Cooler Chair Combination

Abstract

A cooler chair combination provides two distinction functional products in a single structure. A cooler is provided with slots to facilitate detachable coupling of a back and armrests to the cooler, thereby providing a functioning chair, where the top of the cooler provides the seat of the chair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooler and chair combination comprising:
 a base;   a back detachably connected to the base;   first and second armrests, detachably connected to the base and the back; and   a cooler compartment formed inside the base.   
     
     
         2 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 1 , wherein the back and first and second armrests are made of a high density polyethylene (HDPE). 
     
     
         3 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 2 , wherein the base includes a plurality of sidewalls defining an open top, a bottom integrally formed with the sidewalls, and a lid movably connect to and sealingly covering the open top in a closed position, the sidewalls, bottom and lid defining the cooler compartment as insulated interior capable of providing thermal retention. 
     
     
         4 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 3 , further comprising first and second vertical supports slidably received in respective slots provided in a forward portion of the base, the first and second vertical supports having upper distal ends connected respectively to the first and second armrests. 
     
     
         5 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 4 , wherein the back is an elongated, rectangular planar member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the base has a slot formed in a rearward portion of the base, and slidably receiving the proximal end of the elongated, rectangular planar member in a fixed, angled, upright position. 
     
     
         6 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second armrests comprise an L-shaped planar member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, and each forward portion of the first and second armrests is detachably connected to a corresponding one of the first and second vertical supports, and each rearward portion of the first and second armrests is detachably connected to rectangular planar member. 
     
     
         7 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 6 , wherein the rectangular planar member has a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface, and wherein the rectangular planar member further comprises a pair of slats connected to the rearward facing surface of the rectangular planar member, and wherein the rearward portions of the L-shaped planar members are detachably connected to corresponding ones of the pair of slats. 
     
     
         8 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 1 , wherein the back, seat and armrests are made of HDPE plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The cooler and chair combination of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plurality of legs, a bottom disposed between the plurality of legs, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly between the plurality of legs and defining an upper opening and an insulated interior compartment, and a cover movable between open and closed position over the upper opening, wherein an upper surface of the cover defines a seat. 
     
     
         10 . A modular apparatus comprising:
 a main body defined by a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls;   an interior, insulated compartment disposed within the main body and having an open upper end;   a plurality of legs disposed on the bottom of the main body and being disposed to support the main body when resting on a surface;   an insulated cover movably disposed over the open upper end and being movable between open and closed positions;   the main body having a first function; and   means for detachably connecting component parts to the main body;   the component parts having a second function when combined with the main body.   
     
     
         11 . The modular apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the means for detachably connecting components to the main body include a plurality of slots. 
     
     
         12 . The modular apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of slots includes a rear slot provided in a rear portion of the body, and the component parts include a back having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the back is slidable into the rear slot to be mounted in a predominantly vertical, angled rearward disposition. 
     
     
         13 . The modular apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the main body includes a first side and a second side, and the plurality of slots includes first and second vertical slots disposed respectively on the first side and the second side of the main body, and the component parts include first and second vertical supports each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second vertical supports being slidable respectively in the first and second vertical slots, and first and second armrests respectively detachably connected to the distal ends of the first and second vertical supports and to the back. 
     
     
         14 . The modular apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the main body and component parts are all made of HDPE plastic, and at least one surface of the of the main body and component parts is at least partially covered with EVA closed cell foam material. 
     
     
         15 . A method of building a modular product having two distinct functions, comprising the steps of:
 forming a cooler from roto molded high density plastic, the cooler having an open top, a bottom and a sidewall between the bottom and open top, and a lid movable between open and closed positions and sealingly closing the open top when in the closed position;   forming a rearward slot in a rearward portion of the cooler;   forming two forward, vertical slots in a forward portion of the cooler;   sliding a back into the rearward slot;   sliding first and second vertical supports respectively into the two forward, vertical slots;   forming first and second armrests each having a forward portion and a rearward portion;   detachably connecting the forward portion of the first and second armrests respectively to the first and second vertical supports and to the back, wherein the modular product functions as both a cooler and a chair, wherein the lid of the cooler provides a seat for the chair.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein all component parts are made by cutting planar sheets of HDPE plastic material into parts which define the first and second armrests and the back. 
     
     
         17 . An article of outdoor furniture comprising:
 a roto molded cooler having a lid angled downwardly from front to rear, the lid having an outer surface which provides a seat for a user;   a back detachably connected to a rear portion of the cooler;   first and second vertical supports, each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the first and second vertical supports being slidably and detachably connected to a forward portion of the cooler; and   first and second armrests respectively detachably connected to the distal ends of the first and second vertical supports and to the back.   
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the cooler, back and first and second armrests are made of HDPE plastic.