AU771150B2

AU771150B2 - An ice bucket holder

Info

Publication number: AU771150B2
Application number: AU48622/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roslyn Jebbink
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-15
Filing date: 2000-07-14
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-14
Also published as: AU4862200A

Description

F7

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): ROSLYN JEBBINK Invention Title: AN ICE BUCKET HOLDER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: ii -2- AN ICE BUCKET HOLDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an ice bucket holder.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Ice bucket holders are known in the art for the storage of bottled wine which can thus be conveniently located adjacent a dining table. The patent literature includes several examples of known ice bucket holders where an ice bucket support is fulcrumed from the edge of a table via upper and lower table engaging support arms.

15 US 4,418,883 describes a support apparatus designed to be **table-mounted and provide a support for a receptacle such as an ice bucket for housing wine bottles. The support apparatus includes an upper U-shaped member which defines a pair of laterally spaced arms. A lower U-shaped member which defines a lower arm is at one end connected to the upper U-shaped member with said members being arranged in orthogonal planes. A forward most end of the upper and lower arms are configured to engage upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the table. A channel is 25 generally defined between horizontal planes of the forward most ends of the respective upper and lower arms. The height or depth of the channel is preferably less than the thickness of the table so that the support arms tightly and frictionally engage the table.

GB 2,237,182 discloses an ice bucket holder detachably mounted to a table via upper and lower arms. A relatively large upper ring and relatively small lower ring is connected to and projects from upper and lower portions of the ice bucket holder. The rings are adapted to removably 3 receive an ice bucket or similar tableware equipment. In operation, the ice bucket holder is fulcrumed about the table where "the effect of the system weight and the moment of force provides a secure anchorage for the invention", page 2, lines 4 and SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an ice bucket holder comprising: a support element being adapted to removably receive and retain an ice bucket; and a coupling member connected to the support element, the coupling member being configured to operatively cooperate with a mounting fixture adapted to rigidly fix to a table or wall, the coupling member being movable relative *to the mounting fixture from a storage position to an .operative position wherein the support element is capable of holding the ice bucket adjacent the table or wall.

20 Generally, the support element is a ring-shaped member o having an opening shaped complementary to the ice bucket which is thus adapted to seat within the ring member.

Preferablyr the coupling member is pivotally connected to 25 the mounting fixture, pivotal movement of the coupling member between the storage and operative positions being effected about a vertical or horizontal axis, respectively.

Typically, the mounting fixture is a bracket fixed to the table or wall via a fastener. More typically, the bracket includes an affixture portion being adapted to fix to the table or wall, the affixture portion connected to a locking portion which is configured to retain the coupling member in the operative position. Generally, the locking portion is shaped to releasably engage the coupling member whereby 4 it is secured in either the operative or the storage position.

In one embodiment, where the coupling member is pivoted about the vertical axis, the locking portion includes a horizontal plate mounted to the affixture portion via a pin about which the coupling portion pivots, the horizontal plate having one or more retaining elements being configured to releasably engage the coupling member whilst it is in the operative position. Generally said retaining elements are each in the form of a resiliently flexible flange which releasably engages the coupling member.

In another embodiment, where the coupling member is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the bracket further includes a support strut at one end being pivotally connected to the coupling member or the support element, an opposite end of the support strut being configured to be releasably engaged by the locking portion so as to hold the coupling member in the storage position. In this example the locking portion includes a rail having an elongate slot along which said opposite end of the strut reciprocates, and a retaining element being configured to releasably engage said opposite end of the strut thereby holding the coupling member in the 25 storage position. Generally the retaining element is in S* the form of a resilient elongate element at one end being fixed to the affixture portion and at an opposite free end being shaped to releasably engage the strut whilst the coupling member is in the storage position.

Alternatively the locking portion includes a locking member having a recess being configured to be releasably engaged by an end of the coupling member. In one such embodiment the recess is engaged by a complementary shaped hook formed in the end of the coupling member, the locking portion 5 further including a housing or cage which is connected to the affixture portion and against which the coupling member is fulcrumed to support it in the operative position.

Preferably, the coupling member includes a pair of coupling arms each at one end being connected to the support element and at an opposite end pivotally, hingedly or detachably connected to the mounting fixture. More preferably, the coupling arm is formed integral with the support element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention several embodiments of an ice bucket holder will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an underside of an ice bucket holder fitted to a table; .Figure 2 is a plan view from underneath of the ice bucket holder of Figure 1; o.

oo 20 Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views taken through lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, of the ice bucket holder depicted in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a rear view of another ice bucket holder fitted to a wall; 25 Figures 6 and 7 are both sectional views taken through line 6-6 of the ice bucket holder of Figure 5 in the storage and operative positions, respectively; Figure 8 is a sectional view of a further ice bucket holder with the mounting fixture fitted to a table; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the ice bucket holder of Figure 8 with the coupling member partially inserted in the mounting fixture; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken through line 10-10 of the ice bucket holder of Figure 9; 6 Figure 11 is a sectional view of the ice bucket holder of Figures 8 to 10 with the coupling member in the operative position; and Figure 12 is a schematic view of an ice bucket adaptor fitted to a support element suited to any of the described embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Figures 1 to 12 there are various embodiments of an ice bucket holder 10 being adapted to hold an ice bucket (not shown) of a conventional construction in which ice and usually bottled alcoholic beverages are chilled.

