STEMMED GLASS HOLDER

Abstract

A stemmed glass holder is provided, comprising an upper support section and a lower support section connected together by at least one flexible connector such as chain, the upper and lower support sections being generally circular in shape and comprising apertures in the perimeters thereof defining upper and lower cavities therein which are shaped and sized to accommodate a conventional stemmed glass, the glass holder further being pivotally and removably connected to a folding chair such that the glass holder may be folded into a compact configuration along with the chair for storage and transport when not in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a beverage holder, and more particularly to a stemmed glass holder that is attachable to a folding chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable, folding chairs are commonly used for camping, picnicking, tailgating and other outdoor activities, including simple use in one's home or backyard. Typical folding chairs include the “quad chair” which employs a scissor-like folding mechanism wherein the fabric chair seat and aluminum frame are collapsed into a compact unit for easy transport by moving all four legs of the chair frame toward the center of the chair. It is also common for folding chairs to employ more of a flat folding mechanism wherein the seat and back of the chair remain flat and the folding occurs along a hinge line where the seat and back are connected—this is similar to the typical “lawn chair”.

Users of folding chairs often like to sip a beverage while sitting in the chair. Typically, the beverages are contained in a cup, glass, bottle, can or the like. It is known to have mesh cup holders or solid plastic holders located in the arms of folding chairs or attached to the chair frame. These cup holders are generally cylindrical in shape and resemble a bucket of sorts wherein the cup, bottle or can sits down inside the bucket. Such cup holders work well for flat-bottomed containers such as cups, tumblers, cans or bottles. These cup holders, however, do not work well for wine or champagne glasses having stems as they do not adequately accommodate the stern of the glass. As a result, the base and stem of the glass are received into the bucket section of the cup holder, but the heavier globe portion of the glass often sits above the top of the bucket section and remains unstable. As such, a glass holder that is attachable to a folding chair is needed wherein such glass holder adequately receives and supports a glass having a stem and a globe portion. In addition, a glass holder is needed that will accommodate all shapes and sizes of stemmed glasses—from champagne flutes to port wine glasses which have a more bulbous shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended, to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The present disclosure provides a holder for stemmed glasses that is attachable to a folding chair. The stemmed glass holder comprises upper and lower support sections which each have an inner perimeter that is shaped to accommodate the rounded glass globes. The upper and lower support sections are separate pieces that are flexibly connected to allow for movement and folding of the glass holder into a compact configuration. The glass holder is removably connected to the chair frame and also provides means for folding the glass holder into a compact configuration in relation to the chair frame such that the entire chair remains able to fold compactly for transport and storage. The upper and lower support sections each comprise an opening extending from the outer perimeter through to the inner perimeter of the respective support sections into a first and second cavity defined by the upper and lower support section perimeters that allows the stem of a glass to enter the first and second cavities such that the globe of the glass may be received and held in a stable position on the upper surface of the lower support section and within the inner perimeter of the upper support section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a glass holder of the present disclosure, shown in its expanded configuration attached to the frame of a folding chair also in the expanded configuration;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the glass holder shown in FIG. 1, shown apart from a folding chair;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the parts of a glass holder shown in FIG. 2, without any flexible connectors;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the glass holder of FIG. 1. shown in its expanded configuration attached to a folding chair also in the expanded configuration;

FIG. 5 depicts the glass holder of FIG. 4 shown in its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 6 depicts the glass holder of FIG. 5 shown attached to a chair that is in its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a glass holder of the present disclosure, a portion of the chair body being shown to provide reference; and

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a glass holder of the present disclosure, a portion of the chair body being shown to provide reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

The present disclosure provides a glass holder 10 having an upper support section 12 and a lower support section 14. The upper support section 12 and the lower support section 14 are separate generally planar sections that are flexibly connected by at least one connector 24 and preferably a plurality of connectors 24. Connectors 24 retain the lower support section 14 in a generally parallel hanging relationship underneath the upper support section 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper support section 12 and lower support section 14 are preferably spaced apart an adequate distance such that the majority of the globe portion of a stemmed glass (not shown) will reside in the area between the two support sections when in use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, upper support section 12 is generally circular in shape to accommodate the globe of a stemmed glass (not shown). Upper support section 12 comprises inner perimeter 12a and outer perimeter 12b. Inner perimeter 12a is generally circular in shape to accommodate the overall shape of the globe of a conventional stemmed glass. Outer perimeter 12b is preferably circular in overall shape, but could comprise shapes other than circular provided inner perimeter 12a was shaped to accommodate the overall general shape of the stemmed glass to be received therein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper support section 12 comprises upper opening 18 that extends through the entire distance from outer perimeter 12b to inner perimeter 12a. Upper support section 12 further defines a first cavity 16 located within inner perimeter 12a.

Lower support section 14 comprises inner perimeter 14a and outer perimeter 14b. Inner perimeter 14a is generally key-hole shaped as shown in FIG. 3. Outer perimeter 14b is preferably circular in overall shape, but could comprise shapes other than circular provided inner perimeter 14a was shaped to accommodate the overall general shape of the stemmed glass to be received therein. As shown in FIG. 3, lower support section 14 comprises lower opening 22 that extends the entire distance from outer perimeter 14b to inner perimeter 14a and defines channel 20 therein. Lower support section 14 further defines a second cavity 26 located within inner perimeter 14a. Upper opening 18 and lower opening 22 are preferably aligned for receipt of the stem of a glass. Similarly, the centers of first cavity 16 and second cavity 26 are generally aligned. Lower support section 14 may comprise material having a spoke configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or may comprise a solid unit of material (not shown) or material having a configuration other than spoked (not shown) as long as channel 20 and second cavity 26 are present to receive and accommodate the stem of the glass. Second cavity 26 is preferably smaller in dimension than first cavity 16 such that the globe of a stemmed glass may fit within inner perimeter 12a and be supported on lower support section 14 without passing through second cavity 26. Second cavity 26 is also preferably smaller in dimension than the globe diameter of the smallest available stemmed glass so that it will accommodate any commercially available glass, regardless of size.

Support sections 12, 14 are preferably made of plastic, but could be made of other commercially known lightweight materials that will retain their general shape and structure and provide durability against the weather and outdoor elements.

Upper support section 12 is flexibly connected to lower support section 14 by at least one connector 24. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, connector 24 is preferably a length of metal chain. It is also within the scope of the present invention for connector 24 to comprise other flexible materials such as mesh, fabric, string, rope, plastic and the like. Connectors 24 may comprise strips of such materials or may be in other forms which provide an adequate length of material extending between and flexibly connecting upper support section 12 to lower support section 14. While a plurality of connectors 24 are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be understood that fewer or more connectors 24 than are depicted could be used. It is also within the scope of the present invention for connector 24 to comprise only a single piece of fabric, mesh or other flexible material and for the single piece to extend around the entire outer perimeter of upper support section 12 and lower support section 14 except for at upper opening 18 and lower opening 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 5, holder 10 further comprises pivot member 28, pivot pin 30, supporting member 32 and mounting member 34 which serve to removably connect glass holder 10 to chair C, preferably on a leg of frame F. Holder 10 is preferably easily attached and detached from the front leg of frame F, although it is also within the scope of the present invention for holder 10 to be attached to a rear leg of frame F or even to the armrest of frame F. Pivot member 28 is pivotally connected to upper support section 12 by pivot pin 30 which enables upper support section 12 and lower support section 14 to pivot in relation to supporting member 32, mounting member 34 and chair C. Such pivoting movement enables upper support section 12 and lower support section 14 to fold down into a more compact configuration when chair C is in its folded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, pivot-receiving members 27 extend outward from upper support section 12. Pivot member 28 fits within pivot-receiving members 27 and is secured therein with pivot pin 30, Pivot member 28 connects to supporting member 32 which is connected to mounting member 34. Mounting member 34 preferably comprises an elastically deformable sleeve-shaped hollow cylindrical clamping member having a longitudinal cutout which clips around chair frame F and is secured thereto by a friction fit. Mounting member 34 is preferably angled slightly to accommodate the angle of frame leg F such that holder 10 and, thus, the glass supported in the holder, is level with the ground/support surface under the chair C.

Mounting member 34 may also be shaped other than cylindrical depending on the shape of the chair leg frame member to which it is being attached and may further comprise rubber, foam or other material to provide additional slip resistance. It is also within the scope of the present invention for mounting member 34 to be attached to chair frame F using a conventional clamp, screws or other removable means. It is further within the scope of the present invention for mounting member 34 to be permanently attached to chair C as a molded piece or with rivets or the like.

In another embodiment of the present invention, holder 10 is attached to the arm of chair C, shown in FIG. 8. It is also within the scope of the present invention for holder 10 to be constructed as part of the fabric armrest of chair C, shown in FIG. 7, such that the fabric armrest comprises a channel in the fabric which extends from either the outer edge or the inner edge of the armrest and leads into a circular opening in the armrest which may or may not have a fabric or mesh bucket underneath wherein the glass is supported by either the fabric armrest or the fabric armrest in connection with the mesh bucket underneath.

