Drink holding device

Abstract

A drink holding device for attachment to an arm of a chair is provided. Such drink holding device includes a holding member. The holding member has a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can. The holding member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A securing mechanism is operably connected to the holding member at a predetermined location thereon and is engageable with such arm of such chair for securing the holding member to such arm of such chair.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/948,838 filed Jul. 10, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to cupholders and drink holders, more particularly, this invention relates to cupholders and drink holders which are attachable to chairs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, drink holders, also known as cupholders, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been built into automobiles and movie theater seating for convenience. Unfortunately, in other settings, such as at home, and in beauty salons and barber shops, chairs do not have drink holders thereby inconveniencing the user when such user has no place to put his or her drink. Therefore, a drink holder which is attachable to a chair or built into a chair, especially beauty salon and barber shop type chairs, would be desirable.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Luebke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,678 discloses a cup holder for holding a cup or the like in place. The cup holder is attachable to an arm of a leisure-type chair or other type chair in which space is provided below its arms. The holder has a support including a horizontal support arm which extends over the top of the chair arm and retaining flange which bears against the inside edge of the chair arm.

Rowles, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,046, discloses an adjustable mug holder mountable on a vehicle door having different thicknesses of interior sidewall structures and includes an inverted generally U-shaped mounting member connected to a side of a cup or mug receptacle which has a two-part base portion which is slidably adjustable over a predetermined range of widths. The mounting member has a free end sized for insertion between a window glass and an interior wall structure of the vehicle door to mount the holder on the wall structure.

Ray, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,485 discloses an insulated drink holder attachable to a lawn chair or the like. The drink holder includes a receptacle for holding a beverage container, and a two part clamp attached to the receptacle. One side of the clamp is formed by an arm projecting laterally from the receptacle. In alternative embodiments, the other side of the clamp comprises a member adjusted in discrete steps by a peg and socket arrangement, or a spring urged jaw pivotally mounted to the arm. Resilient cushions are located on the upper and lower sides of the clamp to conform to the lawn chair frame being grasped, and to prevent the drink holder from gimballing. In both embodiments, flexible straps bearing hook and loop fasteners are tightened around the clamp to further improve grip. The novel drink holder cooperates with lawn furniture having either tubular or square channel frame members.

Aleman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,290, discloses a beverage container assembly for improving access to and replacement of beverage containers by children to decrease the potential for spillage. The beverage container assembly includes a main container portion including a bottom wall and a perimeter wall, which extends upwardly from a perimeter edge of the bottom wall, the main container portion is for holding a beverage container; and a coupling portion for selectively coupling the assembly to a support member such as a rail of a baby seat, the coupling portion is operationally coupled to the main container.

Willeby, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,128, discloses a drink holder to be mounted on a tubular chair leg or other similar substantially vertically oriented rod-like member. The drink holder includes a drink holder housing which is specially configured to have compartments to connect with separate structures such as a beverage container. A bracket composed of two separate leg members is pivotally connected to the housing. The two separate leg members are hingedly connected together and are also pivotally mounted on the housing between a closed position and an open position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a drink holding device for attachment to an arm of a chair. Such drink holding device includes a holding member. The holding member has a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can. The holding member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A securing means is operably connected to the holding member at a predetermined location thereon and is engageable with such arm of such chair for securing the holding member to such arm of such chair.

According to another embodiment, a drink holding device for attachment to an arm of a chair is provided. Such drink holding device includes a holding member having a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can. The holding member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. An arm member is operably connected to the holding member at a first predetermined location thereon for creating distance between the holding member and such arm of such chair. Such arm member is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size. A securing means is operably connected to the arm member at a second predetermined location thereon for securing such device to such arm of such chair.

According to yet another embodiment, in a chair used by at least one of a barber, a beautician, and a combination thereof, a drink holding device includes an arm member, such arm member being attached to such chair at a first predetermined end thereof. Such arm member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A holding member is operably disposed on such arm member at a second predetermined end thereof. The holding member has a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can. The holding member is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a drink holding device for use with beauty salon type chairs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drink holding device which is attachable to the arm of a chair without impeding the use of such chair arm.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated drink holding device which is attachable to the arm of a hair salon hair dryer chair.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient device in which a cup, can, or bottle may be placed to retain the temperature of liquid within such cup, can, or bottle and free a user's hands.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-4.

The present invention provides a drink holding device, generally designated 10, for attachment to an arm 12 of a chair 14. Such drink holding device 10 includes a holding member 16.

The holding member 16 has a generally hollow interior 18 for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup 22, a bottle 24, and a can 26. The holding member 16 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, and a combination thereof. It is presently most preferred that such first predetermined material is plastic.

It is further presently preferred that such holding member 16 is insulated.

A securing means 28 is operably connected to the holding member 16 at a predetermined location thereon and is engageable with such arm 12 of such chair 14 for securing the holding member 16 to such arm 12 of such chair 14.

It is presently preferred that such securing means 28 is at least one of a clamp type securing means 32, a clip type securing means 34, a hook and loop type securing means 15 and a combination thereof.

Referencing FIG. 3, according to another embodiment, a drink holding device, generally designated 20, for attachment to an arm 12 of a chair 14 is provided.

Such drink holding device 20 includes a holding member 16 having a generally hollow interior 18 for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup 22, a bottle 24, and a can 26.

The holding member 16 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is plastic. It is further presently preferred that such holding member 16 is insulated.

An arm member 36 is operably connected to the holding member 16 at a first predetermined location thereon for creating distance between the holding member 16 and such arm 12 of such chair 14. Such arm member 36 is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size. It is presently preferred that such second predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal and a combination thereof. It is presently most preferred that such second predetermined material is plastic.

It is further presently preferred that such first predetermined material and such second predetermined material are substantially identical.

A securing means 28 is operably connected to the arm member 36 at a second predetermined location thereon for securing such device to such arm of such chair.

It is presently preferred that such securing means 28 is at least one of a clamp type securing means 32, a clip type securing means 34, a hook and loop type securing means 15 and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that such device 20 is used in combination with a chair 14 used by at least one of barbers, beauticians, and a combination thereof.

Referencing FIG. 4, according to yet another embodiment, in a chair 14 used by at least one of a barber, a beautician, and a combination thereof, a drink holding device, generally designated 30, includes an arm member 42, such arm member 42 being attached to such chair 14 at a first predetermined end 44 thereof. Such arm member 42 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape.

A holding member 16 is operably disposed on such arm member 42 at a second predetermined end 46 thereof. The holding member 16 has a generally hollow interior 18 for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup 22, a bottle 24, and a can 26.

The holding member 16 is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

Such holding member 16 may be integrally connected to such arm member 42 and such first predetermined material and such second predetermined material may be substantially identical. However, the device 30 is not meant to be limited as such and such holding member 16 and such arm member 42 may be connected in any manner which facilitates such a purpose.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drink holding device for attachment to an arm of a chair, said drink holding device comprising:

a. a holding member having a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can, said holding member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; and

b. a securing means operably connected to said holding member at a predetermined location thereon and being engageable with such arm of such chair for securing said holding member to such arm of such chair.

2. A drink holding device according to claim 1 wherein said holding member is insulated.

3. A drink holding device according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is at least one of a clamp type securing means, a clip type securing means, a hook and loop type securing means and a combination thereof.

4. A drink holding device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, and a combination thereof.

5. A drink holding device according to claim 4 wherein said first predetermined material is plastic.

6. A drink holding device for attachment to an arm of a chair, such drink holding device comprising:

a. a holding member having a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can, said holding member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape;

b. an arm member operably connected to said holding member at a first predetermined location thereon for creating distance between said holding member and such arm of such chair, said arm member being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size; and

c. a securing means operably connected to said arm member at a second predetermined location thereon for securing said device to such arm of such chair.

7. A drink holding device according to claim 6 wherein said holding member is insulated.

8. A drink holding device according to claim 6 wherein said securing means is at least one of a clamp type securing means, a clip type securing means, a hook and loop type securing means and a combination thereof.

9. A drink holding device according to claim 6 wherein said first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, and a combination thereof.

10. A drink holding device according to claim 9 wherein said first predetermined material is plastic.

11. A drink holding device according to claim 6 wherein said second predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal and a combination thereof.

12. A drink holding device according to claim 11 wherein said second predetermined material is plastic.

13. A drink holding device according to claim 6 wherein said first predetermined material and said second predetermined material are substantially identical.

14. A drink holding device according to claim 6 wherein said device is used in combination with a chair used by at least one of a barber, a beautician, and a combination thereof.

15. In a chair used by at least one of barbers, beauticians, and a combination thereof, a drink holding device comprising:

a. an arm member, said arm member being attached to said chair at a first predetermined end thereof, said arm member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; and

b. a holding member operably disposed on said arm member at a second predetermined end thereof, said holding member having a generally hollow interior for receiving and supporting at least one of a cup, a bottle, and a can, said holding member being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.