APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIQUID IN A CUP HOLDER

• US 20100308092A1
• Filed: 06/04/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Rodney, Michael J. SR., Onstine, Elliott J., Zahrndt, Zachary, Schrock, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 8,240,631 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/400
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling liquid in a cup holder is provided. The apparatus includes a cup holder having a bottom, wherein the bottom has at least one aperture and a plurality of grooves. An electrical connector is located within the at least one aperture. The apparatus also includes a removable coaster configured to be placed within the cup holder and cover the electrical connector. The removable coaster has a plurality of ridges extending therefrom. The plurality of ridges is configured to extend into the plurality of grooves in the bottom of the cup holder. A surface is positioned below the aperture. The surface has at least one weep hole and at least one wall between the surface and the electrical connector. Finally, the apparatus comprises a drip line in the path of liquid flow from the at least one weep hole.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling liquid in a cup holder, the apparatus comprising:

a cup holder having a bottom, the bottom having at least one aperture and a plurality of grooves;

an electrical connector located within the at least one aperture;

a removable coaster configured to be placed within the cup holder and cover the electrical connector, the removable coaster having a plurality of ridges extending therefrom and configured to extend into the plurality of grooves in the bottom of the cup holder;

a surface positioned below the aperture, the surface having at least one weep hole and at least one wall between the surface and the electrical connector; and

a drip line in the path of liquid flow from the at least one weep hole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface is located on a connector harness, the connector harness mounted to the cup holder and having the electrical connector mounted thereto.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grooves and the plurality of ridges form a labyrinth seal between the removable coaster and the cup holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grooves is two grooves and the plurality of ridges is two ridges.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the removable coaster is in the cup holder, a slow drip of liquid is allowed through the aperture in the cup holder.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ridges form concentric rings on the removable coaster and the plurality of grooves form concentric rings on the bottom of cup holder.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one weep hole comprises a beveled edge of the surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one weep hole comprises a first weep hole on a first edge of the surface and a second weep hole on a second edge of the surface, wherein the first and the second weep holes are on opposite edges of the surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coaster comprises a plurality of grooves on a top surface, the plurality of grooves configured to aid in removal of coaster from the cup holder.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of grooves are closed such that liquid does not leak out.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a removable docking station comprising;

a first electrical connector for a portable electronic device;

a second electrical connector configured to mate with the electrical connector located within the at least one aperture;

a connector plug configured to match with the at least one aperture.

12. A cup holder comprising:

a bottom surface having at least one aperture and a plurality of grooves;

a coaster having a plurality of ridges configured to extend into the plurality of grooves; and

a connector harness mounted to the cup holder, the connector harness comprising;

a surface positioned below the at least one aperture, the surface having an electrical connected mounted thereon;

a wall surrounding the electrical connector; and

at least one weep hole; and

a drip line located below the at least one weep hole.

13. The cup holder of claim 12, wherein the plurality of grooves and the plurality of ridges form a labyrinth seal between the coaster and the cup holder.

14. The cup holder of claim 12, wherein when the removable coaster is in the cup holder a slow drip of liquid is allowed through the aperture in the cup holder.

15. The cup holder of claim 12, wherein the plurality of ridges form concentric rings on the removable coaster and the plurality of grooves form concentric rings on the bottom of cup holder.

16. The cup holder of claim 12, wherein the at least one weep hole comprises a beveled edge of the surface.

17. The cup holder of claim 12, further comprising:

a removable docking station comprising;

a first electrical connector for a portable electronic device;

a second electrical connector configured to mate with the electrical connector mounted on the surface of the connector harness;

a connector plug configured to match with the at least one aperture.

18. An apparatus for controlling liquid in a cup holder, the apparatus comprising:

a cup holder having at least one aperture in a bottom and a plurality of grooves on the bottom;

a first electrical connector mounted in the bottom of the cup holder;

a removable coaster configured to be placed within the cup holder, the removable coaster comprising a plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges configured to match with the plurality of grooves in the cup holder;

a portable electronic device having a second electrical connector configured to match with the first electrical connector.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a connector harness mounted to the cup holder, wherein the first electrical connector is mounted to the connector harness, the connector harness configured to collect liquid flowing through the at least one aperture, the connector harness having at least one weep hole for directing liquid off of the connector harness, and the connector harness having a wall surrounding the first electrical connector to protect the first electrical connector from intrusion of liquid on the connector harness.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one weep hole is a space between the connector harness and the cup holder.