U.S. patent application number 13/565969 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for armband beverage container holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Scott Murray. Invention is credited to Scott Murray.
Application Number | 20130146623 13/565969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48571053 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130146623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murray; Scott |
June 13, 2013 |
Armband Beverage Container Holder
Abstract
A portable beverage container holder having a straw retainer.
The beverage container is secured to an adjustable elastic armband
that removably secures to a user's upper arm. A beverage container
is included that fits snuggly within the beverage container holder.
The container has a removable lid and a flexible straw that extends
through the lid so that one end is enclosed within the beverage
container and the upper end is exposed to the outside air. A
straw-retainer is disposed along the exterior of the beverage
container holder and removably retains a flexible straw in a
pre-positioned orientation. This allows users to drink from the
beverage container without using their hands to hold or position
the straw.
Inventors: |
Murray; Scott; (Hampstead,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Murray; Scott |
Hampstead |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48571053 |
Appl. No.: |
13/565969 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61568278 |
Dec 8, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/148.2 ;
224/148.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2005/008 20130101;
A45F 3/18 20130101; A45F 2003/166 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/148.2 ;
224/148.1 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20060101
A45F003/16; A45F 5/00 20060101 A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A portable beverage container holder comprising: an elastic
armband having a first and second end and a front and rear face,
wherein a mating fastening means is disposed on said first and
second ends; a beverage container holder secured to said front face
of said elastic armband, having a holder loop with an inner and
outer surface, an upper and lower edge, disposed in parallel with
said armband, and having a support loop hanging downward from and
extending across lower edges of said holder loop; a straw-retainer
secured to said outer face of said holder loop and having a base
patch of fastener means and a strap removably securable to said
base patch in any orientation.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a beverage container
having a container body, a removable lid, and a flexible straw
extending through said removable lid.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said straw is held in place by a
stopper disposed in said lid,
4. The device of claim 2, wherein said straw has a valve at one end
that prevents liquid from flowing out of said flexible straw until
pressure is applied to said valve.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a container securing
loop having an elastic strap secured to either said beverage
container holder or said armband and having a loop disposed at its
free end, wherein said loop engages with and encircles a neck of a
beverage container.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustment means,
disposed along said elastic armband, between said beverage
container hold and either said first or second end of said armband,
wherein said adjustment means engages with said armband to shorten
or length the length of said armband.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is made of
neoprene.
8. The device o of claim 1, wherein said fastening means is hook
and loop fasteners.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said straw retainer is
constructed of hook and loop fasteners.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein said straw retainer engages with
a straw to trap said straw between said base patch and said straw
strap, and holds said straw relatively immobile in a trapped
position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/568,278 filed on Dec. 8, 2011, Entitled "Arm
Liquid Holder. The patent application identified above is
incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide
continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a beverage container holder
that is removably securable to a person's upper arm. The armband
holds a beverage container in a position that provides easy access
to a user. A straw retaining loop on the side of the armband holds
the straw at a desired position so that a user may drink without
the use of his or her hands. This will be appreciated by sports
enthusiasts, runners, hikers, and participants in any activity that
would make it difficult for a user to hold a beverage container
while engaging in the activity.
[0004] Hydration is an important part of staying healthy while
engaging in sports and physical activities. The human body requires
regular intake of water in order to keep both internal and external
parts of the body cool during times of intense physical exercise.
When a dehydrated person participates in physical exertion, he can
becomes nauseous, dizzy, experience weakness in the limbs,
fainting, or even long-term injury to internal organs. Many
athletes are aware of the need for proper hydration and take steps
to ensure that they drink plenty of water before and during
activities.
[0005] Drinking water prior to playing a sport is generally fairly
simple, but staying hydrated while on the move can present tricky
logistical problems. This is because many physical activities
involve travelling over a distance, on open water or through
mountains and woods, making it difficult to stop and pick up a
beverage when the participant gets thirsty. To solve this problem
people often carry bottles of water or sports drink with them in a
backpack or on a waist belt. For hikers, runners and others who
have free movement of their hands and the ability to carry storage
means, this is solution addresses the need for easily accessible
water. But for those who participate in sports that require the
constant use of one or both hands, it may be extremely difficult to
fumble through a backpack or waist belt to extricate a beverage
container, unfasten the lid, drink and then replace the resealed
container in storage. A solution is needed that provides athletes
and sports enthusiasts with a beverage container that is easily
transportable and does not require the participant to use his hands
to take a drink.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] The prior art contains a number of devices for securing a
container to the limb of a user. But the prior art does not teach
an armband secured to a beverage container holder that has a
retaining means for holding a straw in steady position so that a
user may drink without necessitating the use of hands. The present
invention incorporates these elements into a portable beverage
container holder for use while engaging in physical activities.
[0008] Katz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,869 discloses a flask-type
beverage container that is curved to conform to the shape of a
user's limb. The flask has a straw that passes through the outer
face of the container. The straw may be pulled out or pushed in to
customize the length as necessary. A pair of straps is secured to
opposing sides of he the container. These straps can be removably
secured around a user's arm or leg to easy transportation of a
beverage. The Katz device is a removably securable beverage
container, not a beverage container holder, like the present
invention. Users of the Katz invention are required to fill the
flask and bring it with them, as opposed to inserting a beverage
container of choice into an armband. Furthermore Katz doe not
disclose a securement means for retaining the straw in a particular
position. The present invention discloses such a securement means,
which is useful when a user desires a drink but is unable to use
his hands.
[0009] A similar device is taught by Abreu-Marston, U.S. Pat. No.
5,938,089. The device is a flask-like beverage container that is
removably securable to a user's limb by an armband with a loop of
elastic secured to the inner face of the armband. Like the beverage
container of Katz, the Abreu-Marston container is also curved to
conform to the contour of a user's arm or leg. Attachment means
such as hook and loop fasteners are disposed along the front and
rear of the beverage container. These attachment points engage with
opposing attachment means on the interior of the elastic loop to
facilitate strong securement of the beverage container within the
loop. Once the container is placed within the loop the user straps
the armband onto an arm or leg and the device is ready for use.
Like the Katz device, this one also requires a specific beverage
container be used and does not include a straw retaining means.
[0010] Other devices provide a pouch capable of carrying a beverage
container. The pouch can be removably secured to a user's limb for
ease of transport. Boretsky, U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,762 discloses a
pouch secured to an armband. The pouch is open at the top to allow
insertion of a small bottle of liquid. Another device, disclosed by
Morgan, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0047990
pertains to a v-shaped armband secured to a storage pocket. The
storage pocket can contain beverage bottles, mp3 players, and a
variety of other items. Neither the device of Boretsky nor the
device of Morgan discloses a straw retaining means that holds a
straw in a given position so that a user doesn't have to use his
hands to drink. The present invention includes a straw retaining
means so that users can freely participate in activities without
having to stop and manipulate a straw so that they can
rehydrate.
[0011] The present invention provides a portable beverage container
holder that may be removably secured to the arm of a user. It
provides convenience to users participating in sports that require
the use of both hands, by providing a straw retaining means that
holds a straw in a steady position so that a user may drink without
the use of his hands. It substantially diverges in design elements
from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a
need in the art for an improvement to existing portable beverage
container holder devices. In this regard the instant invention
substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of portable beverage container holders now present in the
prior art, the present invention provides a new straw retaining
means wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience
for the user when rehydrating while participating in physical
activities.
[0013] The invention comprises an adjustable elastic armband, a
beverage container holder, a beverage container, a flexible straw,
and a straw retainer. The adjustable elastic armband may be secured
to a user's upper arm via hook and loop fasteners or other
convenient water-tolerant fastening means. This allows the device
to be used during a variety of physical activities, including water
and snow sports.
[0014] A beverage container holder is secured along a front side of
the armband, for holding the associated beverage container or any
other bottle the user wishes to carry. The holder comprises an
elastic holder loop secured and elastic support strap secured to
the bottom of the holder loop and perpendicular thereto. When a
beverage container is inserted into the holder the body of the
container is held in place by the holder loop and the bottom of the
container is supported by the support strap.
[0015] A flexible straw extends through a removable cap on the
beverage container, providing a conduit from liquid inside the
beverage container to a user's mouth. The end of the straw that is
not enclosed within the beverage container may be secured via the
straw retainer. This straw retainer may be a small elastic strap
secured via hook and loop fasteners, or other fastening means, to
the front face of the beverage container holder. To secure the
straw, a user lifts the small strap, positions the straw underneath
the strap then secures the strap to the beverage container holder.
The straw is thus prevented from flopping around while the user
participates in an activity. The straw retainer is also helpful for
maintaining the straw in a particular position so that a user may
drink without the use of his hands.
[0016] In an alternate embodiment of the device a small
container-securing strap is attached to the beverage holder
container. The container-securing strap has a loop disposed at its
upper end. When a beverage container is inserted into the container
holder, the securing strap is placed over the top of the container
to restrict its movement and prevent it from falling out of the
container holder while a user is participating in a physical
activity.
[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved portable beverage container holder
device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of
the disadvantages.
[0018] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a beverage container holder that removably and comfortably
secures to a user's arm.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
beverage container holder that permits easy carrying of a beverage
during the commission of a sport or physical activity.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
straw-retainer secured to a beverage container holder for holding a
straw in a particular position so that a user may drink from a
beverage container without the use of his hands.
[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a container securing strap that removably secures a beverage
container within a beverage container holder.
[0022] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a front view of the portable beverage container
holder with the armband in an open and unsecured position.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the portable beverage container
holder device with the armband in a closed position. The beverage
container and associate cap and straw are shown in their
unassembled positions.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the portable beverage container
holder secured to a user's arm and ready for use.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the portable beverage container
holder in use by a drinking individual.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the portable beverage container holder
device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear
description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will
be discussed as used for holding a beverage container while a user
engages in a physical activity. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a frontal view of
the present invention. An armband strap 11 has a front face, a rear
face and fastening means 12 secured at opposing ends of the strap.
One portion of the fastening means is secured to the rear face of
the end of the armband and a corresponding portion of the fastening
means is secured to the front face of the opposing end of the
armband. This fastening means may be hook and loop fasteners.
Snaps, or any other commonly used fasteners. An adjustment means 15
is disposed along a portion of the armband and may be used to
customize the size and fit of the armband to an individual
user.
[0030] A beverage container holder 13 is secured to the front face
of the armband. The beverage container holder is designed to retain
a beverage container and support the bottom of the container. A
straw-retainer 14 is secured to the outside of the beverage
container holder and is used to removably secure a straw in place
during use of the device. The straw-retainer may comprise a patch
of hook and loop fastener disposed on the beverage container holder
and a corresponding strap of hook and loop fastener that can be
removably attached to the underlying patch of fastener to secure a
straw therebetween. The strap can be secured to the patch of
fastener material in any desired orientation.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a front view of the
device. The armband 11 is in a closed position with its ends
removably secure together to form a closed loop. An adjustment
means 15 on one side of the armband can be used to reduce or
increase the diameter of the closed loop according to the
individual needs of a user.
[0032] The beverage container holder 13 is secured to a portion of
the front face of the armband. The holder comprises a closed,
elastic holder loop and a support strap that extends
perpendicularly across the bottom of the holder loop, forming a
half loop that hangs down below the holder loop. A beverage
container 16 fits within the beverage container holder and is
snuggly held in place by the holder loop, and supported on the
bottom by the support strap. A straw from the beverage container
may be removably secured to the beverage container holder by the
straw-retainer 14. In an alternate embodiment, a container-securing
strap 19 is attached to the beverage container holder. This elastic
strap has a loop disposed at its upper end, which may be placed
around the neck of a beverage container to reduce the risk that the
bottle will become dislodged from the beverage container holder
while the device is in use.
[0033] The device includes a beverage container 15 with a removable
cap 17 and a flexible straw 18. The cap may be of the "screw-on"
type or any other conventional attachment means used in the
beverage container art. A flexible straw extends through the
removable cap, forming a conduit between the liquid in the
container and a user's mouth. A rubber stopper or the like is
placed around the connection between the cap and the straw to
prevent liquid from exiting the beverage container and debris from
entering the same. In a preferred embodiment the straw has a fluid
control mechanism disposed at one end. This fluid control mechanism
prevents liquid from leaving the beverage container through the
straw when a user is not drinking. One such mechanism consists of a
pressure-activated valve that permits liquid to flow through when
the valve is depressed by a user's teeth and reseals the straw when
pressure is released.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 2 & 3 the device is shown in
various stages of use by a person participating in a physical
activity that requires the use of both hands. The armband 11 is
secured to the upper arm 20 of a user such that the beverage
container holder 13 and retained beverage container 16 are
positioned on the outside of the user's arm. The flexible straw 18
is retained by the straw-retainer 14 in a position that is
convenient for drinking. A user can drink from the straw while it
is retained in the straw-retainer, as shown in FIG. 4, or remove
the straw from the straw-retainer and use one hand to steady the
straw for drinking.
[0035] In use an individual fills the beverage container with a
desired liquid then secures the removable cap in place so that one
end of the flexible straw is immersed in the liquid. The beverage
container is then slid down into the beverage container holder
until the bottom of the container meets the beverage container
holder support strap. The adjustment strap is used to lengthen or
shorten the overall length of the armband and the armband is then
placed around a user's upper arm and secured in place by fastening
means. The flexible straw is then manipulated into position near
the straw-retainer and secured between the small strap and the
patch of fastening material. The user may adjust the positioning of
the straw as necessary. Activities may then be performed without
necessitating cumbersome backpacks or waist pouches to carry a
beverage container in.
[0036] The present portable beverage container holder provides a
means for facilitating easy hydration during participation in
physical activities. The adjustable elastic armband is designed to
fit comfortably around the upper arms of users of a variety of
shapes and sizes. It may be constructed of neoprene or any other
form-fitting water-tolerant material. The armband should fit
snuggly but comfortably on a user's arm so that the weight of a
beverage container may be easily born by the user. Likewise, the
beverage container holder should be constructed of the same or
similar material to that of the armband in order to ensure the snug
fit of a beverage container within the holder.
[0037] A straw retainer disposed on the front of the beverage
container holder provides removable securement of a straw. This is
particularly useful to users who may not always have full use of
their hands during participation in an activity. The straw can be
pre-positioned and secured in a manner that is advantageous to a
drinking user, prior to the beginning of the activity. Thus the
user can drink as necessary without ceasing the activity to
rehydrate.
[0038] A beverage container and flexible straw assembly are
incorporated into the device, but any suitably sized beverage
container may be inserted into the beverage container holder.
Similarly, other flexible straws may be used, according to a user's
need for longer or shorter straw lengths.
[0039] To this point, the instant invention has been shown and
described in what is considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures
may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0040] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *