U.S. patent application number 13/055106 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for stemmed glass holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC.. Invention is credited to Ronald Chappell.
Application Number | 20110121619 13/055106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41610927 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110121619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chappell; Ronald |
May 26, 2011 |
STEMMED GLASS HOLDER
Abstract
A stemmed glass holder is provided, comprising an upper support
section and a lower support section connected together by at least
one flexible connector such as chain, the upper and lower support
sections being generally circular in shape and comprising apertures
in the perimeters thereof defining upper and lower cavities therein
which are shaped and sized to accommodate a conventional stemmed
glass, the glass holder further being pivotally and removably
connected to a folding chair such that the glass holder may be
folded into a compact configuration along with the chair for
storage and transport when not in use.
Inventors: |
Chappell; Ronald;
(Barrington, AU) |
Assignee: |
THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC.
Wichita
KS
|
Family ID: |
41610927 |
Appl. No.: |
13/055106 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
July 28, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2009/051912 |
371 Date: |
January 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61084175 |
Jul 28, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/624 20180801;
A47C 7/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.01 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20060101
A47C007/62; A47G 23/02 20060101 A47G023/02 |
Claims
1. A glass holder, comprising: a first support having a first
perimeter defining a first cavity therein; a second support located
in a spaced relation underneath said first support, said second
support having a second perimeter defining a second cavity therein
which is smaller in diameter than said first cavity; said first and
second supports connected by at least one flexible connector;
wherein said first support further comprises a first aperture in
said first perimeter and said second support thither comprises a
second aperture in said second perimeter, said first aperture and
said second aperture being aligned; and a mounting member for
connecting said first support to a chair frame.
2. The glass holder of claim 1, wherein said first perimeter is
different from said second perimeter.
3. The glass holder of claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible
connector further comprises a plurality of flexible connectors
spaced around said first and second perimeters.
4. The glass holder of claim 3, wherein said at least one flexible
connector comprises a single piece of continuous material.
5. The glass holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting member
comprises a pivot mechanism.
6. The glass holder of claim 1, further comprising a layer of
cushioning material attached to the interior perimeter of said
first cavity.
7. The glass holder of claim 6, wherein said cushioning material
comprises foam.
8. A folding chair, comprising: a support frame further comprising
a back frame and a seat frame; at least one arm member pivotally
attached to said support frame; at least one leg member pivotally
attached to said support frame; and a glass holder attached to said
folding chair.
9. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is
permanently attached to said folding chair.
10. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is
attached to said folding chair along one of said at least one leg
members.
11. The glass holder of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is
attached to said folding chair along one of said at least one arm
members.
12. The glass holder of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is
attached to said folding chair along said back frame.
13. The glass holder of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is
attached to said folding chair along said seat frame.
14. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein said glass holder
comprises: a first support having a first perimeter defining a
first cavity therein; a second support located in a spaced relation
underneath said first support, said second support having a second
perimeter defining a second cavity therein which is smaller in
diameter than said first cavity; said first and second supports
connected by at least one flexible connector; wherein said first
support further comprises a first aperture in said first perimeter
and said second support further comprises a second aperture in said
second perimeter, said first aperture and said second aperture
being aligned; and a mounting member for connecting said first
support to said folding chair.
15. A folding chair, comprising: a support frame further comprising
a back frame and a seat frame; at least one arm member pivotally
attached to said support frame; at least one leg member pivotally
attached to said support frame; and said at least one arm member
comprising flexible fabric and further comprising a glass holder
permanently formed within said arm member, said glass holder
comprising a first support having a first perimeter defining a
first cavity therein; a second support located in a spaced relation
underneath said first support, said second support having a second
perimeter defining a second cavity therein which is smaller in
diameter than said first cavity; said first and second supports
connected by at least one flexible connector; wherein said first
support further comprises a first aperture in said first perimeter
and said second support further comprises a second aperture in said
second perimeter, said first aperture and said second aperture
being aligned.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage holder, and
more particularly to a stemmed glass holder that is attachable to a
folding chair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable, folding chairs are commonly used for camping,
picnicking, tailgating and other outdoor activities, including
simple use in one's home or backyard. Typical folding chairs
include the "quad chair" which employs a scissor-like folding
mechanism wherein the fabric chair seat and aluminum frame are
collapsed into a compact unit for easy transport by moving all four
legs of the chair frame toward the center of the chair. It is also
common for folding chairs to employ more of a flat folding
mechanism wherein the seat and back of the chair remain flat and
the folding occurs along a hinge line where the seat and back are
connected--this is similar to the typical "lawn chair".
