Cup Holder

Abstract

A holder for holding one or more objects that may include a housing; and a grasping mechanism comprising a plurality of arms, each arm including a post anchored in the housing, a panel pivotally coupled to the post, and a spring operable to bias the arm in a grasping direction, thereby providing a plurality of panels biased by a plurality of respective springs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to devices for providing user convenience in an automobile console and more particularly to a device for holding user items in a automobile console.

Automobile consoles provide various conveniences for both drivers and passengers. Such conveniences may include coin dispensers, radios, directional guides, food trays, and holders for drink containers such as cup holders. Cup holders provide the basic benefit of being able to securely maintain a cup or other beverage container in an upright orientation to avoid spillage and/or movement of the container during movement, acceleration, and deceleration of the automobile.

Existing cup holders generally provide an opening of fixed diameter that a beverage container can be inserted into. The beverage container generally receives vertical support from a base surfaces located a suitable distance below the fixed-diameter opening. Some beverage containers have a tapered shape, thereby enabling the container to be inserted successfully through openings having a range of fixed diameters. In other cases, beverage containers such as those commonly provided by fast food vendors may have a compliant structure, enabling the sides of the container to deflect as needed to conform to the diameter of the available opening once the container is inserted far enough for the base of the container to the reach the base surface of the cup holder.

However, various beverage containers may have dimensions that do not match those of the prior art console cup holder. Moreover, such containers may also not have the flexibility needed to adapt to a cup holder having dimensions differing from those of the container. Rigid plastic cups, ceramic coffee cups, thermoses among other containers are among the containers that may not fit existing automobile console cup holders. Thus, such containers may have to stored elsewhere or held manually until emptied of all fluids therein, which is inconvenient.

Moreover, existing cup holders usually have a top surface that includes an orifice that is open to the ambient environment when no cup is present therein. Thus, dust and other debris may drift through this orifice thereby creating a generally dirty environment in the vicinity in which a cup is later inserted. Moreover, a cup holder with an open top may not be particularly aesthetically pleasing.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a cup holder that can accommodate a variety of cup sizes, that inhibits the flow of dust and debris into the cup storage area within the cup holder, and/or that is aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the invention provides a holder for holding one or more objects that may include a housing; a grasping mechanism comprising a plurality of arms, each arm including a post anchored in the housing and a panel pivotally coupled to the post and springingly biased in a grasping direction of the grasping mechanism, wherein shapes of the interior sides of the panels define an opening along an upper surface of the grasping mechanism; and a cover coupled to at least one panel and springingly biased so as to occupy the opening in the upper surface of the grasping mechanism.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a holder for holding one or more objects, that may include a housing; and a grasping mechanism including a plurality of arms, each arm including a post anchored in the housing, a panel pivotally coupled to the post, and a spring operable to bias the arm in a grasping direction, thereby providing a plurality of panels biased by a plurality of respective springs.

Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to one skilled in the art when the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cup holder including a grasping mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grasping mechanism with a grasping position close to a fully closed state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grasping mechanism in an open state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a flap coupled to a pivotable arm, rotating between two possible positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a flap coupled to a spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flap of FIG. 5 coupled to a panel with a hinge in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the panel of FIG. 6 having a flange shown abutting against the internal wall of the housing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a drink container being inserted into the cup holder of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cup holder of FIG. 1 with a drink container located therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cup holder of FIG. 1 incorporated within an enclosure in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to phrases such as “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cup holder 10 including a grasping mechanism 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cup holder 10 may include housing 100, gasping mechanism 200, and cover 350. Housing 100 may include internal wall 102, internal base 104, wall 106, and upper surface 110. Grasping mechanism 200 may include arms 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3.

Arm 300-1 may include post 310-1, spring 312-1, panel 314-1, and flange 316-1 (see FIG. 2). Arms 300-2 and 300-3 preferably include constituent parts paralleling those listed for 300-1 and are thus not described in further detail herein. It is noted that because of the location of arm 300-3 within the view of FIG. 1, post 310-3 and spring 312-3 of arm 300-3 are not visible in FIG. 1.

Posts 310 may be made of any suitably rigid material including a suitable metal or plastic material. Panels 314 may be made of plastic or metal and may be rigid or flexible depending on the needs of a given application. However, other materials may be employed. Flaps 400 are preferably made of plastic and may be rigid or flexible depending on the needs of a given application. However, in alternative embodiments, flaps 400 could be made of metal, rubber, or other materials.

Spring 312-1 is preferably a suitable rotary spring configured to springingly bias panel 314-1 in a grasping direction, which in the view of FIG. 1 is the clockwise angular direction. Springs 312-2 and 312-3 are preferably configured in much the same way as spring 312-1. In other embodiments, other spring biasing arrangements could be employed, including using linear springs in place of rotary springs.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, grasping mechanism 200 includes three similarly constituted arms 300. However, in other embodiments grasping mechanism 200 could include fewer or more than three arms 300.

Cover 350 may include flaps 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3. In this embodiment, cover 200 includes one flap 400 coupled to each panel 314. However, the invention is not limited to this arrangement. In other embodiments, cover 350 could be a single part or could include a plurality of flaps, or other parts, from two up to any desired number. In still other embodiments, cover 350 may be omitted from cup holder 10. Greater detail regarding the connection of flaps 400 to respective panels 314 is provided in connection with FIGS. 4-6.

Cup holder 10 may be operable to enable cover 350 to inhibit the migration of dust and/or other debris into the interior of cup holder 10 housing 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, flaps 400 are preferably spring loaded and operable to deflect downward about an axis parallel to the plane of the upper surface 110 of cup holder 10 upon being impinged on by a cup or other object being inserted into cup holder 10. However, cover 350 is not limited to the structural features of the embodiment of FIG. 1. For instance, cover 200 could include fewer than or more than three parts.

In one embodiment, cover 350 could include just a single part. To accommodate a cup being inserted into cup holder 10, a single-part embodiment of cover 350 could be coupled to and pivotal (rotatable) with respect to any of panels 314. Alternatively, cover 350 could be configured to be mobile downward from the upper surface of cup holder 10 along a linear axis to accommodate a cup to be inserted into cup holder 350.

Cup holder 10 is preferably operable to accommodate cups, drink containers, or other objects of a wide range of diameters. FIG. 1 shows grasping mechanism 200 at a minimum diameter setting (a fully closed position) with panels 314 at their most inward respective positions and with the inward edges of flaps 400 adjacent one another. Panels 314 are preferably springingly biased toward the respective inward positions shown in FIG. 1, by respective springs 312. Likewise, flaps 400 are preferably springingly biased upward by respective flap springs 420 (shown in FIG. 6) toward the closed position shown in FIG. 1. In the “closed” position, the plane of flaps 400 is preferably parallel to the upper surface 110 of housing 100.

Preferably, upon insertion of a cup or other object into cup holder 10, flaps 400 are operable to deflect downward and panels 314 are operable to deflect outward to accommodate the insertion of the cup or object. For the sake of illustration, an example of a cup 800 present within cup holder 10 is shown in FIGS. 7-8. In FIG. 8, flaps 400 have been deflected downward and are therefore not visible. Panels 314 have been rotated outward (counter-clockwise in the view of FIGS. 7-8) with respect to the respective fully closed positions of panels 314 shown in FIG. 1.

Having discussed the general operation of cup holder 10 above, structural connections in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1 are described in this section.

In one embodiment, cup holder 10 may be located within a vehicle and secured to an interior surface of the vehicle, such as within a vehicle console. If desired, cup holder 10 could be configured to be removably attachable to the console with hooks, a ratchet, a clamp, or other suitable engagement mechanism. In this manner, cup holder 10 could be secured in different parts of a given vehicle, if desired, or within different vehicles. In another embodiment, cup holder 10 could be permanently affixed to the surface of a vehicle interior. In yet another embodiment, cup holder 10 could be used in environments other than a vehicle, wherever there is a risk of spillage due to instability of a cup or other drink container.

Grasping mechanism 200 preferably includes panels 314-1, 314-2, and 314-3 which are coupled respectively to posts 310-1, 310-2, and 310-3, via springs 312-1, 312-2, and 312-3, respectively. Posts 310 of grasping mechanism 200 are preferably anchored within the body of housing 100. In this embodiment, posts 310 may be anchored within the outer housing wall 106 of housing 100. However, the present invention is not limited to employing this scheme of attachment. In an alternative embodiment, grasping mechanism 200 could be mounted directly to an interior surface of a vehicle, whether to the console, or other portion of a vehicle interior.

Flap 400-1 may be coupled to panel 314-1 with a hinge 410-1 (FIGS. 4-6) and may be springingly biased toward its initial, closed position by spring 420 (FIG. 6). Flaps 400-2 and 400-3 interact in a manner similar to the above with hinges 410-2 and 410-3 respectively, and springs 420-2 and 420-3 respectively. Flaps 400 and the parts associated therewith are discussed in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 4-6.

Cup holder 10 is preferably able to accommodate a cup or, other type of drink container, or other object of any diameter normally used by passengers within a vehicle. Accordingly, a suitable range of dimensions for the various parts of cup holder 10 may be employed.

For example, housing 100 may be about six inches tall. However, heights lower than or greater than six inches may be employed for housing 100. Grasping mechanism 200 is preferably able to grasp cups having diameters between about two inches and about six inches. However, in alternative embodiments, cups, other drink containers, or other objects having diameters smaller than two inches or greater than six inches may be grasped by grasping mechanism 200.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, panels 314 are preferably located at a height just above the upper surface 110 of housing 100. Alternatively, panels 314 could be situated so that the upper surfaces of panels 314 are at substantially the same height as upper surface 110 of housing 100. In other embodiments, panels 314 could be located completely within housing 100 such that the upper surfaces of panels 314 are below (in the view of FIG. 1) the upper surface 110 of housing 100.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grasping mechanism 200 in a closed state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the grasping mechanism 200 of FIG. 2 in an opened state. For the sake of clarity of illustration, cover 350 is omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The geometry of individual panels 314 and of the grasping mechanism 200 as a whole preferably provides effective part grasping function and an aesthetically pleasing symmetrical arrangement of parts.

In this embodiment, each of panels 314 includes outer, distal, and inner sides, designated with letters “A”, “B”, and “C”, respectively. Thus, panel 314-1 includes sides (also referred to as “edges”) 314-1A, 314-1B, and 314C. Panel 314-2 includes sides 314-2A, 314-2B, and 314-2C. And, panel 314-3 includes sides 314-3A, 314-3B, and 314-3C. The shapes of the sides of the panels 314 preferably enable grasping mechanism 200 to open and close in a manner reminiscent of an iris of a camera lens.

In this embodiment, the “A” sides of panels 314-1, 314-2, and 314-3 form much of the outside perimeter of grasping mechanism 200. It may be seen that sides 314-1A, 314-2A, and 314-3A form a substantially circular perimeter when grasping mechanism 200 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2. The external perimeter departs from the circular shape shown in FIG. 2 when grasping mechanism 200 is open, as shown in FIG. 3.

In the closed position of grasping mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 2, panel sides 314-1C, 314-2C, and 314-3C form a substantially triangular opening 210. In the open position shown in FIG. 3, where panels 314 have been rotated counter-clockwise (in the view of FIGS. 2-3) in relation to the positions of the panels 314 in FIG. 2, the “C” sides of panels 314-1, 314-2, and 314-3 form a substantially circular internal opening within grasping mechanism 200. This circular opening preferably enables making contact along a large proportion of the external diameter of a drink container, such as cup 800, when grasping such a container within grasping mechanism 200.

The grasping mechanism 200 of this embodiment is preferably also operable to enable the combination of the three panels 314 to appear as a single continuous surface having a center opening 210 of variable diameter. Each panel 314 preferably has a “B” side having a curvature that cooperates with the curvature of the “C” side of the panel in the next most clockwise position of grasping mechanism 200. More specifically, the respective “B” sides have a shape substantially matching the respective “C” sides and preferably slideably engage the respective “C” sides as grasping mechanism 200 opens and closes. Thus, in this embodiment, panel 314-1 side 314-1B cooperates with panel 314-2 side 314-2C; panel 314-2 side 314-2B cooperates with panel 314-3 side 314-3C; and panel 314-3 side 314-3B cooperates with panel 314 side 314-1C.

