Cooler Accessory Bracket and Methods of Use

Abstract

A removably attachable accessory bracket for a cooler, comprising: an upper portion configured with a low profile to fit wholly within a recess located on an upper rim of the cooler; a pin connected to the upper portion configured as an insertable counterpart to a cooler tie down slot located on the upper rim of the cooler; an offset bracket with a tie down slot connected to the upper portion and configured for passing a tie down strap therethrough; and, at least one accessory connected to the bracket.

1 . A removably attachable accessory bracket for a cooler, comprising:
 an upper portion configured with a low profile to fit wholly within a recess located on an upper rim of the cooler;   a pin connected to the upper portion configured as an insertable counterpart to a cooler tie down slot located on the upper rim of the cooler;   a tie down slot integrated with a face of the removably attachable accessory bracket configured for passing a tie down strap therethrough; and,   at least one accessory connected to the removably attachable accessory bracket.   
     
     
         2 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the at least one accessory is removably connected to the removably attachable accessory bracket. 
     
     
         3 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the accessory is at least one of a rod holder, a cup holders, an ammunition holders, a boga grip holder, a fly rod holder, a camera attachment point, a grab rail, a shelf, a table, a seat, electronics, or a light. 
     
     
         4 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the upper portion is configured to rest on a large recess of the upper rim of the cooler. 
     
     
         5 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the upper portion is configured to rest on a small recess of the upper rim of the cooler. 
     
     
         6 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the pin between ⅛″ and 4″ wide and ⅛″ and 10″ long. 
     
     
         7 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the space between the pin and a face of the bracket is between ⅛″ and 4″. 
     
     
         8 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where the pin is inserted into the cooler tie down slot using at least one of a compression fit, a mechanical fit and gravity. 
     
     
         9 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism connecting the pin to an offset bracket, enclosing a portion of the upper rim of the cooler therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where a low profile is 0.5″ or less. 
     
     
         11 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where a low profile is 0.25″ or less. 
     
     
         12 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 1 , where a low profile is 0.125″ or less. 
     
     
         13 . An accessory bracket according to  claim 9 , where at least one of the upper portion and offset bracket are curved. 
     
     
         14 . An accessory bracket for a cooler, comprising:
 a pin insertable into a tie down slot located on the cooler to secure the bracket to the cooler;   a supplemental tie down slot configured for passage of a tie down strap therethrough; and,   at least one accessory connected to the bracket.   
     
     
         15 . A method for inserting a bracket into a cooler, comprising:
 opening the cooler lid;   lining up a pin of the bracket with a tie down slot of the cooler; and,   inserting the pin into the tie down slot of the cooler so that the pin is positioned within the tie down slot and the bracket rests on an upper rim of the cooler such that the lid fully closes.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising threading a tie down strap through a supplemental tie down slot located on the face of the bracket to secure the cooler in place. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising attaching an accessory to the bracket. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , where the accessory is removably attached to the bracket.