Unitarily constructed apparatus for adjustably supporting a beverage container

• US 6,050,468 A
• Filed: 09/04/1998
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Kelley, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory M.
• Application Number:
  US09/148,590
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 224/926, 224/542, 224/552, 224/556, 224/557, 248/311.2, 296/37.8, 296/37.15, D12/419, D12/420
• US Class Current: 224/542
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/103 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/107 with different elements of fixed geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/108 with resilient holding elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/926 Vehicle attached carrier for beverage container or bottle

Abstract

A unitarily constructed apparatus for adjustably supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle includes an upper flange, a lower base, and an outer wall interconnecting the upper flange and the lower base. The outer wall defines at least one recess for receiving a beverage container. Each recess has a maximum diameter. The outer wall is formed to include at least one resiliently deflectable portion associated with each recess. The resiliently deflectable portion extends inwardly from the maximum diameter. The apparatus is preferably unitarily constructed from a flexible material and removably insertable into an opening of a console of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting and receiving a beverage container the apparatus including a recess for receiving the beverage container, the recess defined by a side wall unitarily formed to include a generally cylindrical portion and at least one resiliently deflectable portion, said at least one resiliently deflectable portion inwardly extending from said generally cylindrical portion and including a vertically extending groove formed in a rear surface thereof.

2. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container of claim 1, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion is convexly curved in a horizontal plane.

3. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container of claim 1, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion upwardly tapers.

4. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container of claim 1, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion includes three resiliently deflectable portions equally spaced about said recess.

5. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is flexible.

6. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is unitarily constructed.

7. An apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

an upper flange;

a base; and

an outer wall interconnecting said upper flange and said base, said outer wall defining a recess for receiving the beverage container, said recess having a maximum diameter, said outer wall unitarily formed to include at least one resiliently deflectable portion inwardly extending from said maximum diameter and including a vertically extending groove formed in a rear surface thereof.

8. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion is convexly curved in a horizontal plane.

9. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion upwardly tapers.

10. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion includes three resiliently deflectable portions equally spaced about said maximum diameter.

11. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein said apparatus is unitarily constructed from polyvinylchloride or thermoplastic rubber.

12. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a relief interbetween said resiliently deflectable portion and said base.

13. A unitarily constructed apparatus for adjustably supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a console defining an opening, the apparatus comprising:

an upper flange;

a lower base; and

an outer wall interconnecting said upper flange and said lower base, said outer wall defining at least one recess for receiving the beverage container, each recess having a maximum diameter, said outer wall formed to include at least one resiliently deflectable portion associated with each recess of said at least one recess and extending inwardly from said maximum diameter and wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion-includes a vertically extending groove formed in a rear surface thereof;

said apparatus being unitarily constructed from a flexible material and removably insertable into the opening of the console.

14. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 13, wherein said at least one recess includes a pair of recesses.

15. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 13, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion is convexly curved in a horizontal plane.

16. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 13, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion upwardly tapers.

17. The apparatus for supporting a beverage container within a motor vehicle of claim 13, wherein said at least one resiliently deflectable portion includes three resiliently deflectable portions equally spaced about said maximum diameter.