LAP CADDY

Abstract

A lap cup holder for securing a beverage comprising: a triangular base; an opening near one angle of the triangular base; and a lip around the perimeter of the opening, where the lip extends above the top surface of the base. The base includes a bottom surface which is concaved across the surface thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the base has a first thickness near the opening and a second thickness along the side opposite of the opening. Each side of the triangular base may be curved outwardly to provide a wedge type shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a lap cup holder that is useful for an individual seated in a moving vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

Food trays are available in various shapes, sizes and designs. Food trays normally used in restaurants provide a means to transport food to a table where the food tray may be used by restaurant personnel or by individuals in self-serve restaurants. Typical food trays include a flat surface of a reasonable size to hold the utensils and plates with a lip or rim extending upward from the flat surface. Some food trays have special compartments or cutouts to support beverage cups. Others have specific configurations to assist in the ease of transporting. A specific area of food trays has been developed to provide a lap-type tray for an individual who's traveling in a motor vehicle. Many of the lap trays are small trays that are suitable to holding small items of portable meals and items that may have been purchased at a fast-food restaurant. Many of the lap trays for use in a vehicle include cutouts for beverage containers, French fry holders and compartments to hold the actual food being consumed. Further, the lap trays have been configured to fit in an individual's lap and conform to individual's legs and thighs to have a firm base to support the tray. Examples of lap trays are demonstrated in the prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,119 which discloses a fast food lap tray suitable for use in automobile to support and secure fast foods and their containers thereof. The lap trays are adapted to secured to the lap of the user but yet not cause discomfort to the user. U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,795 discloses a lap tray for use by a person which has a base plate and an upright mid-portion rising from the base plate with a tray attached to the upper end of the mid-portion. The base plate is divided to be held down by one thigh of the person using the lap tray.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,561 provides yet another example of a lap tray that includes an elongated body portion to be supported across the upper legs of a seated person providing recessed areas for food and beverage containers. Although the lap trays of the prior art are conducive for consuming entire meals, it may be desirable to have lap trays that are functional for specific purposes for a driver or passenger in a vehicle. Many times a passenger or a driver may need an additional cup holder in a vehicle to hold and support a beverage being consumed while in the vehicle. It would therefore be advantageous to have a portable lap beverage holder that is suitable for someone traveling in a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lap cup holder for securing a beverage comprising: a triangular base; an opening near one angle of the triangular base; and a lip around the perimeter of the opening, where the lip extends above the top surface of the base. The base includes a bottom surface which is concaved across the surface thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the base has a first thickness near the opening and a second thickness along the side opposite of the opening. Each side of the triangular base may be curved outwardly to provide a wedge type shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a lap cup holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment the lap cup holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment of the side view of the lap cup holder according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a lap cup holder that provides a storage device for cups, cans or other beverage containers. The lap cup holder according to the present invention is particularly useful when traveling in a vehicle. The lap cup holder according to the present invention conveniently rests upon an individual's lap and provides an opening for the insertion of a cup. The lap cup holder according to the present invention has a sufficient holding means within the cup holder to secure the cup to prevent spills while traveling in a vehicle. The lap cup holder is flexible, portable and interchangeable for use by any individual while in a vehicle.

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a lap cup holder assembly 10 according to the present invention. The lap cup holder 10 includes a base 18, a cup opening 14 and a cup holder lip 16. The shape of the lap cup holder base 18 is subsequently triangular as depicted in FIG. 1. The cup opening 14 is positioned near one of the angles of the triangular shaped base 18. The triangular shape of the lap cup holder assembly 10 provides an effective means for placing the lap cup holder assembly 10 in the individual's lap. Each of the three sides of the cup holder base 18 is somewhat curved to provide a wedge type of design of the lap cup holder assembly 10. This curved and wedge design provides a sufficient surface area to support the lap cup holder assembly 10 in an individual's lap.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the lap cup holder assembly 10. The lap cup assembly 10 includes a bottom surface 15. The bottom surface 15 is placed upon individual's lap when using the lap cup holder assembly 10. As depicted in FIG. 2 the bottom surface 15 is substantially curved to again provide a supporting surface that is conducive to be placed upon an individual's lap and helps to prevent spill or tip over potential.

An alternative bottom surface 17 is depicted in FIG. 3. The alternative bottom surface 17 is curved similarly to the bottom surface 15, however the thickness of the base portion 18 varies over the area of the lap cup holder assembly 10. As noted near the cup holder lip 16, the base 18 has a larger thickness as opposed to the opposite side of the base portion 18. This difference in thickness provides a more substantially curved bottom surface 17.

The lap cup holder assembly 10 according to the present invention is particularly useful for holding a cup or other beverage while an individual travels in a vehicle. This lap cup holder assembly 10 provides an additional cup holder when there may be a limited number of cup holders available in an individual's vehicle. By using the lap cup holder, an individual can prevent spills and wasting of a beverage as opposed to simply placing beverage in the individual's lap between their legs without any type of support. The cup holder lip 16 extends above the top surface of the lap cup holder assembly 10 and therefore provides additional support for the cup that is placed within the cup opening 14. The wedged triangular design of the lap cup holder assembly 10 prevents the sliding of the tray off of individual's laps and accommodates any curvature that may be the result of the seat placement in the vehicle. When not in use, the lap cup holder assembly may be easily placed under the seat until needed.

Claims

1. A lap cup holder for securing a beverage comprising:

a. a triangular base;

b. an opening near one angle of the triangular base; and

c. a lip around the perimeter of the opening, where the lip extends above the top surface of the base.

2. The lap cup holder according to claim 1, where the base includes a bottom surface, where said bottom surface is concaved across the surface thereof.

3. The lap cup holder according to claim 1, where the base has a first thickness near the opening and a second thickness along the side opposite of the opening.

4. The lap cup holder according to claim 1, where each side of the triangular base is curved outwardly.