US20140319157A1 - Cupholder for Storing Cups Beneath Surfaces - Google Patents
Cupholder for Storing Cups Beneath Surfaces Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140319157A1 US20140319157A1 US13/871,479 US201313871479A US2014319157A1 US 20140319157 A1 US20140319157 A1 US 20140319157A1 US 201313871479 A US201313871479 A US 201313871479A US 2014319157 A1 US2014319157 A1 US 2014319157A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cup
- upper rim
- protruding upper
- structural member
- cupholder
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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- 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
-
- 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
- A47G23/0225—Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like for one glass or cup attachable to a plate, table, or the like
Definitions
- Cupholders provide storage for cups in a variety of settings.
- the present technology relates to a cupholder that provides storage for beverage cups or other cups having a protruding upper rim or lip at the mouth of the cup.
- the cupholder stores beverage cups in an upright position against or in close proximity to the underside of any substantially flat surface to which the cupholder is affixed.
- Various embodiments of this cupholder can be designed to accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of cups.
- the cupholder can accommodate cups filled with liquid or other materials or objects.
- Cupholders have been used in the art, however, there are significant differences between the present technology and what is already known. Although there are references that use various forms to store cups, the claimed technology fundamentally diverges from these references.
- Existing cupholders such as those one finds in a car or molded into a movie theater seat, cradle the cup from beneath or rely on contact between the vertical surfaces of the cup and the cupholder. Such cupholders provide support from below while leaving the mouth of the cup exposed. They also require the cup to protrude above the surface to which it is affixed.
- cupholders are unlike the embodiments of the present technology, which provide for the support of a cup from above by gripping the protruding upper rim found on some cups, such as the red and blue plastic cups familiar to many barbecues. Additionally, in certain embodiments the presently claimed technology allows the cup to be placed into position for storage underneath the surface to which the present technology is affixed, instead of being seated from above as in existing cupholders.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member capable of holding a cup that has a protruding upper rim.
- the structural member can be affixed to the bottom of a substantially flat surface to provide storage for the cup beneath the surface.
- the structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup to hold the cup in position.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that grips the protruding upper rim of a cup by accepting the rim into a groove.
- the groove is formed at the interface between the structural member and the substantially flat surface to which it is affixed.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that grips the protruding upper rim of a cup by accepting the rim into a groove.
- the groove is formed within the structural member, at the point of contact with the rim of the cup.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member angled such that it forms an acute angle with the bottom of the substantially flat surface to which it is affixed.
- the angled structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim into the empty space formed between the structural member and the substantially flat surface.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that is concave.
- the structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim into the concavity in the structural member.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member having a cross-section that substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the protruding upper rim of the cup.
- the structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim into the cross-sectional cut-out within the structural member to which the rim's cross-section substantially corresponds.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a plurality of structural members that can collectively hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a plurality of structural members that can hold a plurality of cups, each cup having a protruding upper rim.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising two structural members that can hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim.
- the structural members are arranged so that they are parallel to one another.
- the distance between the structural members substantially corresponds to the diameter of the circle forming the protruding upper rim of the cup.
- the structural members grip the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim between the structural members.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that can hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim.
- the structural member forms a portion of an arc of a circle with a diameter that is substantially equivalent to the diameter of the circle forming the protruding upper rim of the cup.
- the structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim at sufficient points to support the cup.
- the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that can hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim.
- the structural member can be affixed to the bottom of a substantially flat surface to provide storage for the cup beneath the surface.
- the flat surface covers the open mouth of the cup and reduces the chance of spilling the contents of the cup by acting in a fashion similar to that of a lid.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the present technology
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a cup having a protruding upper rim
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the present technology
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the present technology
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the present technology
- FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of another embodiment of the present technology
- FIG. 7 shows a top-down view of another embodiment of the present technology.
- the current technology provides a cupholder as seen in FIG. 1 comprising a structural member 1 wherein the structural member can hold a cup 3 having a protruding upper rim 4 by gripping the protruding upper rim and the structural member 1 can be affixed to the bottom of a substantially flat surface 2 .
- substantially flat means that a surface is flat, or is effectively flat, such that any deviation from absolute flatness does not disrupt the function of the cupholder.
