U.S. patent application number 11/843143 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for insulated beverage holster.
This patent application is currently assigned to WILL GEAR, LLC. Invention is credited to Anthony Joseph Honerkamp, Steve Loring, Chris M. Will.
Application Number | 20080047986 11/843143 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39112417 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080047986 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Will; Chris M. ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
Insulated Beverage Holster
Abstract
An insulated beverage holster includes an insulated beverage
container holder, a holster back, and a fastener. The holster can
be releasably fastened to a support object, such as a belt of a
user, in a manner preventing the beverage from spilling, while
providing the user with a convenient portable storage location,
freeing the user's hands for other activities.
Inventors: |
Will; Chris M.; (Loveland,
OH) ; Loring; Steve; (Cincinnati, OH) ;
Honerkamp; Anthony Joseph; (Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DINSMORE & SHOHL, LLP
1900 CHEMED CENTER, 255 EAST FIFTH STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
WILL GEAR, LLC
Loveland
OH
|
Family ID: |
39112417 |
Appl. No.: |
11/843143 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60823109 |
Aug 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.3 ;
224/148.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
5/021 20130101; A45F 2200/0583 20130101; A45F 2200/0566
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.3 ;
224/148.5 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A holster for holding a beverage, the holster comprising: at
least one beverage container holder configured to adjust in size to
allow the beverage container holder to hold at least one of a
variety of differently sized beverage containers; a holster back
configured to support the beverage container holder, the holster
back comprising a post configured to provide the holster back with
a substantially rigid, yet flexible support to allow the holster
back to adjust under tension to a variety of positions; and a
fastener configured to support the holster back and to releasably
secure the holster to a variety of support objects capable of
supporting the holster and at least one beverage container held by
the holster.
2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder
and the holster back are substantially configured of a collapsible
material such that the holster may compactly fold.
3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder is
substantially configured of an insulating material having a low
heat transfer coefficient so as to minimize heat transfer from the
beverage container.
4. The holster of claim 3, wherein the insulating material of the
beverage container holder is neoprene.
5. The holster of claim 3, wherein the beverage container holder
comprises a nylon exterior surface.
6. The holster of claim 3, wherein the insulating material is
absorbent so as to substantially absorb condensation that may form
on an exterior surface of the beverage container.
7. The holster of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder
comprises one or more elastic sections configured to provide a
degree of elasticity to the beverage container holder to allow the
beverage container holder to adjust in diameter.
8. The holster of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder
comprises one or more hook and loop fastener sections configured to
allow the beverage container holder to adjust in diameter.
9. The holster of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder
comprises one or more couplers configured to releasably secure one
or more personal items to an exterior surface of the beverage
container holder.
10. The holster of claim 1, wherein the post comprises a length of
no more than about a half of a length of the holster back and is
positioned substantially at a top portion of the holster back.
11. The holster of claim 10, wherein the holster back is configured
to fold down at about the half of the length of the holster back
such that the holster back forms a handle for the beverage
container holder.
12. The holster of claim 11, wherein: a bottom of the beverage
container holder, a bottom portion of the holster back, or both,
comprises a coupling, and the fastener is configured to releasably
secure to the coupling of the beverage container holder or of the
holster back when the holster back folds down to form a handle for
the beverage holder container.
13. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster further comprises a
belt clip configured to releasably secure the holster to an article
of clothing of the user.
14. The holster of claim 1, wherein the post of the holster back
comprises a concave/convex configuration.
15. The holster of claim 1, wherein the substantially rigid, yet
flexible support provided by the post is sufficient to allow the
post and the holster back to flex under tension.
16. The holster of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a Velcro strap,
a knob, a tie, a snap, a button, a clip, a belt clip, a clasp, a
clamp, a sleeve, or other fastener, or a combination thereof.
17. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holster further comprises a
swivel mount configured to rotatably couple the fastener to the
holster back such that when the holster is releasably secured by
the fastener to a support object, the holster back and the beverage
container holder maintain a position substantially perpendicular to
a ground surface when the support object and the fastener
releasably secured thereto change positions with respect to the
ground surface due to a user's movements.
