Cooler chest

Abstract

A cooler chest is described for use with a vehicle trailer hitch receiver. The cooler chest includes a bottom portion which has a rigid framework embedded therein with a hitch tongue extending forwardly from the rigid framework for connection to the trailer hitch receiver. The hitch tongue is selectively movable from a horizontally disposed transport position to a vertically disposed stowed position.

1 . In combination with a vehicle trailer hitch receiver, comprising: a cooler chest including a bottom portion, first and second end walls, a front wall, a
 back wall, and an open upper end which is selectively closable by a cover; a rigid framework embedded in said bottom portion of said cooler chest; and a hitch tongue secured to said framework which extends forwardly therefrom   for selective connection to the trailer hitch receiver;   
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said hitch tongue is selectively movable from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertically disposed stowed position adjacent said front wall of said cooler chest. 
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said framework comprises metal frame members secured together. 
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said framework comprises plastic frame members secured together. 
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said framework defines a generally rectangular grid. 
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said framework is generally horizontally disposed. 
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 1  including means for locking said hitch tongue to the vehicle hitch receiver. 
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 2  including means for selectively maintaining said hitch tongue in its said horizontally disposed position. 
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 2  including means for selectively maintaining said hitch tongue in its said stowed position. 
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein said front wall of said cooler chest has a vertically disposed recess formed therein which receives said hitch tongue therein when said hitch tongue is in its said stowed position. 
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein said framework includes a vertically disposed channel member which is positioned in said vertically disposed recess in said front wall of said cooler chest.