Suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels

Abstract

A suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels, having first and second suspending frame assemblies with respective first and second suspending arms; first and second vertical frame assemblies having respective first and second vertical bars attached to the first and second suspending arms respectively; first and second spacer frame assemblies perpendicularly mounted onto the first and second vertical frame assemblies respectively; first and second telescopic bar assemblies attached to the first and second vertical frame assemblies; and first and second supporting bar assemblies having respective first and second supporting bars attached to the first and second vertical frame assemblies respectively, whereby the first and second suspending frame assemblies are suspended from a gunwale of a sea vessel.

Claims

1. A suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels, comprising: A) first and second suspending frame assemblies having respective first and second suspending arms each comprising an interior end and an exterior end, wherein said interior ends are positioned within an interior perimeter of said sea vessel when mounted on a gunwale, said first and second suspending arms comprise a substantially curved section formed between respective said exterior ends and said interior ends with a degree of curvature between 120 and 175 degrees; B) first and second vertical frame assemblies having respective first and second vertical bars attached to said first and second suspending arms respectively; C) first and second spacer frame assemblies perpendicularly mounted onto said first and second vertical frame assemblies respectively; D) first and second telescopic bar assemblies attached to said first and second vertical frame assemblies; and E) first and second supporting bar assemblies having respective first and second supporting bars attached to said first and second vertical frame assemblies respectively, whereby said first and second suspending frame assemblies are suspended from said gunwale of a sea vessel.

2. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second vertical bars each comprise bar ends and a plurality of holes.

3. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second vertical bars are attached to said first and second exterior ends.

4. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second spacer frame assemblies each comprise a T-sleeve, an adjustable member, a spacer cap, spacer holes, and a push button, wherein each said T-sleeve is mounted on a respective of said first and second vertical bars at a predetermined distance from said bar ends, each said T-sleeve and each said adjustable member are configured for adjustment in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to said first and second vertical frame assemblies respectively.

5. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second telescopic bar assemblies each comprise an exterior bar having a respective exterior bar end, and an interior bar having a respective interior bar end.

6. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second telescopic bar assemblies each comprise a plurality of adjusting holes, coupling members having respective locks, and locking buttons.

7. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 6, wherein said first and second telescopic bar assemblies are adjustably positioned between said first and second vertical bars and coupled thereto with respective said coupling members.

8. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second telescopic bar assemblies are positioned substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to said first and second vertical bars.

9. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second supporting bar assemblies each comprise a pair of hinge arms, and each of said pair of hinge arms comprises a fastener pin and a lock pin.

10. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 9, wherein each said pair of hinge arms extends from a respective said supporting bar and is secured at their respective said vertical bar with a respective said fastener pin and said lock pin.

11. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 9, wherein one of said plurality of holes, of each said vertical bar, receives a respective said fastener pin to secure a respective said supporting bar at a desired height.

12. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 9, wherein said supporting bars are positioned and secured perpendicularly to respective said vertical bars.

13. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second supporting bar assemblies each further comprises an extension bar, and a plurality of bar holes.

14. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second supporting bar assemblies are placed in a retracted configuration, whereby said first and second supporting bars are retracted toward said first and second vertical bars respectively.

15. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 12, wherein said first and second supporting bar assemblies in an extended configuration are in a same plane arranged to support a cooler.

16. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 15, wherein said first and second supporting bar assemblies are constructed and arranged to support said cooler wherein said cooler is positioned onto said first and second supporting bars.

17. The suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels set forth in claim 15, wherein said first and second supporting bar assemblies each comprise a strap to secure said cooler onto respective said first and second supporting bars.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels, mounted onto a gunwale of a vessel that is partially represented.

(3) FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of section 1A from FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention mounted onto the gunwale of a vessel that is partially represented, with a cooler secured thereto.

(5) FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention mounted onto the gunwale of a vessel that is partially represented, with a cooler secured thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(6) Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is a suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels, and is generally referred to with numeral 10. It can be observed that it basically includes suspending frame assemblies 20, vertical frame assemblies 40, spacer frame assemblies 60, telescopic bar assemblies 80, and supporting bar assemblies 110.

(7) As seen in FIG. 1, present invention 10 is mounted onto sea vessel 150 that is partially represented. Sea vessel 150 comprises gunwale 152 and exterior surface 154. Sea vessel 150 may be, but is not limited to, being a boat, motorboat, yacht, fishing boat, sailboat, houseboat, or any watercraft.

(8) In a preferred embodiment, first and second suspending frame assemblies 20 have respective first and second suspending arms 22. First and second vertical frame assemblies 40 have respective first and second vertical bars 42 that attach to respective first and second suspending arms 22. First and second suspending frame assemblies 20 are suspended from gunwale 152 of sea vessel 150. Each spacer frame assembly 60 is secured substantially perpendicular to its respective vertical frame assembly 40.

(9) First and second telescopic bar assemblies 80 are both attached to vertical frame assemblies 40, whereby first and second telescopic bar assemblies 80 are adjustably positioned between first and second vertical bars 42 and coupled thereto with respective coupling members 88 and 90. First and second telescopic bar assemblies 80 are positioned substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to vertical bars 42.

