JP2008512305A - Self-propelled food or beverage storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a device that is a self-propelled food or beverage storage container, which is a combination of a heat insulating storage container with a plurality of wheels, a high-precision steering mechanism, and a prime mover. This device has a function of changing the traveling speed, a high-precision steering function, and a braking function. Furthermore, this self-propelled storage container is considered most useful when providing food or beverages to a large number of people, in which case no other transport system is available. Under circumstances, it is necessary to quickly and efficiently transport items stored in a container over a relatively long distance. As a specific embodiment, the operator of this apparatus may be able to sit on the insulated storage container, or may be merely guided to the insulated storage container without being seated. However, even in the latter case, the guidance can be performed with very little force. This device may have a configuration including three wheels or a configuration including four wheels.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 103,919 filed on April 12, 2005, which is part of U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 937,095 filed on September 9, 2004. It is a continuation application. This patent application claims priority based on these US patent applications in accordance with the provisions of Section 120 of the US Patent Act and the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

  The present invention relates generally and generally to improved food or beverage storage containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved food or beverage storage container that can function as an insulated storage container and can be driven by a motor. Specific embodiments include two, three, or four wheels, and a configuration that includes a very effective steering mechanism. By adopting such a configuration, the apparatus according to the present invention can be easily adapted to various businesses.

  An insulated storage container for storing food or beverage is generally called an “ice chest”. When the ice chest is moved, a method such as simply dragging it is usually used, and this is a limiting factor that limits the usefulness of the ice chest. Some "improved" ice chests are equipped with wheels, but even though they are equipped with wheels, they are only equipped with two wheels behind the ice chest. Thus, while this improvement provides the user with mechanical convenience, in order to move such an ice chest quickly, the user must move the front of the ice chest throughout the move. Must be lifted. As will be readily understood, when such an ice chest is moved over a long distance, or when a large amount of food or beverage is moved in a stored state, a great deal of effort is required. In short, simply having a pair of wheels at the rear of the ice chest does not sufficiently reduce the labor of moving the ice chest.

  As explained above, the ice chest with only wheels is still accompanied by inconvenient restrictions. For example, the usefulness of an ice chest equipped with wheels decreases as the weight of the stored items increases and the storage container becomes larger. This is also a bigger problem in very common situations where the ice chest has to be pulled up along the slope. Furthermore, when using an ice chest for a large group of people, such limitations are even more pronounced and the problem is often even greater. For example, in a large group of people, such as a sporting event, when an ice chest must be moved with a large amount of ice, food and beverages stored, If done, moving the ice chest containing such a large number of items slightly would require a lot of effort.

  In view of the above problems, it can be said that there is a demand for the following device, which functions as an ice chest, both front and rear are supported by wheels, It is a device that can be moved by mechanical means (ie, without human power). The present invention solves the above problems generally associated with known ice chests by a novel combination of components. The apparatus according to the present invention is an ice chest equipped with a prime mover that is relatively small but generates a sufficient driving force. The ice chest configured as described above functions as a vehicle driven by the user and also functions as an ice chest. As a specific embodiment, there is one in which a user sits on the apparatus and drives to a destination. Also, as another specific embodiment, there is one in which the user walks close to each other and guides the ice chest to a desired destination, but in that case, the guidance is very small force. Can be done. This is also possible because it is equipped with a very effective steering mechanism. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the device can be made very compact and lightweight, and it is easy to steer the device manually.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-propelled food or beverage storage container, which is generally known in the art, as described in detail below. In addition to providing many of the benefits that storage containers offer, it has many novel features. The new self-propelled food or beverage storage container obtained by these new features is clearly different from any conventional storage container of the same kind, and various conventionally known storage containers. From the combination of these features, it cannot be easily invented, suggested, or implied.

  In view of the above situation, the present invention provides a heat-insulating storage container having a configuration suitable for being equipped with mechanical traveling means such as a prime mover, and further having a configuration suitable for being equipped with a steering mechanism. It is. Among the specific embodiments of the present invention, as will be described in detail later, there is one provided with support means such as a seat pad that allows a user to sit on the apparatus when the apparatus is moved. . In addition, some of the specific embodiments of the present invention may be equipped with two, three, or four wheels configured to effectively move the device.

