U.S. patent application number 15/876951 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-25 for adjustable cup holder for holding tall cups, bottles and the like.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Carolina Amaya Pimentel, Adriana Cecilia Ortega Rojo, Alejandra Rivas Franco, Nathali Vasquez Henao.
Application Number | 20190225132 15/876951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65441780 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-25 |
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225132/US20190225132A1-20190725-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190225132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ortega Rojo; Adriana Cecilia ;
et al. |
July 25, 2019 |
ADJUSTABLE CUP HOLDER FOR HOLDING TALL CUPS, BOTTLES AND THE
LIKE
Abstract
A adjustable cup holder includes a base, a retainer and a
biasing element. The base includes a first cup well and a second
cup well, the retainer is carried on the base and is displaceable
between a home position and a raised or deployed position for
holding taller items in a more stable manner. The biasing element
biases the retainer toward the deployed position.
Inventors: |
Ortega Rojo; Adriana Cecilia;
(Ciudad de Mexico, MX) ; Amaya Pimentel; Carolina;
(Mexico City, MX) ; Vasquez Henao; Nathali;
(Ciudad de Mexico, MX) ; Rivas Franco; Alejandra;
(Mexico City, MX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65441780 |
Appl. No.: |
15/876951 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2011/0075 20130101;
B60N 3/101 20130101; B60N 3/102 20130101; B60R 2011/008 20130101;
A47G 23/0208 20130101; B60N 3/105 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 3/10 20060101
B60N003/10; A47G 23/02 20060101 A47G023/02 |
Claims
1. An adjustable cup holder, comprising: a base including a first
cup well; a retainer carried on said base, said retainer being
displaceable between a home position and a deployed position raised
above said first cup well; a biasing element biasing said retainer
toward said deployed position; and a latching mechanism releasably
securing said retainer in said home position wherein (a) said
retainer includes a retention ring carried on a support, (b) said
support includes a first post and a second post, (c) said biasing
element includes a first compression spring extending around said
first post and a second compression spring extending around said
second post and (d) said first cup well includes a first open end,
said retention ring being located (i) adjacent said open end when
said retainer is in said home position and (ii) remote from said
first open end when said retainer is in said deployed position.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The adjustable cup holder of claim 1, wherein said retention
ring at least partially outlines said first open end.
8. The adjustable cup holder of claim 7, wherein said base includes
a second cup well.
9. The adjustable cup holder of claim 8, wherein said second cup
well includes a second open end.
10. The adjustable cup holder of claim 9, wherein said retention
ring at least partially outlines said second open end.
11. The adjustable cup holder of claim 10, wherein said base
includes a guide track receiving said support.
12. The adjustable cup holder of claim 11, wherein said guide track
includes a first guideway and a second guideway.
13. The adjustable cup holder of claim 12, wherein said first post
slides in said first guideway and said second post slides in said
second guideway.
14. The adjustable cup holder of claim 13, wherein said first
compression spring is captured in said first guideway and said
second compression spring is captured in said second guideway.
15. The adjustable cup holder of claim 14, wherein said base
includes a partition section between said first cup well and said
second cup well.)
16. The adjustable cup holder of claim 15, wherein said guide track
is provided in said partition section of said base.
17. (canceled)
18. The adjustable cup holder of claim 1, wherein said latching
mechanism includes a first follower on said first post and a first
guide channel on a first guideway wherein said first follower
slides along said first guideway.
19. The adjustable cup holder of claim 18, wherein said first
guideway includes alternating peaks.
20. The adjustable cup holder of claim 19, wherein said latching
mechanism includes a second follower on said second post and a
second guide channel on a second guideway wherein said second
follower slides along said second guideway.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates generally to the motor vehicle
equipment field and, more particularly, to an adjustable cup holder
particularly suited for holding tall cups, bottles and the
like.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bottles, cups and other tall objects which may be
transported and used in a motor vehicle come in various sizes and
geometries. This document relates to a new and improved cup holder
that is adjustable so as to hold taller drink cups, drink bottles
and the like in a stable manner for any foreseeable operating
conditions of the motor vehicle. When adjusted, the cup holder
holds tall drink cups, bottles and the like in a more stable manner
thereby eliminating potential distraction of the driver and
reducing and in many instances substantially eliminating any spill
risk.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described
herein, a new and improved adjustable cup holder is provided. That
adjustable cup holder is particularly suited for relatively tall
drink cups, drink bottles and the like. The adjustable cup holder
comprises a base including a first cup well, a retainer carried on
the base and a biasing element. The retainer is displaceable
between a home position and a deployed position. The biasing
element biases the retainer toward the deployed position.
[0004] The retainer may include a retention ring carried on a
support. The support may include a first post and a second post.
The biasing element may include a first compression spring that
extends around the first post and a second compression spring that
extends around the second post.
[0005] The first cup well may include a first open end. The
retention ring may be located adjacent the first open end when the
retainer is in the home position which is commonly utilized when
the cup holder is holding shorter drink cups, drink cans, drink
bottles and like items. In contrast, the retainer is raised above
and positioned remote from the first open end when the retainer is
in the deployed position for holding taller drink cans, drink cups,
drink bottles and other tall items. In at least some of the many
possible embodiments of the adjustable cup holder, the retention
ring at least partially outlines the first open end.
[0006] In at least some of the many possible embodiments of the
adjustable cup holder, the base may include a second cup well. That
second cup well may include a second open end. In such an
embodiment the retention ring may at least partially outline the
second open end.
[0007] In at least some of the many possible embodiments of the
adjustable cup holder, the base may include a guide track that
receives the support. That guide track may include a first guideway
and a second guideway. The first post may slide in the first
guideway. The second post may slide in the second guideway. The
first compression spring may be captured in the first guideway. The
second compression spring may be captured in the second
guideway.
[0008] In at least some of the many possible embodiments of the
adjustable cup holder, the base may include a partition section
between the first cup well and the second cup well. The guide track
may be provided in the partition section of the base.
[0009] The adjustable cup holder also includes a latching mechanism
that holds the retention ring against the biasing force of the
compression springs in both the home position and the deployed
position. The latching mechanism may include a first follower on
the first post and a second follower on the second post.
[0010] In addition, the latching mechanism may include a first
guide channel on the first guideway and a second guide channel on
the second guideway. The two guide channels may both be continuous
and may both include alternating high peaks and low peaks. The
first follower slides along the first guide channel and the second
follower slides along the second guide channel. As the retention
ring is displaced between the home and deployed positions, the
followers are displaced along the guide channels between the
alternating low peaks and high peaks.
[0011] In the following description, there are shown and described
several preferred embodiments of the adjustable cup holder. As it
should be realized, the adjustable cup holder is capable of other,
different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the adjustable cup holder as set forth and described in the
following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0012] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and
forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of
the adjustable cup holder and together with the description serve
to explain certain principles thereof.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a detailed perspective view of the adjustable cup
holder wherein the retainer of that adjustable cup holder is
illustrated in the deployed position raised above the base of the
cup holder.
[0014] FIG. 2a is a schematic view of the adjustable cup holder in
the home position wherein the retainer is lowered adjacent the top
edge of the base.
[0015] FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a but illustrating the
adjustable cup holder with the retainer in the deployed position
extending above the top edge of the base.
[0016] FIG. 3a is a detailed schematic view illustrating the
latching mechanism of the adjustable cup holder in the home
position.
[0017] FIG. 3b is a detailed schematic view similar to FIG. 3a but
showing the latching mechanism in the deployed position.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the adjustable cup
holder illustrating two tall drink bottles held in the two cup
wells of the adjustable cup holder.
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the adjustable cup holder, examples of
which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4
illustrating the new and improved adjustable cup holder 10. The
adjustable cup holder 10 may be incorporated into a center console
or trim panel of a motor vehicle. As illustrated in the drawing
figures, the adjustable cup holder 10 generally includes a base 12,
a retainer 14, that is carried on the base and displaceable between
a lowered or home position and a raised or deployed position, and a
biasing element 16 for biasing the retainer toward the deployed
position.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 includes a first
cup well 18, a second cup well 20 and a partition section 22
between the first and second cup wells. The first cup well 20
includes a first open end 24 for receiving a cup, a can, a bottle
or other item. Similarly, the second cup well 20 includes a second
open end 26 for receiving a cup, a can, a bottle or other item.
[0022] The retainer 14 includes a retention ring 28 carried on a
support 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention ring 28 at
least partially outlines the first open end 24 of the first cup
well 18 and the second open end 26 of the second cup well 20. The
support 30 comprises two posts 32, 34. In the illustrated
embodiment, the biasing element 16 comprises a first compression
spring 36 that is concentrically received around or extends around
the first post 32 and a second compression spring 38 that is
concentrically received around or extends around the second post
34.
[0023] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the base 12 includes
a guide track 40 that receives the posts 32, 34 of the support 30.
More specifically, the guide track 40 includes a first guideway 42
and a second guideway 44. The guideways 42, 44 of the guide track
40 are provided in the partition section 22 of the base 12.
[0024] As should be appreciated, the first compression spring 36 of
the biasing element 16 is captured in the first guideway 42. The
second compression spring 38 of the biasing element 16 is captured
in the second guideway 44. The first post 32 slides in the first
guideway 42 and the second post 34 slides in the second guideway 44
when the retainer 14 is displaced between the home position
illustrated in FIG. 2a and the deployed position illustrated in
FIG. 2b.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2a, the retention ring 28 of the retainer
14 is located adjacent to the top edge of the base 12 extending at
least partially around the first open end 24 of the first cup well
18 and the second open end 26 of the second cup well 20 when in the
home position. In contrast, when in the deployed position
illustrated in FIG. 2b, the retention ring 28 of the retainer 14 is
raised above and remote from the first open end 24 of the first cup
well 18 and the second open end 26 of the second cup well 20. In
this raised or deployed position, the retention ring 28 steadies
and functions to stably hold tall drink cans, bottles B or like
items (see FIG. 4).
[0026] A latching mechanism, generally designated by reference
numeral 50 releasably secures the retainer 14 alternately in the
lowered or home position, illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 3a, and the
raised or deployed position illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 3b. The
latching mechanism 50 includes a first follower 52 carried in a
continuous groove 54 on the first post 32 and a second follower 56
carried in a continuous groove 58 on the second post 34. The
latching mechanism 50 also includes a first guide channel 60 on the
wall 62 of the first guideway 42 and a second guide channel 64 on
the wall 66 of the second guideway 44. Each of the two guide
channels 60, 64 is a continuous path of alternating high peaks 68
and low peaks 70.
[0027] When the retention ring 28 is in the lowered, home position
illustrated in FIG. 2a, the first follower 52 and the second
follower 54 are held in the low peaks 66 on the respective guide
channels 56, 60. See FIG. 3a. In contrast, when the retention ring
28 is in the raised, deployed position illustrated in FIG. 2b, the
first follower 52 and the second follower 54 are held in high peaks
64 on the respective guide channels 56, 60.
[0028] One displaces the retention ring 28 back-and-forth between
the home position and the deployed position by simply pressing down
upon and then releasing the retention ring. The torque of the
springs 36, 38 keeps the followers 52, 54 moving continuously
through the respective channels 56, 60 between the adjacent peaks
64, 66. Thus, when the retention ring 28 is in the home position
illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 3a, it is possible to displace the
retention ring to the deployed position by fully depressing and
releasing the retention ring. Similarly, when the retention ring 28
is in the deployed position illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 3b, it is
possible to displace the retention ring to the home position by
fully depressing and releasing the retention ring.
[0029] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with
the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably
entitled.
* * * * *