Portable cooler

Abstract

A portable cooler is provided that includes a base that supports a refrigeration unit. The base also supports a plurality of upwardly-extending support poles that accommodate a top portion. The support poles, top portion, and base define a food storage volume that is surrounded by a plurality of insulative walls.

Claims

1. A portable cooler, comprising: a base having a front edge, rear edge, and a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge connecting the front edge and the rear edge, the base including: a selectively movable base extension interconnected to the front edge; a first receiver corresponding with the first lateral edge and a front edge of the base extension, a second receiver corresponding with the second lateral edge and the front edge of the base extension, a third receiver corresponding with the first lateral edge and located between the first receiver and the rear edge, and a fourth receiver corresponding with the second lateral edge and located between the second receiver and the rear edge; a first pole selectively interconnected to the first receiver; a second pole selectively interconnected to the second receiver; a third pole selectively interconnected to the third receiver; a fourth pole selectively interconnected to the fourth receiver; a top frame portion having a fifth receiver that selectively receives a distal end of the first pole, a sixth receiver that selectively receives a distal end of the second pole, a seventh receiver that selectively receives a distal end of the third pole, and an eighth receiver that selectively receives a distal end of the fourth pole; a refrigeration system interconnected to the base adjacent to the rear edge thereof; a top wall associated with the top frame portion; a front wall associated with the top frame portion, the first pole, and the second pole; a rear wall associated with the top frame portion, the third pole, and the fourth pole; a first lateral wall associated with the top frame portion, the first pole, and the third pole; and a second lateral wall associated with the top frame portion, the second pole, and the fourth pole.

2. The portable cooler of claim 1, wherein the first pole, the second pole, the third pole, and the fourth pole are collapsible.

3. The portable cooler of claim 1, wherein the top frame includes a plurality of cross members.

4. The portable cooler of claim 1, wherein the front wall, the first lateral wall, and the second lateral wall are selectively interconnected.

5. The portable cooler of claim 1, further comprising a first wheel interconnected to the base at an intersection of the rear edge and the first lateral edge, a second wheel interconnected to the base at an intersection of the rear edge and the second lateral edge, a third wheel interconnected to the base at an intersection of the front edge and the first lateral edge, and a fourth wheel interconnected to the base at an intersection of the front edge and the second lateral edge.

6. The portable cooler of claim 5, wherein the wheels are castor wheels.

7. The portable cooler of claim 5, wherein the wheels are tires.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable cooler system in a first position of use;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable cooler system in a first position of use, wherein the selectively deployable wall members are interconnected to support poles;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable cooler system in a second, collapsed position of use;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, wherein support poles are partially collapsed and walls that define storage volume are removed for clarity;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 7 wherein a top portion of the portal cooler is positioned adjacent to a base portion and the walls are removed for clarity; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portable cooler with an extended top portion and fully extended support poles, wherein the walls have been removed for clarity;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of alternative embodiment of the present invention that employs a scissor lift system to extend the top portion from the base;

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 10 that includes a plurality of shelves;

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 11 that also includes a triangular upper support member; and

(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention that in employs a base that is foldable from an upright refrigeration unit.

(15) To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

(16) TABLE-US-00001 # Component 2 Portable cooler 6 Base 10 Base extension 14 Wheel 18 Refrigeration unit 22 Receiver 26 Support pole 34 Upper end 42 Top portion 46 Receivers 48 Coupler 50 Storage volume 54 Side wall 58 Top wall 66 Outlet 70 Foot 74 Bottom surface 78 Cross member 102 Portable cooler 106 Base portion 108 Internal frame 112 Scissor lift 116 Upper member 118 Refrigeration unit 120 Horizontal member 124 Hook 126 Support poles 128 Nozzles 130 Bracket 134 Shelf 142 Top portion 150 Storage volume 202 Portable cooler 206 Base portion 218 Refrigeration unit 222 Receiver 224 Hook 226 Support pole 242 Top portion 248 Coupler