[0003] Users of folding chairs often like to sip a beverage while
sitting in the chair. Typically, the beverages are contained in a
cup, glass, bottle, can or the like. It is known to have mesh cup
holders or solid plastic holders located in the arms of folding
chairs or attached to the chair frame. These cup holders are
generally cylindrical in shape and resemble a bucket of sorts
wherein the cup, bottle or can sits down inside the bucket. Such
cup holders work well for flat-bottomed containers such as cups,
tumblers, cans or bottles. These cup holders, however, do not work
well for wine or champagne glasses having stems as they do not
adequately accommodate the stern of the glass. As a result, the
base and stem of the glass are received into the bucket section of
the cup holder, but the heavier globe portion of the glass often
sits above the top of the bucket section and remains unstable. As
such, a glass holder that is attachable to a folding chair is
needed wherein such glass holder adequately receives and supports a
glass having a stem and a globe portion. In addition, a glass
holder is needed that will accommodate all shapes and sizes of
stemmed glasses--from champagne flutes to port wine glasses which
have a more bulbous shape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of some
embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the invention. It is not intended, to identify
key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of
the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of
the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is presented later.
[0005] The present disclosure provides a holder for stemmed glasses
that is attachable to a folding chair. The stemmed glass holder
comprises upper and lower support sections which each have an inner
perimeter that is shaped to accommodate the rounded glass globes.
The upper and lower support sections are separate pieces that are
flexibly connected to allow for movement and folding of the glass
holder into a compact configuration. The glass holder is removably
connected to the chair frame and also provides means for folding
the glass holder into a compact configuration in relation to the
chair frame such that the entire chair remains able to fold
compactly for transport and storage. The upper and lower support
sections each comprise an opening extending from the outer
perimeter through to the inner perimeter of the respective support
sections into a first and second cavity defined by the upper and
lower support section perimeters that allows the stem of a glass to
enter the first and second cavities such that the globe of the
glass may be received and held in a stable position on the upper
surface of the lower support section and within the inner perimeter
of the upper support section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and
the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a glass holder of the
present disclosure, shown in its expanded configuration attached to
the frame of a folding chair also in the expanded
configuration;
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the glass holder shown in FIG.
1, shown apart from a folding chair;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the parts of a glass
holder shown in FIG. 2, without any flexible connectors;
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the glass holder of FIG. 1.
shown in its expanded configuration attached to a folding chair
also in the expanded configuration;
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts the glass holder of FIG. 4 shown in its
collapsed configuration;
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts the glass holder of FIG. 5 shown attached to
a chair that is in its collapsed configuration;
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
glass holder of the present disclosure, a portion of the chair body
being shown to provide reference; and
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
glass holder of the present disclosure, a portion of the chair body
being shown to provide reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
[0016] The present disclosure provides a glass holder 10 having an
upper support section 12 and a lower support section 14. The upper
support section 12 and the lower support section 14 are separate
generally planar sections that are flexibly connected by at least
one connector 24 and preferably a plurality of connectors 24.
Connectors 24 retain the lower support section 14 in a generally
parallel hanging relationship underneath the upper support section
12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper support section 12 and
lower support section 14 are preferably spaced apart an adequate
distance such that the majority of the globe portion of a stemmed
glass (not shown) will reside in the area between the two support
sections when in use.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, upper support section 12 is
generally circular in shape to accommodate the globe of a stemmed
glass (not shown). Upper support section 12 comprises inner
perimeter 12a and outer perimeter 12b. Inner perimeter 12a is
generally circular in shape to accommodate the overall shape of the
globe of a conventional stemmed glass. Outer perimeter 12b is
preferably circular in overall shape, but could comprise shapes
other than circular provided inner perimeter 12a was shaped to
accommodate the overall general shape of the stemmed glass to be
received therein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper support section
12 comprises upper opening 18 that extends through the entire
distance from outer perimeter 12b to inner perimeter 12a. Upper
support section 12 further defines a first cavity 16 located within
inner perimeter 12a.
[0018] Lower support section 14 comprises inner perimeter 14a and
outer perimeter 14b. Inner perimeter 14a is generally key-hole
shaped as shown in FIG. 3. Outer perimeter 14b is preferably
circular in overall shape, but could comprise shapes other than
circular provided inner perimeter 14a was shaped to accommodate the
overall general shape of the stemmed glass to be received therein.
As shown in FIG. 3, lower support section 14 comprises lower
opening 22 that extends the entire distance from outer perimeter
14b to inner perimeter 14a and defines channel 20 therein. Lower
support section 14 further defines a second cavity 26 located
within inner perimeter 14a. Upper opening 18 and lower opening 22
are preferably aligned for receipt of the stem of a glass.
Similarly, the centers of first cavity 16 and second cavity 26 are
generally aligned. Lower support section 14 may comprise material
having a spoke configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or may
comprise a solid unit of material (not shown) or material having a
configuration other than spoked (not shown) as long as channel 20
and second cavity 26 are present to receive and accommodate the
stem of the glass. Second cavity 26 is preferably smaller in
dimension than first cavity 16 such that the globe of a stemmed
glass may fit within inner perimeter 12a and be supported on lower
support section 14 without passing through second cavity 26. Second
cavity 26 is also preferably smaller in dimension than the globe
diameter of the smallest available stemmed glass so that it will
accommodate any commercially available glass, regardless of
size.
[0019] Support sections 12, 14 are preferably made of plastic, but
could be made of other commercially known lightweight materials
that will retain their general shape and structure and provide
durability against the weather and outdoor elements.
[0020] Upper support section 12 is flexibly connected to lower
support section 14 by at least one connector 24. As shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, connector 24 is preferably a length of metal chain. It is
also within the scope of the present invention for connector 24 to
comprise other flexible materials such as mesh, fabric, string,
rope, plastic and the like. Connectors 24 may comprise strips of
such materials or may be in other forms which provide an adequate
length of material extending between and flexibly connecting upper
support section 12 to lower support section 14. While a plurality
of connectors 24 are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be
understood that fewer or more connectors 24 than are depicted could
be used. It is also within the scope of the present invention for
connector 24 to comprise only a single piece of fabric, mesh or
other flexible material and for the single piece to extend around
the entire outer perimeter of upper support section 12 and lower
support section 14 except for at upper opening 18 and lower opening
22.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 5, holder 10 further
comprises pivot member 28, pivot pin 30, supporting member 32 and
mounting member 34 which serve to removably connect glass holder 10
to chair C, preferably on a leg of frame F. Holder 10 is preferably
easily attached and detached from the front leg of frame F,
although it is also within the scope of the present invention for
holder 10 to be attached to a rear leg of frame F or even to the
armrest of frame F. Pivot member 28 is pivotally connected to upper
support section 12 by pivot pin 30 which enables upper support
section 12 and lower support section 14 to pivot in relation to
supporting member 32, mounting member 34 and chair C. Such pivoting
movement enables upper support section 12 and lower support section
14 to fold down into a more compact configuration when chair C is
in its folded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, pivot-receiving members 27 extend outward from upper
support section 12. Pivot member 28 fits within pivot-receiving
members 27 and is secured therein with pivot pin 30, Pivot member
28 connects to supporting member 32 which is connected to mounting
member 34. Mounting member 34 preferably comprises an elastically
deformable sleeve-shaped hollow cylindrical clamping member having
a longitudinal cutout which clips around chair frame F and is
secured thereto by a friction fit. Mounting member 34 is preferably
angled slightly to accommodate the angle of frame leg F such that
holder 10 and, thus, the glass supported in the holder, is level
with the ground/support surface under the chair C.
[0022] Mounting member 34 may also be shaped other than cylindrical
depending on the shape of the chair leg frame member to which it is
being attached and may further comprise rubber, foam or other
material to provide additional slip resistance. It is also within
the scope of the present invention for mounting member 34 to be
attached to chair frame F using a conventional clamp, screws or
other removable means. It is further within the scope of the
present invention for mounting member 34 to be permanently attached
to chair C as a molded piece or with rivets or the like.
[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, holder 10 is
attached to the arm of chair C, shown in FIG. 8. It is also within
the scope of the present invention for holder 10 to be constructed
as part of the fabric armrest of chair C, shown in FIG. 7, such
that the fabric armrest comprises a channel in the fabric which
extends from either the outer edge or the inner edge of the armrest
and leads into a circular opening in the armrest which may or may
not have a fabric or mesh bucket underneath wherein the glass is
supported by either the fabric armrest or the fabric armrest in
connection with the mesh bucket underneath.
[0024] In use, folding chair C is unfolded into its expanded
configuration and set up pursuant to that specific chair's
instructions. Holder 10 is preferably already attached to chair C
at leg frame F such that upper support section 12 may be unfolded
from its stored configuration to a usable configuration by moving
upper support section 12 at pivot-receiving members 27 about pivot
pin 30 until upper support section 12 is relatively parallel to the
ground on which chair C is supported. The user holds the globe of
the stemmed glass at least slightly higher than upper support
section 12 and almost simultaneously passes the stem of the stemmed
glass though upper opening 18, tower opening 22 and channel 20 such
that the stem of the glass is generally centered within first
cavity 16 and second cavity 26. The user then lowers the glass
until the bottom of the globe rests on the upper surface of lower
support section 14, with the stern of the glass extending below
lower support section 14. The weight of the glass and its contents
are thereby supported by tower support section 14 and the globe is
held stable and upright by upper support section 12 within inner
perimeter 12a. Preferably, the upper portion of the globe extends
above the upper support section 12 so that a user may easily grasp
the glass for removal from holder 10. It is also within the scope
of use of the invention for larger-sized globes to securely rest on
the top of upper support section 12 rather than fit within inner
perimeter 12a. Inner perimeter 12a and inner perimeter 14a may
comprise rubber, foam, or other material to provide additional
gripping ability or cushioning for the glass. The upper surface of
upper support section 12 and/or tower support section 14 may
similarly comprise rubber, foam or other material to provide
additional gripping ability or cushioning for the glass.
[0025] If holder 10 is not already attached to chair C, mounting
member 34 is clipped onto frame F or otherwise attached as
described herein and use continues as described above.
[0026] When the user is finished using holder 10, it may be folded
down against frame F of chair by removing the glass and simply
pushing down on upper support section 12 such that upper support
section 12 rotates downward about pivot pin 30, and lower support
section 14 similarly rotates in relation to pivot pin 30 by virtue
of its flexible connection to upper support section 12 via
connectors 24. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, flexible connectors 24
enable upper support section 12 and lower support section 14 to
hang in a staggered relationship when holder 10 is folded up
against chair frame F. The user may continue utilizing chair C at
this point without holder 10 in its extended configuration. The
user may also proceed to collapse chair C according to its
instructions for storage or transport.
[0027] The holder 10 of the present invention may be used with any
type of folding chair known and used in the industry. Mounting
member 34 is appropriately shaped to accommodate the shape of the
chair frame at the point of attachment. The angle of mounting
member 34 is similarly determined and appropriately matched to the
chair frame such that the upper support section 12 of holder 10 is
generally parallel to the ground or surface on which chair is
supported.
[0028] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. T hits, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated
embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims.
[0029] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0030] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even it there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0031] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *