Cup holder

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing tipping of a specially configured fluid container. The apparatus comprises a ring like member having each of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined height and a plurality of gear like members secured to an inner surface of the ring like member, the plurality of gear like members having a first predetermined pitch, the plurality of gear like members for engagement with a plurality of gear like members disposed on a preformed predetermined member of such specially configured fluid container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to a cup holder apparatus, and more specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus which can be adapted to fit into an automobile cup holder and other applications in which a cup is secured in the apparatus and prevented from tipping over.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cup holders in many of the present automobiles are not very deep and a cup sitting in the holder can easily be tipped over and the contents spilled on the seats or the floor of the car. The problem seems to be more pronounced in automobiles because the car is moving and turning and in many instances the cup, particularly if it is tall, may not be able to resist the forces during a turn and may tip over without being touched.

[0003] Similar problems with spillage can occur if a cup is placed on lap tray or any other sort of a tray in which there is no secure means for holding the cup or glass in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides an apparatus for preventing tipping of a specially configured fluid container. The apparatus comprises a ring like member having each of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined height and a plurality of gear like members secured to an inner surface of the ring like member. The plurality of gear like members having a first predetermined pitch. The plurality of gear like members for engagement with a plurality of gear like members disposed on a preformed predetermined member of such specially configured fluid container.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to prevent tipping of a specially configured fluid container.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for securing a cup or glass in an automobile cup holder which will prevent the cup or glass from tipping over.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for securing a cup or glass to a tray.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a specially configured fluid container.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for securing a cup or glass in an automobile cup holder in which the means is a snap-in insert.

[0010] These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of an apparatus for preventing tipping of a specially configured fluid container.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 taken across the lines of II-II.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a specially configured fluid container having gear like members attached thereto.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of such specially configured fluid container.

[0015] FIG. 5 is cross sectional view of the gear like members of the insert according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the gear like members of the specially configured fluid container.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the gear like members of the specially configured fluid container engaged with the gears like members of the insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

[0019] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for preventing tipping of a specially configured fluid container. The apparatus includes a ring like member 2. Such ring like member 2 has a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined height. Apparatus 10 further includes a plurality of gear like members 4. Such plurality of gear like members 4 have a first predetermined pitch. Such gear like members 4 are for engagement with a plurality of gear like members (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) disposed on a preformed predetermined member of a specially configured fluid container, generally designated 20.

[0020] It is presently preferred that such predetermined diameter be an adjustable diameter so as to permit such apparatus 10 to be engageable with, for example, a cup holder in an automobile. It is presently preferred that such apparatus 10 be a snap-in insert so as to fit in the cup holder of an automobile. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention such predetermined diameter of the exterior of the ring like member is between about 2.75 and about 3.25 inches, while the inner diameter of the apparatus (gear to gear) is between about 2⅛ and about 2½ inches.

[0021] Such apparatus 10 further includes a means, generally designated 40, disposed on an outer surface of the ring like member 2 to prevent slipping when the apparatus 10 is snapped into place in a cup holder. The outer surface of such ring like member 10 having such means for preventing slipping 40 can be either the bottom surface or the vertical surface.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention such predetermined height of the ring like member is between about ⅛ and ½ inches and the predetermined thickness of the ring like member is between about ⅛ and about ½ inches. It is presently preferred that such predetermined height be between about {fraction (3/32)} and about ¼ inches and such predetermined thickness of the ring like member be between about {fraction (5/32)} and about {fraction (5/16)} inches.

[0023] As is evident in FIG. 2 the gear like members 4 extend from the ring like member 2 at an angle. The angle is important in that the smaller the angle from a horizontal plane between the gear like members 4 and the ring 2 the tighter the specially configured container 20 will be held by the apparatus 10. Conversely as the angle becomes greater it becomes easier for the container 20 to be inserted and removed from the apparatus 10. In an embodiment of the invention such gear like members are disposed at an angle of between about 20° and about 65° from a horizontal plane. It is presently preferred that such angle be between about 25° and about 35°.

[0024] The apparatus is formed of a plastic material. It is presently preferred that such plastic be selected from a group including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyvinyl chloride. It is presently preferred that such plastic is polyvinyl chloride.

[0025] Illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a specially configured fluid container, generally designated 20. The container 20 has a ring like member 12 attached to the specially configured container 20. Gear like members 14 extend from the ring like member 12 for engagement with similar gears on the apparatus 10. As is evident in FIGS. 3 and 4 the ring 12 and gear 14 arrangement are disposed closely adjacent the bottom of the fluid container 20. Such ring like member 12 may be formed as part of the specially configured fluid container 20 or it may be a separate unit engageable with such container 20. In an embodiment of the invention such outer diameter of the ring 12 and gear arrangement about such specially configured container 20 is between about 2¼ and about 2⅝ inches. The outer diameter of such gear arrangement 12 on the ring 14 on the specially configured container 20 should be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the apparatus 10 which would allow approximately 0.01 inch clearance.

[0026] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6. Illustrated therein is a cross sectional view of the gears 4 disposed on the apparatus 10 as it would be as an insert into a cup holder and the gears 14 disposed on such ring member 12 of the specially configured fluid container 20. As is evident there are gaps 5 or spaces between the plurality of gears 4 on the apparatus 10. Similarly there are gaps 15 disposed between the plurality of gears 14 on the specially configured fluid container 20. It is presently preferred that the gaps 5 and 15 be slightly wider that than the width of the gear like members 4 and 14.

[0027] An example of the arrangement of the plurality of gear like members 4 and the ring like member 2, would include between about 25 to 40 such gear like members 4 spiraling down from the ring like member 2 at such preferred predetermined angle. As stated previously such preferred angle would be between about 25° and 45° from a horizontal plane.

[0028] Alternately between each gear like member 4 of such apparatus 10 is a gap 5. Thus, there would be a gear like member 4, a gap 5, a gear 4, gap 5, etc. around the inner circumference of the ring like member 2. Such individual gear like member 4 would have a width of approximately about 0.06 inches while the corresponding gap 5 would be slightly larger, approximately 0.07 inches. The gear 14 and gap 15 arrangement on the specially configured container 20 would be similar.

[0029] As is evident in FIG. 7 the gears 14 on the container 20 mesh with the gears 4 on the insert to hold the container 20 in place and prevent the container 20 from tipping over. As the container 20 is placed into apparatus 10 a simple twist locks the container 20 in place. Conversely, a simple reverse twist releases the container and the container 20 is removed easily.

[0030] One additional feature with respect to the gear like members 15 of the specially configured container 20 is that the ends of the gear like members 15 should not have any sharp points. This permits easier locking into apparatus 10 and easier removal of container 20.

[0031] While both the presently preferred and a number of alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above it should be understood that various other adaptations and modifications of the present invention can be envisioned by those persons who are skilled in the relevant art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing tipping of a specially configured fluid container, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a ring like member having each of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined height; and

(b) a plurality of gear like members secured to an inner surface of said ring like member, said plurality of gear like members having a first predetermined pitch, said plurality of gear like members for engagement with a plurality of gear like members disposed on a preformed predetermined member of such specially configured fluid container.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said ring like member is engageable in a cup holder.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined diameter is an adjustable diameter.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes means disposed on an outer surface of said ring like member to prevent slipping.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said outer surface is one of a bottom surface and a vertical surface of said ring like member.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said outer surface is a bottom surface.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined height of said ring like member is between about ⅛ inches and about ½ inches.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined thickness of said ring like member is between about ⅛ inches and about ½ inches.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said gear like members are disposed at an angle of between about 20 degrees and about 65 degrees from a horizontal plane.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said gear like members are disposed at an angle of between about 25 degrees and about 35 degrees from a horizontal plane.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is engageable in at least one of a tray, a vehicle cup holder and a place mat.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said apparatus engageable in a vehicle cup holder is designed as an insert.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said insert is a snap-in insert having an adjustable diameter.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is made of one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyvinyl chloride.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said apparatus is made of polyvinyl chloride.

16. A specially configured fluid container for use with an apparatus for preventing tipping, said specially configured fluid container comprising:

(a) a fluid container;

(b) a ring like member having each of a second predetermined diameter, a second predetermined thickens and a second predetermined height and having an inner surface engageable with an outer surface of said fluid container; and

(c) a plurality of gear like members secured to an outer surface of said ring like member, said plurality of gear like members having a second predetermined pitch, said plurality of gear like members for engagement with a plurality of gear like members disposed on an apparatus for preventing tipping of said specially configured fluid container.

17. The specially configured fluid container, according to claim 16, wherein said second predetermined pitch is similar to said first predetermined pitch.

18. The specially configured fluid container, according to claim 16, wherein said specially configured container is one of a cup and a glass having said ring like member engageable with an outer surface of said one of a cup and a glass.

19. The specially configured fluid container, according to claim 16, wherein said ring like member and said plurality of gears are made of one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyvinyl chloride.

20. The specially configured fluid container, according to claim 19, wherein said ring like member and said plurality of gears are made of polyvinyl chloride.