U.S. patent application number 15/073532 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for mug.
The applicant listed for this patent is M Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to David J. Merten, Jay Z. Muchin, Brian S. Potempa, Michael S. Potempa.
Application Number | 20160270569 15/073532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56923483 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160270569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merten; David J. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
MUG
Abstract
A mug includes a rigid inner shell to contain a liquid and a
compressible outer surface about a lower portion of the rigid inner
shell. The compressible outer surface is compressible by at least
0.125 inches to adapt to differently configured cup holders.
Inventors: |
Merten; David J.;
(Manitowoc, WI) ; Muchin; Jay Z.; (Manitowoc,
WI) ; Potempa; Michael S.; (Freeport, IL) ;
Potempa; Brian S.; (Freeport, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
M Group, Inc. |
Manitowoc |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56923483 |
Appl. No.: |
15/073532 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62134746 |
Mar 18, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2205
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A mug comprising: a rigid inner shell to contain a liquid; a
compressible outer surface about a lower portion of the rigid inner
shell, the compressible outer surface being compressible by at
least 0.125 inches to change shape to increase surface area contact
with an interior of differently configured cup holders.
2. The mug of claim 1 comprising an air chamber between the
compressible outer surface and the rigid inner shell.
3. The mug of claim 1 comprising a foam between the compressible
outer surface and the rigid inner shell.
4. The mug of claim 1, where the compressible outer surface
comprises an elastomeric wall having a Shore A durometer of less
than 60.
5. The mug of claim 1, the compressible outer surface comprises a
rubber-like wall having a Shore A durometer of less than or equal
to 50.
6. The mug of claim 1 comprising a bottom, where the compressible
outer surface extends at least 4.2'' inches vertically above the
bottom.
7. The mug of claim 1 comprising a bottom, wherein the compressible
outer surface extends no greater than 4.5 inches vertically above
the bottom.
8. The mug of claim 1 comprising a bottom, wherein those portions
of an outer surface of the rigid inner shell between 2.5 inches and
4.2 inches above the bottom are at least partially covered by the
compressible outer surface.
9. The mug of claim 1 comprising a bottom, wherein the compressible
outer surface has lower portion adjacent the bottom and an upper
portion distant the bottom, wherein the upper portion has a first
uncompressed diameter and wherein the lower portion has a second
uncompressed diameter less than the first uncompressed
diameter.
10. The mug of claim 9, wherein the first uncompressed diameter is
between 3.9 inches and 3.1 inches.
11. The mug of claim 9, wherein the second uncompressed diameter is
between 3.1 inches and 2.4 inches.
12. The mug of claim 1 comprising a bottom, wherein the
compressible outer surface has lower portion adjacent the bottom
and an upper portion distant the bottom, wherein the lower portion
is inwardly compressible to a first extent and wherein the upper
portion is inwardly compressible to a second extent greater than
the first extent.
13. The mug of claim 12, wherein the lower portion is compressible
so as to reduce an outer diameter of the lower portion by at least
0.25 inches.
14. The mug of claim 12, wherein the upper portion is compressible
so as to reduce an outer diameter of the upper portion by at least
0.5 inches.
15. The mug of claim 1, wherein the compressible outer surface has
an uneven outer surface to facilitate gripping within a cup
holder.
16. The mug of claim 1, wherein the rigid inner shell comprises an
inner shell wall to contact the liquid and an outer shell wall
radially spaced from the inner shell wall.
17. The mug of claim 1 comprising a chamber between the
compressible outer surface and the rigid inner shell, the chamber
filled with a particulate material.
18. The mug of claim 1 comprising at least three spaced grippers
extending from the rigid inner shell, each of the spaced grippers
comprising the compressible outer surface.
19. The mug of claim 1, wherein the rigid inner shell tapers
inwardly towards a bottom of the mug.
20. The mug of claim 1 comprising an annular ring about the rigid
inner shell and vertically spaced from a bottom and a top of the
rigid inner shell, the annular ring having an outer surface formed
by the compressible outer surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application
claiming priority under 35 USC Section 120 from co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62134746 filed on Mar. 18,
2015 by Merten et al. and entitled MUG, the full disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cup holders on lawn tractors (and most vehicles) are found
in a wide variety of sizes. This makes it very difficult on a lawn
tractor, ATV, golf cart, etc. to keep a drink container in place
over rough terrain.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example mug with a closed
lid.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 1 with an
opened lid
[0006] FIGS. 4-8 are sectional views illustrating opening of the
lid of the mug of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 9 is a side view of another example mug.
