Abstract:
A cooler assembly with multiple compartments comprised of a bottom floor, two parallel longitudinal sidewalls, a grill end, a handle end and two lateral interior dividing walls is disclosed. The dividing walls separate the interior into a grill end compartment, a storage end compartment, and a cooler compartment. Each compartment has its own hinged top panel, with the center cooler compartment designed for cold food storage. The cooler assembly also includes a water filtration system for recycling and reuse of melt water from the cooler. A slide out grill assembly is disposed within the grill end and a fold out tabletop is disposed upon the top of the cooler compartment. The cooler is wheeled to allow transport to a desired location and umbrella mounts are included on the cooler body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/831,286, filed Jun. 5, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a cooler having multiple compartments, a water filtration system, and a drain disposed thereon for draining accumulated fluid from within an interior cavity. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Spending time in the great outdoors is among the most popular fair weather leisure time activities. Whether it is fishing, camping, at a picnic, having a cookout, or just a simple party, a great deal of time is spent preparing and consuming food and drink. A piece of equipment commonly found at these activities is the rolling picnic cooler. While the rolling picnic cooler is very good at keeping large amounts of food cold, it does not provide a ready means to carry other items associated with the picnic, such as plates, cups, eating utensils, condiments, or even the cooking grill itself. These items typically must be carried separately by the user in another container, or separately altogether by another person, or even in another trip. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a common rolling picnic cooler can be adapted to carry, store, and organize items other than cold food associated with a picnic, without the disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention in providing a cooler assembly with multiple compartments comprised of a bottom floor, two (2) parallel longitudinal sidewalls, a grill end, a handle end and two (2) lateral interior dividing walls. The dividing walls separate the interior into a grill end compartment, a storage end compartment, and a cooler compartment. Each compartment has its own hinged top panel, with the center cooler compartment designed for cold food storage. The cooler assembly also includes a water filtration system for recycling and reuse of melt water from the cooler. A slide-out grill assembly is disposed within the grill end and a fold-out tabletop is disposed upon the top of the cooler compartment. The cooler is wheeled to allow transport to a desired location and umbrella mounts are included on the cooler body. The use of the present invention provides a means for transporting all types of food and supplies associated with outdoor eating, in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view with the table supports  46  deployed and a table top  41  open for the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  depicted with the lids  31 ,  61 , and  81  in an open position revealing an interior  22  with a plurality of sections in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side elevation view of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view along line C-C as shown on  FIG. 5  cut through the extendable handle assembly  90  of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view along line A-A as shown on  FIG. 3  cut through the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a section view along line B-B as shown on  FIG. 3  cut through the grill compartment  60  of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an isolated view of a water filtration system  100  of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the gas grill  67  in an open for-use position of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view from another angle of the gas grill  67  in an open for-use position of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a close-up perspective view of the access door  54  for ice retrieval opened for use of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a table support  46  showing a detail of the table support bracket  48  pivotally attached to a table support trunnion  47  of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a grill support  71  showing a detail of the grill support bracket  73  pivotally attached to a grill support trunnion  72  of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of a cargo net  131  of the cooler with multiple compartments  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  cooler with multiple compartments 
               20  omnibus assembly 
               21  shell 
               22  interior 
               23   a  sidewall 
               23   b  end 
               24  bottom 
               25  axle support 
               26  axle 
               27  wheel 
               28  hub 
               29  stand 
               30  cooler compartment 
               31  cooler compartment lid 
               32  cooler compartment lid hinge 
               33  fastener 
               35  latch assembly 
               36  latch strike 
               38  umbrella bracket 
               41  tabletop 
               42  tabletop hinge 
               43  button 
               44  button fastener 
               45  button receiver 
               46  table support 
               47  table support trunnion 
               48   a  first table support bracket half 
               48   b  second table support bracket half 
               51  cooler insert 
               52  slide tray 
               54  access door 
               55  access door hinge 
               57  access door latch 
               58  drain 
               59  drain plug 
               60  grill compartment 
               61  grill compartment lid 
               62  first dividing wall 
               63  grill aperture 
               64  grill aperture cover 
