Helmet Shaped drink holder

Abstract

A helmet shaped drink holder has a facemask (30), first and second helmet side pieces (10, 20) and a cup insert (40) and is assembled by the two helmet side pieces being snapped together. The facemask is held in place by a tab on the facemask restrained within a slot in the assembled side pieces. Cup insert (40) is placed within an aperture in the top of assembled side pieces (10, 20).

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Cup holders shaped like helmets are known. However, conventional products have been manufactured using a welded seam to join two halves or alternatively forming a unitary piece with various injection or extrusion molds. These processes add unnecessary cost to the manufacturing process. It is therefore desirable to incorporate a system that overcomes these disadvantages by using two snap together pieces.

Conventional systems have used a facemask portion that is screwed or adhered to the helmet portion. This too is costly. The present system overcomes this disadvantage by incorporating a facemask tab that fits in a slot. The slot is formed when the two helmet pieces are joined. The helmet pieces are assembled around the tab so as to enclose it. When assembled, the facemask is held in place. Although simulated screws are utilized in the facemask to add authenticity to the overall appearance, they are non functional and unnecessary because of the tab. Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the helmet can be sized to accommodate various beverage containers (e.g. 12 oz can, 12 oz bottle). The various pieces are preferably made of plastic or any other material having similar properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of the invention from a different angle.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional perspective view of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral.

• 10 first helmet side piece 10
• 11 first facemask slot 11
• 12 first frontal recess 12 of first helmet side piece
• 13 first mating tab 13 of first helmet side piece
• 14 second mating tab 14 of first helmet side piece
• 15 third mating tab 15 of first helmet side piece
• 16 fourth mating tab 16 of first helmet side piece
• 17 first base portion 17 of first helmet side piece
• 18 first flat upper surface 18 of first helmet side piece
• 20 second helmet side piece 20
• 21 second facemask slot 21
• 22 second frontal recess 22 of second helmet side piece
• 23 first mating slot 23 of second helmet side piece
• 24 second mating slot 24 of second helmet side piece
• 25 third mating slot 25 of second helmet side piece
• 26 fourth mating slot 26 of second helmet side piece
• 27 second base portion 27 of second helmet side piece
• 28 second flat upper surface 28 of second helmet side piece
• 30 facemask 30
• 31 facemask tab 31
• 32 lower facemask male connectors 32
• 33 lower facemask female connectors 33
• 40 cup insert 40
• 41 cup insert flange 41

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of a helmet shaped drink holder comprises facemask 30, first and second helmet side pieces 10,20 and cup insert 40. Facemask 30 has facemask tab 31 and male/female connectors 32,33 which are used to restrain it to the assembled side pieces 10,20.

The facemask 30 serves a dual purpose. It serves as a gripping handle for the user as well as adding authenticity to the overall helmet appearance. It is preferred that the facemask be shaped like an actual facemask of a helmet (e.g. a football helmet). Those of skill in the art would appreciate that football helmets have different types of facemasks and that any of them can be used provided they can also be used as a gripping handle.

First helmet side piece 10 has a first slot 11 for receiving a portion of the facemask tab 31, a first frontal recess 12, a first mating tab 13, a second mating tab 14, a third mating tab 15, a fourth mating tab 16, a first base portion 17, and a first flat upper surface 18.

Second helmet side piece 20 has a second slot 21 for receiving a portion of the facemask tab 31, a second frontal recess 22, a first mating slot 23 for receiving the first mating tab 13, a second mating slot 24 for receiving the second mating tab 14, a third mating slot 25 for receiving the third mating tab 15, a fourth mating slot 26 for receiving the fourth mating tab 16, a second base portion 27, and a second flat upper surface 28.

The helmet side pieces 10, 20 can be made of relatively thin material. It is necessary that the material be durable enough to withstand use as a drink holder. The cup insert 40 serves as the primary means of stabilizing the beverage container. The side pieces provide additional support, including the base portion (first and second base portions 17, 27).

Cup insert 40 has a flange 41 disposed about the upper portion thereof. In one embodiment, the cup insert 40 is made of plastic and does not have any particular insulating properties. However, the cup insert can have insulating properties to facilitate beverages maintaining desired temperatures (e.g. Styrofoam). As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the overall size of the helmet side pieces will be proportional to the size of beverage container held and the thickness of the cup insert.

In one embodiment, the cup insert serves as a receptacle within which is placed a beverage container. In another embodiment, the cup insert itself serves as the beverage container (i.e. a beverage is poured directly into the cup insert).

Facemask 30 and first and second helmet side pieces 10, 20 are joined together to form a helmet shape. First and second helmet side pieces 10, 20 are snapped together with complementary male-female fastening members. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that there are a variety of such complementary fastening members such as tab/slot, magnets, Velcro (trademark), and frictional fittings.

First and second facemask slots 11, 21 form a unitary slot for receiving facemask tab 31. First frontal recess 12 of first helmet side piece 10 and second frontal recess 22 of second helmet side piece 20 form a unitary recess when assembled. The frontal recessed portion is adapted to fit the shape of facemask 30.

As the first and second side pieces 10, 20 are joined together, facemask tab 31 is positioned so as to be enclosed by first and second facemask slots 11, 21 thereby securing facemask 30 to first and second side pieces 10 & 20. Lower facemask male connectors 32 snap into lower facemask female connectors 33 to further secure the facemask to the helmet side pieces.

First and second base portions 17, 27 form a unitary base portion. As depicted, when assembled, the base portion extends from the bottom of the side pieces. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the base portion is not essential. the bottom surface of the assembled side pieces could be adapted as a resting surface.

First and second flat upper surfaces 18, 28 form an aperture. Cup insert 40 is placed within the aperture. Flange 41 rests flush against upper surfaces 18, 20.

Claims

1. A helmet shaped drink holder comprising:

first and second helmet side pieces that are snapped together to form a helmet shape, each of said first and second helmet side pieces having slots in the frontal portions thereof, said slots forming a unitary slot when said first and second helmet side pieces are assembled so as to enclose a tab on a facemask portion thereby securing said facemask portion to said first and second helmet side pieces;

said first and second helmet side pieces each having a flattened upper portion that forms an aperture when the pieces are assembled, wherein a cup insert having a flange disposed about the upper portion thereof, is removably inserted within said aperture, said flange resting against said flattened upper portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

said first and second helmet side pieces being snapped together with complementary male-female fastening members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

said cup insert being made of insulating material.

4. A football helmet shaped drink holder comprising:

a facemask having a facemask tab, and a pair of lower facemask male connectors for engaging a pair of lower facemask female connectors;

a first helmet side piece having a first slot for receiving a portion of said facemask tab, a first frontal recess, a first mating tab, a second mating tab, a third mating tab, a fourth mating tab, a first base portion, and a first flat upper surface;

a second helmet side piece having a second slot for receiving a portion of said facemask tab, a second frontal recess, a first mating slot for receiving said first mating tab, a second mating slot for receiving said second mating tab, a third mating slot for receiving said third mating tab, a fourth mating slot for receiving said fourth mating tab, a second base portion, and a second flat upper surface;

and a cup insert having a flange disposed about the upper portion thereof,

wherein said facemask and said first and second helmet side pieces are joined together to form a football helmet shape, said first and second facemask slots forming a unitary slot for receiving said facemask tab, said first frontal recess of said first helmet side piece and said second frontal recess of said second helmet side piece forming a unitary recess, said facemask cooperatively engaging said unitary recess, said first and second base portions forming a unitary base portion, said first and second flat upper surfaces forming an aperture;

further wherein said cup insert can be removably inserted within said aperture with said cup insert flange being flush against said first and second flat upper surfaces;

whereby a beverage container can be inserted within said cup insert.

5. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

said cup insert being made of insulating material.