AU2010207747A1 - Remote control cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

A remote controlled cooler including an insulated receptacle adapted for holding beverage and food; wheels or other mobilizing means for providing mobility for the cooler, a motor adapted to power the mobilizing means, and a remote control actuator wherein the remote control actuator controls the movement of the cooler. 1'D '3o

Description

Title: Remote Control Cooler and Remote Controlled Closure means therefor Field of the invention The present invention relates to a remote control cooler which is remotely operable to direct movement of the cooler and to provide access to contents thereof while maintaining contents cool. The present invention also relates to a remotely operable closure means for a remote control cooler which allows remote control opening and closing of the closure so as to substantially maintain optimal cooling conditions. Background of the invention Portable coolers of the type marketed under the trade mark ESKY are a popular and convenient accessory for recreational and leisure activities where a portable means of keeping beverage and food cool allows the advantages of refrigeration to be extended beyond the ready access to domestic powered refrigeration. Coolers of this type are generally sturdy and comprise a body having a not insubstantial solid insulated interior section for receiving food and beverages, and a lid which is usually mounted or locked on the body to close the insulated interior section. This type of cooler is adapted to receive a quantity of cooling material such as ice to maintain food and/or beverages both cool and fresh. One drawback of these types of coolers is that they are generally heavy thus requiring substantial effort and strength to lift and transport to and from a vehicle and occupy a large amount of space. Conversely, one advantage of such coolers is that the sturdiness of such coolers allows them to be used for seating. An even further drawback is that each time a beverage or a food item is sought from the cooler the lid needs to be unlocked from the body and removed for access to the beverage or food item. 5042637013.DOC 1 This locking and unlocking requires physical exertion and, apart from being tedious if frequently opened, can be demanding on persons suffering a physical disability. An alternate type of portable cooler in common use is a collapsible cooler. These types of coolers include a flexible heat insulation storage bag which is mounted between a top and bottom frame ends. A cooler of this type is usually light weight and designed to provide expandable storage usually for beverages. These types of coolers generally are not adapted to carry ice or other cooling mechanisms because it adds weight to the bag, and may sometimes tear the bag and consumes space. While designed to be light weight, when packed with bottles of beverage the load can be substantial and a certain amount of physical exertion is still required to move such coolers particularly laterally across a surface. The weight may also limit the life expectancy of the insulation bag. There thus remains a need for a cooler which addresses one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. A further object of the present invention is to provide a cooler which can carry a large load, while being easily transportable. Summary of the invention In the present invention there is disclosed a remote controlled cooler comprising an insulated receptacle adapted for holding beverage and food, wheels or other mobilizing means for providing mobility for said cooler, a motor adapted to power said mobilizing means and a remote control actuator wherein said remote control actuator controls the movement of said cooler. The insulated receptacle can include an inner waterproof pod or tub substantially enclosed by an outer casing. The outer casing can include an internal mount for receiving the inner pod in frictional engagement therewithin, and wherein a first internal cavity is formed between the inner pod and casing for receiving an 5042637_013.DOC 2 amount of insulation or ice and the like for maintaining cooling conditions. In one embodiment, the casing can be configured such that a second internal cavity is formed when the inner pod is received in the casing in a mounted condition. In this embodiment the first and second cavities are separate cavities wherein the second cavity is adapted to house at least part of the mobilizing means and motor away from the first compartment. The receptacle can include a lid movable between an open and closed position. The lid is preferably biased to the open position and held in the closed position by a lock or catch. The lock or catch can be actuated by a remote control to affect the remote controlled opening of the receptacle; but can be manually overridden. The mobilizing means can include wheels, tracks or other means to provide motive power to the cooler. The mobilizing means can include a wheeled base for supporting the wheels and the casing. The mobilizing means can include steering capability which is preferably controlled from the remote control actuator. The mobilizing means is driven by a motor. The motor preferably is electric and power may be provided by a battery housed in said outer casing. The battery is preferably rechargeable. The cooler can include battery recharging means. In a related aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a remote controlled cooler including: an insulated receptacle having an inner waterproof tub substantially enclosed by an outer casing, wherein the outer casing includes an internal structural mount for receiving the inner pod in stable engagement therewithin, and wherein a first internal cavity is formed between wall portions of the tub and side portions of the casing for receiving an amount of insulation or ice and the like for maintaining cooling conditions, and wherein the casing is configured such that a second internal cavity is formed below and separate from the first cavity when the inner pod is received in the casing between floor portions of the tub 5042637_013 DOC 3 and lower end portions of the casing; a wheeled base including a chassis for mounting the motor and receptacle, wherein the chassis is substantially housed within the second cavity; a drive mechanism including a motor interconnected to the wheeled base for driving the wheels, and wherein the drive mechanism is operated by a remote control actuator. The cooler may include an audio signal generator which may be activated when the cooler is moving and/or operable from the remote control. The receptacle can include a drain plug allowing escape of liquid from the inside of the casing and tub. Further exemplifications of the present invention will be described as follows with reference to accompanying drawings. A brief description of the drawings follows: Brief description of the drawings Fig I is a front view of a cooler in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of a cooler in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention in figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the cooler in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention in figure 1. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings Referring to the figures, there is shown a remote controlled cooler 10 including an insulated receptacle 50 mounted on a wheeled base, a drive mechanism interconnected to the wheeled base for driving the wheels, and wherein the drive mechanism is operated by a remote control actuator 24. 5042637_013.DOC 4 One particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is shown with the cooler being modeled as a generic item. Alternatively, the shape of the cooler can be modified to reflect any stylistic preference; for example, the shape of the cooler could be modeled on a football or beer can etc. The insulated receptacle 50 includes an inner waterproof pod or tub 12 designed to receive the beverages/food and a cooling medium like ice etc., and an outer casing 14 adapted to surround the inner tub 12. As best shown in figure 3 the casing 14 comprises first and second substantially symmetrical halves. In an assembled condition (see figures 1 and 2) the outer casing and inner tub 12 are separated by a first internal cavity formed between external side walls of the tub and internal side wall portions of the casing which internal cavity can receive an effective amount of an insulation material or ice therein as required to help maintain optimal cooling conditions. The casing 14 also includes an opening for receiving an exhaust pipe 34 which allows drainage of liquid within the first internal cavity. The casing also includes a top surface portion 70 adapted to mount over a corresponding portion 12a of the inner tub 12. The top surface portion 70 further includes a pair of internal recesses 71, which in an assembled form provide a means for holding a beverage. The casing 14 further includes four corner recess portions 60 with openings therein for receiving wheels 18 in an assembled condition. In an assembled condition, a second internal cavity is provided separated from the first internal cavity for receiving at least part of the wheeled base. As shown in figure 3, the cooler also includes a wheeled base. The wheeled base includes a chassis 16 adapted for mounting the various component of the cooler to provide general stability and rigidity to the cooler. The chassis 16 has an elongate central body portion 55 ending with axle portions 56 and 57. The casing 14 is designed to receive the body 55 of the chassis 16 therein, and 5o42637_o13.0OC 5 openings in corner recess portions 60 of the casing allow the axle portions to extend therethrough to receive the wheels 18. The wheels 18 are fitted to the outer casing 14 with the wheels being driven by an electric motor 20. The electric motor may be powered by rechargeable batteries 22 with the batteries housed within the outer casing. The batteries. may include a rechargeable port or plug accessible from the outside of the outer casing. The cooler may include an integral battery recharge facility and any mains voltage access plugs are suitably insulated from the potential wet areas of the cooler. The wheels may include steerable front or back wheels or may simply rely on linear movement of the cooler. The insulated receptacle 50 of the cooler further includes a spring loaded lid 26 which is biased to the open position. The rear of the casing 14 includes a hinge mount 53 for receiving a first part 51 of a spring or gas biased hinge member 28. A second part 52 of the spring 28 is received in a rear portion of the lid so that the lid can pivotally open and close about the hinge mount. A front portion of the inner tub may include a catch or lock (not shown) and a correspondingly located release mechanism actuated by depressing a button (not shown) may be provided on the lid to allow ready catching and disengaging of the lid for opening and closing. The lid can be operated manually by pushing down on a front portion of the lid until the lid engages the catch or lock which returns the lid in the closed position against the bias of the spring or gas bias hinge 28. In order to manually open the lid, an operator exerts a force on the lid release button which in turn activates a release mechanism to disengage the lock. The lid can be operated remotely by remote control means 24 by cooperation with the lid release button. The insulated receptacle 50 is stably supported by the wheeled base, and the lid and receptacle provide a sturdy construction so that a large mass of beverage 5042637_013.DOC 6 and/or food may be received and the cooler easily moved by remote controlled means. The cooler is particularly adapted for remote activation where a remote control actuator 24 is provided. The remote control actuator provides control to the various aspects of the cooler including its primary mobility as provided for by the electric motor and wheels. In addition, the remote control can also activate the opening of the lid by cooperation with the lid release button. The cooperation may be provided by a solenoid operating from said battery 22. In addition, the remote control may act on a steering system where the direction of the cooler can be controlled. The cooler may also include an audio signal which sounds upon movement of the cooler. The audio signal may be selective for forward, reverse operations and may include a signal when the lid is released. The remote control may be operated by radio, infrared or any alternative signal known in the art. In order to provide drainage for the receptacle, a drain plug 34 may be supplied to facilitate removal of melted ice and other liquids. In addition, the drain plug assists in cleaning of the cooler. In use, the cooler of the invention performs all the functions of generic coolers of this type. The addition of remote control allows the cooler of the invention to provide additional versatility and use for practical mobility and access assistance in addition to entertainment value. The capacity of the cooler can be varied in accordance with requirement but is particularly adapted to hold about 70 litres and support about 200kg in weight. The electric motor will be powered to drive the preferred weight and may include an optional clutch and/or overload fuse to prevent burnout. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or 5042637_013.DOC 7 modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 5042637_013.DOC 8

