BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER

Abstract

A beverage container holder comprising, an outer shell having an upper rim, a bottom, and a sidewall disposed therebetween, at least one spring arm having an upper end, a lower end, and an inwardly bowed middle portion located in the outer shell, and a rim cap disposed on the upper rim of outer shell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a beverage container holder for holding a beverage container, and more specifically, to a beverage container holder having a gasket and spring arms for holding a beverage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard cup holders are often provided in cars, boats, and other vehicles to hold beverage containers such as cans, bottles, and cups. The cans, bottles, and cups vary widely in diameter, and as such, often do not fit securely in the standard cup holders because they often have an outer diameter that is substantially smaller than the inner diameter of the standard cup holder. What is needed is a beverage container holder sized to fit in a standard cup holder and designed to securely hold cans, bottles, and cups with smaller diameters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a beverage container holder comprising, an outer shell having an upper rim, a bottom, and a sidewall disposed therebetween, at least one spring arm having an upper end, a lower end, and an inwardly bowed middle portion located in the outer shell, and a rim cap disposed on the upper rim of outer shell.

The invention also relates to a beverage container holder comprising, an outer shell having an upper rim, a bottom, and a sidewall disposed therebetween, an internal bottom having a sidewall and at least on insulated liner retainer protruding upwardly from the sidewall of the internal bottom, whereas the internal bottom is disposed in the outer shell, an insulated liner with an upper end and a lower end disposed in the outer shell, whereas the lower end of the insulated liner is retained against the outer shell by the insulated liner retainer of the internal bottom, a rim assembly having a rim cap, a top cap, and a gasket, wherein the rim cap has a recess secured to the upper rim of the outer shell, and a first spring, a second spring, a third spring, and a fourth spring connected to the rim assembly and disposed in the outer shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spring arm of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outer shell of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulated liner of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an internal bottom of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rim cap of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the rim cap of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gasket of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a top cap of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rim cap, spring arms, and internal bottom of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a beverage holder base of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a beverage container holder of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rim assembly and at least one flat spring of the beverage container holder of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This application incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. application Ser. No. 13/369,926 filed Feb. 9, 2012.

FIG. 1 shows a beverage container holder 10 having a central axis 12, a substantially hollow interior portion 14, an outer shell 100 and a rim assembly 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the rim assembly 200 has a rim cap 210, a top cap 202 and a flexible gasket 204. Disposed in the outer shell 100 is an insulated liner 300, an internal bottom 400, and at least one spring arm 500. The beverage container holder 10 is sized to fit in a standard cup holder, as found in a car, boat, or other vehicle and to hold a beverage container of varying size. The flexible gasket 204 and the at least one spring arm 500 act to hold beverage containers of varying sizes securely in the beverage container holder.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the outer shell has an upper rim 102, a bottom 104, and a sidewall 106 disposed therebetween. Typically, the outer shell is cylindrical in shape and is typically made of plastic, metal, or other substantially rigid material. The sidewall 106 is substantially vertical with an indentation 108 between the upper rim and the bottom for holding a rim 402 of the internal bottom 400. The bottom 104 of the outer shell 106 has an upwardly concave section 110 for mating with a beverage container holder base 130, described later. The upwardly concave section 110 may define a hole 112 sized to receive a projection 134 of a beverage container holder base, or it may contain a ferrous component 114 for attaching the beverage container holder to a magnetic beverage container holder base. Alternatively, the ferrous component 114 may be a magnet for attaching the beverage container holder to a beverage container holder base having a ferrous component.

FIG. 3 shows a first spring arm 500 in its relaxed state. The spring arm has a substantially rectangular cross-section and a lower end 502, an upper end 504, and a middle portion 514 that is bowed inwardly towards the central axis 12 of the beverage container holder 10. The upper end 504 includes a semicircular retainer 506 for retaining the spring arm in the rim assembly 200. The lower end 502 has an inside face 508 that rides against an inside 116 of the outer shell. At least one hole 510 is provided in the semicircular retainer 506 to receive at least one alignment pin 212 of the rim cap 210, shown in FIG. 7. A relief 512 is provided in the semicircular retainer 506 to receive at least one securing pin 214 of the rim cap 210. When a beverage container having a diameter larger than a distance 516 (FIG. 11) between a spring aim 500 and a second spring arm 518 is inserted in the beverage container holder 10, the middle portion 514 of the spring arm 500 and the middle portion 520 of the second spring arm 518 bias against the beverage container, holding the beverage container in the beverage container holder 10. In the embodiment shown, the beverage container holder has a first spring arm 500, a second spring arm 518, a third spring arm 522, and a fourth spring arm 524 connected to the rim assembly and disposed in the outer shell. More or less spring arms may be used.

FIG. 5 shows an insulated liner 300 that fits against the inside 116 of the outer shell 100. The insulated liner has an upper end 302, a lower end 304 and sidewall 306. At least one relief 308 is provide in the lower end 304 to allow the inside face 508 of at least one first spring arm 500 to ride against the inside 116 of the outer shell 100. If multiple spring arms are used, then multiple reliefs are typically provided. The insulated liner may be made from a rubber or neoprene and may be cut from a flat piece of insulation. When it is cut from a flat piece, it is rolled so that a first end 310 and a second end 312 meet at a seam 314. The insulated liner 300 is placed in the shell 100 so that the lower end 304 is at a location approximate the indentation 108 and rests on top of an upper edge 404 of the rim 402 of the internal bottom 400.

FIG. 6 shows an internal bottom having rim 402, upper edge 404, bottom 406, and sidewall 408 disposed around the bottom 406. At least one insulated liner retainer 410 for holding the insulated liner 300 against the inside 116 of the outer shell 100 protrudes upwardly from the sidewall 408. Interposed along the sidewall 408 is at least one relief 412 for accommodating an inside face 508 of the spring arm 500. If multiple spring arms are used, then multiple reliefs are typically provided. The bottom 406 defines a downwardly concave section 414 with a lower edge 416 that rests on the upwardly concave section 110 of the outer shell.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a rim cap having an outer vertical collar 216, a top 218, an inner vertical collar 220, and a ring 222. At least one alignment pin 212 and at least one securing pin 214 are disposed on the ring 222. At least one ring relief 226 is cut from the ring 222 to receive at least one spring arm 500. The outer vertical collar 216, top 218, and inner vertical collar 220 form a recess 224 that is sized to receive the upper rim 102 of the outer shell 100.

FIG. 9 shows a gasket 204 that is part of the rim assembly 200. The gasket 204 is washer shaped with an outer edge 240 and an inner edge 242 that defines an aperture 244 with a diameter 252. The aperture diameter is typically smaller than a beverage container, so that the aperture flexes open and against a beverage container when the beverage container is inserted into the beverage container holder. The combined forces of the gasket and the at least one spring arm against the beverage container holds the beverage container in the beverage container holder. The gasket has at least one first hole 246 sized to receive an alignment pin 212 of the rim cap 210 and at least one second hole 248, typically larger than the at least one first hole 246, sized to receive the securing pin 214 of the rim cap 210. If multiple alignment pins 212 are used, then multiple first holes 246 are provided. If multiple securing pins 214 are used, then multiple second holes 248 are provided. The gasket has an outer diameter 250 that is typically sized to fit within the inner vertical collar 220 of the rim cap 210. Typically, the gasket is made of a flexible material such as rubber or neoprene.

When a beverage container is inserted into the beverage container holder, the aperture 244 forms a seal around the beverage, typically a substantially air tight seal, so that the air between the outer shell and beverage container insulates the beverage container from the atmosphere.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a rim assembly 270. In this embodiment, the lid cap 254 has a top section 256, a sloped side 258, and an outer edge 260. Holes are disposed in the top section 256 for receiving the securing pins 214. Alternatively, the lid cap 202 may be a ring with holes disposed in the ring for receiving the securing pins 214, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 shows a beverage holder base 130 that may be used to hold the beverage container holder 10. The beverage holder base 130 has a lower portion 132 and a top 138. Disposed on the top 138 is a projection 134 that is sized to fit the upwardly concave section of the outer shell 100. The beverage container holder 10 contains a ferrous component 114, and the projection contains a magnet 136 to hold the beverage container holder 10 to the beverage holder base 130. Alternatively, the beverage container holder 10 may contain a magnet 114, and the projection may contain a ferrous component 136.

To assemble the beverage container holder 10, the rim assembly 200 with the spring arms 500 is first preassembled. The retainer 506 of the spring arm 500 is placed on the rim cap 210 so that the alignment pins 212 pass through the holes 510 in the retainer. The gasket 204 is then placed over the alignment pins 212 and the securing pins 214. The rim cap 210 is located over the securing pins 214 and anchored to hold the spring arms and gasket in place. The securing pins may be cylindrical and straight during the assembly process and then mashed or melted over to form a button 228 to secure the rim cap 210.

The internal bottom 400 is then placed in the outer shell 100. The internal bottom 400 may be secured to the outer shell 100 by gluing or plastic welding the lower edge 416 of the concave section 414 of the internal bottom 400 to the upwardly concave section 110 of the outer shell 100 to form a bond 118. The rim 402 of the internal bottom 400 may be secured to the inside of the outer shell in the same manner. Alternatively, the internal bottom 400 may be press fit into the outer shell 100.

The insulated liner 300 is then slid into the shell so that the reliefs 308 of the insulated liner correspond to the reliefs 412 of the internal bottom 400. The lower edge 304 of the insulated liner 300 is located between the outer shell 100 and the insulated liner retainer 410. The preassembly containing the rim assembly 200 and the spring arms 500 is then slid into the outer shell 100 so that the lower ends 502 of the spring arms 500 align with the reliefs 308 of the insulated liner and the reliefs 412 of the internal bottom. The recess 224 of the rim cap 210 is disposed on the upper rim 102 of the outer shell 100 and is secured to the upper rim. The rim cap may be secured to the outer shell with glue or plastic welding, or it may snap securely in place.

FIG. 13 shows a section view of another embodiment of a beverage container holder 601 having an outer shell 600, an upper rim 602, a bottom 604, and a sidewall 606 disposed therebetween. Typically, the outer shell is cylindrical in shape and is typically made of plastic, metal, or other substantially rigid material. The bottom 604 is typically substantially flat and is typically substantially perpendicular to the sidewall 606 and has at least one spring relief 608 for receiving the lower end 502 of at least one spring arm 500. A first spring arm 500, a second spring arm 518, a third spring arm 522, and a fourth spring arm 524, as shown in FIG. 14 may also be provided. When multiple spring arms are provided, multiple reliefs are provided in the bottom 604.

In the beverage container holder 601, the rim cap 210, top cap 254, gasket 204, and spring arms 500, 528, 522, and 524 are the same as those previously described. FIG. 13 shows the securing pins 214 before they have been mashed or melted over to secure the rim assembly 270 together. Unlike the beverage container holder 10, the beverage container holder 601 of FIGS. 13 and 14 has a substantially flat bottom and lacks an internal bottom.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrated examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage container holder comprising,

a. an outer shell having an upper rim, a bottom, and a sidewall disposed therebetween,

b. at least one spring arm having an upper end, a lower end, and an inwardly bowed middle portion located in the outer shell, and

c. a rim cap disposed on the upper rim of outer shell.

2. The beverage container holder or claim 1, further comprising a gasket having an aperture and secured to the rim cap.

3. The beverage container holder of claim 1, further comprising an insulated liner disposed in the outer shell.

4. The beverage container holder of claim 2, further comprising an insulated liner disposed in the outer shell.

5. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the rim cap is glued to the upper rim of the outer shell.

6. The beverage container holder of claim 4, further comprising an internal bottom having a sidewall and at least one insulated liner retainer protruding upwardly from the sidewall.

7. The beverage container holder of claim 1, further comprising a second spring arm having an upper end, a lower end, and an inwardly bowed middle portion located in the outer shell opposite the at least one spring arm.

8. A beverage container holder comprising,

a. an outer shell having an upper rim, a bottom, and a sidewall disposed therebetween,

b. an internal bottom having a sidewall and at least on insulated liner retainer protruding upwardly from the sidewall of the internal bottom, whereas the internal bottom is disposed in the outer shell,

c. an insulated liner with an upper end and a lower end disposed in the outer shell, whereas the lower end of the insulated liner is retained against the outer shell by the insulated liner retainer of the internal bottom,

d. a rim assembly having a rim cap, a top cap, and a gasket, wherein the rim cap has a recess secured to the upper rim of the outer shell, and

e. a first spring, a second spring, a third spring, and a fourth spring connected to the rim assembly and disposed in the outer shell.