- a curved surface may be substantially flat where the radius of curvature of the surface is sufficiently large to allow the structural member 1 , affixed to the surface, to accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- a textured or bumpy surface may be substantially flat where the texture or bumpiness of the surface does not prevent the structural member 1 from accommodating the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- the structural member 1 provides support to hold the cup 3 in place primarily by making contact with the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- no portion of the cup 3 other than the protruding upper rim 4 needs to bear the support load required to hold the cup 3 in the present technology, although some embodiments may distribute some of the support load to the exterior wall of the cup 3 near the protruding upper rim 4 .
- the substantially flat surface 2 may be any number of household or other common surfaces.
- the substantially flat surface may comprise the underside of a kitchen plate, a bowl, a dinner table, a desk, a countertop, a bar, a gaming or poker table, a picnic bench, a stadium seat, an office chair or other like surfaces.
- the choice of surface is limited only by the requirement that the surface be substantially flat such that it can accommodate the structural member 1 in a configuration that allows a cup 3 having a protruding upper rim 4 to be gripped by the structural member.
- the cup 3 may comprise any number of common or custom-designed cups of varying sizes and shapes.
- a “cup” means an structure capable of supporting other objects or materials and containing those objects, wherein containment is provided by the outermost portion of the structure that are raised above the innermost portions.
- An example of a cup 3 having a protruding upper rim 4 is shown in FIG. 2 .
- the cup 3 shown in FIG. 2 is shaped like a drinking glass, with a raised exterior wall that contains materials supported by the base in the innermost portions of the cup 3 .
- cups 3 might be shaped like a soup bowl with sides that gradually slope upwards and radially outwards to the exterior circumference of the bowl and that provide both support and containment for the objects or materials therein. Still other cups 3 might be shaped like a dinner plate or dish with sides that gently slope only slightly upwards to guide materials toward the innermost portions of the plate. The only restriction on the cup 3 is that it must have a protruding upper rim 4 .
- Such appropriate cups 3 include, but are not limited to: “Dixie”® cups; red and blue plastic “Solo”® cups; drink cups designed for use with a plastic lid such as those commonly found at stadiums, movie theaters and fast food restaurants; bowls; buckets; plates; and basins.
- the protruding upper rim 4 surrounds the upper edge located at the mouth of the cup.
- the protruding upper rim 4 commonly has a circular or rectangular cross-section that extends outward from the exterior surface of the cup 3 .
- This protruding upper rim 4 provides the primary surface of contact between the structural member 1 and the cup 3 .
- Custom-designed cups may also be used, provided they have a protruding upper rim 4 .
- the structural member 1 is attached to the substantially flat surface 2 at the interface 5 .
- Such attachment may be accomplished by numerous means.
- Such means include adhesives, such as glue; mechanical bindings such as nails or screws; and simultaneous molding or casting of the structural member 1 to the substantially flat surface 2 .
- adhesives such as glue
- mechanical bindings such as nails or screws
- simultaneous molding or casting of the structural member 1 to the substantially flat surface 2 e.g., one might mold a plastic plate such that it includes a structural member 1 formed on the substantially flat surface 2 comprising the underside of the plate and allowing one to store a cup 3 having a protruding upper rim 4 beneath the plate.
- the current technology provides a cupholder, as seen in FIG. 1 , that utilizes a groove 6 formed at the interface 5 between the substantially flat surface 2 and the structural member 1 wherein the groove 6 can accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup.
- the cross-section of the groove 6 formed at the interface 5 is collectively formed by portions of the sides of the structural member 1 and the substantially flat surface 2 .
- the structural member 1 may have a cross-section in the form of an L, a hook, or any cross-section that allows the structural member 1 to grip the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- the groove 6 may accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 by being sufficiently large as to partially or fully surround the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 without compromising the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- Certain embodiments of the present technology provide a cupholder that utilizes a groove 7 formed within the structural member 1 , and that can accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- the groove 7 may accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 by having a shape allowing the protruding upper rim 4 to fit sufficiently within the groove that the cup may be gripped and held in place by the structural member 1 .
