WO2005025924A2

WO2005025924A2 - Cup holder

Info

Publication number: WO2005025924A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/029524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Ferrigan
Original assignee: Mini-Fini, Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-09-10
Filing date: 2004-09-09
Publication date: 2005-03-24
Also published as: WO2005025924A3

Abstract

In a vehicle having a strut so oriented in the cab as to be accessible to an occupant affords a convenient location to receive a clamp that in turn has a cup holder or other receptacle. A pin formed in the cup holder is received in a socket defined by the clamp. Angular adjustability allows the user to reposition the cup holder relative to the clamp.

Description

CUF HOLDER

The present invention relates to cup holders for use in motor vehicles or other vehicles occupied by persons having a need for the temporary storage of a cup or other object, while operating the vehicle, or otherwise occupying themselves during transit.

Summary of the Invention The holder of the present invention is preferably fabricated from a polymeric material by an injection molding process, and the material chosen will be rugged enough to withstand continued use in the environment of a vehicle of the type referred to above, yet resilient enough to afford the deformation necessary to carry out the purposes of the present invention as described below. The components of the device include a U-shaped clamp 1 having resiliently deformable legs integrally connected at the base of the U, and defining internally facing abutment leg surfaces for engaging the opposing sides of a strut, or other structure in the vehicle. A conventional clamping screw 2 is provided at the free ends of these clamp leg portions by means of an opening provided at one end of one of the legs, and a threaded opening provided in the opposing leg. The threaded portion of the opposing leg is preferably defined by a metal insert which is so mounted in the mold during the molding process as to define the threaded opening for receiving the screw 2. A receptacle 3, suitable for receiving a coffee cup or the like, is also provided of the same material from which the clamp is molded, and defines a depending post which is adapted to be received in the opening at the base of the U- shaped clamp. Mounting of the clamp on a generally vertical strut in the vehicle will result in the receptacle being upwardly open to receive the cup in a convenient fashion. In further accordance with the present invention, the opening defined by the base of the U-shaped clamp has internal ribs, and the post has a slotted end portion defined by resiliently deformable post segments so as to allow the post to be rotated in the opening in a ratcheting fashion and thereby allow adjustments in the angular relationship between the receptacle and the clamp. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 show the components of the cup holder in exploded relationship. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the installation of a device such as that shown in Fig. 1 in a vehicle having a strut, actually two such struts, arranged just forward of the gear shift handle in that vehicle.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In order to install the device of the present invention in the vehicle of Fig. 2, 3 and 4, the U-shaped clamp is provided, without the screw, around the strut, and the screw is then provided in the opening of the clamp leg, and secured to the opposite leg as described above. The next step would be to insert the vertical post or stem of the receptacle into the opening in the clamp. The receptacle can then be rotated in a ratcheting fashion so as to provide the edges of the post segments in the detent defined by the ribs inside the opening of the U-shaped clamp. For removal one can squeeze the slotted end portions of the post of the receptacle, and pull up on the receptacle thereby removing the receptacle from the clamp. Although not shown, other receptacles can alternatively be provided in the clamp so as to lend a degree of versatility to the apparatus of the present invention. For example, other receptacles can be provided for holding coins, or perhaps a receptacle for holding a cell phone. In light of the above, it is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

I claim:

1. A holder for use in a vehicle having a strut as part of the vehicle structure, said holder comprising: a U-shaped clamp having legs integrally connected at the base of the U, and having internally facing abutment leg surfaces for engaging opposing sides of the vehicle strut, said U-shaped clamp base defining an opening, and a receptacle having a depending post adapted to be received in said opening so that the receptacle is upwardly open to receive at least one object.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said opening defined by said base of said U- shaped clamp has internal ribs, and said post having a slotted end portion defined by resiliently deformable post segments the edges of which allow the post to be rotatable in the opening in a ratcheting fashion to allow adjustments in the angular relationship between the receptacle and the clamp.

3. The holder of claim 1 further including a plurality of receptacles having identical depending parts adapted to be received in said clamp opening.

4. The holder of claim 3 wherein said part is removably received in said clamp opening, and resiliently retained therein once assembled.