  In view of the above situation and in view of other related objects, one object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container configured to be able to carry a user.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container configured to run with a power mechanism mounted on itself, whether or not it is configured to carry a user. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container that is relatively lightweight.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container equipped with a power source such as a gasoline engine or an electric motor.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage product equipped with a steering control mechanism, a braking control mechanism, and a throttle control mechanism so that a driver can control functions related to these control mechanisms. It is to provide a storage container.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage container having a footrest on which a foot can be placed when a driver sits down.

  Another object of the present invention is the storage of food or beverage products comprising a footrest, which can be retracted or folded upward to facilitate the movement of the storage container according to the present invention. To provide a container.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container having a single wheel.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container having two wheels.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container having three wheels.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container having four wheels.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container that can be easily adapted to various sizes and types of prime movers.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container having a steering mechanism capable of steering with high accuracy.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage container that can be easily moved by manual operation.

  Another object of the present invention is that it can be equipped with auxiliary equipment such as sidecars, trailers, saddle bags, lights, seat backs, covers and seat cushions, as well as various design handlebars, various designs. It is intended to provide a food or beverage storage container that can be upgraded to a footrest, white tire, off-road suspension, four-wheel drive, etc.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container provided with a telescopic handle, and the storage container according to the present invention is steered by the handle.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a configuration having one front wheel, pivoting a lower end of a steering handle for steering the front wheel, and tilting the steering handle to operate the front wheel. An object of the present invention is to provide a food or beverage storage container that facilitates the direction and pulling operation.

  The present invention provides an ice chest equipped with a prime mover that generates a sufficient driving force although it is relatively small. The ice chest configured as described above functions as a vehicle driven by the user and also functions as an ice chest. As a specific embodiment, there is one in which a user sits on the apparatus and drives to a destination. Also, as another specific embodiment, there is one in which the user walks close to each other and guides the ice chest to a desired destination, but in that case, the guidance is very small force. Can be done. This is also possible because it is equipped with a very effective steering mechanism. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the device can be made very compact and lightweight, and it is easy to steer the device manually.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view of an apparatus according to the present invention, and reference numeral 10 indicates the entire apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a storage container 100. In a preferred embodiment, the storage container 100 may be configured to remove items from the top and may be configured to remove items from the bottom. Furthermore, the storage container 100 is configured to be equipped with prime mover means 104.

  The top of the storage container 100 is equipped with a lid 103 as shown in the figure, and this lid 103 can be swung or removed. The storage container 100 and other components assembled to the storage container are driven by the prime mover 104 and the power transmission mechanism to travel. In this preferred embodiment, the power transmission mechanism includes a chain 106, which drives a drive sprocket 108 that rotates the tire 105. Braking is performed by clamping the rear wheel disc 107. In this preferred embodiment, the front wheel tire 102 is steered to steer the device according to the present invention. To steer the front wheel tire 102, the turning handle 109 is operated. The steering shaft 101 is rotated. As another useful embodiment, the shape of the lid 103 is such that the driver can sit on the lid 103 so that the driver can drive the device 10 in the same manner as an automobile. It is possible.

  In FIG. 2, the throttle control of the apparatus of the present invention is performed by rotating the throttle control tubular member 110 so as to twist. The tubular member 110 is fitted to the outer periphery of the turning handle 109, and a cable 118 is connected thereto, and the cable 118 extends to the rear prime mover 104. As a result, the driving force that the prime mover 104 supplies to the apparatus 10 is controlled. As further shown in FIG. 2, the prime mover means 104 is mounted in the rear region of the apparatus 10 so that the driving force for rotating the tire 105 can be applied directly via the chain 106 and the rear wheel sprocket 108. Can communicate.

  FIG. 3 shows an apparatus 10 according to an embodiment using an electric motor, that is, an electric motor that is a prime mover that obtains energy from electricity. In this embodiment, electric power is supplied from the battery 119 to the electric motor 120. Like that. 3 and 4, the electric motor 120 drives the sprocket 123, and the sprocket 123 drives the rear wheel sprocket 122 through the chain 106, so that the rear wheel sprocket 122 rotates the tire 105. I have to.

  In the preferred embodiment, the braking of the device 10 is performed by one or more braking levers. In the illustrated example, a front wheel braking cable 147 is connected to the braking lever 111 and the braking lever 117 is connected to the rear. A wheel braking cable 217 is connected. The front wheel braking cable 147 is connected to the brake caliper 116, and the rear wheel braking cable 217 is connected to the brake caliper 115. When the brake levers 111 and 117 are grasped, the two brake calipers are closed, and the front wheel disc 148 and the rear wheel drive sprocket 108 are pinched. The device 10 can be stopped by this braking operation.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a portion where the collar 124 of the front wheel steering mechanism is coupled in order to mount the front wheel steering mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the collar 124 is coupled to the plate member 121 by appropriate coupling means such as welding. Further, the plate member 121 is coupled to the storage container 100 by appropriate attachment means such as screws. However, the plate member 121 may be formed integrally with the body 100. The steering of the device 10 is preferably performed by a turning handle 109, and the shaft 101 of the turning handle 109 is inserted into a collar 124 equipped with a general bearing and is rotatably supported. ing. FIG. 4 further shows an intake port and a discard port 126 of the prime mover 125. Accordingly, air is caused to flow into the prime mover from the rear, and exhaust gas is discharged from the prime mover via the exhaust pipe 126. The illustrated brake plate 127 is auxiliary braking means provided arbitrarily when it is difficult to equip the drive sprocket 122 with a brake caliper. The drawing further shows the drive sprocket 123 on the prime mover side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, as one embodiment that is considered to be particularly useful, an apparatus 10 that uses a gasoline system, that is, a gasoline engine that is a prime mover that obtains energy from gasoline, and is equipped with a fuel tank 128 therefor. There is. FIG. 5 shows the device 10 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in the figure, the engine room 148 and the storage area 129 of the storage container are separated by a barrier, that is, a partition wall 130. The drawing further shows a fuel tank 128 and a rear wheel brake caliper 115.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and as a modification of the configuration shown in FIG. 4, one of the two braking systems (front wheel and rear wheel) may be omitted, and then required. There is only one lever / caliper / cable assembly. The foldable footrest 113 is for allowing the driver to put his / her foot on while driving.

  FIG. 6 also shows a modified steering mechanism. This steering mechanism uses standard mechanical means similar to those installed in widely used wagons. The steering mechanism includes a rotatable substrate 131, and an axle 150 is fixed to the substrate 131. The entire assembly composed of the board 131 and the axle 150 is rotated about the pivot 133. In order to rotate the substrate 131, the handle 109 may be rotated. Then, the shaft 101 of the handle 109 transmits the rotation motion of the handle 109 to the substrate 131. The figure further shows two brake levers 111 and 117 together.

  FIG. 7 shows still another steering system. This steering system uses a steering mechanism similar to that generally used for four-wheeled vehicles. In this embodiment, when the handle 109 is rotated, the shaft 138 is rotated, and the shaft 138 transmits the rotational force to the pivot shaft 135. Then, the pivoting portion of each wheel 136 is rotated via each tie rod 137, and thereby each wheel 102 is steered.

  Still another steering method shown in FIG. 8 is a simple method in which steering is performed by the driver pushing the outwardly extending portion 141 of the axle with his / her foot. That is, the inner axle portion 140 rotates about the pivot 133 due to the difference in the pushing force applied to the outwardly extending portion 141 of the axle. The configuration of FIG. 8 further includes a handle having a simple structure including a throttle operating portion and a brake lever.

  The steering mechanism shown in detail in FIG. 9 has a more complex configuration. In this steering mechanism, the diameter of the lower steering shaft 143 made of a pipe is made larger than the diameter of the upper steering shaft 144 and the clamp 112 is loosened, whereby a pipe-like steering composed of the shafts 143 and 144 is formed. The shaft assembly can be expanded and contracted. Therefore, the operator can retract and store the handle. Furthermore, the shaft assemblies 143 and 144 can be swung from the illustrated vertical posture by loosening the rocking prevention clamp 113, and after tightening the clamp 113 again after having a desired angular position, The angle can be adjusted. In this configuration, the upper arm assembly 146 can be rotated, and the angle of the upper arm assembly 146 can be changed by pressing and immersing the spring biased pin 145. The changed angular position can be selected by a plurality of fixing holes formed in the collar member 151. In this configuration, one brake lever 117 and one torsion type throttle operating member 110 are attached to the handle bar 146 of the upper arm assembly. According to this configuration, the operator can pull and move the device according to the present invention by gripping the handle bar 146 with the shaft assembly in the extended state. Further, as shown in the figure, an extendable footrest 142 is provided, and this footrest 142 can be extended by fitting a small diameter pipe into a large diameter pipe.

  FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the mechanism constituting the footrest. As shown in the drawing, the two footrests 152 can be accommodated in the pipe 155 by depressing and immersing the spring pins 156 provided on each of them. A single elastic string is inserted into the footrests 152, and this elastic string is connected to the back rods 152 of the feet and applies an elastic force to the footrests 152. As a result, when the spring pin 156 is pressed down and retracted, the footrest 152 is automatically stored. As another configuration example of this embodiment of the present invention, the footrest 152 may be configured to be folded upward, and in that case, the pivoting portion is disposed at substantially the same position as the spring pin 156. It is advisable to provide it.

  FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the storage container 100 includes a lid 1 at the top thereof. This embodiment is considered to be particularly useful because when the user moves the device 10, it can be pulled and moved in the same way as a wagon. The upper handle member 2 of the handle assembly formed by connecting the upper handle member 2 and the lower handle member 4 via the member 3 is gripped and pulled. Further, the entire handle assembly composed of the upper handle member 2 and the lower handle member 4 is rotatable about the pivoting portion 5, and is located at an upper position (position when stopped). It can be rotated between a lower position (a position when pulling). The lower handle member 4 is attached to the pivot portion 5 with bolts and nuts, but may be attached using other known attachment means. A front wheel tire 6 is mounted on a rotating rim 9 attached to the front wheel axle 10. Similarly, a rear wheel tire 8 is attached to a rotating rim 9 attached to the rear wheel axle 7. An occupant can place his / her feet on a footrest 31 extending from the storage container 100, and the storage container 100 can discharge water from the drain hole 30.

  In the particularly useful embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front wheel steering mechanism includes a handle assembly that is connected to the upper handle member 2 and the lower handle member 4 via a connecting member 3. Are connected to each other. The handle assembly is connected to the steering rod assembly 16 via a bolt, but may be connected using other known connecting means functionally equivalent to the bolt. The steering rod assembly 16 is pivotally attached to a pivot support plate 17 provided on the body side via bolts and nuts, but may be pivotally attached using other suitable pivot attachment means. . The pivot support plate 17 is fixed to the device 10 according to the present invention, and this fixing is preferably performed via a bolt, which penetrates the outer body (not shown) of the storage container 100. And it is good to make it penetrate the front-wheel axle support member 15 and also penetrate the inner side support member 14 made from steel. A front wheel axle assembly 11 equipped with an axle 10 is connected to a front wheel axle support member 15 via bolts and nuts. A pair of tie rods 13 are connected to the steering rod assembly 16 via bolts and nuts, and the other ends of the tie rods 13 are respectively screwed onto the screw-type pivot bolts 12. The pivot bolts 12 are connected to respective front wheel axle assemblies 11 by nuts. A tire 6 is attached to the rim 9. The rim 9 is attached to the front wheel axle 10 and is fastened to the front wheel axle 10 by bolts, pins, or other generally known fastening mechanisms. The front wheel steering mechanism shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is used in combination with a thermally insulated storage container to provide benefits not obtainable by any currently known insulated storage container. In other words, this steering mechanism provides a great mechanical advantage. When the user turns the device 10, it does not matter whether the device is large or small. , Can be swiveled with a very small turning radius. Furthermore, this steering mechanism is used in combination with a mechanical travel drive means (for example, a prime mover), so that the user can perform high-level control. The high-level control here refers to high-precision steering. It means that can be done. The importance of this highly accurate steering is naturally increased as the amount of items stored in the storage container 100 increases. To summarize the above, this steering mechanism enables high-precision steering with a very small force regardless of whether the apparatus is large or small.

  FIG. 14 is a front view of the embodiment including the front wheel steering mechanism described above. As shown in the figure, the two-piece type handle assembly is configured by connecting an upper handle member 2 and a lower handle member 4 with a connecting member 3. A force for pushing and pulling the tie rod 13 is applied to the tie rod 13 through the connecting member 3, thereby controlling the steering of the apparatus 10. The tie rod 13 rotates the axle assembly 10. The axle assembly 10 swings on the axle assembly pivot support bracket 15 so that the tire 6 is steered. As described above, the apparatus 10 can be steered with high accuracy.

  FIG. 15 shows a front view of an embodiment including a handle assembly in which the upper handle member 2 and the lower handle member 4 are connected via a metal connecting member 18. The metallic connecting member 18 is coupled to the lower handle member 4 through fastening means inserted through the hole 22, and the fastening means is a screw or a pin. In order to connect the upper handle member 2 to the lower handle member 4, the upper handle member 2 is fitted into a metal connecting member 18 and fixed by a pin inserted through the hole 20. FIG. 15 also shows a side view. This side view shows a connection form of the connecting member 18 to the heat insulating storage container with a motor. As shown in the drawing, a flat connecting protrusion is fitted in the slot 21 formed in the connecting member 18. It is fixed by a pin inserted through the hole 20.

  FIG. 16 shows the metal front support assembly 14 fixed to the outer wall of the storage container 100 via a plurality of screws 24. When the device 10 is running, the tire is rotating in the wheel housing recesses 25 and 26. FIG. 16 further shows a support structure 31 and a drain hole 30 for the footrest. The left and right front wheel axle assemblies are fitted into and coupled to a tube 14 that is a component of a metal front support assembly.

  FIG. 17 shows several components of the device 10 in a cross-sectional view. As illustrated, the assembly 14 including the front support and the axle support member is fixed to the storage container 100 via a plurality of screws 32. A swing support plate provided at the front of the body is fixed to the inner bracket portion 14 of the support structure via a plurality of bolts 34, and the plurality of bolts 34 are further combined with the left and right front wheel axle support members 15. Are fixed. As shown in the figure, the left and right footrests 133 protrude from the footrest support tube member 31, and these footrests 133 may be urged by an elastic string. It becomes easy to retract into the tube member 31. In addition, such a configuration enables the device 10 to be used efficiently because the occupant does not use the footrest 33 between the protruding position when in use and the retracted position when not in use. This is because it can be moved quickly and easily.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed above, and those skilled in the art will be able to conceive other embodiments of the present invention by referring to the above description of the present invention. Needless to say, you get. Accordingly, such modified embodiments encompassed within the inventive concept are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is another side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention. It is another perspective view of another embodiment of this invention. It is another perspective view of another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of another embodiment of this invention made into the structure provided with four wheels. It is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention having a configuration with four wheels. It is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention made into the structure provided with four wheels. It is a front view of another embodiment of this invention made into the structure provided with four wheels. It is the front view and side view of a part of the steering mechanism in another embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of another embodiment of this invention made into the structure provided with four wheels. It is the front view which showed the internal structure of another embodiment of this invention made into the structure provided with four wheels.

Claims (10)

In traveling food or beverage storage containers,
Insulated storage container,
Comprising a prime mover, wherein the prime mover is coupled to a power transmission mechanism and configured to provide a driving force for running the insulated storage container;
The power transmission mechanism is coupled to the prime mover such that the power transmission mechanism is driven by the operation of the prime mover,
Comprising at least three wheels, at least one of the three wheels being coupled to the power transmission mechanism and mechanically connected to the prime mover via the power transmission mechanism;
Comprising braking means, the braking means mechanically connected to at least one wheel and configured to provide a function of reducing the traveling speed of the heat insulating storage container;
Steering means, the steering means being combined with at least one wheel, and equipped in a position where a user of the heat insulating storage container can easily operate the steering means.
A traveling food or beverage storage container characterized by that.   The traveling food or beverage storage container according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating storage container is configured to sufficiently support a user who sits on the heat insulating storage container.   The traveling food product according to claim 1, further comprising a footrest, wherein the footrest extends from the heat insulating container and supports a user of the heat insulating container. Or storage container for beverages.   2. The traveling food or beverage storage container according to claim 1, wherein the prime mover is a prime mover that substantially obtains energy from gasoline.   The traveling type food or beverage storage container according to claim 1, wherein the prime mover is a prime mover that substantially obtains energy from electricity.   The traveling type food or beverage storage according to claim 1, further comprising a throttle mechanism, wherein the throttle mechanism is configured to provide a function of changing a traveling speed of the storage container. container.   The traveling type food or beverage storage container according to claim 1, wherein the steering means is extendable and adjustable in angle so as to be easily operated or steered.   The first connection part for connecting the steered vehicle to the heat insulation storage container and the second connection part for connecting the steered vehicle to the heat insulation storage container are further provided. Traveling food and beverage storage containers.   The storage container includes first and second front wheels each provided in a front region of the storage container, and first and second rear wheels each provided in a rear region of the storage container. The first and second front wheels are mechanically connected to the steering means, and at least one rear wheel of the first and second rear wheels is connected to the drive mechanism. The traveling container for foods and beverages according to claim 1.   The steering means includes a handle attached to a pivot portion and mounted on a front portion of the storage container. The handle is connected to first and second tie rods, and the tie rods are connected to the handle. 2. The traveling type food or beverage storage container according to claim 1, wherein the tie rod is laterally adjusted and moved by rotating the handle.

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