- Such a groove 7 may have a cross-section including, but not limited to, a rectangular cutout, a square cutout, a triangular cutout, a circular cutout or any other cross-section sufficiently large to partially or fully surround the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- Certain embodiments of the present technology like those shown in in FIG. 4 , provide a cupholder with structural member 1 angled such that it forms an acute angle with the bottom of the substantially flat surface 2 .
- the structural member 1 and substantially flat surface 2 meet such that an angled groove 8 is formed between the upper surface of the structural member 1 and the substantially flat surface 2 to which the structural member 1 is affixed.
- the angled groove 8 may accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 by being sufficiently large that it can partially or fully surround the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- Certain embodiments of the present technology like that shown in FIG. 5 , provide a cupholder with a structural member 1 that is concave on at least the surface that makes contact with the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- the concavity 9 in the structural member 1 may accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 by being sufficiently large that it can partially or fully surround the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- Certain embodiments of the present technology provide a cupholder with a structural member 1 having a cross section that substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 or a portion thereof.
- the term “substantially corresponds” means the quantities that substantially correspond to each other are equal, or nearly equal, where the aforementioned quantities relate to the elements in the structural member 1 and the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 that facilitate the structural member's 1 ability to grip the protruding upper rim 4 .
- the cross-section of the structural member 1 substantially corresponds to the protruding upper rim 4 where the cross-section of the structural member 1 is nearly identical to any portion of the protruding upper rim 4 , such that the cross-section of the structural member 1 only differs from that of the protruding upper rim 4 enough to allow storage of the cup 3 beneath the substantially flat surface 2 using the structural member 1 without undue force and without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- the term “undue force” means any force that needs to be exerted on the cup 3 to store the cup 3 beneath the substantially flat surface 2 using the structural member 1 , wherein such force is substantially likely to cause damage to the cup 3 or any portion thereof.
- Certain embodiments of the present technology like those shown in FIGS. 6 & 7 , provide a cupholder comprising a plurality of structural members 1 wherein the plurality of structural members 1 can accommodate the protruding upper rims 4 of one or more cups 3 .
- Certain embodiments of the present technology like that shown in FIG. 6 , provide a cupholder comprising two structural members 1 wherein the structural members 1 are parallel.
- the structural members 1 are positioned such that the distance between the structural members 1 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the circle forming the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 such that the structural member 1 and protruding upper rim 4 are in contact to facilitate the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- the distance between the structural members 1 and the diameter of the protruding upper rim 4 are equal or nearly equal, differing as necessary to allow storage of the cup 3 beneath the substantially flat surface 2 without undue force and without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- the structural members 1 may be grooved or otherwise shaped as otherwise described throughout this description to accommodate the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- such embodiments may be designed to accommodate a plurality of cups 3 .
- Certain embodiments of the present technology like that shown in FIG. 7 , provide a cupholder with a structural member 1 that forms a portion of the arc of a circle with a diameter that substantially corresponds to the circle forming the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 .
- the diameter of the portion of the arc of the circle forming the structural member 1 substantially corresponds to the circle forming the protruding upper rim 4 where the diameters of the circles are nearly equal, with the diameter of the arc of the circle forming the structural member 1 differing as necessary to allow storage of the cup 3 beneath the substantially flat surface 2 using the structural member 1 without undue force and without compromising the structural member's 1 grip on the protruding upper rim 4 .
- the cup 3 is gripped such that the substantially flat surface 2 covers the mouth of the cup and reduces the chance of spilling the contents of the cup.
- the substantially flat surface 2 acts as a lid that reduces the chance of spilling the contents of the cup 3 where the distance between the protruding upper rim 4 of the cup 3 and the substantially flat surface 2 is small enough that the contents of the cup cannot easily escape the cup while undergoing any motion which the substantially flat surface 2 can be expected to undergo.
- Such motion is particular to the substantially flat surface 2 involved.
- a plate acting as the substantially flat surface 2 to which the structural member 1 is affixed would be expected to undergo much more motion than would a desk or table acting as the substantially flat surface 2 .
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Abstract
A cupholder comprising a structural member that can be readily affixed to a substantially flat surface and that can grip the protruding upper rim of certain cups. The cupholder will provide storage for a cup having a protruding upper rim beneath a substantially flat surface, including, but not limited to, a plate, bowl, table, desk, or countertop.
