Articulating cooler caddy for tailgates

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The subject invention relates generally to an accessory device for vehicles having a tailgate and to an articulating beverage cooler retention device therefore, in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Portable beverage coolers such as the heavy-duty 5-gallon type produced by Igloo® Products, Inc., are popular among owners of utility vehicles and pick-up trucks having a cargo area suitable for their storage and transport. The traditional construction of a utility vehicle's cargo space or “bed” includes an area defined by a floor panel, three upright sidewalls, and a pivoting substantially rectangular tailgate. The tailgate may be of the swingout type in which case it is hingedly attached to a sidewall and pivots about a vertical axis, or may be of the fold-down type in which case its opposite ends are hingedly attached to the floor panel of the bed along a horizontal axis. In a fold-down tailgate arrangement, the inside surface of the tailgate faces the cargo space when the tailgate is in a closed upright position and extends substantially horizontally to the rear of the bed when, the tailgate is in an open position. The subject invention is an accessory device for utility vehicles having tailgates attached by either method, but has considerable advantages when used with the latter method as will become apparent upon further reference to this specification.

0003Heretofore, the storage and transportation of portable beverage coolers within the cargo area of pick-up trucks and the like has not been without complications. One problem is the propensity of the container to shift when exposed to the forces of a moving vehicle. Such movement can be moderate, resulting in the mere nuisance of having the container shift towards the front of the vehicle and therefore out of reach, or more severe, resulting in the overturning of the container and spillage of its contents.

0004Several U.S. Patents have been issued for carriers intended to restrict the movement of articles within a vehicle's cargo area. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,635, entitled BRACKET FOR GAS CONTAINERS AND SIMILAR TANKS, discloses a support plate which may be bolted or screwed to a truck wall and a collar bolted to the support plate. The collar is made of two semicircular pieces, hinged together at one end. An upper flange of a tank may be placed within the collar and the pieces may be clamped together opposite the hinged ends, securing the tank. One shortcoming of this device is that it interferes with the use of the truck bed when not in use. The only way to recover the space occupied by the bracket is to unbolt it from the bed wall and remove it entirely.

0005Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 4,860, entitled MOUNTING RACK, teaches a water jug carrier for truck beds. The device is comprised of an attachment plate with a bracket that is bolted to a wall of the bed and several removable components attached to the bracket for retaining the jug in place. Here again, the components occupy a significant amount of space within the cargo area and the only way to recover the space is to leave the removable parts of the rack behind.

0006Based on the above, it is clear that it would be of benefit to have a portable beverage cooler retention device which does not occupy valuable cargo space. Accordingly, it has been found useful to mount the cooler outside the cargo space. U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,036 issued to Ramirez, Jr. teaches a water cooler holder capable of removable attachment to various regions of a pickup vehicle, including over a closed tailgate. In one embodiment, the Ramirez device is comprised of two parallel rings joined by support bars which hook over the side panel or tailgate of the truck bed. Unfortunately, this device suffers from various shortcomings and limitations. Perhaps the greatest of shortcoming is that tailgates of the fold-down type cannot be opened once the device is mounted thereon. Opening of the tailgate would necessarily cause the cooler to rotate from a substantially vertical axis to a horizontal one resulting in spillage of the cooler's contents and the cooler becoming unseated from the holder altogether. Moreover, the user is required to lift the container a considerable height into the holder once hung over the tailgate which can be a difficult task when the cooler is filled. Finally, the Ramirez holder is not secured to the tailgate other than through gravity and therefore is not suitable for stowage of the cooler during operation of the vehicle.

0007It is clear that a significant need exists for a cooler retention device for pickup trucks that: 1) may be mounted outside the vehicle's cargo area, 2) may be mounted on the vehicle's tailgate, 3) will not interfere with the ability to open the tailgate when mounted thereon, 4) may be secured to the vehicle in such a way that the cooler may remain in the device during vehicle use, and 5) obviates the need to lift the cooler a significant height above the ground for mounting purposes. None of the references described above, alone or in combination, teach a device having all of the above benefits and capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0008The subject invention more specifically relates to an articulating beverage cooler retention device for use in vehicles equipped with a tailgate and is comprised generally of a carriage assembly capable of articulation about a horizontal axis, the carriage assembly including a base for receiving a cooler thereon, the base being fixedly attached to a substantially vertical support stanchion; mounting means for securing the carriage assembly to the top (when closed) of the tailgate; retention means for securing the cooler within the carriage assembly; and locking means for securing the support stanchion in an upright position (substantially perpendicular to the ground) when the tailgate is lowered to its horizontal open position.

0009Application of the subject cooler caddy to tailgates of the fold-down type manifest one of its primary advantages over the above described prior art, namely its ability to retain a beverage cooler in a substantially upright position regardless of whether the tailgate is in its closed (vertical) position, or in its open (horizontal) position. The articulating nature of the carriage assembly, therefore, obviates the need for removing the cooler and the device itself from the tailgate when access to the vehicle's cargo area is desired and the tailgate must be folded down. Moreover, when the tailgate is lowered to its open position, the carriage assembly is also lowered to a height which permits mounting of the cooler with ease and without lifting above the user's knees.

0010There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

0011Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

0012It is, therefore, a primary object of the subject invention to provide a beverage cooler retention device for use in vehicles equipped with a swing-out or fold-down tailgate.

0013It is also a primary object of the subject beverage cooler caddy to provide a means for mounting a cooler outside the vehicle's cargo area generally, and to the exterior of the vehicle's tailgate, in particular.

0014Another primary object of the subject invention is to provide a tailgate mounted beverage cooler caddy which will not preclude opening of the tailgate nor first require that the caddy and cooler be removed there from.

0015It is still another primary object of the present invention to provide a tailgate mounted beverage cooler caddy that obviates the need to lift the cooler a significant height above the ground for mounting purposes.

0016Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable beverage cooler retention device which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and thereby affordable to the average consumer of such products.

0017These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0018The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of the subject beverage cooler caddy shown mounted on a vehicle's closed tailgate;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the carriage assembly of the invention of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting assembly, the pivotable support stanchion connected thereto, and locking means of the subject invention; and

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of the subject tailgate mounted beverage cooler caddy with the tailgate being shown in its lowered, open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0023Reference is now made to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in which there is illustrated a perspective view of the subject beverage cooler caddy shown mounted on a vehicle having a fold-down type tailgate. It should be immediately understood that the subject invention may also be employed on vehicle's having a swing-out type tailgate although the greatest advantages of the subject device may be experienced when used in combination with the former type.

0024Before the objects and advantages of the subject invention can be fully appreciated, it is helpful to understand the general construction of a pickup truck's cargo area. To this end, the vehicle's cargo area <b>10</b> is an open space defined by a bed or floor panel (not visible in this Figure) situate in substantially horizontal orientation and having perpendicularly attached thereto two upright side walls <b>12</b> which are oriented in parallel relationship to one another along a vertical plane. A rear door (or “tailgate”) <b>14</b> connects the two side walls towards the rear of the vehicle. The forward portion of the cargo area may either be either closed (such as in the case of pickup trucks) or open (such as in the case of a Jeep®, for example).

0025In the example illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, tailgate <b>14</b> is of the fold-down tailgate type found in pickup trucks and includes interior surface <b>16</b>, exterior surface <b>18</b>, hinged edge <b>20</b> and free edge <b>22</b>. Tailgate <b>14</b> is connected at both side edges to the interior panels <b>24</b> of sidewalls <b>12</b> by conventional hinges or other suitable coupling means. Attachment of tailgate <b>14</b> in this manner permits its pivotal rotation between open and closed positions. When closed (as shown), tailgate <b>14</b> occupies a substantially vertical plane and lies perpendicular to the floor panel. When open (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>), tailgate <b>14</b> is situate in a substantially horizontal orientation substantially coplanar with the floor panel and essentially forming a rearward extension thereof. Tailgate restraining means <b>26</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) are connected between each interior panel <b>24</b> and the sides of tailgate <b>14</b>, and limit opening of the tailgate to the horizontal plane. Restraining means <b>26</b> are typically of the flexible cable type or are comprised of articulated linkage. As stated above, the fold-down tailgate <b>14</b> may be substituted with a swingout type rear door (not shown).

