Tailgating system

• US 20100176170A1
• Filed: 01/07/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew J O'Hare
• Original Assignee: Matthew J O'Hare
• Inventors: O'Hare, Matthew J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,672,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/519
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041

Abstract

A tailgating system for attachment to a transport vehicle includes a cabinet configured to include at least one of a refrigerator, a grill, a draft system, and a dry storage cabinet. A movable hitch assembly includes a hitch coupling configured to be coupled to a hitch ball connectable to the transport vehicle. The movable hitch assembly is configured to move the hitch coupling up and down relative to the cabinet to raise and lower the cabinet when the movable hitch assembly is coupled to the transport vehicle.

Claims

1. A tailgating system for attachment to a transport vehicle, the tailgating system comprising:

a cabinet configured to include at least one of a refrigerator, a grill, a draft system, and a dry storage cabinet; and

a movable hitch assembly comprising a hitch coupling configured to be coupled to a hitch ball connectable to the transport vehicle, wherein the movable hitch assembly is configured to move the hitch coupling up and down relative to the cabinet to raise and lower the cabinet when the movable hitch assembly is coupled to the transport vehicle.

2. A tailgating system according to claim 1, wherein the movable hitch assembly comprises a linear actuator connected to the hitch coupling by a guide block, the guide block comprising a track wheel at each end, and a each track wheel being received in a guide track attached to the cabinet.

3. A tailgating system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an electric motor configured to drive the linear actuator.

4. A tailgating system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a ball hitch assembly comprising a first elongated member configured for attachment to a hitch of the transport vehicle, and a second elongated member perpendicular to the first elongated member, the second elongated member having a first end a first distance from the first elongated member and a second end a second distance from the first elongated member, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

5. A tailgating system according to claim 4, wherein the first and second ends of the second elongated member each comprise a connection point configured to receive a hitch ball.

6. A tailgating system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a securing sleeve connected to the movable hitch assembly and configured to connect the movable hitch assembly to the ball hitch assembly, wherein the securing sleeve is configured to receive the second elongated member of the ball hitch assembly and comprises a first pair of opposed holes configured to align with a second pair of holes in the second elongated member, and the securing sleeve is connectable to the ball hitch assembly by aligning the first and second pair of holes with one another and inserting a pin through each aligned pair of holes.

7. A tailgating system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a side table pivotally attached to the cabinet and movable from a first, stowed position adjacent the cabinet to a second, open position wherein the side table is flush with a counter top surface of the cabinet;

a propping mechanism configured to maintain the side table in the second position; and

at least one connection point configured to secure the propping mechanism to the cabinet, wherein the at least one connection point is configured to secure the propping mechanism to the cabinet when the side table is in the first position or the second position.

8. A tailgating system according to claim 1, wherein the grill is movably mounted in the cabinet.

9. A tailgating system according to claim 8, wherein the grill comprises a bottom section comprising at least one burner and a hood pivotally attached to the bottom section, wherein the bottom section is mounted on sliding shelf rails.

10. A tailgating system according to claim 9, further comprising a gas valve configured to connect the bottom section to a gas supply, wherein the gas valve is inaccessible when the bottom section is in a first position adjacent a side wall of the cabinet, and accessible when the bottom section is in a second position wherein the sliding shelf rails extend from the cabinet.

11. A tailgating system according to claim 10, wherein the cabinet comprises retaining tabs configured to prevent opening of the hood when the grill is in the first position.

12. A tailgating system according to claim 1, wherein the dry storage cabinet comprises a latched door.

13. A tailgating system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator comprises a refrigerated space that comprises a first space and a second space, wherein the first space is configured to store a keg and a pressurized canister and the second space is configured to support at least one shelf.

14. A tailgating system according to claim 13, wherein the refrigerator comprises a first door and a second door configured to close the first space and the second space, respectively.

15. A tailgating system according to claim 14, wherein the first door is hinged to the cabinet along a first side and the second door is hinged to the first door along a second side of the first door that is opposite the first side.

16. A tailgating system according to claim 15, wherein the first door comprises at least one latch tab on the second side.

17. A tailgating system according to claim 16, further comprising at least one latch configured to releasably engage the latch tab to maintain the first door in a closed position in an engaged position and to allow opening of the first door in the disengaged position.

18. A tailgating system according to claim 1, wherein the draft system comprises a draft tower pivotally attached to the cabinet, the draft tower comprises a tower box and a valve and a pour spout in the tower box, and the draft tower is flush with a counter top of the cabinet in a closed position and perpendicular to the counter top in an open position.

19. A tailgating system according to claim 18, wherein the tower box is hinged to a storage box of the cabinet and the hinge comprises a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first and second plates are configured to cover a portion of the storage box when the draft tower is in the closed position.

20. A tailgating system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical power source and at least one electrical outlet operatively connected to the electrical power source.