Patent Application
20070145051
This invention relates generally to a mobile cooler station. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cooler station assembly utilizing injection molded plastic structural panels having integrally formed connectors. The cooler station is capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and assembled into a secure and decorative cooler without additional fasteners.
Portable or mobile coolers are very convenient for outdoor picnics and cook outs. A common form of a portable cooler is the well known ice chest which comprises a molded, insulated container with a top hingedly connected thereto. These containers are available in various sizes and forms. However, they do not include a provision for the storage of glasses or other containers prior to their use in the service of cold beverages. Furthermore, certain foods require refrigeration or being kept at a cooler temperature prior to their preparation. Normally these foods are kept in separate, non-disposable, containers from which they are removed just prior to their preparation. The necessity of storing these containers after the foods are removed therefrom and prior to their being returned inside the house becomes problematic. This invention solves these problems by providing storage areas for these containers.
An example of the well known portable ice chest is U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,448 which discloses a portable cooler onto which wheels are mounted for ease of mobility. This cooled has no provisions for the storage of glasses or other items.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,170 discloses a portable cooler which is provided with wheels for mobility and telescoping legs for stability once the cooler has been moved to the desired location. Hinged trays are mounted on the sides of the cooler to provide support for foods, beverages and food containers. However, there are no provisions for storage of the food containers after their use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,047discloses another portable including wheels for mobility. The cooler top is hinged to provide a support for food and beverages. Hinged trays are attached to the sides of the cooler for support of food and beverages. A storage compartment is provided adjacent the cooler. While this cooler provides a storage compartment it is inconvenient to use. As a result of its relative low height the user must constantly bend over to use it.
Such prior art coolers, while working well, have not met all of the needs of the manufacturers, retailers or end users by providing a cooler station that can be easily manufactured, packaged and shipped to the consumer in a knock-down state. Nor have they met the needs of the end users who require structural integrity combined with a pleasing aesthetic appearance and ease of assembly without the need for tools and small fasteners for assembly.
High among these needs is a mobile cooler station having walls which resist panel separation, buckling, racking and weather infiltration. Structural integrity is a further consideration. The cooler station formed by the panels must tie into the cover and bottom in such a way as to unify the entire enclosure. Also, from a safety standpoint, a cover should be present which can be easily opened and retained in the open position while the cooler is being accessed.
Finally, there are ergonomic needs that a mobile cooler station must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user. The cooler station assembly must be easily and quickly assembled using minimal or no hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the cooler station assembly must not require excessive strength to assemble or include heavy component parts. The cooler station assembly must assemble together in a manner which will not detract from the internal storage volume.
The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing mobile cooler station. The integrated connection of the side walls, cover and bottom panel components simplifies the cooler construction. The panels are formed from injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate metal fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the injection molded panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly. This construction eliminates the need for separate connectors or fasteners to assemble the cooler station assembly. Injection molding allows the panels to be formed with a single wall having integral cross-bracing, ribs and gussets for increased rigidity when compared to blow molded or rotationally molded assemblies. The same side wall and bottom panels components can be used to create a variety of different assemblies useful for cookouts or outdoor entertaining and the assembly of these requires minimal hardware and a minimum number of hand tools.
The base, support, front and back wall panels have integrally formed outwardly projecting bosses for interlocking engagement with the left and right side wall panels. The left and right side wall panels are constructed with integrally formed inwardly contoured sockets for interlocking cooperative engagement with the bosses on the edges of the base, support, front and back wall panels. The engagement between the bosses and the sockets serve to rigidly connect the components together into a weather resistant assembly. The system further includes a one-piece latching cover which is hingedly connected and latched in place after the front, back, support, side and bottom panels have been fully assembled.
The cover panel is hingedly connected to removable and replaceable hinge inserts thereby providing an opening for access to the interior of the cooler. The cover is provided with flexible supports on either or both sides thereof to maintain the cover in its open position.