In use, folding chair C is unfolded into its expanded configuration and set up pursuant to that specific chair's instructions. Holder 10 is preferably already attached to chair C at leg frame F such that upper support section 12 may be unfolded from its stored configuration to a usable configuration by moving upper support section 12 at pivot-receiving members 27 about pivot pin 30 until upper support section 12 is relatively parallel to the ground on which chair C is supported. The user holds the globe of the stemmed glass at least slightly higher than upper support section 12 and almost simultaneously passes the stem of the stemmed glass though upper opening 18, tower opening 22 and channel 20 such that the stem of the glass is generally centered within first cavity 16 and second cavity 26. The user then lowers the glass until the bottom of the globe rests on the upper surface of lower support section 14, with the stern of the glass extending below lower support section 14. The weight of the glass and its contents are thereby supported by tower support section 14 and the globe is held stable and upright by upper support section 12 within inner perimeter 12a. Preferably, the upper portion of the globe extends above the upper support section 12 so that a user may easily grasp the glass for removal from holder 10. It is also within the scope of use of the invention for larger-sized globes to securely rest on the top of upper support section 12 rather than fit within inner perimeter 12a. Inner perimeter 12a and inner perimeter 14a may comprise rubber, foam, or other material to provide additional gripping ability or cushioning for the glass. The upper surface of upper support section 12 and/or tower support section 14 may similarly comprise rubber, foam or other material to provide additional gripping ability or cushioning for the glass.

If holder 10 is not already attached to chair C, mounting member 34 is clipped onto frame F or otherwise attached as described herein and use continues as described above.

When the user is finished using holder 10, it may be folded down against frame F of chair by removing the glass and simply pushing down on upper support section 12 such that upper support section 12 rotates downward about pivot pin 30, and lower support section 14 similarly rotates in relation to pivot pin 30 by virtue of its flexible connection to upper support section 12 via connectors 24. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, flexible connectors 24 enable upper support section 12 and lower support section 14 to hang in a staggered relationship when holder 10 is folded up against chair frame F. The user may continue utilizing chair C at this point without holder 10 in its extended configuration. The user may also proceed to collapse chair C according to its instructions for storage or transport.

The holder 10 of the present invention may be used with any type of folding chair known and used in the industry. Mounting member 34 is appropriately shaped to accommodate the shape of the chair frame at the point of attachment. The angle of mounting member 34 is similarly determined and appropriately matched to the chair frame such that the upper support section 12 of holder 10 is generally parallel to the ground or surface on which chair is supported.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. T hits, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even it there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A glass holder, comprising:

a first support having a first perimeter defining a first cavity therein;

a second support located in a spaced relation underneath said first support, said second support having a second perimeter defining a second cavity therein which is smaller in diameter than said first cavity;

said first and second supports connected by at least one flexible connector;

wherein said first support further comprises a first aperture in said first perimeter and said second support thither comprises a second aperture in said second perimeter, said first aperture and said second aperture being aligned; and

a mounting member for connecting said first support to a chair frame.

2. The glass holder of claim 1, wherein said first perimeter is different from said second perimeter.

3. The glass holder of claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible connector further comprises a plurality of flexible connectors spaced around said first and second perimeters.

4. The glass holder of claim 3, wherein said at least one flexible connector comprises a single piece of continuous material.

5. The glass holder of claim 1, wherein said mounting member comprises a pivot mechanism.

6. The glass holder of claim 1, further comprising a layer of cushioning material attached to the interior perimeter of said first cavity.

7. The glass holder of claim 6, wherein said cushioning material comprises foam.

8. A folding chair, comprising:

a support frame further comprising a back frame and a seat frame;

at least one arm member pivotally attached to said support frame;

at least one leg member pivotally attached to said support frame; and

a glass holder attached to said folding chair.

9. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is permanently attached to said folding chair.

10. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is attached to said folding chair along one of said at least one leg members.

11. The glass holder of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is attached to said folding chair along one of said at least one arm members.

12. The glass holder of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is attached to said folding chair along said back frame.

13. The glass holder of claim 8, wherein said glass holder is attached to said folding chair along said seat frame.

14. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein said glass holder comprises:

a first support having a first perimeter defining a first cavity therein;

a second support located in a spaced relation underneath said first support, said second support having a second perimeter defining a second cavity therein which is smaller in diameter than said first cavity;

said first and second supports connected by at least one flexible connector;

wherein said first support further comprises a first aperture in said first perimeter and said second support further comprises a second aperture in said second perimeter, said first aperture and said second aperture being aligned; and

a mounting member for connecting said first support to said folding chair.

15. A folding chair, comprising:

a support frame further comprising a back frame and a seat frame;

at least one arm member pivotally attached to said support frame;

at least one leg member pivotally attached to said support frame; and

said at least one arm member comprising flexible fabric and further comprising a glass holder permanently formed within said arm member, said glass holder comprising a first support having a first perimeter defining a first cavity therein; a second support located in a spaced relation underneath said first support, said second support having a second perimeter defining a second cavity therein which is smaller in diameter than said first cavity; said first and second supports connected by at least one flexible connector; wherein said first support further comprises a first aperture in said first perimeter and said second support further comprises a second aperture in said second perimeter, said first aperture and said second aperture being aligned.