U.S. patent application number 14/178333 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for magnetic cooler.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ashley Smith, Sheldon Smith. Invention is credited to Ashley Smith, Sheldon Smith.
Application Number | 20140223952 14/178333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51296467 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140223952 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Sheldon ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
Magnetic Cooler
Abstract
A cooler with a magnetic base is provided. The cooler is
particularly suited to being used with a truck because the magnetic
base can secure the cooler against a metal truck bed, ensuring that
the cooler will not move during transport. The base may be composed
of standard magnetic material or may preferably be composed of an
electromagnet that may be turned on when the cooler is stowed and
then turned off when the cooler needs to be moved. The power source
for embodiments with the electromagnet include either a standard
battery, a rechargeable battery, or some type of external power
source. The cooler can come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and
configurations.
Inventors: |
Smith; Sheldon; (Covelo,
CA) ; Smith; Ashley; (Covelo, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smith; Sheldon
Smith; Ashley |
Covelo
Covelo |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51296467 |
Appl. No.: |
14/178333 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61764016 |
Feb 13, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/20 20130101;
A45C 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/457.1 |
International
Class: |
F25D 3/08 20060101
F25D003/08 |
Claims
1) A cooler having a magnetic base, comprising: a box having a
base, side walls, a front wall, and a back wall defining an
opening; a lid hingeably attached to said back wall for covering
said opening; said base composed of magnetic material.
2) A cooler having a magnetic base, comprising: a box having a
base, side walls, a front wall, and a back wall defining an
opening; a lid hingeably attached to said back wall for covering
said opening; a magnet attached to said base.
3) The cooler having a magnetic base of claim 2, wherein said
magnet is an electromagnet.
4) The cooler having a magnetic base of claim 3, further comprising
an activation means disposed on said box for activating and
deactivating said electromagnet.
5) The cooler having a magnetic base of claim 1, further comprising
a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners disposed on said back
wall.
6) The cooler having a magnetic base of claim 2, further comprising
a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners disposed on said back
wall.
7) The cooler having a magnetic base of claim 3, further comprising
a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners disposed on said back
wall.
8) The cooler having a magnetic base of claim 4, further comprising
a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners disposed on said back wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/764,016 filed on Feb. 13, 2013, entitled
"Magnetic Ice Chest." The above identified patent application is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide
continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to coolers and ice chests.
[0004] Specifically, the present invention relates to coolers that
are removably securable within trucks or other modes of
transportation so that they do not shift or fall off the vehicle
and damage the cooler itself, the contents of the cooler, or
bystanders.
[0005] Coolers are useful for all types of events, including
hunting trips, tailgating, and camping, among others. But coolers
are often difficult to store securely during transit in a truck,
off-road vehicle, or a boat. If the coolers are not stored
securely, they can move or tip over during transit, or even fall
off of the vehicle. This can
[0006] lead to a wide variety of problems, including damage to the
cooler itself, damage to the contents of the cooler, or risk to
other individuals in the vicinity.
[0007] Several different types of solutions are available in the
prior art, but they suffer from a variety of problems. Simple
straps can be used to secure coolers, but they often need to be
either bolted or otherwise mounted to the vehicle, which can create
unsightly blemishes on the vehicle. Straps for securing the cooler
can be simply tied to an attachment point on the vehicle, but not
all vehicles have such attachment points. The cooler can also be
secured by some type of mounted support system, but once again
bolting or mounting a support system to a vehicle can cause damage,
is often time-consuming and difficult, and a permanent fixture may
not always be desirable.
[0008] The magnetic cooler solves these issues by providing an
easy, non-permanent solution. The present invention has a magnetic
base that securely locks the cooler to a truck bed, to the floor of
a boat, or the bed of an off-road vehicle. The magnet is strong
enough to ensure that even if the cooler is heavily loaded, it will
not slide or turn over during transport. In one embodiment the base
of the cooler is composed of a magnetic material. In another
embodiment, the base of the cooler has an electromagnet attached so
that the magnetic property of the cooler can be turned on or off.
The cooler can be easily loaded when the electromagnet is turned
off, then once the cooler is in place the electromagnet can be
turned on to lock the cooler in place against the metal bed of the
vehicle. The present invention is especially useful because it
allows the cooler to be securely stowed without requiring any
cumbersome modification to the user's vehicle that could
potentially be unsightly. Nothing could be simpler than loading the
cooler into the truck bed, pressing a button, and then not having
to worry at all afterwards.