Description
- Cupholders provide storage for cups in a variety of settings. The present technology relates to a cupholder that provides storage for beverage cups or other cups having a protruding upper rim or lip at the mouth of the cup. The cupholder stores beverage cups in an upright position against or in close proximity to the underside of any substantially flat surface to which the cupholder is affixed. Various embodiments of this cupholder can be designed to accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of cups. Furthermore, the cupholder can accommodate cups filled with liquid or other materials or objects.
- Cupholders have been used in the art, however, there are significant differences between the present technology and what is already known. Although there are references that use various forms to store cups, the claimed technology fundamentally diverges from these references. Existing cupholders, such as those one finds in a car or molded into a movie theater seat, cradle the cup from beneath or rely on contact between the vertical surfaces of the cup and the cupholder. Such cupholders provide support from below while leaving the mouth of the cup exposed. They also require the cup to protrude above the surface to which it is affixed. These existing cupholders are unlike the embodiments of the present technology, which provide for the support of a cup from above by gripping the protruding upper rim found on some cups, such as the red and blue plastic cups familiar to many barbecues. Additionally, in certain embodiments the presently claimed technology allows the cup to be placed into position for storage underneath the surface to which the present technology is affixed, instead of being seated from above as in existing cupholders.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member capable of holding a cup that has a protruding upper rim. The structural member can be affixed to the bottom of a substantially flat surface to provide storage for the cup beneath the surface. The structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup to hold the cup in position.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that grips the protruding upper rim of a cup by accepting the rim into a groove. The groove is formed at the interface between the structural member and the substantially flat surface to which it is affixed.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that grips the protruding upper rim of a cup by accepting the rim into a groove. The groove is formed within the structural member, at the point of contact with the rim of the cup.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member angled such that it forms an acute angle with the bottom of the substantially flat surface to which it is affixed. The angled structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim into the empty space formed between the structural member and the substantially flat surface.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that is concave. The structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim into the concavity in the structural member.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member having a cross-section that substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the protruding upper rim of the cup. The structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim into the cross-sectional cut-out within the structural member to which the rim's cross-section substantially corresponds.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a plurality of structural members that can collectively hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a plurality of structural members that can hold a plurality of cups, each cup having a protruding upper rim.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising two structural members that can hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim. The structural members are arranged so that they are parallel to one another. The distance between the structural members substantially corresponds to the diameter of the circle forming the protruding upper rim of the cup. The structural members grip the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim between the structural members.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that can hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim. The structural member forms a portion of an arc of a circle with a diameter that is substantially equivalent to the diameter of the circle forming the protruding upper rim of the cup. The structural member grips the protruding upper rim of the cup by accepting the rim at sufficient points to support the cup.
- In certain embodiments, the present technology provides a cupholder comprising a structural member that can hold a cup that has a protruding upper rim. The structural member can be affixed to the bottom of a substantially flat surface to provide storage for the cup beneath the surface. In these embodiments, the flat surface covers the open mouth of the cup and reduces the chance of spilling the contents of the cup by acting in a fashion similar to that of a lid.
- The various embodiments of the invention may be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the present technology; -
FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a cup having a protruding upper rim; -
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the present technology; -
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the present technology; -
FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the present technology; -
FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of another embodiment of the present technology; -
FIG. 7 shows a top-down view of another embodiment of the present technology. - In certain embodiments, the current technology provides a cupholder as seen in
FIG. 1 comprising astructural member 1 wherein the structural member can hold acup 3 having a protrudingupper rim 4 by gripping the protruding upper rim and thestructural member 1 can be affixed to the bottom of a substantiallyflat surface 2. As used herein, the term “substantially flat” means that a surface is flat, or is effectively flat, such that any deviation from absolute flatness does not disrupt the function of the cupholder. For example, a curved surface may be substantially flat where the radius of curvature of the surface is sufficiently large to allow thestructural member 1, affixed to the surface, to accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. Similarly, a textured or bumpy surface may be substantially flat where the texture or bumpiness of the surface does not prevent thestructural member 1 from accommodating the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. Thestructural member 1 provides support to hold thecup 3 in place primarily by making contact with the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. In certain embodiments, no portion of thecup 3 other than the protrudingupper rim 4 needs to bear the support load required to hold thecup 3 in the present technology, although some embodiments may distribute some of the support load to the exterior wall of thecup 3 near the protrudingupper rim 4. - In all embodiments of the present technology, the substantially
flat surface 2 may be any number of household or other common surfaces. For example, the substantially flat surface may comprise the underside of a kitchen plate, a bowl, a dinner table, a desk, a countertop, a bar, a gaming or poker table, a picnic bench, a stadium seat, an office chair or other like surfaces. The choice of surface is limited only by the requirement that the surface be substantially flat such that it can accommodate thestructural member 1 in a configuration that allows acup 3 having a protrudingupper rim 4 to be gripped by the structural member. - In certain embodiments of the present technology, the
cup 3 may comprise any number of common or custom-designed cups of varying sizes and shapes. As used herein, a “cup” means an structure capable of supporting other objects or materials and containing those objects, wherein containment is provided by the outermost portion of the structure that are raised above the innermost portions. An example of acup 3 having a protrudingupper rim 4 is shown inFIG. 2 . Thecup 3 shown inFIG. 2 is shaped like a drinking glass, with a raised exterior wall that contains materials supported by the base in the innermost portions of thecup 3.Other cups 3 might be shaped like a soup bowl with sides that gradually slope upwards and radially outwards to the exterior circumference of the bowl and that provide both support and containment for the objects or materials therein. Stillother cups 3 might be shaped like a dinner plate or dish with sides that gently slope only slightly upwards to guide materials toward the innermost portions of the plate. The only restriction on thecup 3 is that it must have a protrudingupper rim 4. Suchappropriate cups 3 include, but are not limited to: “Dixie”® cups; red and blue plastic “Solo”® cups; drink cups designed for use with a plastic lid such as those commonly found at stadiums, movie theaters and fast food restaurants; bowls; buckets; plates; and basins. In these cups, the protrudingupper rim 4 surrounds the upper edge located at the mouth of the cup. The protrudingupper rim 4 commonly has a circular or rectangular cross-section that extends outward from the exterior surface of thecup 3. This protrudingupper rim 4 provides the primary surface of contact between thestructural member 1 and thecup 3. Custom-designed cups may also be used, provided they have a protrudingupper rim 4. - The
structural member 1 is attached to the substantiallyflat surface 2 at the interface 5. Such attachment may be accomplished by numerous means. Such means include adhesives, such as glue; mechanical bindings such as nails or screws; and simultaneous molding or casting of thestructural member 1 to the substantiallyflat surface 2. For example, one might mold a plastic plate such that it includes astructural member 1 formed on the substantiallyflat surface 2 comprising the underside of the plate and allowing one to store acup 3 having a protrudingupper rim 4 beneath the plate. - The current technology provides a cupholder, as seen in
FIG. 1 , that utilizes agroove 6 formed at the interface 5 between the substantiallyflat surface 2 and thestructural member 1 wherein thegroove 6 can accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 of the cup. In such embodiments, the cross-section of thegroove 6 formed at the interface 5 is collectively formed by portions of the sides of thestructural member 1 and the substantiallyflat surface 2. In these embodiments, thestructural member 1 may have a cross-section in the form of an L, a hook, or any cross-section that allows thestructural member 1 to grip the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. Furthermore, thegroove 6 may accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 by being sufficiently large as to partially or fully surround the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 without compromising the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. - Certain embodiments of the present technology, like those shown in
FIG. 3 , provide a cupholder that utilizes agroove 7 formed within thestructural member 1, and that can accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. In such embodiments, thegroove 7 may accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 by having a shape allowing the protrudingupper rim 4 to fit sufficiently within the groove that the cup may be gripped and held in place by thestructural member 1. Such agroove 7 may have a cross-section including, but not limited to, a rectangular cutout, a square cutout, a triangular cutout, a circular cutout or any other cross-section sufficiently large to partially or fully surround the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. - Certain embodiments of the present technology, like those shown in in
FIG. 4 , provide a cupholder withstructural member 1 angled such that it forms an acute angle with the bottom of the substantiallyflat surface 2. Thestructural member 1 and substantiallyflat surface 2 meet such that anangled groove 8 is formed between the upper surface of thestructural member 1 and the substantiallyflat surface 2 to which thestructural member 1 is affixed. Theangled groove 8 may accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 by being sufficiently large that it can partially or fully surround the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. - Certain embodiments of the present technology, like that shown in
FIG. 5 , provide a cupholder with astructural member 1 that is concave on at least the surface that makes contact with the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. The concavity 9 in thestructural member 1 may accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 by being sufficiently large that it can partially or fully surround the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. - Certain embodiments of the present technology provide a cupholder with a
structural member 1 having a cross section that substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 or a portion thereof. As used herein, the term “substantially corresponds” means the quantities that substantially correspond to each other are equal, or nearly equal, where the aforementioned quantities relate to the elements in thestructural member 1 and the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 that facilitate the structural member's 1 ability to grip the protrudingupper rim 4. In certain embodiments of the present technology, the cross-section of thestructural member 1 substantially corresponds to the protrudingupper rim 4 where the cross-section of thestructural member 1 is nearly identical to any portion of the protrudingupper rim 4, such that the cross-section of thestructural member 1 only differs from that of the protrudingupper rim 4 enough to allow storage of thecup 3 beneath the substantiallyflat surface 2 using thestructural member 1 without undue force and without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. As used herein, the term “undue force” means any force that needs to be exerted on thecup 3 to store thecup 3 beneath the substantiallyflat surface 2 using thestructural member 1, wherein such force is substantially likely to cause damage to thecup 3 or any portion thereof. - Certain embodiments of the present technology, like those shown in
FIGS. 6 & 7 , provide a cupholder comprising a plurality ofstructural members 1 wherein the plurality ofstructural members 1 can accommodate the protrudingupper rims 4 of one ormore cups 3. - Certain embodiments of the present technology, like that shown in
FIG. 6 , provide a cupholder comprising twostructural members 1 wherein thestructural members 1 are parallel. Thestructural members 1 are positioned such that the distance between thestructural members 1 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the circle forming the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 such that thestructural member 1 and protrudingupper rim 4 are in contact to facilitate the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. In such embodiments, the distance between thestructural members 1 and the diameter of the protrudingupper rim 4 are equal or nearly equal, differing as necessary to allow storage of thecup 3 beneath the substantiallyflat surface 2 without undue force and without compromising the stability of the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. In such embodiments, thestructural members 1 may be grooved or otherwise shaped as otherwise described throughout this description to accommodate the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. Similarly, such embodiments may be designed to accommodate a plurality ofcups 3. - Certain embodiments of the present technology, like that shown in
FIG. 7 , provide a cupholder with astructural member 1 that forms a portion of the arc of a circle with a diameter that substantially corresponds to the circle forming the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the portion of the arc of the circle forming thestructural member 1 substantially corresponds to the circle forming the protrudingupper rim 4 where the diameters of the circles are nearly equal, with the diameter of the arc of the circle forming thestructural member 1 differing as necessary to allow storage of thecup 3 beneath the substantiallyflat surface 2 using thestructural member 1 without undue force and without compromising the structural member's 1 grip on the protrudingupper rim 4. - In certain embodiments of the present technology, like those shown in
FIGS. 1 , 3, 4, & 5, thecup 3 is gripped such that the substantiallyflat surface 2 covers the mouth of the cup and reduces the chance of spilling the contents of the cup. The substantiallyflat surface 2 acts as a lid that reduces the chance of spilling the contents of thecup 3 where the distance between the protrudingupper rim 4 of thecup 3 and the substantiallyflat surface 2 is small enough that the contents of the cup cannot easily escape the cup while undergoing any motion which the substantiallyflat surface 2 can be expected to undergo. Such motion is particular to the substantiallyflat surface 2 involved. For example, a plate acting as the substantiallyflat surface 2 to which thestructural member 1 is affixed would be expected to undergo much more motion than would a desk or table acting as the substantiallyflat surface 2. - While the present technology has been illustrated and described by means of specific embodiments and alternatives, it is to be understood that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed technology. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited in any way except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (11)
1. A cupholder comprising:
a structural member capable of holding a cup having a protruding upper rim by gripping the protruding upper rim, wherein the structural member can be affixed to the bottom of a substantially flat surface.
2. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein a groove is formed at the interface between the substantially flat surface and the structural member, and wherein the groove can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
3. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein a groove is formed within the structural member, and wherein the groove can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
4. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein the structural member forms an angled interface with the bottom of the substantially flat surface, and wherein the angled interface forms an acute angle with the bottom of the substantially flat surface such that the angled interface can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
5. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein the structural member is concave such that the concavity can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
6. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the structural member substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the protruding upper rim of the cup or a portion thereof, such that the structural member can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
7. The cupholder of claim 1 comprising:
a plurality of structural members, wherein the plurality of structural members can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
8. The cupholder of claim 1 comprising:
a plurality of structural members, wherein the plurality of structural members can accommodate the protruding upper rims of a plurality of cups.
9. The cupholder of claim 1 comprising:
two structural members, wherein the structural members are parallel to each other and the distance between the structural members substantially corresponds to the diameter of the circle forming the protruding upper rim of the cup, such that the structural members can accommodate the protruding upper rim of the cup.
10. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein the structural member forms at least a portion of the arc of a circle with a diameter that substantially corresponds to the circle forming the protruding upper rim of the cup.
11. The cupholder of claim 1 wherein the cup is gripped by the structural member, such that the substantially flat surface covers the mouth of the cup and reduces the chance of spilling the contents of the cup.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/871,479 US20140319157A1 (en) | 2013-04-26 | 2013-04-26 | Cupholder for Storing Cups Beneath Surfaces |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/871,479 US20140319157A1 (en) | 2013-04-26 | 2013-04-26 | Cupholder for Storing Cups Beneath Surfaces |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140319157A1 true US20140319157A1 (en) | 2014-10-30 |
Family
ID=51788402
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/871,479 Abandoned US20140319157A1 (en) | 2013-04-26 | 2013-04-26 | Cupholder for Storing Cups Beneath Surfaces |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140319157A1 (en) |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2816667A (en) * | 1955-11-10 | 1957-12-17 | Tanay Stephen | Supporting and resealing device for jars and similar receptacles |
US3527345A (en) * | 1969-02-10 | 1970-09-08 | Anthony J Iorio | Portable package for containers |
US4905949A (en) * | 1989-02-13 | 1990-03-06 | Cosgrove James H | Device for releasably supporting a plurality of objects |
USD312947S (en) * | 1988-02-08 | 1990-12-18 | Nickie Kopanakis | Combined tumbler rack and tumblers |
US5058737A (en) * | 1990-09-26 | 1991-10-22 | Ronald Patterson | Plate and glass assembly |
US5755341A (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 1998-05-26 | The Mead Corporation | Display shelf and method of making the same |
US6520350B1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2003-02-18 | Paul R. Smith | Storage system |
US20070264167A1 (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2007-11-15 | Xk Development, Llc | Receptacle for receiving a thin-walled flexible cup and article organizers |
-
2013
- 2013-04-26 US US13/871,479 patent/US20140319157A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2816667A (en) * | 1955-11-10 | 1957-12-17 | Tanay Stephen | Supporting and resealing device for jars and similar receptacles |
US3527345A (en) * | 1969-02-10 | 1970-09-08 | Anthony J Iorio | Portable package for containers |
USD312947S (en) * | 1988-02-08 | 1990-12-18 | Nickie Kopanakis | Combined tumbler rack and tumblers |
US4905949A (en) * | 1989-02-13 | 1990-03-06 | Cosgrove James H | Device for releasably supporting a plurality of objects |
US5058737A (en) * | 1990-09-26 | 1991-10-22 | Ronald Patterson | Plate and glass assembly |
US5755341A (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 1998-05-26 | The Mead Corporation | Display shelf and method of making the same |
US6520350B1 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2003-02-18 | Paul R. Smith | Storage system |
US20070264167A1 (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2007-11-15 | Xk Development, Llc | Receptacle for receiving a thin-walled flexible cup and article organizers |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |