TABLE AND STORAGE SYSTEM FOR COOLERS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the coolers, more particularly, a table that may be attached to a cooler in an elevated position over the cooler, thereby providing a storage surface while still allowing the lid of the cooler to be opened, and an enclosure for storing objects between the cooler and the elevated table, thereby allowing for easy transportation of said objects.

While using conventional coolers, people often use the top of the cooler's lid as a table by placing objects, such as open drinks, food, condiments, etc., on top of the lid. This presents a problem because every time a person needs to retrieve something from inside the cooler, the open drinks, food, condiments and so forth need to be removed from the top of the lid. Another problem with conventional coolers is the lack of storage space for dry goods, such as paper plates, utensils, cups, etc., and for other objects, such as beach toys, towels, etc.

Therefore, a need exists for a table that may be attached to a cooler in an elevated position, thereby providing a storage surface while still allowing the lid of the cooler to be opened, and an enclosure for storing objects between the cooler and the elevated table, thereby allowing for easy transportation of said objects.

The relevant prior art includes the following patent references:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which the table may be attached to a cooler in an elevated position, thereby providing a storage surface while still allowing the lid of the cooler to be opened.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which the table may be attached to a cooler in a stored position flat against the lid of the cooler.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which recessed areas are located on the table for additional storage.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers in which the table has foldable wings to provide additional storage space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers having an enclosure that provides additional storage space between the table and the lid of the cooler while the table is in an elevated position.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers that may be integrated into new coolers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and storage system for coolers that may be retrofitted to existing coolers.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a table and storage system having brackets that may be integrated into the sides of a new cooler or attached to an existing cooler. The brackets have apertures for inserting extension legs, storage legs and/or support arms. To place the table in an elevated position, bottoms of the extension legs are placed into the apertures in the brackets. The extension legs extend upward a predetermined distance from the brackets to support the table in an elevated position. The extension legs are preferably long enough to provide clearance to fully open the lid of the cooler while the table is an elevated position. The extension legs are attached to the table top by placing tops of the extension legs into apertures located on a bottom surface of the table.

To place the table in a stored position, bottoms of the storage legs are placed into the apertures in the brackets. The storage legs extend upward a predetermined distance from the brackets to support the table in position flat against or directly adjacent to the lid of the cooler. The storage legs are attached to the table top by placing tops of the storage legs into apertures located on the bottom surface of the table. Furthermore, the extension legs may be telescoping so that the table may be adjusted to a desired height.

The table may also have wings foldably attached to the table. The wings extend the surface area of the table top. The wings may be folded to create a “suit case” with the table. A user may store dry goods within recessed portions of the folded table top and wings for easy transportation.

While the table is in an elevated position, an enclosure may be attached to the table and the cooler to enclose at least three sides of the space between the table and the cooler. A user may then place objects in the space between the table and the cooler for easy transportation.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a table and storage system of the present invention in an elevated position and attached to a cooler;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a table of the present invention in stored position and attached to a cooler;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a table of the present invention attached to a cooler and having wings;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a table of the present invention having wings;

FIG. 5 is a view of a bottom surface of the table of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of a bracket attached to a cooler; and

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a bracket attached to a cooler.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective side view of a table and storage system 1 of the present invention having a table 2 in an elevated position and attached to a cooler 3 is shown. Brackets 4 are attached to the sides of the cooler 3. Extension legs 5 extend from the brackets 4 to the table 2. Bottom ends 6 of the extension legs 5 are placed in apertures 7 located in the brackets 4. The extension legs 5 extend upward a predetermined distance from the brackets 4 to support the table 2 in an elevated position. The extension legs 5 are preferably long enough to provide clearance to fully open a lid 8 of the cooler 3 while the table 2 is in an elevated position. The extension legs 5 are attached to the table 2 by placing top ends 9 of the extension legs 5 into apertures 7 located on a bottom surface 10 of the table 2, as shown in more detail in FIG. 4. While the table 2 is in an extended position, an enclosure 11 may be attached to the table 2 and the cooler 3 using attachment means 12, such as snaps 13, zippers, grommets, buttons, hook and loop fastener, etc., located along a top edge 14 and a bottom edge 15 of the enclosure 11. The enclosure 11 comprises at least one panel 15 preferably made of a mesh, netting or other cloth-like material that encloses the space between the lid 8 and the table 2 on at least three sides 16 of the cooler 2. A user may then place objects in the space between the table 2 and the lid 8 for easy transportation of said objects.

With reference to FIG. 2, a side plan view of a table 2 of the present invention in a stored position and attached to a cooler 3 is shown. Bottom ends 17 of storage legs 18 are placed in apertures 7 located in the brackets 4. The storage legs 18 are shorter that the extension legs 5 shown in FIG. 1 and extend upward only a predetermined distance from the brackets 7 to support the table 2 in position adjacent to the lid 8 of the cooler 2. The storage legs 18 are attached to the table top 2 by placing top ends 19 of the storage legs into apertures 7 located on a bottom surface 10 of the table as shown in FIG. 4.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a side plan view of a table 2 of the present invention attached to a cooler 3 and having wings 20 and a top perspective view of a table 2 of the present invention having wings 20, respectively are shown. The wings 20 are foldably attached to the table 2 so that the wings 20 and table 2 may be folded up like a “suit case.” Recessed portions 21 are located on top surfaces 32 of the wings 20 and top surfaces 33 of the table 2, thereby creating a space to store materials when the wings 20 and the table 2 are in a folded position. Bottom ends 22 of support arms 23 are placed in apertures 7 located in the brackets 4. Top ends 24 of support arms 23 are placed in apertures 7 located on the wings 20.

With reference to FIG. 5, a view of a bottom surface 10 of the table 2 of the present invention is shown. A plurality of apertures 7 are located at the corners 25 of the table for inserting extension legs 5 and/or storage legs 18. The plurality of apertures 7 allows the table 2 to be retrofitted to multiple sizes and/or brands of coolers. Recessed portions 21 are located on the bottom surface 10 of the table 2 and provide storage areas for extension legs 5, storage legs 18 and support arms 23 while not in use. Recessed portions 21 also provide storage area for the enclosure 11 while not in use and for materials, such as paper plates 26, cups 27, napkins 28, etc.

Finally with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a side plan view of a bracket 4 attached to a cooler 2 and a front perspective view of a bracket 4 attached to a cooler 2, respectively, are shown. The bracket 4 has apertures 7 for inserting extension legs 5, storage legs 18 and/or support arms 23 into. The brackets 4 may be integrated into a new cooler 2 or secured to an existing cooler 2 using a securing means 29, such as double sided tape 30, screws 31, adhesive, etc.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts or use 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 considered to be limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.