Patent Publication Number: US-2011056233-A1

Title: Recreational Cooler

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable container, more particularly an ice chest or cooler for food and beverages. 
     2. Related Art 
     Many coolers have been proposed with various accessories and attachments. Examples of such coolers are discussed below, namely:
         U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,507 Nov. 28, 2006 (Maldonado) describes a cooler with various external attachments including an umbrella and fishing rod holder. Maldonado describes the problem of having permanently molded accessories on the side of the cooler and proposes the solution of external cooler attachments. U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,507 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.   U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,733 Mar. 25, 2003 (Sharp) teaches a cooler with an integrated umbrella stand. This cooler also has the umbrella attached to the side of the cooler. U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,733 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.       

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a cooler with at least one molded accessory shaft, molded completely through the cooler from the top of the cooler to the bottom of the cooler. 
     It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a cooler with a compliant table top that folds out from at least one side of the cooler. 
     There are accessories which may from time to time be used by the consumer in conjunction with a cooler. For example, coolers are often taken along when fishing. Therefore, it would be advantageous to associate a fishing rod receptacle (molded accessory shaft) with the cooler to hold the fishing rod while the fisherman waits for the fish to bite. Insulated coolers are also taken to the beach where the customer may wish to use a beach umbrella. An umbrella is another accessory capable of using a molded cooler accessory shaft. 
     As will be appreciated, a variety of accessories may be used in conjunction with molded accessory shafts. By way of example, accessories may include: umbrellas, fishing poles, radios, tables, cooking stands, seats, chairs, beverage bottles, cans, cups, basketball standards, and/or racks for drying beach towels. Two coolers may also be used to support each side of a volleyball net, badminton net, or tennis net. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a game net supported by poles and coolers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a basketball standard inserted into a molded accessory shaft in a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cup holder inserted into a molded accessory shaft in a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Description 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , cooler ( 100 ) has two large lids ( 120 ) and two small lids ( 130 ). The small lids ( 130 ) either open to a main product receiving compartment area ( 160 ) or to an optional chiller compartment ( 150 ). The lids ( 120 ) and ( 130 ) may be form fitted or connected by hinges. The hollow shaft ( 170 ) extends all the way through the cooler from one side to the other side and is not in communication with any product receiving compartment areas. 
       FIG. 2 , shows a cross sectional view of cooler ( 100 ) showing the optional chiller insert ( 150 ). The chiller insert ( 150 ) may be made from thermally conductive material such as metal, plastic or any other known thermally conductive material. A first product receiving area is shown at ( 230 ). A second product receiving area ( 220 ) is inside of chiller ( 150 ). The chiller insert may be supported by a molded plastic lip ( 210 ) or by many other known methods. The chiller provides a cooled, isolated area away from ice and water in product receiving area ( 230 ). Hollow shaft ( 170 ) provides sealed passage through cooler ( 100 ). Hollow shaft ( 170 ) is open on each end so as to allow a rod or pole to extend completely through cooler ( 100 ). 
       FIG. 3 , shows a cross sectional view of cooler ( 100 ) without the optional chiller ( 150 ). Hollow shaft ( 170 ) provides sealed passage through cooler ( 100 ). The material surrounding hollow shaft ( 170 ) may be thermally conductive or thermally insulating depending on the application use of the hollow shaft. Accordingly, the walls surrounding the hollow shaft may be thick or thin depending on application use of the hollow shaft. Some application uses may have specific thermal heat transfer requirements or may have specific mechanical strength requirements. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top view of cooler ( 100 ) showing a cross sectional schematic of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of cooler ( 100 ) showing an umbrella pole ( 510 ) inserted into hollow shaft ( 170 ) and extending completely through cooler ( 100 ) and into ground ( 530 ). The end ( 520 ) of umbrella pole ( 510 ) is tapered allowing for easy insertion into hollow shaft ( 170 ) and into ground ( 530 ). 
       FIG. 6  shows an umbrella ( 620 ) mounted to the side of cooler ( 100 ) with mounting brackets ( 610 ). 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show cooler ( 750 ) with a horizontal surface ( 700 ) attached to a side of cooler ( 750 ) with a hinge mechanism ( 710 ). The horizontal surface ( 700 ) may be attached to any side of cooler ( 750 ). Horizontal surface ( 700 ) is supported by support arm ( 720 ). Support arm ( 720 ) and horizontal surface ( 700 ) may be compliant mechanisms. Support arm ( 720 ) locks into place ( 810 ) by means of a formed fitting impression. Horizontal surface ( 700 ) and support arm  720  may fold and rest in a recessed area ( 740 ) of any side of cooler ( 750 ). 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show coolers ( 100 ) or ( 750 ) with optional wheels ( 910  and  1010 ). 
       FIG. 11  shows coolers ( 100 ) supporting a game net ( 1120 ) and poles ( 1110 ). The net may be used for indoor or outdoor games such as tennis, volleyball, or badminton. Poles ( 1110 ) may optionally be pounded into the ground for more support. The poles ( 1110 ) are inserted into hollow shafts ( 170 ). 
       FIG. 12  shows cooler ( 100 ) with a basketball standard ( 1210 ) and pole ( 1220 ). Pole ( 1220 ) is inserted into hollow shaft ( 170 ). Pole ( 12200  may optionally be pounded into the ground for more support. 
       FIG. 13  shows a side view of cooler ( 100 ) or ( 750 ) with cup holder accessory ( 1340 ). Cup holder accessory ( 1340 ) is made of thermally conductive material ( 1320 ) and ( 1340 ). Side wall ( 1350 ) is also made of thermally conductive material. Heat is transferred from aluminum cans ( 1310 ) into thermally conductive material ( 1320 ) and ( 1340 ) and then into ice in product receiving area ( 160 ) through thermally conductive material ( 1350 ). An insulating material ( 1330 ) is used to keep unwanted heat transfer into thermally conductive material ( 1320 ). 
     While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.