GB2557967A

GB2557967A - Cup Holder

Info

Publication number: GB2557967A
Application number: GB1621747.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sandys Jonathan; Dowling Stewart; Mccormick Nathan; Nunn Chloe
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2016-12-20
Publication date: 2018-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-20
Also published as: GB201621747D0; GB2557967B

Abstract

A cup holder 10 comprising one or more arced walls 20 arranged along the circumference of a common circle 12a and defining a first space 12 suitable for receiving a drinking cup or bottle. The cup holder 10 further comprising a phone slot 18 suitable for receiving a mobile, cellular telephone, or portable music device. The phone slot 18 comprises first 18a and second 18b slot portions opposite to one another with respect to the common circle 12a, each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls 20, arranged opposite one another and along a common longitudinal axis 100, which bisects a portion of the common circle 12a. Slot portions 18a, 18b may bisect the first circle 12a through points other than the centre. A phone holder 10 is disclosed, comprising a base (22, figure 3), comprising a lower surface (28) defining a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base (22), which is stepped from an upper base surface (24). A phone may thus be supported by slots 18a, 18b without resting on or kinking its charging cable (40, figure 8) received in the recessed portion. Slots 18a, 18b may comprise elastomeric bumpers (30, figure 3).

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Cup Holder

Abstract Title: A cup holder and a phone holder for a vehicle (57) A cup holder 10 comprising one or more arced walls 20 arranged along the circumference of a common circle 12a and defining a first space 12 suitable for receiving a drinking cup or bottle. The cup holder 10 further comprising a phone slot 18 suitable for receiving a mobile, cellular telephone, or portable music device. The phone slot 18 comprises first 18a and second 18b slot portions opposite to one another with respect to the common circle 12a, each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls 20, arranged opposite one another and along a common longitudinal axis 100, which bisects a portion of the common circle 12a. Slot portions 18a, 18b may bisect the first circle 12a through points other than the centre. A phone holder 10 is disclosed, comprising a base (22, figure 3), comprising a lower surface (28) defining a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base (22), which is stepped from an upper base surface (24). A phone may thus be supported by slots 18a, 18b without resting on or kinking its charging cable (40, figure 8) received in the recessed portion. Slots 18a, 18b may comprise elastomeric bumpers (30, figure 3).

FIGURE 2

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/5

03 18

FIGURE 2

2/5

03 18

FIGURE 3

3/5

03 18

FIGURE 5

4/5

03 18

16b 36

FIGURE 6

FIGURE 7

5/5

03 18

40

FIGURE 8

FIGURE 9

CUP HOLDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cup holder. Aspects of the invention relate to a cup holder, a phone holder, a vehicle centre console and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Cup holders are found throughout the interior of modern vehicles. It is common for cup holders to be provided as part of the centre console of a vehicle, which extends between the driver seat and the front passenger seat.

Known vehicle cup holders exist in a variety of forms, shapes and sizes. However, the size of a cup holder in a vehicle is limited to some extent by the space provided by any surrounding components, such as storage consoles (i.e. “cubby bins”) or gear selectors, within the vehicle.

There is a need to provide a multi-functional cup holder whilst making efficient use of space.

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to a cup holder, a phone holder, a vehicle centre console and to a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cup holder for a vehicle, the cup holder comprising a phone holder extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis extends across at least a portion of a portion of the cup holder that is configured to receive a cup.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a cup holder for a vehicle, the cup holder comprising:

one or more arced walls arranged along the circumference of a common circle and defining a first space for receiving a cup; and a phone slot for receiving a, the phone slot comprising a first slot portion and a second slot portion;

wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are opposite to one another with respect to a centre of the common circle, the first slot portion and the second slot portion each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls, and being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, where the common longitudinal axis bisects a portion of the common circle.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention may provide a cup holder that is capable of receiving a phone in a space efficient manner. Such arrangements may be particularly advantageous in the centre console of a vehicle where there is a desire to provide functional components in a limited available space.

