CA2157633C - Beverage container holding device - Google Patents
Beverage container holding deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2157633C CA2157633C CA 2157633 CA2157633A CA2157633C CA 2157633 C CA2157633 C CA 2157633C CA 2157633 CA2157633 CA 2157633 CA 2157633 A CA2157633 A CA 2157633A CA 2157633 C CA2157633 C CA 2157633C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- beverage container
- vehicle
- holding device
- container holding
- vanes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/10—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
- B60N3/103—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated detachable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/10—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
- B60N3/104—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated with refrigerating or warming systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Passenger Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A beverage container holding device is described for use in an automotive vehicle. The device is adapted for engagement with a ventilation outlet in a vehicle, to expose a beverage container to a flow of cooled or heated air. In another aspect, the invention includes an automotive vehicle including one or more ventilation outlets for the passage of heated or cooled air into the vehicle. A beverage container holding device is located in the vehicle, affixed to the interior of same proximate to one of the ventilator openings whereby air flowing from the opening may be directed over the beverage container holding device.
Description
215 '~ 6 3'~
The present invention relates tc> the field of automotive accessories. In particular, the pre~;ent invention relates to a novel beverage container holding device for use in a car, truck, or other automotive vehicle.
It is known, in general terms,, to provide a beverage container holding device, commonly called a cup holder, in an automobile (car or truck). The device may be built into the interior of the vehicle, for instance as a tray molded into a centre console. The device may retract into a slot in the dashboard. The device may, moreover, be portable so that the user of same can carry it from automobile to automobile, and set it up by clipping it to a part of the automobile's interior, or hanging it on a part of the interior of the automobile.
It will be understood, moreover,, that there is currently no convenient method of cooling a beverage or keeping a beverage cool in an automobile. A canned soft drink, left in an automobile that has been parked in the sun can become quite hot, rendering it substantially useless as a beverage until it is cooled down. Conversely, there exists no practical method, other than using an insulated cup, which will often not fit in a beverage container holder, to keep a beverage warm in an automobile's interior in cold weather. This is particularly apparent during the Canadian winter-, when a cup of coffee brought into a cold car's interior will cool down to an unpalatable temperature very quickly indeed.
The obj ect of the present invention is to provide a simple and easy to use beverage container holding device for use in an automobile, which through placement in the automobile will assist in ensuring that a beverage is cooled in warm weather, and warmed in cold weather.
In a broad aspect, the present invention provides a beverage container holding device for use in an automotive vehicle, said device including a first portion configured to hold a beverage container, and a second portion adapted for engagement with a ventilation outlet: having vanes or slats with front edges and rear edges in a said vehicle, to expose said beverage container to a flow of cooled or heated air, wherein said second portion is a rearwardly extending flat profiled flange integrally formed with said first portion, said flange terminating in a thickened rear edge having a forwardly open channel formed therein engageable with a rear edge of said vane or slat of said ventilation outlet to engage said device with a said ventilation outlet.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the principle embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a right side view thereof;
Figure 3 is a left side view thereof;
Figure 4 is a top view thereof.;
Figure 5 is an underside view thereof;
Figure 6 is a front view thereof;
Figure 7 is a rear view thereof;
The present invention relates tc> the field of automotive accessories. In particular, the pre~;ent invention relates to a novel beverage container holding device for use in a car, truck, or other automotive vehicle.
It is known, in general terms,, to provide a beverage container holding device, commonly called a cup holder, in an automobile (car or truck). The device may be built into the interior of the vehicle, for instance as a tray molded into a centre console. The device may retract into a slot in the dashboard. The device may, moreover, be portable so that the user of same can carry it from automobile to automobile, and set it up by clipping it to a part of the automobile's interior, or hanging it on a part of the interior of the automobile.
It will be understood, moreover,, that there is currently no convenient method of cooling a beverage or keeping a beverage cool in an automobile. A canned soft drink, left in an automobile that has been parked in the sun can become quite hot, rendering it substantially useless as a beverage until it is cooled down. Conversely, there exists no practical method, other than using an insulated cup, which will often not fit in a beverage container holder, to keep a beverage warm in an automobile's interior in cold weather. This is particularly apparent during the Canadian winter-, when a cup of coffee brought into a cold car's interior will cool down to an unpalatable temperature very quickly indeed.
The obj ect of the present invention is to provide a simple and easy to use beverage container holding device for use in an automobile, which through placement in the automobile will assist in ensuring that a beverage is cooled in warm weather, and warmed in cold weather.
In a broad aspect, the present invention provides a beverage container holding device for use in an automotive vehicle, said device including a first portion configured to hold a beverage container, and a second portion adapted for engagement with a ventilation outlet: having vanes or slats with front edges and rear edges in a said vehicle, to expose said beverage container to a flow of cooled or heated air, wherein said second portion is a rearwardly extending flat profiled flange integrally formed with said first portion, said flange terminating in a thickened rear edge having a forwardly open channel formed therein engageable with a rear edge of said vane or slat of said ventilation outlet to engage said device with a said ventilation outlet.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the principle embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a right side view thereof;
Figure 3 is a left side view thereof;
Figure 4 is a top view thereof.;
Figure 5 is an underside view thereof;
Figure 6 is a front view thereof;
Figure 7 is a rear view thereof;
Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of two alternative embodiments of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the hanging portion of the present inveni~ion.
Referring now to Figures 1 - 7, 'the device of the present invention is made up, generally, of a hanging portion 1 and a holding portion 2. The holding portion, as illustrated, may be a simple ring 3, connected by a stem 4 to an outwardly extending shelf 5 and also via the stem to the hanging portion 1. The shelf 5 which preferably is integrally with the stem 4 and the ring 3 , may be angled slightly upwardly, in order that it may hold the weight of a beverage (up to about 600 grams) without excess downward deflexion.
The shelf portion may be of any shape. It may, as illustrated be a rectangular extension of the stem, but it may be round, or any other shape preferred by a manufacturer. For instance, the shelf may be in the :shape of the logo of an automobile manufacturer.
The ring portion 3 may, as illustrated, be a flat circular band, but it may be square, hexagonal, or any other suitable shape, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. It may be thickened, torus shaped, or bear any molded design deemed appropriate. Moreover, the stem, ring and shelf, which preferably are injection molded in one piece with the hanging portion, may be shaped as a basket o~r box whereby there will be no discernible distinction between.the ring portion and the stem portion.
The hanging portion extends re:arwardly of the holding portion, and is generally flat, with a short 180 ° hook 6 at its end. The hanging portion is preferably slotted, as shown in the top view thereof, for reasons that will be apparent. The function of the hanging portion, with its 180° hook, is to pass between the vanes or slots in a heating/air conditioning vent, and hook onto the inward edge of same by means of the 180°
hook. The hanging means is slotted because in many instances, a vent will display vertical and horizontal slats and vanes, so the hanging portion must be both thin, and longitudinally divided. To hang the device on a vent, then, the vent is opened, the device is slid between the vanes thereof, and the hook is pulled into engagement with one of the vanes.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, 'the longitudinal sections 7 of the hanging portion that are divided by the slots formed therein may alternatively be angled up and down, to snap into engagement between a pair of lateral vanes. In such an embodiment, the hooks 8 on alternate sections are angled, alternatively up and down. Moreover, :in such an embodiment, it is desirable to provide at least three sections divided by two slots, to prevent out of balance handing of the device.
Referring now to Figures 1 - 7, 'the device of the present invention is made up, generally, of a hanging portion 1 and a holding portion 2. The holding portion, as illustrated, may be a simple ring 3, connected by a stem 4 to an outwardly extending shelf 5 and also via the stem to the hanging portion 1. The shelf 5 which preferably is integrally with the stem 4 and the ring 3 , may be angled slightly upwardly, in order that it may hold the weight of a beverage (up to about 600 grams) without excess downward deflexion.
The shelf portion may be of any shape. It may, as illustrated be a rectangular extension of the stem, but it may be round, or any other shape preferred by a manufacturer. For instance, the shelf may be in the :shape of the logo of an automobile manufacturer.
The ring portion 3 may, as illustrated, be a flat circular band, but it may be square, hexagonal, or any other suitable shape, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. It may be thickened, torus shaped, or bear any molded design deemed appropriate. Moreover, the stem, ring and shelf, which preferably are injection molded in one piece with the hanging portion, may be shaped as a basket o~r box whereby there will be no discernible distinction between.the ring portion and the stem portion.
