GB2450726A - Cupholder - Google Patents
Cupholder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2450726A GB2450726A GB0712957A GB0712957A GB2450726A GB 2450726 A GB2450726 A GB 2450726A GB 0712957 A GB0712957 A GB 0712957A GB 0712957 A GB0712957 A GB 0712957A GB 2450726 A GB2450726 A GB 2450726A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- holding device
- recess
- cupholder
- fixture
- cylindrical wall
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003031 santoprene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000454 talc Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052623 talc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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
- B60N3/105—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape
- B60N3/108—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape with resilient holding elements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/02—Glass or bottle holders
- A47G23/0208—Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like
- A47G23/0216—Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like for one glass or cup
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/02—Glass or bottle holders
- A47G23/0241—Glass or bottle holders for bottles; Decanters
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B60N3/105—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape
- B60N3/107—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape with different elements of fixed geometry
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R7/00—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Geometry (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A double cupholder has a spectacles shaped recess formed by two large diameter recesses which can each receive a cup-shaped adapter 21. The adaptor 21 has a base 22 with a flat lobe 27, a cylindrical wall 23 with inwardly protruding pyramid shaped diaphragms 36. The inwardly protruding pyramid shaped diaphragms 36 with external gripping formations 35 is made off a soft electrometric material and the rest of the adaptor is made of a rigid plastics material. The diaphragms 36 collapse relatively easily so that the grip on the beverage container is relatively low whilst the external gripping formations 35 include circumferential ribs 38 which are bent back and act as sprags when the adapter 21 is inserted into the cupholder. The first subcomponent 31 is first injection moulded and then the second subcomponent 34 is overmoulded.
Description
Cupholders This invention relates to a holding device for a beverage
container, particularly but not exclusively for use in a motor vehicle. Such holding devices are usually known simply as cu phol ders.
One of the biggest challenges faced in the design of cupholders is the huge range of beverage containers which are in use. These range in diameter from around 50mm to 90mm and come in many forms, e.g. paper cups, bottles and cans, each with a unique geometry. The problem for the designer is to develop a cupholder which can accommodate as many of these as possible. In particular, the popularity of tall thin water bottles has meant that a growing number of users are unsatisfied with the performance of current cupholders. Many of these bottles also have rounded bases, making them very
unstable.
Previous attempts at providing a cupholder to accommodate a wide range of beverage containers have included stepped inserts, sprung fingers and rubber flaps. Each has its limitations:-stepped inserts provide no grip; sprung fingers require slots in the cupholder, making a path for spills, and requires space for the fingers to retract; and rubber flaps tend to take a permanent deformation.
An object of the present invention is to provide a cupholder which can accommodate a wide range of beverage containers while avoiding or alleviating the problems associated with the known cupholders.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a holding device for insertion into a generally cylindrical recess formed in a fixture and arranged to receive a beverage container, the holding device comprising a generally cylindrical wall of a rigid plastics material, external gripping formations of a soft elastomeric material arranged on the outside of the wall for providing frictional grip between the holding device and the fixture and internal gripping formations of a soft elastomeric material arranged on the inside of the wall for providing frictional grip between the holding device and the beverage container.
Preferably, the cylindrical wall defines apertures and each internal gripping formation comprises an inwardly protruding diaphragm which extends over a respective aperture, in which case each aperture may be substantially rectangular and each diaphragm may be pyramid-shaped.
The external gripping formations preferably include circumferential ribs. The circumferential ribs are preferably dimensioned and shaped so that in use of the holding device they are bent back towards the top of the holding device and thus act as sprags when the holding device is inserted into the recess.
The cylindrical wall may be interrupted by a slot which in use of the holding device allows for the use of cup with a handle, the handle extending through the slot. The holding device may then further comprise a base from which the cylindrical wall extends and a flat lobe extending from the base, the lobe in use of the holding device providing angular location in the recess. The lobe is preferably angularly aligned with the slot.
The invention also provides, according to another aspect thereof, a cupholder comprising a fixture having a recess and a holding device according to said one aspect received in the recess. The fixture may have two of said generally cylindrical recesses which are joined to form a spectacles shaped recess, a holding device according to said one aspect being received in each recess. The two large diameter recesses may be joined by a link recess. Where each holding device comprises a base from which the cylindrical wall extends and a flat lobe extending from the base as previously described, the lobes may extend into the link recess. The lobes may be received in indentations in the base of the small diameter recess.
The invention also provides, according to a further aspect thereof, a method of manufacturing a holding device according to said one aspect and comprising the steps of injection moulding a first sub-component of a rigid plastics material to form the generally cylindrical wall and overmoulding a second sub-component of a soft elastomeric material to form the external and internal gripping formations.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-Fig.1 is a perspective view of a holding device according to the invention as fitted in a recess formed in a fixture of a motor vehicle; Fig.2 is a plan view of the holding device and fixture shown in Figl; Fig.3 is a perspective view from above of the holding device shown in Fig.1 before being fitted into the fixture; Fig.4 is a perspective view from below of the holding device shown in Fig.1 before being fitted into the fixture; Fig.5 is a section on the line V-V in Fig.4; and Fig.6 is a section based on Fig.5 showing one component of the holding device before being overmoulded by another component.
The fixture shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a basic double cupholder 11 which comprises a rectangular cover plate 12 formed with two large diameter recesses 13, 14 and a small diameter link recess 15 which joins the large diameter recesses 13, 14 to form a spectacles shaped recess 16. The cover plate 12 has clips 16 which allow it to be retained in a corresponding rectangular aperture in a trim component of a motor vehicle, e.g. a centre console, a door trim or an armrest. Each large diameter recess 13, 14 has a generally cylindrical wall portion 18 and a flat base 19, the cylindrical wall portion 18 tapering outwards away from the base 19 and towards the cover plate 12.
Each large diameter recess 13, 14 is arranged to receive a holding device in the form of an adapter 21. Figs. 1 and 2 show one such adapter 21 in the recess 14, recess 13 being shown empty but ready to receive an identical adapter. Each adapter 21 is generally cup-shaped with a base 22 and a generally cylindrical wall 23 extending from the base 22 and having a top flange 24. The wall 23 tapers outwards from the base 22 towards the top flange 24 and is interrupted by a tapered slot 25 flanked by vertical flanges 39. This slot 25 corresponds to gaps between vertical ridges 26 formed in the basic double cupholder 11 where each large diameter recess 13, 14 intersects the link recess 15. The adapter base 22 extends as a flat lobe 27 which is angularly aligned with the slot 25 and seats in a corresponding indentation 28 in the cupholder base 19.
Each adapter 21 is formed from two integrated sub-components, each of a different material. The first sub-component 31, which is of a rigid plastics material such as PP+T20 (polypropylene with a 20% talc filler), forms the general cup-shape of the adapter 21 itself, including the base 22 and the wall 23. Three substantially rectangular apertures 32 which are substantially equally spaced at 120 degrees are defined in the wall 23, each aperture 32 extending from the top flange 24 and finishing above the base 22. The lower face of the adapter base 22 has three radial grooves 33 which merge at the axis of the adapter wall 23. The second sub-component 34, which is of a soft elastomeric material, e.g. a thermoplastic rubber elastomer such as that sold under the trade mark Santoprene, forms three external gripping formations 35 arranged on the outside of the adapter wall 23 and three internal gripping formations 36 arranged on the inside of the adapter wall 23.
The external gripping formations 35 are positioned below the apertures 32 to overlie the wall 23 in the region between the lower edge of each aperture and the base 22. Each external gripping formation 35 includes circumferential ribs 38 and provides frictional grip between the adapter 21 and the cylindrical wall 18 of the basic cupholder 11. The internal gripping formations are in the form of inwardly protruding diaphragms 36, in this example pyramid-shaped, which extend over the apertures 32 to provide frictional grip between the adapter 21 and a beverage container (cup or bottle, not shown) when inserted into the adapter. The pyramid-shaped diaphragms 36 each collapse relatively easily so that the grip on the cup or bottle is relatively low whilst the resilience remains to help keep bottles upright and prevent rattling. The slot 25 allows for the use of cup with a handle, the handle extending through the slot into the link recess 15.
The first (rigid) sub-component 31 has four vertical ribs 37 which help to locate the adapter 21 as it is inserted into the basic cupholder 11, angular location being provided by the lobes 27 in conjunction with the gap between the ridges 26 and the recesses 28. The circumferential ribs 38 help to control the degree of frictional grip while the wall 23 in the region between the lower edge of each aperture and the base 22 provides rigid support.
These circumferential ribs 38 are dimensioned and shaped so that they are bent back towards the top flange 24 and thus act as sprags when the adapter 21 is inserted into the basic cupholder 11. Hence the axial force required to insert the adapter 21 is appreciably less than that required to remove the adapter 21 since the frictional grip is increased by the spragging action. This helps to ensure that the adapter 21 will always release any cup or bottle inserted into it but will remain firmly in the basic cupholder 11. Nevertheless, the adapter 21 can still be removed for cleaning or other purposes. An array of intersecting parallel grooves 41 in the upper surface of the adapter base 22 helps to stop any cup or bottle adhering to the adapter, particularly if there has been some spillage.
The adapter 21 is manufactured using known overmoulding techniques. The first (rigid) sub-component 31 is first injection moulded in a rigid plastics material and then the second sub-component 34 is overmoulded in a soft elastomeric material. The radial grooves 33 allow for flow of the elastomeric material during the moulding operation. The overmoulding creates a bond between the first component 31 and the second component 34 so that the adapter 21 handles as a single component and can easily be washed.
Whilst the basic cupholder 11 would ordinarily remain in the vehicle, the adapter 21 allows it to be made with a relatively smooth external surface which can retain spillages and be easily wiped clean.
Although shown in use with a double basic cupholder, the adapter 21 can be used with other suitable recesses in the vehicle or in other fixtures. The number of gripping formations may be varied. For example, if the slot 25 is omitted, there may be four external formations 35 and four internal formations 36.
Claims (16)
1. A holding device for insertion into a generally cylindrical recess formed in a fixture and arranged to receive a beverage container, the holding device comprising a generally cylindrical wall of a rigid plastics material, external gripping formations of a soft elastomeric material arranged on the outside of the wall for providing frictional grip between the holding device and the fixture and internal gripping formations of a soft elastomeric material arranged on the inside of the wall for providing frictional grip between the holding device and the beverage container.
2. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein the cylindrical wall defines apertures and each internal gripping formation comprises an inwardly protruding diaphragm which extends over a respective aperture.
3. A holding device according to claim 3 wherein each aperture is substantially rectangular and each diaphragm is pyramid-shaped.
4. A holding device according to any preceding claim wherein the external gripping formations include circumferential ribs.
5. A holding device according to claim 4 wherein the circumferential ribs are dimensioned and shaped so that in use of the holding device they are bent back towards the top of the holding device and thus act as sprags when the holding device is inserted into the recess.
6. A holding device according to any preceding claim wherein the cylindrical wall is interrupted by a slot which in use of the holding device allows for the use of cup with a handle, the handle extending through the slot.
7. A holding device according to claim 6 and further comprising a base from which the cylindrical wall extends and a flat lobe extending from the base, the lobe in use of the holding device providing angular location in the recess.
8. A holding device according to claim 7 wherein the lobe is angularly aligned with the slot.
9. A cupholder comprising a fixture having a recess and a holding device according to any preceding claim received in the recess.
10. A cupholder according to claim 9 wherein the fixture has two of said generally cylindrical recesses which are joined to form a spectacles shaped recess, a holding device according to any of claims 1 to 8 being received in each recess.
11. A cupholder according to claim 10 wherein the two large diameter recesses are joined by a link recess.
12. A cupholder according to claim 11 when each holding device is according to claim 7 and wherein the lobes extend into the link recess.
13. A cupholder according to claim 12 wherein the lobes are received in indentations in the base of the small diameter recess.
14. A method of manufacturing a holding device according to any of claims 1 to 8 and comprising the steps of injection moulding a first sub-component of a rigid plastics material to form the generally cylindrical wall and overmoulding a second sub-component of a soft elastomeric material to form the external and internal gripping formations.
15. A holding device for insertion into a generally cylindrical recess formed in a fixture and arranged to receive a beverage container, the holding device being substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A cupholder comprising a fixture and a holding device each substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0712957A GB2450726B (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2007-07-05 | Cupholders |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0712957A GB2450726B (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2007-07-05 | Cupholders |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0712957D0 GB0712957D0 (en) | 2007-08-15 |
| GB2450726A true GB2450726A (en) | 2009-01-07 |
| GB2450726B GB2450726B (en) | 2011-09-07 |
Family
ID=38440373
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0712957A Active GB2450726B (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2007-07-05 | Cupholders |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2450726B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014111658A1 (en) * | 2014-08-14 | 2016-02-18 | Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Holder for beverage containers |
| EP3560754A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-10-30 | Volvo Car Corporation | Cup holder for vehicle |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111505328A (en) * | 2020-04-21 | 2020-08-07 | 遵义医学院附属医院 | Liquid handling transfer device for medical testing and method thereof |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999051131A1 (en) * | 1998-04-08 | 1999-10-14 | Andre Labruyere | Slotted cup holder |
| US20060118688A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-06-08 | Kong Byung S | Cup adapter inserted in automobile's cup holder |
| DE102005003078A1 (en) * | 2005-01-22 | 2006-08-10 | Audi Ag | Cup holder for vehicles has cylindrical adapter part with radially aligned plastics flap-like elastic retaining elements on inside wall to adapt to different diameter of cup |
| GB2423290A (en) * | 2005-02-18 | 2006-08-23 | Visteon Global Tech Inc | Size adjustable cup holder in a motor vehicle |
-
2007
- 2007-07-05 GB GB0712957A patent/GB2450726B/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999051131A1 (en) * | 1998-04-08 | 1999-10-14 | Andre Labruyere | Slotted cup holder |
| US20060118688A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-06-08 | Kong Byung S | Cup adapter inserted in automobile's cup holder |
| DE102005003078A1 (en) * | 2005-01-22 | 2006-08-10 | Audi Ag | Cup holder for vehicles has cylindrical adapter part with radially aligned plastics flap-like elastic retaining elements on inside wall to adapt to different diameter of cup |
| GB2423290A (en) * | 2005-02-18 | 2006-08-23 | Visteon Global Tech Inc | Size adjustable cup holder in a motor vehicle |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014111658A1 (en) * | 2014-08-14 | 2016-02-18 | Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Holder for beverage containers |
| EP3560754A1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-10-30 | Volvo Car Corporation | Cup holder for vehicle |
| CN110406447A (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2019-11-05 | 沃尔沃汽车公司 | Cup holder for vehicle |
| US10875438B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2020-12-29 | Volvo Car Corporation | Cup holder for vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0712957D0 (en) | 2007-08-15 |
| GB2450726B (en) | 2011-09-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application | ||
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20131128 AND 20131204 |