For ease of reference and in order to avoid repetition, like components of the various ice bucket holders have been 15 designated with the same numerals.

The ice bucket holder 10 of Figures 1 to 4 comprises a "support element shown generally as 12 connected to a coupling member 14. The coupling member 14 operatively cooperates with a mounting fixture 16 so as to permit movement of the -coupling member 14 together with the support element 12 between storage and operative positions.

The ice bucket holder 10 of this embodiment is shown in the operative position.

o oo*The support element 12 of each of the embodiments illustrated is in the form of a ring-shaped member 18 being configured to removably receive and retain an ice bucket (not shown). The ice bucket is generally in the form of a tapered cylinder having an outwardly extending flange at its large diameter end. The flange rests against the ring member 18 so as to support the ice bucket. The ring member 18 may be manufactured in various sizes to cater for tapered ice buckets and also smaller cylinder types. Both of these types of ice buckets include the outward flange.

7 A relatively small ring-shaped member 20 is connected to the ice bucket ring member 18 via connector 22. The relatively small ring member 20 is designed to removably retain a vase and is arranged in the same general plane as the ice bucket ring member 18. The coupling member 14 is in each of the examples fabricated as a pair of coupling arms connected to or formed integral with the ice bucket ring member 18. The coupling arms 14 extend radially outward from the ring member 18 and at an opposite end are each movably coupled to or cooperate with the mounting fixture 16.

The mounting fixtures 16 of the various embodiments. differ in their specific construction. The mounting fixture 16 of 15 Figures 1 to 4 includes an affixture portion in the form of a base plate 24 which is adapted to be rigidly fixed to an underside of a table 26 via one or more fasteners such as 28. In this example the coupling arms 14 are pivotally coupled to the base plate 24. The coupling arm 14 together with the support element 12 can thus be pivoted about the mounting fixture 16 in a generally horizontal plane and about a vertical axis defined by the swivel connector The mounting fixture 16 of the ice bucket holder 10 of 25 Figures 1 to 4 also includes a locking portion in the form of a horizontal plate 32 mounted to the swivel connector The horizontal plate 32 is generally square-shaped in profile with its corners being turned inwardly toward the affixture portion 24. One of the corners is fixed to the base plate 24 while the other corner portions are shaped so as to fit between the pair of coupling arms 14.

Importantly, the horizontal plate 32 is sufficiently resilient wherein pivotal movement of the coupling arms 14 forces them into engagement with one of the corner portion of the horizontal plate 32 which as shown in Figure 1 8 retains the coupling arms 14 in the operative position. In this example the other corner portions each define a resiliently flexible flange such as 34 which can releasably engage the coupling arms 14. The coupling arms 14 and ring-shaped member 18 are pivoted about a vertical axis defined by the pin The ice bucket holder 10 of Figures 5 to 7 is mounted to a wall 26'. The pair of coupling arms 14 are pivotally coupled to the affixture portion 24 of the mounting fixture 16 or bracket to permit pivotal movement of the coupling arms 14 about a horizontal axis. The mounting fixture 16 includes a support strut 36 which at one end is pivotally connected to the ring-shaped member 18 and at an opposite 15 end is slidably received in an elongate slot 38 formed in each of a pair of rails 40 of the mounting fixture 16. The strut 36 is in the form of a U-shaped member which passes through opposing slots such as 38 of the pair of the rails go eg Importantly, a retaining element in the form of a resilient elongate element 42 is at one end fixed to the affixture portion 24 and at an opposite free end shaped to releasably engage the U-shaped strut 36 whilst the coupling arms such as 14 are in the storage position. The resilient element 42 is thus positioned between the pair of rails 40 of the mounting fixture 16. The slots 38 are of such a length that the U-shaped strut 36 travels the full length of the slot 38 when the coupling arms 14 and ring element 18 are moved from between the storage position as shown in Figures and 6 to the operative position of Figure 7. The retaining element 42 is adequately stiff to support the coupling arms 14 and ring-shaped member 18 in the storage position. However, the retaining element 42 is also of the appropriate rigidity wherein the coupling arms 14 and ring 9 element 18 can with relative ease be pressed downward so as to release the strut 36 from the retaining element 42 whereby the coupling arms 14 are moved into the operative position. In this position the coupling arms 14 abut an end of the slots 38 formed in the rails Figures 8 to 11 illustrate a further embodiment of an ice bucket holder 10 being adapted to fit to a table 26. In this example the coupling arms 14 together with the ringshaped member 18 are wholly retractable from the bracket 16 which is fastened to the table 26. The bracket 16 includes a housing or cage 44 and a locking member 46 both fixed to the affixture portion or plate 24. The locking member 46 :includes a recess 48 which is shaped complementary to and 15 designed to be engaged by a hook 50 formed across an end of the coupling arms 14. The housing or cage 44 includes rear and side boundary walls such as 52 and 54 together with a sloping floor 56 with a mouth 58 being defined at the front of the housing 44. The mouth 58 is sized to permit sliding passage of the hook 50 and coupling arms 14 as best shown in Figure 9. The hook 50 of the coupling arms 14 is then seated within the recess 48 of the locking member 46 wherein the coupling arms 14 and ring-shaped member 18 are held in the operative position. The coupling arms 14 bear 25 against the floor 56 adjacent the mouth 54 so as to support the coupling arms 14 in the operative position. It will be appreciated that removal of the coupling arms 14 and ringshaped member 18 from the mounting fixture 16 involves releasing the hook 50 from the locking member 46 and retracting the coupling arms 14 from the housing 44 of the mounting fixture 16.

