Abstract:
A portable storage unit designed for transporting a variety of items including but not limited to food items and fishing equipment. The portable storage unit includes integrally mounted cooking devices to facilitate preparation of a meal. The portable storage unit further includes a plurality of walls, a bottom and top forming a container. The container includes compartment dividers. The portable storage unit is configurable such that snow skids or wheels can be utilized for transportation across different types of terrains.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a device for transporting recreational equipment and meal preparation, more specifically but not by way limitation a portable storage unit configured with a plurality of specialized compartments and devices configured to facilitate the storing and preparing of food along with recreational hardware such as fishing gear.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The number of participants involved in the sport of fishing is one of the highest for all sports in the world. Fishing is enjoyed by millions of individuals every year for recreational pleasure as well as professionally. Fishing occurs in a variety of geographical regions in a multitude of climates. From surf fishing in tropical regions to ice fishing in northern regions, there exist common needs for individuals engaged in the sport.  
         [0003]     Participants usually require at least a minimum of equipment such as an assortment of rods, reels, line, lures and other common fishing tools. Individuals choosing to utilize a fishing location that requires transportation of their equipment by walking to a remote area such as a pond or a distant location across a frozen lake have a need to be able to transport their gear with a single trip to the desired location.  
         [0004]     Another need arises for the transportation and subsequent method of preparing a meal. This need arises out of the fact that the average length of time a participant engages in the sport is usually more than four hours for a single occurrence. No current devices have been shown to assist participants engaged in the sport fishing adapted to assist the participant in the transportation of the desired fishing equipment as well as transporting, storing, and preparing food.  
         [0005]     Another problem occurs when the participant engages in the sport of fishing during hours of darkness. Many species of fish are sought after during the nighttime hours. It would be desirable for a fisherman to include a device that could provide light in order to provide the participant good visibility as needed.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be transported across a plurality of surfaces such as but not limited to ice and rough terrain that provides storage for the desired fishing equipment and food and further include a method for preparing the food. Furthermore, this device should include an apparatus that is capable of producing light.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable recreational storage unit combined with cooking devices that can be easily transported across a plurality of terrains.  
         [0008]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable recreational storage unit that has at least one compartment specifically designed for storing fishing equipment.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable recreational storage unit that contains an insulated compartment for storing food items.  
         [0010]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable recreational storage unit that has at least one method of cooking food items.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable recreational storage unit that is specifically adapted for traversing an ice surface.  
         [0012]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable recreational storage unit that is specifically adapted for traversing rough terrain  
         [0013]     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein various elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular  FIG. 1 , there is portable storage unit  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0018]     The portable storage unit  100  comprises a substantially hollow and rectangular container  110 . The portable storage unit  100  has four walls  115  and a bottom  120  configured to define an interior volume with an opening  135 . The four walls  115  and the bottom are constructed of a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to wood, metal or plastic. The four walls  115  and bottom  120  are attached by standard chemical or mechanical methods. Furthermore, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the four walls  115  and bottom could be manufactured integrally formed using conventional injection-molding techniques. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the four walls  115  are manufactured with a suitable insulation contained therein to provide thermal isolation of the contents in the container  110 . Although the present invention is illustrated as having four walls  115 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that numerous different wall configurations are possible to construct the portable storage unit  100  with the desired functionality as described herein.  
         [0019]     Proximate to the opening  135  is lid  125 . Lid  125  is hinged the top of the side wall  130  is the lid  125 . The lid  125  is configured in a substantially planar manner and is generally rectangular in shape. The lid  125  is sized so that it completely covers the opening  135 . The lid  125  is manufactured from a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic, wood or metal. The lid  125  is hingedly secured to the rear wall  150  with a conventional mechanical hinge  140 .  
         [0020]     Attached to the side wall  130  proximate to and beneath the lid  125  are a pair of retaining brackets  145 . The retaining brackets  145  extend outward from the rear wall  150  and are with sufficient distance therebetween to receive thereon a generally long tool such as but not limited to an ice auger. While no specific measurements are required, good results have been achieved with a distance between the retaining brackets  145  measuring approximately thirty inches. The retaining brackets  145  are generally arcuate in shape so as to assist in capturing any tool placed therein. The retaining brackets  145  are made from a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum. The retaining brackets  145  are attached to the side wall  130  with conventional mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to bolts. Although the retaining brackets  145  are illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as being generally arcuate in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the retaining brackets  145  could be manufactured in a variety of shapes to achieve the functionality suggested herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the retaining brackets  145  could be square in shape with an end opposite the side wall  130  that extends upward to assist in retaining items placed thereon.  
