U.S. patent application number 13/272516 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-19 for portable beverage container incorporating game scoring device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Next Level Enterprises, LLC. Invention is credited to Aaron M. Polack, Lawrence J. Witt.
Application Number | 20120091158 13/272516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45933241 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120091158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polack; Aaron M. ; et
al. |
April 19, 2012 |
PORTABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER INCORPORATING GAME SCORING DEVICE
Abstract
A portable container having movable indicia on an external
surface of the container to keep track of game scores or other
events and is characterized by the use of external numbered bands
or sleeves with associated markers as set forth in different
embodiments as hereinafter described.
Inventors: |
Polack; Aaron M.; (Denver,
CO) ; Witt; Lawrence J.; (Denver, CO) |
Assignee: |
Next Level Enterprises, LLC
Denver
CO
|
Family ID: |
45933241 |
Appl. No.: |
13/272516 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61392542 |
Oct 13, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3876 20130101;
A63B 71/0672 20130101; B65D 81/36 20130101; B65D 81/3879 20130101;
B65D 81/3886 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38 |
Claims
1. A portable scoring device comprising: an upright cylindrical
hollow member having a lower closed bottom portion and exterior
sidewall terminating in an upper, open end; and at least one
scoring member on said exterior sidewall including scoring
indicia.
2. The portable scoring device according to claim 1 wherein said
hollow member includes insulation secured to said hollow
member.
3. The portable scoring device according to claim 1 wherein said
scoring member(s) includes at least one rotational band journaled
with respect to said sidewall.
4. The portable scoring device according to claim 3 wherein said
rotational band(s) has circumferentially spaced detents along an
interior surface of said band.
5. The portable scoring device according to claim 4 wherein said
sidewall includes at least one ridged member along an exterior
surface of said sidewall and underlying said rotational
band(s).
6. The portable scoring device according to claim 5 wherein said
spaced detents are movable into alignment with said ridged
member.
7. The portable scoring device according to claim 1 wherein said
sidewall includes at least one score marker.
8. The portable scoring device according to claim 1 wherein said
hollow member is pliable or collapsible.
9. The portable scoring device according to claim 1 wherein said
scoring member(s) includes a plurality of rings independently
journaled and rotatable with respect to one another and said
sidewall.
10. A portable cup holding device incorporating a game scoring
apparatus comprising: a hollow cylindrical container for holding a
desired type of beverage or item, said container including at least
one exterior housing; and said scoring apparatus having at least
one rotational band that is journaled on said housing.
11. The portable container according to claim 10 wherein said
rotational band(s) includes interior detent members aligned with
exterior scoring indicia.
12. The portable container according to claim 11 wherein said
rotational band(s) are selectively movable so that selected of said
scoring indicia can be progressively moved to align with one of a
series of score markers in scoring the game.
13. The portable container according to claim 10 wherein said
rotational bands are magnetized and are underlying a fabric sleeve
having circumferentially spaced scoring indicia and magnetized
scoring markers.
14. In a portable beverage and scoring container having a hollow
vertical sidewall, a closed end portion and an open opposite end,
the improvement comprising: a game scoring device having at least
one ring member, circumferentially spaced scoring indicia and a
scoring marker.
15. The portable beverage and scoring container according to claim
14 wherein said at least one ring member and said scoring marker
are magnetized.
16. The portable beverage and scoring container according to claim
14 wherein said scoring markers are defined by open rectangular
frames slidable with respect to said ring member(s).
17. The portable beverage and scoring container according to claim
14 wherein said at least one ring member and said scoring marker
comprise hook and loop fastening material.
18. The portable beverage and scoring container according to claim
14 wherein said container includes a sleeve with said
circumferentially spaced scoring indicia.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a utility conversation of
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/392,542 filed 13 Oct.
2010, for PORTABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH SCORE KEEPING OPTIONS,
by Aaron M. Polack and Lawrence J. Witt and is herein incorporated
by reference.
BACKGROUND AND FIELD
[0002] The following relates to containers and more particularly
relates to a portable container having indicia for keeping track of
events, such as, calendar dates or the score in sporting events or
games while enjoying a beverage.
[0003] Many recreational games are played indoors or outdoors
without a scoreboard or scoring device, and keeping track of scores
is difficult. The present apparatus allows for portable score
keeping while also allowing one to keep a beverage dispenser
chilled or warm with an insulated holder. This allows teams to keep
track of the score on a handheld device, while keeping their
beverage insulated.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with the embodiments shown and described
herein, there is a portable scoring device defined by an upright
cylindrical hollow member having a lower closed bottom portion and
an exterior sidewall terminating in an upper, open end; and at
least one scoring member on said exterior sidewall including
scoring indicia. The hollow member may be insulated. The scoring
member includes at least one rotational band journaled with respect
to the sidewall and includes circumferentially spaced detents along
an interior surface of band(s). The sidewall also may include at
least one ridged member along an exterior surface of the sidewall
and underlying the rotational band(s).
[0005] The above and other advantages and features will become more
readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of different embodiments when take
together with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
device;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 shown without
bands;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of dual bands as shown in FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is top perspective view with a cutaway portion;
[0011] FIG. 5A is a magnified view of the cutaway of FIG. 5;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment
of the device;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternate
embodiment of the device; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a third alternate embodiment
of device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT
[0015] Referring in more detail to the drawings, a first embodiment
of a portable dispenser, holder or container with score keeping
options is shown in FIGS. 1-5, the dispenser 11 comprising an
upright cylindrical hollow member 13 having a lower closed circular
bottom portion 15 and an outer cylindrical sidewall 17 terminating
in an upper, open end 19. The dispenser is preferably made of metal
but may also be fabricated from plastic, glass, foam; or a pliable
material such as rubber or Neoprene.RTM. to form a collapsible
holder. The holder 11 is designed to partially encircle a beverage
dispenser such as a cup, an aluminum beverage can or bottled
beverage and may be rigid in form or collapsible. The holder may
also be used to contain snacks or other useful articles. The holder
11 may be insulated on the inside or outside to keep the beverage
chilled or warm. A foam insert 21 may be inserted within the holder
11 to act as an insulator and a circular foam pad 23 may be secured
to the bottom portion 15 of the holder to provide a gripping
surface so that the holder does not move when placed on a smooth
surface and also to prevent watermarks from condensation from the
beverage.
[0016] The score-keeping options include movable indicia on an
external surface of the container to keep track of game scores or
other events and is characterized by the use of at least one band
or ring 25, 27 journaled with respect to the holder. The band(s)
25, 27 are designed to fit within circular depressions or
indentations 29, 30 along an exterior surface of the holder 11. As
shown in FIG. 2, if more than one band or ring is used, the bands
25, 27 are independently journaled with respect to the holder 11
and independently rotatable with respect to one another. Each band
25, 27 has equally spaced circumferentially arrayed indentations 31
along an interior surface 33 forming detents that are aligned with
scoring indicia 35 along an exterior surface 37 of the ring as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A. The sidewall 17 of the holder includes at
least one ridged or raised member 39, 39' along an exterior surface
of the sidewall and underlying the rotational band(s) 25, 27. The
spaced detents 31 are aligned and are co-extensive with the ridged
members 39, 39' allowing a user to rotate the band 25, 27 to a
desired number or scoring indicia 35 on the band. In this way, the
detent 31 underlying the selected scoring indicia 35 will rest on
the ridged member 39, 39' thereby forming a temporary stop. In this
manner, the user may be assured that the rotational bands will not
rotate freely as slight pressure must be applied to the band in
order to force the detent past the ridged member.
[0017] A score pointer 41 may also be present on the exterior
sidewall as shown in FIG. 2. The score pointer 41 allows a user to
determine the score as the band can be rotated so that the selected
score indicia is indicated with the score pointer. In this
embodiment the score pointer 41 is aligned with each ridged member
39, 39' as shown. As set forth previously, the band can be moved
incrementally in a horizontal direction with the detent catching on
the ribbed member to aid in keeping the band in a desired spot for
scoring.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the scoring indicia are numbers 0-21
and circumferentially spaced on the band(s) but any form of scoring
indicia may be used and embossed or painted on the band(s).
Typically a graduated scale is most helpful for scoring. The
band(s) may also be made of different colors to differentiate teams
or players. As set forth previously, the holder can be made of
plastic or metal, it may be an insulated cup member having a
plastic or metal exterior and an insulating interior of the
container to keep beverages hot or cold. The beverage or item of
choice may be placed in the insulated holder and enjoyed while
playing a game and keeping score at the same time. A container,
such as a cup, may also be used without departing from the scope of
this embodiment. The cup may be manufactured with a depression or
indentation to retain at least one rotational band in place and the
insulation placed externally of the cup beneath the scoring bands
25, 27.
[0019] In use, the holder is used to contain a can, bottle or
container. The user may play any type of game that requires
score-keeping, such as, but not limited to, bocce, cornhole,
washers, horseshoes, ladderball, volleyball, baseball, Frisbee
games, tetherball, badminton and croquet. The user has the option
of recording a score by rotating one or both of the bands 25 and 27
to the desired score as indicated with the score pointer 41.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, is defined by a
pliable or collapsible holder 43 having a vertical sidewall 45, a
partially closed end 47 and an opposite open end 49. The holder 43
has a score-keeping option that is made of hook and loop fastening
strips 51, such as Velcro.RTM.. The strips 51 are secured to the
collapsible holder 43 and have scoring indicia 53 which are
circumferentially spaced on the strips 51. Velcro.RTM. scoring
markers 55 may be releasably secured to the strips and moved to
indicate scoring as discussed above. The fastening strips 51 may
also be magnetized strips which are secured to the holder and have
circumferentially spaced scoring indicia with a magnetized scoring
marker.
[0021] FIG. 7 demonstrates another form of portable scoring device
57 that may be made of soft pliable material, such as, rubber, soft
plastic for a pliable or collapsible holder or a rigid plastic or
metal for a non-collapsible holder. Semi-rigid strips 57, 59 are
secured to the holder and have circumferentially spaced scoring
indicia 63. Scoring markers 65, 67 in the form of open rectangular
frames with a window 69 are slidable with respect to the rigid
strips 57, 59 and can be moved to reveal the current score.
[0022] FIG. 8 demonstrates another form of portable scoring device
having a holder 71, and magnetic bands 73, 75 are journaled with
respect to the holder 71. A cloth or fabric sleeve 77 is placed
over the holder 71 with the magnetic bands 73, 75, and the sleeve
77 may have insulating properties. Circumferentially spaced scoring
indicia 78 are printed on the sleeve 77 and are aligned with the
respective magnetic bands 73, 73. Magnetized scoring markers 79 and
81 may be placed on the scoring indicia 63/magnetic bands 73, 75 to
keep track of scoring.
[0023] It is therefore to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present embodiment have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details
of the structure and function of the embodiment, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made within the principles of
the embodiment to the full extent indicated by the broad general
meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed and
reasonable equivalents thereof.
* * * * *