U.S. patent application number 10/401665 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for console with adjustable holder.
Invention is credited to Smith, Daniel G..
Application Number | 20040188581 10/401665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32989505 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040188581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Daniel G. |
September 30, 2004 |
Console with adjustable holder
Abstract
An adjustable holder for receiving and securing a beverage
container or other object includes a base, a mobile support unit,
and an actuating assembly. The base has a support and the mobile
support unit has a mobile support. The mobile support of the mobile
support unit is mobile relative to the support of the base so as to
provide an adjustable object-receiving area. The actuating assembly
operates between a normally locked and an unlocked position. In the
locked position, the actuating assembly prevents the mobile support
from moving relative to the support of the base. In the unlocked
position, the actuating assembly does not prevent the mobile
support from moving relative to the support of the base. The
actuating assembly is provided with a resilient element for
applying an urging pressure so as to retain the actuating assembly
in the locked position.
Inventors: |
Smith, Daniel G.; (Grand
Prairie, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP
717 NORTH HARWOOD
SUITE 3400
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
|
Family ID: |
32989505 |
Appl. No.: |
10/401665 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 ;
224/926 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/103 20130101;
B60N 3/106 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 ;
224/926 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable holder comprising: a base having an upright
support; a mobile support unit slideable along said base, the
mobile support unit having a mobile support; and an actuating
assembly having a resilient element, said actuating assembly
operable to be moved between a normally locked position and an
unlocked position, said resilient element for applying an urging
pressure so as to retain said actuating assembly in said locked
position wherein said actuating assembly prevents sliding of the
mobile support unit along said base, wherein, in said unlocked
position, said mobile support unit is allowed to slide along said
base.
2. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
base has a slot formed therein.
3. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 2, wherein a
portion of said slot is a toothed slot.
4. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 3, wherein the
mobile support unit is slidably fixed in said slot.
5. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 4, wherein the
mobile support unit includes a mobile platform and a rail having a
flange extending laterally therefrom, wherein the rail extends
through the slot between the mobile platform and the flange.
6. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
actuating assembly has a locking terminal.
7. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
base has a slot formed therein.
8. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 7, wherein in said
locked position the locking terminal mates with said slot, thereby
preventing the mobile support unit from sliding on said base.
9. A holder in accordance with claim 8, wherein the mobile support
unit includes an aperture, wherein the actuating assembly includes
a locking arm extending through said aperture between the locking
terminal and the resilient element.
10. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 9, wherein the
resilient element is retained about said locking arm between said
aperture and a ceiling of the actuating assembly.
11. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 10, wherein the
resilient element is a spring.
12. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 8, wherein a
portion of said slot is a toothed slot.
13. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the
locking terminal has teeth suitable for mating with the toothed
portion of said slot.
14. An adjustable holder comprising: a base having a slot and an
upright support; a mobile support unit slideable along said slot,
the mobile support unit having a mobile support; and an actuating
assembly slidably mounted on said mobile support unit having a
locking terminal and a resilient element, said locking terminal
arranged to move between a normally locked position and an unlocked
position, said locking terminal for operably engaging said base
along said slot when in said locked position so as to prevent
sliding of the mobile support unit along said base, and said
resilient element for applying an urging pressure so as to retain
said locking terminal in said locked position, wherein, in said
unlocked position, said locking terminal is moved out of engagement
with the base so as to allow said mobile support unit to slide
relative to said upright support.
15. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 14, wherein said
locking terminal moves in said slot and engages said slot in the
locked position.
16. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 15, wherein a
portion of said slot is a toothed slot.
17. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 16, wherein the
mobile support unit is slidably fixed in said slot.
18. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 17, wherein the
mobile support unit includes a mobile platform and a rail having a
flange extending laterally therefrom, wherein the rail extends
through the slot between the mobile platform and the flange.
19. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 15, wherein the
locking terminal has teeth suitable for mating with the toothed
portion of said slot.
20. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 14, wherein the
mobile support unit includes an aperture, wherein the actuating
assembly includes a locking arm extending through said aperture
between the locking terminal and the resilient element.
21. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 20, wherein the
resilient element is retained about said locking arm between said
aperture and a ceiling of the actuating assembly.
22. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 20, wherein the
resilient element is a spring.
23. An adjustable holder comprising: a base having a slot and an
upright support; a mobile support unit slideable along said slot,
the mobile support unit having a mobile support; an actuating
assembly slidably mounted on said mobile support unit and arranged
to move between a normally locked position and an unlocked
position, the actuating assembly having a locking terminal mated
with a portion of said slot when the actuating assembly is in said
locked position so as to prevent sliding of the mobile support unit
along said slot; and a resilient element for biasing said actuating
assembly towards said locked position, wherein, in said unlocked
position, said locking terminal is moved from said slot so as to
allow said mobile support unit to slide along said slot.
24. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 23, wherein a
portion of said slot is a toothed slot.
25. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 24, wherein the
mobile support unit is slidably fixed in said slot.
26. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 25, wherein the
mobile support unit includes a mobile platform and a rail having a
flange extending laterally therefrom, wherein the rail extends
through the slot between the mobile platform and the flange.
27. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 24, wherein the
locking terminal has teeth suitable for mating with the toothed
portion of said slot.
28. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 23, wherein the
mobile support unit includes an aperture, wherein the actuating
assembly includes a locking arm extending through said aperture
between the locking terminal and the resilient element.
29. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 28, wherein the
resilient element is retained about said locking arm between said
aperture and a ceiling of the actuating assembly.
30. An adjustable holder in accordance with claim 28, wherein the
resilient element is a spring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an article carrier
specifically configured for transporting a container or object in a
vehicle. Specifically, the present invention relates to an article
carrier capable of adjustment for accommodating a range of sizes of
object, generally fluid containers, where accommodating the range
of sizes can be accomplished by providing opposing supports capable
of adjustment for spanning a range of distances.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of types of container holders, such as those used
to hold beverage containers and cups, are known in the art for use
in vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks, and boats. Many such
holders provide a fixed support structure as a cup receiving area.
Some of the fixed support structures have a single-diameter cup
receiving area. Such a fixed support arrangement cannot accommodate
larger diameter cups and provides limited support, if any, for
smaller diameter cups. Other fixed support structures have
telescoping or stepped support structures in an attempt to
accommodate an array of cup diameters.
[0003] Other cup holders provide adjustable support structures that
allow for varying the size of the cup receiving area. These include
structures often incorporate operating mechanisms that require
several operations on the part of a user in order to perform an
adjustment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,032 to Jones et al.,
dated Sept. 22, 1992, discloses an adjustable cup holder where a
user makes an adjustment by first unlocking a ratcheting mechanism
by pulling on a finger tab that unlocks the ratcheting mechanism.
With the ratcheting mechanism unlocked, the user can resize the
cup-receiving space by shifting a shifting unit. The user then
pushes the finger tab to re-lock the ratcheting mechanism in order
to insure the shifting unit stays in the position to which it has
been shifted. Another example of an adjustable cup holder is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,194 to Jones et al., where a user
makes an adjustment by operating opposing handles to reposition
corresponding pins to appropriate notches in order to achieve a
desired cup-receiving space. These and other prior adjustable cup
holders often require the user's attention for performing an
adjustment process that might require multiple steps or
mechanically complex or cumbersome tasks. In some cases, failure to
perform a step can leave the cup vulnerable to being dislodged or
spilled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
adjustable holder for cups and other objects is provided comprising
a base having an upright support and a mobile support unit that is
slideable along the base. The mobile support unit has a mobile
support. The holder also comprises an actuating assembly having a
resilient element. The actuating assembly is operable to be moved
between a normally locked position and an unlocked position. The
resilient element is provided for applying an urging pressure so as
to retain the actuating assembly in the locked position. When the
actuating assembly is in the locked position, it prevents sliding
of the mobile support unit along the base. On the other hand, when
the actuating assembly is in the unlocked position, the mobile
support unit is allowed to slide along said base.
[0005] In order to adjust the holder, a user can press the
actuating assembly against the force of the resilient element. With
the actuating assembly depressed, the mobile support of the mobile
support unit is free to move relative to the upright support of the
base, thereby allowing adjustment of an object-receiving area. The
user moves the mobile support unit to a desired position and then
releases the actuating assembly. Upon releasing the actuating
assembly, the resilient element causes the actuating assembly
automatically rebound to the locking position, in turn causing the
mobile support unit to be locked into the adjusted position.
[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, the base can
have a slot formed therein. A portion of the slot can be a toothed
slot. The mobile support unit can be slidably fixed in this slot.
The mobile support unit can include a mobile platform and a rail
having a flange extending laterally therefrom, wherein the rail
extends through the slot between the mobile platform and the
flange.
[0007] Also according to an embodiment of the invention, the
actuating assembly can have a locking terminal. The base can have a
slot formed therein. In the locked position the locking terminal
can be formed so as to mate with the slot in such a way that
prevents the mobile support unit from sliding on or along the base.
The mobile support unit can include an aperture, wherein the
actuating assembly includes a locking arm extending through the
aperture between the locking terminal and the resilient element.
The resilient element can be retained about the locking arm between
the aperture and a ceiling of the actuating assembly. The resilient
element can be a spring. A portion of the slot can be a toothed
slot. The locking terminal can have teeth suitable for mating with
the toothed portion of the slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will now be described by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a console comprising a pair
of adjustable holders in accordance with the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a an exploded perspective view of one of the
adjustable holders of the console shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a mobile support
unit in accordance with the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an actuating assembly in
accordance with the invention;
[0013] FIGS. 5A-5D are bottom perspective views of the adjustable
holder shown in FIG. 2 as assembled showing various states of
operation;
[0014] FIGS. 6A-6D are top perspective views of the adjustable
holder shown in FIG. 2 as assembled corresponding respectively to
the various states of operation shown in FIGS. 5A-5D; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
an actuating assembly in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will now be discussed with reference
to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a console that
incorporates an embodiment an adjustable holder of the present
invention. In FIG. 1, a console 100 comprises a pair of adjustable
holders 105, normally used for receiving cups, but also capable of
receiving other miscellaneous items such as, for example, cell
phones or other objects not containing other items or materials. It
should be noted that the term "cup" as used herein is not intended
to be limiting in any way such that any form of a beverage
container or other object is excluded. Rather, the term "cup" as
used herein is intended to include any of a variety of beverage
containers, such as, for example, mugs, cans, glasses, bottles, and
other known forms of containers. While such containers will
normally be used to hold beverages, the containers may be objects
themselves, such as cell phones, or may have content therein other
than a beverage product.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a exploded perspective view of one of the
adjustable holders 105 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, major
components of the adjustable holder 105 include a fixed base 110, a
mobile support unit 120, and a push-button or actuating assembly
130. The fixed base 110 has a somewhat upright fixed support 112.
Support 112 preferably defines a generally semi-cylindrical area as
shown in FIG. 2 so as to partially surround the base of an object,
such as a cup, placed in the adjustable holder 105. The fixed base
110 also has a slot 115 that includes a toothed intermediate
portion 117. The slot 115 widens at one end thereof to form an
aperture 118. The aperture 118 allows for the mobile support unit
120 to be attached to the fixed base 110.
[0018] The mobile support unit 120 is best shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B. FIG. 3A shows a bottom perspective view of the mobile support
unit 120. As shown in FIG. 3A, the mobile support unit 120 includes
a pair of flanged members 150 and a toothed aperture 160. Each of
the flanged members 150 has a central rail that extends in a
longitudinal direction, and each rail has a pair of opposing
flanges that extend in laterally therefrom. FIG. 3B shows a top
perspective view of the mobile support unit 120. As shown in FIG.
3B, the mobile support unit further includes a mobile support 125,
a mobile platform 127, and opposing actuating assembly guides 170.
The toothed aperture 160 allows for the actuating assembly 130 to
be attached to the mobile support unit 120. The actuating assembly
guides 170 assist in maintaining the release assembly 130 in proper
alignment.
[0019] The actuating assembly 130 is best shown in FIG. 4, wherein
a top perspective view of the actuating assembly 130 is
illustrated. As shown in FIG. 4, the actuating assembly 130
includes a locking arm 135 that extends downwardly from an
actuating assembly shell 137. The locking arm 135 diverges into a
catch 190 and a locking terminal 180. In this embodiment, the
locking terminal 180 is toothed. The catch 190 is relatively
flexible and can have a shape that is similar to a hook or a pawl.
A spring 140 is disposed about the locking arm 135. The spring 140
can be substituted with any type of resilient element such as, for
example, any type of component that is capable of readily returning
to an original shape or position such as a coil, a leaf spring, a
torsion spring, a substantially V-shaped spring, or a metal spring.
The actuating shell 137 shown in FIG. 4 is configured in such a way
so as to provide a ceiling for retaining the spring 140 on the
locking arm 135. The actuating shell 137 is also of sufficient
width to provide shoulders for engaging the release assembly guides
170 shown on the mobile support assembly 120. Finally, the
actuating shell 137 serves to conceal portions of the actuating
assembly 130 from a user.
[0020] Referring again to FIG. 2, the mobile support unit 120 can
be attached to the base 110 by inserting each of the flanged
members 150, in turn, into the aperture 118 such that the rails of
the flanged members 150 extend through the slot 115 between their
corresponding flanges and the mobile platform 127. This resulting
assembly is shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, which illustrate bottom
perspective views of the portion of the console 100 shown in FIG. 2
once assembled in varying positions. It will be noted that the
broken line connecting the base 110 and the mobile support unit 120
in FIG. 2 can be traced from the aperture 118 to a forward one of
the two flanged members 150. This forward one of the two flanged
members 150 is first inserted in the aperture 118 such that its
rail is disposed in and can be moved along the slot 115 towards the
fixed support 112. Then, the remaining of the two flanged members
150 is aligned and inserted in the aperture 118 in the same manner
as the first.
[0021] The actuating assembly 130 can be attached to the mobile
support unit 120 by inserting the locking arm 135 into the toothed
aperture 160 at least far enough for the catch 190 to pass through
the toothed aperture 160. As the catch 190 passes through the
toothed aperture 160, the width of the toothed aperture 160 causes
the catch 190 to move towards the opposing portion of the locking
arm 135. Once the catch 190 has passed through the toothed aperture
160, the catch 190 returns to its normal position. Since the catch
190 is designed in the form of a hook or a pawl, the actuating
assembly 130 is consequently locked onto the mobile support unit
120.
[0022] When the actuating assembly 130 is duly assembled with the
mobile support unit 120, the spring 140 is retained coaxially about
the locking arm 135 between the shell 137 and the toothed aperture
160, where, preferably, spring 140 is of a length such that it is
slightly compressed in an at rest position. When the actuating
assembly 130, the mobile support unit 120, and the base 110 are all
duly assembled, the locking arm 135 is of such a length that the
locking terminal 180 is positioned at some point in the toothed
portion of the slot 110 when the actuating assembly 130 is in an at
rest position. This positioning can be seen, for example, in FIG.
5A, which shows a bottom perspective view of the duly assembled
adjustable holder 105. In FIG. 5A it can be seen that the locking
terminal 180 is positioned in the slot 115 so that its teeth align
with and engage the teeth at a point in the toothed portion of the
slot 115.
[0023] In order to adjust the adjustable holder 105, the actuating
assembly 130 is pressed downwardly against the force of the spring
140, typically by a user's finger or thumb. With actuating assembly
130 depressed, the mobile support unit 120 is free to move along
the slot 115. The user moves the mobile support unit 120 to a
desired position and then releases the actuating assembly 130. Upon
releasing the actuating assembly 130, the spring 140 causes the
actuating assembly 130 to rebound, in turn causing the mobile
support unit 120 to be locked into position.
[0024] The operation of the adjustable holder 105 is illustrated in
FIGS. 5A-5D and 6A-6D. FIGS. 5A-5D provide bottom perspective views
of the adjustable holder 105, and FIGS. 6A-6D provide top
perspective views of the adjustable holder 105, where FIG. 6A is a
top view of the bottom view shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 6B is a top view
of the bottom view shown in FIG. 5B, FIG. 6C is a top view of the
bottom view shown in FIG. 5C, and FIG. 6D is a top view of the
bottom view shown in FIG. 5D.
[0025] FIGS. 5A and 6A show the adjustable holder 105 in a
condition such that the actuating assembly 130 is unactuated and a
relatively large distance is spanned between the mobile support
unit 120 and the fixed support 112, thus providing for an object,
such as a cup, having a relatively large circumference. At this
time, the mobile support unit 120 is locked in position. As shown
in FIG. 5A, the locking terminal 180 of the locking arm 135 is
positioned in the toothed portion of the slot 115. The locking
terminal 180 is mated with the toothed portion of the slot 115 such
that teeth of the locking terminal 180 engage the teeth of the
toothed portion of the slot 115 so as to prevent movement of the
locking terminal 180 along the slot 115. Since the locking terminal
180 is somewhat fixed in relation to the mobile support unit 120,
the mobile support unit 120 is therefore locked in position. As
shown in FIG. 6A, the shell 137 of the actuating assembly 130 is in
its normal, unactuated position. At this time, the spring 140
preferably assumes its full normal length in an at rest position
without providing any rebounding force.
[0026] FIGS. 5B and 6B show the adjustable holder 105 in a
condition upon activation of the actuating assembly 130 where, for
example, a user presses downwardly against the force of the spring
140 on the shell 137 of the actuating assembly 130. Comparing FIGS.
6A and 6B, it can be seen that in FIG. 6B the shell 137 has been
moved or pressed downwardly relative to the fixed support 112. FIG.
5B shows an effect of pressing the actuating assembly 130. At this
time, the locking terminal 180 is moved to a position where the
teeth of the locking terminal 180 no longer engage the teeth of the
toothed portion of the slot 115. Thus, the mobile support unit 120
is no longer prevented from moving along the slot 115.
[0027] FIGS. 5C and 6C show the adjustable holder 105 in a
condition upon moving of the mobile support unit 120 in a direction
as indicated by an arrow in each of the figures, the actuating
assembly 130 remaining actuated as necessary for such movement. As
shown in FIG. 6C, as the mobile support unit 120 is moved, a
distance spanned between the mobile support unit 120 and the fixed
support 112 is consequently varied, thus providing adjustment for
receiving and holding in place an object, such as a cup. As shown
in FIG. 5C, like in FIG. 5B, while the actuating assembly 130
remains actuated due to pressure by a user or otherwise, the
locking terminal 180 remains out of alignment with the toothed
portion of the slot 115 allowing for the movement of the mobile
support unit 120. In this example, adjustment is being made, from
accommodation for an object with a larger cross-sectional area to
accommodation for an object with a smaller cross-sectional area. It
will be appreciated, however, that with the actuating assembly 130
actuated, the mobile support unit 120 is free to move
bi-directionally along the slot 115 so that adjustment can also be
similarly made from accommodation for an object with a smaller
cross-sectional area to accommodation for an object with a larger
cross-sectional area.
[0028] FIGS. 5D and 6D show the adjustable holder 105 in a
condition upon release of the actuating assembly 130. Once the user
releases pressure from the actuating assembly 130, the rebounding
force of the spring 140 causes the actuating assembly 130 to return
to the position shown in FIG. 6D, which is the normal, unactuated
position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, the locking terminal
180 is pulled back up into alignment with the toothed portion of
the slot 115. At this time, the teeth of the locking terminal 180
once again engage the teeth of the toothed portion of the slot 115
so as to prevent movement of the locking terminal 180 along the
slot 115. Again, since the locking terminal 180 is somewhat fixed
in relation to the mobile support unit 120, the mobile support unit
120 is therefore locked in position.
[0029] It is contemplated that the present invention is readily
adapted to a variety of several alternative embodiments. For
example, it will be appreciated that the actuating assembly 130 can
be reconfigured to have the locking terminal 180 be lifted out of
the slot 115 in order to free the mobile support unit 120 for
adjustment rather than pushed through the slot 115 as described
above. FIG. 7 shows one example of such an alternative actuating
assembly 130'. The actuating assembly 130' includes a locking arm
135, locking terminal 180, and catch 190 as described above. The
actuating assembly 130' also includes a shell 137' having a flange
138 that serves as a lifting handle for a user. The actuating
assembly 130' also includes a compressed spring 140', attached at
its upper end to the locking arm 135, and having a spring catch 144
for attaching to a hook (not shown) on the mobile support unit 120
upon assembly.
[0030] The adjustable holder of the present invention provides a
number of advantages and improvements over the prior art. These
advantages and improvements include providing the user with an
easier adjusting mechanism to operate. With the present invention,
a user can make a complete adjustment with a single fluid motion,
the single fluid motion being sufficient to unlock, adjust
(reposition), and re-lock the mobile support unit 120. The present
invention also provides improved reliability by providing a
resilient locking device that automatically locks the mobile
support into place. This relieves the user of the task of locking
the mobile support into place, which in turn eliminates the risk of
objects, such as cups, being dislodged due to the user overlooking
this task.
[0031] While endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw
attention to those features of the invention believed to be of
particular importance, it should be understood that the Applicant
claims protection in respect of any patentable feature, or
combination of features, hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in
the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed
thereon.
* * * * *