0026With continued reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the subject invention more specifically relates to a tailgate mounted articulating beverage cooler caddy for use in vehicles equipped with a cargo area <b>10</b> and is comprised generally of a cooler carriage assembly <b>28</b> capable of articulation about a horizontal axis A-A for purposes described herein. Carriage assembly <b>28</b> includes a circular base <b>30</b> for receiving a cooler <b>100</b> (shown in phantom view) thereon and is situate on a substantially horizontal plane. A retention wall <b>32</b> extends a distance vertically from base <b>30</b> and around its perimeter to add structural integrity to the carriage assembly generally. Retention wall <b>32</b> further provides a means for retaining the base of beverage cooler <b>100</b> in place when seated in carriage assembly <b>28</b> (see also <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>). Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, note that a portion of retention wall <b>32</b> may optionally include detents <b>34</b> which are shaped to conform to a corresponding concave region of the Igloo® brand 5 gallon beverage cooler and prevent axial rotation of cooler <b>100</b> within carriage assembly <b>28</b>. Detents <b>34</b> further form the outer margins of spout aperture <b>36</b> through which spout <b>102</b> of cooler <b>100</b> is positioned to facilitate access to the spout.

0027With continued reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, carriage assembly <b>28</b> further includes rectangular upright support stanchion <b>38</b> having first end <b>40</b> which is fixedly mounted to base <b>30</b> and retaining wall <b>32</b>. A pair of gussets <b>42</b> are fixedly attached in substantially perpendicular fashion to each side of support stanchion <b>38</b> and the exterior surface of retaining wall <b>32</b> at different points to add structural integrity to the stanchion/base point of connection. Bumper <b>44</b> is affixed to the opposite side of stanchion <b>38</b> and serves to protect the exterior surface <b>18</b> of tailgate <b>14</b> from damage.

0028Carriage assembly <b>28</b> is also equipped with additional cooler retention means which, in the embodiment illustrated, is comprised of retention strap <b>46</b> threaded through a pair of longitudinal slots <b>48</b> (best illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>) in support stanchion <b>38</b>. Retention strap <b>46</b> is secured around the midsection of cooler <b>100</b>, preventing its movement, using closure means <b>50</b>.

0029Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the subject invention further includes mounting means <b>52</b> for securing carriage assembly <b>28</b> to tailgate <b>14</b>. Mounting means <b>52</b> is relatively simple in design and is comprised of rigid L-bracket <b>54</b> which in turn is comprised of first mounting plate <b>56</b> fixedly and perpendicularly attached to second mounting plate <b>58</b>. L-bracket <b>54</b> is installed face down onto tailgate <b>14</b> such that first mounting plate <b>56</b> lies flush with the interior surface <b>16</b> of the tailgate and second mounting plate <b>58</b> lies flush with free edge <b>22</b> of the tailgate. Once positioned as described, mounting means <b>52</b> are secured to the tailgate using screws <b>60</b> or other suitable means. Second mounting plate <b>58</b> terminates at its opposite end in locking receiver <b>62</b> which is fixedly and transversely mounted thereto.

0030In order to permit carriage assembly <b>28</b> to pivot about axis A-A, the second end <b>64</b> of stanchion <b>38</b> is hingedly attached to mounting means <b>52</b> in general, and to locking receiver <b>62</b> in particular via hinge <b>66</b>. Thusly configured, the subject beverage cooler caddy is capable of articulating about axis A-A as tailgate <b>14</b> is lowered from its upright closed position (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) to its horizontal closed position (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) to maintain cooler <b>100</b> in a relatively upright orientation. The articulating nature of the carriage assembly, therefore, obviates the need for removing the cooler and the device itself from the tailgate when access to the vehicle's cargo area is desired and the tailgate must be folded down. To secure carriage assembly <b>28</b> in this orientation, a spring loaded locking pin <b>68</b> fixedly attached to hinge <b>66</b> in parallel alignment is inserted into locking receiver <b>62</b> when rotated into axial alignment therewith. Together, locking receiver <b>62</b> and locking pin <b>68</b> comprise the locking means of the subject invention. It should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternative locking means may be employed to accomplish the intended result, the instant example being merely illustrative.

0031With continued reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, it may be appreciated that base <b>30</b> of carriage assembly <b>28</b> lies in relatively close proximity to the ground when tailgate <b>14</b> is lowered to its open position. Cooler <b>100</b> may thus be mounted on base <b>30</b> with little effort and without lifting the cooler above the knees. Upon disengagement of locking pin <b>68</b> from locking receiver <b>62</b>, closing of tailgate <b>14</b> will cause carriage assembly <b>28</b> to rotate again about axis A-A into place against exterior surface <b>18</b> of the tailgate. Regardless of whether tailgate <b>14</b> is in its open or closed position, spout <b>102</b> of cooler <b>100</b> is always accessible.

0032Although the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments herein set forth, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specifications, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.