GB2258997A

GB2258997A - Beverage container holder

Info

Publication number: GB2258997A
Application number: GB9218151A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Malcolm Bradley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-08-27
Filing date: 1992-08-26
Publication date: 1993-03-03
Also published as: GB9218151D0

Abstract

A holder comprises an open framework (1) and is adapted to receive a beverage container. The holder is provided with a strap (2) which enables the framework and container to be secured to a housing of a motor vehicle mirror or vehicle door. The beverage container can thus be cooled in the airstream flowing past e.g. the vehicle mirror during movement of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER During long car journeys, particularly when the weather is hot, it is desirable for cool drink to be available for the occupants of the car. Hitherto known means for maintaining beverages cool during a car journey require, for example, that pre-cooled beverages be stored in a thermally insulated container, or that electrically refrigerated containers be coupled to the electrical system of the car. Such arrangements either require appropriate action to be taken before the journey commences and are effective for a limited time, or require complicated and expensive equipment.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and effective means for use in cooling a beverage during a journey in a motor vehicle.

According to the present invention there is provided a holder for a beverage container, comprising a framework formed as an open topped and substantially open sided receptacle for a beverage container, and a retaining strap secured to the framework and of a suitable length for passing around a door or wing mirror housing of a motor vehicle, the strap carrying securing means so that the strap may be made fast around the housing and thus secure the holder to the housing. This holder may be quickly and easily secured to a door or wing mirror housing by passing the retaining strap around the housing, with the beverage container receptacle abutting the forward facing wall of the housing, and making fast the securing means.A beverage container then placed in the receptacle will be exposed to a moving airstream as the vehicle is driven, and lowering of the temperature of the container and its contents to ambient temperature will be accelerated, whereafter the temperature of the container and its contents will remain at ambient temperature which is likely to be lower than the temperature prevailing in the car interior. In this way a drink that is cool to the car occupants is available for consumption within the car.

Preferably the retaining strap is provided with complementary surface areas bearing hook and loop touch and close material to which form said securing means.

Advantageously the said framework is provided with abutments extending from a generally cylindrical peripheral portion of the framework and terminating in a plane that extends substantially tangentially to said framework, and the retaining strap secured to said framework is coupled thereto at spaced points lying approximately in said tangential plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.l is a perspective view of one embodiment of device in accordance with the invention; Fig.2 is a side view of the device shown in Fig.1, and Fig.3 is an underneath view of the device shown in Fig.2.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a generally cylindrical open frame 1 formed of semi-rigid moulded synthetic plastics material, within which a standard 330 ml beverage container can be inserted.

A retaining strap 2 is threaded through slots 3 in the cylindrical wall of the frame 1, and is adapted to enable the free ends of the strap to be secured together to fasten the frame on the housing of a door or wing mirror of an automobile. Thus, one end 2A of the strap is secured to a buckle 4 in the form of a rectangular loop, whereas a section of the free end of the strap extending between points 5 and 6, on the one hand, and a facing section of the strap extending between points 7 and 8, on the other hand, are provided with complimentary surface areas of a hook and loop touch and close material.

Preferably, the section extending between points 5 and 6 is covered with material bearing the hooks, whereas the remainder of the strap is covered with the loop material.

The frame 1 is further provided with projecting lugs 9 extending from the generally cylindrical surface of the framework on both sides of the slots 3, and terminating in a plane generally tangential to the cylindrical surface of the frame.

By means of the arrangement described, secure fastening of the holder to its associated housing can be ensured, since the combination of the buckle and the touch closure enables infinitely variable adjustment of the girth of the strap 2, so that the frame 1 can be held tightly against a generally flat surface with the lugs 9 providing stabilisation.

Furthermore, the fact that an intermediate section of the strap 2 extends within the frame 1 between the slots 3 assists in locating a container within the frame 1, since the compressible surface of the looped pile material serves to cushion the beverage container and/or to wedge it in place, thus allowing for slight variations in the standard diameter of beverage can.

Claims

1. A holder for a beverage container, comprising a framework formed as an open topped and substantially open sided receptacle for a beverage container, and a retaining strap secured to the framework and of a suitable length for passing around a door or wing mirror housing of a motor vehicle, the strap carrying securing means so that the strap may be made fast around the housing and thus secure the holder to the housing.

2. A holder according to Claim 1 wherein said framework is provided with abutments extending from a generally cylindrical peripheral portion of the framework and terminating in a plane that extends substantially tangentially to said framework, and the retaining strap secured to said framework is coupled thereto at spaced points lying approximately in said tangential plane.

3. A holder according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the said retaining strap is provided with complimentary surface areas bearing hook and loop touch and close material to which form said securing means.

4. A holder according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein said framework comprises a generally cylindrical wall portion open at one end and having an inturned peripheral flange at the other, apertures formed in the cylindrical wall portion and extending through a major part of the surface area thereof to leave cylindrical rim portions at the respective ends of the cylinder, said rim portions being interconnected by a web extending axially of the cylinder and said web including axially spaced circumferentially extending slots receiving said strap.

5. A holder according to any one of Claims 1-4 wherein said framework has an internal diameter and an axial length substantially corresponding to the dimensions of a standard sized 330ml beverage container.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1-5, wherein said securing means comprises a buckle in the form of a loop at one end of the strap.

7. A device according to Claim 3 or any one of Claims 4-6 as appended thereto, wherein a surface area of looped pile material extends over an inward surface of said strap extending between said slots to cushion a beverage container inserted into said framework.