Cooler Chair Combination

Abstract

A cooler chair combination provides two distinction functional products in a single structure. A cooler is provided with slots to facilitate detachable coupling of a back and armrests to the cooler, thereby providing a functioning chair, where the top of the cooler provides the seat of the chair.

Claims

1. A cooler and chair combination comprising: a base; a back detachably connected to the base; first and second armrests, detachably connected to the base and the back; and a cooler compartment formed inside the base.

2. The cooler and chair combination of claim 1, wherein the back and first and second armrests are made of a high density polyethylene (HDPE).

3. The cooler and chair combination of claim 2, wherein the base includes a plurality of sidewalls defining an open top, a bottom integrally formed with the sidewalls, and a lid movably connect to and sealingly covering the open top in a closed position, the sidewalls, bottom and lid defining the cooler compartment as insulated interior capable of providing thermal retention.

4. The cooler and chair combination of claim 3, further comprising first and second vertical supports slidably received in respective slots provided in a forward portion of the base, the first and second vertical supports having upper distal ends connected respectively to the first and second armrests.

5. The cooler and chair combination of claim 4, wherein the back is an elongated, rectangular planar member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the base has a slot formed in a rearward portion of the base, and slidably receiving the proximal end of the elongated, rectangular planar member in a fixed, angled, upright position.

6. The cooler and chair combination of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second armrests comprise an L-shaped planar member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, and each forward portion of the first and second armrests is detachably connected to a corresponding one of the first and second vertical supports, and each rearward portion of the first and second armrests is detachably connected to rectangular planar member.

7. The cooler and chair combination of claim 6, wherein the rectangular planar member has a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface, and wherein the rectangular planar member further comprises a pair of slats connected to the rearward facing surface of the rectangular planar member, and wherein the rearward portions of the L-shaped planar members are detachably connected to corresponding ones of the pair of slats.

8. The cooler and chair combination of claim 1, wherein the back, seat and armrests are made of HDPE plastic.

9. The cooler and chair combination of claim 1, wherein the base includes a plurality of legs, a bottom disposed between the plurality of legs, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly between the plurality of legs and defining an upper opening and an insulated interior compartment, and a cover movable between open and closed position over the upper opening, wherein an upper surface of the cover defines a seat.

10. A modular apparatus comprising: a main body defined by a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls; an interior, insulated compartment disposed within the main body and having an open upper end; a plurality of legs disposed on the bottom of the main body and being disposed to support the main body when resting on a surface; an insulated cover movably disposed over the open upper end and being movable between open and closed positions; the main body having a first function; and means for detachably connecting component parts to the main body; the component parts having a second function when combined with the main body.

11. The modular apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for detachably connecting components to the main body include a plurality of slots.

12. The modular apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of slots includes a rear slot provided in a rear portion of the body, and the component parts include a back having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the back is slidable into the rear slot to be mounted in a predominantly vertical, angled rearward disposition.

13. The modular apparatus of claim 12, wherein the main body includes a first side and a second side, and the plurality of slots includes first and second vertical slots disposed respectively on the first side and the second side of the main body, and the component parts include first and second vertical supports each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second vertical supports being slidable respectively in the first and second vertical slots, and first and second armrests respectively detachably connected to the distal ends of the first and second vertical supports and to the back.

14. The modular apparatus of claim 13, wherein the main body and component parts are all made of HDPE plastic, and at least one surface of the of the main body and component parts is at least partially covered with EVA closed cell foam material.

15. A method of building a modular product having two distinct functions, comprising the steps of: forming a cooler from roto molded high density plastic, the cooler having an open top, a bottom and a sidewall between the bottom and open top, and a lid movable between open and closed positions and sealingly closing the open top when in the closed position; forming a rearward slot in a rearward portion of the cooler; forming two forward, vertical slots in a forward portion of the cooler; sliding a back into the rearward slot; sliding first and second vertical supports respectively into the two forward, vertical slots; forming first and second armrests each having a forward portion and a rearward portion; detachably connecting the forward portion of the first and second armrests respectively to the first and second vertical supports and to the back, wherein the modular product functions as both a cooler and a chair, wherein the lid of the cooler provides a seat for the chair.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein all component parts are made by cutting planar sheets of HDPE plastic material into parts which define the first and second armrests and the back.

17. An article of outdoor furniture comprising: a roto molded cooler having a lid angled downwardly from front to rear, the lid having an outer surface which provides a seat for a user; a back detachably connected to a rear portion of the cooler; first and second vertical supports, each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second vertical supports being slidably and detachably connected to a forward portion of the cooler; and first and second armrests respectively detachably connected to the distal ends of the first and second vertical supports and to the back.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the cooler, back and first and second armrests are made of HDPE plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cooler chair combination according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cooler chair combination of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is the view as FIG. 1 but with the cooler lid in an open position;

[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cooler chair combination, showing constituent parts in position to be assembled;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the cooler portion of the cooler chair combination;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the cooler portion of the cooler chair combination; and

[0034] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the cooler portion of the cooler chair combination showing a typical roto molded construction having superior insulating properties.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a cooler and chair combination 10 includes a base 12, a back 14 detachably connected to the base 12, first and second armrests 16, 18 detachably connected to the base 12 and the back 14, and a cooler compartment 20 formed inside the base 12. The base 12, back 14 and armrests 16, 18 are preferably made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar plastic materials. The base 12 is preferably roto molded to form a highly insulated compartment 20 which can typically maintain ice in frozen state for over 24 hours and preferably 48 hours or more. A thin covering of EVA foam is shown in a diamond pattern on the armrests 16, 18, as well as the back 14 and the upper surface of the base 12. The EVA foam provides an insulation property as well as an aesthetic aspect, as described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 18/122,382, filed Mar. 16, 2023.

[0036] The base 12 includes a plurality of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 defining an open top, a bottom 30 integrally formed with the sidewalls 22, 24, 26, and 28. A lid 32 is movably connect to and sealingly covering the open top in a closed position. The lid 32 is preferably pivotally connected and is movable between open and closed positions. Pivotal connection means are well known and need no further description. A latch 34, also of known construction, is provided at the forward end of the lid 32 to secure the lid in a sealing position over the open top. The cooler compartment is highly insulated and capable of maintain ice in a frozen condition 24 to 48 hours or more.

[0037] The cooler and chair combination 10 further includes first and second vertical supports 36, 38. As better seen in FIGS. 4-6, the vertical supports 36, 38 have proximal ends that are slidably received in respective t-shaped slots 40, 42 provided in a forward portion of the base 12. The first and second vertical supports 36, 38 have upper distal ends connected respectively to the first and second armrests 16, 18.

[0038] The back 14 is an elongated, rectangular planar member having a proximal end and a distal end. The base 12 has a rear slot 44 formed in a rearward portion thereof for slidably receiving the proximal end of the back 14, which is preferably in the form of an elongated, rectangular planar member. When inserted into the slot, the back 14 is maintained in a fixed, angled rearwardly, upright position. Once inserted, the back 14 can be held in position either by a simple interference fit, by set screws (not sure) or any other fasteners or securing means of any known form. Since ease of assembly is desirable and preferred, simple fastener means can be provided.

[0039] Each of the first and second armrests 16, 18 comprise an L-shaped planar member having a forward portion 16a, 18a, and a rearward portion 16b, 18b, and each forward portion of the first and second armrests is detachably connected to a corresponding one of the first and second vertical supports 36, 38, and each rearward portion of the first and second armrests is detachably connected to the back 14. Securing the distal end of vertical support 36 to the underside of the forward portion 18a of armrest 18, and securing the distal end of vertical support 38 to the forward portion 16a of armrest 16 can be accomplished with any conventional fasteners, such as set screws, wood or metal screws, nuts and bolts, or any other suitable fasteners that are easy to engage and disengage. A bottle opener 48 can be secured to either vertical support and in one embodiment, the bottle opener has vertical and horizontal parts that can be secured to the vertical support and the horizontal, underside of either armrest.

[0040] As best seen in FIG. 4, the vertical supports 36 and 38 have a t-shaped cross section throughout most of their length, defined by lateral portion 38a and longitudinal portion 38b for vertical support 38, and by lateral portion 36a and longitudinal portion 36b for vertical support 36. Having lateral and longitudinal portions provides strength and stability for respective armrests 16 and 18. The rearward facing surface 50 of the back 14 provides connection points for the rearward portions 16b, 18b of the armrests 16, 18. One preferred connection is to provide a pair of parallel braces 52, 54 connected to the surface 50 by any conventional means, either permanent means such as adhesives, or detachable means, such as tongue and groove, or comparable, simple means that are easy for users to deploy from a packing or shipping box. The braces 52, 54 have slots that receive the rearward portions 16b, 18b and are held in place either by interference fit, or by any conventional fasteners.

[0041] The back 14, lid 32 and armrests 16, 18 are all preferably made of HDPE plastic. The lid 32 is roto molded to provide superior insulating properties, along with the sidewalls and bottom. The top surface of the lid 32 provides a seat on which a user can be seated.

[0042] The base 12 includes a plurality of legs, including two forward legs 56, 58 and two rearward legs 60, 62, with all four legs disposed a four corners of the base 12. The bottom 30 is disposed between the legs 56, 58, 60, 62, and the sidewalls 22, 24, 26 and 28 extend upwardly from the bottom to define an upper opening through which ice and drinks or other products can be placed in the cooler compartment 20. The lid 32 is movable between open and closed position over the upper opening. The lid 32 has an upper surface which provides a seat.

[0043] The invention can be described as a modular structure where a main body is defined by the aforementioned bottom and plurality of sidewalls. The body defines a cooler, which substantially corresponds in the drawings to element 12 and described above as the base 12. The cooler has an insulated compartment with an open upper end closed by a lid 14. The base 12 and the lid 14 constitute the cooler.

[0044] In describing a cooler, the legs 56, 58, 60 and 62 are integrally formed with the cooler, and function to support the base 12 in an elevated position off the ground. The legs are thus are a permanent part of the cooler, but are necessarily part of the chair, which is formed when modular parts are added to the cooler.

[0045] As previously noted, the lid 32 is part of the cooler, and can be pivotally mounted to the upper edge of the base 12 by hinges (FIG. 6) or by any other suitable means. The lid 32 could be completely decoupled from the base 12, as is the case with some types of coolers, but is preferably hinged for pivotal movement between open and closed positions. Moreover, due to the need for longer term cooling, the cooler preferably includes a latch 34 which provides a snug fit between the base 12 and the lid 32 to make the connection of the lid to the base, in the closed position, as hermetic as possible.

[0046] The modular aspect of the invention is that the cooler can be augmented to include chair parts, or detachable and attachable component parts, including the aforementioned back 14, armrests 16, 18 and vertical supports 36, 38. These additional, detachable component parts give the cooler a second function, that of a chair, when combined with the cooler.

[0047] The slots 40, 42, 44 ensure easy assembly and disassembly so that the modular structure can be take its initial form as a chair, and then augmented with additional parts to become a chair cooler combination. The back, armrests and vertical supports are detachably connected to the cooler (or main body 12) using the slots as a means for simple, quick and easy assembly and disassembly. The proximal end of the back 14 is slidable into the rear 44 slot to be mounted in a predominantly vertical, angled rearward disposition. The back 14 can be held in place by an interference fit, or set screws, threaded fastener or any other suitable means which would allow for a secure, yet detachable, connection. A quick coupling is preferred so the cooler chair combination can be easily assembled and disassemble. The back and corresponding slot may be provided with snap-fit structures which snap together when mating parts are in proper alignment, such as when the back is fully inserted into the slot.

[0048] When viewing the modular apparatus from the front, the apparatus has a first side and a second side, and the first and second vertical slots 40, 42 are disposed respectively on the first side and the second side of the main body. The component parts, including the first and second vertical supports 36, 38 each have a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second vertical supports are then slidable into the first and second vertical slots. The modular parts that are added to the cooler include the first and second armrests 16, 18 respectively detachably connected to the distal ends of the first and second vertical supports 36, 38 and to the back 14.

[0049] The invention includes the method of building a modular product having two distinct functions, where the method includes the steps of forming a cooler from roto molded high density plastic, the cooler having an open top, a bottom 30 and a sidewall 22, 24, 26 and 28 (in alternative embodiments the sidewalls could be curvilinear, circular, or polyhedral with more or less than four sides. The lid 32 is formed by roto molding as well, since it is essential for long term cooling to have the entire enclosure insulated. Roto molding allows for insulation of the type shown in FIG. 7, where a double wall 66, 68 is formed with a gap between the two walls, and the gap is filled with insulation material 68. The process of forming coolers by roto molding is well known in the art, but what is heretofore unknown is to form a cooler of the shape and functionality of the present invention.

[0050] The uniqueness of the present invention is to form by molding or cutting a rearward slot 44 in a rearward portion of the cooler, and to form two forward, vertical slots 40, 42 in a forward portion of the cooler. The methodology includes sliding the back 14 into the rearward slot 44, and sliding first and second vertical supports 36, 38 respectively into the two forward, vertical slots, 40, and 42. The first and second armrests 16, 18 are formed by taking rectangular sheets of HDPE, preferably about 7 millimeters to 15 millimeters in thickness, and cutting those sheets using a CNC machine, programmed to cut repetitively, and successively, the parts that are assembled to form the cooler chair combination. When forming the armrests, 16, 18, each is preferably cut to have a forward portion 16a, 18a and a rearward portion 16b, 18b, detachably connecting the forward portion of the first and second armrests respectively to the first and second vertical supports and to the back, wherein the modular product functions as both a cooler and a chair, wherein the lid of the cooler provides a seat for the chair.

[0051] Preferably, all component parts are made by cutting planar sheets of HDPE plastic material into parts which define the first and second armrests and the back.

[0052] Preferably, the cooler, back and first and second armrests are made of HDPE plastic or other plastic materials having similar physical properties in terms hardness, strength and fracture toughness.

[0053] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.