               65  grill aperture cover hinge 
               66  grill aperture cover handle 
               67  gas grill 
               68  grill slide 
               71  grill support 
               72  grill support trunnion 
               73   a  first grill support bracket half 
               73   b  second grill support bracket half 
               75  grill backsplash 
               76  gas bottle 
               77  gas valve 
               78  gas supply hose 
               79  spare gas bottle 
               80  storage compartment 
               81  storage compartment lid 
               82  storage compartment lid hinge 
               85  second dividing wall 
               87  cup holder 
               90  extendable handle assembly 
               91  handle housing 
               92  extendable handle 
               93  extendable handle stop 
               95  handle slide way 
               96  handle aperture 
               97  handle aperture seal 
               98  slide way plug 
               100  water filtration system 
               101  permeate pump 
               102  water level switch 
               103  battery pack 
               106  filter header 
               107  first stage filter 
               108  second stage filter 
               109  thin film composite membrane 
               112  water tubing 
               114  storage tank 
               115  pressure valve/regulator 
               116  spigot 
               118  drain 
               125  cooler light 
               126  cooler light switch 
               128  side handle 
               129  handle pivot 
               131  cargo net 
               132  cargo net aperture 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 15 . However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiment. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. While only one particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The present invention describes a cooler with multiple compartments (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means to transport a plurality of items to suit a user&#39;s taste, plus chilled food and/or beverages, and ice from one location to another. Reference in this embodiment to the front of the device  10  will indicated the sidewall  23  opposite of the cooler compartment lid hinges  32 . The right side of the device  10  will correspond to the user&#39;s right side while standing in front of and facing the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views, as well as  FIGS. 4 and 5 , side elevation views of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  includes an omnibus assembly  20  comprised of an exterior shell  21 , which includes a bottom floor  24 , two (2) opposing parallel longitudinal sidewalls  23   a , and two (2) opposing lateral parallel ends  23   b , which define the hollow interior  22 . The bottom floor  24  and sidewalls  23  are made of a formed thermoplastic material with thermally insulating properties. The sidewalls  23   a  and ends  23   b  are preferably further provided with an infrared reflective coating to reduce the effects of radiant heat on the interior  22  of the device  10 . 
     Disposed on the exterior of the bottom floor  24 , preferably located near the left side, is an axle support  25 . This axle support  25  is a protrusion of a portion of the width of the bottom floor  24  of the exterior shell  21 , comprised of the same material, and intended to hold an axle  26  at a fixed distance from said bottom floor  24  and provide structural support for the device  10 . The central axis of the axle  26  will be held perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device  10  by the axle support  25 . A pair of wheels  27  approximately six inches (6 in.) in diameter preferably comprised of a nylon material is attached to either end of the axle  26  and retained thereon preferably with an interference spring tab hub  28 , for transporting the device  10  without entirely lifting it. A side handle  128  is attached to supportive pivots  129  on each of the opposing ends  23   b  for lifting or carrying the device  10 . A stand  29  is disposed along at least a portion of a right side edge of the bottom floor  24  for maintaining the device  10  at a generally level orientation when it is not being transported. 
     The omnibus assembly  20  is provided with a cooler compartment lid  31 , a grill compartment lid  61 , and a storage compartment lid  81 . These lids  31 ,  61 , and  81  are preferably comprised of a formed thermoplastic material with thermally insulating properties and coated with an infrared reflective material in keeping with the sidewalls  23   a  and ends  23   b . The cooler compartment lid  31  is pivotally attached to one of the sidewalls  23   a  by at least two (2) cooler compartment lid hinges  32 . These lid hinges  32  are attached first to the shell  21  and then to the cooler compartment lid  31  with a plurality of threaded fasteners  33  which are preferably comprised of an aluminum alloy or another metal with a plating to inhibit corrosion. The grill compartment lid  61  and the storage compartment lid  81  are pivotally attached to one of the sidewalls  23   a  by at least two (2) storage compartment lid hinges  82 . The storage compartment lid hinges  82  are attached first to the shell  21  and then to the respective compartment lids  61 ,  81  with a plurality of fasteners  33 . As shown throughout the FIGURES, the hinging of the lids  31 ,  61 , and  81  are illustrated on same side of the assembly  20 ; however, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this arrangement. The grill compartment lid  61  and the storage compartment lid  81  are provided with a plurality of cup holders  87  which are comprised of a depression in the lids  61 ,  81 . The cooler compartment  30  includes a drain  58  formed into the shell  21  and which can be plugged with an integrally attached drain plug  59 . The drain  58  provides an operable means to dispose any unwanted liquid from the cooler compartment  30  to the outside of the device  10 . 
     A tabletop  41 , preferably comprised of a formed thermoplastic material with an anti-microbial coating, is pivotally attached to the shell  21  by two (2) table hinges  42 . These table hinges  42  are attached first to the shell  21  and then to the edge of the tabletop  41  with a plurality of threaded table hinge fasteners (not shown). The tabletop  41  is located superjacent to the cooler compartment lid  31  in a closed position, and pivots one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to a position adjacent to the omnibus assembly  20  and supported upon a pair of table supports  46 . The table supports  46  are formed in one (1) piece as an injection molded thermoplastic part, or aluminum, or other metal with a coating to inhibit corrosion. The table supports  46  are preferably formed with an integral table support trunnion  47  as seen in  FIG. 13  to be pivotally retained in a plurality of table support bracket halves  48   a ,  48   b  attached to the sidewall  23   a  with a plurality of fasteners  33 . The table support bracket halves  48   a ,  48   b  are comprised of a two-part assembly comprised of a first table support bracket half  48   a  having an elongated concave surface that bears against approximately one half (½) of the table support trunnion  47 , and a second table support bracket half  48   b  which fits into that elongated slot of said first table support bracket half  48   a  while being provided with an appropriate concave surface to bear against, and capture, the remainder of said table support trunnion  47 . The table support bracket halves  48   a ,  48   b  are retained by fasteners  33 . The table supports  46  are turned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device  10  for storage and transportation of the device  10 , and then pivoted to a perpendicular orientation to deploy the tabletop  41  as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     A pair of over-center, spring-biased, latch assemblies  35  are deployed along the upper portion of the sidewall  23   a  opposite the hinges  42  that engage the corresponding latch strikes  36  located on the tabletop  41  to secure the cooler compartment lid  31  and the tabletop  41  in a closed position. The latch assemblies  35  could be comprised of any other suitable latching mechanism, such as hasp-type latches, toggle latches, cam latches, or the like without violating the form of this embodiment. When the tabletop  41  is closed the latch assemblies  35  are able to engage the latch strikes  36  to hold the tabletop  41  and the cooler compartment lid  31  closed and maintain the thermally depressed state of the device  10 . 
     Disposed upon that surface of the tabletop  41  which faces upward in the closed and latched position is a plurality of buttons  43 , located preferably near the corners of the tabletop  41 , and secured with a threaded button fastener  44  into a threaded button receiver  45  in said tabletop  41 . The buttons  43  are comprised preferably of a thermoplastic material with horizontal base having an aperture for the insertion of the button fastener  44  and a hollow cylindrical vertical stem terminating in a horizontal annular disk. It is understood that other materials, such as drawn or cast metals, could be used in the fabrication of the buttons  43  without narrowing the scope of the invention. The purpose of the buttons  43  is to retain an elasticized cargo net  131 , as seen in  FIG. 15 , which could be used to tenuously hold miscellaneous items on top of the device  10  for coincidental transportation, or temporary storage. The cargo net  131  is comprised of a plurality of interwoven, or latticed, cords having a nylon thread outer covering with a rubberized core material and any number of woven nylon edge bindings provided with a plurality of cargo net apertures  132  to be slipped over the buttons  43 . 
