Cooler with table

Abstract

A portable food and beverage cooler device with an attached table, is provided comprising an ice chest boasting an easily accessed tabletop on which the user places foods, beverages and other personal goods. Hidden within a slotted compartment incorporated into the front panel of the cooler and positioned directly below the front lip of the lid, is a removable tray table measuring the approximate length and width of the cooler itself.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/398,433 filed Jun. 25, 2010, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Cooler with Table.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of portable food and beverage cooler devices, and more specifically to the field of portable food and beverage cooler devices with an attached table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for portable food and beverage cooler devices with an attached table. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,170 to Ronald R. Kaiser, II describes a device for transporting food and food related items including an insulated container having foldable all-terrain wheels, foldable tray members, and a telescoping handle. The tray members may be locked into a horizontal use position to support plates, beverages, food containers, etc. An auxiliary support pole may be attached to the container to support an umbrella or light.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,499 to Ann-Marie Conrado, et al., describes an improved portable cooler which includes a cooler body provided with wheels and a pivoted towing handle provided with two grips to allow use of the cooler by persons of both tall and short stature. A table assembly is operable independently of the lid allowing the table to be deployed on a leg with the cooer lid in a closed position, as well as to allow access to the interior cavity of the cooler without clearing the table.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,709 to Brian Allen Swartfager, et al, describes a portable cooler and table assembly that may be easily transported in a single self-contained unit. The assembly may be converted for use as a table for a variety of recreational activities, dining, drinking, games, preparation for sporting events and meals. The table and cooler may be permanently attached to each other, or alternatively, the cooler may be detachable from the table.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved portable food and beverage cooler device with an attached table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention in the closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention with the lid open.

FIG. 3 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention with the table in the set configuration ready for use.

FIG. 4 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention with the table in its extended configuration with supporting leg folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred as Cooler with Table, is a specially designed ice chest boasting an easily accessed tabletop on which the user stores foods, beverages and other personal goods. Similar in appearance to standard portable ice chests, this product is fabricated of a durable, heavy-duty plastic material and features thick insulation in the interior and lid to facilitate maximum cold retention. Basically rectangular in shape, the Cooler with Table is produced in a wide variety of sizes to accommodate different food storage needs. For practical purposes, larger versions of this unique ice chest features retractable wheels and a comfortable tow handle that provides easy transport. A simple draining valve is positioned on one side of the cooler, and an integrated safety lock is incorporated into the design of the lid.

The novel feature of the present invention resides in the integrated tray table. The tray table is hidden within a slotted compartment incorporated into the front panel of the cooler and positioned directly below the front lip of the lid. The table measures the approximate length and width of the cooler itself. For instance, in the case of a cooler measuring approximately twenty-four inches in length by sixteen inches in width, this table measures approximately seventeen inches in length and is centrally positioned, with the outer walls of the cooler which surround this table measuring approximately two inches. Further, the table measure sixteen inches in depth, slightly smaller than the dimensions of the width of the cooler. Mounted on a rolling bar and connected to the cooler by means of a hinged support arm and inlcuding a reinforced folding brace, this tray table extends outwards from the cooler horizontally, with a set of telescoping hinged legs positioned on the underside of the front end of the table. Fully adjustable, these legs feature a horizontal support bar which connects the base of each together and is designed to rest flat on the ground.

Accessing this tray table simply involves opening the lid of the cooler and pulling the table upwards and out from its slotted compartment. Extending the table horizontally, the user simply accesses the legs folded flush on the underside of the table, extending them to the ground below. The table surface is then loaded with beverages, snacks or even a board game and the cooler lid is closed to contain the icy temperature within the cooler.

The Cooler with Table offers outdoor enthusiasts a number of significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the Cooler with Table provides consumers a practical modification to the design of coolers which provides an ample surface on which to store beverages, foods, as well as a wide variety of other goods, in a simple and reliable fashion. A fully functioning cooler boasting an easily accessed table, the Cooler with Table provides a clean, elevated surface on which to store a can of soda, plate of food, bag of chips or even a deck of cards, providing unfettered access to these items. A practical alternative to storing items atop the lid, use of the Cooler with Table eliminates the need to clear off the top of the cooler every time one wishes to remove goods from the interior of the cooler. As such, the inclusion of the unit's hideaway table proves invaluable when spending time at the beach, camping, or tailgating before the big game. A fully functioning ice chest, the Cooler with Table provides a simple means of keeping beverages, sandwiches, fruits and other snack foods icy cold and fresh. Durably constructed, this cleverly designed cooler withstands years of use and enjoyment.

The Cooler with Table is a unique product invention which provides consumers a practical enhancement to the design of coolers. A cleverly designed cooler boasting an integrated tray table, this handy product proves an invaluable commodity to anyone who enjoys dining outdoors.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved portable food and beverage cooler device with an attached table, the improvement comprising a tray table hidden within a slotted compartment incorporated into the front panel of the cooler and positioned directly below the front lip of the lid.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tray table is mounted on a rolling bar and connected to the cooler by means of a hinged support arm and the tray table includes a reinforced folding brace, wherein this tray table extends outwards from the cooler horizontally, with a set of telescoping hinged legs positioned on the underside of the front end of the tray table.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the legs are fully adjustable, and wherein these legs feature a horizontal support bar which connects the base of each leg together and is designed to rest flat on the ground.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising retractable wheels and a comfortable tow handle that provides easy transport.

5. The device of claim 3 further comprising a simple draining valve is positioned on one side of the cooler, and an integrated safety lock is incorporated into the design of the lid.