APPARATUS FOR UNIVERSAL STEMWARE STORAGE

• US 20180249852A1
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Published: 09/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bella Terra Interior Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Bella Terra Interior Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Cook, William Donald, Sanders, Donald Greene
• Granted Patent: US 11,399,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 73/00 Bottle cupboards; Bottle racks
• 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: A47G 23/0208 for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/0216 for one glass or cup
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/106 with adjustable clamping mechanisms

Abstract

An apparatus for securing one or more items of stemware includes a base plate, one or more posts, a retainer, and one or more feet. The feet and base plate cooperatively secure the base portion of the item of stemware, and the retainer includes arms defining a stem receiving space that secures the stem of the item of stemware. The feet are coupled to the arms. The arms are flexible so as to accommodate different sizes of stems and bases in stemware with a single rack.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing an item of stemware, the apparatus comprising:

a base plate;

a post having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled with the base plate;

a retainer coupled with the second end of the post, the retainer defining a space configured in size and shape to receive a stem of the item of stemware; and

a foot, coupled to the retainer and extending from the retainer towards the base plate, configured to secure a base of the item of stemware in conjunction with the base plate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot is a first foot, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a second foot, coupled to the retainer and extending from the retainer towards the base plate, configured to secure a base of the item of stemware in cooperation with the first foot and the base plate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first foot is substantially identical in size and shape to the second foot.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot is coupled to the retainer by one or more of:

friction fit;

adhesive;

or

a mechanical fastener.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate is generally parallel with the retainer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the foot is generally perpendicular to the base plate and the retainer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the space comprises a linear portion and an annular portion, the linear portion having a width that is smaller than a diameter of the annular portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer is spaced from the base plate by a distance of between 0.5 inches and 12 inches, inclusive.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot is disposed relative to the base plate to define a separation between the foot and the base plate, the separation comprising a first portion through which the base of the item of stemware is inserted and a second portion in which the base of the item of stemware is secured after being inserted through the first portion, the first portion of the separation being smaller than the second portion of the separation.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the base plate, the retainer, or the foot comprises polycarbonate resin.

11. An apparatus for securing a plurality of items of stemware, the apparatus comprising:

a base plate;

a post having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled with the base plate;

a retainer coupled with the second end of the post, the retainer defining a plurality of separate spaces, each space configured in size and shape to receive a stem of at least one of the items of stemware; and

a plurality of feet, each foot coupled to the retainer and extending from the retainer towards the base plate, each foot configured to secure a base of at least one of the items of stemware in conjunction with the base plate.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the feet are arranged in sets of at least two feet, each foot in each set of feet arranged relative to each other foot in its set to cooperatively secure a base of at least one of the items of stemware in conjunction with the base plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each foot in a set is substantially identical in size and shape to every other foot in the set.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the feet are coupled to the retainer by one or more of:

friction fit;

adhesive;

or

a mechanical fastener.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the base plate is generally parallel with the retainer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the feet are generally perpendicular to the base plate and the retainer.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the spaces comprises a linear portion and an annular portion, the linear portion having a width that is smaller than a diameter of the annular portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the retainer is spaced from the base plate by a distance of between 0.5 inches and 12 inches, inclusive.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one foot of the feet is disposed relative to the base plate to define a separation between the at least one foot and the base plate, the separation comprising a first portion through which the base of at least one of the items of stemware is inserted and a second portion in which the base of the at least one item of stemware is secured after being inserted through the first portion, the first portion of the separation being smaller than the second portion of the separation.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein one or more of the base plate, the retainer, or the feet comprises polycarbonate resin.