Universal container holder

• US 4,957,254 A
• Filed: 10/10/1989
• Issued: 09/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnny L. Hill
• Original Assignee: Johnny L. Hill
• Inventors: Hill, Johnny L., Gormley, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSON, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/418,559
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 248/205.5, 248/206.2, 248/206.3, 248/207, 248/220.2, 248/224.3, 248/223.4, 248/224.4, 248/278, 248/284, 248/309.1, 248/310, 248/311.2, 248/313 , 248/314, 248/324, 224/42.45 R, 220/85 H, 220/903
• US Class Current: 248/207
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/0225 attachable to a plate, table, or the like

Abstract

A universal container holder designed for receiving, supporting and orienting a beverage container in an upright configuration from a horizontal or a vertical surface or any surface disposed at an angle between the horizontal and vertical. In a first preferred embodiment the universal container holder is characterized by a clip element fitted with a supporting suction cup and provided with curved, spaced clip legs for receiving a corresponding bar tab of a T-bar element which may be attached to a receptacle designed to receive a beverage container. In a second preferred embodiment the T-bar element includes a beverage container receptacle. The T-bar element may be permanently attached to an insulated beverage container receptacle or an alternative container receptacle or it may be removably attached to the container receptacle, as desired. Engagement of the tab component of the T-bar with the curved clip legs, in combination with the rotatable or pivotal mounting of the clip to the supporting suction cup, insures that the beverage container placed in a container receptacle attached to or made a part of the T-bar, is able to swing in two planes oriented in perpendicular relationship with respect to each other and the beverage container will therefore remain upright at all times, regardless of the attitude of the suction cup and the structural member to which the suction cup is attached.

Claims

1. A universal container holder for supporting a beverage container from a structure, comprising a clip adapted for mounting on the structure, said clip characterized by a support portion, engaging means carried by said support portion for engaging the structure and a pair of curved legs projecting from said support portion in spaced relationship, said curved legs having an arcuate, concave receiving surface;

and a T-bar adapted for engaging said clip and supporting the beverage container in an upright configuration, said T-bar characterized by a bar tab for engaging said arcuate, concave receiving surface of said clip in articulating relationship, a bar neck extending from said bar tab and receptacle means carried by said bar neck for receiving and supporting the beverage container.

2. The universal container holder of claim 1 further comprising a leg retainer provided in each of said curved legs for engaging said bar tab of said T-bar and preventing said T-bar from sliding from said curved legs.

3. The universal container holder of claim 2 wherein said receptacle means further comprises a connecting strap extending from said bar neck, collar means provided on one end of said connecting strap for receiving a beverage container and a support strap provided on the opposite end of said connecting strap and extending beneath said collar means for supporting the beverage container in said collar means.

4. The universal container holder of claim 2 wherein said receptable means further comprises an insulated receptacle.

5. The universal container holder of claim 4 further comprising a vertical slot provided in said insulated receptacle for receiving the handle of a mug.

6. A universal container holder for suspending a beverage container receptacle from a structure and maintaining the beverage container receptacle in an upright configuration, comprising a clip characterized by a support portion;

a suction cup pivotally carried by said support portion for removably engaging the structure and pair of curved legs projecting from said support portion in spaced relationship, said curved legs having an arcuate, concave receiving surface;

a T-bar characterized by a bar tab for engaging said arcuate concave receiving surface of said curved legs in articulated, slidable relationship;

a bar neck extending from said bar tab;

a leg retainer provided in each of said curved legs for engaging said bar tab and preventing said bar tab from sliding from said curved legs; and

a connecting strap carried by said bar neck for receiving and supporting the beverage retainer receptacle, whereby said clip, said T-bar and the beverage container receptacle are free to swing in a first plane responsive to pivoting of said support portion with respect to said suction cup and said T-bar and the beverage container receptacle are free to swing in a second plane disposed perpendicular to said first plane responsive to articulation and sliding of said bar tab on said arcuate, concave receiving surface of said curved legs.