Mobile Cooler

Abstract

A cooler for storage of items including: an interior compartment, where the interior compartment includes a mechanism to illuminate the interior compartment and a drain opening. The cooler also includes a lid, where the lid seals the interior compartment shut and includes a mechanism for the placement of cups. The cooler may be maneuvered by using at least one stationary wheel at one end of the cooler and at least one swivel wheel at an opposite end of the cooler. The cooler may also include a telescoping handle, where the telescoping handle is positioned on at least one side of the cooler and serves as a mechanism to grasp and maneuver the cooler during movement. In one particular embodiment, a LED light may be used to illuminate the interior compartment and a plurality of cup holders may be provided for the placement of cups.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/471,365 filed on Apr. 4, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a mobile cooler that includes wheels with telescoping handles for easy movement.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] An ice cooler/ice chest is an insulated container that is used to keep items cool. Normally ice cubes or another means of cooling provides a means to cool the internal environment within the ice cooler while the cooler lid remains shut. In addition to ice cubes, ice packs and various gel packs have been developed to place in coolers for cooling purposes. Furthermore, dry ice may also be used in ice coolers. Individuals on picnics or outdoor outings very often take coolers where the availability of refrigeration is not convenient or available. Various types of ice coolers and chests have been developed and are normally manufactured of plastics, foam or styrene foam. Many have handles, specially designed lids, shoulder straps, rollers or other means to transport and carry the ice cooler or chest.

[0006] The cooler is normally a square boxed device with insulating walls and a lid to know that heat transfer is minimized between the inner portion of the cooler and the outdoor environment. It is necessary in most instances to carry a cooler and thus therefore any weight within the cooler must also be transported with the cooler itself. Movement of a heavy cooler can sometimes be cumbersome and laborious. Consequently it would be advantageous to have a cooler that includes a set of wheels with specially designed handles for the movement of the cooler over a surface. With suitable wheels the cooler can be easily maneuvered over a surface and therefore alleviate the necessity of lifting a cooler for movement purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a cooler for storage of items comprising: an interior compartment, where the interior compartment includes a means to illuminate the interior compartment and a drain opening; a lid, where the lid seals the interior compartment shut, where the lid includes a means for the placement of cups; at least one stationary wheel at one end of the cooler; at least one swivel wheel at an opposite end of the cooler; and a means to grasp and maneuver the cooler during movement. In one particular embodiment the means to illuminate includes a LED light and the means to grasp and maneuver includes a telescoping handle, where the telescoping handle is positioned on at least one side of the cooler. A plurality of cup holders may be provided for the means for placement of cups. The cooler may further include an accessory insert, where the insert provides a means to store food items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a cooler with wheels in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a cooler that includes a set of wheels installed to assist with the mobility of the cooler. Other features of the cooler according to the present invention include a telescoping handle that extends vertically to assist the user in the mobility of the cooler. Further the cooler includes a light within the cooler so that the cooler may be easily used in a dark environment. Further an additional accessory package is provided for the insertion of items that may be easily misplaced when enjoying outdoor activities.

[0010] In reference to FIG. 1, a Cooler 100 in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The Cooler 100 includes a Lid 35 that swings open to expose the interior of the Cooler 100. As shown at the center of the bottom portion of the Cooler 100 is a Drain 36 that provides a means to drain any liquids within the cooler that may develop over a period of time of use. The bottom of the surface of the Cooler 100 is slightly concaved to allow the flow of water to the Drain 36. Further the interior of the cooler includes a LED Light 22 that may be powered by battery. The LED light 22 provides a means to illuminate the interior of the Cooler 100 during use.

[0011] Some of the exterior features of the Cooler 100 include Wheels 34 at one end of the cooler. Although one Wheel 34 is shown a complimentary wheel is provided on the opposite side of the Cooler 100. The Wheel 34 is a stationary wheel used to maneuver the Cooler 100 during use. Swivel Wheels 32 are provided at the opposite end of the Cooler 100. The Swivel Wheels 32 enable the user to turn and helps with the mobility of the Cooler 100 when transferring the cooler over a surface area. Although not shown the Swivel Wheels 32 include a braking means to enable to brake and stabilize the Cooler 100 when desired. The Cooler 100 further includes a Telescoping Handle 25. The telescoping handle 25 extends vertically to provide the user with a means to grasp and maneuver the cooler during movement. The Lid 35 may include a plurality of Cup Holders 38 as shown along the top surface of the Lid 35. The Cup Holders 38 provide a means for the placement of cups when a user may be enjoying a beverage. Further the Cooler 100 includes a Can Opener 27 placed at one end of the Cooler 100.

[0012] The Cooler 100 provides the user with a mobile cooler storage unit that helps the user to maneuver the cooler over a surface area. The Telescoping Handle 25 in one particular embodiment may further include soft grips to provide an enhanced grip of the handle. Further the Cooler 100 may further include an Accessory Insert 23 shown in FIG. 1. This accessory insert provides a means to store food items that may be normally spill within the cooler such as lunch meat, condiments, etc. A mesh holder may be attached to the back side of the cooler may be used for items that may be misplaced during outings such as keys, wallet or perhaps a mobile phone. The Insert 23 may be a waterproof device that seals upon closure. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cooler for storage of items comprising: a. an interior compartment, where the interior compartment includes a means to illuminate the interior compartment and a drain opening; b. a lid, where the lid seals the interior compartment shut, where the lid includes a means for the placement of cups; c. at least one stationary wheel at one end of the cooler; d. at least one swivel wheel at an opposite end of the cooler; and e. a means to grasp and maneuver the cooler during movement.

2. The cooler according to claim 1 where said means to illuminate includes a LED light.

3. The cooler according to claim 1, where said means to grasp and maneuver includes a telescoping handle, where the telescoping handle is positioned on at least one side of the cooler.

4. The cooler according to claim 1, where said means for placement of cups includes a plurality of cup holders.

5. The cooler according to claim 1, further comprising an accessory insert, where the insert provides a means to store food items.