Cup holder

• US 4,248,397 A
• Filed: 01/17/1979
• Issued: 02/03/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond C. Casper
• Original Assignee: Raymond C. Casper
• Inventors: Casper, Raymond C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US06/004,147
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 248/130, 248/138, 248/311.1 R, 248/184, 248/149, 224/290, 224/42.45 B, 224/42.45 R, 211/74, 211/81, 114/191
• US Class Current: 248/138
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/0216 for one glass or cup
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2400/086 Self-levelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/103 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 37/00 Other furniture or furnishings

Abstract

A device for holding a cup (C) and maintaining liquid in the cup (C) while travelling in a vehicle includes a device (10, 100) for carrying the cup (C). The cup holding device (10, 100) is carried by a support member (20, 110) in such a manner so as to permit rotation of the cup holding device (10, 100) on a first axis. A stand (30, 40, 50, 120, 130, 140) carries the support member (20, 110) in such a manner so as to permit rotation thereof on a second axis generally 90° of the first axis. The stand (30, 40, 50, 120, 130, 140) is adapted for mounting at a desired location in the vehicle. The cup (C) is thus free to act under its own inertia to maintain the liquid therein.

Claims

1. Apparatus for maintaining liquid in a cup or the like while travelling in a vehicle comprising holding means of a continuous wire construction shaped to grasp and confine the cup, said holding means terminating on both ends in a hook portion, support means of a continuous wire construction having two internal loops to accept said hook portions of said holding means in order to carry said holding means and permit rotation of said holding means on a first axis defined by said hook portions on said holding means and said internal loops on said support means, said support means terminating on both ends in a hook portion, and stand means adapted to engage a portion of the vehicle, said stand means including two pivot points positioned in order to accept said hook portions of said support means and permit rotation of said support means on a second axis which is defined by the pivot points on said stand means and the hook portions of said support means, said second axis being approximately ninety degrees of said first axis so that the cup is free to act under its own inertia to maintain the liquid in the cup.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said continuous wire construction of said cup holding means includes means extending around the cup to confine the same.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means extending around the cup is expandable to accommodate cups of varying sizes.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said continuous wire construction of said cup holding means further includes means to support the bottom of the cup.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pivot points of said stand means are hook members.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stand means is adapted to be positioned in the vehicle so that one said axis is substantially in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stand means is selectively adaptable to engage the vehicle by resting on a console of a vehicle and a transmission housing of a vehicle.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said stand means includes generally horizontal foot members for engagement of said stand means with the vehicle.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said stand means further includes pad means on said foot members to increase the frictional engagement of said stand means with the vehicle.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said stand means further includes leg members extending upwardly from said foot members, said leg members having said pivot points thereon defining said second axis and carrying said support means so that the cup is suspended away from the vehicle.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stand means includes engaging means thereon adapted to attach to a seat of the vehicle.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said engaging means is expandable to accommodate seats of varying sizes.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said stand means further includes arm means extending generally horizontally of said engaging means, said arm means having said pivot points thereon defining said second axis and carrying said support means so that the cup is suspended away from the seat of the vehicle.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stand means includes means to engage the door of a vehicle.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said stand means further includes arm means extending generally horizontally outward from said means to engage the door, said arm means having said pivot points thereon defining said second axis and carrying said support means so that the cup is suspended away from the door of the vehicle.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said stand means further includes stand support means extending from near the end of said arm means to the door of the vehicle.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising pad means at at least one of said pivot points to increase the frictional forces at said pivot points.