Thompson, Scott M. (11489 Almazon St., San Diego, CA, US)

Plaque It! Sponsored by: Flash of Genius

11/692420

08/26/2008

03/28/2007

Images are available in PDF form when logged in. To view PDFs, Login  or  Create Account (Free!)

View patents that cite this patent

Click for automatic bibliography generation

62/457.7

62/457.1, 43/54.1, 206/315.11

A01K97/06

43/55-57, 224/920, 62/457.7, 224/922, 62/457.1, 43/54.1, 206/315.11, 43/21.2

1929833	Tackle box	October, 1933	Van Vuren	43/54.1
2152346	Fish basket	March, 1939	Dickson	43/54.1
2153549	Combination bait and tackle box	April, 1939	Cooper	43/54.1
2555073	Fishing apparatus	May, 1951	Zdankoski	43/55
2717391	Turn-about fishing garment	September, 1955	Bracken	43/54.1
2823971	Tackle box	February, 1958	Hoyt	43/54.1
3062421	Angler's fish and tackle container	November, 1962	Fleming	43/55
3282482	Harness for holding a fishing rod or the like	November, 1966	Scharsu	224/922
3350810	Fishing tackle box	November, 1967	Warner et al.	206/315.11
3399939	Fishing tackle box	September, 1968	Anderson	206/315.11
3780468	FISHING TACKLE BOX	December, 1973	Maffett	43/54.1
3835575	RENEWABLE BAIT AND TACKLE CONTAINER	September, 1974	Kelley et al.	43/57
3947991	Fishing tackle container	April, 1976	Morcom	43/54.1
3958359	Sportsman's combination receptacle and ice chest	May, 1976	Doughty	43/55
4023304	Portable compartmented lure-holding tackle box	May, 1977	Singer	43/54.1
4033066	Fishing tackle box	July, 1977	Morcom	43/54.1
4128170	Combination tackle box, bait holder, cooler and seat means	December, 1978	Elliott	43/54.1
4245422	Container including pull-out stacking tray structure	January, 1981	Souza	206/315.11
4353182	Fishing box	October, 1982	Junkas et al.	43/55
4467551	Fishing lure storage apparatus	August, 1984	Pulver	43/54.1
4541539	Composite fisherman support system	September, 1985	Matthews	43/26
4739577	Tackle box	April, 1988	Lanius	43/54.1
4782619	Modular fishing tackle box	November, 1988	Richards	43/54.1
4841661	Fisherman's combination chest	June, 1989	Moore	43/54.1
4884360	Multi-compartment receptacle for fishing tackle or other items	December, 1989	Pearcy	43/54.1
5079863	Fishing apparatus	January, 1992	Gillespie	43/54.1
5092263	Boat utility platform and mounting clamp therefor	March, 1992	Hutchison et al.	43/55
5123197	Fishing bait organizer	June, 1992	Gentry et al.	43/54.1
5125183	Fishing apparatus	June, 1992	Tisdell	43/56
D328550	Portable cooler container	August, 1992	Mogil et al.	D7/605
5176281	Tackle box with lid-latching handle and removable carrying case	January, 1993	Fiore	206/315.11
5407218	Wheeled cooler	April, 1995	Jackson	62/457.7
5426885	Tackle tote	June, 1995	Wittman	43/54.1
5605056	Portable cooler with suspended grate for ice-free storage areas	February, 1997	Brown et al.	43/55
5660310	Portable storage unit and a cooler for vehicles	August, 1997	LeGrow	62/457.1
5797528	Adjustable enclosure featuring dry storage	August, 1998	McDuffie	62/457.7
5864981	Combination tackle box, bait well, and cooler	February, 1999	Zeman	43/57
5941015	Multiple featured fishing system	August, 1999	Jenkins	43/54.1
5950352	Fishing equipment carrying system	September, 1999	Volmer	43/54.1
5992806	Suction cup sign holder	November, 1999	Adams	43/57
6105844	Cooler	August, 2000	Walters et al.	62/457.7
6193062	Tackle box	February, 2001	Rysgaard et al.	43/54.1
6247328	Divided insulated container	June, 2001	Mogil	62/457.7
6357252	Portable cooler apparatus	March, 2002	Rand	62/457.7
6446382	Combined fishing tackle holder and food cooler	September, 2002	Cloutier et al.	43/54.1
6474097	Compartmented mobile cooler	November, 2002	Treppedi et al.	62/457.7
6487814	Fishing accessories storage apparatus	December, 2002	Arredondo et al.	43/54.1
6609626	Article holding device for a cooler	August, 2003	Young et al.	220/592.03
6691451	Tackle box cleaning system	February, 2004	Keenan	43/55
6938761	Sportsmen's utility bucket cover apparatus and method	September, 2005	Nish	206/315.11
6993931	Multifunctional cooler assembly	February, 2006	Hamilton	62/457.7
7013671	Lunch bottle pack	March, 2006	Bolda	62/457.7
7155859	Fishing box	January, 2007	Brooks	43/54.1
7162890	Container with cover	January, 2007	Mogil et al.	62/457.7
7188491	Recreational storage and multimedia apparatus	March, 2007	Donald et al.	62/457.7
20040035143	Divided insulated container	February, 2004	Mogil	62/457.7
20050050791	All-in-one fishing gear box	March, 2005	Placek	43/54.1
20060218963	Adjustable climate control auxiliary box for cooling a container, vessel, box or chamber	October, 2006	Elias	62/457.1
20060236589	Fisherman's tackle box	October, 2006	Boyette et al.	43/55
20060288730	Portable cooler with drawers	December, 2006	Shill	62/457.7
20070051031	Multi-function fishing cart	March, 2007	Allen	43/57
20070119093	Mobile Fishing Utility Box	May, 2007	Jaskulski	43/54.1