In certain embodiments, the first slot portion and the second slot portion may be diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the common circle. Such an arrangement may be particularly space efficient.

In certain embodiments, the first slot portion may extend radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a first distance, and the second slot portion may extend radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. Such an arrangement may facilitate the accommodation of a range of phone sizes in the phone slot.

In certain embodiments, the cup holder may comprise a base between the first slot portion and the second slot portion, the base having an upper surface and a lower surface that is stepped from the upper surface, wherein the lower surface defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base, and the recessed portion is configured to receive a protruding part of a phone that is disposed on the upper surface and is supported by the first slot portion and/or second slot portion. Such a recessed portion may permit the accommodation of a protruding part of a phone when received in the phone slot. For example, the phone may have a charging cable protruding therefrom, where the phone may be received in the phone slot without resting on or kinking the charging cable, which may be received in the recessed portion.

In certain embodiments, the first slot portion and the second slot portion may comprise a plurality of walls, the cup holder comprising a plurality of elastomeric bumpers disposed on the plurality of walls and extending upwardly thereon. The elastomeric bumpers may facilitate a good fit of the phone in the phone slot in order to reduce any movement of the phone in the phone slot. Such an arrangement may reduce the risk of damage to the phone due to movement in the phone slot, and/or may improve noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics by reducing any vibrations or other noise-producing movements of the phone in the phone slot.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers may extend along at least 50% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on. In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers may extend along between 50% and 70% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

In certain embodiments, each of the elastomeric bumpers may have a thickness that protrudes outwardly from the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on, wherein the thickness of at least a portion of each of the elastomeric bumpers decreases in an upward direction. Such an arrangement may facilitate the easy insertion of a phone in the phone slot.

The cup holder may comprise one or more further spaces for receiving a cup, each of the one or more further spaces being defined by one or more further arced walls. Thus, such a cup holder may accommodate multiple cups. The one or more further spaces for receiving a cup may comprise a second space and a third space, and wherein the first space for receiving a cup may be disposed (at least partly) between the second space and the third space.

In certain embodiments, the first space has a first diameter, the second space has a second diameter that may be greater than the first diameter, and the third space has a third diameter that may be greater than the second diameter. In certain embodiments, the first diameter may overlap with at least a portion of the second diameter and/or the third diameter. Such an overlapping arrangement provides multiple spaces for receiving cups in a small space.

In certain embodiments, the second space may have a second depth and the third space may have a third depth that is greater than the second depth. The difference between the second depth and the third depth may be substantially equal to a depth of the recessed portion between the upper surface and the lower surface. In such an arrangement, the recessed portion may be integrated with a base of the second space and the third space. Such an arrangement makes efficient use of available space.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle centre console comprising the cup holder described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the cup holder described above or the vehicle centre console described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, a phone holder for a vehicle, the phone holder comprising:

a base having an upper surface and a lower surface that is stepped from the upper surface; and one or more supports extending upwardly from the upper surface for supporting a phone that is disposed on the upper surface in an upright configuration;

wherein the lower surface defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base, the recessed portion being configured to receive a protruding part of a phone disposed on the upper surface.

Such a recessed portion may permit the accommodation of a protruding part of a phone when received in the phone holder. For example, the phone may have a charging cable protruding therefrom, where the phone may be received in the phone holder without resting on or kinking the charging cable, which may be received in the recessed portion.

In certain embodiments, the phone holder may comprise a cup holder, where the cup holder comprises one or more arced walls arranged along the circumference of a common circle and defining a first space for receiving a cup, and the one or more supports define a first slot portion and a second slot portion, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are opposite to one another with respect to the common circle, the first slot portion and the second slot portion each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls, and being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, where the common longitudinal axis bisects a portion of the common circle.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention may provide a phone holder that is capable of receiving a cup in a space efficient manner. Such arrangements may be particularly advantageous in the centre console of a vehicle where there is a desire to provide functional components in a limited available space.

In certain embodiments, the first slot portion and the second slot portion may comprise a plurality of walls, the cup holder may comprise a plurality of elastomeric bumpers disposed on the plurality of walls and extending upwardly thereon.

The elastomeric bumpers may facilitate a good fit of the phone in the phone slot in order to reduce any movement of the phone in the phone slot. Such an arrangement may reduce the risk of damage to the phone due to movement in the phone slot, and/or may improve noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics by reducing any vibrations or other noise-producing movements of the phone in the phone slot.

In certain embodiments, each of the elastomeric bumpers may have a thickness that protrudes outwardly from the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on, wherein the thickness of at least a portion of each of the elastomeric bumpers decreases in an upward direction. Such an arrangement may facilitate the easy insertion of a phone in the phone holder.

The phone holder may comprise one or more further spaces for receiving a cup, each of the one or more further spaces being defined by one or more further arced walls. Thus, such a cup holder may accommodate multiple cups. The one or more further spaces for receiving a cup may comprise a second space and a third space, wherein the first space for receiving a cup is disposed (at least partly) between the second space and the third space.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle centre console comprising the phone holder described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the phone holder described above or the vehicle centre console described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a phone holder for a vehicle, the phone holder comprising:

a slot for receiving a phone, the slot being defined by a plurality of walls extending upwardly from a base; and a plurality of elastomeric bumpers disposed on the plurality of walls and extending upwardly thereon.

The elastomeric bumpers may facilitate a good fit of the phone in the slot in order to reduce any movement of the phone in the slot. Such an arrangement may reduce the risk of damage to the phone due to movement in the slot, and/or may improve noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics by reducing any vibrations or other noise-producing movements of the phone in the slot.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cup holder comprising the phone holder described above.

In certain embodiments, the cup holder may comprise one or more arced walls arranged along the circumference of a common circle and defining a first space for receiving a cup, where the slot comprises a first slot portion and a second slot portion; and wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are opposite to one another with respect to the common circle, the first slot portion and the second slot portion each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls, and being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, where the common longitudinal axis bisects a portion of the common circle.

In certain embodiments, the cup holder may comprise a base between the first slot portion and the second slot portion, the base having an upper surface and a lower surface that is stepped from the upper surface, wherein the lower surface defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base, and the recessed portion is configured to receive a protruding part of a phone that is disposed on the upper surface and is supported by the first slot portion and/or second slot portion. Such a recessed portion may permit the accommodation of a protruding part of a phone when received in the slot. For example, the phone may have a charging cable protruding therefrom, where the phone may be received in the slot without resting on or kinking the charging cable, which may be received in the recessed portion.

The cup holder may comprise one or more further spaces for receiving a cup, each of the one or more further spaces being defined by one or more further arced walls. Thus, such a cup holder may accommodate multiple cups.

The one or more further spaces for receiving a cup may comprise a second space and a third space, and wherein the first space for receiving a cup may be disposed between the second space and the third space.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle centre console comprising the phone holder described above or the cup holder described above.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cup holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a top-down view of the cup holder of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a detailed top-down view of a part of the cup holder of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention with a phone disposed therein;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cup holder and phone of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cup holder and phone of Figure 4 taken along a line perpendicular to the cross-sectional view of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a top-down view of the cup holder and phone of Figure 4;

Figure 8 shows a vehicle centre console including a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 9 shows a vehicle that may include the cup holder of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view and a top-down view, respectively, of a cup holder 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cup holder 10 is suitable for forming part of or being received by a part of a vehicle, such as a centre console of the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the cup holder 10 may be selectively removable from a part of the vehicle, such as the centre console.

