US20080017774A1

US20080017774A1 - Adjustable beverage holder

Info

Publication number: US20080017774A1
Application number: US11/879,339
Authority: US
Inventors: Eleanor Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-21
Filing date: 2007-07-17
Publication date: 2008-01-24

Abstract

An adjustable beverage holder for securely supporting a variety of container shapes, sizes and configurations is disclosed. The beverage holder comprises an insulated base member, a vertical backbone, and a handle assembly that is vertically adjustable with respect to the backbone. The handle assembly supports a pair of curved, symmetrically configured arms, which may be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of beverage container shapes. The base may further contain a removable insert that provides means for accommodating multiple types of containers and absorbing spillage or condensation. In addition, the insert can be utilized to hold a small ice pack or ice cubes. The beverage holder of the present invention securely accommodates cups, cans, bottles and other containers, contains condensation and spillage, provides supplemental cooling, and permits the user to hold a hot or cold beverage container without discomfort.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/283,585, filed on Nov. 21, 2005, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a holder for beverage containers and, more particularly, this invention relates to an adjustable holder for a variety of sizes and shapes of hot or cold beverage bottles, cans or cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, there have been a wide variety of holders for beverage cups, cans and bottles disclosed in the art. Some beverage holders, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,538 to Kent-Fawkes and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,851 to Griffin et al., are designed to be hand-held. Others, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,452 to Huynh, are adapted to be mounted on a vertical or horizontal surface, such as an automobile door panel. Beverage holders such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,061 to Duff et al. have included means to provide supplemental cooling to a container. Many beverage holders disclosed in the prior art have means to adjust to accommodate containers or volumes of various sizes. The holder disclosed by Lynd in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,831 has a vertically-adjustable base to accommodate multiple volumes of liquid. The holder disclosed by Wright in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,089 contains flexible arms that cooperate to grasp the top of beverage containers of various diameters, within the limits of the flexibility of the arms.
The beverage coolers in the prior art, such as those described above, do not combine the features of vertical and circumferential adjustability, insulation and cooling of a beverage container, and means to absorb spillage and condensation. It was in an effort to combine these features, and to improve upon them, that the present invention was created.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a beverage holder that is adjustable to securely accommodate containers of varying heights as well as containers of varying diameters.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated beverage holder that can provide supplemental cooling to a beverage container by means of an ice pack or ice cubes stored in an insert in the base of the holder.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide self-contained means to absorb moisture resulting from condensation or spillage from the container.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stable, secure platform to hold a beverage container and to minimize the likelihood of its tipping or spilling.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide means for a user to enjoy a hot or cold beverage without directly contacting a hot or cold container.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a beverage holder designed for use with beverage cups, cans, bottles and other containers of various shapes and sizes. The beverage holder is comprised of a holder base member, a removable, interchangeable insert adapted to the size of the container to be held, a backbone member extending vertically from the edge of the holder base member, a handle assembly that is vertically adjustable with respect to the backbone member, and two adjustable curved arms engaged with the handle assembly, which cooperate to securely grasp a beverage container within the holder.
The holder base member can be insulated by lining its interior surface with a layer of appropriate insulation. Alternatively, a cylindrical second wall could be positioned inside the wall of the holder base, and the space between the outer and inner wall could be filled with insulating material. The holder base member can accommodate an insert which holds a beverage container of the user's choosing. The holder base member can be designed such that two small rims are positioned along the inside wall of the base, defining a groove between the rims. The upper of the two rims includes two notches designed to engage two tabs from the insert. By engaging the tabs of the insert with the notches positioned on the wall of the holder base and twisting the insert half a turn, the insert can be locked in place in the holder base.
The insert is designed to seat in the holder base by the mechanism described above. The insert is interchangeable in that inserts of different sizes may be chosen to accommodate containers of different sizes. The insert is comprised of an insert base, which includes holes to drain spillage and condensation, and insert side walls. The insert base and insert side walls define a cavity in which a beverage container is accommodated. A pad of absorbent material is fastened to the insert on the external face of the insert base. Moisture from spillage or condensation then drains from the container into the insert, through the holes in the insert base, and into the absorbent pad. The pad is composed of absorbent material such as sponge, sandstone, cork, or other absorbent materials known in the art. The pad may be glued to the base of the insert or, alternatively, the pad may include means to snap into an aperture in the insert base. In this embodiment, the absorbent pad would be removable and replaceable. The insert may further include a space to seat a small ice pack or a small quantity of ice cubes. Moisture from melted ice would likewise drain through the insert base to the absorbent pad.
A backbone member extends vertically from an outer edge of the holder base member. The backbone member may be contoured to provide lateral support to a container positioned in the beverage holder. In a preferred embodiment, the backbone member includes a plurality of apertures spaced along its length. These apertures are designed to align with apertures in the handle assembly to adjust the height of the holder along a vertical axis. The backbone member and holder base member may be molded in one piece, or may be separately molded and assembled from suitable materials including plastic, metal and the like.
The handle assembly comprises a hand grip, means to align the handle assembly with the backbone member, and means to support the curved arms which grip the beverage container. The handle assembly includes at least one handle alignment aperture that aligns with one of the plurality of apertures along the length of the backbone member. When the respective apertures of the handle assembly and the backbone are in alignment, fastening means can be positioned through the two apertures to fix the height of the beverage holder. The fastening means may be removed, and the handle assembly adjusted up or down to align the alignment aperture on the handle assembly with a different aperture on the backbone. In this way the beverage holder can be vertically adjusted to accommodate containers of different heights. Appropriate fastening means include pins, screws, bolts, dowels, or other fasteners known in the art. A second aperture, not in alignment with the backbone member may optionally be included on the handle assembly to store the fastening means when not in use. The handle assembly also supports the two curved arms which grasp the beverage container. The curved arms may be fixed as a component of the handle assembly, or the arms may be adjustable. In the adjustable embodiment, two apertures in the handle assembly are designed to accommodate a sprocket-type appendage that is integral to the curved arm. The sprocket of the curved arm engages the aperture in the handle assembly along a vertical axis, such that the curved arm projects outwardly in a horizontal plane from the handle assembly. These apertures in the handle assembly include means to engage tooth-like projections on the sprocket, so that the arms may be adjusted by a ratcheting mechanism.
As described above, the beverage holder includes two curved arms that may be fixed, or in a preferred embodiment, are adjustable. The two arms are symmetrically configured. Each curved arm includes a sprocket-type appendage at the end of the arm that is nearest the handle assembly. When one of the sprockets is seated in one of the apertures of the handle assembly, the curved arm projects in a horizontal plane outwardly from the handle assembly. With both arms in place, a C-shaped configuration consisting of the two projected arms with the handle assembly at the center forms a cradle to accommodate the upper end of a beverage container. The diameter of the C-shaped configuration may be adjusted by ratcheting the arms toward each other or away from each other. In this way containers of varying diameter sizes are accommodated by the beverage holder of the present invention.
The surface of the curved arm that contacts the beverage container may include a non-slip material to enhance the grip of the arms on the container. The material may be chosen from non-slip natural and synthetic rubbers and plastics known in the art.
The beverage container of the present invention may further include means to display indicia for promotional, advertising or identification purposes. A panel may be designed by molding plastic grooves on the surface of the handle or the base, creating a window to display indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable beverage, holder shown in combination with a beverage container.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the beverage holder wherein the curved adjustable arms grip a beverage container.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder base member and the attached backbone member.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle assembly.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the handle assembly, including a view of the apertures which engage the sprocket of the curved arms, and a pair of curved arms shown in perspective view.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the removable insert, including a view of holes for drainage and the tabs which fix the insert in the holder base member.
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an absorbent pad designed to be positioned on the external surface of the insert base.
FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a larger insert than that illustrated in FIG. 6A, designed to accommodate a larger beverage container.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the holder base and backbone member, including a view of the rim around the interior wall of the holder base and the notches on the rim which engage two tabs on the insert.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one curved arm, including the sprocket which engages an aperture in the handle assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 1. An embodiment of the invention 10 is represented which includes a holder base member 40, a backbone member 50 extending vertically from an adjacent outer surface of the holder base member, a handle assembly 20 including hand grip 21, and adjustable arms 30, which are attached to the handle assembly and extend outwardly in a horizontal plane from the axis defined by the vertical backbone member. The beverage holder securely accommodates beverage container 70. The handle assembly 20 can be adjusted vertically along the axis defined by the backbone member, and can be fixed in place using fastening means 24.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows in detail the cooperation of the two adjustable arms 30 and the handle assembly 20 to form a C-shaped configuration that securely cradles beverage container 70.
FIG. 3 illustrates the handle assembly 20 and FIG. 4 illustrates the holder base member 40 with the backbone member 50 attached, where the backbone member includes a plurality of backbone apertures 51 spaced along its length. The handle assembly and the backbone member cooperate so that the beverage holder can be adjusted along a vertical axis. The handle assembly in FIG. 3 includes two apertures—an alignment aperture 23, and a storage aperture 26. The handle alignment aperture 23 is utilized to align the handle assembly 20 with a backbone aperture 51 on the backbone member 50. When the handle alignment aperture and the backbone aperture are properly aligned, fastening means 24 (not shown) are utilized to fix the handle assembly and backbone member in position relative to one another. The beverage holder can be adjusted vertically be removing fastening means, sliding the handle assembly in relation to the backbone member until the proper height is obtained, aligning the respective apertures on the handle and backbone, and re-inserting fastening means. Fastening means include, but are not limited to, pins, screws, bolts, dowels and their equivalents in the art. A second aperture 26 on the handle assembly is situated parallel to alignment aperture 23 but in a position where it is unable to align with backbone member apertures. This aperture provides a storage space for fastening means 24 when the beverage holder is not in use.
The handle assembly 20 further includes a hand grip 21, which may be designed for ergonomic or grip characteristics by methods known in the art, and may include a panel 25 for display of indicia such as identification, advertising or promotional information.
The present invention provides adjustability for containers of varying diameters in addition to the vertical adjustability detailed above. The holder base member 40 can be adapted to accommodate containers of various diameters at the bottom end of the container, and adjustable curved arms 30 can cooperate to accommodate containers of various diameters at the upper end.
The holder base member 40 is adapted to hold various beverage containers by means of a removable, interchangeable insert 60. The holder base member is illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 4, and in top view in FIG. 7. The holder base member 40 has base legs 41, and may include an additional annular cap (not shown). The interior wall surface 48 of the holder base member may be lined with insulating material, selected from materials well known in the art. Alternatively, the holder base member 40 may include a cylindrical inner wall (not shown), and the space between the two walls is filled with insulating material. The interior wall of the holder base member includes two closely spaced projecting rims, the lower rim 45 continuous around the inner perimeter of the holder base member, and the upper rim 44 including two notches 43 positioned opposite one another. The two rims define a groove 42, and the two notches 43 are designed to engage tabs on the insert member 60 as will be detailed below. The holder base member 40 includes a bottom wall (not shown), to prevent leakage.
As detailed above, a removable, interchangeable insert 60 may be positioned within the holder base member 40. The insert member provides adaptability for containers of various sizes, a location for cooling means, and means to absorb moisture from condensation and spillage.
Referring to FIGS. 6A-C, a removable insert 60 includes an insert base 61 and insert side walls 62. FIG. 6A illustrates one size insert, while FIG. 6C illustrates a larger insert. The larger insert includes a second annular ring 63, of larger diameter than the ring defined by side walls 62, and positioned above the smaller ring. The smaller insert might be suitable, for instance, for a 12 ounce beverage can, while the larger insert might be suitable for a 16 ounce bottle. The user can select the appropriate insert to accommodate his or her beverage of choice.
Insert member 60 further includes means to drain and absorb moisture from condensation and spillage. In FIGS. 6A and 6C, drainage holes 64 are illustrated. Any moisture dripping or spilled from the can will be drained from the insert via these holes. FIG. 6B illustrates an absorbent pad 67 utilized to absorb said moisture. The absorbent pad 67 may be composed of sponge, cork, sandstone or other absorbent materials known in the art. The pad is affixed to the external face of the insert base 61, such that moisture is directed through drainage holes 64 to the absorbent pad 67. The pad may be glued to the insert base or, alternatively, the pad may include means to snap into the center drainage hole 66. A tab, plug or snap may be molded or manufactured with the absorbent pad, so that the pad and insert could be reusable.
Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6C, the insert includes two tabs 65 positioned opposite one another on the external face 61 of the insert base 60. These tabs are designed to engage the notches 43 in the holder base member 40, as illustrated in FIG. 7. To lock the insert in position in the holder base, the insert tabs 65 are aligned with the holder base notches 43, and the insert is screwed into place into the holder base groove 42. The holder base groove 42 may be designed to more securely lock the insert in place, utilizing notches or tapering the groove, for example, or by other methods known in the art.
As detailed above, the holder base and insert cooperate to secure the lower end of a beverage container, and the handle assembly and backbone member cooperate to provide vertical adjustment of the beverage holder. The upper end of a beverage container is secured by the cooperation of the handle assembly 20 and two adjustable curved arms 30. FIGS. 5 and 8 illustrate an adjustable curved arm for use in the present invention. The arm 30 is curved to contour the surface of a beverage container. The surface of the arm in contact with the beverage container may include a covering of non-slip material, to enhance the grip on the container. The non-slip material is chosen from materials well-known in the art. The arm 30 includes a sprocket 32, which projects perpendicularly from the plane defined by the curved arm. The sprocket includes toothed projections designed to engage corresponding mating projections.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the handle assembly 20, including two apertures 23 spaced a short distance apart. The apertures include toothed projections complementary to the projections on the sprocket 32 of the curved arm. The arm sprocket 32 is positioned in the handle assembly aperture 23, and the curved arm 30 then extends outward from the handle assembly 20 in a horizontal plane. The arms may be adjusted in the horizontal plane by ratcheting action. The opposing curved arms 30 are symmetrically configured such that the two arms and the handle assembly form a C-shaped configuration that securely grasps and cradles the upper end of the beverage container. The arms 30 may be adjusted by ratcheting action to accommodate containers of varying diameters.
The present invention provides a versatile adjustable beverage holder for hot and cold beverages of a variety of sizes. The beverage holder is vertically adjustable for containers of different heights, and is further adjustable for containers of varying diameters. This invention provides means for keeping a beverage hot or cold, means for cooling a beverage, and means for absorbing condensation and spillage.
While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable holder for supporting a beverage container comprising a holder base member; a backbone member attached to and extending vertically from an adjacent outer surface of the holder base member; a handle assembly containing means in engagement with said backbone member to vertically adjust the height of the holder; and a pair of curved arms attached to the handle assembly and extending outwardly from the vertical backbone to securely grasp said beverage container near its upper end.

2. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 1, wherein an interior wall surface of the holder base member is lined with insulating material.

3. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 2, wherein the holder base member further includes an upper rim and a lower rim positioned around the interior wall of the holder base member, said upper rim and lower rim defining a groove.

4. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper rim further includes two notches positioned opposite one another.

5. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 1, further including a removable insert positioned within said holder base member.

6. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 5, wherein said insert includes an insert base, insert side walls attached to said insert base, and an open cavity defined by said insert base and said insert side walls.

7. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said insert base further includes two tabs positioned opposite one another near the outer edge of the external face of the insert base.

8. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 7, wherein said tabs on the insert base engage said notches of said upper rim of said holder base member to lock said insert into a fixed position by a turn of said insert.

9. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 6, wherein a size and shape of said insert is selected to accommodate a variety of beverage containers.

10. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said insert base further includes means for drainage of condensation and spillage.

11. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 10, wherein said insert further includes a layer of absorptive material affixed to the external surface of said insert base.

12. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 11, wherein said absorptive material is chosen from the group of sponge, cork and sandstone.

13. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said holder base member and said backbone member are molded as a single article.

14. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said backbone member further includes a plurality of apertures spaced along its length.

15. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 14, wherein said handle assembly further includes at least one aperture.

16. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one aperture on said handle assembly aligns with at least one aperture on said backbone member.

17. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 16, wherein said handle assembly and said backbone member are fixed in position relative to one another by fastening means.

18. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 17, wherein said fastening means are selected from the group consisting of pins, screws, dowels and bolts.

19. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said holder further includes means for adjusting at least one curved arm in a horizontal plane.

20. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 19, wherein both curved arms are adjustable.

21. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 19, wherein said curved arm further includes a sprocket attached at the end of the arm nearest said handle assembly and oriented in a vertical plane.

22. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 21, wherein said handle assembly further includes at least one aperture capable of receiving a sprocket-type appendage.

23. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 22, wherein said sprocket of at least one curved arm engages at least one said aperture of said handle assembly.

24. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 23, wherein at least one said curved arm is adjusted to grip a beverage container.

25. The adjustable holder as recited in claim 24 wherein a surface of said curved arm includes a non-slip material providing a secure grip upon a beverage container.

26. An adjustable holder for supporting a beverage container comprising:

a. a round holder base member insulated on an interior wall surface and further including a rim with two oppositely positioned notches;

b. an interchangeable, removable insert with an insert base and insert side walls that define a cavity for a beverage container, including means for drainage of spillage and condensation, and further including two tabs positioned opposite one another on an external face of said insert base capable of engaging said notches on said rim of said holder base member to lock said insert in place;

c. an absorbent pad affixed to said external face to absorb spillage and condensation;

d. a backbone member including a plurality of apertures spaced along its length, said backbone member molded to and extending vertically from an adjacent outer surface of said holder base member;

e. a handle assembly including at least one aperture in alignment with at least one aperture on said backbone member, said handle fixed in position relative to said backbone member by fastening means, and further including two apertures capable of receiving a sprocket-type appendage; and

f. two adjustable curved arms extending in a horizontal plane from said handle assembly and including a sprocket oriented in a vertical plane attached at an end of said arm nearest said handle assembly, wherein said sprocket of said curved arm engages said aperture of said handle assembly.