The hanging portion extends re:arwardly of the holding portion, and is generally flat, with a short 180 ° hook 6 at its end. The hanging portion is preferably slotted, as shown in the top view thereof, for reasons that will be apparent. The function of the hanging portion, with its 180° hook, is to pass between the vanes or slots in a heating/air conditioning vent, and hook onto the inward edge of same by means of the 180°
hook. The hanging means is slotted because in many instances, a vent will display vertical and horizontal slats and vanes, so the hanging portion must be both thin, and longitudinally divided. To hang the device on a vent, then, the vent is opened, the device is slid between the vanes thereof, and the hook is pulled into engagement with one of the vanes.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, 'the longitudinal sections 7 of the hanging portion that are divided by the slots formed therein may alternatively be angled up and down, to snap into engagement between a pair of lateral vanes. In such an embodiment, the hooks 8 on alternate sections are angled, alternatively up and down. Moreover, :in such an embodiment, it is desirable to provide at least three sections divided by two slots, to prevent out of balance handing of the device.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, two alternate embodiments are shown, for more permanent attachment to a vehicle. These embodiments are substantially the same in concept, and differ in that Figure 8 illustrates a device for use with a vehicle having laterally oriented vents. Figure 9 illustrates a device for use with vertically oriented vents. In either case, the hanging portion of the device is replaced by a spring loaded vertical post 9, attached directly to the rearward surface of the holding portion. The post is provided to engage the interior of vent opening, when the: directional vanes are removed therefrom.
This opening, which is either lateral or vertical, is generally provided with a pair of short stubby posts or apertures, in the middle of the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The spring loaded posts of the devices of Figures 8 and 9 may be used, to engage such short posts or apertures when the directional vane structures have been removed.
Utilizing the present invention, it will be understood that a hot beverage may be kept quite warm in winter almost indefinitely. In the summer a warm soft drink can be chilled in minutes, and kept chilled indefinitely. It is, moreover, understood that the present invention may be built into a vehicles's interior, either as a permanently molded structure, a pop-up structure, a swing-away structure, or a retractable 21.~'~~3~
structure. The essence of the present invention is the provision of a cup holder in a position to bring a beverage container into direct contact with the flow of air from a vehicle's ventilation system.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of tlhe present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field of automotive accessory field without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention.
This opening, which is either lateral or vertical, is generally provided with a pair of short stubby posts or apertures, in the middle of the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The spring loaded posts of the devices of Figures 8 and 9 may be used, to engage such short posts or apertures when the directional vane structures have been removed.
Utilizing the present invention, it will be understood that a hot beverage may be kept quite warm in winter almost indefinitely. In the summer a warm soft drink can be chilled in minutes, and kept chilled indefinitely. It is, moreover, understood that the present invention may be built into a vehicles's interior, either as a permanently molded structure, a pop-up structure, a swing-away structure, or a retractable 21.~'~~3~
structure. The essence of the present invention is the provision of a cup holder in a position to bring a beverage container into direct contact with the flow of air from a vehicle's ventilation system.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of tlhe present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field of automotive accessory field without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention.
Claims (4)
1. A beverage container holding device for use in an automotive vehicle, said device including a first portion configured to hold a beverage container, and a second portion adapted for engagement with a ventilation outlet having vanes or slats with front edges and rear edges in a said vehicle, to expose said beverage container to a flow of cooled or heated air, wherein said second portion is a rearwardly extending flat profiled flange integrally formed with said first portion, said flange terminating in a thickened rear edge having a forwardly open channel formed therein engageable with a rear edge of said vane or slat of said ventilation outlet to engage said device with a said ventilation outlet.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second portion terminates in means to engage a vane or slat provided in a ventilation outlet.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flange of said second portion is slotted to accommodate vanes or slats extending at 90° thereto.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein sections of said flange separated by at least two slots are angled alternately up and down, to engage the vanes or slats directly above and below said second portion.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2157633 CA2157633C (en) | 1995-09-06 | 1995-09-06 | Beverage container holding device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2157633 CA2157633C (en) | 1995-09-06 | 1995-09-06 | Beverage container holding device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2157633A1 CA2157633A1 (en) | 1997-03-07 |
| CA2157633C true CA2157633C (en) | 1999-12-28 |
Family
ID=4156556
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2157633 Expired - Fee Related CA2157633C (en) | 1995-09-06 | 1995-09-06 | Beverage container holding device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2157633C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11596270B1 (en) * | 2021-05-05 | 2023-03-07 | Micobra Llc | Apparatus and method for dispensing hand sanitizer |
-
1995
- 1995-09-06 CA CA 2157633 patent/CA2157633C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11596270B1 (en) * | 2021-05-05 | 2023-03-07 | Micobra Llc | Apparatus and method for dispensing hand sanitizer |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2157633A1 (en) | 1997-03-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |