Abstract:
A leisure apparatus comprises a body having a volume that is able to contain articles for storage therein and for removal therefrom, or that defines an internal space that is able to seal therein a gas, liquid or solid. An output device is arranged externally at the body. A receiver is located behind a wall of the body to be separated from articles stored in and removed from the body, or is located and sealed within the internal space of the body. The receiver is adapted for receiving an electronic signal transmitted wirelessly from a proximate device and for communicating that signal to the output device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation application that claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/485,667 (Attorney Docket No. 15357.9), filed May 31, 2012, and entitled “LEISURE, RECREATIONAL AND HOME-USE STREAMING APPARATUS”, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application Serial No. 2012100217, filed Feb. 29, 2012, and entitled “LEISURE, RECREATIONAL AND HOME-USE APPARATUS”, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application Serial No. 2011100904, filed Jul. 22, 2011, and entitled “LEISURE, RECREATIONAL AND HOME-USE APPARATUS”, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application Serial No. 2011902159, filed Jun. 1, 2011, and entitled “LEISURE, RECREATIONAL AND HOME-USE APPARATUS”, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Leisure, recreational and home-use apparatus are disclosed that have wireless capability. Hereafter such apparatus will simply be referred to as “leisure apparatus”. The leisure apparatus may have in-built capability for the so-called Bluetooth® open wireless technology standard, however, it should be appreciated that the leisure apparatus is not limited to this type of wireless technology/protocol. 
         [0004]    2. Background and Related Art 
         [0005]    Ice and cooler boxes are adapted to contain ice and/or other cooling media and are employed in a variety of environments and applications to keep food and beverages, etc. cool or cold. 
         [0006]    Ice and cooler boxes that have in-built sound systems are known. Such boxes may have speakers, and sockets for connecting (e.g. “plugging-in”) portable electronic devices to the boxes, such as those devices employing the so-called MP3 digital audio encoding format (“MP3 players”). The output from the plugged-in portable electronic devices can, via internally housed electronics, be amplified and broadcast from the speakers (e.g. to provide “on-site” music). Examples of such cooler boxes are shown in e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,491 and US 2008/0031483. However, the sockets of such boxes can become inactive, fouled or damaged by weather, water, dust, dirt, sand, debris and by impact in the environments and applications in which the ice and cooler boxes are employed. Such sockets can also break up (i.e. introduce discontinuity to) the surface in which they are located. 
         [0007]    Refrigerators are also known that receive signals from a remote antenna. Examples are shown in Chinese Patent Publication No. 101072357 and Korean Patent Publication No. 2008-0034064. CN 101072357 relates to an internet-enabled type refrigerator, and KR 2008-0034064 relates to a refrigerator having an in-built television or computer, with each refrigerator being able to receive a signal from a remote antenna. 
         [0008]    US 2009/0071516 discloses an audio system for an outdoor umbrella in which an audio housing is externally mounted to an umbrella pole. US 2009/0268923 discloses a wireless transmission-AV system for an outdoor furniture in which a speaker unit is mounted onto a frame of the furniture, and a wireless control is electrically connected to the speaker unit for wirelessly linking an AV player with the speaker unit. 
         [0009]    US 2009/0021654 discloses a self-contained entertainment system which, in essence, is a portable box. The document discloses that wireless technology may be implemented for one or more of the connections, but does not describe how this may be affected. Rather, in the system of US 2009/0021654, all the componentry is exposed for ease of access and use. 
         [0010]    The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the leisure apparatus as disclosed herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Disclosed herein is leisure apparatus. The leisure apparatus may take various forms and it should be understood that the terminology therefore embraces a range of apparatus including recreational, outdoor and home-use apparatus. The leisure apparatus as disclosed herein has a volumetric configuration (i.e. height, width and depth). The leisure apparatus can be portable. 