In one embodiment, the panels 314 may open and close in the manner of the iris of a lens, thereby providing the appearance of a single, continuous part having an internal opening of variable size while also providing a large surface area for effectively grasping the external surface of a drink container, such as cup 800 (FIGS. 7-8).

In one embodiment, panels 314-1, 314-2, and 314-3 include flanges 316-1, 316-2, and 316-3, respectively. Flanges 316 may extend below the lower surface of the remainder of panels 314 and preferably operate as stoppers for the counter-clockwise motion of the panels 314. The curvature of the outer circumference of flanges 316 preferably matches the curvature of the internal wall 102 of housing 100. Thus, as the counter-clockwise motion of the panels 314 progresses, the outer surfaces of flanges 316 preferably eventually engage the internal wall 102 of housing 100, thereby stopping further angular motion of the panels 314. Thus, the location of the flanges 316 on the respective panels 314 serves as a limiting factor on the range of motion of the panels 314 available in response to an externally applied force.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of flap assembly 450 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a flap 400 coupled to a spring 420 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flap assembly of FIG. 4. Because of the interrelationship of subject matter of FIGS. 4-6, the following makes reference to all of FIGS. 4-6. Since the following discussion may apply to any of flaps 400-1, 400-2, or 400-3 (shown in FIG. 1) and associated flap assemblies 450-1, 450-2, and 450-3 (not shown separately), only a single flap assembly 450 is discussed below.

Flap assembly 450 may include flap 400, flap hinge 410, and/or flap spring 420 (FIG. 5). Flap 400 shown in FIGS. 4-6 preferably corresponds to any of flaps 400 shown in FIG. 1.

Flap 400 may be made of rubber, plastic, or metal and preferably has a thickness between about 0.1 inches and 0.3 inches. However, flaps 400 thinner than 0.1 inches or thicker than 0.3 inches may be used. Moreover, materials other rubber, plastic or metal may be employed for flap 400. Flap 400 may be substantially triangularly shaped as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. The geometry of flap 400 may depart from triangularity in that the side of flap 400 coupled to panel 314 preferably has a curvature matching the shape of side 314-1C of panel 314-1. However, flap 400 is not limited to this embodiment, and may have any desired shape. For example, flap 400 could be circular. The radial sides of flap 400 may have a length between one inch and three inches. However, flaps 400 having radial side lengths less than one inch or greater than three inches may be employed.

In the illustrated embodiments, one flap 400 is coupled to each respective panel 314. However, in alternative embodiments, a single flap could be employed for cup holder 10, regardless of the number of arms 300 and/or panels 314 employed. For instance, where three arms 300 are used, and each arm 300 has a single panel 314 included therewith, a single flap 400 could be coupled to a selected one of the panels 314 and could have a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of flaps 400-1, 400-2, and 400-3 combined, as shown in FIG. 1.

Flap hinge 410 may be a gooseneck hinge that is operable to remain conveniently hidden from view from the outside of cup holder 10. However, hinges having other configurations may be employed.

With reference to FIG. 5, spring 420 is preferably a rotary spring and may be located underneath panel 314 or may be embedded within panel 314. Spring 420 is preferably operable to springingly bias panel 400 toward an orientation parallel to the upper surface of panel 314. The left-to-right direction in FIG. 5 corresponds to the direction heading into the page in FIG. 4. Thus, in the embodiment shown, spring 420 is “behind” flap 400 in the view of FIG. 4 and thus not visible in FIG. 4. While spring 420 is shown to the right of flap 400 in the view of FIG. 5, spring 420 is not limited to being located as shown. In other embodiments, spring 420 could be located anywhere along the axis of rotation 422 of flap 420. In still other embodiments, spring 420 could be located at a point remote from axis 422 and be connected to flap 400 using an intermediate part. Moreover, other spring types, such as linear springs, leaf springs, among others may be used in place of rotary spring 420.

Flap assembly 450 is preferably operable to keep flap 400 in an initial, closed position 502 (FIG. 4) when no part is present within cup holder 10 and when no pressure is being applied to flap 400. Likewise, a plurality of flap assemblies can maintain a plurality of respective flaps 400 in initial position 502 (as shown in FIG. 1). Spring 420 is preferably a rotary spring and is preferably configured to springingly bias flap 400 toward position 502 when no external force is applied to the upper surface of flap 400.

Upon inserting a cup or other object into cup holder 10, flap 400 is preferably deflected away from closed position 502 to open position 504 by employing an insertion force that overcomes the spring force of spring 420. Flap 400 preferably remains in open position 504 for as long as the cup or other object is in place within cup holder 10.

Upon removal of the cup or other object from cup holder 10, spring 420 preferably forces flap 400 toward closed position 502. With reference to FIG. 1, when all flaps 400 are in closed position 502, cover 350 preferably provides the desirable aesthetic effect of appearing to be integrated with the upper surfaces of panels 314, thereby forming the impression of a single integrated upper surface of cup holder 10. Moreover, when flaps 400 are in closed position 502, cover 350 (in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sum total of flaps 400) is preferably operable to inhibit the movement of dust and/or other debris into the interior of cup holder 10.

Redirecting attention to FIG. 6, panel 314 may include flange 316 which extends below the thickness of most of the surface area of panel 314. The outer circumference of flange 316 may serve as a stopper for the counter-clockwise rotation of panel 314. More specifically, as panel 314 progresses along a counter-clockwise angular path, the outer circumference of flange 316 approaches the internal wall 102 of housing 100.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the panel of FIG. 6 having a flange 316 shown abutting against the internal wall 102 of housing 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of illustration, only one panel 314, and only a portion of the upper surface 110 and internal wall 102 of housing 100 are shown in FIG. 6A. However, the concepts discussed in connection with FIG. 6A are readily extendible to all panels 314 in grasping mechanism 200 and to the entire upper surface 110 of housing 100.

In FIG. 6A, panel 314 is shown rotated almost to its counter-clockwise limit. It may be seen that the outer circumference of flange 316 is adjacent to the internal wall 102 of housing 100. Moreover, the curvature of the outer circumference of flange 316 preferably closely matches the curvature of the internal wall 102 of housing 100. With this arrangement of parts, panel 314 may start from a fully closed position (shown in FIG. 1), and be forced outward by the insertion of a drink container. While rotating counter-clockwise, the flat portion of panel 314 preferably moves over the top of upper surface 110 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6A) of housing 100, thereby enabling the expansion of the opening 210 (FIG. 2) at the center of grasping mechanism 200. This outward movement of panel 314 may continue until the outer circumference of flange 316 contacts internal wall 102 of housing 100, at which point internal wall 102 operates to block further outward motion of panel 314.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a drink container 800 being inserted into cup holder 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Although drink container 800 may be any type of container, for the purpose of the following discussion, drink container is referred to as a cup 800.

Cup 800 may be placed within cup holder 10 by first inserting cup 800 along the longitudinal axis of housing 100 and deflecting flaps 400 (FIG. 1) downward. Cup 800 may be moved outward against one or more of panels 314 to provide an opening wide enough to accommodate the full diameter of cup 800. FIG. 7 shows an initial deflection of panels 314 which operates to rotate panels 314 counter-clockwise about respective posts 310.

FIG. 8 shows cup 800 fully inserted into cup holder 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It may be seen that the insertion of cup 800 into cup holder 10 has deflected panels 314 to a significant extent with respect the respective positions of panels 314 shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the insertion of cup 800 has deflected flaps 400 downward toward the interior of housing 100 such that flaps 400 are not visible in FIG. 8.

Once cup 800 is fully inserted into cup holder 10, a balance of the forces from springs 312-1, 312-2, and 312-3 preferably operate to substantially center cup 800 with respect to housing 100 of cup holder 10. Once fully inserted into cup holder 10, the bottom of cup 800 is preferably securely positioned against the base 104 of housing 100.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of cup holder package 5 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Cup holder package 5 may include cup holder 10, enclosure box 20, and/or annular cover 12.

Cup holder 10 may be incorporated within enclosure box 20 to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance and/or to more effectively integrate cup holder 10 and box 20 into the console of a vehicle.

Annular cover 12 may be located above the upper surface 110 of housing 10 and thereby conceal posts 310 of the respective arm assemblies 300, a portion of the panels 314, and the upper surface 100 of housing 10. Means for attachment to housing 100 and openings disposed along the sides of cover 12 may be provided for enabling panels 314 to rotate outward from the closed positions thereof shown in FIG. 9 without deflecting or otherwise disturbing cover 12.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A holder for holding one or more objects, comprising:

a housing;

a grasping mechanism comprising a plurality of arms, each arm including a post anchored in the housing and a panel pivotally coupled to the post and springingly biased in a grasping direction of the grasping mechanism, wherein shapes of the interior sides of the panels define an opening along an upper surface of the grasping mechanism; and

a cover coupled to at least one said panel and springingly biased so as to occupy the opening in the upper surface of the grasping mechanism.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein the object is a drink container.

3. The holder of claim 1 wherein the cover has a shape that substantially matches a shape of the opening of the grasping mechanism when the grasping mechanism is in a fully closed position.

4. The holder of claim 1 wherein the shapes of the panels and the shape of the cover cooperate to form the impression of a single integrated top surface of the holder when the grasping mechanism is in the fully closed position.

5. The holder of claim 1 wherein the cover is configured to be deflected away from a plane of the upper surface of the grasping mechanism upon an insertion of an object into the holder through the opening in the grasping mechanism.

6. The holder of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises:

a plurality of flaps pivotally coupled to respective ones of the panels, wherein said flaps are springingly biased so as to occupy respective portions of the opening in the upper surface of the grasping mechanism when no object is present in the grasping mechanism.

7. The holder of claim 6 wherein the plurality of flaps are coupled to the respective panels through respective hinges and springingly biased toward the opening in the upper surface of the grasping mechanism by respective rotary springs anchored in respective ones of the panels.

8. The holder of claim 6 wherein the flaps are operable to deflect away from the plane of the opening in the upper surface of the grasping mechanism in response to an insertion of an object into the holder.

9. The holder of claim 1 wherein the panels are substantially equally angularly distributed around an upper surface of the housing.

10. The holder of claim 1 wherein the panels are shaped such that the panels provide a substantially continuous annular surface on an upper face of the holder.

11. The holder of claim 1 wherein a balance of forces among springs springingly biasing the respective panels is operable to substantially center an object present between the panels within the holder.

12. A holder for holding one or more objects, comprising:

a housing;

at least one post anchored in proximity to the housing;

a panel pivotally coupled to the post and springingly biased in a direction suitable for grasping an object; and

a flap located in proximity to the panel and springingly biased so as to be parallel to a plane of an upper surface of the holder when the holder is empty.

13. The holder of claim 12 wherein the post is anchored in the housing and has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface of the holder.

14. The holder of claim 12 wherein the flap and the panel combine to provide an appearance of a single integrated surface when no object is present in the holder.

15. The holder of claim 12 wherein the flap is configured to deflect away from parallelism with the plane of the upper surface of the holder in response to an insertion of the object into the holder.

16. The holder of claim 12 wherein the flap is pivotally coupled to the panel.

17. The hold of claim 16 wherein the flap is configured to be rotated away from parallelism with the plane of the upper surface of the holder upon inserting the object into the holder.

18. A holder for holding one or more objects, comprising:

a housing; and

a grasping mechanism comprising a plurality of arms, each said arm including a post anchored in the housing, a panel pivotally coupled to the post, and a spring operable to bias the arm in a grasping direction, thereby providing a plurality of panels biased by a plurality of respective springs.

19. The holder of claim 18 wherein each said panel is moveable independently of others of said panels.

20. The holder of claim 18 wherein each said panel includes at least an inner edge, an outer edge, and a distal edge, wherein a succession of the panels is distributed over an upper surface of the housing, and wherein each said panel includes:

a) a distal edge having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of, and slidable with respect to, the inner edge of a next panel in the succession of panels along a first direction, and

b) an inner edge having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of, and slidable with respect to, the distal edge of a preceding panel in the succession of panels along said first direction.

21. The holder of claim 20 wherein the inner edges of the panels collectively form a variable-diameter internal opening of the grasping mechanism.

22. The holder of claim 21 wherein the internal opening has an internal surface suitable for grasping an object located within the holder.

23. The holder of claim 20 wherein the matching curvatures of the respective distal panel edges and inner panel edges are operable to cause the plurality of panels to appear as a single part having an internal opening of variable diameter.