US20110079696A1

US20110079696A1 - Portable beverage holder

Info

Publication number: US20110079696A1
Application number: US12/967,197
Authority: US
Inventors: Kent Hofferber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-24
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2011-04-07

Abstract

A beverage holder that can be attached to a surface and repositioned. The holder has a clamp portion. The clamp portion positioned along a generally vertical axis. The clamp portion has an upper jaw portion, horizontal portion, vertical portion, a second horizontal portion and lower jaw portion. The lower jaw portion being generally shaped like the top of a candy cane, a shepherd's crook or a hook. The curve of the lower jaw portion allows for flexing and enables secure attachment to a range of horizontal surfaces.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/805,480 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/808,209 filed May 24, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to beverage holder and, more particularly, this invention relates to secure the beverage hold to a surface such as a desk top or counter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, beverage holders were either fixed as in automobiles consoles or were portable, but relied on clip or hooks over a panel or use of a bracket to position to holder. Such holders could be used only with the particular surfaces for which it was specifically designed. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of installing the holder that required special brackets and could not be easily repositioned. Many holders could be repositioned, but not conveniently attached to horizontal surfaces. The present invention provides a method for attaching a beverage holder to a generally horizontal surface and conveniently repositioning the beverage holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in several embodiments provides a c-shaped clamp portion positioned along generally vertical axis. The clamp portion has an upper jaw portion, horizontal portion, vertical portion, a second horizontal portion and lower jaw portion. The lower jaw portion having an aperture aligned vertically. The aperture receives a plunger member. The plunger member has an enlarged head with a diameter greater than the aperture at proximal end. A spring surrounds the exterior surface of the plunger member. A flange with a diameter greater than the diameter of the spring is attached at the distal end of the plunger member. An anti-slip pad is attached to the upper jaw surface and the upper surface of the flange.
A base member is attached to the vertical portion of the c-shaped clamp. At least one circumferential ring member is attached to vertical portion of the c-shaped clamp portion at a predetermined elevation from the base member. Preferably the at least one circumferential ring member is parallel or at least substantially parallel with the base member.
In use, the plunger portion is retracted placing the spring in compression. The holder is position on a table, desk or other surface and the plunger portion is released. The spring remains in compression exerting force on the anti-slip pads securely attaching the holder to the surface. The base and holder receive a beverage container or cup.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger member is a threaded bolt. A shortening means, preferably a wing nut, is included to adjust the travel of the plunger member to accommodate the depth of the surface to which it is to be attached.
In the preferred embodiment, the anti-slip pad is made of rubber. Also, the circumferential ring has a slot to allow a cup with a handle to be received by the holder.
In a second embodiment, the holder has a bottom, and at least two circumferential rings attached to the vertical portion of the c-shaped clamp portion. This allows a tapered travel mug with a tapered body to be received and held securely by the beverage holder.
In another embodiment of the present invention provides a clamp portion positioned along a generally vertical axis. The clamp portion has an upper jaw portion, horizontal portion, vertical portion, a second horizontal portion and lower jaw portion. The lower jaw portion being generally shaped like the top of a candy cane, a shepherd's crook or a hook. The curve of the lower jaw portion allows for flexing and enables secure attachment to a range of horizontal surfaces.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide beverage holder that can be attached to a generally horizontal surface such as a desk, table or card table without the installation of brackets or supports.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient way to reposition the holder.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a holder that does not damage the surface to which it is attached.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage holder that accommodates cups with handles.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a beverage hold that accommodates a tapered cup.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device attached to a table.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 1. A c-shaped portion 10 is positioned generally along a vertical axis. The c-shaped clamp has an upper generally horizontal portion 11 with a first jaw portion 12, a generally vertical portion 13, a second generally horizontal lower portion 14, and a second jaw portion 15. The lower jaw portion has an aperture. The aperture receives a plunger member 16. The plunger member 16 has enlarged head proximal end and distal end. The plunger member 16 enlarged head has a diameter greater than aperture. Positioned around the plunger member above the second jaw portion 15 is a compressible spring 17. Attached to the distal end of plunger member 16 is flange 18. Flange 18 has an upper surface and a lower surface. The term “flange” is used to describe any member with a diameter greater than the exterior diameter of spring 17.
In the preferred embodiment, a shortening means 18 is attached to the plunger mechanism in frictional contact with spring 17. The shortening means 22 can be manually tightened placing spring 17 in compression. By compressing spring 17, the travel of plunger 16 is limited permitting the beverage holder to be attached to a surface with greater depth without exerting greater force to compress spring 17. In the preferred embodiment, the plunger member 16 is a threaded bolt, the shortening means is a wing nut and the flange is a nut.
A non slip pad 19 attached to the upper surface of flange 18. A non-slip pad 19 is attached to the upper jaw portion of the c-shaped clamp. The non-slip pads 19 are preferably made of rubber. The non-slip pads 19 frictionally engage the surface that the beverage holder is to be securely attached without damage the surface to which it attached. In operation, the plunger member 16 is retracted and the holder is positioned on the generally horizontal surface. The plunger member is released and the spring 17 exerts force through the non-slip pad 19 securing the holder to the surface. The holder is easily removable by reversing the procedure. Attachment to the generally horizontal surface does not require any mounting brackets. Accordingly, the beverage hold can be conveniently repositioned.
A base portion 20 is attached to the vertical portion of the c-shaped clamp. At least one circumferential ring 21 is attached to the vertical portion of the c-shaped clamp. The circumferential ring 21 is positioned at a predetermined elevation. The beverage container or cup is received and supported by the base and circumferential ring 21 holds the beverage container or cup securely. In the preferred embodiment, the circumferential ring 21 has a slot. The slot allows a cup with handle to be received.
Turning to FIG. 3, the holder is illustrated in another embodiment. Two circumferential rings 22 are attached to the vertical portion of the c-shaped clamp. The upper ring 22 is space at a predetermined distance from the lower ring to accommodate a tapered travel mug. The lower portion of the tapered travel mug is securely held by the circumferential rings 22.
Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a clamp portion 10 positioned along a generally vertical axis. The clamp portion has a horizontal portion 11, vertical portion 13, a second horizontal portion 14 and lower jaw portion 15. The lower jaw portion 15 being generally shaped like the top of a candy cane, a shepherd's crook or a hook. The curve of the lower jaw portion 15 allows for flexing and enables secure attachment to a range of horizontal surfaces. Preferably this embodiment is constructed from low density polypropylene or another suitable polymer or plastic.
While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage holder comprising:

a c-shaped clamp with a generally horizontal upper portion including a first jaw portion, a generally vertical portion and a second generally horizontal portion, said second generally horizontal portion, including a second jaw portion having a aperture of predetermined diameter, said c-shaped clamp aligned along a generally vertical axis;

a plunger member received by said opening, said plunger member having a proximal end portion, and a distal end, said proximal end having a head with a diameter greater than said aperture;

a spring positioned around said plunger member with a diameter greater than said aperture;

a flange attached at said distal end of said plunger member, said flange having and upper and lower surface, said lower flange surface in frictional contact with said spring;

a first anti-slip pad attached to said first jaw portion of said upper portion of said c-shaped clamp;

a second anti-slip pad attached to said upper surface of said flange;

a base portion attached to said vertical portion of said clamp portion, said base portion at a predetermined elevation below said first jaw portion;

at least one circumferential ring portion attached to said vertical portion of said c-shaped clamp, said circumferential ring being substantially parallel to said base portion, a predetermined spacing from said base portion from a base unit and, and each of said at least 1 circumferential ring having an elevation below said first jaw portion and below said upper portion of said flange portion;

2. A beverage holder according to claim 1 where said at least one circumferential ring has a slot.

3. A beverage holder according to claim 1 where said anti-slip pad is made of a group of rubber or plastic.

4. A beverage holder according to claim 1 further comprising a shortening means disposed between said flange and said spring.

5. A beverage holder comprising:

a c-shaped clamp portion with a generally horizontal upper portion including a first jaw portion, a generally vertical portion and a second generally horizontal portion, said second generally horizontal portion, including a second jaw portion having a aperture of predetermined diameter, said c-shaped clamp aligned along a generally vertical axis;

a second anti-slip pad attached to said upper surface of said flange;

a base portion attached to said vertical portion of said clamp portion, said base portion at a predetermined elevation below said first jaw portion; and

at least 2 circumferential rings each attached to the same said vertical portion of said c-shaped clamp portion, said circumferential rings are substantially parallel and having a predetermined spacing from a base unit and each of said at least circumferential rings, and each of said at least 2 circumferential rings having an elevation below said first jaw portion and below said upper portion of said flange portion.

6. A beverage holder according to claim 5 further comprising a shortening means disposed between said flange and said spring.

7. A beverage holder comprising:

a clamp portion with a generally horizontal upper portion including a first jaw portion, a generally vertical portion and a second generally horizontal portion, said second generally horizontal portion, including a second jaw portion having a curved member;

at least 1 circumferential ring attached to the same said vertical portion of said c-shaped clamp portion, said circumferential rings are substantially parallel and having a predetermined spacing from a base unit and each of said at least circumferential rings, and each of said at least 1 circumferential ring having an elevation below said first jaw portion and below said upper portion of said flange portion.

8. A beverage holder according to claim 7, wherein said curved member is substantially shaped as a hook.

9. A beverage holder according to claim 7, wherein said curved member is substantially shaped as a hook with a curved potion of said curved member facing upward.

10. A beverage holder according to claim 7, wherein said beverage holder is constructed of a polymer.

11. A beverage holder according to claim 7, wherein said beverage holder is constructed as a single piece of polymer material.