GB2348596A - Bottle holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A holding device for bottles 1 has a body 2 of rectangular plan-form with a cylindrical shaped front surface defined between semi-circular planar end faces 2a. The front surface has a cylindrical recess 3 angled towards an end face 2a with a circular base correspondingly angled. The recess 3 forms a receptacle for the base of a bottle, e.g. a wine bottle. The end faces 2a have means for connection with an end face of another adjacent device to form a longitudinally aligned stack. The said means comprises apertures 4, 4' in each end face which may be connected by bolts 6.

Description

Holding Device for Bottles This invention relates to a holding device or stand unit for bottles or other containers or articles. The stand may form a horizontal or vertical support or shelf by connecting several devices together to form an elongate unit, each device retaining a bottle in a central cavity. The unit may support bottles vertical when the unit extends horizontally, or horizontal when the unit extends vertical.

Various forms of bottle rack and similar stands are known ranging from partition walls formed of hollow bricks, in which the internal recesses receive bottles, to bottle racks made from juxtaposed parts placed one upon the other, having transverse recesses to hold bottles.

Utility Model ES-9701518/0 discloses a modular stand usable as a bottle rack, which is constructed from a body having a semi-cylindrical shape preferably made of rigid plastic material with a flat front having a semicircular shape. The side is of rectangular plan with flanges having two 90 angle holes or recesses, to be attached to a fixing surface.

In the central body area there is a circular plan recess which receives the base of a bottle to be support. In the central area of the recess a hole is provided for a screw fixing to a wall. The diameter of said recess is a minimum in order to retain the bottle in an adequate manner. To withdraw a bottle a traction force is needed.

An object of this invention is to provide a modular unit for holding bottles, which may be connected with other units to form a horizontal shelf or vertical rack forming a self-supporting wall.

According to this invention there is provided a holding device primarily for bottles, the device comprising a body of rectangular plan-form with a cylindrical shaped front surface defined between semi-circular planar end faces, the front surface having a cylindrical recess angled towards an end face with a circular base correspondingly angled, the recess forming a receptacle for the base of a bottle, the end faces having means for connection with an end face of another adjacent device to form a longitudinally aligned stack.

The modular unit of this invention is formed so that, in co-operation with similar units, shelves, partition walls or double sided partition walls with the external faces having recesses to hold bottles may be constructed. The units may be horizontal or vertical to form a single or double partition wall.

The modular unit of this invention is formed from a body having a semicylindrical shape made preferably of a stiff plastic material having a flat semicircular front part with planar ends having apertures to connect adjacent units together.

The bottle receiving recess has a circular plan with a flat bottom possibly slightly angled with a central countersunk aperture.

The apertures in the ends allow passage of screws to connect units together end to end. The apertures in the base of the bottle recess allow the unit to be secured to a wall or secured back to back.

Should it be required to provide a single partition wall, the units are linked by means of screws connecting the ends together with an appropriate number of supports, to form said partition wall which may accommodate bottles in a generally horizontal configuration. A rear part of the wall may be connected with a further partition wall, thus increasing the stiffness of the units linked together. As well as the fixing obtained from the screws going through the ends, further screws pass through the rear faces of the central recesses.

This invention is further described and illustrated with reference to an embodiment as an example and shown in the drawings, wherein : Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a holding device unit in accordance with this invention, Figure 2 shows in cross-section units joined in end to end relationship by means of screws and ferrules, Figure 3 shows in side view and part section a wall structure forming a bottle rack using units secured end to end and back to back, and Figure 4 shows in side view and part section a horizontal shelf formed from linked units.

Referring to the drawings the modular stand unit 1 is formed of a monoblock body 2 having semicircular end surfaces 2a and a recess 3 in a central area and of circular plan. In the sides 2a in a central area countersunk holes 4 coincident with countersunk holes 4'on the inner side of the area 3 are provided. The area 3 is adapted to receive bottles 10 (Figures 3 and 4).

The area 3 has a central countersunk hole 5 which coincides with a hole on a similar unit located adjacent and back to back whereby both parts 1 can be joined using screws passed through the holes 5. The parts may be joined also as shown in Figure 2, to form a vertical wall in which units 2 are coupled by the end faces 2a and fixed through a fixing element 6.

As shown in Figure 3 a wall formed as in Figure 2, obtained by linking the units 2 by the holes 4 and 4'using the fixing screws 6 can be reinforced by linking together of similar units placed in back to back relationship and using a number of screws introduced through the holes 5 positioned on the circular area 3 where the bottles 10 are located.

Referring to Figure 4 the units 1 may form a horizontal shelf when the units 2 are coupled and linked together by means of screws 6, the bottles 10 being generally vertically located with the parts 1 extending horizontal.

The parts 1 may vary insofar as shape, size and materials used.

With this invention, vertical supporting elements are not required such as a wall support. The invention provides a partition wall formed from a number of similar parts, linked together which holds a multiplicity of bottles in a generally horizontal manner or forms a shelf.

The units may be made of plastics materials.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A holding device primarily for bottles, the device comprising a body of rectangular plan-form with a cylindrical shaped front surface defined between semi-circular planar end faces, the front surface having a cylindrical recess angled towards an end face with a circular base correspondingly angled, the recess forming a receptacle for the base of a bottle, the end faces having means for connection with an end face of another adjacent device to form a longitudinally aligned stack.
2. 2. A holding device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the end faces have apertures which, in conjunction with screw devices, form the connection means,
3. 3. A holding device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the circular base includes and aperture, which in conjunction with a screw device, forms a means to connect two holding devices in back to back relationship.
4. 4. A holding device in accordance with claim 1,2 or 3, wherein interconnection of the holding devices is effected using a screw and a complementary threaded sleeve or ferrule.
5. 5. A holding device in accordance with any preceding claim, comprising an integral plastics moulding forming a shell, wherein the cylindrical front surface, the planar end faces, the cylindrical shaped recess and circular base thereof are formed by a contiguous wall of substantially constant thickness.
6. 6. A holding device primarily for bottles as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.
7. 7. A shelf, partition or walling structure for holding bottles comprising a plurality of interconnected holding devices in accordance with any preceding claim.