초록 ▼

The present invention is directed towards a portable, insulated container with lid; particularly towards a portable insulated container with lid and attached tray for movement between a stowed and elevated position above the surface of the container lid capable of supporting various items thereon wh

The present invention is directed towards a portable, insulated container with lid; particularly towards a portable insulated container with lid and attached tray for movement between a stowed and elevated position above the surface of the container lid capable of supporting various items thereon while simultaneously allowing the user to lift the lid of the container to access the interior; more particularly to a portable cooler with an attached retractable tray constructed and arranged to be readily positioned by a single user at various elevations above the surface of the lid.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A portable, insulated container comprising in combination: (a) an container having two opposing sidewall panels and two opposing end panels extending between said sidewall panels, each of said end panels and said sidewall panels are integrally formed to a bottom panel, thereb

What is claimed is: 1. A portable, insulated container comprising in combination: (a) an container having two opposing sidewall panels and two opposing end panels extending between said sidewall panels, each of said end panels and said sidewall panels are integrally formed to a bottom panel, thereby defining an internal cavity with an upper access opening, said interior cavity being constructed and arranged for receipt of at least one item therein; (b) a cover member constructed and arranged for positioning between; (i) a closed position, wherein said cover is placed over said upper access opening; (ii) an open position, wherein said cover provides access to said interior cavity of said container; (c) a pair of handle members, each of said handle members comprising at least one leg portion and a transverse portion attached to said leg portion, said leg portion of each handle member is movably attached to said container, each of said handle members includes at least one integrally formed attachment means, wherein said handle members are movably attached between; (i) a first position juxtaposed to said container for storage or transport by the user; (ii) a second position wherein said at least one attachment means is constructed and arranged to removably attach to and support a tray member; (d) said tray member including an upper surface, a lower surface, at least one tray member edge, whereby said tray member is attached to said container for movement between; (i) a stowed position, wherein said tray member is lower than said upper access opening on one of said sidewall panels of said container; (ii) a deployed position wherein said upper surface of said tray member faces upwards and said at least one tray member edge removably engages said handle attachment means, wherein said tray member is laterally stabilized and remains substantially parallel to the surface of said bottom panel; and wherein said cover member is movable between an open and closed position independent of the location of said tray member. 2. The storage container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray member is attached to said container by way of a support assembly. 3. The storage container as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support assembly includes at least one rigid member operatively connected to both said tray member and said container, by at least one pivot means constructed and arranged to pivot said tray member between said stowed and said deployed position as desired. 4. The storage container as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support assembly includes at least one rigid member constructed and arranged to slide within a corresponding channel formed within said container so as to translate said tray member between said stowed and said deployed position as desired. 5. The storage container as set forth in claim 4, wherein said rigid member includes a pin assembly constructed and arranged to slide within said channel. 6. The storage container as set forth in claim 5, wherein said channel includes at least one locking channel located at various heights above said bottom panel, whereby the user can slide said pin assembly into said locking channel once the desired height of said tray member is reached. 7. The storage container as set forth in claim 2, wherein support assembly further comprises an upper and lower telescoping member, said lower telescoping member being attached to said container and said upper telescoping member constructed and arranged to be slidably received within said lower telescoping member to position said tray member between said stowed and said deployed position. 8. The storage container as set forth in claim 7, wherein said at least one leg portion of said handle members further comprises an upper and lower telescoping member, said upper telescoping member constructed and arranged to be slidably received within said lower telescoping member, said lower telescoping member being connected to said end panel, wherein said upper telescoping member slides between said first position and said second position, wherein in said second position will removably attach to and support said tray member. 9. The storage container as set forth in claim 7, wherein said support assembly includes a locking means to lock said support assembly at various predetermined heights above said upper access opening thereby allowing the user to adjust said tray member to a comfortable height. 10. The storage container as set forth in claim 8, wherein said handle members include a locking means to lock said handle members at various predetermined heights above said upper access opening thereby allowing the user to adjust said transverse portion to a comfortable height for towing when in said first position or for accessing items on said upper support surface when in said second position. 11. The storage container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower ends of said at least one leg portion of said handle members is pivotally attached to said container by at least one hinge. 12. The storage container as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one wheel assembly is attached proximate to the junction of said bottom panel and said end wall panel of said container. 13. The storage container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one leg portion of said handle members further comprises an upper and lower telescoping member, said upper telescoping member constructed and arranged to be slidably received within said lower telescoping member, said lower telescoping member being connected to said end panel, wherein said upper telescoping member slides between said first position and said second position. 14. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray includes upward projecting edges proximate the peripheral edge of said tray to preclude items placed thereupon from rolling off said peripheral edge. 15. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray includes a plurality of openings formed therein to hold a beverage or the like. 16. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray member further comprises at least one auxiliary tray surface operatively coupled to said tray member, wherein said auxiliary tray may be extended from a stowed position to an open position, thereby providing additional useable surface area.