Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly

Abstract

A portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler is provided. The cooler holds ice, food items, and beverages. The portable cooler shelf assembly comprises an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, a second end rail, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A top shelf is mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame. A plurality of legs are secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame. The combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.

1 . A portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler, the cooler holding ice, food items, and beverages, the portable cooler shelf assembly comprising:
 an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a top shelf is mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame; and   a plurality of legs secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame;   wherein the combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.   
     
     
         2 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 1  wherein the top shelf has a first shelf portion and a second shelf portion, each of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion have a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         3 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 2  wherein the first end of the first shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame and wherein the first end of the second shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame. 
     
     
         4 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 3  wherein the first ends of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion are hingedly connected together at the first rail and the second rail of the underlying frame. 
     
     
         5 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 3  wherein the second end of the first shelf portion and the second end of the second shelf portion are independently openable to expose an area under the underlying frame. 
     
     
         6 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 2  wherein the first shelf portion is approximately equal in size to the second shelf portion. 
     
     
         7 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 a plurality of apertures formed through the top shelf. 
 
     
     
         8 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of legs is telescoping. 
     
     
         9 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 8  wherein the telescoping legs are adjustable using an integrated ratchet system. 
     
     
         10 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 1  wherein a single leg is mounted to each of the connections between the side rails and the end rails. 
     
     
         11 . A method for food items and beverages in a cooler, the cooler holding ice, the method comprising:
 providing an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface;   mounting a top shelf to the top surface of the underlying frame;   securing a plurality of legs to the bottom surface of the underlying frame;   positioning the food and beverage items on the top shelf; and   elevating the food items and the beverages above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.   
     
     
         12 . A portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler, the cooler holding ice, food items, and beverages, the portable cooler shelf assembly comprising:
 an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a top shelf hingedly mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame;   a plurality of apertures formed through the top shelf;   a plurality of telescoping legs secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame;   wherein the combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.   
     
     
         13 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 12  wherein the top shelf has a first shelf portion and a second shelf portion, each of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion have a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         14 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 13  wherein the first end of the first shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame and wherein the first end of the second shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame. 
     
     
         15 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 14  wherein the first end of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion are hingedly connected together at the first rail and the second rail of the underlying frame. 
     
     
         16 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 14  wherein the second end of the first shelf portion and the second end of the second shelf portion are independently openable to expose an area under the underlying frame. 
     
     
         17 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 13  wherein the first shelf portion is approximately equal in size to the second shelf portion. 
     
     
         18 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 12  wherein the telescoping legs are adjustable using an integrated ratchet system. 
     
     
         19 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 12  wherein the telescoping legs are held in place by friction. 
     
     
         20 . The portable cooler shelf assembly of  claim 12  wherein a single leg is mounted to each of the connections between the side rails and the end rails.