Portable cooler container with shelf assembly

Abstract

A portable cooler container that includes a thermally insulated cooler base and a shelf upon which objects may rest externally of the cooler without interfering with opening and closing of the cooler. The shelf may be stationary or movable between stowed and extended positions with respect to the cooler container. The shelf may also be adjustable so as to adjust its angle relative to a ground surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable cooler container comprising:
 a thermally insulated cooler base that includes:
 a bottom wall, 
 side walls extending from the bottom wall, 
 a rear wall extending from the bottom wall, 
 a first front wall extending from the bottom wall, 
 a top wall extending from the first front wall, and 
 a second front wall extending from the top wall forming an opening with the side walls and the rear wall; and 
   a lid connected to the thermally insulated cooler base for covering the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , wherein the side walls, rear wall and first front wall circumscribe and define a first interior volume and the side walls, rear wall and second front wall circumscribe and define a second interior volume smaller than the first interior volume. 
     
     
         3 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , further comprising a shelf mounted to the top wall. 
     
     
         4 . The portable cooler container of  claim 3 , wherein the shelf includes a lip extending along a perimeter of the shelf. 
     
     
         5 . The portable cooler container of  claim 3 , wherein the shelf is pivotably mounted to the thermally insulated cooler base. 
     
     
         6 . The portable cooler container of  claim 5 , further comprising an adjustment member for adjusting a position of the shelf relative to the top wall. 
     
     
         7 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall extends rearwardly from the first front wall substantially parallel to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         8 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall extends between the side walls. 
     
     
         9 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , wherein the second front wall is positioned above and rearwardly of the first front wall. 
     
     
         10 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is positioned rearwardly of the top wall. 
     
     
         11 . The portable cooler container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is positioned rearwardly of the first front wall. 
     
     
         12 . A portable cooler container and shelf assembly comprising:
 a thermally insulated cooler base having an interior space for retaining food and beverage items;   a lid connected to the thermally insulated cooler base for enclosing the interior space; and   a shelf assembly that includes:
 a shelf connectable to the thermally insulated cooler base and movable between an extended position and a stowed position, 
 a hinge connected to an upper portion of the thermally insulated cooler base connecting a proximal end of the shelf to the thermally insulated cooler base; and 
 an extendable bracket connected to the thermally insulated cooler base for supporting the shelf in the extended position. 
   
     
     
         13 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the shelf assembly includes a pair of foldable knee brackets connected to respective side walls of the thermally insulated cooler base. 
     
     
         14 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the shelf assembly further includes a retractable anti-tipping support. 
     
     
         15 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the shelf includes a main body portion having a width larger than a width of the thermally insulated cooler base, and lateral extensions extending from the main body portion defining a space therebetween for receiving the thermally insulated cooler base. 
     
     
         16 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 12 , wherein extendable bracket is an adjustable extendable bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 16 , wherein adjustable extendable bracket adjusts the position of the shelf relative to the lid between first, second and third positions. 
     
     
         18 . A portable cooler container and shelf assembly comprising:
 a thermally insulated cooler base having an interior space for retaining food and beverage items;   a retractable handle assembly mounted to an exterior of the thermally insulated cooler base; and   a shelf movable between a stowed position and a use position, the shelf including a planar body having a detent for releasably mounting to the retractable handle assembly in the use position; and   a lid connected to the thermally insulated cooler base for enclosing the interior space, the lid including a recess for receiving the shelf in the stowed position and a receiving detent for releasably securing the shelf within the recess.   
     
     
         19 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a handle having a pair of elongated cylindrical members, and wherein the shelf includes a pair of detents for releasably engaging the pair of elongated cylindrical members. 
     
     
         20 . The portable cooler container and shelf assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the handle assembly comprises an anti-tipping support for use when the handle assembly is in an extended position.