Portable cooler and table

• US 7,451,709 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew William Shilling, Brian Allen Swartfager, Christopher David Senard, Michael Joseph Slifko
• Original Assignee: Andrew William Shilling, Brian Allen Swartfager, Christopher David Senard, Michael Joseph Slifko
• Inventors: Swartfager, Brian Allen, Shilling, Andrew William, Senard, Christopher David, Slifko, Michael Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US11/235,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20060065665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 108/11, 108/13, 108/14, 108/17, 108/18, 108/65, 108/69, 108/156, 108/38, 108/50.14, 312/280, 312/240, 312/241, 312/317.3, 312313-316, 220/592.2, 220/592.03, 220/722, 280/30, 624/577, 190/11
• US Class Current: 108/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/06 Ring or disc tossing games , e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00987 with a table-flap
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0099 with extension, e.g. sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/024 drinkable
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels

Abstract

A portable cooler and table assembly that may be easily transported in a single, self-contained unit is disclosed. The assembly may be converted for use as a table for a variety of recreational activities, e.g., dining, drinking, games such as ping pong, beer pong, table hockey, card games, board 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. The table may fold or collapse to assist in converting the assembly from a compact, lightweight transportable unit into a fully extended and operable table and cooler. The table surface may contain surface features such as grooves, indentations, nets, game pieces, etc. The cooler may comprise any container that is capable of containing ice or some other refrigeration or heating system, e.g., a conventional 54 quart beverage cooler. Alternatively, the cooler may be replaced with a storage container or other storage device. The assembly may also contain various wheels, legs and handles to assist in mobility and conversion.

Claims

1. A portable cooler and table assembly comprising:

a thermally insulated cooler base;

extendable legs connected to the cooler base;

extendable table sections connected to the cooler base, wherein the extendable table sections are connected to opposite sides or ends of the cooler base, wherein each extendable table section is movable from a substantially vertical stowed position adjacent one of the sides or ends to a substantially horizontal extended position and each extendable table section comprises multiple table leaves; and

a handle attached to a first one of the table leaves and positioned to be grasped when the first table leaf is in the stowed position adjacent to the cooler base.

2. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table leaves are pivotally connected to each other.

3. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the table leaves is pivotally mounted on the cooler base.

4. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 1, wherein the extendable table sections are pivotally mounted on the cooler base.

5. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 1, further comprising a foldable support connected to each extendable table section and connected to the cooler base.

6. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 1, further comprising another handle attached to a second one of the table leaves and positioned to be grasped when the second table leaf is in the stowed position adjacent to the cooler base.

7. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 1, wherein the extendable legs are pivotally mounted on the cooler base.

8. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 7, wherein each extendable leg rotates from a stowed position adjacent to a bottom of the cooler base to an extended position which is rotated past a vertical plane.

9. A portable cooler and table assembly comprising:

a thermally insulated cooler base having sidewalls and endwalls;

extendable table sections connected adjacent to the endwalls of the cooler base, wherein each extendable table section is movable from a substantially vertical stowed position adjacent one of the end walls to a substantially horizontal extended position and each extenable table section comprises multiple table leaves; and

a handle attached to a first one of the table leaves and positioned to be grasped when the first table leaf is in the stowed position adjacent to the cooler base.

10. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 9, wherein the table leaves are pivotally connected to each other.

11. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 9, wherein one of the table leaves is pivotally mounted on the cooler base.

12. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 9, wherein the extendable table sections are pivotally mounted on the cooler base.

13. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 9, further comprising a foldable support connected to each extendable table section and connected to the cooler base.

14. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 9, further comprising another handle attached to a second one of the table leaves and positioned to be grasped when the second table leaf is in the stowed position adjacent to the cooler base.

15. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 9, further comprising extendable legs connected to the cooler base.

16. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 15, wherein the extendable legs are pivotally mounted on the cooler base.

17. The portable cooler and table assembly of claim 16, wherein each extendable leg rotates from a stowed position adjacent to a bottom of the cooler base to an extended position which is rotated past a vertical plane.