cross sectional view taken through cut line  15 A- 15 A of  FIG. 15 , details of the extension of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the figures, the recreational amusement  20  of the present invention generally comprises a cooler  21  having a toss-type game board  28  integrated with the lid  26  thereof. As shown in figures, the toss-type game board  28  generally comprises one or more cavities  29  provided in the top  27  of the lid  26  of the cooler  21 . Additionally, provision is made in the recreational amusement  20  of the present invention for orienting the top  27  of the lid  26  in a sloping position for play of the game enabled by the game board  28 . 
         [0026]    In a first preferred embodiment of the recreational amusement  20 , as particularly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sloping aspect of the top  27  of the lid  26  for the cooler  21  may be provided by forming the top portion  23  of the box  22  of the cooler  21  to have a sloping edge profile  24 . In this embodiment, the bottom  56  of the lid  27  is generally conventionally formed to have a traditional horizontal edge profile  57  and the top  28  of the lid  27  is also formed to have a traditional edge profile  24 . In a second preferred embodiment of the recreational amusement  20 , as particularly shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lid  26  for the cooler  21  may be formed with a traditional horizontal edge profile  57  at the bottom  56  thereof but with a sloping horizontal edge profile  55  at the top  27 . As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, especially in light of this exemplary detailed description, this second preferred embodiment of the recreational amusement  20  is particularly suited for enabling implementation of the present invention in the after-market for conventional coolers, wherein it is to be expected that the box  22  of the cooler  21  would have a traditional horizontal edge profile  25  at the top  23  thereof. 
         [0027]    Regardless of implementation for the sloping aspect of the game board  28 , the one or more cavities  29  are disposed in and through the top  27  of the lid  26  for a cooler  21 , forming in the top  27  of the lid  26  one or more repositories for receiving therein a ball, toss-bag or the like in play of the enabled game. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , such a cavity  29  may be provided with a lid  30 , which is preferably provided with a tether  31  for retaining the lid  30  during play of the game and/or one or more handles  32  for facilitating removal of the lid  30  as desired. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, provision of such a lid  30  increases the utility of the present invention by enabling the game cavities  29  to also serve as storage areas for condiments, picnic supplies or the like. 
         [0028]    As particularly shown in  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the game board  28  may be implemented in a variety of alternative forms. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of cavities  29  may be provided in top  27  of the lid  26 . As also shown in  FIG. 8 , the cavities may take a variety of shapes and be of a variety of sizes, thereby increasing the possibilities for play and scoring of the game. Additionally, as particularly shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , scoring appliqué  44  may be provided to further enhance the game. As particularly shown in  FIG. 9 , one or more of the scoring appliqué  44  may be manufactured of luminescent material  45  for play of the game in poorly lighted areas. 
         [0029]    As particularly shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a plurality of attachments  46  may be provided as part of the recreational amusement  20  of the present invention, thereby injecting further variety into play of the game. For example, a backboard  47  may be provided as particularly shown in  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , such a backboard  47  is preferably provided with one or more attachment mounting pegs  51  which may be received in a corresponding number of attachment mounting holes  50  provided in the top  27  of the lid  26 . As particularly shown in  FIG. 12A , such mounting holes  50  and corresponding attachment mounting pegs  51  are preferably provided in a non-linear layout in order to give additional vertical stability to the backboard  47  thereby preventing inadvertent dislodgement of the backboard  47  upon impact from a ball, toss bag or the like. As particularly shown in  FIG. 13 , an attachment  46  comprising a backboard  47  may be provided with a ring  48 , which may have a net  49  or the like attached thereto, thereby extending the game implemented in the recreational amusement  20  of the present invention to a basketball-like game. 
         [0030]    The utility of the recreational amusement  20  of the present invention may also be extended by providing the cavity  29  with a reversible-lid  30  as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this implementation, the top  33  of the lid  30  is provided with a peg  34  attached thereto. The base  35  of the lid  30  is also preferably provided with a frictional edge banding  36 , thereby forming the lid  30  as a plug for insertion into the cavity  29 . As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, this implementation allows the toss-type game to be played as a ring-toss type game. As will also be appreciated by those of ordinary in the art, such a lid  30  may simply be inverted for transportation or storage of the recreational amusement  20  with the peg  34  contained fully within the cavity  29 . 
         [0031]    As particularly shown in  FIG. 14 , the lid  26  for the cooler  21  may be provided with preferably embedded lighting  53  about the perimeter  52  thereof. In this manner, the recreational amusement  20  of the present invention may be readily played even in very low lighting conditions. In a further extension of the present invention, the recreational amusement  20  may be provided with an insert  37  for the cavity  29 . In this manner, embedded lighting  40  may be optionally provided about the cavity  29 . In implementation of such an extension, the embedded lighting  40  is provided about the perimeter  39  of the top  38  of the insert and a power source  42  for the lighting  40  as well as an ON-OFF switch  43  are provided in the base  41  of the insert  37 . As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, by implementing this extension of the present invention as an insert  37 , the lighting power source  42  and switch  43  are easily provided in an out-of-the-way location, thereby preventing interference with play of the game. 
         [0032]    While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and claims drawn thereto. For example, it is to be expected that the cooler  21  may be provided with any conventional features such as carrying handles  59  wheels  60 , a hingedly attached pulling handle  61  or protective reinforcement  62 . Likewise, in implementations comprising an integrated lid  26 , the lid  26  may be provided with conventional hinges  28 . In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.