Device for holding a container

• US 10,449,885 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: INOAC USA, Inc (Inoue Rubber Public Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: INOAC USA, Inc (Inoue Rubber Public Company Limited)
• Inventors: Dargavell, Andrew L., Gorman, James V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smalley, James N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Poos, Madison L
• Application Number:
  US15/483,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20170274807A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/02 Glass or bottle holders serving trays with openings for carrying glasses or bottles A47G23/0641; bottle racks A47B73/00; for feeding-bottles A61J9/06; in vehicles B60N3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/105 for receptables of different size or shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/106 with adjustable clamping mechanisms

Abstract

A device for holding a container is disclosed. The device includes a base configured to support the container, a retaining mechanism configured to retain the container relative to the base, and an actuator mechanism coupled to the retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism includes a longitudinal axis and an iris moveable between an insertion position and a retaining position. A central opening formed by the iris in the insertion position has an insertion diameter greater than a retaining diameter of the central opening formed by the iris in the retaining position. The iris includes a plurality of arms arranged in a first level and a second level. User rotation of the actuator mechanism in a first direction causes the arms of the iris to move to the retaining position, and user rotation of the actuator mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the arms of the iris to move away from the retaining position towards the insertion position.

Claims

1. A device for holding a container, the device comprising:

a base configured to support the container;

an actuator mechanism; and

a retaining mechanism coupled to the actuator mechanism and configured to retain the container, the retaining mechanism comprising;

a longitudinal axis; and

an iris including a plurality of first-level arms arranged in a first level and a plurality of second-level arms arranged in a second level that is axially adjacent to the first level, wherein ends of adjacent first-level arms are spaced apart by respective gaps, said first-level arms having opposing top and bottom surfaces and said second-level arms having opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein for each second-level arm, said bottom surface thereof engages said top surfaces of adjacent first-level arms such that said second-level arms overlap said gaps, and wherein the iris is moveable between an insertion position and a retaining position and wherein an opening formed by the iris in the insertion position has an insertion diameter greater than a retaining diameter of the opening in the retaining position,

wherein rotation of the actuator mechanism by one of a mechanical device and an electro-mechanical device in a first direction causes the arms of the iris to move to the retaining position and rotation of the actuator mechanism by said one of said mechanical device and said electro-mechanical device in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the arms of the iris to move away from the retaining position toward the insertion position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism actuates movement of the arms in the first level of the iris, and the first-level arms in the first level actuates movement of the second-level arms in the second level of the iris.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a first, first-level arm in the first level and a second, second-level arm in the second level pivot about first and second pivots, respectively.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first arm travels in a first plane parallel to the base, and the second arm travels in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the first and second pivots are fixed relative to the iris.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a receptacle including a flange and the base, wherein the first and second pivots are disposed on the flange.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first pivot extends through a first height as measured from the flange of the receptacle, the second pivot extends through a second height as measured from the flange, wherein said second height is greater than said first height.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the first and second aims each comprise a respective aperture through which the first and second pivots extend, respectively.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein the first arm comprises a slot.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the slot of the first arm extends radially inwardly from an outer edge of the first arm.

11. The device of claim 3, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a ring with one of an actuating guide and an actuating cam, the first second arm comprises the other of the actuating guide and the actuating cam, and the actuating cam travels within the actuating guide upon rotation of the ring.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the actuating guide is formed in a bottom surface of the ring, and the actuating cam is disposed on a top surface of the second arm.

13. The device of claim 3, wherein the second arm comprises one of a second arm guide and a second arm cam, the first arm comprises the other of the second arm guide and the second arm cam, and the second arm cam is configured to travel within the second arm guide upon actuation of the actuator mechanism.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the second arm guide is formed in the top surface of the first arm, and the second arm cam is disposed on the bottom surface of the second arm.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the second arm guide is a through hole that extends from the top surface of the first arm to the bottom surface of the first arm opposite the top surface.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the second arm guide is disposed between first and second longitudinal ends of the first arm.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein an actuating cam is disposed at a first end of the second arm, and the second arm cam is disposed at a second end of the second arm opposite the first end, and the actuating cam is configured to travel within an actuating guide formed in the actuator mechanism.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of arms further comprises a third, first-level arm in the first level and a fourth, second-level arm in the second level, and the third and fourth arms pivot about third and fourth pivots, respectively.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the fourth pivot extends through a slot of the first arm.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of arms further comprises a fifth, first-level arm in the first level and a sixth, second-level arm in the second level, and the fifth and sixth arms pivot about fifth and sixth pivots, respectively.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein mid-points of said second-level arms are disposed over respective gaps between adjacent first-level arms.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein rotation of the actuator mechanism is by said electro-mechanical device, said electro-mechanical device comprising a switch activated motor.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein rotation of the actuator mechanism is by said mechanical device, said mechanical device comprising spring-loaded rocker arms.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein rotation of the actuator mechanism is automated by said one of said mechanical device and said electro-mechanical device.