GB2326584A

GB2326584A - Bib

Info

Publication number: GB2326584A
Application number: GB9713266A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Lawrence Lenny
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-25
Filing date: 1997-06-25
Publication date: 1998-12-30
Also published as: GB9713266D0

Description

TITLE Crumb Catching Devices DESCRIPTION This invention relates to devices for catching crumbs or spillages of drink while a person is eating or drinking.

Often, motor vehicle drivers or their passengers like to have a quick drink or snack, for example a bar of chocolate or sandwich, while travelling. When doing this, crumbs and drips can be a problem, especially if the driver or passenger is wearing trousers. Crumbs may fall from the person's mouth or from the food in their hand into the crotch and between the trousers and the seat and may then be ground into the trouser material and seat upholstery causing marks and stains.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crumb catching device comprising a trough for catching crumbs or spillages while a user of the device is eating or drinking, and means for attaching the device to the user's neck or torso or the diagonal of the user's seat belt such that the trough is disposed on or immediately above the user's lap while the user is seated.

The device is particularly, but not exclusively, intended to be used by a motor vehicle driver or passenger while seated in the motor vehicle, the attaching means attaching the device to the driver's or passenger's neck or torso or the diagonal of the driver's or passenger's seat belt, and the trough being disposed on or immediately above the driver's or passenger's lap.

Because, in use, the trough is on or immediately above the user's lap, the device provides the advantages that: part of the weight of the device and any contents-of it can be comfortably borne by the user's lap; the device does not restrict movement of the user's arms when driving; a food item can be conveniently held above the trough in between bites; and the trough is at least mostly hidden from view by other road users, which some users of the device might otherwise find embarrassing. Also, because, in use, the device is attached to the user or their seat belt, it will not fall from the user's lap in the event of sharp braking or tight cornering.

In one embodiment, the attaching means comprises a clip arranged to engage around the user's neck. In another embodiment, the attaching means comprises a hook arranged to engage the rear of the user's neck, which may have the advantage that there is less tendency to pinch the user's neck. In a further embodiment, the attaching means comprises a pair of straps arranged to engage around the user's shoulders, and in yet another embodiment, the attaching means comprises a pair of hooks arranged to engage over the user's shoulders. In a yet further embodiment, the attaching means comprises a clip arranged to engage the diagonal of the user's seat belt. These latter three embodiments may have the advantage that the device is less noticeable to the user.

Preferably, the device has a first portion providing the trough and a second portion providing the attachment means, the first and second portions being vertically adjustable in position relative to each other. Accordingly, the device may be adjusted to suit a particular user so that the trough is, in use, disposed on or immediately above the user's lap. In this case, the first and second portions may conveniently be vertically adjustable by means of an adjustable pop stud and socket arrangement on the first and second portions.

Preferably, the trough is elongate in the lateral direction of the user's torso, and the length of the trough may, for example, be between 200 and 350 millimetres. The trough may be slighly curved in plan view so as to follow the curve of the user's abdomen.

The trough may have a formation arranged to receive a drinking vessel, for example at one end of the trough. Thus, the user has somewhere convenient to place, for example, a can of drink.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the crumb catching device; Figure 2 is a side view of a car driver wearing the device of figure 1; Figure 3 shows part of a second embodiment of the crumb catching device; Figure 4 shows part of a third embodiment of the crumb catching device; and Figure 5 shows part of a fourth embodiment of the crumb catching device.

Referring to figure 1, the first embodiment of the crumb catching device comprises an upper part 10A and a lower part 12. Both of the parts 10A, 12 are formed of plastics material by injection moulding, with the upper part 10A being of generally thicker material than the lower part 12.

The upper part 10A comprises a central stem portion 14 which, in use, extends upwardly and then bends slightly rearwardly before it transforms into a bifurcated portion 16. The bifurcated portion 16 is formed generally like a large size cyclist's trouser clip, and is of a size and resilience so as to be able to clip comfortably around the user's neck.

The lower part 12 has a central connecting portion 18 which, in use, extends downwardly to a flared portion 20, at the lower edge of which a laterally extending, slightly curved, elongate trough portion 22 is formed. One end of the trough portion 22 is widened so as to provide a recess 24 to receive a drink can, cup or the like.

The stem portion 14 of the upper part 10A is formed with a series of studs 26, and the connecting portion 18 of the lower part 12 is formed with a complementary series of holes or sockets 28. The studs 26 are a pop fit in the sockets 28 in a number of positions (in a manner commonly used for adjusting the size of baseball caps) so as to attach the lower part 12 to the upper part 10A with the length of the device being adjustable.

As shown in figure 2, in use, the bifurcated portion 16 is clipped around the neck of the user 30. The stem portion 14, connecting portion 18 and flared portion 20 extend downwardly over the torso of the user 30, with the trough portion 22 resting on or being disposed immediately above the lap of the user 30.

Figure 3 shows a modified form 10B of the upper part. Rather than being bifurcated, the upwardly and rearwardly extending stem portion 14 transforms into a hooked portion 32 having a first part 34 which extends over the user's shoulder without touching the side of the user's neck and a second part 36 which is shaped so as to engage the rear of the user's neck.

Figure 4 shows another modified form 10C of the upper part. In this case, the stem portion 14 is provided with a spring loaded clip 38, somewhat like a clothes peg, which is arranged to be clipped onto the user's seat belt 40.

Figure 5 shows a further modified form 10D of the upper part. In this case, a pair of straps 42 extend from the top of the connecting portion 14 and are arranged for passing over the shoulders and under the arms of the user, with the other ends of the straps being adjustably connectable to the bottom of the connecting portion 14 by means of pop stud 44 and socket 46 arrangements.

Whilst a number of embodiments of be invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it will be appreciated that many further modifications and developments may be made. For example, the upper part 14 could be formed with a pair of hooks, each of which is arranged to engage on a respective one of the user's shoulders.

Claims

1. A crumb catching device comprising a trough for catching crumbs or spillages while a user is eating or drinking, and means for attaching the device to the user's neck or torso or the diagonal of the user's seat belt such that the trough is disposed on or immediately above the user's lap while the user is seated.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a clip arranged to engage around the user's neck.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a hook arranged to engage the rear of the user's neck.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a pair of straps arranged to engage around the user's shoulders.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a pair of hooks arranged to engage over the user's shoulders.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a clip arranged to engage the diagonal of the user's seat belt.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, and having a first portion providing the trough and a second portion providing the attachment means, the first and second portions being vertically adjustable in position relative to each other.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second portions are vertically adjustable by means of an adjustable pop stud and socket arrangement on the first and second portions.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the trough is elongate in the lateral direction of the user's torso.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the trough has a formation arranged to receive a drinking vessel.

11. A crumb catching device, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

12. The use of a device as claimed in any preceding claim by a motor vehicle driver or passenger while seated in the motor vehicle, the attaching means attaching the device to the driver's or passenger's neck or torso or the diagonal of the driver's or passenger's seat belt, and the trough being disposed on or immediately above the driver's or passenger's lap.