Abstract:
A self propelled food and beverage receptacle apparatus where an insulated receptacle is in combination with a series of wheels, a precise steering mechanism, and a motor. The apparatus is capable of differential speed, precise steering, and breaking. Moreover, this self propelled receptacle is thought to be most beneficial in serving large crowds, where the stored cargo must be quickly and efficiently transported over relatively large distances where other transportation systems are not available. Particular embodiments are envisioned where a device operator may ride upon the insulated receptacle, or merely guide the receptacle with very little effort. The apparatus may be configured to have three or four wheels.

Description:
CITATION TO PARENT APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part with respect to U.S. patent application filed with U.S. Express Number EV 298571861 US, filed on Sep.  9 ,  2004 , from which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 120. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     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 serves as insulated storage and may be propelled in motorized fashion. Particular embodiments are configured to have two, three, or four wheels and a very effective steering mechanism. As such, the device easily fulfills different tasks.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Insulated food and beverage receptacles, commonly referred to as “ice chests,” are commonly carried or transported by simply hauling or dragging the chest. As such, these ice chests are subject to limitations that restrict their usefulness. Some “improved” ice chests have only, if at all, two wheels along their rear portion. Therefore, if any mechanical advantage is to be gained by its user, the user must continuously lift the front portion to effectively move the ice chest. One does not have to look far to see that such an ice chest would present undue burden when being transported over long distances or is relied upon to store relatively large quantities of food or beverage. Put simply, even those ice chests having a pair of wheels along their rear portion do not sufficiently alleviate the strain associated with the transport of such.  
         [0006]     As mentioned, ice chests that have wheels are subject to undue limitations. For instance, 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 are even more apparent, and are often exaggerated, where the ice chest is relied upon to accommodate a large gathering of people. When extremely large quantities of ice, food, and beverages need be stored and transported during sporting events or similar gatherings of people, the effort required simply to move these quantities in manual fashion is unreasonably burdensome.  
         [0007]     In view of these problems, what is needed is a device that functions as an ice chest, has both front and rear portion wheel support, and may be moved by some mechanical means (as opposed to manually). Through a novel combination of components, Applicant&#39;s invention obviates the most common problems associated with known ice chests. The present device is an ice chest integrated with a relatively small, but sufficiently powerful 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 while directing it to a desired location, all the while guiding the device with very little effort. This is accomplished by virtue of a particularly effective steering mechanism. Finally, Applicant&#39;s invention allows for a particularly compact, lightweight device, where the device may be manually maneuvered with ease.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a self propelled food and beverage receptacle which has many of the advantages of such devices known in the art and many novel features that result in a new self propelled food and beverage receptacle which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the known devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
         [0009]     In view of the above, Applicant&#39;s invention provides an insulated receptacle configured to mate with a mechanical propulsion means, such as a motor, and further configured to mate with a steering mechanism. Particular forms of the present invention, as will be further discussed, have support means such as seating pad, to allow a user to ride on top of the device during transport. Moreover, particular forms of Applicant&#39;s invention have two, three, or four wheels-configured to allow effective transport of the device.  
         [0010]     In view of the foregoing and other related objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle configured to transport a person.  
         [0011]     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.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to relatively light weight provide an food and beverage receptacle.  
         [0013]     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.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     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.  
         [0016]     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.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having one wheel.  
         [0018]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having two wheels.  
         [0019]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having three wheels.  
         [0020]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having four wheels.  
         [0021]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle easily adapted to different sizes and types of motors.  
         [0022]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having a steering mechanism allowing for precise steering.  
         [0023]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle conducive to easy, manual transport.  
         [0024]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle providing for accessories or upgrades to the device 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.  
         [0025]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food and beverage receptacle having a telescoping handle to steer the invention.  
         [0026]     It is yet 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.  
         [0027]     Applicant&#39;s invention provides an ice chest integrated with a relatively small, but sufficiently powerful 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 while directing it to a desired location, all the while guiding the device with very little effort. This is accomplished by virtue of a particularly effective steering mechanism. Finally, Applicant&#39;s invention allows for a particularly compact, lightweight device, where the device may be manually maneuvered with ease. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is another side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is yet another perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is yet another perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a side plan view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a four wheel design.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a four wheel design.  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a four wheel design.  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a four wheel design.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is front and side view of a portion steering assembly of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a four wheel design.  
         [0044]      FIG. 17  is a front interior view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a four wheel design. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]     Referring generally to  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. 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  in combination with a drive mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism is comprised of chain  106 , which is used to power the drive sprocket  108 , which turns the tire  105 . Braking is provided by pressure to a rear disk  107 . 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 .  
         [0046]     Referring primarily to  FIG. 2  the throttle for the invention is controlled by the twisting of throttle tube  11 . Tube  110  is mounted over turning handle  109 , which is attached to cable  118 , and extends to rear motor  104 . Motor  104  then provides a regulated power supply to device  10 . Again referring to  FIG. 2 , motor means  104  may be mounted along the rear of device  10 , thereby providing direct power through chain  106  and rear sprocket  108 , which turns tire  105 .  
         [0047]      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 .  
         [0048]     In the preferred embodiment, 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.  
         [0049]      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 . Preferably, steering of device  10  is made by turning handle  109  whose shaft  101  runs through a typical bearing collar  124  to make turning permissible.  FIG. 4  further 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.  
         [0050]     As best seen in  FIG. 5 a  particularly useful embodiment is envisioned where fuel tank  128  is also incorporated into the design for the gasoline-powered embodiment of device  10 . 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.  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 6  and in the alternative  FIG. 4 , 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.  
         [0052]     Again referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative steering mechanism is demonstrated 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.  
         [0053]     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.  
         [0054]     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.  
         [0055]     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 . 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.  
         [0056]     In  FIG. 10 a  detailed view of the foot peg assembly 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.  
         [0057]     In  FIG. 11 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted where receptacle  100  has lid  1  resting atop thereof. This alternative embodiment is thought to be particularly beneficial as device  10  can be pulled as a wagon by a user grabbing top handle assembly  2 , which is held together with bottom handle  4  by connector  3 . The assembly formed by the combination of handle  2  and handle  4  can rotate about pivot point  5  between a top position (i.e., when at rest) and a lowered position (i.e., when being pulled). Handle  4  is secured about pivot point  5  with a bolt and nut combination, or some other attachment means as known in the art. Front tires  6  are secured about rims  9  where rims  9  rotate about front axle  10 . In like fashion, rear tires  8  are secured about rims  9  where rims  9  rotate on rear axle  7 . Finally, a rider may rest their feet on  31  extending from receptacle  100 , and receptacle  100  may be drained at drain aperture  30 .  
         [0058]     In  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 a  particularly useful embodiment is shown where a front steering assembly having top handle assembly  2 , is held together with bottom handle  4 , by connector  3 . The handle assembly is attached to steering neck  16  by a bolt combination or some functionally equivalent means as known in the art. Neck assembly  16  is connected to body pivot plate  17  by a bolt and nut combination or some other suitable means. Preferably, pivot plate  17  is secured about device  10  as it is bolted through the outer body of receptacle  100  (not shown), through front support  15 , and finally into inner steel support  14 . Front spindle assembly  11 , in combination with axle spindle  10 , is attached to the front spindle support  15  with a bolt and nut. Tie rods  13  are attached to steering neck  16  with a bolt and nut; the other end of each is connected to threaded pivot bolt  12 , which is secured with a nut to front spindle assembly  11 . Finally, tires  6  are secured about rims  9 , which are placed front spindles  10  and secured by a bolt, pin, or any common securing mechanism as known in the art. The front steering assembly as depicted in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , when used in combination with the insulated receptacle, provides for benefits not currently available with any known insulated storage receptacles. The steering mechanism, provides its user with an extreme mechanical advantage, and as such, a user can turn device  10  about a very small radius regardless of whether device  10  is of a relatively large or small mass. Moreover, when this steering assembly is used in conjunction with a mechanical propulsion means (such as a motor), the user is provided a high level of control with respect to precise steering. Obviously, the precise steering afforded here becomes increasingly important as the mass of the cargo contained within receptacle  100  increases. Summarily, the steering assembly allows for precise steering, largely independent of mass, that requires very little manual effort.  
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows a front view of the alternative embodiment having said front steering assembly. As shown, the two piece handle assembly of 2 and 4 is secured by connector  3 . Connector  3  controls the steering of device  10  through the pushing or pulling of tie rods  13 , which turns spindle assembly  10 , which pivots on spindle support bracket  15 , which in turn redirects tires  6 , allowing the device  10  to be precisely steered.  
         [0060]      FIG. 15  depicts the front view of an embodiment where the handle assembly is formed by the combination of upper handle portion  2  and lower handle portion  4 , each connected by metal connector  18 . Metal connector  18  is secured to the bottom of handle  4  by a securing means, such as screws or pins, placed into holes  22 . Top handle assembly  2  is attached to lower handle  4  by sliding the top assembly  2  onto metal connector  18  and then secured by a pin through hole  20 . Again referring to  FIG. 5 , the side view shows how connector  18  attaches to a motorized insulated receptacle by sliding connector  18  into a flat trailer hitch whereby the flat trailer hitch slides into slot  21  and is then secured to the trailer hitch by a pin through hole  20 .  
         [0061]     Referring to  FIG. 16 , front metal support  14  is secured to the outer wall of receptacle  100  by screws  24 . When device  10  is in motion, the tires turn within wheel wells  25  and  26 . Also shown is the foot peg support assembly  31  and drain aperture  30 . The front spindle assemblies connect to the front metal support by their insertion into tube  14 , which is part of the front metal support assembly.  
         [0062]     In  FIG. 17 a  cross section arrangement of particular components of device  10  is shown. Particularly, front support and spindle support assembly  14 , secured to receptacle  100  through screws  32  is shown. The front body pivot plate secures to the inner support bracket  14  by bolts through  34 , which also secure the front spindle support assemblies  15 . Foot pegs  133  are seen extending from foot peg support tube  31 , whereby pegs  133  may be spring loaded by an elastic cord allowing them to be retracted easily into tube  31 . Such an arrangement makes for efficient use of device  10  as a rider may quickly and easily manipulate pegs  33  between an extended position during use and retracted position during non-use.  
         [0063]     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.