TABLE AND STORAGE SYSTEM FOR COOLERS
A table and storage system (1) for coolers (3) having brackets (4) located on the sides of the (16) cooler. The brackets have apertures (7) for inserting extension legs (5), storage legs (18) and/or support arms (23) into. To place the table in an elevated position, bottoms of the extension legs are placed into the apertures on the brackets. The extension legs extend upward a predetermined distance from the brackets to support the table in an elevated position. To place the table in a stored position, the same procedure is followed using the storage legs. While the table is in an extended position, an enclosure (11) may be attached to the table and the cooler to enclose at least three sides of the cooler. A user may then place objects in the space between the table and the cooler for easy transportation.
This invention relates to the coolers, more particularly, a table that may be attached to a cooler in an elevated position over the cooler, thereby providing a storage surface while still allowing the lid of the cooler to be opened, and an enclosure for storing objects between the cooler and the elevated table, thereby allowing for easy transportation of said objects.
While using conventional coolers, people often use the top of the cooler's lid as a table by placing objects, such as open drinks, food, condiments, etc., on top of the lid. This presents a problem because every time a person needs to retrieve something from inside the cooler, the open drinks, food, condiments and so forth need to be removed from the top of the lid. Another problem with conventional coolers is the lack of storage space for dry goods, such as paper plates, utensils, cups, etc., and for other objects, such as beach toys, towels, etc.
Therefore, a need exists for a table that may be attached to a cooler in an elevated position, thereby providing a storage surface while still allowing the lid of the cooler to be opened, and an enclosure for storing objects between the cooler and the elevated table, thereby allowing for easy transportation of said objects.
The relevant prior art includes the following patent references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which the table may be attached to a cooler in an elevated position, thereby providing a storage surface while still allowing the lid of the cooler to be opened.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which the table may be attached to a cooler in a stored position flat against the lid of the cooler.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which recessed areas are located on the table for additional storage.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which the table has foldable wings to provide additional storage space.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers having an enclosure that provides additional storage space between the table and the lid of the cooler while the table is in an elevated position.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers that may be integrated into new coolers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers that may be retrofitted to existing coolers.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a table and storage system having brackets that may be integrated into the sides of a new cooler or attached to an existing cooler. The brackets have apertures for inserting extension legs, storage legs and/or support arms. To place the table in an elevated position, bottoms of the extension legs are placed into the apertures in the brackets. The extension legs extend upward a predetermined distance from the brackets to support the table in an elevated position. The extension legs are preferably long enough to provide clearance to fully open the lid of the cooler while the table is an elevated position. The extension legs are attached to the table top by placing tops of the extension legs into apertures located on a bottom surface of the table.
To place the table in a stored position, bottoms of the storage legs are placed into the apertures in the brackets. The storage legs extend upward a predetermined distance from the brackets to support the table in position flat against or directly adjacent to the lid of the cooler. The storage legs are attached to the table top by placing tops of the storage legs into apertures located on the bottom surface of the table. Furthermore, the extension legs may be telescoping so that the table may be adjusted to a desired height.
The table may also have wings foldably attached to the table. The wings extend the surface area of the table top. The wings may be folded to create a “suit case” with the table. A user may store dry goods within recessed portions of the folded table top and wings for easy transportation.
While the table is in an elevated position, an enclosure may be attached to the table and the cooler to enclose at least three sides of the space between the table and the cooler. A user may then place objects in the space between the table and the cooler for easy transportation.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
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It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts or use herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not considered to be limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
Claims
1. A table and storage system for a cooler comprising:
- a table having a bottom surface, a top surface and four corners;
- at least two extension legs each having bottom ends and top ends;
- at least two apertures located on the bottom surface of the table for inserting the top end of an extension leg into; and
- at least two brackets attachable to the cooler each bracket having at least one aperture for inserting the bottom end of an extension leg.
2. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 1 further comprising:
- a securing means for securing the at least two brackets to a side of a cooler.
3. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least two storage legs each having a top end for inserting into the at least two apertures located on the bottom surface of the table and each having a bottom end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least two brackets.
4. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one wing foldably attached to the table.
5. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 4 further comprising:
- at least one aperture located on the at least one wing; and
- at least one support arm having a top end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least one wing and a bottom end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least two brackets.
6. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 4 further comprising:
- at least one recessed portion located on the wing.
7. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one recessed portion located on the table.
8. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 1 further comprising:
- an enclosure comprising at least one panel having a top edge and a bottom edge;
- an attachment means for attaching the top edge to the table; and
- an attachment means for attaching the bottom edge to a cooler.
9. A table and storage system for a cooler comprising:
- a table having a bottom surface, a top surface and four corners;
- at least two extension legs each having bottom ends and top ends;
- at least two apertures located on the bottom surface of the table for inserting the top end of an extension leg into;
- at least two brackets attachable to the cooler each bracket having at least one aperture for inserting the bottom end of an extension leg; and
- a securing means for securing the at least two brackets to a side of a cooler.
10. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 9 further comprising:
- at least two storage legs each having a top end for inserting into the at least two apertures located on the bottom surface of the table and each having a bottom end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least two brackets.
11. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 9 further comprising:
- at least one wing foldably attached to the table.
12. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 10 further comprising:
- at least one aperture located on the at least one wing; and
- at least one support arm having a top end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least one wing and a bottom end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least two brackets.
13. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 10 further comprising:
- at least one recessed portion located on the wing.
14. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 9 further comprising:
- at least one recessed portion located on the table.
15. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 9 further comprising:
- an enclosure having at least one panel having a top edge and a bottom edge;
- an attachment means for attaching the top edge to the table; and
- an attachment means for attaching the bottom edge to a cooler.
16. A table and storage system for a cooler comprising:
- a table having a bottom surface, a top surface and four corners;
- at least two extension legs each having bottom ends and top ends;
- at least two apertures located on the bottom surface of the table for inserting the top end of an extension leg into; and
- at least two brackets attachable to the cooler each bracket having at least one aperture for inserting the bottom end of an extension leg.
17. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 16 further comprising:
- at least two storage legs each having a top end for inserting into the at least two apertures located on the bottom surface of the table and each having a bottom end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least two brackets.
18. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 16 further comprising:
- at least one wing foldably attached to the table.
19. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 18 further comprising:
- at least one aperture located on the at least one wing; and
- at least one support arm having a top end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least one wing and a bottom end for inserting into the at least one aperture located on the at least two brackets.
20. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 18 further comprising:
- at least one recessed portion located on the wing.
21. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 16 further comprising:
- at least one recessed portion located on the table.
22. The table and storage system for a cooler of claim 16 further comprising:
- an enclosure comprising at least one panel having a top edge and a bottom edge;
- an attachment means for attaching the top edge to the table; and
- an attachment means for attaching the bottom edge to a cooler.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 13, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2012
Inventors: Warren W. Underwood (Sanibel Island, FL), Toni J. Underwood (Sanibel Island, FL)
Application Number: 12/903,424
International Classification: A47B 37/00 (20060101); F25D 3/08 (20060101); A47B 85/00 (20060101); A45F 3/00 (20060101);