(17) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) FIGS. 1-4 show a portable cooler 2 of one embodiment of the present invention that includes a base 6 with a plurality of support poles extending therefrom. A base extension 10 is operatively interconnected to the base 6. In some embodiments, however, the base extension 10 is selectively interconnected and removable from the base 6. In other embodiments, the base is positioned beneath a refrigeration unit 18 and extends, i.e., slides away, from the refrigeration unit. In FIG. 1, the base extension 10 is hingedly interconnected to the base 6 wherein the combination may support about 1000 lbs. The base 6 of one embodiment of the present invention is supported by a plurality of wheels 14. The base 6 supports the refrigeration unit 18, which maybe selectively interconnected to the base 6. The base 6 includes a hole or receiver 22, e.g., a tubular member that receives a support pole 26 that extends from the base 6. The receiver may be selectively interconnected and locked to the base 6 and base extension 10. The support poles 26 may also be locked in an extended configuration. In one embodiment, the distance of from the base 6 to an upper end 34 of the support poles 26 is about 6.5 feet and the base 68 and base extension 10 are about 4 feet by about 4 feet. The upper ends 34 of the support poles 26 support a top portion 42 that includes a plurality of receivers 46 that accept the support poles 26. The top portion 42, support poles 26, and the base 6 (with base extension 10) define a food storage volume 50 that may be about 105 ft.sup.3. Sidewalls 54 and a top wall 58 are interconnected to the support poles 26 and the top portion 42, respectively. The sidewalls 54 and top wall may be sewn or otherwise interconnected to form a bag that is fit over the support poles 26 and top portion 42. The side walls 54, top wall 58, and base 6, and base extension 10 are insulated.

(19) The support poles 26 may be extendable and collapsible in a telescoping fashion such that the distance between the top portion 42 and the base 6 and associated base extension 10 may be selectively altered. The support poles 26 may be capable of assuming and maintaining various lengths using known techniques and couplers 48. Examples of telescoping poles are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,284,114, 2,980,456, and 3,103,375. More specifically, it may be desirable or more efficient to decrease the storage volume 50 if small game or other small items are to be stored, as a large storage volume 50 may in some instances be inefficient. FIG. 1 also shows an air outlet 66 of the refrigeration unit 18 that directs cold air into the food storage volume 50. Some embodiments of the present invention employ an air baffle that directs cold air from a position adjacent to the base upwardly towards the top portion 42. The denser cold air drops and moves warmer air at the top of the storage volume closer to the base. The refrigeration unit includes an integrated thermostat that manages temperature within the storage volume.

(20) The refrigeration unit of some embodiments can maintain the temperature of the storage volume 50 to about 36-40 F. If a heat pump is used, the storage volume, or a portion thereof, can be held to about 120 F.

(21) A plurality of feet 70 supports the base extension 10. The feet may be replaced with a member that extends the entirety or portion of the base extension 10 front edge. Another embodiment of the present invention employs additional wheels instead of feet. In some embodiments, no feet are required wherein the support poles extend through the base extension and contact the ground.

(22) FIGS. 5 and 6 show the portable cooler 2 collapsed. The portable cooler 2 of one embodiment may assume a decreased outer envelope of about 4410. To collapse the portable cooler, the support poles are telescopingly reduced in length and the top portion 42 is removed. The support poles are removed from receivers 22 associated with the refrigeration unit 18 and the base extension 10. Next, the base extension 10 is rotated over the base 6. Two support poles 26 are collapsed and placed in receivers in the underside of the base extension 10. The top portion 42 is then interconnected to the refrigeration unit 18 and to the collapsed support poles interconnected to the underside of the base extension. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the top portion 42 may be supported in this configuration by smaller support members that are different from the support poles used to maintain the position of the top portion when the portable cooler is erected. Alternatively, the support poles 26 may be severable and a portion of the full-length support poles are used to support the top portion has shown. Two of the receivers 46 of the top portion 42 are placed in the receivers 22 associated with the refrigeration unit 18. Although the collapsed portable cooler is configured for transport, food or other items can be stored resting on the bottom surface 74 of the base extension 10. In this example, smaller walls are employed to cover the top portion 42, front and lateral sides of the portable cooler 2. This reduced volume may be sufficient to chill game and other smaller items. One embodiment of the present invention, which includes a folded insulative bag, weighs about 300 lbs. Further, the portable cooler 2 may be set up or collapsed in about 10 minutes or less.

(23) The top portion 42 of some embodiments of the present invention employ a plurality of cross members 78 that provide additional support to structure. The cross member 78 may also be used to hang food or game. In some embodiments, the cross members 78 may be selectively interconnected and which allows the top portion 42 to be altered in size and shape to fit the user's needs.

(24) FIGS. 7-9 illustrate how embodiments the present invention may be used to customize the storage volume size. As some embodiments of the present invention employ telescoping or sectional support poles 26, the top portion 42 may be moved closer to the base 6 if desired. The support poles may be fixed at a shorter length. FIG. 8 shows an example wherein the support poles 26 are retracted to a minimum height to drastically reduce the storage volume. In this configuration the walls would need to accommodate the shorter support poll length. Thus, to suit this functionality, flexible, foldable, or severable walls may be required. That is, the insulative walls or bags of some embodiments have portions that are removable so that the size, shape, or height of the walls may be customized.

(25) In operation, the base of a collapsed portable cooler is expanded by rotating the base extension 10 away from the base 6. The support poles 26 are then interconnected to the base extension 10 and the refrigeration unit 18. The top portion 42 is then interconnected to the ends 34 of the vertical support poles 26. Walls 54, 58, which may comprise a flexible and compliant bag, are placed over the top portion 42 and the associated support poles 26. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the walls may be comprised of separate wall panels that interconnect to the top portion 42 and associated support poles 26. At least one of the wall members may have an opening, door, or curtain that provides access to the storage volume 50. The user steps onto the base, under the top portion, and stands which moves the top portion away from the base and extends the support poles 26. The support poles 26 are locked at their extended length. Movement of the top portion 42 away from the base 6 also expands the walls so that they accommodate the entire storage volume 50. The refrigeration unit 18 is powered by traditional 120-224V power source. Some embodiments use a refrigeration unit 18 that is powered by a 115V, 10 A power source. Alternatively, the refrigeration unit 18 is solar powered, battery powered, gas powered, powered by way of an interconnected or integral generator, or powered with electricity obtained from a vehicle.

(26) FIG. 9 shows another configuration that maximizes storage volume 50. Here, the top portion 42 has been altered, i.e., expanded, as alluded to above. The rearmost support tubes 26 are interconnected to receivers 22 at the corners of the refrigeration unit 18, which increases the amount of food storage capacity. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the food storage volume 50 may be partitioned with rigid or semirigid shelves or walls that are hung, attached, or supported to the support poles 26, top portion 42, the top of the refrigeration unit 18, base 6, or base extension 10. In this example, the refrigeration unit 18 may have a plurality of outlets 66 that direct air of different temperatures to different areas of a partitioned storage volume 50. For example, in some instances drinks may be stored in a compartment above the refrigeration unit 18 and food stored or game hung in the main compartment, wherein the user may selectively tailor the temperature of the individual compartments. This aspect of the present invention is desirable for caterers or vendors who commonly offer various types of foods and beverages that need to be maintained at different temperatures.

(27) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a portable cooler 102 of another embodiment of the present invention that does not include a base extension. This smaller envelope version employs a generally square base portion 106 that supports an internal frame 108 for hanging game, for example. A scissor lift system 112 that terminates at an upper member 116. In operation, an insulative bag (not shown) is placed over the upper member 116 and the scissor lift system 112 is used to increase the distance between the upper member 116 and the base portion 106 to create a storage volume 150. The internal frame 108 also includes a horizontal member 120 that receives one or more hooks 124 to support game in a cold environment provided by a refrigeration unit 118. Here, the refrigeration unit 118 is built into the base portion 106 wherein cold air is directed through a plurality of nozzles 128 into the storage volume and. FIG. 11 shows that the internal support structure may accommodate a plurality of brackets 130 for securing a plurality of shelves 134, which partitions the storage volume 150.

(28) FIG. 12 is similar to the embodiments the present invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Here, the internal frame includes three support poles 126 and an interconnected triangular top portion 142. One of skill the art will appreciate that shelves 134 may be included may be supported by all three support poles 126. This embodiment also employs an upper frame 116 that is interconnected to a scissor lift system 112 that moves the top member away from the base element to create a storage volume 150.

(29) FIG. 14 shows a portable cooler 202 of another embodiment of the present invention wherein a base portion 206 is folded or slid from a refrigeration unit 218. The base portion 206 is rectangular or square and includes a plurality of receivers 222 that accept collapsible support poles 226. Cold air from the refrigeration unit 218, which is shown upright in this embodiment, is directed through nozzles or through an opening as described above into the storage volume 250. Although a three polled, triangular system is shown, one of skill in the art will appreciate a four pole configuration as described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

(30) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.