         [0012]    For example, the leisure apparatus may take the form of a so-called ice box, cooler box, cooler, ice chest, refrigerator, bar fridge, etc. (hereafter “cooler”). The leisure apparatus may also take the form of luggage such as a backpack, sports or other carry bag, a storage unit such as a cupboard located under a barbecue, a hamper such as a picnic hamper, a carry-all container, seating furniture such as chairs or lounges having a three-dimensional, volumetric profile, or furniture that is inflatable, etc. A number of such apparatus may be portable, able to be carried around and/or may be fabricated for outdoor use. A number of such apparatus may be employed in a wide variety of different environments, applications and leisure activities. 
         [0013]    The leisure apparatus as disclosed herein comprises a body. The body has a volume that is able to contain articles for storage therein and for removal therefrom (e.g. in an internal space defined by or within the body). This can, for example, enable the body to function as a cooler, bag, luggage item, carrying item, storage unit, etc. 
         [0014]    Alternatively, the body can be adapted such that the internal space is able to seal therein a gas (such as air), a liquid (such as water), or a solid (such as padding, stuffing, an internal support mechanism such as springs, etc.). This ability of the body to seal a gas, liquid or solid therein can enable it, for example, to function as a comfortable furniture item. 
         [0015]    In either case, an output device can be arranged externally at the body. In one embodiment the output device may comprise a speaker. Alternatively or additionally, the output device may comprise a video display unit. 
         [0016]    The leisure apparatus can also comprise a receiver that is able to receive an electronic signal transmitted wirelessly from a proximate device. The receiver is also able to communicate that signal to the output device. 
         [0017]    The receiver can be located behind a wall of the body to be separated from the articles stored in and removed from the body (e.g. to prevent contamination and damage of the receiver by dust, particles, moisture, knocking and bumping, etc.). 
         [0018]    For example, the receiver may be sealed behind an external wall, shell or skin of the body (i.e. to protect and insulate the receiver from the environment, and prevent external exposure to water, dust, etc.). Further, the receiver may be sealed within a wall of the body (i.e. to be protected and insulated from both the external and internal environment, and to prevent external and internal exposure to water, dust, etc.). 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the receiver can be sealed within a respective compartment of the body (e.g. in an infrequently used or purpose-built compartment of the body). Again this compartment can protect and insulate the receiver from both the external and internal environment, and can minimise or eliminate external and internal exposure to water, dust, etc.). 
         [0020]    When the body defines an internal space that is able to seal therein a gas, liquid or solid, the receiver can be located and sealed within the internal space of the body (i.e. to again protect and insulate the receiver from the environment, and to prevent external exposure to water, dust, etc.). 
         [0021]    The various forms of leisure apparatus can therefore be provided with a “contained” communication function, and issues such as socket fouling or damage can be avoided. Further, because the body has a volume, the electronics, connectors, etc. of the components, such as the output device and receiver, can be “sealingly housed” within the leisure apparatus, and therefore the possibility for fouling and damage of all components can further be reduced or eliminated. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, when the body contains articles, the apparatus may also perform a carrying function, such as carrying food and beverages; or may function as luggage, including taking the form of various types of bags, hampers, and carry-all containers, etc. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, when the body seals therein a gas, liquid or solid, the body may be filled or inflated with the gas, liquid or solid. The apparatus in this case may function as a furniture item (seat, chair, lounge, etc.). 
         [0024]    In one embodiment the receiver may be located together with suitable electronics for communicating (including modulating, amplifying, modifying, etc.) the signal to the output device. Again this ability to co-locate the receiver with suitable electronics arises from the body having a volumetric configuration (height, width and depth). 
         [0025]    In one embodiment the proximate device may be a portable electronic device. The reference to a “proximate device” means that the receiver becomes active once e.g. the portable electronic device is in proximity (e.g. within a predetermined distance, such as a few centimetres or metres) of the receiver. The body may comprise external markings which indicate an optimal location for the proximate device (e.g. so as to be in the vicinity of the receiver). 
         [0026]    In this embodiment, the receiver may therefore be adapted for receiving the electronic signal from the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may take the form of an MP3 player, a video player, a hand-held electronic device such as a mobile or smart phone, tablet, laptop, PDA, etc. In this regard, the portable electronic device may employ a digital encoding format. The electronic signal may be transmitted wirelessly in this format to the receiver, and the receiver may be configured to receive that particular format of electronic signal (e.g. in an encoded and/or compressed and/or packeted signal format). 