         [0021]     Secured to the rear wall  150  is a motor bracket  155 . The motor bracket  155  is mounted proximate to the opening  135  and generally projects outward from the rear wall  150 . The motor bracket  155  is constructed of a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum. The motor bracket  155  is secured to the rear wall  150  with conventional mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to bolts. The motor bracket  155  is of sufficient length to accommodate a ice auger motor thereon. In the drawing submitted herewith, the motor bracket  155  is shown with three support legs  160  integrally formed with two parallel support members  165 . Although this configuration is illustrated in the drawing submitted herewith, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the motor bracket  155  could consist of numerous different configurations of support members either in place of and/or in conjunction with the parallel support members  165  and support legs  160 . It is within the scope of the present invention that the motor bracket  155  be constructed to receive thereon an ice auger motor or another large device to be transported.  
         [0022]     The container  110  is superposed on a pair of skids  170 . The skids  170  are mounted toward the outward opposing edges  174  of the bottom  120  and are generally configured in a parallel manner. The skids  170  are constructed of a suitable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic, metal or wood. The skids  170  are designed to facilitate the movement of the container across ice or snow. The skids  170  have a first end  173  that are curved upward. This allows the skids  170  to slidably traverse across snow or ice without the first end  173  of the skid  170  being temporarily captured on the surface much like conventional snow skis. Although the container  110  is shown in the drawings submitted herewith as having two skids  170 , it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the container  110  could have more or less than two skids  170  and perform the desired function suggested herein.  
         [0023]     Interposed to the skids  170  and the bottom  120  are the skid supports  175 . The skid supports  175  are positioned proximate to each corner of the container  110 . The skid supports  175  are generally cylindrical in shape and manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to metal. The skid supports  175  have a first end and a second end. The first end of the skid supports are fastened to the bottom. The second end of the skid supports  175  are fastened to the skids  170 . The skid supports  175  are fastened at each end by conventional methods such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners or chemical adhesion. Although the skid supports  175  are illustrated as being cylindrical in shape, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the skid supports  175  could be square.  
         [0024]     Positioned internal of the four walls  115  and contiguous therewith is a divider  180 . The divider  180  is positioned so that it bisects the container  110  into generally equal compartments. The divider  180  is constructed of a suitable rigid material such as metal, plastic or wood. The divider  180  is of suitable height so that it effectively partitions the container without interfering with the closure of the lid  125 . The divider  180  is removably secured within the container so that a user can alter the internal configuration of the container in order to place desired objects therein. Although the container  110  is shown with a single divider  180 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that numerous dividers  180  could be present to allow for multiple configurations of the interior of the container  110 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, numerous small dividers could be removable secured within the container in order to accommodate small items such as but not limited to fishing tackle. It is also further contemplated in the scope of the present invention that the divider  180  be manufactured with an insulating material in order to provide thermal isolation to at least one of the compartments  182 .  
         [0025]     Secured to the front wall  185  is a pulling device  187 . The pulling device  187  provides the user an interface that allows the user to pull the portable storage unit  100  across the desired surface. The pulling device  187  is a flexible material such as but not limited to rope. The pulling device  187  is releasably secured to the front wall  185  with conventional eye bolts  190 . The eye bolts  190  are mounted parallel superposed to each skid  170  to the front wall  185  proximate to the bottom. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different materials could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with a rope to construct the pulling device  187  and achieve the desired function described herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation a t-shaped metal bar could be utilized.  
         [0026]     Now referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the portable storage unit  200  comprises four walls  210  and a bottom  215  configured to form a generally rectangular shaped container  220  having an interior volume and an opening. The four walls  210  and bottom are constructed from a suitable rigid material such as but no limited to metal, plastic or wood. Although the portable storage unit  200  is illustrated as having four walls  210 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the portable storage unit could have as few as one wall in a generally circular shape.  
         [0027]     A top  225  is mounted opposite and parallel with the bottom  215  superposed on the four walls  220 . The top  225  is configured in a substantially planar manner and is secured to the four walls  210  with conventional mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to screws. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the top  225  could be hingedly attached similar to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . One end of the top  225  is formed to create a handle portion  230 . The handle portion  230  is contiguous with the top  225  and extends outward from the top  225  at an angle in order to provide a surface that allows the user to transport the portable storage unit  200  across the desired terrain. Although no specific angle is required, good results have been achieved with a handle portion  230  that is manufactured at an angle range of five to forty-five degrees.  
         [0028]     Integrally mounted into the top  225  is a plurality of propane appliances. A conventional propane grill  235  is mounted with conventional mechanical fasteners to the top  225 . A propane lantern  240  is mounted adjacent to the grill  235 . The grill  235  and the lantern  240  are supplied with propane fuel from the tank  245  that is secured to the front of the portable storage unit  200 . The tank  245  is superposed on the tank support  250 . The tank support  250  is contiguous with the bottom and extends beyond the front wall  255 . The tank  250  is also secured to the front wall  255  with a strap  260 . The strap  255  is fastened to the front wall  255  with conventional mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to bolts. The strap  255  is a semi-rigid material, such as but not limited to aluminum, that is shaped to bias against a standard propane tank. The strap  255  secures the tank to the portable storage unit  200  while the unit is being transported. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different type of appliances could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the propane appliances described herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the grill  235  could be a conventional charcoal or electric grill. It is further contemplated that the lantern could be a battery-powered lantern. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the grill  235  and lantern  240  could also be mounted to the lid  125  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0029]     Integrated into the side wall  265  and slidably mounted thereto is a plurality of storage compartments  270 . The storage compartments  270  are supported by the compartment dividers  275 . The compartment dividers  275  function to support and provide a suitable mounting surface for the storage compartments  270 . The storage compartment  270  are conventional drawers that are manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to wood, metal or plastic. Handles  280  are mounted to each storage compartment  270  to provide a method of conveniently accessing the contents therein. The storage compartments  270  are mounted with conventional slidable drawer hardware to the side wall  265  and the compartment dividers  275 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that at least one of the storage compartments  270  could be constructed of an insulating material that would provide thermal isolation for the contents therein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous possible configurations that could be used for the storage compartments  270 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the number or shape of storage compartments  270  could be varied. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the retaining brackets  145  and motor bracket  155  illustrated in  FIG. 1  could be similarly mounted to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]     Mounted to the bottom  215  and extending downward therefrom is a plurality of wheel brackets  285 . The wheel brackets  285  are manufactured from conventional metal brackets and are designed to accommodate the wheels  290 . The wheels  290  are conventional rubber wheels. It is preferred in the present invention that the wheels  290  are of a have a sufficient diameter and tread type so as to facilitate the transportation of the portable storage unit  200  across uneven and rough terrain. Although the illustration submitted herewith, shows 2 wheels from the side perspective, the preferred embodiment has four wheels  290  positioned generally near the corners of the portable storage unit  200 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous configurations of the wheels are possible. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the portable storage unit could utilize three wheels. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that other transportation methods could be utilized in place of and/or in conjunction with the wheels  290 . More specifically but not by way of limitation skids made for transporting across ice or snow could be utilized to transport the portable storage unit  200 .  
         [0031]     Now referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , a description of the operation of the portable storage unit  100  is as follows. The user opens the lid  125  of the portable storage unit  100  mounted on the hinge  140 . The user then places the contents desired for transporting into the plurality of compartments  182 . The user then closes the lid  125 . The user places an auger or other desired tool that will be required for tasks such as but not limited to drilling a hole for ice fishing on the retaining brackets  145 . The user then places the auger motor or other desired tool on the motor bracket  155 . To transport the portable storage unit  100  the user grasps the pulling device  187  and walks forward while holding the pulling device  187 . The skids  170  allow the portable storage unit  100  to traverse across surfaces such as ice or snow easily. The user will transport the portable storage unit  100  to the desired location.  
         [0032]     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.