The cup holder 10 includes a first space 12 for receiving a drinking cup, can, bottle or other generally cylindrical object, a second space 14 for receiving a drinking cup, can, bottle or other generally cylindrical object, and a third space 16 for receiving a drinking cup, can, bottle or other generally cylindrical object. Each of the first, second and third spaces 12, 14, 16 is defined by one or more arced walls that are arranged along the circumference of respective common circles. In particular, and as shown in Figure 2, the first space 12 has a plurality of arced walls 20 that are arranged along the circumference of a first circle 12a. The second space 14 has an arced wall 34 that is arranged along the circumference of a second circle 14a, and the third space 16 has an arced wall 32 that is arranged along the circumference of a third circle 16a. For the avoidance of doubt, the phrase “arced wall arranged along the circumference of a particular circle” means that the curvature of the arced wall follows the circumference of that particular circle, but does not necessarily follow the complete circumference of that particular circle.

The first circle 12a overlaps with each of the second circle 14a and the third circle 16a, but the second circle 14a does not overlap with the third circle 16a. As such, if a cup is received in the first space 12, the presence of the cup may inhibit a further cup being received in either of the second space 14 or third space 16. However, a cup may be received in each of the second space 14 and the third space 16 concurrently.

The first circle 12a has a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the second circle 14a. The second diameter of the second circle 14a is less than a third diameter of the third circle 16a. As such, cups, cans, bottles or other generally cylindrical objects of different sizes (i.e. diameters) may be received in the first space 12, the second space 14, and the third space 16. In certain embodiments, the first diameter may be between 33 mm and 43 mm, or may be about 38 mm. Additionally or alternatively, in certain embodiments the second diameter may be between 48 mm and 58 mm, or may be about 53 mm. Additionally or alternatively, in certain embodiments the third diameter may be between 73 mm and 83 mm, or may be about 78 mm.

As described above, the first circle 12a overlaps with each of the second circle 14a and the third circle 16a. By this it is meant that the first diameter overlaps with at least a portion of the second diameter and the third diameter.

Any of the arced walls 20, 32, 34 may include one or more deformable elements 36 for facilitating a friction fit with a cup, can or other generally cylindrical object received in any of the first space 12, second space 14, or third space 16. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the arced walls 34, 32 of the second space 14 and the third space 16, respectively, are provided with a plurality of deformable elements 36.

The cup holder 10 additionally includes a phone slot 18 for receiving a phone (i.e. a mobile or cellular telephone). The phone slot 18 includes a first slot portion 18a and a second slot portion 18b that are separate from one another. The first slot portion 18a is disposed opposite to the second slot portion 18b with respect to the first circle 12a. Furthermore, the first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b are disposed on a common longitudinal axis 100 that bisects a portion of the first circle 12a. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the longitudinal axis 100 bisects the first circle 12a through the centre of the first circle 12a (i.e. the first slot portion 18a is diametrically opposed to the second slot portion 18b with respect to the first circle 12a). In alternative embodiments, the longitudinal axis 100 may bisect the first circle 12a through points other than the centre.

Each of the first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b extends radially beyond the arced walls 20 (i.e. beyond the first circle 12a). The first slot portion 18a may extend radially beyond the arced walls 20 by a first distance and the second slot portion 18b may extend beyond the arced walls 20 by a second distance. In the nonlimiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the first distance is greater than the second distance. Such an arrangement may facilitate the accommodation of a wide range of phone sizes in the phone slot 18. In alternative embodiments, the first distance may be equal to the second distance.

The first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b may receive a portion of a phone to support the phone in the phone slot 18.

The cup holder 10 includes a base 22 between the first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b. As shown in more detail in Figure 3, the base 22 includes an upper surface 24 and a lower surface 28 that is stepped from the upper surface 24. Each of the upper surface 24 and the lower surface 28 is an upwardly facing surface. The upper surface 24 is stepped from the lower surface 28 by a substantially vertical wall 26 that links the upper surface 24 to the lower surface 28. The lower surface 28 defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base 22. That is, the recessed portion is defined by the lower surface 28 and vertical wall 26 of the base 22. Being disposed between the first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b, the recessed portion may receive a protruding part, such as a cable, of a phone that is disposed on the upper surface 24 and is supported by the first slot 18a and/or second slot 18b. Such an arrangement allows a phone to be securely supported in the phone slot 18 whilst a cable is connected to the phone, without resting on or kinking its cable.