18. A holster for holding a beverage, the holster comprising: at
least one collapsible insulated beverage container holder
configured to adjust in size to allow the beverage holder to adjust
to hold at least one of a variety of differently sized beverage
containers; a collapsible holster back configured to support the
beverage container holder, the collapsible holster back comprising
a post configured to provide a substantially rigid, yet flexible
support to allow the collapsible holster back to adjust under
tension to a variety of positions, wherein the collapsible holster
back is configured to fold down at about a half of the length of
the holster back such that the holster back forms a handle for the
beverage container holder; and a fastener configured to support the
collapsible holster back and to releasably secure the holster to a
variety of different support objects capable of supporting the
holster and at least one beverage container held by the
holster.
19. The holster of claim 18, wherein the holster further comprises
a swivel mount configured to rotatably couple the fastener to the
collapsible holster back such that when the holster is releasably
secured by the fastener to a support object, the collapsible
holster back and the beverage container holder maintain a position
substantially perpendicular to a ground surface when the support
object and the fastener releasably secured thereto change positions
with respect to the ground surface due to a user's movements.
20. A holster for holding a beverage, the holster comprising: at
least one insulated beverage container holder configured to adjust
in size to allow the beverage holder to adjust to hold at least one
of a variety of differently sized beverage containers; a holster
back configured to support the beverage container holder and to
fold down at about the half of the length of the holster back such
that the holster back forms a handle for the beverage container
holder; and a fastener rotatably coupled to the holster back, the
fastener configured to releasably secure the holster to a variety
of support objects capable of supporting the holster and at least
one beverage container held by the holster.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/823,109, filed Aug. 22, 2006, the entire
disclosure of which is considered as part of the disclosure of the
present application and is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a
beverage container holder. More particularly, embodiments of the
present invention relate to an insulated beverage holster
configured to keep a beverage cold and from spilling, while
providing a user with a convenient portable storage location,
freeing the user's hands for other activities.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some beverage container holders are provided with an
insulting material configured to keep a beverage cold. Such holders
may or may not be collapsible, depending on other materials forming
the holder. Users of such holders generally need to rest the holder
and their beverage on a surface when their hands are needed to
perform other activities. Other holders may be configured to secure
to a user to free up the user's hands. Such holders, however,
typically are cumbersome and awkward and frequently allow a
beverage to spill as a user moves or sits. Further, such holders
typically are not insulated and thereby fail to significantly slow
a temperature change to that of the surroundings. Accordingly,
there is a need for an insulated beverage holster configured to
keep a beverage cold and from spilling, while providing a user with
a convenient portable storage location, freeing the user's hands
for other activities.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one embodiment, a holster for holding a
beverage can comprise at least one beverage container holder
configured to adjust in size to allow the beverage container holder
to hold at least one of a variety of differently sized beverage
containers. The holster also can comprise a holster back configured
to support the beverage container holder, the holster back
comprising a post configured to provide the holster back with a
substantially rigid, yet flexible support to allow the holster back
to adjust under tension to a variety of positions. Further, the
holster can comprise a fastener configured to support the holster
back and to releasably secure the holster to a variety of support
objects capable of supporting the holster and at least one beverage
container held by the holster.
[0005] According to another embodiment, a holster for holding a
beverage can comprise at least one collapsible insulated beverage
container holder configured to adjust in size to allow the beverage
holder to adjust to hold at least one of a variety of differently
sized beverage containers. The holster also can comprise a
collapsible holster back configured to support the beverage
container holder, the collapsible holster back comprising a post
configured to provide a substantially rigid, yet flexible support
to allow the collapsible holster back to adjust under tension to a
variety of positions, wherein the collapsible holster back is
configured to fold down at about a half of the length of the
holster back such that the holster back forms a handle for the
beverage container holder. Further, the holster can comprise a
fastener configured to support the collapsible holster back and to
releasably secure the holster to a variety of different support
objects capable of supporting the holster and at least one beverage
container held by the holster.
[0006] According to yet another embodiment, a holster for holding a
beverage can comprise at least one insulated beverage container
holder configured to adjust in size to allow the beverage holder to
adjust to hold at least one of a variety of differently sized
beverage containers. The holster also can comprise a holster back
configured to support the beverage container holder and to fold
down at about the half of the length of the holster back such that
the holster back forms a handle for the beverage container holder.
Further, the holster can comprise a fastener rotatably coupled to
the holster back, the fastener configured to releasably secure the
holster to a variety of support objects capable of supporting the
holster and at least one beverage container held by the
holster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] It is believed that embodiments of the present invention
will be better understood from the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting an example of a beverage
holster in accordance with a first embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting an example of a beverage
holster in accordance with a second embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting an example of a beverage
holster in accordance with a third embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting an example of a beverage
holster in accordance with a fourth embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting an example of a belt
clip for use with an embodiment of a beverage holster in accordance
with one embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting an example of a beverage
holster in accordance with a fifth embodiment.
[0014] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative
in nature and are not intended to be limiting of the invention
defined by the claims. Moreover, individual aspects of the drawings
and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in
view of the detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Embodiments generally relate to a holster for holding a
beverage. Referring to FIG. 1, the holster 10 generally comprises
at least one beverage container holder 12, a holster back 14, and a
fastener 16.
[0016] The beverage container holder 12 may be configured to adjust
in size to allow the beverage container holder 12 to hold at least
one of a variety of differently sized beverage containers 18. More
particularly, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
beverage container holder 12 may comprise one or more elastic
sections 20. These elastic sections 20 may be configured to provide
a degree of elasticity to the beverage container holder 12 to allow
the beverage container holder 12 to adjust in diameter. Thereby,
the beverage container holder having a pre-configured diameter may
increase in diameter by a stretching of the elastic section 20 when
a beverage container having a diameter larger than the
pre-configured diameter of the holder 12 is inserted into the
holder 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic sections 22 may
be configured as two or more sections integrated with the wall of
the beverage container holder 12, as shown in FIG. 1, or,
alternatively, as a single, unified section integrated with the
wall of the beverage holder container.
[0017] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
shown in FIG. 2, the beverage container holder 12 may comprise a
one or more hook and loop fastener sections 22, e.g. Velcro.RTM..
These hook and loop fastener sections 22 may be configured to allow
the beverage container holder 12 to adjust in diameter. More
particularly, the hook and loop fastener sections 22 may be
released such that the diameter of the beverage container holder 12
may be adjusted, either increased or decreased, to allow the holder
12 to accommodate a variety of sizes of beverage containers 18.
Therefore, the beverage container holder 12 may hold a beverage
container 18 having one of various capacities, such as, but not
limited to, 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, and 22 ounces.
[0018] Further, while a bottle is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, other
beverage containers may be supported by the holster 10 and the
beverage container holder 12, such as but not limited to, a can, a
glass, or a cup. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom 30 of
the beverage container holder 12 may be secured to the holder 12 by
two or more straps to provide greater flexibility to the holder 12
in holding a variety of beverage containers in a variety of sizes.
These straps be configured of an elastic or an inelastic material.
In another exemplary embodiment, more than one beverage container
holder 12 may be secured to the holster back 14 and supported by
the holster 10. For example, although not shown in the figures, two
beverage container holders may be secured to the holster back such
that two beverage containers may be supported by the holster.
[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, depicted in FIG. 4, the
beverage container holder 12 may also comprise one or more couplers
24 configured to releasably secure one or more personal items to an
exterior surface of the beverage container holder 12. Thereby, the
personal items may be releasably secured in a convenient, easily
accessible location by a user of the holster. As shown in FIG. 4,
these couplers 24 may be hook and loop fasteners configured to
adjust in size to releasably secure a variety of differently shaped
items. The couplers also may be an elastic or inelastic loop
secured by a button, snap, clip, clasp, or other fastener, or
combination thereof. In addition, the couplers also may be
configured as simple ties, clips, or clasps, or other fasteners, or
combination thereof, attached to the exterior surface of the
beverage container holder. The personal items that may be
releasably secured include, but are not limited to, cigarette
lighters, cigarettes, cigarette packs, cigars, cigar lighters,
bottle openers, packages or containers for rubbing tobacco, gum,
credit cards, and keys.