EP0388617	September, 1990			Fishing gear trolley.
EP1495677	January, 2005			Fishing chair
FR2569948	March, 1986
FR2704725	November, 1994
FR2898464	September, 2007
GB2278032	November, 1994
JP09154464	June, 1997			SINKER CASE
JP10243763	September, 1998			FISHING ROD HOLDER
JP10329058	December, 1998			STORAGE CASE
JP11155451	June, 1999			HOLDING CASE FOR FISHING
JP2000032892	February, 2000			FISHING BAG
JP2001120144	May, 2001			CARRYING TOOL FOR FISHING
JP2001218545	August, 2001			PORTABLE COOLER
JP2002218885	August, 2002			PORTABLE CONTAINER FOR FISHING TACKLE
JP2002218887	August, 2002			PORTABLE CONTAINER FOR FISHING TACKLE
WO/2006/078160	July, 2006			DEVICE FOR SETTING UP A WORK PLATFORM ON AN UNEVEN GOUNG SURFACE

Ark, Darren W.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable cooler and tackle box comprising: a main body having a bottom wall, first and second side walls, a back wall, and a front wall, said walls defining an interior, said interior is divided into at least two compartments; insulating means for said main body; covering means for said interior, said covering means comprising a first cover being pivotally attached to an upper region of said back wall to selectively cover said interior; at least one removable apron for attaching to an outer surface of at least one of the side walls, back wall, or front wall, the at least one apron with pockets, holders, and pouches for holding accessories, the at least one apron comprising two aprons, one of said two aprons being attached to the outer surface of the front wall and the other of said two aprons being attached to the outer surface of the second sidewall; apron attachment means for removably attaching said at least one apron to said main body, wherein said apron attachment means comprise snaps on the outer surface of the front wall, the outer surface of the second sidewall, and on the two aprons; a horizontal partition wall within the main body, said horizontal partition wall extending between the first side wall, front wall, and back wall such that said horizontal partition wall divides a portion of said interior into an upper region above the horizontal partition wall and a lower region below the horizontal partition wall; a plurality of trays exteriorly accessed and slidably contained within tray openings in said lower region, said tray openings extending through said front wall and into said interior, said trays fitting horizontally within said tray openings, each of said tray openings being bounded by a lip at the front wall which prevents horizontally outward movement of said trays past the front wall so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said trays, wherein said trays must be slightly elevated above said lips in order to slide the trays out of said tray openings and past the front wall; and a handle attached to the outer surface of each of said first and second sidewalls; wherein said at least two compartments are located in said upper region and said covering means further comprises second and third covers which are pivotally attached to said main body to selectively cover said at least two compartments, and the other of said two aprons being attached to the second sidewall below the handle attached to the second sidewall.

2. The portable cooler and tackle box as claimed in claim 1 wherein said portable cooler and tackle box is provided in sizes from about 5 gallon to about 60 gallon capacity.

3. The portable cooler and tackle box as claimed in claim 2 wherein said at least two compartments are removable compartments.

4. The portable cooler and tackle box as claimed in claim 3 wherein said covering means further comprises a recession facing said interior of said main body, said recession for holding ice or freeze cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to portable coolers and tackle boxes and more specifically to a portable cooler that is also a fisherman's tackle box.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art teaches various devices for attempting to accommodate a fisherman's needs in tackle boxes and coolers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,981 to Zeman discloses a combination tackle box/cooler/storage container. The device does not provide for as many varied partitions and storage aids as does the present invention, nor does it provide for the variety in sizing of the present invention, nor the mobility.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,539 to Matthews discloses a composite support system for fishermen. The system, though, provides a detachable tackle box and does not provide wheels for transport. U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,170 to Elliott discloses a cooler, which contains latching means for attaching a tackle box. The design of the device differs substantially from the present invention. While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a portable cooler and tackle box that provides for the advantages of the present invention. Therefore, a need exists for an improved portable cooler and tackle box, particularly one that includes the advantages of the present invention. In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of coolers and tackle boxes now present in the prior art, the improved portable cooler and tackle box overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks or the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the portable cooler and tackle box, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a portable cooler and tackle box which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an improved portable cooler and tackle box which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

To accomplish this, the portable cooler and tackle box comprises a device for storing and transporting support equipment needed in fishing. In combining a cooler and fishing equipment storage, the portable cooler and tackle box is to be manufactured in a plurality of embodiments and sizes that can accommodate most fishermen. Sizes may range from 5 gal capacity to 60 gallons in capacity. One embodiment comprises a typically shaped rectangular cooler with hinged lid and an interior for holding ice, food, drink, or even fish and/or bait. Additionally, a removably inserted tackle box fits within and occupies a portion of the interior of the cooler. On the exterior vertical sides of the portable cooler and tackle box are removably attached aprons. The aprons are made of durable plastic fabric, canvas, vinyl, nylon, or any such applicable flexible and durable cloth or combinations or these fabrics. The aprons attach via snaps or hook and loop fabric, or hooks and eyelets. Aprons are utilized for storing the many items needed by fishermen. In a further embodiment, the aprons are combined to form one continuously surrounding apron. Appropriately sized pockets are provided for items such as fish filet knife, diagonal cutters, needle-nosed pliers, and the like. Further pockets of varying sizes are provided, with closure flaps, for housing various other fishing and convenience needs. Pocket closures are snaps, hook and loop fabric, or even zippers. The removably attached aprons provide for ease in loading and unloading items and also for selectively carrying items.

Removably attached equipment aprons also provide for interchanging a plurality of aprons for various usages, even uses other than fishing. Also, in further embodiments, replacement aprons are fitted with loops for carrying fishing poles, tubes for poles, loops for landing nets, or even drink holders. Further embodiments include drains for the cooler wells, as well as attachments for aerating any live wells. The portable cooler and tackle box is to be manufactured in a variety of colors. In other embodiments, the portable cooler and tackle box is comprised of multiple partitions within the cooler. The partitions are permanently a part of the interior or are comprised of removable tackle and storage boxes that define their own partitions. Partitions comprise separate bait wells, fish wells, and food and beverage wells. Ideally, the removable boxes are covered with transparent plastic lids which are both hinged and removable. Plastic latches releasably lock lids closed. The part of the portable cooler and tackle box that remains accessible for cold storage is also removably and hingeably attached. On the underside of the cooler lid is a hollow for removably receiving a cold cartridge/pack. Such packs are of the typically sold, re-freezable variety. The lid, in another embodiment, has a pocket for receiving the cold pack. In still further embodiments, the portable cooler and tackle box is comprised of additional storage areas in the forms of drawer recessions, below the interior spaces allotted for interiorly fitted tackle boxes and items to be cooled. The drawer recession area is comprised of a plurality of slots for receiving typically sold tray tackle boxes. A further embodiment is comprised of permanent partitioned drawers. In the embodiment having slots, standard sizes of tackle boxes made by a number of manufacturers are utilized. In such embodiment, lips are provided at the lower slot openings such that tackle drawers must be slightly lifted for removal or partial removal. This ensures that the boxes do not unintentionally slide out. The body of the portable cooler and tackle box is preferably of plastic construction.

Further embodiments utilize other suitable composites. Handles on each end of the invention are flexible as well as removable. A varied embodiment utilizes hingeably foldable handles. Preferably wheels are provided on one end of the invention for aiding transportation. The body of the cooler is filled with an appropriate insulating material such as foam or the like. Additional embodiments are gas filled.

Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the portable cooler and tackle box so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the portable cooler and tackle box will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the portable cooler and tackle box when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the portable cooler and tackle box in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the portable cooler and tackle box. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with additional objects of the portable cooler and tackle box, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure.

For better understanding of the portable cooler and tackle box, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and tackle box.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the portable cooler and tackle box.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the portable cooler and tackle box.

FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of an apron and apron fastening means of the portable cooler and tackle box.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of a continuous apron of the portable cooler and tackle box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the portable cooler and tackle box employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of portable cooler and tackle box 10 comprises a main body 11 comprised of a bottom wall (not shown), first and second side walls 12 , a back wall 13 (as in FIG. 2), and a front wall 14 , the walls defining an interior 16 . Body 11 is filled with insulating material (not shown). Cover 18 pivotally connects to top of back wall 13 at pivotal attachment 22 and selectively covers interior 16 . Cover 18 is filled with insulation or gas (not shown). Recession 21 (FIGS. 1, 2 , and 3 ) of cover 18 provides space for ice (not shown) or typical freeze cartridge (not shown). Flexible plastic female latch 19 releasably latches cover 18 to top of front wall 14 at male latch 20 . On one side of interior 16 are compartments 27 . Compartments 27 are bounded below by a horizontal partition (not shown) that extends between the first side wall 12 , front wall 14 , back wall 13 . Compartments 27 are pivotally covered by compartment covers 28 and are divided by compartment dividing wall 47 . Covers 28 are transparent. Below the horizontal partition are tray openings 44 . Trays 42 removably slide within openings 44 via tray handles 43 . Trays 42 fit horizontally within trays openings 44 . Openings 44 are outwardly and downwardly bounded by lips 45 such that trays 42 must be slightly elevated above lips 45 to slide out of openings 44 . Inadvertent opening of trays 42 is thereby negated.

Aprons 30 are removably attached to exterior of side wall 12 and front wall 14 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ). Aprons 30 approximate the size of front wall 14 and side walls 12 . Aprons 30 are removably and selectively attached via a plurality of snaps 33 . Aprons are fitted with a plurality of pockets 31 and pouches 32 and holders 34 . Pockets are fitted with snaps 33 for secured closing. Referring to FIG. 5, continuous apron 36 illustrates a further apron embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, invention 10 is further comprised of removable compartment 40 within interior 16 . Top edges of compartment 40 are affixed with handles 41 . Compartment 40 is further comprised of storage bins 24 for holding fishing tackle (not shown) or other accessories (not shown). Wheels 35 aid in mobility of invention 10 , as does handle 23 fitted to exterior of side wall 12 .

Referring to FIG. 1, in use, interior 16 of invention 10 is filled with desired items (not shown). User (not shown) pulls flexible female 19 latch outward to disengage from male latch 20 to lift cover 18 . Compartment covers 28 are lifted by compartment handles 41 for insertion of desired items such as fish (not shown), bait (not shown), ice or water (not shown) or other desired items. Covers 28 pivot about pivotal attachments 22 . Covers 18 and 28 are closed to securely house items. User grasps tray handles 43 to lift trays above lips 45 , then pulls trays horizontally outward for access to store further desired items. Trays 42 are then reinserted.

User optionally undoes snaps 33 by pulling outward on aprons 30 , thereby releasing aprons 30 for ease of filling or emptying pockets 31 and pouches 32 , or simply for removal of aprons 30 or apron 36 . If undone, snaps 33 are then pressed for re-engagement of aprons 30 with front wall 14 and side wall 12 . Handles 23 are utilized for transport of invention 10 . Compartments, interior, pouches, and pockets are accessed as needed in the use of invention 10 . Upon completion of use and transport of invention 10 back to desired storage, user may optionally empty invention 10 in reversal of initial use procedure.

Referring to FIG. 3, invention 10 is transported via handle 23 and wheels 35 . Handle 23 is lifted, and then utilized to pull invention 10 along. Storage bins 24 are collectively housed and are lifted via handles 41 for removal or installation into interior 16 .

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the portable cooler and tackle box, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the 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.

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.