Abstract: A container holder adapted to be mounted within a vehicle interior compartment is provided comprising a housing which mounts at least one pivotable arm having a sector-like floor portion. The arm is pivotable between a retracted and an extended position. As a beverage container is placed within the housing, a base portion of the beverage container pivots the at least one arm about an axis which causes the arm to pivot to the extended position and to engage a wall portion of the beverage container. The beverage container is thereby retained in the housing in a stable manner. A release button assembly is provided which returns the arm to the retracted position when the beverage container is removed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cupholder comprising a drawer slidably mounted within a housing for movement between a stored position and a use position. The drawer has a semicircular recess in combination with an arm to form a cup retaining area. The arm is biased away from the drawer. In the stored position, the drawer is retained within the housing and the arm abuts the interior of the housing. In the use position, the arm is biased away from the drawer to its outermost position to form the largest size cup retaining area. The arm can be pivoted inward toward the drawer and locked in discrete positions by a ratchet to form cup retaining areas of decreasing size to accommodate different size containers. Once the arm is pivoted beyond the smallest size cup retaining area, the arm is automatically biased outwardly to its outermost position.

Abstract: A pivoting cup holder for supporting a beverage container in a vehicle. The cup holder comprises a flat movable drawer which can slide into and out of a retainer set into or below the dashboard or an armrest of an automobile. A semicircular indentation is formed in each side of the drawer. Pivotally mounted to the drawer are a pair of cup rings, each of which is formed with a curved edge complementary to the semicircular indentation. The cup rings are spring-loaded to rotate horizontally to a use position when the drawer is pulled outwardly of the retainer. In the use position the cup rings cooperate with the semicircular indentation to form complete circular retainers for supporting the side wall of a beverage container. The cup holder further comprises a spring loaded bail and cup support which, when the drawer is opened, vertically pivot to a position centered below the circular retainers to brace the bottom surface of the beverage container.

Abstract: A fastener joint assembly and method for joining the crank arm plate to the pivot shaft in a vehicular windshield wiper crank arm assembly. A varying sized opening formed in the crank plate engages a corresponding knurl on the shaft. The opening is formed by providing a punch and an enlarged die member so that as the opening is pierced, the material at the lower portion of the opening at the enlarged die opening breaks out forming a larger diameter opening at the bottom of the plate. The root diameter of the knurled portion of the shaft corresponds generally to the smaller diameter opening in the plate. The larger diameter portion of the plate opening corresponds generally to the outer diameter of the knurl. As the shaft is driven into the plate at the smaller opening, the material surrounding the smaller opening flows into the larger diameter portion and the knurl forms a positive connection between the shaft and the plate.