         [0027]    The signal may be transmitted wirelessly according to a standard or protocol. For example, the standard or protocol may be an open wireless technology standard for transmitting data over short distances by short wavelength radio transmissions (e.g. such as the Bluetooth® open wireless technology standard). The signal may be according to an audio format and standard (such as the MP3 audio standard) and/or according to a video format and standard (e.g. the MPEG video compression standard). 
         [0028]    In one embodiment both the output device and receiver may be located and sealed within the body. 
         [0029]    The volumetric profile of the body may take different forms according to the leisure apparatus. In addition, the location of the output device and receiver may vary in accordance with the different forms of the body. 
         [0030]    For example, when the leisure apparatus takes the form of a cooler, the body may comprise top, front, base, side and end panels of the cooler, and optionally a lid or door therefore. The output device and receiver may be located in a respective (or in the same) panel or lid/door of the cooler (e.g. behind or sealed within a wall or lid thereof). 
         [0031]    When the leisure apparatus takes the form of luggage, such as a backpack or sports bag, the output device and receiver may be located in a respective (or in the same) panel, flap, wall of the luggage (e.g. behind a wall), may be sealed within a compartment of the luggage (e.g. in a pocket, pouch, etc.). 
         [0032]    When the leisure apparatus takes the form of a hamper such as a picnic hamper, or takes the form of a carry-all container, the output device and receiver may be located in a respective (or in the same) panel or lid of the hamper or container (e.g. behind or sealed within a wall or lid thereof). 
         [0033]    When the leisure apparatus takes the form of an outdoor or portable cooking apparatus, such as a barbecue, the body may comprise a base unit of the cooking apparatus (e.g. that is insulated from a reminder of the barbecue). The output device and receiver may be located in a respective (or in the same) door or panel of the base unit (e.g. located at, behind or sealed therewithin). 
         [0034]    When the leisure apparatus comprises a furniture item, the output device and receiver may be located in auxiliary features of the furniture item that have a volumetric profile, such as an arm, armrest, headrest, back or base of a chair or couch, etc. 
         [0035]    When the output device and/or receiver are incorporated into a flap, door or lid for the body, that flap, door or lid may be coupled to the body, or be freely detachable therefrom. If detachable, the output device and receiver may then communicate wirelessly. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the wall behind which the receiver is located may comprise a detachable panel such as a sealing panel. 
         [0037]    When the output device comprises a video display unit, the unit may comprise a graphical user interface or a touch screen. Each of the graphical user interface or touch screen may be used to input information (e.g. for feedback and retransmission to the electronic components, including the proximate device, such as control or selection-type information). 
         [0038]    It is to be understood that the terminology “speaker” as employed herein broadly refers to an electro-acoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. 
         [0039]    The speaker may comprise one or more of a sub-woofer, woofer, mid-range speaker, tweeter and/or super-tweeter. 
         [0040]    The receiver, output device, and associated electronics may be powered by a power source, such as a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack may be incorporated into an internal space of the body. The receiver, output device, and associated electronics may be powered by a solar panel. The rechargeable battery pack may be connected (e.g. via a plug) to an electrical mains power supply, or may be directly connected to the solar panel. 
         [0041]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0042]    In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, at least one of which is illustrated in the appended drawing. Understanding that the drawing depicts only typical embodiments of the present invention and is not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic depiction of a first leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic depiction of a second leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic depiction of a third leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic depiction of a fourth leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic depiction of a fifth leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic depiction of a sixth leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic depiction of a seventh leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic depiction of a eighth leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic depiction of a ninth leisure apparatus embodiment in wireless communication with a portable electronic device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    Various leisure apparatus having a volumetric configuration (i.e. height, width and depth) will now be described with reference to each of  FIGS. 1 to 9 . In each case it will be seen that the leisure apparatus comprises a body with a three-dimensional, volumetric profile. This enables the various componentry including receiver, transponder, speakers, screens, etc. to be flush or protectively mounted within the apparatus. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first leisure apparatus embodiment, in the form of an icebox  10 , is shown. The icebox  10  has a body in the form of a hollow, rectangular prism-like housing  12  and a lid  14  hingedly connected to the housing  12  to pivot between icebox open and closed positions. A latching handle  16  may be mounted to the lid  14 , to releasably latch the lid in the icebox closed position. The lid  14  may alternatively be freely detached from the housing  12 . 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 1 , an output device in the form of two speakers  18  is shown. The speakers  18  are mounted within a side wall  20  of the housing  12 . Whilst each speaker may comprise one of a sub-woofer, woofer, mid-range speaker, tweeter and/or super-tweeter, in  FIG. 1  each speaker comprises a woofer  22  and a tweeter  24 . For additional protection, but to still enable sound release, the speakers  18  may be located behind a perforated/slotted screen or behind a housing outer skin (e.g. with slots or perforations in the skin for sound release). 
         [0055]    A receiver in the form of a receiver/transmitter  26  is located under and wholly mounted within an end wall  28  of the housing  12  (i.e. remote from the side wall  20 , although both the receiver transmitter  26  and speakers  18  can be located in the same wall). This mounting within the wall  28  seals, protects and insulates the receiver/transmitter  26  from the environment and from the contents of the icebox  10 . When the wall is formed from a tough plastics material, this can even more effectively seal and protect the receiver and its associated electronics. 
         [0056]    The receiver/transmitter  26  is able to receive an electronic signal transmitted wirelessly (e.g. streamed in real-time or near real-time, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 ) from an electronic device in a proximate location to it, and to then communicate that signal to the speakers  18  to produce sound. The signal may be amplified, modulated, transformed, modified, etc. by a microprocessor, amplifier, etc. housed within the end wall  28  before being fed to the speaker. 
         [0057]    The receiver/transmitter  26  is configured for the Bluetooth® open wireless technology standard, because of the global commercial penetration and acceptance of this standard (the Bluetooth® standard is an open wireless technology standard for transmitting data over short distances by short wavelength radio transmissions). 
         [0058]    However, other receivers (and optional transmitters) are able to be employed that can receive an electronic signal transmitted wirelessly and then communicate that signal to the speakers to produce sound. The use of a receiver/transmitter  26  may also enable information to be transmitted back to a remote electronic device (e.g. to optimise performance of the sound system—i.e. the receiver/transmitter  26  may take the form of a transponder). 
         [0059]    The receiver/transmitter  26  is configured for wirelessly receiving an electronic signal from a proximate device in the form of a hand-held MP3 player  30 , held by a user U. The MP3 player can be placed on or adjacent to the icebox  10 , or may be located in a caddy, bracket, etc. (i.e. not a socket) that is mounted to the outside of the end wall  28 . 
         [0060]    The receiver/transmitter  26  is also configured to receive an electronic signal from other hand-held electronic devices including a mobile or smart phone, tablet, pad, laptop, PDA, etc. Thus, the receiver/transmitter  26  can be provided with broad spectrum functionality. In each case, including in the case of the MP3 player  30 , the electronic device employs a digital audio encoding format (such as the MP3 standard/protocol). The electronic signal may be transmitted wirelessly in this format to the receiver/transmitter  26 , with the receiver/transmitter  26  being configured to receive that particular format of electronic signal. The signal transmitted can be encoded and/or compressed and/or be in a packeted format. 
         [0061]    By mounting the speakers  18 , and by sealing the receiver/transmitter  26 , microprocessor, amplifier and other electronics within the side wall  20  and end wall  28  of the housing  12 , the icebox  10  assumes a “contained” communication function. There are no “plug-in” issues such as socket fouling, short-circuiting, physical damage, etc. from weather, fluids and particulates, or impact from objects and users, either externally or internally of the icebox  10 . Also, the profile of the housing  12  is uninterrupted (save for where the speakers are located, although these may also be contained behind a perforated or slotted external skin of the icebox). The speakers can also easily be provided with a protective external screen/grille. 
         [0062]    The receiver, speakers, and associated electronics are powered by a rechargeable battery pack incorporated into the housing  12 . The battery pack can be recharged by a remote recharger (e.g. a plug-less/socket-less recharger) or by power fed from a solar panel (e.g. that is mounted to or incorporated in a face of the housing or lid). Alternatively, the battery pack may be connected via a plug to an electrical mains power supply, which may directly recharge the battery and/or supply power directly to the electrical and electronic components. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  a second leisure apparatus embodiment is shown in the form of a bar fridge or ice chest  40 . In  FIG. 2 , like reference numerals are otherwise used to denote similar or like parts, and hence will not be re-described. 
         [0064]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the lid  14  becomes a door  14 ′, and the latch  16 , a door handle  16 ′. In addition, instead of using a bracket or caddy, the player  44  can simply be placed to sit on top of and rest on the top end wall  28  of the bar fridge or ice chest  40  (i.e. adjacent to the receiver/transmitter  26 ′). 
         [0065]    Instead of having two speakers  18 , the bar fridge or ice chest  40  comprises an output device in the form of one speaker  18  and a touch screen  42 . The touch screen  42  can display visual and video-type output converted from a signal transmitted thereto via the player  44 . 
         [0066]    In this case, the player  44  can transmit wirelessly, using an encoded, compressed signal format for producing an audio output, such as MP3, and the player  44  can wirelessly transmit a signal for producing a video output, such as a compressed video signal according to the MPEG video compression standard. 
         [0067]    When the output device includes a touch screen  42 , the screen can also be employed by a user to enter information, such as for feeding back to the player  44 , and to control e.g. the microprocessor within the housing  12 . In this case, the receiver/transmitter  26 ′ can take the form of a transponder. For example, this feedback may include volume control information, music selection information, music sequence information, speaker control information (e.g. base and/or treble control), etc. 
         [0068]    The walls of bar fridge or ice chest  40  can be formed from a metal or tough plastics material transmissive to a wireless signal, and can again seal-in and protect the receiver/transmitter  26 ′ and its associated electronics. Again, this mounting within a wall of the bar fridge or ice chest  40  functions to seal, protect and insulate the receiver/transmitter  26 ′ from the environment and from the contents of the bar fridge or ice chest  40 . 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  a third leisure apparatus embodiment is shown in the form of a backpack  50 . The backpack  50  has a body in the form of a flexible housing  52  that encloses one or more internal spaces (e.g. pockets or compartments). As is known, the housing  52  can store a range of articles therein (in the pockets or compartments). The backpack  50  also includes a number of fasteners in the form of one or more zippers  54  that each provides access into the different pockets or compartments of the backpack  50 . A carry handle  56  is mounted to a top part of the backpack  50 . 
         [0070]    In the backpack of  FIG. 3 , an output device in the form of a speaker  58  is shown in a side thereof. More specifically, the speaker  58  is flush mounted within a side panel  53  of the backpack housing  52 , with an additional speaker optionally being mounted to an opposing side panel. Each speaker may comprise one of a sub-woofer, woofer, mid-range speaker, tweeter and/or super-tweeter. For additional protection, but to still enable sound release, the speaker  58  may be located behind a perforated/slotted screen, grille or outer skin that extends across and over the side wall  53 . Additional speakers may also be mounted on one or more of the panels/walls of the backpack housing  52 . 
         [0071]    In the backpack of  FIG. 3 , a receiver in the form of a receiver/transmitter  51  is located behind and wholly mounted within a front wall  55  of the housing  52 , at a location remote from the side wall  53  (although both the receiver/ transmitter  51  and speaker  58  can be located in the same wall). This mounting can be within a compartment or pocket of the backpack  50  (e.g. a dedicated or reconfigured compartment or pocket) and functions to seal, protect and insulate the receiver/transmitter  51  from the exterior, and also from other compartments/pockets of the backpack. When the wall  55  is formed from a tough and tightly woven (e.g. synthetic) material, this can again protect the receiver and its associated electronics, including from moisture and dust ingress. 
         [0072]    The backpack of  FIG. 3  can be used with a hand-held (portable) player  57  which can transmit a signal wirelessly to the receiver/transmitter  51 . The player  57  may sit on top of or even be clipped to the backpack  50 . The signal format can be an encoded, compressed signal format for producing an audio output, such as MP3. The player  57  may also wirelessly transmit a signal for producing a video output, such as a compressed video signal according to the MPEG video compression standard. 
         [0073]    The backpack  50  may also be provided with a touch screen to enable a user to enter information, such as for controlling output (e.g. via a microprocessor located within the housing  52 ), and optionally can be used to feedback information to the player  57 . In this latter case, the receiver/transmitter  51  can take the form of a transponder. For example, this feedback may include volume control information, music selection information, music sequence information, speaker control information (e.g. base and/or treble control), etc. 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  a fourth leisure apparatus embodiment is shown in the form of a barbecue  60 . The barbecue  60  has a body in the form of a base unit  61  that encloses an internal space (i.e. functioning as a cupboard). The internal space of the base unit  61  may be used to house a range of articles such as cooking implements and utensils, barbecue cleaners, fat drip trays, etc. The base unit  61  includes front swing doors  69  that enable access into the enclosed internal space of base unit  61 . A handle  66  may be mounted on each door  69 . 
         [0075]    The base unit  61  of barbecue  60  is also provided with wheels  601  and castors  602  that enable the barbecue  60  to be moved about. Further, the barbecue  60  as shown comprises a hood  62  that covers and encloses its hotplates/grill and a hood handle  606 . 
         [0076]    The barbecue of  FIG. 4  specifically comprises an output device in the form of twin speakers  68 . The speakers  68  are respectively mounted within the doors  69 . Additional speakers may be mounted in one or each side wall  63  of the base unit  61 . Each speaker may comprise one of a sub-woofer, woofer, mid-range speaker, tweeter and/or super-tweeter. For additional protection, but to still enable sound release, the speakers  68  may be located behind a perforated/slotted screen/grille. 
         [0077]    A receiver in the form of a receiver/transmitter  610  is located behind to be mounted within one of the doors  69  of the base unit  61 . Alternatively, the receiver/transmitter  610  can be located behind to be mounted within one of the side walls  63  of the base unit  61 . In each case, the receiver/transmitter  610  is remotely located from an in-use hot grill part of the barbecue  60 . 
         [0078]    The door  69  and/or wall  63  may be formed from a metal or plastic material transmissive to a wireless signal, and can seal and protect the receiver/transmitter  610  and its associated electronics. The mounting within the door  69  and/or wall  63  also protects and insulates the receiver/transmitter  61  from heat and oil splashes during the operation of the barbecue  60 . The receiver/ transmitter  610  and one of the speakers  68  can thus be located in the same door  69 . 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 , a fifth leisure apparatus is disclosed in the form of a portable (i.e. wheelable) cooler  70 . The cooler  70  comprises a hinged lid  74  having a latch  76  and an end-mounted tow-handle  77 . In addition, the cooler  70  comprises opposing wheels  72  located at an opposite end thereof. 
         [0080]    A control panel  71  is mounted into a side wall of the cooler  70 . The control panel  71  comprises an output device in the form of two speakers  78 , and control knobs/dials  72 . The control knobs  72  may be used to control various sound parameters such as volume, bass, treble, speaker balance, etc. The control panel  71  may be modified to include a visual display and video-type output. 
         [0081]    A receiver/transmitter  73  is located under the control panel  71  (or may be located elsewhere in the cooler  70 , remotely from the control panel  71 ). The control panel  71  thus seals the receiver/transmitter  73  from the exterior, with an opposing internal wall of the cooler  70  sealing the receiver/transmitter  73  from the cooler interior. The receiver/transmitter  73  can also take the form of a transponder so that it can communicate with and feedback to a remotely held player  74 . 
         [0082]    The receiver/transmitter  73  receives a signal transmitted thereto via the player  74 . The player  74  can transmit wirelessly, using an encoded, compressed signal format for producing an audio output, such as MP3, and optionally may wirelessly transmit a signal for producing a video output, such as a compressed video signal according to the MPEG video compression standard. 
         [0083]    When the control panel  71  includes a touch screen, the screen can also be employed by a user to enter information, such as for feeding back to the player  74 , and to control e.g. the microprocessor within the control panel  71 . 
         [0084]    The side wall of the cooler  70  and the control panel  71  can each be formed from a tough metal or plastics material to seal and protect the receiver and its associated electronics. 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a sixth leisure apparatus is shown in the form of a bar fridge  80 . The bar fridge  80  comprises a top-mounted swing-up lid  81  and handle  81 A. 
         [0086]    The bar fridge  80  also comprises an output device in the form of twin speakers  82 . The speakers  82  are mounted within a front wall  84  of the bar fridge. Additional speakers  85  may be mounted in one or each side wall of the fridge. Each speaker may comprise one of a sub-woofer, woofer, mid-range speaker, tweeter and/or super-tweeter. For additional protection, but to still enable sound release, the speakers  82 ,  85  may be located behind a perforated/slotted screen/grille (e.g. see side grille  88 ). 
         [0087]    Again, a receiver/transmitter  86  can also be located in the front wall  84 , or it may be located in the side walls or top panel of the fridge. Again, the receiver/transmitter  86  can also take the form of a transponder so that it can communicate with and feedback to a remotely held player  87 . The wall  84  and side walls of the bar fridge can again be formed a metal or plastic transmissive to a wireless signal, to seal thereunder and protect the receiver/transmitter  86  and its associated electronics. The remaining functions of the receiver/transmitter  86  and player  87  are as described above. 
         [0088]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a seventh leisure apparatus embodiment is shown in the form of inflatable or fluid-fillable/filled furniture. In this embodiment the furniture takes the form of a recliner  90 . A body  92  of the recliner  90  encloses an internal space that is inflatable with a gas (such as air) or which may hold a fluid (such as a liquid; e.g. water), or a fluidisable material such as solid polymeric foam particles (e.g. polystyrene foam balls). The body  92  provides underlying support to a user U as shown. 
         [0089]    The recliner  90  has auxiliary support structures in the form of armrests  94  mounted (e.g. integrally formed) on either side of the body  92 . The armrests  94  provide the user with additional support and can also be used to support other items (such as cups, plates, utensils, glasses, a hat, towel, etc.—see e.g. cup holder  93 ). 
         [0090]    In the recliner  90  of  FIG. 7 , an output device in the form of speakers  98  are mounted within respective armrests  94  at the upper end of the inside face of each armrest (i.e. to be adjacent to the ears of a reclining user). Each speaker  98  may be located behind a perforated/slotted and usually waterproof screen/grille. Additional speakers may be mounted in the recliner (e.g. at outward facing surfaces of the armrests). 
         [0091]    A control panel  91  is mounted into an upper surface of one of the armrests  94 . The control panel comprises control knobs/dials  92 . The control knobs  92  may be used to control various sound parameters such as volume, bass, treble, speaker balance, etc. The control panel may again be modified to include a visual display and video-type output. 
         [0092]    A receiver/transmitter  94  can also be located under the control panel  91 , sealed thereby within the armrest  94  (or may be located remotely therefrom, elsewhere within the recliner—e.g. within the opposite armrest  94 ). The receiver/transmitter  94  can also take the form of a transponder so that it can communicate with and feedback to a remotely located player  95 . The player  95  can also be securely located in e.g. a cradle defined in the control panel  91 . The control panel  91  can again seal thereunder and protect the receiver/transmitter  94  and its associated electronics. The remaining functions of the receiver/transmitter  94  and player  95  are as described above. 
         [0093]      FIG. 8  discloses an eighth leisure apparatus in the form of inflatable or fluid-fillable furniture. In this embodiment the furniture takes the form of a chair  100 . Again, a body  102  of the chair  100  encloses an internal space that is inflatable with a gas (such as air) or a fluid (e.g. a liquid such as water), or a fluidisable material (e.g. a solid polymeric foam particle such as polystyrene foam balls). The body  102  provides underlying support to a user U. The chair  100  has auxiliary support structures in the form of armrests  104  mounted on the body  102 . The armrests  104  provide the user with additional support and can also be used to support other items (such as cups, plates, utensils, glasses, a hat, towel, etc.). 
         [0094]    In the chair of  FIG. 8 , an output device in the form of speakers  108  are mounted within respective sides of a backrest  106  of the chair (i.e. at the upper end of the outside face of the backrest, to locate adjacent to the ears of a seated user). Each speaker  108  may be located behind a perforated/slotted and usually waterproof screen/grille. Additional speakers may be mounted to the chair (e.g. at outward facing surfaces of the armrests). 
         [0095]    A control panel  111  is mounted into an outside surface of one of the armrests  104 . The control panel comprises control knobs/dials  112  which may be used to control various sound parameters such as volume, bass, treble, speaker balance, etc. The control panel may again be modified to include a visual display and video-type output. 
         [0096]    A receiver/transmitter  114  can be located under the control panel  111 , sealed thereby within the armrest  104 . Alternatively, the receiver/transmitter  114  may be located remotely from the control panel, elsewhere within the recliner (e.g. within the opposite armrest  104 ). 
         [0097]    The receiver/transmitter  114  can again take the form of a transponder so that it can communicate with and feedback to a remotely held player  115 . The control panel  111  can again seal thereunder and protect the receiver/transmitter  114  and its associated electronics. The remaining functions of the receiver/transmitter  114  and player  115  are as described above. 
         [0098]      FIG. 9  discloses a ninth leisure apparatus in the form of a hamper  200 . Again, a body  202  of the hamper  200  encloses an internal space that can hold items such as food, drink, cutlery, crockery, cups, rugs, cloths, napkins, etc. The body  202  includes handles  204  mounted on the body to extend upwardly therefrom and to enable the hamper to be carried. The body  202  also includes lid flaps  206  to enclose items in the body interior. Each lid flap  206  is secured along an inside edge to a central support strap  207 , to pivot upwardly therefrom. Each lid flap  206  is also securable at its periphery, via a zip  208 , to a rim of the body. 
         [0099]    In the hamper of  FIG. 9 , an output device in the form of a speaker  208  is mounted within a control panel  210 . The speaker  208  may be located behind a perforated/slotted and usually waterproof screen. Additional speakers may be mounted to the hamper (e.g. at ends or at an opposing side of the body  202 ). 
         [0100]    Again, the control panel  210  is mounted into an outside surface of the body  202 . The control panel comprises control knobs/dials  212  which may be used to control various sound parameters such as volume, bass, treble, speaker balance, etc. The control panel may again be modified to include a visual display and video-type output. 
         [0101]    A receiver/transmitter  214  is located under the control panel  210 , sealed thereby within a compartment extending into the hamper interior. Alternatively, the receiver/transmitter  214  may be located remotely from the control panel, elsewhere within the hamper walls or lids (e.g. within a dedicated compartment or capsule mounted within the hamper wall or lid). The receiver/transmitter  214  can again take the form of a transponder so that it can communicate with and feedback to a remotely held player  215 . The control panel  210  can again seal thereunder and protect the receiver/transmitter  214  and its associated electronics. The remaining functions of the receiver/transmitter  214  and player  215  are as described above. 
         [0102]    In any of the embodiments described herein the receiver/transmitter/transponder, electronics, speakers and/or video screen can be integrated into (to be sealingly protected thereby) one or more panels that may be secured within a volumetric profile of the leisure apparatus. 
         [0103]    When the housing takes e.g. a round, cylindrical or spherical form, it may comprise just a single wall and optionally a lid, and within which the receiver/transmitter/transponder, speakers, power source and electronics may be incorporated. When the housing takes e.g. a flexible form, it may comprise rigid panels and frames, attached to the remainder of the flexible housing, and to which the receiver/transmitter/transponder, speakers, power source and electronics may be mounted. 
         [0104]    The leisure apparatus may also take the form of a carry-all container, configured much like the ice box and cooler shown in each of  FIGS. 1 and 5 . In this case, the receiver/transmitter/transponder, electronics, speakers and/or video screen can be integrated into a lid, or side or end wall(s) of the container. 
         [0105]    It will be understood to persons skilled in the art that many other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the leisure apparatus as disclosed herein. 
         [0106]    In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the leisure apparatus.