[0009] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0010] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
cooler chests or boxes that are secured to trucks, trailers, and
other transportation vehicles. These include devices that have been
patented and published in patent application publications. These
devices generally relate to coolers that removably attach to
various trucks or trailers. The following is a list of devices
deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein
described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the
unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting
the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
[0011] Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,309 to Hallsworth
discloses a cargo box that attaches to trailers for boats, jet
skis, motorcycles, and other such devices. This cargo box is bolted
to the frame of the trailer to provide additional storage space for
gas cans and other such support objects. The fact that the cargo
box is permanently attached to a trailer is a huge detriment
because the box cannot be moved around and used at events. The
present invention, on the other hand, can be securely stored, while
at the same time being freely movable. Boxes or coolers that are
permanently affixed to the vehicle used to transport them have
limited utility because so much of the usefulness of a cooler comes
from the ability to carry it to the event or camp site away from
the vehicle.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,670 to Bright discloses a truck box that
has a removable section. The section is removable in order to make
space for the storage of additional items in the truck bed.
Although part of the truck box is removable, the rest of the device
is still permanently mounted to the bed of the truck. Storage boxes
or coolers that are permanently affixed to the vehicle are
generally not desirable because, although they are firmly secured,
one loses the ability to freely move them. The present invention,
on the other hand, has all of the advantages of the prior art and
none of the disadvantages because it can be firmly and reliably
secured to the truck bed or other method of transport and at the
same time can be removed from the truck bed and used independently
from the vehicle.
[0013] U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2010/0051627 to Kucks
discloses a cooler chest that is removably attached to a trailer
hitch receiver. The cooler chest is attached to a rigid framework
that removably holds the cooler against the back of the truck or
car by the trailer hitch. Although the invention accomplishes the
goal of firmly and removably securing a cooler to a vehicle, it has
a couple problems as well. First, it occupies the trailer hitch so
it is impossible to use this device and a trailer concurrently.
This could pose a problem because when going to camping or when
participating in other events it is often necessary to have as much
storage space as possible. Second, being secured to the trailer
hitch is a very vulnerable position. The cooler is right next to
the wheels of the vehicle and if the truck is traversing muddy or
otherwise dirty ground, then the cooler could get filthy. Also, the
cooler being stored outside the confines of the vehicle makes it
much more prone to be knocked or damaged by other cars, other
people, or simply objects that one may encounter. The present
invention is stored securely and safely within the truck or outdoor
vehicle bed or on the floor of a boat.
[0014] The present invention is a new and improved cooler that
provides a magnetic base in order to removably secure the cooler to
a metal surface of a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the
magnet is an electromagnet that can be turned on and off to make it
especially easy to load, firmly secure the cooler, and then unload
the cooler with a minimal amount of effort. It substantially
diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it
is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to
existing cooler devices. In this regard the instant invention
substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of coolers now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new cooler having a magnetic base wherein the
same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when
transporting a cooler in a truck bed, an off road vehicle bed, a
boat, or any other vehicle having a metal surface capable of
accommodating a cooler.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved cooler device that has all of the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
cooler that is firmly securable in any vehicle having a metal
surface that is capable of accommodating the cooler.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cooler that is freely and easily removable from the vehicle without
using any permanent methods of fixation.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
cooler that has an electromagnet so the magnetic properties of the
present invention can be turned on and off depending upon whether
the cooler is being stowed or removed from the truck.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
cooler that has an electromagnet that is freely rechargeable.
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the present
invention with the lid raised.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the present invention in
use in a truck bed.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a view of the internal structure of the base
for an embodiment that has an electromagnet embedded in the
base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the magnetic cooler. For the purposes of
presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention,
the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for securing the
cooler within a truck bed. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective
view of an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic cooler
19 is composed of a front wall 11, a pair of side walls 12, a back
wall 13, and a base 15 defining an opening. Although the cooler 19
is rectangular in shape as depicted, any configuration having the
necessary wall elements is contemplated. The cooler is composed of
any type of material that provides sufficient insulation to keep
its contents cool during storage, as is well known and established
in the prior art. The magnetic cooler further has a hingeably
attached lid 14 for covering the opening. The cooler also has a
pair of handles 17, with one being attached to each of the side
walls 12.
[0030] Depending upon the embodiment, the base 15 may be composed
of either magnetic material or have an integrated electromagnet.
The preferred embodiments utilize an integrated electromagnet in
the base, such as the depicted embodiment, and have an activations
means 16 disposed at any point on the outside of the cooler 19. In
the depicted embodiment, the activation means 16 consists of a
switch, but it could also be a button or any other means sufficient
to turn the electromagnet on and off. Being able to turn the
magnetic properties of the base on and off is especially useful
because if the base is unmagnetized, then it will be easier to load
and unload the cooler from the truck bed or other location because
the attraction between the magnetic base and the metal surface of
the truck bed will be negated.
[0031] A variety of methods for providing electrical energy to the
electromagnet are contemplated. The depicted embodiment uses an
external power source 30 of any type to provide electrical energy
to the electromagnet. This external power source 30 may be a
battery, the car itself through an adapter, or any other type of
suitable power source. The external power source 30 is designed to
be connected to the cooler 19 while in transport in order to keep
the electromagnet running. In one embodiment the external power
source 30 is permanently connected to the cooler 19. In another
embodiment the external power source 30 is detachably connected to
the cooler 19. The external power source 30 may or may not be
connected by a cord and the connection between the cooler 19 and
the external power source 30 may be disposed at any point along the
external face of the cooler 19. No specific type of external power
source 30 is contemplated for the present invention.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a back perspective
view of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment
the back wall 13 has a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 18
disposed along its external face. The hook-and-loop fasteners 18
are a secondary means of securement that are optionally available
to use. The hook-and-loop fasteners 18 along the back wall 13 would
engage with complimentary hook-and-loop fasteners disposed along
the back or side walls of the truck bed.
[0033] This embodiment further has an electrical plug 32 disposed
on the external face of one of the side walls 12. No particular
electrical plug 32 is contemplated by this disclosure and the
electrical plug 32 may be adapted to engage with all manner of
outlets and connections. Power may be provided through the
electrical plug 32 to either directly run the electromagnet during
use or to recharge a battery or other internal power source within
the cooler 19. No particular type of power transfer to either
recharge or run the electromagnet while in use is specifically
claimed by this disclosure.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a top-down view of
an embodiment of the present invention. The front wall 11, side
walls 12, base 15, and back wall 13 define an inner compartment
that can be used to store ice, food, or anything else that the user
wishes. This embodiment utilizes an internal power source 31 to
provide electrical energy to the electromagnet contained within the
base. The internal power source 31 may be replaceable or
rechargeable. No specific type of internal power source 31 is
contemplated, as long as it is capable of powering the
electromagnet.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention. The present invention is ideally suited
to being stored on a truck bed. The magnetic base allows the cooler
to be securely stored on the metal surface of the truck bed and
ensures that the cooler will not tip or fall off. When in use, the
magnetic cooler can be easily loaded into the truck bed. For the
preferred embodiment having the electromagnet, the electromagnet is
then activated through the activation means 16 and the cooler is
then stored securely until the electromagnet is deactivated through
the activation means 16. The electromagnet is powerful enough to
hold the present invention in place against the metal truck bed
during the course of normal travel to and from sporting events,
camping trips, and other such outings. At that point, the magnetic
cooler can then be easily unloaded from the truck bed.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a view of the
internal structure of the base for the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, which has an electromagnet embedded in the base.
The electromagnet 20 in the base 15 is composed of a solenoid
having multiple turns. The electromagnet 20 is turned on and off by
the activation means 16. The electromagnet has a standard
electromagnet configuration that is well known and practiced in the
prior art. When the activation means 16 is in the on position,
electrical current flows through the solenoid, which generates a
magnetic field in a predetermined direction. When in use, the
electromagnet generates a sufficient magnetic field to firmly
secure a fully loaded cooler in place during transit.
[0037] Overall, the present magnetic cooler provides a unique
structure for non-permanently, but firmly, securing a cooler while
in transit on any suitable vehicle having a metal surface. If
coolers are not secure properly during transit, they can move or
even fall off, which can damage the cooler itself, the goods within
the cooler, and bystanders. Other means of securing a cooler either
require permanent fixation of a support structure to the vehicle or
are not adequate to truly immobilize a heavy, fully loaded cooler.
After use, the magnetic cooler can be easily and quickly removed
from the vehicle and taken wherever the user wishes.
[0038] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *