Wheeled cooler

• US 6,328,179 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thermos LLC
• Original Assignee: The Thermos Company
• Inventors: Conrado, Ann-Marie, Scherer, Craig, Massee, Bart, Mensch, Alice
• Primary Examiner(s): Garbe, Stephen P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Merek, Joseph C.
• Application Number:
  US09/616,297
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 206/541, 206/545, 190/11, 190/12.A, 108/14, 220/592.2, 220/259, 220/592.03
• US Class Current: 220/592.2
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/20 Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/14 with built-in rolling means
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 9/00 Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles A45F4/02; trunk-wardrobes A47B61/06; trunk-beds A47C17/82
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/20 involving parts being collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/06 comprising insulating materials
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/06 Movable containers

Abstract

An improved portable cooler includes a cooler body (10) provided with wheels (36) and a pivoted towing handle (16) provided with two grips (140, 142) to allow use of the cooler by persons of both tall and short stature. The cooler cover (12) is provided with a recess (44) and a closure panel (58) for storage of items within the cooler but above melting ice or relatively heavy items that might crush items contained in the cooler. A table assembly (14) is operable independently of the lid (12) allowing the table (14) to be deployed on a leg (78) with the cooler lid (12) in a closed position, as well as to allow access to the interior cavity (28) of the cooler without clearing the table (14). Retractable bungee cords (108) for securing items to the cooler are provided.

Claims

1. A cooler comprising:

a cooler body of insulating material and including an internal cavity having an upper access opening for receipt of items whose temperature is to be maintained at a predetermined level;

a cover for said access opening;

a first hinge pivoting said cover to said body;

a table element including edges and a lower table surface overlying said cover;

a second hinge having a common pivot axis with said first hinge and pivoting one of said edges of said table element to one of said cover and said body;

a recess in said table element oppositely of said table surface;

a leg overlying said cover and having a length generally the same as the height of said body, said leg nesting in said recess;

a third hinge pivoting said leg to said table element oppositely of said table surface at a location spaced from said second hinge; and

a fixed projection at an edge of said table element and in said table surface at a location spaced from said second hinge.

2. The cooler of claim 1 wherein said leg is U-shaped having spaced legs connected by a bight, said second hinge being connected to said spaced legs.

3. The cooler of claim 2 further including stops on said table element for engaging said spaced legs to limit movement of said leg from a stored position nested within said recess to an extended position approximately 90°

therefrom.

4. A cooler comprising:

a cooler body of insulating material having a bottom, spaced side walls, a front wall and a rear wall interconnected to define an internal cavity having an upper access opening for receipt of items whose temperature is to be maintained at a predetermined level;

a cover panel for said access opening;

a first hinge pivoting said cover to said body along said front wall at said access opening for movement between positions opening and closing said access opening;

a table panel having spaced side edges, a front edge, a rear edge, a table surface and an opposite surface;

a second hinge pivoting said front edge of said table panel to one of said body and said cover along said front wall at said access opening and with said table panel normally overlying said cover with said table surface facing said cover and said opposite surface uppermost, said second hinge mounting said table panel for about 180°

of rotation from a position wherein said table surface abuts said cover to a position whereat said table surface is uppermost and approximately horizontal;

a leg overlying said table panel and having a length generally the same as the height of said body and normally substantially abutting said opposite surface; and

a third hinge pivoting said leg to said table panel other surface and oppositely of said table surface and at a location spaced from said second hinge;

said second and third hinges having generally parallel pivot axes.

5. The cooler of claim 4 further including a towing handle, and a fourth hinge pivoting said towing handle to said front wall about an axis generally parallel to the pivot axes of said second and third pivot hinges;

and a pair of wheels journaled to said cooler body about a common axis of revolution located approximately at a point of intersection of said rear and bottom walls.

6. The cooler of claim 5 wherein said fourth hinge is located just below said first and second hinges.

7. The cooler of claim 6 wherein said first and second hinges have a common pivot axis.

8. The cooler of claim 7 wherein said opposite surface of said table panel includes a recess between said edges of said table panel and said leg is nested in said recess and pivotally movable about said third hinge out of said recess to a table panel supporting position.

9. The cooler of claim 4 further including a hook at an edge of said table panel other than said front edge.

10. The cooler of claim 9 wherein said hook is at said rear edge of said table panel.

11. A cooler comprising:

a cooler body of insulating material having a bottom, spaced side walls, a front wall and a rear wall interconnected to define an internal cavity having an upper access opening for receipt of items whose temperature is to be maintained at a predetermined level;

a cover panel for said access opening;

a first hinge pivoting said cover to said body along said front wall at said access opening for movement between positions opening and closing said access opening;

a table panel having spaced side edges, a front edge, a rear edge, a table surface and an opposite surface;

a second hinge pivoting said front edge of said table panel to one of said body and said cover along said front wall at said access opening and with said table panel normally overlying said cover with said table surface facing said cover and said opposite surface uppermost, said second hinge mounting said table panel for about 180°

of rotation from a position wherein said table surface abuts said cover to a position whereat said table surface is uppermost and approximately horizontal;

said first and second hinges having a common pivot axis;

a leg overlying said table panel and having a length generally the same as the height of said body and normally substantially abutting said opposite surface;

a third hinge pivoting said leg to said table panel other surface and oppositely of said table surface and at a location spaced from said second hinge;

said second and third hinges having generally parallel pivot axes;

a towing handle;

a fourth hinge just below said first and second hinges pivoting said towing handle to said front wall about an axis generally parallel to the pivot axes of said second and third pivot hinges and located just below said first and second hinges;

a pair of wheels journaled to said cooler body about a common axis of revolution located approximately at a point of intersection of said rear and bottom walls; and

a recess between said edges of said table panel, said leg being nested in said recess and pivotally movable about said third hinge out of said recess to a table panel supporting position.