Monolithic container holder

• US 7,584,867 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc. (Dorel Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cosco Management Incorporated (Dorel Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burbrink, Philip W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick; Anthony D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hicks; Robert J
• Application Number:
  US10/999,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20060138814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,744 Days
• Field of Search: 220/660, 220/480, 220/476, 297/188.14, 297/188.01, 297/440.16
• US Class Current: 220/737
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed

Abstract

A monolithic container holder has a top surface and a receptacle depending from the top surface. The receptacle includes a generally bottom planar wall, a pair of end walls having a height extending between the top surface and the bottom planar wall, and a pair of side walls. Each side wall consists essentially of a concave curved section. The concave curved sections are spaced apart and arranged to receive a curved or round container therein. The end walls are spaced apart and arranged to receive a generally rectangular container therein. The monolithic container holder, or cup holder, may be formed as part of another structure such as a seat formed to support a juvenile with arms and a back, all forming a monolithic body.

Claims

1. A monolithic container holder comprising

an aperture in a support surface,

opposing curved side walls extending downwardly from the support surface,

opposing flat end walls extending downwardly from a convex upper end of the support surface, and

a bottom joining the curved side walls and flat end walls to form a cavity extending below the aperture and the support surface with the opposing curved side walls terminating at the opposing flat end walls,

wherein the support surface, bottom, opposing curved side walls, and opposing flat end walls are a monolithic body;

wherein the height of one of the opposing flat end walls is less than the height of the other, and

wherein a container held in the aperture is surrounded by the opposing curved side walls and the opposing flat end walls.

2. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, further comprising means for firmly holding one of a round container or a rectangular container.

3. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, further comprising means for firmly holding a round container and a rectangular container.

4. The monolithic container holder of claim 3, further comprising means for supporting round container surfaces and means for supporting flat container surfaces.

5. The monolithic container holder of claim 2, wherein the cavity comprises means for firmly holding one of a container having a curved bottom of a diameter of up to about two inches or a rectangular container having a length or width of up to about three inches.

6. The monolithic container holder of claim 2, wherein the cavity comprises means for holding a round container having a bottom diameter of up to about two inches and a rectangular container having a length or width of up to about three inches.

7. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, wherein the side walls diverge outwardly from the bottom to the top.

8. The monolithic container holder of claim 7, wherein the side walls diverge at an angle of up to about 4°

.

9. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, further comprising a beveled edge at the opening in the monolithic body.

10. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, further comprising a rounded edge at the opening in the monolithic body.

11. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, wherein each opposing curved side wall consists of essentially an outwardly curved section.

12. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, wherein the opposing curved side walls cooperate to define a round-receiver for receiving a container having a circular cross section therebetween.

13. The monolithic container holder of claim 1, wherein the opposing flat end walls cooperate to define a rectangle-receiver for receiving a container having a rectangular cross section therebetween and the bottom provides a container-receiving floor.

14. A monolithic container holder comprising

an aperture in a support surface,

opposing curved, slanted side walls extending downwardly from a convex upper end of the support surface,

opposing flat end walls extending downwardly from the support surface,

a bottom joining the curved, slanted side walls and flat end walls to form a cavity extending below the aperture and the support surface with the opposing curved, slanted side walls terminating at the opposing flat end walls, and

wherein the support surface, bottom, opposing curved, slanted side walls, and opposing flat end walls are a monolithic body.

15. A monolithic container holder comprising

an aperture in a support surface,

opposing curved, slanted side walls extending downwardly from a convex upper end of the support surface,

opposing flat end walls extending downwardly from the support surface, and

a bottom joining the curved, slanted side walls and flat end walls to form a cavity extending below the aperture and the support surface with the opposing curved, slanted side walls terminating at the opposing flat end walls,

wherein the support surface, bottom, opposing curved, slanted side walls, and opposing flat end walls are a monolithic body;

wherein the height of one of the opposing flat end walls is less than the height of the other, and

wherein a container held in the aperture is surrounded by the opposing curved, slanted side walls and the opposing flat end walls.