Partitioned cooler

Abstract

A partitioned cooler which is capable of selective and alternative use as a large cooler, a cooler and ice chest combination, a small cooler or a small ice chest. The partitioned cooler includes a top section which is removably mounted on a bottom section. An insert, having an insert wall and an insert bottom, can be removably seated in the top section. When the insert is removed from the top section and the top section is mounted on the bottom section, the partitioned cooler defines the large cooler. When the insert is seated in the top section and the top section is mounted on the bottom section, the partitioned cooler defines the cooler and ice chest combination. When the top section is removed from the bottom section and the insert is seated in the top section, the top section defines the small ice chest, and when the top section is removed from the bottom section, the bottom section defines the small cooler.

Having described my invention with the particularity set forth above, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A partitioned cooler comprising: 
 a bottom section;    a top section for removably engaging said bottom section; and    an insert for selectively removably seating inside said top section, said insert comprising an insert wall and an insert bottom provided on said insert wall.    
     
     
         2 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 1  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         3 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 1  comprising a drain opening provided in said insert for draining liquids from said insert.  
     
     
         4 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 3  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of brackets provided in said bottom section for supporting said insert in said top section.  
     
     
         6 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 5  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         7 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 5  comprising a drain opening provided in said insert for draining liquids from said insert.  
     
     
         8 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 7  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         9 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 1  comprising at least two barrel latches provided on said bottom section, at least two latch bands carried by said at least two barrel latches, respectively, and at least two barrel stays provided on said top section for removably engaging said at least two latch bands, respectively, and removably securing said top section on said bottom section.  
     
     
         10 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 9  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         11 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 9  comprising a drain opening provided in said insert for draining liquids from said insert.  
     
     
         12 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 11  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         13 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 9  comprising a plurality of brackets provided in said bottom section for supporting said insert in said top section.  
     
     
         14 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 13  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         15 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 13  comprising a drain opening provided in said insert for draining liquids from said insert.  
     
     
         16 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 15  comprising a lid for selectively removably engaging said top section and said bottom section, respectively.  
     
     
         17 . A partitioned cooler capable of selective use as a large cooler, a small cooler, a small ice chest and a cooler and ice chest combination, said partitioned cooler comprising: 
 a bottom section;    a top section for removably engaging said bottom section,    an insert for selectively removably seating inside said top section;    wherein said partitioned cooler defines said cooler and ice chest combination when said insert is seated inside said top section and said top section removably engages said bottom section;    wherein said partitioned cooler defines said large cooler when said insert is removed from said top section and said top section removably engages said bottom section;    wherein said bottom section of said partitioned cooler defines said small cooler when said top section disengages said bottom section; and    wherein said top section of said partitioned cooler defines said small ice chest when said top section disengages said bottom section and said insert is removably seated inside said top section.    
     
     
         18 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 17  comprising a drain opening provided in said insert for draining liquids from said insert.  
     
     
         19 . The partitioned cooler of  claim 17  comprising a plurality of brackets provided in said bottom section for supporting said insert in said top section when said partitioned cooler defines said cooler and ice chest combination.  
     
     
         20 . A partitioned cooler capable of selective use as a large cooler, a small cooler, a small ice chest and a cooler and ice chest combination, said partitioned cooler comprising: 
 a bottom section;    a top section for removably engaging said bottom section;    an insert for selectively removably seating in said top section, said insert comprising an insert wall and an insert bottom provided on said insert wall;    at least two barrel latches provided on said top section, at least two latch bands provided on said at least two barrel latches, respectively, and at least two barrel stays provided on said bottom section for removably engaging said at least two latch bands, respectively, and removably securing said top section on said bottom section;    wherein said partitioned cooler defines said cooler and ice chest combination when said insert is seated in said top section and said top section removably engages said bottom section;    wherein said partitioned cooler defines said large cooler when said insert is removed from said top section and said top section removably engages said bottom section;    wherein said bottom section of said partitioned cooler defines said small cooler when said top section disengages said bottom section; and    wherein said top section of said partitioned cooler defines said small ice chest when said top section disengages said bottom section and said insert is removably seated in said top section.