U.S. patent application number 11/100224 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for beverage holder.
Invention is credited to Schaal, Falk.
Application Number | 20050224675 11/100224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34895531 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050224675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schaal, Falk |
October 13, 2005 |
Beverage holder
Abstract
A beverage holder has a receiver which is open to a top for
insertion of a beverage container, a holding ring which in a home
position is located at an upper periphery of the receiver, the
holding ring being arranged to be brought into a first holding
position in which it is located laterally above the receiver, the
holding ring being arranged to be brought also into a second
holding position in which it is located above the receiver but not
laterally offset with respect to the receiver.
Inventors: |
Schaal, Falk; (Alpirsbach,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRIKER, STRIKER & STENBY
103 EAST NECK ROAD
HUNTINGTON
NY
11743
US
|
Family ID: |
34895531 |
Appl. No.: |
11/100224 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/105 20130101;
B60N 3/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 017 419.9 |
Claims
1. A beverage holder, comprising a receiver which is open to a top
for insertion of a beverage container; a holding ring which in a
home position is located at an upper periphery of said receiver,
said holding ring being arranged to be brought into a first holding
position in which it is located laterally above said receiver, said
holding ring being arranged to be brought also into a second
holding position in which it is located above said receiver but not
laterally offset with respect to said receiver.
2. A beverage holder as defined in claim 1; and further comprising
a slideway configured such that said holding ring is guided so that
it is displaceable upwards.
3. A beverage holder as defined in claim 1; and further comprising
a pivotal mounting for said holding ring configured such that said
holding ring is guided so that it is pivotable to a side.
4. A beverage holder as defined in claim 3, wherein said pivotal
mounting has a horizontal pivot axis.
5. A beverage holder as defined in claim 1; and further comprising
a releasable connection for said holding ring configured such that
said holding ring is fastenable above said receiver and laterally
offset with respect to said receiver.
6. A beverage holder as defined in claim 1; and further comprising
a releasable connection for said holding ring configured such that
said holding ring is fastenable above said receiver and laterally
is not offset withg respect to said receiver.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to beverage
containers. Beverage holders of such a kind are known per se.
[0002] They are used for holding one or two beverage containers in
a motor vehicle. Beverage containers may be a beverage can, a cup,
a beaker or the like.
[0003] A beverage holder for two beverage containers is known from
DE 44 29 515 C1. The known beverage holder has a cylindrical recess
as receiver for insertion of a beverage container. The known
beverage holder also has a holding ring formed by two holding arms
which can be folded together. By means of a slideway, the holding
ring can be displaced upwards and laterally pivoted into a holding
position in which the holding ring is located above and laterally
offset with respect to the receiver. In the holding position, a
second beverage container can be inserted into the holding ring. In
a home position, the holding ring (folded together) is located in
the receiver; the receiver cannot be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a beverage holder that can be used in a variety of
ways.
[0005] The beverage holder according to the invention has a
receiver which is open to the top for insertion of a beverage
container, "to the top" being understood with reference to the
intended installation position of the beverage holder. The receiver
can be, for example, a cylindrical recess. The beverage holder
according to the invention moreover has a holding ring, which in a
home position is located at the upper periphery of the receiver,
where it does not impede insertion of a beverage container into the
receiver or its removal. The holding ring does not have to be
closed; it is sufficient for the holding ring to engage around, and
laterally support, an inserted beverage container to the extent
that the beverage container is held in all directions laterally. In
the home position the holding ring does not have any function per
se; it is accommodated in space-saving manner. In contrast to the
beverage holder known from DE 44 29 515 C1, the beverage holder
according to the invention can be used for insertion of a beverage
container when the holding ring is in the home position.
[0006] The holding ring of the beverage holder according to the
invention can be brought into a first holding position, in which it
is located laterally above the receiver. In the first holding
position, a beverage container can be inserted into the receiver of
the beverage holder and a second beverage container can be inserted
beside it laterally (and higher) in the holding ring. The beverage
holder according to the invention is accordingly suitable for
holding two beverage containers.
[0007] The holding ring of the beverage holder according to the
invention can moreover be brought into a second holding position,
in which it is located above the receiver for insertion of the
beverage container although not laterally offset with respect to
the receiver but rather in register with or in any event
approximately in register with the receiver. When the holding ring
is in the second holding position, a beverage container can be
inserted into the beverage holder, the beverage container being
inserted through the holding ring and into the receiver. The
holding ring located above the receiver holds the inserted beverage
container at a greater height.
[0008] As a result, the beverage container according to the
invention is suitable for insertion of a relatively tall beverage
container such as, for example, a bottle, which would not otherwise
be held in the receiver with sufficient security against
tipping.
[0009] The beverage holder according to the invention has the
advantage that it can be accommodated in an installation space
required for a beverage holder for holding only one beverage
container, the beverage holder according to the invention being
suitable for holding, as desired, one or two beverage containers or
for holding a relatively tall beverage container, which is
laterally supported and held at a greater height by the holding
ring when located in the second holding position.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention a slideway is provided by
means of which the holding ring is guided so that it can be
displaced upwards. Slideways of such a kind are known in various
constructional forms; for example, a telescopic guide means is also
suitable.
[0011] In an embodiment of the invention a pivotal mounting is
provided, by means of which the holding ring is guided so that it
can be pivoted to the side. In a development, a pivotal mounting
having a horizontal pivot axis is provided; accordingly, in one
holding position one end face of the holding ring is to the top and
in the other holding position the other end face of the holding
ring is to the top. A pivotal mounting constitutes a simple
possible means for movably guiding the holding ring to the
side.
[0012] In an embodiment of the invention a releasable connection
for the holding ring is provided. The holding ring located in the
home position at the upper periphery of the receiver of the
beverage holder can be released and fixed to the beverage holder
above the receiver. In that arrangement, fixing in the first
holding position laterally offset with respect to the receiver and
in the second holding position in register with or substantially in
register with the receiver is possible. This embodiment of the
invention makes possible a simple construction of the beverage
holder having, in the simplest case, only two parts, namely the
beverage holder with the receiver itself and, as the second part,
the holding ring.
[0013] The novel features which are considered as characteristic
for the present invention are set forth in particular in the
appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its
construction and its method of operation, together with additional
objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the
following description of specific embodiments when read in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIGS. 1 to 6 show, in perspective views, a first exemplary
embodiment of a beverage holder according to the invention in
various positions;
[0015] FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second exemplary embodiment of a
beverage holder according to the invention in various positions;
and
[0016] FIGS. 10 to 13 show, in perspective views, a third exemplary
embodiment of a beverage holder according to the invention in
various positions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The beverage holder 10 according to the invention which is
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is integrated into a central console 12 (a
fragment of which is shown in the drawings) of a motor vehicle (not
otherwise shown). The beverage holder 10 has a cylindrical recess,
which forms a receiver 14 for insertion of a beverage container
such as, for example, a beverage can, a beaker or a cup. The
beverage container 10 moreover has a holding ring 16, which in its
home position (shown in FIG. 1) is arranged at the upper periphery
of the receiver 14.
[0018] In the shown exemplary embodiment of the invention, in its
home position the holding ring 16 lies in an annular step-shaped
extension 18 to the receiver 14 at the upper periphery thereof (see
FIGS. 2 and 3); it is recessed in the central console 12 so that it
is flush therewith. By means of a pivotal mounting (not shown in
the drawing), the holding ring 16 is pivotally mounted at the upper
end of a slider 20. The slider 20 is of a flat shape and curved in
accordance with the diameter of the receiver 14. The slider 20 is
arranged in a cut-out at the periphery of the receiver 14. The
slider 20 is, by means of a slideway 22, guided at the beverage
holder 10 so that it is vertically displaceable, the slideway 22
being in the form of a key-and-keyway guide means. In the home
position, which is shown in FIG. 1, the slider 20 is recessed in
the central console 12 and at the top terminates flush with the
central console 12.
[0019] Displacement of the slider 20 in an upwards direction causes
the holding ring 16 to be brought into a holding position in which
it is located above the receiver 14, there being two holding
positions--namely a holding position shown in FIG. 2 and referred
to hereinafter as the second holding position, in which the holding
ring 16 is located above the receiver 14 and in register therewith,
and a first holding position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the holding
ring 16 has been pivoted about the horizontal pivot axis 21 of the
pivotal mounting to a side of the slider 20 that is remote from the
receiver 14. In the latter holding position, the holding ring 16 is
located above the receiver 14 and laterally offset with respect
thereto. Below the holding ring 16 in the first holding position
there is a shallow cylindrical depression 24 for accommodating the
base of an inserted beverage container.
[0020] As can be seen in FIG. 4, when the holding ring 16 is in the
first position, a beverage container, for example a beverage can
26, can be inserted in the receiver 14 and a second beverage
container, for example also a beverage can 28, can be inserted in
the holding ring 16; the beverage holder 10 according to the
invention can accordingly hold two beverage containers 26, 28. As
can be seen in FIG. 5, when the holding ring 16 is in the home
position, a beverage container, for example a beaker 30, can be
inserted into the receiver 14 of the beverage holder 10. In the
second holding position, a relatively tall beverage container, for
example a bottle 32, can, as shown in FIG. 6, be inserted through
the holding ring 16 and into the receiver 14 of the beverage holder
10. The holding ring 16 located above the receiver laterally
supports the bottle 32 at a greater height so that the bottle 32 is
held in the beverage holder 10 in a manner that precludes
tipping.
[0021] In the case of the beverage holder 10 according to the
invention which is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the pivotal mounting 34,
by means of which the holding ring 16 is pivotally mounted and
guided on the slider 20, has a vertical pivot axis 21. Otherwise,
the beverage holder 10 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is constructed in the
same manner as the beverage holder 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and it
functions in the same way. In order to avoid repetitions, reference
is made to the above explanations of the beverage holder 10 of
FIGS. 1 to 6 for an explanation of the beverage holder of FIGS. 8
to 9. Like components are provided with like reference
numerals.
[0022] The beverage holder 10 according to the invention which is
shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 has a releasable connection for the holding
ring 16. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention which is
shown and described the releasable connection is in the form of a
bayonet connection. Other releasable connections are possible.
[0023] As can be seen especially in FIG. 11, the holding ring 16 of
the beverage holder 10 has two downwardly pointing projections 36.
The projections 36 are cylindrical; they have the same radius as
the holding ring 16; they each extend over about 90.degree. in the
circumferential direction and are arranged located opposite one
another. On its periphery, the receiver 14 of the beverage holder
10 shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 has cut-outs 38 complementary to the
projections 36. When it is in its home position shown in FIG. 10,
the holding ring 16 lies in the annular step-shaped extension 18 at
the upper periphery of the receiver 14, as in the case of the
previously described exemplary embodiments of the invention, and
terminates flush with the central console 12. The projections 36 of
the holding ring 16 are located in the cut-outs 38 of the receiver
14.
[0024] In order to bring the holding ring 16 into the holding
positions, it is pulled upwards and out from the receiver 14 (FIG.
11) and brought into the two holding positions as shown in FIGS. 12
and 13. The bayonet connection of the holding ring 16 has grooves
40 extending in a circumferential direction at the bottom ends of
the projections 36 remote from the holding ring 16. The grooves 40
co-operate with ribs 42, which are arranged in the annular
step-shaped extension at the upper periphery of the receiver 14 and
in the depression 24, which is located laterally next to the
receiver 14. The ribs 42 in the receiver 14 are offset by
90.degree. in a circumferential direction relative to the cut-outs
38 in the receiver 14 for the projections 36 of the holding ring
16. For fixing in the first holding position, the projections 36 of
the holding ring 16 are inserted in the depression 24 and, as a
result of rotation through about 90.degree., the grooves 40 on the
projections 36 of the holding ring 16 are brought into engagement
with the ribs 42, that is to say the bayonet connection 40, 42 is
closed and the holding ring 16 is connected to the beverage holder
10 in the first holding position. As in FIGS. 1 to 9, when it is in
the first holding position, which is shown in FIG. 13, the holding
ring 16 of the beverage holder 10 of FIGS. 10 to 13 is located
above and laterally offset with respect to the receiver 14, above
the depression 24.
[0025] In the second holding position, which is shown in FIG. 12,
the grooves 40 on the projections 36 of the holding ring 16 are, as
a result of rotation through 90.degree., brought into engagement
with the ribs 42 of the receiver 14, that is to say the bayonet
connection 40, 42 is closed and the holding ring 16 is releasably
connected to the beverage holder 10. In the second holding position
the holding ring is located above the receiver 14, in register
therewith.
[0026] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0027] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a beverage holder, it is not intended to be limited to
the details shown, since various modifications and structural
changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of
the present invention.
[0028] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
[0029] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
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