[0008] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the mug of FIG. 9.
[0009] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 9.
[0010] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another example mug.
[0011] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another example mug.
[0012] FIG. 14 is a side view of another example mug.
[0013] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 14.
[0014] FIG. 16 is a side view of another example mug.
[0015] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example mug 20. FIGS. 2
and 3 are sectional views of mug 20 illustrating mug 20 in a closed
state and an open state, respectively. As shown by FIG. 1 or 2, mug
20 comprises a cup portion 24, a handle 28, a lid 30 and a trigger
mechanism 34. Cup portion 24 comprises a liquid vessel having a
bottom 36 and an interior to contain a liquid. Cup portion 24 has a
mouth 38 through which the interior of cup portion 24 is
accessed.
[0017] In the example illustrated, cup portion 24 has a rigid inner
shell 42 and a compressible outer wall 46 having a compressible
outer surface or outer surfaces. Rigid inner shell 42 comprises one
or more walls that define the interior of cup portion 24. In the
example illustrated, shell 42 comprises an inner shell wall 50 an
outer shell wall 52 radially spaced from the inner shell wall 50.
In one implementation, walls 50 and 52 are spaced or separated by a
gap filled with air. In another implementation, walls 50 and 52 are
spaced or separated by a gap filled with a foam or other thermal
insulative material. In yet other implementations, rigid inner
shell 42 may comprise a single wall or more than two walls.
[0018] Compressible outer wall 46 extends about shell 42 adjacent
bottom 36. In one implementation, the layer of material forming
wall 46 is bendable or resiliently flexible, formed from a rubber,
rubber-like or elastomeric material. Compressible outer wall 46 is
configured to change shape and be compressed in response to being
manually inserted into a cup holder so as to increase surface area
contact of wall 46 with the interior of the cupholder. The
increased surface area contact between wall 46 and the interior
surfaces of cupholder 46 provide enhanced frictional retention of
mug 20 within the cupholder. As a result, mug 20 is more securely
retained within a cupholder despite vibrations and abrupt upwards
and downwards movement that may typically occur in a cupholder of
the vehicle traversing rough or uneven terrain, such as a
lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor or other such vehicles.
[0019] In the example illustrated, outer wall 46 is spaced from the
outermost radial or circumferential surface of shell 42 by a gap
facilitating resilient compression of wall 46 radially inward to
allow the shape of outer wall 46 to change it conform to different
configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the gap
separating outer wall 46 and the outermost circumferential surface
of shell 42 is air. In one implementation, outer wall 46 forms an
air chamber with changes shape to best match the interior
configuration of a cup holder. In one implementation, the gap
separating outer wall 46 and the outer most circumferential surface
of shell 42 is filled with air at atmospheric pressure such that
air within the chamber may flow as outer wall 46 changes shape in
response to being contacting interior surfaces of the cup holder
and being pressed inwards by the interior surfaces of the cup
holder, wherein displaced air may flow to other portions of the
chamber to equalize pressure within the chamber and deform such
other portions of outer wall 46 further outwards into engagement
with the interior surfaces of the cup holder that might otherwise
be spaced from outer wall 46. For example, the air chamber may
change shape to match cup holders having tapering interiors and cup
holders having stepped interiors. The air chamber of mug 20 may
automatically adapt to different papers as well as different step
heights or shapes of different cup holders. As a result, mug 20 may
dynamically adapt to different shaped interiors of different cup
holders on different vehicles.
[0020] In another implementation, the gap separating outer wall 46
and the outermost circumferential surface of shell 42 is filled
with a resiliently compressible material such as a polyurethane or
EVA foam. In still other embodiments, the gap separating outer wall
46 and the outermost circumferential surface of shell 42 is filled
with a liquid or gel. In each of such embodiments, the chamber has
a volume and a thickness such that outer wall 46 is manually
compressible (under manual force applied by a person inserting mug
20 into a cup holder) at any one location, in a direction towards
the centerline of mug 20 by at least 0.125 inches. In one
implementation, outer wall 46 is manually compressible at any one
location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 20 by at
least 0.25 inches.
[0021] As further shown by FIG. 1, in the example illustrated, the
outermost surface of wall 46 is uneven to facilitate gripping of
the interior surface of the cup holder in which mug 20 is placed.
Although illustrated as having a grid or array of chevrons, similar
to a tractor tire tread, in other implementations, the outermost
surface wall 46 may have other gripping configurations such as
dimples, ribs, waves, bumps or other shapes. In other
implementations, the outermost surface of wall 46 may be smooth or
even.
[0022] In the example illustrated, wall 46 has a height H extending
above bottom 36. In one implementation, height H is at least 4.2'',
facilitating accommodation of a wide range of cup holders.
[0023] In the example illustrated, wall 46 has a lower portion 60
having an uncompressed diameter DL and an upper portion 62 having
an uncompressed diameter DU which is greater than diameter DL. In
one implementation, diameter DL is between 3.1'' and 2.4'', and
nominally 2.7''. Diameter DU is between 3.9'' and 3.1'', and
nominally 3.5''. In the example illustrated, lower portion 60 is
compressible to a first radial extent while upper portion 62 is
compressible to a second radial extent greater than the first
extent. In one implementation, lower portion 60 is compressible so
as to reduce an outer diameter of the lower portion 60 by at least
0.25''. Upper portion 62 is compressible so as to reduce an outer
diameter of the upper portion by at least 0.5''. As a result, wall
46 better accommodates differently configured cup holders of
different dimensions and configurations. In one implementation,
each point along wall 46 is compressible by at least 0.125 inches,
measured at a single point under manually applied force, wherein
the single point is movable by a distance of at least 0.125 inches
towards a centerline of mug 20. In other implementations, wall 46
may have other sizes, shapes and configurations.
[0024] Handle 32 extends from cup portion 24. In the example
illustrated handle 28 extends from shell 42. In the example
illustrated, panel 20 comprises an inverted L-shaped handle. In
other implementations, handle 28 may comprise a loop, connected to
cup portion 24 at both upper and lower end portions. In still other
implementations, handle 28 may have other shapes.
[0025] Lid 30 comprises a structure to cover and close mouth 38 of
cup portion 24. In the example illustrated lid 30 seals with mouth
38. Lid 30 is actuatable between an open state and a closed state
through the use of trigger mechanism 34.
[0026] Trigger mechanism 34 actuates lid 30 between the opening and
closed states. Trigger mechanism 34 comprises trigger 60, link 62
and bias 64. Trigger 60 extends along an upper and rear surface of
handle 28. Trigger 60 is pivotably coupled to panel 28 and/or cup
portion 24 for pivotal movement about axis 66. Although illustrated
as being located along a top rear surface of handle 28, in other
implementations, trigger 60 may be provided in other locations.
[0027] Link 62 has a first end portion pivotally connected to
trigger 60 for pivotal movement about axis 66 and a second end
portion pivotably coupled to lid 30 about axis 70. Lid 30 pivots
about axis 70 as well as axis 66. Axis 70 pivots with trigger 60 as
trigger 60 pivots about axis 66. Link 62 and trigger 60 cooperate
with lid 30 to form over-center cam-mechanism. As a result,
actuation a trigger 60 not only actuates lid 30 between opening and
closed states, but may be further actuated to lock lid 30 in the
closed state using the over-center cam mechanism. In the example
illustrated, locking the lid in a closed state using over center
mechanism is facilitated by pivoting are pushing the trigger
upwards and forward. Unlocking the lid from the closed state is
achieved by pushing or pulling the trigger downward and rearward.
Continued pulling of the trigger powered and rearward raises and
lifts lid 30 to the open state. Thus, trigger 60 is actuatable
between three different positions: a lid opening state (shown in
FIG. 3), an unlocked lid closing state (similar to that shown in
FIG. 2, but wherein trigger 60 is rearward and downward from that
shown such that axis 68 is rearward of axis 70 (to the left of axis
70 and FIG. 2)) and a locked lid closing state (shown in FIG. 2,
wherein trigger 60 is pivoted to a forward most position such that
axis 68 is forward of axis 70 (to the right of axis 70 in FIG. 2)).
FIGS. 4-8 illustrate actuation of trigger mechanism 34 to actuate
lid 30 from a locked closed state to a fully open state.
[0028] Bias 64 comprise a mechanism that is operably coupled
between cup portion 24 and/or handle 28 and lid 30. Bias 64
resiliently biases lid 30 towards the closed state. In one
implementation, bias 64 comprises an elastic band having a first
end 74 secured to cup portion 24 and a second portion 76 secured to
lid 30 at a location spaced from axes 66 and 70. In yet another
implementation, bias 64 comprises a tension spring.
[0029] Overall, the handle, lid and trigger mechanism of mug 20, in
one implementation, may be defined by the following
definitions:
[0030] Definition 1. A mug comprising: [0031] a cup portion to
contain a liquid, the cup portion having a mouth; [0032] a handle
extending from the cup portion; [0033] a lid to cover the mouth;
and [0034] a trigger carried by the handle, the triggering
actuatable to pivot the lid between an open state and a closed
state.
[0035] Definition 2. The mug of definition 1, wherein the trigger
is operably coupled to the lid to lock the lid in the closed
state.
[0036] Definition 3. The mug of definition 2, wherein the trigger
locks the lid in the closed state with an over-center cam
mechanism.
[0037] Definition 4. The mug of definition 1 comprising a bias to
resiliently biased to the closed state and wherein movement of the
trigger was a lid against the bias.
[0038] Definition 5. The mug of definition 4, wherein the bias
comprises an elastic band.
[0039] Definition 6. The mug of definition 4, the bias comprises a
tension spring.
[0040] Definition 7. The mug of definition 1, wherein the trigger
is pivotably coupled to the cup portion about a first axis and
wherein the mug further comprises a link pivotably coupled to the
trigger about a second axis and pivotably coupled to the lid about
a third axis, wherein the lid pivots about the third axis which
moves in response movement of the trigger.
[0041] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another example mug 120, another
implementation of mug 20. Mug 120 is similar to mug 20 in all
respects except that mug 120 comprises cup holder grippers 146 in
place of compressible wall 46. Those remaining components or
structures of mug 120 which correspond to components of mug 20 are
numbered similarly.
[0042] Cup holder grippers 146 comprise compressible structures
that are spaced from one another along shell 42 adjacent to bottom
36. Grippers 146 are each formed from a layer of material that is
bendable or resiliently flexible, such as a rubber, rubber-like or
elastomeric material. At least a portion of each gripper 146 is
inwardly compressible towards the centerline 147 of mug 120 by at
least 0.125 inches. Each of grippers 146 is configured to change
shape and be compressed in response to being manually inserted into
a cup holder so as to increase surface area contact of grippers 146
with the interior of the cup holder. The increased surface area
contact between wall 46 and the interior surfaces of cup holder
provide enhanced frictional retention of mug 120 within the cup
holder. As a result, mug 120 is more securely retained within a cup
holder despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement
that may typically occur in a cup holder of the vehicle traversing
rough or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a
tractor or other such vehicles. The spacing of grippers 146
facilitate intended removal of mug 120 from the cup holder.
[0043] In the example illustrated, mug 120 comprises at least three
spaced grippers 146. In the example illustrated, mug 120 comprises
four equidistantly spaced grippers 146 in the form of elongated
strips or elongated panels. The centerline of each of the strips
serving as grippers 146 are spaced 90 degrees from adjacent strips
serving as grippers 146. In other implementations, the strips
serving as grippers 146 may be greater or fewer in number and may
have other angular spacings. For example, in another
implementation, mug 120 may alternatively comprise three strips
serving as grippers 146, wherein each of strips 146 is angularly
spaced from adjacent strips by 120 degrees. In still other
implementations, mug 120 may include greater than four strips,
uniformly or non-uniformly positioned about centerline 147 of mug
120.
[0044] In the example illustrated, wall 46 has a height H extending
above bottom 36. In one implementation, each of grippers 146 has a
height of at least 4.2'', facilitating accommodation of a wide
range of cup holders. In one implementation, each of grippers 146
has a height of no greater than 4.5 inches. In one implementation,
wall 46 at least partially covers those portions of shell 42
between 2.5 inches and 4.2 inches above the bottom of mug 120.
[0045] As further shown by FIG. 9, in the example illustrated, the
outermost surface of each of grippers 146 is uneven to facilitate
gripping of the interior surface of the cup holder in which mug 120
is placed. Although illustrated as having a grid or array of
chevrons, similar to a tractor tire tread, in other
implementations, the outermost surface of each of grippers 146 may
have other gripping configurations such as dimples, ribs, waves,
bumps or other shapes. In other implementations, the outermost
surface of each of grippers 146 may be smooth or even.
[0046] In the example illustrated, opposing grippers 146 provide a
lower portion 60 with an uncompressed diameter DL and an upper
portion 62 having an uncompressed diameter DU which is greater than
diameter DL. In one implementation, each each of the grippers 146
come in the form of strips, is compressible by at least 0.125
inches, measured at a single point under manually applied force,
wherein the single point is movable by a distance of at least 0.125
inches towards a centerline of mug 20. In one implementation,
diameter DL is between 3.1'' and 2.4'', and nominally 2.7''.
Diameter DU is between 3.9'' and 3.1'', and nominally 3.5''. In the
example illustrated, lower portion 60 is compressible to a first
radial extent while upper portion 62 is compressible to a second
radial extent greater than the first extent. In one implementation,
two opposing grippers 146 (grippers angularly spaced from one
another by 180 degrees) are compressible so as to reduce an outer
diameter of the lower portion 60 by at least 0.25''. Upper portion
62 is compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the upper
portion by at least 0.5''. As a result, grippers 146 better
accommodate differently configured cup holders of different
dimensions and configurations.
[0047] As shown by FIG. 11, the outer walls or panels 149 of
grippers 146 are spaced from the outermost radial or
circumferential surface of shell 42 to form a gap, volume or
chamber 151 facilitating resilient compression of grippers 146
radially inward to allow the shape of grippers 146 to change so as
to conform to different configurations of cup holders. In one
implementation, the chamber 151 is filled with a fluid 153, a gas,
such as air, or a liquid/gel, such as water. In another
implementation, chamber 151 may be filled with another gas or
liquid. In one implementation, liquid may comprise a liquid with a
hike heat capacity (greater than water) such as a saline solution
or ethanol.
[0048] Because chamber 151 of each of grippers 146 is filled with
fluid 153, each gripper 146 may change shape to match cup holders
having tapering interiors and cup holders having stepped interiors.
Each of the chambers 151 of mug 120 may automatically adapt to
different tapers as well as different step heights or shapes of
different cup holders. As a result, mug 120 may dynamically adapt
to different shaped interiors of different cup holders on different
vehicles.
[0049] FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating another example mug
220. Mug 220 is similar to mug 120 except that chamber 151 of mug
220 is at least partially occupied by a solid material or materials
that allow wall 149 and the associated gripper 146 to change shape.
In one implementation, material 253 comprises particulate material,
such as particles or beads, wherein the particles or beads may flow
from one portion of chamber 151 to another portion of chamber 151.
Once the particular beads have moved to different portion chamber
151, the particular beads remain in place with no force biasing
such beads back to their prior location within chamber 151. As a
result, the relocated particles or beads resulting from insertion
of mug 120 into a cup holder are not resiliently repositioned and
do not exert a force that would tend to urge mug 20 in directions
out of the cup holder. In one implementation, each of the particles
are each resiliently compressible. For example, in one
implementation, each of the particles or beads may comprise a
resiliently compressible rubber or foam, allowing resilient
compression once the particular beads have moved to a different
location within chamber 151. In another implementation, each of the
particles or beads may be on compressible, such as beads formed
from a solid and on compressible polymer. In one implementation,
such beads may contain a material having a high heat capacity such
as a saline solution or ethanol. In another implementation, such
beads may be formed from copper.
[0050] In yet another implementation, chamber 151 may be filled
with a solid material 153 comprising a compressible material such
as a polyurethane or EVA foam. In one implementation, chamber 153
may be filled with a liquid foam which subsequently solidifies. In
each of such embodiments, the chamber has a volume and a thickness
such that outer wall 149 of each chamber 151 is manually
compressible (under manual force applied by a person inserting mug
220 into a cup holder) at any one location, in a direction towards
the centerline of mug 120 by at least 0.125 inches.
[0051] In other implementations, each of grippers 146 may omit
outer wall 149 and may be solid throughout, formed from a single
material or composition, wherein the single material or composition
is a rubber or foam like material that allows each of grippers 146
to be manually compressed inwardly, by manual insertion of mug 120
into a cup holder, by at least 0.125 inches.
[0052] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another example mug 320. Mug
320 is similar to mug 20 except that mug 320 comprises rigid inner
shell 342 and wall 346 in place of shell 42 and wall 46,
respectively. Those remaining portions of mug 320 which correspond
to portions of mug 20 are numbered similarly.
[0053] Rigid inner shell 142 is similar to shell 42 except that
shell 142 is stepped, rather than being tapered, and forms a
shoulder 343 comprises one or more walls that define the interior
of cup portion 24. In the example illustrated, shell 342 comprises
an inner shell wall 50 an outer shell wall 52 radially spaced from
the inner shell wall 50. In the illustrated example, walls 50 and
52 are spaced or separated by a gap filled with a fluid, such as a
liquid or air. In another implementation, walls 50 and 52 are
spaced or separated by a gap filled with a foam or other thermal
insulative material. In yet other implementations, rigid inner
shell 342 may comprise a single wall or more than two walls.
[0054] Compressible outer wall 346 extends about shell 342 adjacent
bottom 36. In the example illustrated, wall 346 extends outward
from bottom 36 of shell 342 and vertically extends upwards to the
outer perimeter of shoulder 343. In one implementation, the layer
of material forming wall 346 is bendable or resiliently flexible,
formed from a rubber, rubber-like or elastomeric material.
Compressible outer wall 346 is configured to change shape and be
compressed in response to being manually inserted into a cup holder
so as to increase surface area contact of wall 346 with the
interior of the cupholder. The increased surface area contact
between wall 346 and the interior surfaces of cupholder 346 provide
enhanced frictional retention of mug 320 within the cupholder. As a
result, mug 320 is more securely retained within a cupholder
despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement that
may typically occur in a cupholder of the vehicle traversing rough
or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor
or other such vehicles.
[0055] In the example illustrated, outer wall 346 is spaced from
the outermost radial or circumferential surface of shell 342 by a
gap facilitating resilient compression of wall 346 radially inward
to allow the shape of outer wall 346 to change to conform to
different configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the
gap separating outer wall 46 and the outermost circumferential
surface of shell 342 forms chamber 351 which may be filled with a
fluid 153 (described above), such as a gas or liquid or a solid
material, such as material 253 (described above).
[0056] In one implementation, chamber 351 is filled with air at
atmospheric pressure such that air within the chamber may flow as
outer wall 46 changes shape in response to being contacting
interior surfaces of the cup holder and being pressed inwards by
the interior surfaces of the cup holder, wherein displaced air may
flow to other portions of the chamber to equalize pressure within
the chamber and deform such other portions of outer wall 346
further outwards into engagement with the interior surfaces of the
cup holder that might otherwise be spaced from outer wall 46. For
example, the air chamber may change shape to match cup holders
having tapering interiors and cup holders having stepped interiors.
The air chamber of mug 320 may automatically adapt to different
papers as well as different step heights or shapes of different cup
holders. As a result, mug 320 may dynamically adapt to different
shaped interiors of different cup holders on different
vehicles.
[0057] In another implementation, chamber 351 is filled with a
resiliently compressible material such as a polyurethane or EVA
foam. In each of such embodiments, the chamber 351 has a volume and
a thickness such that outer wall 346 is manually compressible
(under manual force applied by a person inserting mug 320 into a
cup holder) at any one location, in a direction towards the
centerline of mug 320 by at least 0.125 inches. In one
implementation, outer wall 346 is manually compressible at any one
location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 20 by at
least 0.25 inches.
[0058] As with wall 46, in the example illustrated, the outermost
surface of wall 346 is uneven to facilitate gripping of the
interior surface of the cup holder in which mug 320 is placed. In
one implementation, wall 346 has the same exterior surface is wall
46 described above. In other implementations, the outermost surface
wall 346 may have other gripping configurations such as dimples,
ribs, waves, bumps or other shapes. In other implementations, the
outermost surface of wall 346 may be smooth or even.
[0059] In the example illustrated, wall 346 has a height H
extending above bottom 36. In one implementation, height H is at
least 4.2'', facilitating accommodation of a wide range of cup
holders. In one implementation, each point along wall 346 is
compressible by at least 0.125 inches, measured at a single point
under manually applied force, wherein the single point is movable
by a distance of at least 0.125 inches towards a centerline of mug
320. In other implementations, wall 346 may have other sizes,
shapes and configurations.
[0060] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another example mug 420, another
example of mug 20 described above. Mug 420 is similar to mug 20 in
all respects except that mug 420 comprises a horizontal strip or
ring 446 extending about shell 42. Ring 446 is similar to gripper
146 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 except that ring 446 horizontally
extends about shell or the two. Ring 446 at least partially covers
those portions of shell 42 that extend between 2.5 inches and 4.2
inches above the bottom 36 of mug 420. As with each of grippers
146, ring 446 comprises a compressible layer of material that is
bendable or resiliently flexible, such as a rubber, rubber-like or
elastomeric material. At least a portion of each ring 446 is
inwardly compressible towards the centerline 147 of mug 420 by at
least 0.125 inches. Ring 446 is configured to change shape and be
compressed in response to being manually inserted into a cup holder
so as to increase surface area contact of ring 446 with the
interior of the cup holder. The increased surface area contact
between wall 46 and the interior surfaces of cup holder provide
enhanced frictional retention of mug 420 within the cup holder. As
a result, mug 420 is more securely retained within a cup holder
despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement that
may typically occur in a cup holder of the vehicle traversing rough
or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor
or other such vehicles.
[0061] As shown by FIG. 15, the outer walls or panels 449 of ring
446 are spaced from the outermost radial or circumferential surface
of shell 42 to form a gap, volume or chamber 451 facilitating
resilient compression of ring 446 radially inward to allow the
shape of ring 446 to change so as to conform to different
configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the chamber
451 is filled with a fluid 153 (described above), a gas, such as
air, or a liquid/gel, such as water. In another implementation,
chamber 451 may be filled with another gas or liquid. In one
implementation, liquid may comprise a liquid with a hike heat
capacity (greater than water) such as a saline solution or
ethanol.
[0062] In yet another implementation, ring 446 may be filled with a
solid material or solid materials, such as materials 253 described
above, so as to be manually compressible towards centerline 147 of
the mug by at least 0.125 inches. In yet other implementations,
ring 446 may be solid throughout, wherein the material, such as
rubber or a foam, has a sufficient amount of compressibility such
that the center of each dome is compressible towards the centerline
147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. Although mug 420 is
illustrated as comprising a single ring, in other implementations,
mug 420 may comprise multiple vertically spaced rings, each ring
being similar to ring 446.
[0063] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate mug 520, another example of mug
20. Mug 520 comprises cup holder grippers 546 arranged in an array
of spaced semi-spherical domes extending or projecting from the
outer surface of shell 42 about centerline 147. In one
implementation, each of the domes, serving as cup holder grippers
546, have an interior chamber 551 may be filled with a fluid, such
as fluid 153 described above, so as to be manually compressible
towards center line 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. In yet
another implementation, each of the domes, serving as grippers 546,
may be filled with a solid material or solid materials, such as
materials 253 described above, so as to be manually compressible
towards centerline 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. In yet
other implementations, each of the domes, serving as grippers 546,
may be solid throughout, wherein the material, such as rubber or a
foam, has a sufficient amount of compressibility such that the
center of each dome is compressible towards the centerline 147 of
the mug by at least 0.125 inches.
[0064] Although the present disclosure has been described with
reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
For example, although different example embodiments may have been
described as including one or more features providing one or more
benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be
interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one
another in the described example embodiments or in other
alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present
disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology
are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to
the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is
manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless
specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single
particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular
elements.
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