PORTABLE BEVERAGE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A portable beverage assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a support assembly formed to define an aperture, and a harness where both ends of the harness are attached to the support assembly. The portable beverage assembly further comprises a cup comprising a bottom, one or more walls continuously attached to the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, and a lip continuously disposed around the distal ends of the one or more walls. The cup is removeably disposed within the support assembly, such that the lip is disposed on top of the support assembly and where the one or more walls extend through the aperture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 60/737,617, and filed Nov. 17, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a portable beverage assembly which includes a support member, a hardness attached to that support member, and a cup removeably disposed within the support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people, and their pets, consume beverages from various kinds of beverage containers. It can inconvenient to carry a beverage container and a drinking cup when walking, hiking, bicycling, and the like. What is needed is a portable beverage assembly, wherein a cup can be removeably disposed within a carrying harness, and wherein a beverage container can be removeably disposed within that cup element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant's invention comprises a portable beverage assembly, comprising a support assembly formed to define an aperture, where that support assembly comprises a first diameter, and where that aperture comprises a second diameter, and where the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The portable beverage assembly further includes a harness comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end of said harness is attached to the support assembly at a first attachment point, and where the second end of said harness is attached to the support assembly at a second attachment point, where the first attachment point is opposite the second attachment point.

The portable beverage assembly further comprises a cup comprising a bottom, one or more walls continuously attached to the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, and a lip continuously disposed around the distal ends of the one or more walls, where the one or more wall comprise a third diameter, where the third diameter is less than the second diameter, and where the lip comprises a fourth diameter, where that fourth diameter is greater than said second diameter. The cup is removeably disposed within the support assembly, such that the lip is disposed on top of the support assembly and where the one or more walls extend through the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference designators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier portion of Applicant's portable beverage assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cup element which can be removeably disposed within the carrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cup of FIG. 1 disposed within the carrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a side view of beverage container;

FIG. 4B show the beverage container of FIG. 4A removeably disposed in the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4C shows the cup element of FIG. 4B and the beverage container element of FIG. 4B being removed from the carrier assembly of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of Applicant's portable beverage assembly that includes two shoulder straps and a waist band;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the opposing side of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of Applicant's cup element;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of Applicant's support assembly, where that embodiment if designed to accommodate the cup of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of Applicant's support assembly; and

FIG. 10 shows an optional adjustment means to adjust the length of Applicant's harness element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, Applicant's portable beverage assembly 100 comprises support member 110, harness 120, and fixturing strap 130. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, support member 110 comprises a circular member which defines a circular aperture 112. Support member 110 comprises diameter 114. Aperture 112 comprises diameter 116, wherein diameter 114 is greater than diameter 116.

In certain embodiments, diameter 114 is between about 1 inch and about 6 inches. In certain embodiments, diameter 114 is about 4 inches. In certain embodiments, diameter 116 is between about 0.5 inches and about 5.5 inches. In certain embodiments, diameter 116 is about 3.5 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, Applicant's support assembly comprises support assembly 810 formed from members 820, 830, 840, and 850, wherein support assembly 810 comprises a diameter 814 comprising a diagonal measurement from one corner of assembly 810 to an opposing corner.

In certain embodiments, support assembly 810 is formed from a rigid material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, members 820, 830, 840, and 805, are integrally formed. Support assembly 810 defines a square aperture 812, wherein that aperture 812 comprises a diameter 816.

Referring to FIG. 9, Applicant's portable beverage assembly further comprises a web structure 910 attached to support assembly 110. In these embodiments, web structure 910 comprises a flexible material that configures to a variety of cup 210 (FIG. 2) sizes.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, harness 120 comprises a first end 122 and a second end 124, wherein first end 122 is separated from second end 124 by a length. In certain embodiments, the length of harness 120 is between about 12 inches and about 36 inches. In certain embodiments, the length of harness 120 is about 24 inches. First end 122 is attached to circular support member 110 at a first position 111, and second end 124 is attached to circular support member 110 at a second position 113, wherein the first position 111 is directly opposite the second position 113. In certain embodiments, harness 120 comprises a flexible material selected from a group consisting of nylon, canvas, cotton, combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 10, in certain embodiments harness 120 further comprises an adjustable means 1210 which allows the user to adjust the length of the harness to fit his/her needs. Adjustable means 1210 comprises an outer body and a central bar that separates a first and second aperture. Harness 120 passes upwardly through the first aperture and over the central bar and is pulled downwardly through the second aperture to form a tight friction fit.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments Applicant's portable beverage assembly 100 further comprises fixturing strap 130, wherein strap 130 comprises first end 132 and second end 134. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, fixturing strap 130 is attached to harness 120 a distance 136 from first end 122, and is further attached to harness 120 a distance 136 from second end 124. Fixturing strap 130 comprises a first surface 131 and an opposing second surface 133. First closure means 137 is disposed on first surface 131 adjacent first end 132. Second closure means 139 is disposed on second surface 133 adjacent second end 134. First closure means 137 can be releaseably coupled to second closure means 139. In certain embodiments, first closure means 137 and second closure means 139 comprise interlocking snaps. In other embodiments, first closure means 137 comprises a plurality of loop fasteners and second closure means 139 comprises a plurality of hook fasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 2, Applicant's portable beverage assembly 100 further comprises cup 210. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, cup 210 comprises a cylindrical body defined by a bottom and circular wall 220 continuously attached to the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom. Circular wall 220 comprises a diameter 224, wherein diameter 224 is less than diameter 116. In certain embodiments, cup 210 is formed from a rigid material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

Lip 230 is continuously disposed along the top of circular wall 220 and extends outwardly therefrom. Lip 230 comprises diameter 232, wherein diameter 232 is greater than diameter 116. FIG. 3 shows cup 210 removeably disposed within support member 110 such that lip 230 rests on top of support member 110, and such that circular wall 220 extends through aperture 112.

Referring now to FIG. 7, cup 710 comprises a rectangular shape formed from bottom 712 and walls 720, 722, 724, and 726, which are attached to bottom 712 and extend upwardly therefrom. Cup 710 comprises a diagonal diameter 714 measured from one corner to an opposing corner. In certain embodiments, cup 710 is formed from rigid material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

Lip 730 is disposed along the top portions of walls 720, 722, 724, and 726. Lip 730 comprises a diagonal diameter 732 comprising a diagonal measurement taken from one corner to an opposition corner. Diameter 724 is greater than diameter 714. Diameter 714 is less than diameter 816 (FIG. 8). Cup 710 can be removeably disposed within support assembly 810 (FIG. 8) such that lip 730 is disposed on top of support assembly 810, and such that walls 720, 722, 724, and 726, extend through aperture 812 (FIG. 8).

Referring now to FIG. 4A, Applicant's portable beverage assembly further comprises a beverage container 410, wherein container 410 comprises a diameter 420 and a height 430, wherein height 430 is greater than distance 136 (FIG. 1). Diameter 410 is less than diameter 224 such that container 410 can be removeably disposed within cup 210 (FIG. 2). Diameter 410 is less than diameter 714 such that container 810 can be removeably disposed within cup 710 (FIG. 7).

FIG. 4B shows cup 210 removeably disposed within support member 110, and beverage container 410 removeably disposed within cup 210. Fixturing strap 130 can then be tightened around container 410, and first closure means 137 engage with second closure means 139 to secure container 410 within Applicant's carrier assembly 100. FIG. 4C shows beverage cup 210 removed from support member 110, and beverage container 410 removed from cup 210.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments Applicant's portable beverage assembly 100 further comprises back pad 510 comprising a first surface 512 and opposing second surface 514 (FIG. 6), shoulder strap assembly 520 comprising first end 522 attached to an upper portion of back pad 510 and second end 524 attached to a lower portion of back pad 510, and shoulder strap assembly 530 comprising first end 532 attached to an upper portion of back pad 510 and second end 534 attached to a lower portion of back pad 510. In certain embodiments, Applicant's portable beverage assembly 100 further comprises waist belt 540 comprising a first portion 542 attached to back pad 510, second portion 544 attached to back pad 510, and buckle assembly 546 releaseably attaching first portion 542 to second portion 544. FIG. 6 shows second surface 514 of back pad 510 (FIG. 5), wherein harness 120 in combination with support member 110 is attached to surface 514 of back pad 510.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable beverage assembly, comprising:

a support assembly formed to define an aperture, wherein said support assembly comprises a first diameter, and wherein said aperture comprises a second diameter, and wherein said first diameter is greater than said second diameter;

a harness comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said harness is attached to said support assembly at a first attachment point, and wherein said second end of said harness is attached to said support assembly at a second attachment point, wherein said first attachment point is opposite said second attachment point;

a cup comprising a bottom, one or more walls continuously attached to said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, and a lip continuously disposed around the distal ends of said one or more walls, wherein said one or more wall comprise a third diameter, wherein said third diameter is less than said second diameter, and wherein said lip comprises a fourth diameter, wherein said fourth diameter is greater than said second diameter;

wherein said cup is removeably disposed within said support assembly, such that said lip is disposed on top of said support assembly and wherein said one or more walls extends through said aperture.

2. The portable beverage assembly of claim 1, wherein said fourth diameter is less than said first diameter.

3. The portable beverage container of claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises a circular member, and wherein said aperture comprises a circular shape.

4. The portable beverage container of claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises a square shape, and wherein said aperture comprises a square shape.

5. The portable beverage assembly of claim 1, further comprising a beverage container comprising a bottom and a fifth diameter, wherein said fifth diameter is less than said third diameter, wherein a portion of said beverage container is removeably disposed within said cup.

6. The portable beverage assembly of claim 5, wherein said beverage container further comprises a height, further comprising:

a fixturing strap comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

a first surface;

an opposing second surface;

a first fixturing means disposed on said first surface adjacent said first end;

a second fixturing means disposed on said second surface adjacent said second end, wherein said first fixturing means can be releaseably attached to said second fixturing means;

wherein said fixturing strap is attached to said hardness a first distance from said first end of said harness, wherein said first distance is less than said height, and wherein said fixturing strap is attached to said hardness a second distance from said second end of said harness, wherein said second distance is less than said height.

7. The portable beverage assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a back pad comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface;

a first shoulder strap assembly attached to said first surface;

a second should strap assembly attached to said first surface;

wherein said hardness in combination with said support assembly and said cup is attached to said second surface of said back pad.

8. The portable beverage assembly of claim 7, further comprising a waist strap.

9. The portable beverage assembly of claim 8, further comprising a beverage container, wherein a portion of said beverage container is removeably disposed within said cup.

10. The portable beverage assembly of claim 9, wherein said beverage container further comprises a height, further comprising:

a fixturing strap comprising:

a first end;

a second end;

a first surface;

an opposing second surface;

a first fixturing means disposed on said first surface adjacent said first end;

a second fixturing means disposed on said second surface adjacent said second end, wherein said first fixturing means can be releaseably attached to said second fixturing means;

wherein said fixturing strap is attached to said hardness a first distance from said first end of said harness, wherein said first distance is less than said height, and wherein said fixturing strap is attached to said hardness a second distance from said second end of said harness, wherein said second distance is less than said height.