     Disposed upon one (1) of the sidewalls  23   a , generally in a central location and opposite the table support  46 , is an access door  54  which provides another entry into the cooler compartment  30 , as seen in  FIG. 12 , for the purpose of retrieving items stored therein. The access door  54  is pivotally attached to the sidewall  23   a  by means of an access door hinge  55 , which is preferably comprised of a non-reactive metal, or a metal with a plating to inhibit corrosion. The access door hinge  55  may also be comprised of a thermoplastic material without limiting the scope of the invention. The access door hinge  55  is secured to the access door  54  and the front sidewall  23  by means of a plurality of fasteners  33 . The access door  54  is normally held in the closed position by an access door latch  57 . The access door latch  57  is preferably a cam-type latch, but may be a hasp-type latch, a toggle latch or the like. Disposed upon one of the sidewalls  23   a , opposite the grill end, is a pair of umbrella brackets  38  which are attached by means of a plurality of fasteners  33 . The umbrella holder brackets are in vertical alignment. It is known that the umbrella holder brackets  38  can be alternately positioned at other locations on the shell  21  of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a plan view of the device  10  with the tabletop  41 , the cooler compartment lid  31 , the grill compartment lid  61  and the storage compartment lid  81  in an open disposition according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The hollow interior  22  is divided into a plurality of compartments, a cooler compartment  30 , a grill compartment  60  and a storage compartment  80 . The cooler compartment  30  and the grill compartment  60  are separated by a first dividing wall  62 , while the cooler compartment  30  and the storage compartment  80  are separated by a second dividing wall  85 . The dividing walls  62  and  85  are preferably formed into the cooler shell  21  at the point of original fabrication. 
     Disposed in the interior  22  of the cooler compartment  30  is a cooler insert  51  comprised of a thermally conductive metal such as aluminum. The cooler insert  51  is rectangular and somewhat smaller in size than the interior of the cooler compartment  30  so that foodstuffs or beverages may be inserted. The space between the exterior of the cooler insert  51  and the interior of the cooler compartment  30  can preferably be filled with ice pieces up to a level corresponding to the height of said cooler insert  51 . Additionally, a slide tray  52 , having exterior dimensions somewhat smaller than the interior dimensions of the cooler insert  51 , and equipped with an overextending upper flange, can be fit into said cooler insert  51  to keep certain items separate from other items in the cooler compartment  30 . 
     Disposed upon an upper part of the first dividing wall  62 , inside of the cooler compartment  30 , is a cooler light  125 . The cooler light  125  is preferably a small diameter, puck-style light employing a plurality of LED light sources, or other type of lighting, to illuminate the interior of the cooler compartment  30 . The cooler light  125  is powered by the preferably rechargeable battery pack  103  located in the grill compartment  60  and operated by the cooler light switch  126  disposed on the upper part of the first dividing wall  62  in the grill compartment  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a section view along the line C-C, as seen on  FIG. 5 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  includes an extendable handle assembly  90  comprised of a handle housing  91  with a handle slide way  95 . An extendable handle assembly  90  is attached to the end  23   b  opposite the grill end for providing the impetus for motion as well as controlling the direction and speed of travel of the device  10 . The handle housing  91  can be integrally molded with the shell  21  during fabrication of the device  10 . The extendable handle  92  retracts downwardly within the handle housing  91  when not in use, as seen in  FIG. 2 , and extends upwardly into the deployed position when in use. The extendable handle  92  includes a pair of vertical supports and a horizontal grip connected between upper ends of the vertical supports. The vertical supports move along the interior vertical handle slide way  95  formed into the handle housing  91 . An extendable handle stop  93  is placed horizontally on the ends of the vertical supports of the extendable handle  92  to limit the upward travel of the extendable handle  92 . The geometry of the handle slide way  95  in the handle housing  91  would be sufficient to accommodate the handle stop  93  for the majority of the upward travel, but then terminate to limit the travel and keep the extendable handle  92  from becoming dislodged from the handle housing  91 . That distance between the terminus of the handle slide way  95  and the top of the handle housing  91  would be provided with two (2) handle apertures  96  to accommodate the vertical supports of the extendable handle  92 . The top of the handle apertures  96  are preferably provided with handle aperture seals  97  which would seal around the vertical supports of the extendable handle  92  to exclude debris and moisture from entering the handle slide way  95 . The handle aperture seals  97  will provide a sufficient interference fit around the vertical supports of the extendable handle  92  to retain said extendable handle  92  in the up position while also allowing it to easily be pushed downward when not in use. A slide way plug  98  is inserted into the lower open end of the handle slide way  95  after the extendable handle stop  93  is installed on the extendable handle  92  at the time of manufacturing to keep out debris or other foreign matter. It is understood that the device  10  may be configured without the extendable handle assembly  90 , if desired, thereby limiting the mode of transportation of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a section view along line B-B as seen in  FIG. 3  of the grill compartment  60 , as well as  FIGS. 10 and 11 , perspective views of the gas grill  67  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Disposed upon the end  23   b  of the shell  21  are two (2) grill supports  71 . The grill supports  71  are turned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device  10  for storage and transportation of the device  10 , and then pivoted to a parallel orientation to deploy the gas grill as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The grill supports  71  are formed in one (1) piece as an injection molded thermoplastic part, or aluminum, or other metal with a coating to inhibit corrosion. The grill supports  71  are preferably formed with an integral grill support trunnion  72  as seen in  FIG. 14  to be pivotally retained in a plurality of grill support bracket halves  73   a ,  73   b  attached to the end  23   b  with a plurality of fasteners  33 . The grill support bracket halves  73   a ,  73   b  are similar in construction and function to the previously detailed table support bracket halves  48   a ,  48   b.    
     A grill aperture  63  is formed into the end  23   b  of the assembly  10  that extends into the grill compartment  60  during the initial fabrication of the shell  21 . The gas grill  67  is housed in the grill compartment  60  through the grill aperture  63  and is drawn out, at least partially, of the grill aperture  63  for use. A grill aperture cover  64  closes off the grill aperture  63  when the gas grill  67  is stowed. The grill aperture cover  64  is pivotally attached to the end  23   b  by means of a pair of grill aperture cover hinges  65 . The grill aperture cover hinges  65  are attached to the grill aperture cover  64  and fastened to the end  23   b  by means of a plurality of fasteners  33 . The grill aperture cover hinges  65  could incorporate the use of a spring to assure the full closure of the grill aperture cover  64 , or a separate latch mechanism could alternately be used for that purpose. A grill aperture cover handle  66  is disposed on the outer surface of the grill aperture cover  64 . 
     The gas grill  67  is suspended in the grill compartment  60  on a pair of grill slides  68 . The grill slides  68  preferably use roller wheels and formed slide rails as a means of providing the necessary support and mobility to the gas grill  67 ; however, other types of roller mechanisms could be used. The grill slides  68  could additionally be provided with positional detents or other mechanical interferences to limit the travel of the gas grill  67 , or the gas grill  67  can be removed completely from the compartment  60 . Incorporated in the grill slide  68  mechanism is a grill back splash  75  comprised preferably of a metal plate which would fit against the inner side of the end  23   b  when the gas grill  67  is in use to prevent spatter from said gas grill  67  from entering the grill compartment  60 . Attached to the gas grill  67 , preferably by means of an over-center latch mechanism, is a user-supplied gas bottle  76  equipped with a gas valve  77  and containing the necessary fuel to be used in said gas grill  67 . The gas valve  77  would be connected in a conventional manner to a gas supply hose  78  attached to the burner of the gas grill  67 . The gas grill  67  would be of a conventional style, having a pivotally attached grill and a burner that would make use of a variety of petroleum by-products for fuel. The gas grill could further be equipped with a piezo igniter, as well as apertures for the introduction of an open flame for ignition. There would be sufficient space within the grill compartment  60  for the storage of at least one (1) user-supplied spare gas bottle  79 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an isolated view of the water filtration system  100  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The water filtration system  100  is a typical reverse osmosis filtration system used to remove dirt and food particulates, as well as chlorine and other chemicals. The thin film composite membrane  109  will remove total dissolved solids, metals, viruses, and bacteria. The water filtration system  100  is comprised of a permeate pump  101 , a water level switch  102 , the filters  107  and  108 , the thin film composite membrane  109 , a storage tank  114 , and the interconnecting water tubing  112 . The permeate pump  101  is driven by a battery-operated electric motor, and collects the water from the melted ice and any condensate at the bottom of the cooler compartment  30  and pumps the water through the system, as well as providing the force to overcome the osmotic pressure across the thin film composite membrane  109 . The permeate pump  101  can be equipped with an on/off switch for additional control of the system, however the presence of water will normally be a sufficient system control. The water level switch  102  will shut off the permeate pump  101  when the water level in the cooler section  30  is too low to safely operate the water filtration system  110 . The first stage filter  107  removes any sediment and particulates. The second stage filter  108  removes chlorine and other chemicals such as fruit juices. The thin film composite membrane  109  removes matter at the ionic level such as dissolved solids and bacteria. After passing through the thin film composite membrane  109  the water is potable and is stored in the storage tank  114  which is equipped with a pressure valve/regulator  115  to shut off the water filtration