(10) First and second supporting bar assemblies 110 have first and second supporting bars 112. First and second supporting bars 112 attach to respective first and second vertical frame assemblies 40, but opposite in direction to spacer frame assemblies 60.

(11) As seen in FIGS. 1 and 1A, supporting bar assemblies 110 each further comprise a pair of hinge arms 120. Each pair of hinge arms 120 comprises fastener pin 122 and lock pin 128. Each pair of hinge arms 120 extends from a respective supporting bar 112 and is secured at their respective vertical bar 42 with a respective fastener pin 122 and lock pin 128. One of holes 44, of each vertical bar 42, receives a respective fastener pin 122 to secure supporting bar 112 at a desired height. In a preferred embodiment, supporting bar 112 is positioned and secured perpendicularly to vertical bar 42.

(12) As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, suspending arms 22 each comprise exterior end 24 and interior end 26. Interior end 26 has end cap 28 mounted thereon. When present invention 10 is mounted onto sea vessel 150, interior ends 26 are positioned within an interior perimeter of sea vessel 150, and specifically interior ends 26 are positioned at an interior side of gunwale 152. Suspending frame assembly 20 is configured as a rigid living spring for tension attachment onto gunwale 152. Vertical bars 42 each comprise bar end 46 and a plurality of holes 44. Vertical bars 42 are attached to a respective exterior end 24 of a respective suspending frame assembly 20. Each bar end 46 has cap 48 mounted thereon.

(13) Each spacer frame assembly 60 is perpendicularly mounted to a respective vertical bar 42, and faces exterior surface 154. Spacer frame assembly 60 is adjustable and keeps present invention 10 spaced apart from exterior surface 154. Each spacer frame assembly 60 comprises a T-sleeve 62, an adjustable member 64, a spacer cap 66, spacer holes 68, and a push button 70. Each T-sleeve 62 is mounted on a respective vertical bar 42 at a predetermined distance from bar end 46. T-sleeve 62 and adjustable member 64 are configured for adjustment in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to respective vertical frame assembly 40.

(14) Spacer holes 68 are aligned, adjusted, and fixed into position with push button 70, whereby push button 70 protrudes from a side of T-sleeve 62. Push button 70 comprises a ball detent locking system as is known. Adjustable member 64 is extended or retracted as desired and further secured into a fixed position including partial or full extension, or full retraction.

(15) Present invention 10 provides an improvement over existing systems, as most boat hulls are not perpendicular to water W, but have a curvature. Spacer frame assembly 60 provides additional stability that until present invention 10 has not been realized.

(16) Each telescopic bar assembly 80 comprises an exterior bar 82 having an exterior bar end 94, and an interior bar 84 having an interior bar end 92. Telescopic bar assemblies 80 each further comprises a plurality of adjusting holes 86, coupling members 88 and 90, locking buttons 96, and locks 98. In a preferred embodiment, interior bar end 92 has coupling member 88 attached to first vertical bar 42, and exterior bar end 94 has coupling member 90 attached to second vertical bar 42. Telescopic bar assembly 80 is configured such that interior bar 84 is selectively extended and retracted as desired and further secured into a fixed position including partial or full extension, or full retraction.

(17) Supporting bar assemblies 110 each further comprise an extension bar 114, a plurality of bar holes 116, a proximal end 124, a distal end 125, and push buttons 129. Distal end 125 has bar cap 118 mounted thereto. Push buttons 129 comprise a ball detent locking system as is known.

(18) Hinge arms 120 keep respective supporting bar assemblies 110 in an extended configuration, whereby first and second supporting bars 112 are secured substantially perpendicular to first and second vertical bars 42 respectively. When not in use, first and second supporting bar assemblies 110 may be in a retracted configuration, whereby first and second supporting bars 112 are positioned towards first and second vertical bars 42 respectively.

(19) As seen in FIG. 2, suspending arms 22 comprise a substantially curved section formed between respective exterior ends 24 and interior ends 26 with a predetermined degree of curvature. Each suspending arm 22 is constructed with a degree of curvature X that is measured as a central angle as shown. In a preferred embodiment, X is between about 120 and 175 degrees. In another embodiment, X is between about 135 and 175 degrees. Although some systems include curved portions, they are typically curved at 180 degrees. The present invention has a significant improvement in performance when the angle degree of curvature is in the range described, as there is improved efficiency of configuration for the desired positioning on the outer perimeter of sea vessel 150.

(20) As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, first and second supporting bar assemblies 110 are in an extended configuration and in a same plane to support cooler 130. Supporting bar assemblies 110 are constructed and arranged to support cooler 130, wherein cooler 130 is positioned onto first and second supporting bars 112 and first and second extension bars 114. Extension bar 114 may be extended or retracted as desired and further secured into a fixed position with push buttons 129 including partial or full extension, or full retraction. Supporting bar assemblies 110 each comprise strap 126 to secure cooler 130 onto respective supporting bars 112. Cooler 130 has lid 132, body 134 and handles 136. Specifically, straps 126 extend from supporting bar 112 and are attached to handles 136.

(21) In use, present invention 10 is attached over an upper edge of gunwale 152 and extends along an outside perimeter of sea vessel 150. Suspended cooler frame assembly for sea vessels 10 may be adjusted in a way that water W does not reach cooler 130.

(22) The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.