[0020] The beverage container holder 12 or the holster back 14, or
both, may be configured of a collapsible material such that the
holster 10 may compactly fold and may be easily stored or placed in
a pocket of the user's clothing. The beverage container holder 12
also may be configured of an insulating material, which may also be
collapsible. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the
beverage container holder is substantially configured of an
insulating material having a low heat transfer coefficient so as to
minimize heat transfer from the beverage container. The insulating
material of the beverage container holder may be, but is not
necessarily, neoprene. Further, the beverage container holder,
whether or not substantially configured of the insulating material,
may comprise a nylon exterior surface. The nylon exterior surface
may provide a durable, rugged composition to the outside of the
beverage container holder, while the neoprene or other insulating
material may provide a soft, insulating composition to the inside
of the beverage container holder where a beverage container is to
be held so as to keep beverage containers cold for longer periods
of time in warm surrounding temperatures. One skilled in the art
could include various collapsible and/or insulating materials of
the beverage container holder. Such materials may have low heat
transfer coefficients and provide an insulating area minimizing
heat transfer from the beverage container, as described above. In
addition, the collapsible insulating material may be absorbent so
as to substantially absorb condensation that may form on an
exterior surface of a cold beverage container in warm surrounding
temperatures. Further, the beverage container holder or the holster
back, or both, may be substantially configured of a textile
material configured to be embroidered or screen printed, or both,
with one or more of any variety of images.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the holster back 14 generally is
configured to support the beverage container holder 12. Therefore,
the holster back generally must comprise a strength sufficient to
support the beverage container holder and a beverage container held
by the holder. The beverage container holder may be secured to the
holster back by any variety of securing means known to one skilled
in the art, including, but not limited to, stitching, gluing,
taping, or combinations thereof.
[0022] The holster back 14 may comprise a post 26, shown clearly in
FIG. 3. This post may be configured to provide the holster back
with a substantially rigid, yet flexible support to allow the
holster back to adjust under tension to a variety of positions.
More particularly, the substantially rigid, yet flexible support
provided by the post may be sufficient to allow the post and the
holster back to flex under tension. For example, when the holster
is releasably secured to an article of clothing of a user who
assumes a sitting position, thereby placing tension on the holster,
the post and the holster back may flex to allow the user to sit
comfortably, while preventing or minimizing spilling of the
beverage. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the post of
the holster back may comprise a concave/convex configuration. Such
a configuration may provide greater rigidity to the post to prevent
substantial bending along a longitudinal axis of the post. Further,
in accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the post may
comprise a configuration like that of a metal tape measure, having
a substantially rigid, yet flexible, concave/convex configuration.
In one exemplary embodiment, the post may be configured of metal or
plastic and may comprise one of any various degrees of rigidity
ranging from inflexible to flexible under a pre-defined amount of
tension, but resilient to original form. The post also may be
secured to an exterior surface of the holster back or may be
enclosed within the material forming the holster back.
[0023] In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the post
26 may comprise a length of no more than about a half of a length
of the holster back 14 and is positioned substantially at a top
portion of the holster back 14. Alternatively, in another exemplary
embodiment, the post 26 may comprise more than about a half of a
length, up to about the entire length, of the holster back 14.
Thereby, the post provides rigidity to the holster back to ensure
that the beverage container holder suspends substantially
perpendicularly over a ground surface.
[0024] In another exemplary embodiment, the holster back 14, with
or without the post 26, may be configured to fold down at about the
half of the length of the holster back 14 such that the holster
back 14 may form a handle 28 for the beverage container holder 12,
as shown in FIG. 4. As such, the holster may be utilized as an
insulated beverage mug having a handle. Further, the ability of the
holster back to fold down advances the collapsibility of the
holster 10 such that the holster 10 may compactly fold and may be
easily stored or placed in a pocket of the user's clothing.
[0025] With respect to the insulated beverage mug embodiment shown
in FIG. 4, a bottom 30 of the beverage container holder 12 may
comprise a coupling to which the fastener 16 of the holster 10 may
be configured to releasably secure to when the holster back 14
folds down to form the handle 28 for the beverage container holder
12. Additionally, or alternatively, a bottom portion of the holster
back may comprise a coupling to which the fastener of the holster
may be configured to releasably secure to when the holster back
folds down to form the handle for the beverage container holder.
The coupling of the beverage container holder or of the holster
back, or both, may be one or more of any variety of couplings such
as, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastener, such as a
Velcro.RTM. strap, a tie, a snap, a button, a clip, a belt clip, a
clasp, a clamp, a sleeve, or other fastener, or a combination
thereof.
