COOLER HAVING INTEGRATED TABLE SURFACE

Abstract

A cooler having an integrated table for providing added surface area on which objects could be supported without obstructing access to the lid of the cooler includes a cooler base having an integrated receptacle area, handle, a plurality of cup holders, a plurality of wheels, and a tow handle, as well as a lift off top lid and a hingedly attached integrated table. While the cooler base and top lid are constructed and operate substantially as conventional coolers, the integrated table is configured to selectively lift up from the top of the cooler base, moving between a closed position and an deployed. In operation, when the integrated table is placed in the deployed position, it provides a flat horizontal support surface positioned such that the top lid of the cooler can be opened and closed without requiring the objects on the integrated table to be moved.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/079,178 filed Nov. 13, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to insulated receptacles and, more particularly, to a cooler apparatus having side cup holders and a deployable table surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The design and use of conventional portable insulated receptacles, commonly referred to as coolers, is well known. Many conventional coolers are made with interior and exterior shells of plastic with hard foam in between and are typically deployed for outdoor excursions such as picnics, beach or park visits, and fishing to help keep items chilled. There remains a need, however, for a cooler having an integrated, selectably deployable table surface therein for providing added surface area to support things. It would be helpful if such a cooler having an integrated table had a table surface which was able to be lifted from the top of the cooler surface while maintaining its flat, horizontal profile without opening the lid of the cooler. It would be additionally desirable for such a cooler having an integrated table to employ a table surface that could be used without preventing the lid of the receptacle from being opened.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a cooler having an integrated table adapted to provide a supplementary table surface that does not inhibit the opening and closing of the cooler lid. The primary components in Applicant's cooler having an integrated table are a cooler apparatus and a lift top (or lift-up) hinged table surface attachment. When in operation, the cooler having an integrated table enables a user deploy an additional table surface for use without effecting the ability to access the inside of the cooler. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cooler having an integrated table for providing added surface area on which objects could be supported without obstructing access to the lid of the cooler. The cooler having an integrated table includes a cooler base having an integrated receptacle area, handle, a plurality of cup holders, a plurality of wheels, and a tow handle, as well as a lift off top lid and a hingedly attached integrated table. While the cooler base and top lid are constructed and operate substantially as conventional coolers, the integrated table is configured to selectively lift up from the top of the cooler base, moving between a closed position and an deployed. In operation, when the integrated table is placed in the deployed position, it provides a flat horizontal support surface positioned such that the top lid of the cooler can be opened and closed without requiring the objects on the integrated table to be moved.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cooler having an integrated, selectably deployable table surface therein for providing added surface area to support things.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cooler having an integrated table configured to be lifted from the top of the cooler surface while maintaining its flat, horizontal profile without opening the lid of the cooler.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a cooler having an integrated table employing a table surface that could be used without preventing the lid of the receptacle from being opened.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a cooler having an integrated table built in accordance with the present invention having its integrated table in the deployed position.

FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of a cooler having an integrated table built in accordance with the present invention having its integrated table in the deployed position.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a cooler having an integrated table built in accordance with the present invention having its integrated table in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, a cooler having an integrated table 10 is shown as a cooler base 11 defining a open receptacle and having a top lid 12 with a handle 13, a plurality of cup holders 14, a plurality of wheels 15, a tow handle 16 and an integrated table 20. The cooler base 11 and top lid 12 are constructed and operate substantially as conventional coolers except for its attachment to the integrated table 20. In this regard, the top lid 12 is configured as conventional top lids for coolers and is selectively removable or openable.

The cup holders 14, wheels 15 and tow handle 16 define conventional cooler accessories. It is contemplated, however, that the cup holders 14 are attached to the side of the cooler base 11, as opposed to being integrated into the top lid 12 as with many conventional coolers, to enable cups to be held without restricting the use of the top lid 12.

The integrated table 20 is attached to the cooler base 11 by four of hinge members 21, with two attached to the top of the cooler base 11 on either side of the top lid 12. Through the attachment to hinge members 21, the integrated table 20 configured to lift up from the top of the cooler base 11 in a manner similar to conventional lift top coffee tables between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, and an deployed position as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this regard, the hinge members 21 each define a discrete hingedly folding metallic frame that can fold together when the integrated table 20 is in the closed position and fold apart when the integrated table 20 is in the deployed position. It is contemplated that in one embodiment, the hinge members 21 can be selectively locked in place in the deployed position while in another embodiment, the hinge member 21 employ a spring to force it to remain in the deployed position until manually moved to the closed position by a user.

In operation, when the integrated table 20 is placed in the deployed position, it provides a flat horizontal upper surface used to support objects of interest. Advantageously, when the integrated table 20 is used this way, the top lid 12 of the cooler can be opened and closed without requiring the objects on the integrated table 20 to be moved. Moreover, items placed on the top lid 12 can be simply slid over to the integrated table 20 when it is desired to open the top lid and access the contents of the cooler base 11.

It is contemplated that when the integrated table 20 is in the deployed position and the top lid 12 is in place on the cooler base 11, the integrated table 20 and top lid 12 form a continuous, substantially smooth flat surface for holding objects. As such, the integrated table 20, when deployed, essentially doubles the available surface area on which objects can be placed.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cooler having an integrated table, comprising:

a cooler base defining a receptacle with an open top;

a discrete top lid adapted to be selectively placed on the cooler base so as to close the open top; and

an integrated table attached to the cooler base and adapted to move between a closed position in which it is adjacent to the open top and a deployed position in which it is positioned in an elevated position relative to the open top.

2. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 1, wherein said deployed position is defined by said integrated table positioned in an elevated, laterally offset position relative to the open top.

3. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 1, wherein the integrated table is attached to said cooler base through a plurality of discrete hinges.

4. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 1, wherein the top lid is removable from said cooler base.

5. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 1, wherein said cooler base additionally includes at least one cup holder mounted to a side of the cooler base, thereby enabling the at least one cup holders to be utilized without restricting the use of the top lid or integrated table.

6. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 1, wherein said integrated table provides a flat horizontal upper surface suitable to support objects.

7. A cooler having an integrated table, comprising:

a cooler base defining a receptacle with an open top;

a discrete, removable top lid adapted to be selectively placed on the cooler base so as to close the open top; and

an integrated table attached to the cooler base and adapted to move between a closed position in which it is adjacent to the open top and a deployed position in which it is positioned in an elevated, laterally offset position relative to the open top.

8. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 7, wherein the integrated table is attached to said cooler base through a plurality of discrete hinges.

9. The cooler having an integrated table of claim 7, wherein said cooler base additionally includes at least one cup holder mounted to a side of the cooler base, thereby enabling the at least one cup holders to be utilized without restricting the use of the top lid or integrated table.