Figure 12 illustrates an ice bucket adaptor 60 which is configured to sit across the ring-shaped member 18. The adaptor 60 allows ice buckets of various sizes to be used 10 together with the ice bucket holder 10 of any one of the described embodiments of the invention. The adaptor includes a ring member 62 having an inner diameter based on the outside diameter of a relatively small ice bucket, and a peripheral flange 64 formed continuous with and extending downward from the ring member 62. The flange 64 includes adjacent cut-out portions such as 66 designed to receive the coupling arms 14 and the connector 22.

Now that several embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the ice bucket holders have at least the following advantages.: the ice bucket holders rigidly mount to a table or 15 wall with a reduced risk of inadvertently dislodging the ice bucket holder; (ii) the ice bucket holder is relatively simple to erect in the operative position and is unobtrusive in its storage position; and ooe* 20 (iii) the ice bucket holder can be fitted to tables or o*o* walls of various configurations.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and 25 modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the support element may be in the form of a canister which is designed to removably receive the ice bucket as opposed to the ring-shaped member described.

Furthermore, the mounting fixture may vary from those described provided it provides a rigid support for the coupling member. The locking portion may vary from that described provided it permits releasable engagement of the coupling member with the bracket during movement of the coupling member between the storage and operative positions.

11 All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

ft *«ee e

Claims

1. An ice bucket holder comprising: a support element being adapted to removably receive and retain an ice bucket; and a coupling member connected to the support element, the coupling member being configured to operatively cooperate with a mounting fixture adapted to rigidly fix to a table or wall, the coupling member being movable relative to the mounting fixture from a storage position to an operative position wherein the support element is capable of holding the ice bucket adjacent the table or wall.

2. An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 1 wherein 0* 15 the support element is a ring-shaped member having an opening shaped complementary to the ice bucket which is thus adapted to seat within the ring member.

3. An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein the coupling member is pivotally connected to the mounting fixture, pivotal movement of the coupling member between the storage and operative positions being effected about a vertical or horizontal axis, respectively. 25

4. An ice bucket holder as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting fixture is a bracket fixed to the table or wall via a fastener.

An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 4 wherein the bracket includes an affixture portion being adapted to fix to the table or wall, the affixture portion connected to a locking portion which is configured to retain the coupling member in the operative position. 13

6. An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 5 wherein the locking portion is shaped to releasably engage the coupling member whereby it is secured in either the operative or the storage position.

7. An ice bucket holder as defined in any one of the preceding claims and where the coupling member is pivoted about the vertical axis, the locking portion including a horizontal plate mounted to the affixture portion via a pin about which the coupling portion pivots, the horizontal plate having one or more retaining elements being configured to releasably engage the coupling member whilst it is in the operative position. 15

8. An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 7 wherein said retaining elements are each in the form of a resiliently flexible flange which releasably engages the coupling member.

9. An ice bucket holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 and where the coupling member is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the bracket further including a support strut at one end being pivotally connected to the coupling member or the support element, an opposite end of the 25 support strut being configured to be releasably engaged by the locking portion so as to hold the coupling member in the storage position.

An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 9 wherein the locking portion includes a rail having an elongate slot along which said opposite end of the strut reciprocates, and a retaining element being configured to releasably engage said opposite end of the strut thereby holding the coupling member in the storage position. 14

11. An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 10 wherein the retaining element is in the form of a resilient elongate element at one end being fixed to the affixture portion .and at an opposite free end being shaped to releasably engage the strut whilst the coupling member is in the storage position.

12. An ice bucket holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the locking portion includes a locking member having a recess being configured to be releasably engaged by an end of the coupling member.

13. An ice bucket holder as defined in claim 12 wherein the recess is engaged by a complementary shaped hook formed 15 in the end of the coupling member, the locking portion further including a housing or cage which is connected to othe affixture portion and against which the coupling member s.ee*" is fulcrumed to support it in the operative position. 20

14. An ice bucket holder as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the coupling member includes a pair of coupling arms each at one end being connected to the support element and at an opposite end pivotally, hingedly or detachably connected to the mounting fixture.

15. An ice bucket holder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 1 4 th day of July 2000 ROSLYN JEBBINK By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK