Beverage holder

Abstract

A holder 10 according to the present invention is disclosed. The holder 10 includes a mount 12, receiver, 14, and base 16. The holder 10 is operable to support a beverage container 11 in various locations where the drinker has need of both hands.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a holder 10 according to the present invention is disclosed. The holder 10 includes a mount 12, receiver 14, and base 16. The holder 10 is operable to support a beverage container 11 in various locations where the drinker has need of both hands.

[0002] The mount 12 is a generally flat plate including a slot for interchangeably receiving advertising literature. The advertising literature may also be held in a recessed area substantially centrally located in the mount 12. The mount preferably also includes some substantially permanent message or advertisement. The mount is attached to a mounting surface, such as a wall, bathroom stall partition, or door in convenient locations such as bathrooms and near telephones. The mount is attached with adhesive or fasteners such as screws or bolts. The mount includes two mount apertures 18 for holding the receiver 14 and base 16. The perimeter of the mount 12 preferably has a rounded configuration and may be oval or elliptical in shape. The orientation of the mount is determined by the mounting surface, which is preferably near vertical.

[0003] The receiver 14 is preferably of wire construction with a frusto-conical shape that increases in diameter and opens upwardly to receive different sizes of beverage containers. The bottom of the cone terminates with the base 16. In the embodiment shown there is an upper large ring 20, a middle ring 22, and a bottom ring 24. The rings 20-24 are preferably made of wire. The upper ring 20 has the largest diameter and the middle ring 22 and bottom ring 24 are the same diameter. Alternatively, the bottom ring 24 has a diameter smaller than the middle ring 22. The upper ring 20 is connected to the mount 12 with wire mount clips 26 that extend into the mount apertures 18. The mount clips 26 bend behind the mount 12 to secure the receiver 14. If desired, the receiver is removable from the mount 12. Alternatively, the receiver 14 is generally permanently attached to the mount to prevent inadvertent removal. Alternatively, the clips 26 are flared or increased in diameter on the backside of the mount 12. Receiver connecting wires 28, which extend generally vertically between the rings, connect the rings 20-24 to each other. There are preferably two receiver connecting wires 28 with one between each of the rings 20-24. Alternatively, additional connecting wires 28 are used, so that two or more wires 28 attach the adjacent rings.

[0004] In an alternate embodiment, the receiver is a spirally wound wire that decreases in diameter as it spirals downward. Thus, the receiver of this embodiment spirals both inward and downward. If desired, connecting wires are used to reinforce the receiver by connecting the different levels of the spiral. In this embodiment the base is either connected to the receiver as described below or the, base is integral to the receiver. If integral, the spiral of the receiver begins a planar spiral inward. That is, it ceases to spiral downwardly, and simply coils to form a generally planar surface for the base.

[0005] The base 16 provides a generally planar surface to support a beverage container while the receiver, which extends upwardly from the base, keeps the beverage container from tipping. A coiled wire forms the base 16; that is, it only spirals inwardly. An outer end 30 of the coil is attached to the bottom ring 24 by a base connecting wire 32. If, desired, additional base connecting wires attach the base to the bottom ring 24 for additional support.

[0006] The mount 12 is attached to a mounting surface, and the base 16 vertically supports the beverage container 11 while the receiver 14 supports it horizontally to inhibit tipping. This allows the drinker to take the drink to every location desired without leaving the drink behind where it can be stolen or tampered with, while having both hands free for necessary activities.

[0007] In a method of temporarily storing a beverage container, the mount is placed in a convenient location near other facilities such as a phone, sink, or toilet, and a drinker places the beverage container 11 in the holder 10 while performing desired activities. Thus, the beverage container stays within the control or, at least, the view of the drinker at substantially all times. This inhibits tampering and theft of the beverage container.

[0008] In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 3&4, a holder 50 comprises a generally integral construction including a mount 52, receiver 54, and base 56. The mount 52 is a generally flat plate including a slot for interchangeably receiving advertising literature. The advertising literature may also be held in a recessed area substantially centrally located in the mount 52. The mount preferably also includes some substantially permanent message or advertisement. The mount is attached to a mounting surface, such as a wall, bathroom stall partition, or door in convenient locations such as bathrooms and near telephones. The mount is attached with adhesive or fasteners such as screws or bolts. The perimeter of the mount 52 preferably is generally rectangular with a rounded top 58.

[0009] The receiver 54 is integral to the mount 52 and extends/bends away from the mount, and thus the mounting surface, at a downward angle ranging from approximately 91 degrees to 165 degrees. More preferably, the downward angle is approximately 135 degrees. The receiver defines an aperture 60 sized to receive beverage containers 11 of varying sizes. The aperture is substantially circular and generally centrally located in the receiver, and has a high end 62 closer to the mount and a low end 64 closer to the base 56.

[0010] The base 56 is integral to the receiver 54 and mount 52, and includes an integral depth leg 66 that joins the base to the receiver. The leg 66 extends downward from the low end 64 of the receiver and is parallel to the mount, so that is preferably vertical. The leg 66 spaces the receiver from the base, so that horizontal support is supplied to the beverage container 11 at a sufficiently high point to inhibit tipping. Increasing the length of the leg 66 will raise the support point further. The base 56 is substantially perpendicular to the mount and leg, so that it is preferably horizontal. The base is approximately 45 degrees relative to the receiver 54. The length of the base is sufficient to extend to and contact the mounting surface. Thus, the free end 68 of the base is substantially planar to the backside of the mount 52.

Claims

1. A beverage holder for mounting on a mounting surface in a desired location, the holder comprising:

a holder mount operable to mount the holder on the mounting surface,

a receiver attached to the holder mount for receiving a beverage container,

a base positioned below the receiver to support the beverage container in the receiver, and

an advertising mount for display of advertising literature.

2. The beverage holder of claim 1 wherein the advertising mount is provider on the holder mount.

3. The beverage holder of claim 1 wherein the receiver comprises a wire construction having a frusto-conical shape.