[0026] As mentioned above, the holster also generally comprises a
fastener. This fastener 16, shown in FIGS. 1-4, may be configured
to support the holster back 14 and to releasably secure the holster
10 to a variety of support objects capable of supporting the
holster 10 and at least one beverage container 18 held by the
holster 10. The fastener may be one or more of any variety of
fasteners such as, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastener,
such as a Velcro.RTM. strap, a knob, a tie, a snap, a button, a
clip, a belt clip, a clasp, a clamp, a sleeve, or other fastener,
or a combination thereof. The support object to which the fastener
may releasably secure to may be one or more of any variety of
objects, such as, but not limited to, a belt, a belt loop, a
pocket, or other portion of an article of clothing. Thereby, when
the fastener is releasably secured to a support object, a user of
the holster may enjoy the convenience of keeping a beverage in an
easily accessible location, such as, but not limited to, suspending
in the holster from the user's belt or pocket, while freeing up the
user's hands for other purposes.
[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, the holster 10 may further
comprise a swivel mount 34, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The swivel
mount 34 may be configured to rotatably couple the fastener 16 to
the holster back 14 such that when the holster 10 is releasably
secured by the fastener 16 to a support object, the holster back 14
and the beverage container holder 12 may maintain a position
substantially perpendicular to a ground surface when the support
object and the fastener releasably secured thereto change positions
with respect to the ground surface due to a user's movements. For
example, when a holster is releasably secured to a belt of a user
and the user bends down, the belt and the fastener may rotate
parallel to the ground. Should the holster back and the beverage
container holder, and the beverage container held therein, rotate
with the fastener, then the beverage may spill from the container.
The swivel mount minimizes this rotation of the holster back and
the beverage container holder by permitting the holster back to
rotate about its coupling with the fastener such that the fastener
may rotate with a user's movements, but the remainder of the
holster's motion is minimized. As such, the beverage container
holder, and the beverage container held therein, maintain their
position substantially perpendicular to the ground, thereby keeping
the beverage from spilling.
[0028] Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the swivel mount
34 may extend from the holster back 14, as shown in FIG. 4. This
extension of the swivel mount 34 may be used to secure the holster
10 to a belt clip worn by the user. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict an example
of a belt clip 36 configured to releasably secure the holster 10 to
an article of clothing of the user. The belt clip 36, shown in FIG.
5, may be configured as a clamp that, when squeezed at a hinged
end, may open and close such that the clip 36 may open to go over
or around a belt, a belt loop, pocket, or pants, and close thereon.
Thereby, the clip 36 may be releasably secured to the clothing of
the user. Consequently, the belt clip 36 may allow the user to
easily secure and remove the holster and/or the belt clip from the
user's clothing. Various other belt clips known in the art may be
utilized to secure the holster to an article of clothing of a user
in a same or similar manner as described herein.
[0029] In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the
holster 10 may comprise a belt clip 36 configured to releasably
secure the holster 10 to an article of clothing. The holster 10 may
also be releasably secured to the belt clip 36. More particularly,
the extension of the swivel mount 34 may slide into a slot 38 of
the clip 36 from the top of the clip 36 down. The belt clip 36 may
comprise a button 40 that, when depressed by a user, cause one or
more locking mechanisms 44 to recess into the body 42 of the clip
36. Thereby, the extension of the swivel mount 34 may slide past
the locking mechanisms 44 and into slot 38. Once properly
positioned within the slot 38, the extension of the swivel mount 34
may releasably lock into place in the clip 36. While locked in
place by the slot 38 and the locking mechanisms 44, the swivel
mount 34 may continue to rotate with respect to the clip 36 when
necessary, as described herein. The extension of the swivel mount
34 may be released from its locked position in the clip 36 and
removed from the slot 38 when the user depresses the button 40 on
the clip 36 and lifts the holster 10 out from the clip 36.
[0030] The foregoing description of the various embodiments has
been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventions to the
precise forms disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications, and
variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the
above teaching. Other embodiments will be apparent or relatively
easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover,
although multiple inventive aspects and features have been
described, it should be noted that these aspects and features need
not be utilized in combination in any particular embodiment.
Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all
alternatives, modifications, combinations, and variations.
[0031] It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the
present invention being "configured" to embody a particular
property, function in a particular manner, etc., are structural
recitations, as opposed to recitations of intended use. More
specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a
component is "configured" denotes an existing physical condition of
the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation
of the structural characteristics of the component.
[0032] It is noted that terms like "generally," "commonly," and
"typically" are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the
claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical,
essential, or even important to the structure or function of the
claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to
highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be
utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention.
* * * * *