Device for holding a container
First Claim
1. A device for holding a container, the device comprising:
- a base configured to support the container;
an actuator mechanism; and
a retaining mechanism coupled to the actuator mechanism and configured to retain the container, the retaining mechanism comprising;
a longitudinal axis; and
an iris including a plurality of first-level arms arranged in a first level and a plurality of second-level arms arranged in a second level that is axially adjacent to the first level, wherein ends of adjacent first-level arms are spaced apart by respective gaps, said first-level arms having opposing top and bottom surfaces and said second-level arms having opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein for each second-level arm, said bottom surface thereof engages said top surfaces of adjacent first-level arms such that said second-level arms overlap said gaps, and wherein the iris is moveable between an insertion position and a retaining position and wherein an opening formed by the iris in the insertion position has an insertion diameter greater than a retaining diameter of the opening in the retaining position,wherein user rotation of the actuator mechanism in a first direction causes the arms of the iris to move to the retaining position and user rotation of the actuator mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the arms of the iris to move away from the retaining position toward the insertion position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for holding a container includes a base configured to support the container, a retaining mechanism configured to retain the container relative to the base, and an actuator mechanism coupled to the retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism includes an iris moveable between an insertion position and a retaining position. A central opening formed by the iris in the insertion position has an insertion diameter greater than a retaining diameter of the central opening formed by the iris in the retaining position. The iris includes a plurality of arms arranged in a first level and a second level. User rotation of the actuator mechanism in a first direction causes the arms of the iris to move to the retaining position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the arms of the iris to move away from the retaining position towards the insertion position.
38 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for holding a container, the device comprising:
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a base configured to support the container; an actuator mechanism; and a retaining mechanism coupled to the actuator mechanism and configured to retain the container, the retaining mechanism comprising; a longitudinal axis; and an iris including a plurality of first-level arms arranged in a first level and a plurality of second-level arms arranged in a second level that is axially adjacent to the first level, wherein ends of adjacent first-level arms are spaced apart by respective gaps, said first-level arms having opposing top and bottom surfaces and said second-level arms having opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein for each second-level arm, said bottom surface thereof engages said top surfaces of adjacent first-level arms such that said second-level arms overlap said gaps, and wherein the iris is moveable between an insertion position and a retaining position and wherein an opening formed by the iris in the insertion position has an insertion diameter greater than a retaining diameter of the opening in the retaining position, wherein user rotation of the actuator mechanism in a first direction causes the arms of the iris to move to the retaining position and user rotation of the actuator mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the arms of the iris to move away from the retaining position toward the insertion position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification