DEVICE FOR HOLDING A CONTAINER
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
0 Citations
44 Claims
-
1-20. -20. (canceled)
-
21. 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. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
Specification