U.S. patent application number 14/570461 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for beverage container holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Edward Helton. Invention is credited to Edward Helton.
Application Number | 20150164256 14/570461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53366941 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150164256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Helton; Edward |
June 18, 2015 |
Beverage Container Holder
Abstract
A beverage container holder having a pair of circular rings that
are vertically aligned and are connected by a handle. The holder
can be secured to any of various beverage containers. The pair of
rings are adjustable via a ratchet and strap mechanism, wherein the
ratchet and strap mechanism allows for the incremental tightening
of the ratchet strap around the beverage container and allows the
diameter of the rings to be adjusted. The pair of rings are secured
around the circumference of a beverage container having a
cylindrical shape and are situated so as to be flush with the
exterior surface of the beverage container. An ergonomic finger nub
is disposed on each of the rings for adjustment of the ratchet and
strap. The pair of rings are positioned in a way to enable the user
to place the beverage container and beverage container holder into
a vehicle cup holder.
Inventors: |
Helton; Edward; (Okeechobee,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Helton; Edward |
Okeechobee |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53366941 |
Appl. No.: |
14/570461 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61916868 |
Dec 17, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/738 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0216
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/02 20060101
A47G023/02 |
Claims
1. A beverage container holder comprising: at least one ring; a
handle, said handle having a substantially U-shape, said handle
being connected to said at least one ring.
2. The beverage container holder of claim 1, said at least one ring
being a pair of rings, said pair of rings being vertically aligned
in a stacked orientation in relation to one another, said handle
connecting said pair of rings.
3. The beverage container holder of claim 1, said at least on ring
further comprising an adjustable strap.
4. The beverage container holder of claim 3, said adjustable strap
being a ratchet strap and ratchet buckle, said ratchet buckle
having a housing with an open end, an interior volume and a release
lever, said ratchet strap having a first side, a second side, a
first end and a second end, said second side having a plurality of
serrations disposed thereon, said second end of said ratchet strap
being adapted to be incrementally fed into said open end of said
housing and incrementally locked via said plurality of serrations
of said ratchet strap; said release lever adapted for manual
actuation for releasing said strap from said open end of said
housing.
5. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein said handle
comprises a curved shape.
6. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein said handle
comprises a substantially linear shape.
7. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein said at least
one ring is substantially circular.
8. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein said at least
one ring further comprises an ergonomic finger nub.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/916,868 filed on Dec. 17, 2013. The above
identified patent application is herein incorporated 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
having a pair of adjustable rings that are vertically aligned, each
ring comprising a circular shape, and further having a handle
connecting said pair of adjustable rings. The pair of rings are
adjustable, and preferably include a ratchet and strap mechanism,
wherein the ratchet and strap mechanism allows for the incremental
tightening of the ratchet strap around the beverage container and
allows for the increase or decrease in the diameter of each of the
pair of rings.
[0004] Conventional cup holders have various configurations,
wherein some cup holders provide base portion, handles and ring
structure for grasping the exterior of a beverage container holder.
Other cup holders provide structures that are adjustable to
accommodate different dimensions of cups. These devices however, do
not involve the use of incremental tightening of a strap to
accommodate a beverage container and do not provide for a pair of
rings for optimal securement of the beverage container.
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and
improved beverage container holder having a pair of rings for
securement to the exterior of a beverage container, wherein the
pair of rings comprises a ratchet strap and ratchet buckle for the
incremental tightening of the strap for the increase and decrease
of diameter of the ring structure. This mechanism allows for the
beverage container holder to accommodate various sized beverage
container. The invention further provides a handle disposed between
the pair of rings having contours and curves to facilitate the
gripping thereof. The invention is adapted to enable the user to
place a beverage container having the beverage container holder
applied thereto within a vehicle cup holder.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
cup holder apparatuses. These include devices that have been
patented and published in patent application publications. These
devices generally relate to cup holders having rings for placement
around a standard beverage container and includes handles for the
gripping thereof. The following is a list of devices deemed most
relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for
the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects
of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks
existing in the prior art.
[0008] Specifically U.S. Publication No. 2006/0175506 to Lan
provides an adjustable cup holder that can be utilized to hold
various types of cups. The device comprises a flexible ring and a
handle, wherein the flexible ring can be adjusted for securement to
different sized beverage containers. The present invention provides
a cup holder having a pair of adjustable rings that include a
handle disposed therebetween. The rings allow for the adjustment of
the diameter thereof for securement to various sized beverage
containers.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,538 to Fawkes discloses a beverage
holder that is adapted to hold a plastic beverage bottle having a
bottom collar adapted to accept the bottom surface of a beverage
container. The device includes a handle having ridges on the
interior side thereof in order to enable a user to place their hand
thereunder to which one's knuckles rest against the ridges for
gripping of the beverage bottle to which it is applied. The present
invention however, provides a handle and a pair of adjustable ring
members for securement to the circumference of a beverage
container.
[0010] U.S. Publication No. 2012/0074155 to Yeung provides a holder
for removable cups having a ring structure connected to a handle.
The user can place a cup into the ring for securement thereto and
grasp the handle for transportation of the beverage container.
However, the present invention provides a pair of rings for a more
stable securement to a beverage container, wherein each of the
rings is adjustable so as to fit various sized containers. Further,
the device is adapted to be placed in a standard vehicle cup
holder.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,631 to Kochan describes a removable
bottle handle to be utilized with soft drink containers that
enables the user to carry a bottle, wherein the bottle handle is
expandable and provides a sleeve to engage the bottle with a hand
grip. The device can be placed over the body of a bottle and can
slide downward thereon for attachment thereto. However, this device
does not provide a way to adjust the sleeve to accept various
bottles sizes.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,501 to Roger provides a holder for a
disposable beverage container that includes a support base and
curved arms. The user can place the base of a beverage container
into the support base of the device while the curved arms of the
device can be placed around the exterior of the beverage container.
Still, this device prevents a user from placing the beverage
container into a vehicle cup holder. The present invention however,
is adapted to be attached to a beverage container while still
enabling the user to place the beverage container into a vehicle
cup holder.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 2,784,578 to Southwick contemplates a beverage
can holder that can be mounted to a beverage can and enables the
user to drink the contents of a beverage can without having it
spill. The device further provides a supporting pad located in a
recess for the absorption of moisture that emits from the beverage
container to which it is applied. Still, the present invention
provides a beverage container holder having a pair of rings
connected to one another via a handle that is disposed
therebetween, wherein each ring is adjustable in diameter.
[0014] These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The
above discussed cup holders do not provide a beverage container
holder having a pair of rings that are vertically aligned in a
stacked orientation in relation to one another comprising a
circular shape having a handle therebetween for securement to a
beverage container. Further, the pair of rings of the present
invention are adjustable via a ratchet and strap mechanism. The
handle can further be height adjustable in an alternative
embodiment. In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it
is submitted that the present invention 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
beverage container devices. In this regard the instant invention
substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of cup holders now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new beverage container holder, wherein the
same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when
securing a holder to a beverage of various sizes and heights.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved beverage container holder device that
has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the
disadvantages.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
beverage container holder having a pair of adjustable rings for
securement to various sized beverage containers.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
beverage container having a handle.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
beverage container having an ergonomic finger nub to aid in the
adjustment of the pair of adjustable rings.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
beverage container holder adapted to be applied to a beverage
container and that can then be placed within a standard vehicle cup
holder.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a view of the beverage container holder having
a pair of rings connected to one another via a handle.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a view of the beverage container holder secured
to a beverage container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the beverage container holder. For the
purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
holding and transporting beverage containers. The figures are
intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the
beverage container holder 11 having a pair of rings 12, 13
connected to one another via a handle 14. The beverage container
holder 11 provides a pair of rings 12, 13 being a first ring 12 and
a second ring 13 that are vertically aligned in a stacked
orientation in relation to one another. The rings 12, 13 are
disposed in a horizontal orientation and are substantially parallel
to one another. The rings 12, 13 preferably include a circular
shape and provide an ergonomic finger nub disposed thereon. The
pair of rings 12, 13 are connected to one another via a handle 14.
A first end of the handle 14 is connected to the first ring 12 and
a second end of the handle 14 is connected to the second ring 13.
The handle 14 is connected to an exterior portion of each ring 12,
13 and extends outward from said rings 12, 13. The handle 14
comprises a C-shape and may include ridges thereon for facilitating
the grasping of the handle 14.
[0027] The pair of rings 12, 13 each includes an adjustment
mechanism that allows each ring to be adjusted in diameter in order
to accommodate various sized beverage containers. The adjustment
mechanism preferably comprises a fastener that is a ratchet buckle
and strap type of fastener, wherein the ratchet strap 17 provides a
first end, a second end, a first side and a second side having a
plurality of serrations or serrated teeth disposed on the first
side thereof. The first ring 12 provides a first ratchet strap 17
and the second ring provides a second ratchet strap 17,
respectively. The ratchet buckle provides a housing 16 with an open
end and a second end having an interior volume that slidably
receives the ratchet strap 17 via an open end. The ratchet strap 17
can be inserted within the interior volume of the housing for
engagement therewith, wherein the interior of the housing 16 is
adapted for engagement with the serrated teeth of the ratchet strap
17. The ratchet buckle and ratchet strap 17 is adapted for the
incremental tightening and quick release of the strap 17 from the
housing 16.
[0028] A locking mechanism is provided within the housing 16 that
sustains the ratchet strap 17 in tightened position, wherein the
ratchet strap 17 can be incrementally fed into the housing 16 and
incrementally locked via the serrated teeth. A release lever 15 is
provided for the sliding release of the ratchet strap 17 from the
housing, wherein the user can manually actuate the release lever 15
and upon actuation, the strap 17 having the serrated teeth thereon
can be incrementally release from the housing 16 in order to
increase the diameter of the at least one of the pair of rings 12,
13 and thus loosen the tightness of at least one of the pair of
rings 12, 13.
[0029] The handle 14 of the beverage container holder 11 is
disposed between the pair of rings 12, 13 in a perpendicular
orientation thereto. The handle 14 comprises a substantially planar
structure being a U-shape that includes various curves adapted to
be accommodate the natural contours and curves of a hand therein in
order to enable the user to readily grip thereon. The handle 14
however, can comprise a linear portion in an alternative embodiment
such that it lacks any curves or contours. The U-shape provides a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end is affixed to the
first ring 12 and the second end is affixed to the second ring 13.
The first end and the second end of the handle 14 of the beverage
container holder 11 can be affixed to the first ring 12 and the
second ring 13 via screws forming one unitary body and leaving a
hollow space between the handle and the first ring and the second
ring. However, the first end and the second end of the handle 14
can be affixed to the first ring 12 and the second ring 13 via
bolts, pins, nails and/or other suitable fasteners. Further, the
handle 14 can be integral with the first ring 12 and the second
ring 13 without the use of fasteners.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a view of the beverage container holder 11
secured to a beverage container 18. The beverage container holder
11 can be utilized with a standard beverage container 18 having a
base, sidewalls defining an interior volume, an open upper, an
exterior side and an interior side. Further, the beverage container
holder 11 can be utilized with beverage containers of varying
materials such as plastic, foam, cardboard, paper and other
materials. In operation, a user can insert the beverage container
into the interior of the first ring 12 such that the exterior of
the upper portion beverage container 18 rests against the interior
surface of the first ring 12. Similarly, the lower end of the
beverage container 18 is disposed within the interior of the second
ring 13 such that an exterior of the lower portion of the beverage
container rests against the interior surface of the second ring 13.
The user can then place the second end of the ratchet strap 17
within the open end of the housing 16 in an incremental fashion to
decrease the diameter of the first ring 12 to a desired size that
fits the beverage container 18 to which it is applied in a snug
manner as not to slide from the beverage container holder. The user
can then proceed to place the second side of the second ring 13
against the exterior side of the beverage container 18 until it
flush therewith and proceed to place the second end of the ratchet
strap 17 within the open end of the housing 16 in an incremental
fashion to decrease the diameter of the second ring 13.
[0031] The serrated teeth on the first side of the ratchet strap 17
extends to the edge of the first end thereof and extend towards the
first end of the ratchet strap 17 but not to the edge thereof, thus
an ergonomic finger nub 20 is disposed near the first end of the
first and second ratchet straps 17 of both the first ring 12 and
the second ring 13 and is integral therewith. The ergonomic finger
nub 20 comprises a protruding portion with an outer edge and inner
edge, wherein the protruding portion outwardly abuts from the first
ring 12 and the second ring 12 of the first ratchet strap 17 and
the second ratchet strap 17. The ergonomic finger nub 20 further
provides a sloped area on the first side of the first ratchet strap
17 and the first side of the second ratchet strap 17 extending from
the protruding portion to the first end of the first ratchet strap
17 and the second ratchet strap 17. The user can place one's thumb
against the outer edge of the protruding portion and place one's
index finger against the second end of the housing 16 in order to
draw open end of the housing 16 towards the first end of the
ratchet strap 17 in order to easily adjust both the first ratchet
strap 17 and second ratchet strap 17 of the first ring 12 and the
second ring 13, respectively. The beverage container holder 11 can
be made from plastic in a preferred embodiment, however the
beverage container holder 11 can be made from stainless steel,
rubber, metal, wood, foam, neoprene and/or other suitable
materials.
[0032] The first ring 12 of the beverage container holder 11 is
adapted as such to be situated nearer the open upper of the
beverage container 18, while the second ring 13 is situated further
away from the open upper and nearer the base of the beverage
container 18. The beverage container holder 11 can be slid upward
or downward along the exterior surface of the beverage container 18
for optimal positioning. Further, the beverage container holder 11
is adapted to be positioned on the exterior surface of a beverage
container 18, such that the beverage container 18 may be placed
within a vehicle cup holder and will not hinder the placement
therein. The user can place one's fingers through the hollow space
located between the first end and the second end of the handle 14,
wherein the user's fingers can fit comfortably between the contours
thereof for easy gripping.
[0033] It is therefore submitted that 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.
[0034] 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.
* * * * *