Device for holding containers, especially beverage containers

• US 20040016783A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Schultheis, Thilo, Then, Gebhard
• Granted Patent: US 6,843,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/282
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/106 with adjustable clamping mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/926 Vehicle attached carrier for beverage container or bottle

Abstract

In order to be able to initiate in a simple way the power adjustment of retaining arms of a device for holding containers, it is proposed to trigger control of an actuating drive initially by displacement of at least a bottom part of the holder, and subsequently by rotation of a container inside the holder. This permits unambiguous and intentional switch-on of the actuating drive inside the holder.

Claims

1. A device for holding containers in vehicles, the device comprising:

at least one opening and a bottom part;

retaining arms, which are swivel-mounted and can pivot into a release position and a holding position for a container; and

a pulse generator for triggering a first pulse for an actuating drive for the retaining arms, when the container is placed on the bottom part, thereby causing at least the bottom part to move downward and the retaining arms to be brought into the holding position, and

wherein second pulse is triggered when the container is rotated for removal, causing the retaining arms to be brought into the release position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining arms are held in free spaces.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the free spaces each have a recess, which is delimited by a wall of the free space.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the container causes the retaining arms to be rotated.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the rotation takes place about a predetermined angle.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second pulse, during rotation of the container, is generated by the pulse generator.

7. The device according to claim 3, wherein the second pulse is generated by contact of at least one of the retaining arms with the wall of the free space, as the container is rotated.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least the bottom part can move downward 1.5 to 2 mm.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein an elastomer material is molded onto tips of the retaining arms.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein an actuating drive pivots the retaining arms by means of a worm, a drive wheel and a segment wheel, as well as toothed segments and associated levers, wherein a spring is incorporated between the drive wheel and the segment wheel.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein an actuating drive moves the retaining arms by means of articulations, wherein the articulations are operatively connected a drive wheel, which is driven by a worm that is moved by the actuating drive.

12. The device according claim 10, wherein, the actuating drive is moved in an opposite direction when the retaining arms are brought into the release position, than when the retaining arms are brought into a holding position.

13. The device according claim 11, wherein, the actuating drive is moved in an opposite direction when the retaining arms are brought into the release position, than when the retaining arms are brought into a holding position.