Self-orientating fluid container device

• US 4,437,636 A
• Filed: 02/12/1982
• Issued: 03/20/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony Mazzurco
• Original Assignee: Anthony Mazzurco
• Inventors: Miller, Richard L., Mazzurco, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lechok, Sarah A.
• Application Number:
  US06/348,219
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 248/137, 248/138, 248/142, 211/81
• US Class Current: 248/137
• 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: B63B 29/12 Self-levelling mountings

Abstract

A self-orienting fluid container device, including a stationary base, an outer gimbal supported on the base, an inner gimbal frame supported on the outer gimbal carrying a cup, and a lock for selectively locking the base, the outer gimbal ring and inner gimbal frame from freely pivoting respective to each other.

Claims

1. A self-orienting fluid container device, comprising in combination, a stationary base having an outer support ring, support legs depending from said outer support ring and a 1st pair of diametrically opposed notches formed in said outer support ring;

an outer gimbal frame having an outer gimbal ring with a 1st pair of radially outwardly extending diametrically opposed spurs which pivotally seat in said 1st pair of opposed notches, and a second pair of diametrically opposed notches formed in said outer gimbal ring spaced 90 degrees from said 1st pair of spurs;

an inner gimbal frame having an inner gimbal ring with a second pair of radially outwardly extending diametrically opposed spurs which pivotally seat in said second pair of opposed notches, and a depending basket for removably supporting a fluid container; and

a selective locking mechanism for automatically retaining the fluid container in a fixed orientation when grabbed for drinking, comprising an inverted receptacle positioned on the bottom of said basket, a handle slidably coupled to a support leg for lifting the device to raise the fluid container for drinking, an arm extending from said handle, and an upwardly extending prong at the end of said arm, said prong engaging said receptacle with the lifting of the handle to prevent rotation of the container with respect to the device whenever it is desired to lift the container, and said prong disengaging from said receptacle upon lowering of said handle to replace the device, whereby the device will pivot in mutually orthogonal axes to maintain the container in a vertical orientation when placed down and the device will keep the container fixed when picked up.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said arm comprises a loop passing around another leg to prevent rotation of said arm.

3. A device as in claim 1, and comprising a collar formed along the support leg supporting said handle, to limit the downward sliding of said handle along its support leg.

4. A device as in claim 1, and further comprising loop pile fastener means at the distal ends of said support legs attachable to mating fasteners on a support surface.