Each of the first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b comprises a plurality of walls 19. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, each of the first slot portion 18a and the second slot portion 18b comprises three walls 19 for supporting a front surface, rear surface and side surface of a phone received in the phone slot 18. Thus, the walls 19 form supports that extend upwardly from the upper surface 24. In certain embodiments, the first slot portion 18a and/or second slot portion 18b may comprise a different number of walls 19 (i.e. less or more than three). In certain embodiments, the supports extending upwardly from the upper surface 24 may be formed by any suitable supporting structure, and need not necessarily be limited to walls 19.

In embodiments in which the supports are provided by walls 19, each of the walls 19 may include one or more elastomeric bumpers 30 disposed thereon. The elastomeric bumpers 30 may deform to form a friction fit with a phone received in the phone slot

18. Additionally or alternatively, the elastomeric bumpers 30 may each provide a cushion for inhibiting any impacts between a phone disposed in the phone slot 18 and the walls 19 or any other part of the cup holder 10 (e.g. if the phone was to move within the phone slot 18). Each of the elastomeric bumpers 30 may extend upwardly along a respective wall 19. In certain embodiments, at least some or all of the elastomeric bumpers 30 may extend along at least 50% of the height of the respective wall 19 (e.g. from the top of the respective wall 19). In certain embodiments, at least some or all of the elastomeric bumpers 30 may extend along between 50% and 70% of the height of the respective wall 19 (e.g. from the top of the respective wall 19). The elastomeric bumpers 30 have a thickness that protrudes outwardly from the respective wall 19. The elastomeric bumpers 30 may be tapered such that the thickness of at least a portion of each elastomeric bumper 30 decreases in an upward direction. Such a tapered profile may facilitate easy insertion of a phone in the phone slot 18.

Figures 4 to 7 show the cup holder 10 with a phone 38 received in the phone slot 18, where Figure 4 is a perspective view, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis 100 of the phone slot 18, Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 100, and Figure 7 is a top-down view.

The second space 14 has a second depth 14c and the third space 16 has a third depth 16c, where the third depth 16c is greater than the second depth 14c. The second space 14 has a second bottom surface 14b that is contiguous with the upper surface 24 of the base 22, and the third space 16 has a third bottom surface 16b that is contiguous with the lower surface 28 of the base 22. That is, the difference between the second depth 14c and the third depth 16c is substantially equal to a depth of the recessed portion between the upper surface 24 and the lower surface 28. Thus, the stepped recessed portion may be seamlessly integrated with the differing second and third depths 14c, 16c whilst still providing the upper surface 24 for supporting a phone or a cup in the first space 12.

Given that the cup holder 10 serves to hold a cup or a phone, it may be considered to be a cup holder comprising a phone holder, or a phone holder comprising a cup holder.

Figure 8 shows a vehicle centre console 50 that includes the cup holder 10 and a storage console 42 adjacent to the cup holder 10. The storage console 42 includes a storage console lid 44 that is pivotable between a closed position (as shown in Figure 8) and an open position. The storage console lid 44 includes an aperture 46 that permits a cable to run therethrough and into and out of the storage console 42 when the storage console lid 44 is in the closed position. As shown in Figure 8, a cable 40 that is connected to a phone 38 that is received in the phone slot 18 and supported on the upper surface 24 may be received in the recessed portion (which is partially defined by the lower surface 28) and pass through the aperture 46 and into the storage console 42 which may include a data and/or power port. The cable 40 may therefore run neatly from the phone 38 into the storage console 42.

Figure 9 shows a vehicle 60 which may include the cup holder 10 and/or centre console 50 described above.

It will be appreciated throughout that reference to a phone may be replaced by reference to a similar electronic device, for example a portable music device. Accordingly the phone slot may also be termed an electronic device slot.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cup holder for a vehicle, the cup holder comprising:

one or more arced walls arranged along the circumference of a 5 common circle and defining a first space for receiving a cup; and a phone slot for receiving a phone, the phone slot comprising a first slot portion and a second slot portion;

wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are opposite to one another with respect to the common circle, the first slot portion and the

10 second slot portion each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls, and being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, where the common longitudinal axis bisects a portion of the common circle.

2. The cup holder of claim 1, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot

15 portion are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the common circle.

3. The cup holder of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first slot portion extends radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a first distance, and the second slot

20 portion extends radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

4. The cup holder of any preceding claim, comprising a base between the first slot portion and the second slot portion, the base having an upper surface

25 and a lower surface that is stepped from the upper surface, wherein the lower surface defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base, and the recessed portion is configured to receive a protruding part of a phone that is disposed on the upper surface and is supported by the first slot portion and/or second slot portion.

5. The cup holder of any preceding claim, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion comprise a plurality of walls, the cup holder comprising a plurality of elastomeric bumpers disposed on the plurality of walls and extending upwardly thereon.

6. The cup holder of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers extends along at least 50% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

5

7. The cup holder of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers extends along between 50% and 70% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

8. The cup holder of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein each of the elastomeric

10 bumpers has a thickness that protrudes outwardly from the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on, and wherein the thickness of at least a portion of each of the elastomeric bumpers decreases in an upward direction.

15 9. The cup holder of any preceding claim, comprising one or more further spaces for receiving a cup, each of the one or more further spaces being defined by one or more further arced walls.

10. The cup holder of claim 9, wherein the one or more further spaces for

20 receiving a cup comprise a second space and a third space, and wherein the first space for receiving a cup is disposed between the second space and the third space.

11. The cup holder of claim 10, wherein the first space has a first diameter, the

25 second space has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, and the third space has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.

12. The cup holder of claim 11, wherein the first diameter overlaps with at least a

30 portion of the second diameter and/or the third diameter.

13. The cup holder of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second space has a second depth and the third space has a third depth that is greater than the second depth.

14. The cup holder of claim 13 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the difference between the second depth and the third depth is substantially equal to a depth of the recessed portion between the upper surface and the lower surface.

15. A vehicle centre console comprising the cup holder of any preceding claim.

16. A vehicle comprising the cup holder of any of claims 1 to 14 or the vehicle

5 centre console of claim 15.

17. A phone holder for a vehicle, the phone holder comprising:

a base having an upper surface and a lower surface that is stepped from the upper surface; and

10 one or more supports extending upwardly from the upper surface for supporting a phone that is disposed on the upper surface in an upright configuration;

wherein the lower surface defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base, the recessed portion being configured to

15 receive a protruding part of a phone disposed on the upper surface.

18. The phone holder of claim 17, comprising a cup holder, where the cup holder comprises one or more arced walls arranged along the circumference of a common circle and defining a first space for receiving a cup, and the one or

20 more supports define a first slot portion and a second slot portion, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are opposite to one another with respect to the common circle, the first slot portion and the second slot portion each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls, and being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, where the common longitudinal

25 axis bisects a portion of the common circle.

19. The phone holder of claim 18, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the common circle.

20. The phone holder of claim 18 or 19, wherein the first slot portion extends radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a first distance, and the second slot portion extends radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second

35 distance.

21. The phone holder of any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion comprise a plurality of walls, the cup holder comprising a plurality of elastomeric bumpers disposed on the plurality of walls and extending upwardly thereon.

22. The phone holder of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers extends along at least 50% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

10

23. The phone holder of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers extends along between 50% and 70% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

24. The phone holder of any of claims 21 to 23, wherein each of the elastomeric

15 bumpers has a thickness that protrudes outwardly from the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on, and wherein the thickness of at least a portion of each of the elastomeric bumpers decreases in an upward direction.

20 25. The phone holder of any of claims 17 to 24, comprising one or more further spaces for receiving a cup, each of the one or more further spaces being defined by one or more further arced walls.

26. The phone holder of claim 25, wherein the one or more further spaces for

25 receiving a cup comprise a second space and a third space, and wherein the first space for receiving a cup is disposed between the second space and the third space.

27. The phone holder of claim 26, wherein the first space has a first diameter, the

30 second space has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, and the third space has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.

28. The phone holder of claim 27, wherein the first diameter overlaps with at least

35 a portion of the second diameter and/or the third diameter.

29. The phone holder of any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the second space has a second depth and the third space has a third depth that is greater than the second depth.

5 30. The phone holder of claim 29, wherein the difference between the second depth and the third depth is substantially equal to a depth of the recessed portion between the upper surface and the lower surface.

31. A vehicle centre console comprising the phone holder of any of claims 17 to

10 30.

32. A vehicle comprising the phone holder of any of claims of claims 17 to 30 or the vehicle centre console of claim 31.

15 33. A phone holder for a vehicle, the phone holder comprising:

34. The phone holder of claim 33, wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers extends along at least 50% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

25 35. The phone holder of claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric bumpers extends along between 50% and 70% of the height of the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on.

36. The phone holder of any of claims 33 to 35, wherein each of the elastomeric

30 bumpers has a thickness that protrudes outwardly from the respective wall that the elastomeric bumper is disposed on, and wherein the thickness of at least a portion of each of the elastomeric bumpers decreases in an upward direction.

35 37. A cup holder comprising the phone holder of any of claims 33 to 36.

38. The cup holder of claim 37, comprising one or more arced walls arranged along the circumference of a common circle and defining a first space for receiving a cup, where the slot comprises a first slot portion and a second slot portion; and wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion are opposite to one another with respect to the common circle, the first slot portion and the

5 second slot portion each extending radially beyond the one or more arced walls, and being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, where the common longitudinal axis bisects a portion of the common circle.

39. The cup holder of claim 38, wherein the first slot portion and the second slot

10 portion are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the common circle.

40. The cup holder of claim 38 or 39, wherein the first slot portion extends radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a first distance, and the second slot

15 portion extends radially beyond the one or more arced walls by a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

41. The cup holder of any of claims 38 to 40, comprising a base between the first slot portion and the second slot portion, the base having an upper surface

20 and a lower surface that is stepped from the upper surface, wherein the lower surface defines a continuous bottom surface of a recessed portion of the base, and the recessed portion is configured to receive a protruding part of a phone that is disposed on the upper surface and is supported by the first slot portion and/or second slot portion.

42. The cup holder of any of claims 38 to 41, comprising one or more further spaces for receiving a cup, each of the one or more further spaces being defined by one or more further arced walls.

30

43. The cup holder of claim 42, wherein the one or more further spaces for receiving a cup comprise a second space and a third space, and wherein the first space for receiving a cup is disposed between the second space and the third space.

35

44. The cup holder of claim 43, wherein the first space has a first diameter, the second space has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, and the third space has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter.

45. The cup holder of claim 44, wherein the first diameter overlaps with at least a portion of the second diameter and/or the third diameter.

5

46. The cup holder of any of claims 43 to 45, wherein the second space has a second depth and the third space has a third depth that is greater than the second depth.

47. The cup holder of claim 46 when dependent on claim 41, wherein the

10 difference between the second depth and the third depth is substantially equal to a depth of the recessed portion between the upper surface and the lower surface.

48. A vehicle centre console comprising the phone holder of any of claims 33 to

15 36 or the cup holder of any of claims 37 to 47.

49. A cup holder, a phone holder, a vehicle centre console or a vehicle centre console substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

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