Beverage holder

Abstract

Provided is a beverage holder for holding beverages in a stable fashion. In the preferred embodiment the beverage holder is used in conjunction with a motorcycle saddlebag. The beverage holder thereby allows operators of motorcycles to carry beverages in either cans, bottles, or the like, without the need to use one of their hands to hold the beverage. The beverage holder may also be folded when not in use so as to use the minimum amount of space within the saddlebag.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of beverage holders, and more particularly to a beverage holder designed to be carried in a compartment, such as a motorcycle saddlebag.

2. Description of the Related Art

Today's busy lifestyle has increased the amount of time people spend in their vehicles. Accordingly, people attempt to introduce as many comforts into their vehicles as possible. Automobiles and trucks allow for the transportation of a large quantity of amenities due to their size and configuration. Smaller vehicles, such as All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), and motorcycles do not provide such an opportunity. As a result, free space on these types of vehicles has become a highly coveted item.

Operators of motorcycles, for example, have limited options with respect to storage of items. Some motorcycles offer a mall storage space under the seat area, or include storage compartments typically found on the rear portion of the vehicle. Not surprisingly, motorcycle operators have turned to a variety of accessories to supplement the limited storage space.

Examples of these accessories include tank panels and saddlebags. Tank panels are relatively small and flat, as necessitated by their location on the top portion of the motorcycle tank. Saddlebags are often larger and often come in pairs, located on either side of the rear portion of the motorcycle. The saddlebag allows for storage of more items, yet they are generally open and do not include structure that would enable an individual to store items such as beverages that would likely tip over within the saddlebag. Because motorcycle operators often desire beverages while sitting on their bikes, or while in near proximity to their vehicles, a beverage holder is required that will allow them to store their favorite beverage and not be concerned about spilling it once the container is opened. Additionally, the beverage holder should not be located so as to interfere with the safe operation of the motorcycle or vehicle in question. Various prior art solutions have attempted to provide a solution for this problem, and some are detailed below.

Beverage container holders are generally known in the art, for example, the beverage caddy, the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 203,055 granted to Robinson, discloses a design for a claw-like device that holds a receptacle capable of holding containers. The device may be removably attached via threaded bolt configuration.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,804 granted to Burroughs, discloses a beverage container that may be used with a standard folding chair. The device may be affixed to the underside of the chair and include a swinging means that allows the holder to be swung out when in use, and swung underneath the seat of the chair when not in use.

Beverage holders have also been invented that are designed to be used in conjunction with the handlebars of a vehicle, such as bicycle handlebars. The device may be inserted into a handlebar grip and the beverage container inserted into the hanging basket of the device.

Other beverage holders have been invented that are designed to be used with vehicles such as motorcycles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,405 granted to Roach discloses a food and beverage container holder designed to be set upon the tank portion of a motorcycle. The device is designed to include a portion that is mounted to the tank, and a second portion that may be removably attached to the first. The beverage therein may be easily accessed by the operator of the motorcycle while upon the vehicle.

Another example can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,085 granted to Jefferson, which discloses an ice chest designed to be attached to the rear portion of a motorcycle. The ice chest can hold water and ice, and also includes a tray with holes in it for holding beverage containers.

Although these prior art devices perform their intended functions, none of them address the problem of efficiently utilizing a compartment, such as a saddlebag, that is already present upon a motorcycle or similar vehicle.

Therefore, what is required is a device that is capable of holding beverage containers securely and safely within a compartment.

What is also required is a beverage holder that may be quickly and easily inserted into a compartment, such as a motorcycle saddlebag.

Additionally, what is required is beverage holder that may be folded and easily stored when not in use.

Also, what is required is a beverage holder that is unobtrusive and takes up the least amount of space possible.

Further, what is required is a beverage holder that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, yet performs its function adequately and efficiently.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage holder that is safety oriented, in that the operator of a motorcycle, or similar vehicle, can not access the beverage while operating the vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for holding beverage containers securely and safely within a compartment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for holding beverage containers whereby the device may be folded and easily stored when not in use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage holder that is inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage holder that does not allow the operator of a motorcycle the ability to access the beverage containers while simultaneously operating the motorcycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beverage holder, not including its related compartment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the beverage holder.

FIG. 3 is side view of the beverage holder including the beverage receptacle embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the beverage holder indicating the insertion of the beverage holder within a compartment, such as a motorcycle saddlebag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates beverage holder 1 of the present invention. The beverage holder 1 is seen outside its associated beverage compartment 3 to provide a better view of the details of the device. The device includes retainment tray 2, which is supported by first stabilizing leg 8 and second stabilizing leg 9. First brace 6 and second brace 7 are displayed in this embodiment, and are shown as folding braces. The braces are preferably utilized as two pairs, that is, first brace 6 is actually a pair that is considered as one brace. The braces may also be substantially rigid in that they may or may not include the capability of folding. If the braces are of the folding variety, as in the preferred embodiment, first stabilizing leg 8 and second stabilizing leg 9 may be hinged to retainment tray 2 to facilitate folding of the legs. In a preferred embodiment, first container receiver 4 and second container receiver 5 are located within retainment tray 2 and may include first beverage container ring 16 and second beverage container ring 17. First beverage container ring 16 and second beverage container ring 17 may comprise a substantially flexible material, such as foam, which is slightly smaller in circumference than the outer diameter of a beverage container. This configuration would allow the container to be easily inserted and removed, yet enjoy substantial stability within the device.

FIG. 2 displays beverage holder 1 and includes first locking means 14 and second locking means 15. The locking means act to prevent first brace 6 and second brace 7 from inadvertently folding when not desired. The locking means may be of a simple sliding type bracket as is known in the art, which functions by settling over the joint in the brace and preventing any movement thereof.

FIG. 3 is another side view of beverage holder 1, but this view includes the first beverage receptacle 11 and second beverage receptacle 12 alternative embodiment. The beverage receptacles may be solid and slightly larger than the beverage container. The receptacles may also be less than solid, that is, it may be a basket-type of receptacle that includes at least a bottom portion and one side portion. Additionally, the receptacles may be made of various materials, including materials that provide insulation and aid in either retaining heat or cold, or both.

FIG. 4 illustrates the entire assembly that comprises beverage holder 1, including beverage compartment 3. In this preferred embodiment, the portion of the beverage holder 1, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 1, is shown being inserted within beverage compartment 3. Beverage compartment 3 may comprise a number of various configuration. For example, beverage compartment 3 could comprise a cooler or ice chest. Preferably, beverage compartment 3 is attached to a vehicle, and more particularly, the most preferred embodiment includes beverage compartment 3 comprising a hard saddlebag of the type that is attached to motorcycles. These saddlebags most often come in a standard size and shape, but the present invention may be easily modified in size or shape to accommodate variations in saddlebags that vary in size and/or shape. In the preferred embodiment retainment tray 2 is secured within beverage compartment 3 by means of the friction between outer circumference 10 and continuous inner surface 13. Further, alternate means could used to secure retainment tray 2 to continuous inner surface 13, such as snaps, velcro and the like.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefore without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage holder comprising:

a retainment tray;

portions defining at least one container receiver, said container receiver located within said retainment tray;

at least one stabilizing leg connected to said retainment tray.

2. The beverage holder of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of container receivers.

3. The beverage holder of claim 1, further comprising a first container receiver and a second container receiver.

4. The beverage holder of claim 3, wherein said first container receiver includes a first beverage retainment portion, and said second container receiver includes a second beverage retainment portion.

5. The beverage holder of claim 4, further comprising a first stabilizing leg and a second stabilizing leg.

6. The beverage holder of claim 5, wherein said first stabilizing leg includes a first means for selectively folding said first stabilizing leg, and wherein said second stabilizing leg includes a second means for selectively folding said second stabilizing leg.

7. The beverage holder of claim 5, wherein said first stabilizing leg includes a first brace, and wherein said second stabilizing leg includes a second brace.

8. The beverage holder of claim 6, wherein said first beverage retainment portion further comprises a first substantially flexible beverage container ring, and said second beverage retainment portion further comprises a second substantially flexible beverage container ring.

9. The beverage holder of claim 6, wherein said first stabilizing leg is hingably connected to said retainment tray, and said second stabilizing leg is hingably connected to said retainment tray.

10. The beverage holder of claim 9, wherein said first stabilizing leg includes a first locking means, and said second stabilizing leg includes a second locking means.

11. The beverage holder of claim 6, further comprising a beverage compartment, wherein said beverage compartment is capable of substantially housing said retainment tray.

12. The beverage holder of claim 11, wherein said beverage compartment comprises a bottom surface and a continuous inside surface defining a compartment space in conjunction with the bottom surface.

13. The beverage holder of claim 12, wherein said retainment tray includes an outer circumference, wherein said outer circumference is adjacent to said continuous inside surface.

14. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said first beverage retainment portion further comprises a first substantially flexible beverage container ring, and said second beverage retainment portion further comprises a second substantially flexible beverage container ring.

15. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said first beverage retainment portion further comprises a first beverage receptacle, and wherein said second beverage retainment portion further comprises a second beverage receptacle.

16. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said beverage compartment comprises a motorcycle saddlebag.

17. A beverage holder comprising:

a retainment tray;

a beverage compartment, wherein said beverage compartment is capable of substantially housing said retainment tray;

portions defining a first container receiver, and portions defining a second container receiver, said first container receiver and said second container receiver being located within said retainment tray;

a first stabilizing leg and a second stabilizing leg, wherein said first stabilizing leg and said second stabilizing leg are selectively foldably connected to said retainment tray.

18. The beverage holder of claim 17, wherein said beverage compartment further comprises a motorcycle saddlebag.

19. The beverage holder of claim 17, wherein said first stabilizing leg includes a first locking means, and said second stabilizing leg includes a second locking means.