Claims (17)

1. A remote controlled cooler including an insulated receptacle adapted for holding beverage and food; wheels or other mobilizing means for providing mobility for the cooler, a motor adapted to power the mobilizing means, and a remote control actuator wherein the remote control actuator controls the movement of the cooler.

2. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I wherein the receptacle includes a lid movable bet controlled opening of said receptacle; but may be manually overridden.

3. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I further including a chassis for mounting said mot(

4. A remote controlled cooler according to claim 1 wherein the mobilizing means includes wheels, tracks or other means to provide motive power to the cooler.

5. A remote controlled cooler according to claim 1 wherein the mobilizing means includes steering capability which is controlled from the remote control actuator.

6. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I wherein the motor is electric and power may be provided by a battery housed in the outer casing.

7. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I wherein the battery is rechargeable.

8. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I wherein the cooler includes battery recharging means.

9. A remote controlled cooler according to claim 1 wherein the cooler includes an audio signal generator which may be activated when the cooler is moving and/or operable from the remote control.

10. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I wherein the receptacle includes a drain plug allowing escape of liquid from the inside of said receptacle.

11. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I wherein the insulated receptacle includes an inner waterproof pod or tub substantially enclosed by an outer casing.

12. A remote controlled cooler according to claim I1 wherein the outer casing includes an internal mount for receiving the inner pod in engagement therewithin, and wherein a first internal cavity is formed between the inner pod 5042637_013.DOC 9 and casing for receiving an amount of insulation or ice and the like for maintaining cooling conditions.

13. A remote controlled cooler according to claim 12 wherein the casing is configured such that a second internal cavity is formed when the inner pod is received in the casing in a mounted condition, wherein the first and second cavities are separate cavities and wherein the second cavity is adapted to house at least part of the mobilizing means and motor away from the first cavity.

14. A remote controlled cooler including: an insulated receptacle having an inner waterproof tub substantially enclosed by an outer casing, wherein the outer casing includes an internal structural mount for receiving the inner pod in stable engagement therewithin, and wherein a first internal cavity is formed between wall portions of the tub and side portions of the casing for receiving an amount of insulation or ice and the like for maintaining cooling conditions, and wherein the casing is configured such that a second internal cavity is formed below and separate from the first cavity when the inner pod is received in the casing between floor portions of the tub and lower end portions of the casing; a wheeled base including a chassis for mounting the motor and receptacle, wherein the chassis is substantially housed within the second cavity; a drive mechanism including a motor interconnected to the wheeled base for driving the wheels, and wherein the drive mechanism is operated by a remote control actuator.

15. A remote controlled cooler in accordance with claim 15 further including a lid wherein a rear part of the casing includes a hinge mount for receiving a hinge member biased towards an open condition.

16. A remote controlled cooler in accordance with claim 15 wherein a front portion of the inner tub includes a catch or lock and a correspondingly located release mechanism actuated by depressing a button is provided on the lid to allow ready catching and disengaging of the lid for opening and closing.

17. A remote control cooler as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to 5042637_013.DOC 10 the accompanying drawings. 5042637_013.DOC 11