Interchangeable base for beverage container holder

• US 5,990,790 A
• Filed: 08/20/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sound Devices, LLC (Audiotonix Ltd.), Edventions Company
• Original Assignee: Edventions Company
• Inventors: Lusareta, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/137,090
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/571, 340/692, 340/665-6, 340/693.5, 206/459.1, 362/101, 220/739, 220/903
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/0306 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0036 Table-ware or table equipment, e.g. dishes, cutlery or trays
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/903 Insulating jacket for beverage container

Abstract

The invention is a base unit that may be used in combination with beverage container holders. The base unit is connected to the beverage container holder by a press or friction fit, or by an adhesive, so that different theme beverage container holders may be used with the same base. The base may include electronic circuitry to control such functions as sound, light and motion which may be actuated by a ON-OFF switch, or a switch that actuates when the base and beverage container holder are placed on, or lifted from a surface.

Claims

1. A base unit for use with a beverage container holder comprising:

a base and a beverage container holder mounted thereon;

a recess in said base for receiving the beverage container holder; and

an electronic circuit within said base, including a first switch, for producing at least one of sound, light and motion when the base unit is at least one of placed upon and removed from a surface thereby causing the switch to change state.

2. The base unit according to claim 1, including a second switch connected to said electronic circuit for applying and removing power to said electronic circuit.

3. The base unit according to claim 1, wherein said first switch is a normally ON switch, and is turned OFF when the base unit is placed on a surface.

4. The base unit according to claim 1, wherein said first switch is a normally OFF switch, and is turned ON when the base unit is removed from a surface.

5. The base unit according to claim 1, including a speaker mounted in the base that directs sounds produced by the speaker through openings in said base.

6. The base unit according to claim 1, wherein said recess in said base is a circular channel for receiving one end of a cylindrical beverage holder.

7. The base unit according to claim 1, wherein said recess is a circular opening for receiving a closed end of a beverage container.

8. A base unit for use in combination with a beverage container holder, comprising:

a beverage container holder;

a base unit;

a recess in said base unit for receiving and holding the beverage container holder; and

an electronic circuit within said base, including a first switch, for producing at least one of sound, light and motion when the base unit is at least one of placed upon and removed from a surface thereby causing the switch to change state.

9. The base unit according to claim 8, including a second switch connected to said electronic circuit for applying and removing power to said electronic circuit.

10. The base unit according to claim 8, wherein said first switch is a normally ON switch, and is turned off when the base unit is placed on a surface.

11. The base unit according to claim 8, wherein said first switch is a normally OFF switch, and is turned ON when the base unit removed from a surface.

12. The base unit according to claim 8, including a speaker mounted in the base that directs sounds produced by the speaker through openings in said base.

13. The base unit according to claim 8, wherein said recess in said base is a circular channel for receiving one end of a cylindrical beverage holder.

14. The base unit according to claim 8, wherein said recess is a circular opening for receiving a closed end of a beverage container.

15. A base unit for use in combination with a beverage container holder, comprising:

a beverage container holder;

a base unit;

a recess in said base unit for receiving and holding the beverage container holder; and

an electronic circuit within said base, including a first switch, for producing at least one of sound, light, motion and a recorded message when the base unit is at least one of placed upon and removed from a surface thereby causing the switch to change state.