system  100  when the storage tank  114  is full. The potable water can be drained from the storage tank  114  through the spigot  116  located on the forward end  23   b  of the device  10 . The pressure regulation portion of the pressure valve/regulator  115  lowers the pressure of the water supplied to the spigot  116  from the pressure of the water resident in the storage tank  114  if necessary. For every one gallon (1 gal.) of potable water delivered by the water filtration system  100  approximately another four gallons (4 gal.) of water are cycled through the water filtration system  100  and sent to a drain  118  in the bottom floor  24  of the grill compartment  60 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple manner with little or no training by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the operational steps can be performed in alternative order and as such any operational description of use should not be viewed as a limiting factor. The first step would, of course, be acquiring a model of the device  10  having the desired style to suit the user&#39;s taste. 
     The multiple-compartment configuration of the interior  22  allows the device  10  to perform multiple storage tasks. The cooler compartment  30  can be used to store various foodstuffs in a cold environment by placing ice or an ice/water mixture within the cooler compartment  30  on the exterior of the cooler insert  51 . The thermally conductive walls of the cooler insert  51  would allow for the transfer of heat from said cooler insert  51  to the ice to cool the foodstuffs held within. Other items not requiring cooling can be placed into the storage compartment  80 . Items can be retained on the exterior of the device  10  by placing such items upon the closed and latched tabletop  41  and placing the cargo net  131  over the items and securing the apertures  132  of the said cargo net  131  to the buttons  43  attached to said tabletop  41 . 
     The tabletop  41  can be used as a work surface adjacent to the device  10  by performing the following steps: removing any items which may be retained on top of the device  10 ; pivoting the table supports  46  to a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device  10 : unlatching the tabletop  41 ; pivoting the tabletop  41  about the table hinges  42  approximately one hundred eighty degrees (180°) and placing said tabletop  41 , button  43  side down, onto the deployed table supports  46 . 
     The gas grill can be used for the preparation of certain foods by performing the following steps: pivoting the grill supports  71  to a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device  10 ; pivoting the grill aperture cover  64  to the grill supports  71 ; sliding the gas grill  67  on the grill slides  68  to the position that the grill back splash  75  contacts the interior surface of the end  23   b  of the grill compartment  60 ; opening the gas valve  77  on the gas bottle  79 ; igniting the gas at the burner, and making any final adjustments of the gas valve  77  to achieve the heat output to accomplish the cooking process. 
     The water filtration system  100  is an automatic system that should only require monitoring, and occasionally replacing, the filters  107 ,  108 , and  109  and providing sufficiently charged battery packs  103 . When the water level switch  102  senses a sufficient amount of water present in the cooler compartment  30 , the water filtration system  100  will turn on to circulate the water through the filtration stages and eventually pump the, now potable, water into the storage tank  114 . When the pressure in the storage tank  114  reaches a preset maximum, as measured by the pressure valve/regulator  115 , the water filtration system will turn off. The water filtration system  100  will also be shut off by the water level switch  102  when the water level in the cooler compartment  30  falls too low. When the water pressure in the storage tank  114  drops to a preset minimum, as measured by the pressure valve/regulator  115 , the water filtration system  100  will be turned on. An on/off switch may be provided for the eventuality of replacing any of the filters  107 ,  108 , or  109  while the water filtration system  100  could possibly turn on. The umbrella brackets  38  can be utilized by inserting the support pole of a user-supplied umbrella into the apertures for stability. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.