The lower surface of the base panel includes integrally formed bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with casters to allow for easy movement of a full or empty cooler. The lower portion of the back wall panel is provided with an opening through which a drain hose can pass for the removal of water from the cooler.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a mobile cooler station composed of panels with integral connectors.
It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a mobile cooler assembly with panels formed by injection molding for increased structural integrity.
It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a mobile cooler assembly wherein the side walls, cover, support and bottom panels are integrally interlocked without the use of separate fasteners or connectors.
It is still another objective of the invention to provide a mobile cooler assembly constructed of modular panels having an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
It is still a further objective of the invention to provide a mobile cooler assembly that is capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed into a secure assembly at a desired site.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
The right panel 200 is configured with a first edge 212 and a second edge 214. Both edges 212 and 214 include integrally formed elongated sockets 210 extending inwardly in a linear fashion along each edge. The sockets 210 are generally constructed and arranged to cooperate with the bosses 116 provided along either edge of the back panel 400 and the front panel 500.
The left panel 300 is configured having a first edge 312 and a second edge 314. Both edges 312 and 314 include integrally formed elongated sockets 210 extending inwardly in a linear fashion along each edge. The sockets 210 are generally constructed and arranged to cooperate with bosses 116 provided along either edge of the back panel 400 and the front panel 500.
The outer surface of the panels 200, 300, 400, and 500 are constructed generally smooth having a plurality of inwardly curved grooves 230 for added strength and aesthetic appearance. The inside of the panels 200, 300, 400, 500 are constructed with a plurality of strengthening ribs 202 extending along and across the panels. The ribs 202 and inwardly curved grooves 230 increase the structural integrity of the cooler station 10 by preventing the panels 200, 300, 400, and 500 from bowing or bending inwardly or outwardly, and thus, adversely affecting the appearance or operation of the cooler station 10. The integrally formed ribs 202 and inwardly curved grooves 230 are facilitated by injection molding. Injection molding offers significant strength and stability advantages over blow-molding or rotational molding as utilized in the prior art. In this manner the cooler station of the instant invention is capable of handling a significant amount of weight as compared to prior art cooler stations.
The right and left side panels 200 and 300 are attached to the base panel 100 by inserting the bosses 116 into the sockets 210 until the spring lock fasteners 118 engage the apertures 208 in the sockets 210 of the right 200 and left 300 panels (
Referring to
The cover panel 600 is releasably secured in the closed position by pivoting the cover panel downward until the cover latch 622, mounted on the cover panel, engages at least one indentation 620 formed in the front top portion of the front panel 500. This results in a positive mechanical connection. To open the cover panel the latch 622 is pulled outwardly until it releases from indentation 620 and then the cover is pivoted upwardly.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The perpendicular panels are brought into an overlapping relationship wherein the bosses 116 enter the corresponding sockets 210 in the right and left panels 200 and 300 respectively. The result is a mechanically secure connection between the panels. The overlapping edges between the panels as described above provides a secure connection therebetween and provides several advantages. Among these advantages are first, the design allows the panels to be connected without the need for separate connectors. Second, the design creates a positive lock which prevents separation of the panels. Third, the design maintains alignment of the panels in the same plane and prevents bowing or bending of either panel relative to one another.
Referring now to
Located below the front panel 500 is a door 502 providing assess to a storage area. The storage area is located below the support panel 700, above the base panel 100, and between the right and left side panels 200 and 300. The area may be used for the storage of items associated with the serving of cold beverages or other chilled items. The door 502 is hingedly mounted to the base panel and support panel by hinge pins 504 integrally formed in the door. The hinge pins fit into and cooperate with apertures 506 integrally formed in the support panel and the base panel to allow pivotal opening and closing of the door. A handle 508 may also be provided on the door to assist the opening and closing thereof.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring to
A rack 206 is mounted on the opposite side panel from the shelf. The rack has two extensions 208 which engage apertures in the side panel to mount the rack thereto. These are the same apertures to which the hinges 207 are mounted. The rack may be attached and removed without the use of tools. The rack may be employed to hang things on such as towels or food service implements.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
