Illuminated cooler providing raised surface

Abstract

The present invention is a lighted portable device for storing foods and other items at a cool temperature, such as a cooler device, and a means for providing a raised surface that may be lighted. The light source of the cooler device may be operable to provide either or both external illumination and internal illumination. The light source of the cooler device may be powered by several sources, including a solar means, whereby the light source will function even in remote areas devoid of a reliable source of electricity. The cooler device may be waterproof and weather durable. It may have one or more table portions or tabletop surfaces which may be locked into place to create a table that incorporates the cooler device. Adjustable legs may extend from the base of the cooler device to raise the cooler device off the ground.

1 . A lighted cooler device comprising;
 (a) a cooler device that provides portable storage, said cooler device incorporating a lid that is moveable between an open and a closed position in relation to a container portion wherein items are storable;   (b) one or more power sources connectable to the cooler device and operable to provide power to the cooler device; and   (c) one or more light sources positioned in the cooler device, said one or more light sources being operable by at least one switch mechanism to emit light;   whereby the light source positioned in the cooler device emits light.   
     
     
         2 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more light sources:
 (a) emit light to illuminate the interior of the cooler device;   (b) emit light externally to the cooler; or   (c) emit light to illuminate the interior of the cooler device and emit light externally to the cooler.   
     
     
         3 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more light sources are operable to generate and emit light at least one of the following types of light:
 (a) bright light;   (b) durable light;   (c) light emitted requiring minimal energy; or   (d) coloured light that includes one colour or an array of colours.   
     
     
         4 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch mechanism is operable by the activity of opening or closing the lid of the cooler device. 
     
     
         5 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , further comprising an override mechanism operable to prevent emission of light, such as during a period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more light sources operable in a timed sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more power sources include a rechargeable battery pack and a solar panel. 
     
     
         8 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 7 , wherein the solar panel is attachable to the cooler device. 
     
     
         9 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 1 , wherein the cooler device is formed of water proof and durable materials that are light weight. 
     
     
         10 . The lighted cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
 (a) an exterior handle, said exterior handle being extendable to varying lengths and being lockable at specific lengths to provide an handle length that facilitates ease of use of the exterior handle by a user;   (b) one or more wheels; or   (c) one or more wheels and an exterior handle extendable to varying lengths that is lockable at specific lengths to provide an handle length that facilitates ease of use of the exterior handle by a user, whereby a user may cause the cooler device to move upon the one or more wheels.   
     
     
         11 . The lighted cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the lid creates a secure seal with the container portion when in a closed position thereby retaining a cool environment in the interior of the cooling device and achieving minimum leakage. 
     
     
         12 . The lighted cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooler means attachable to at least one of the one or more power sources, said cooler means being operable to cool the interior of the cooling device. 
     
     
         13 . The lighted cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising cup holders positioned in the cooler device whereby the one or more light sources are operable to illuminate the cup holders. 
     
     
         14 . A lighted cooler device comprising;
 (a) a cooler device that provides portable storage, said cooler device incorporating a lid that is moveable between an open and a closed position in relation to a container portion wherein items are storable;   (b) one or more power sources connectable to the cooler device and operable to provide power to the cooler device; and   (c) one or more light sources positioned in the cooler device being operable by at least one switch mechanism to emit light; and   (d) one or more table portions extending from one or more outer surfaces of the cooler device;   whereby at least one of the one or more light sources is operable to emit light to at least one of the one or more table portions.   
     
     
         15 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more table portions are extendable from the cooler device to create a table surface incorporating the lid of the cooler device and said table portions are lockable into an extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more table portions are extendable from the cooler device below one or more of the one or more light sources, whereby at least one of the one or more light sources illuminates at least one of the one or more table portions and a user may utilize the at least one or more table portions illuminated by the one or more light sources as a lit work area. 
     
     
         17 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 14 , wherein the lid of the cooler device is moveable to an open or closed position without encumbrance by any of the one or more table portions. 
     
     
         18 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more sliding tabletops being slideable to connect the one or more table portions by filling one or more gaps between the one or more table portions. 
     
     
         19 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more extendable legs attached to the base of the cooler device, whereby the cooler device may be supported above ground level when the one or more extendable legs are extended from the cooler device. 
     
     
         20 . The lighted cooler device of  claim 19 , further comprising at least two extendable legs, each extendable legs being extendable to varying lengths, whereby the cooler device may be supported in a level position.