BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER

Abstract

A chair shaped device including an aperture for receiving and holding a beverage container.

Description

BACKGROUND

As the Dude said in The Big Lebowsky “easy man, I have a beverage here!”. It only takes one mistake to ruin a carpet, an outfit, a date, or a day of tailgating. As such, much of the world has been on a quest for the perfect beverage holder. The present invention represents and advancement in such arts.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure presents various embodiments of a device for holding beverages and, more particularly, an ornamental device that includes a mechanism for holding and securing a cup, can, bottle or the like.

In one embodiment the device holds a beverage container and is configured in a chair shaped structure. In such an embodiment, the seat of the chair shaped structure defines an aperture for receiving beverage containers. Further, a plate is positioned below the aperture and at least covers a portion of the aperture centered upon the aperture for providing a resting area for the bottom of the beverage container.

Further, in some embodiments the device may be substantially shaped like an Adirondack chair.

In some embodiments, the device includes heating elements.

In some embodiments, the device includes cooling elements.

In some embodiments, the device includes heating and cooling elements and an interface to a power source, such as a battery or 110 volt outlet, 12-volt outlet in a vehicle, etc., and a switch for selecting the heating elements or the cooling elements to be active.

In some embodiments, the back of the chair is hingedly affixed to the back of the seat and thus, can be laid flat.

In some embodiments, the device is configured such that multiple devices can be stacked on top of each other.

These and other embodiments, features, aspects and functionality will be presented in connection with the drawings and description that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage container holder device;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the beverage container holder device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is cross-section elevation view of the embodiment of the beverage container holder device depicted in FIG. 1 and taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 front elevation view of the embodiment of the beverage container holder device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is side elevation view of the embodiment of the beverage container holder device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of a device with hinged and pivotally connected components in a fully erected state; and

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in a broken down or folded down state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as well as features and aspects thereof, is directed towards an apparatus that can hold beverage containers, such as cans, cups, bottles, etc., to prevent them from being inadvertently spilled and, that also provides other functions, such as a coaster, a coaster holder, a desk or table ornament, a novelty item, as a few non-limiting examples.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various views of one embodiment of the beverage container holder. The illustrated embodiment is in the form of an Adirondack chair however, it should be appreciated that the shape could be any of a variety of chairs or other furniture type elements. The illustrated embodiment is essentially a scaled down version of an Adirondack chair with a hole or aperture located in the seat of the chair. The aperture is sized to receive a beverage container, such as a can, bottle or cup, as non-limiting examples.

The size of the aperture can vary depending on the application and, in some embodiments, the aperture can be sufficient to hold a large sized container but include a spring like rim that can be forced to open when large containers are inserted into the aperture and that operate to securely hold smaller containers that are inserted into the aperture. Other mechanisms are also anticipated such as flexible flaps that extend from the rim of the aperture towards the aperture center and that are displaced when a container is inserted into the aperture but are rigid enough to apply a level of pressure against the side of the container and thus hold the container in position.

Turning now to the figures in detail, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage container holder device. The illustrated device is in the form of an Adirondack chair 100 that includes a chair back 102, a seat 104, a left arm 106, a right arm 108 a front 110 a set of front legs 112 and a set of back legs 114. The seat 104 defines an aperture 120 for receiving a beverage container (not shown).

The chair back 102 is shown as being adjoined on one side with the seat 104. One end of the left arm 106 and the right arm 108 is attached to the seat 104 at a location distal from where the seat 104 and the chair back 102 are adjoined while the other end is attached to the chair back 102. The seat 104 is held in an elevated position by front legs 112 adjoined proximate to a front edge of the seat 104 and rear legs 114 that provide lateral support for the seat 104 by angling down from the front edge of seat 104 to past the rear edge of seat 104.

The seat 104 defines aperture 120 that extends through the surface of the seat 102. In some embodiments the aperture 120 may be sized to fit certain beverage containers, such as a soft drink can, a beer bottle, a cup, etc. In other embodiment, the aperture 120 may be adjustable for multiple sized beverage containers. For instance, the aperture may include sides that are spring loaded that can expand or retract based on the size of the beverage container within the aperture 120. In other embodiments, the aperture 120 may include flanges or flaps extending from the edges of the aperture 120. The flanges or flaps may be constructed of a material that is sufficiently rigid to maintain its position but flexible enough such that a beverage container can be pushed by the flanges or flaps as they give way against the pressure but then maintain a pressure against the side of the beverage container. Other embodiments are also anticipated to provide adjustments or variations in the size of the beverage container that can be inserted into and held in position within the aperture 120 and the embodiments presented herein are non-limiting examples.

In the various embodiments, the aperture 120 includes a beverage container stop that can take on one of several different forms. As best seen in FIG. 3, the seat 104 may be contoured such that the aperture 120 actually is an opening into a cavity that includes a bottom surface 122, a back surface 124 and a front surface 126. Actually, as the cavity illustrated in this embodiment is cylindrical in nature, the front 126 and back wall 124 are simply areas of a continuous wall. In such an embodiment, a beverage container placed through the aperture 120 would rest on the lower surface 122 of the cavity 130. In other embodiments, a slat or plate (herein referred to as a plate) can be positioned below the seat in alignment with the aperture 120. The plate is used for the bottom of the beverage container to rest upon. In some embodiments, the aperture may include a cup shaped element for receiving the beverage container rather than just the plate. In other embodiments, the plate may be solid or include multiple slats to allow air to reach the bottom of the container. In other embodiments, the plate may include an absorbent material. In other embodiments that include a cup element to hold the container, the cup element may be insulated to keep the beverage container from changing temperatures. In other embodiments, the aperture may include sides that depend from the bottom side of the seat and either taper inwardly or include an inward protrusion to hold a beverage container in position. In yet other embodiments, a cloth strap or bag type configuration may be used to hold the beverage container.

The chair back 102 of the chair 100 is shown as being solid in the illustrated embodiment. Advantageously, in such embodiments personalization of customization can be added to this surface, such as a sport team, company logo, personal name, etc. In other embodiments, the back of the chair may be slatted similar to traditional Adirondack chairs. The back may be flat as illustrated or curved to further provide upper support for a beverage container.

In some embodiments, the beverage holder can be configured such that multiple pieces can stack on top of each other to save space for storage and/or shipping. For example, the rear legs 114 can be constructed of a material that allows some flexibility and the front legs 112 may taper slightly inwardly. In such an embodiment, one unit can be stacked on another unit by sliding the rear legs 114 of the upper unit under the arms 108 and adjacent to outside edges of the chair back 102 of the lower unit and, the front legs 112 of the upper unit can slide inside the arms 108 of the lower unit.

In some embodiments, the device may include other features. For example, some embodiments may include holes or apertures in the armrest or other locations for holding pencils or pens. In addition, a business card holder can be integrated into various embodiments. For instance, the business card holder may extend between the armrests and allow the business cards to rest up against the back of the chair. In other embodiments, a pocket may be included on the rear side of the back of the chair for holding business cards.

In some embodiments, the seat 104 may be configured to allow a cup, such as a coffee mug, to rest on the surface of the seat 104 between the arms 106 and 108. In other embodiments, the device may be used to hold one or more coasters stacked on the seat 104. When the coasters are removed, the device can receive a beverage container or the device is used for storing of the coasters.

In other embodiments, a device may include a sticky note dispenser. Yet in other embodiments, the device may include a cable holder for holding and managing a mouse cable. In other embodiments, the device may include a docking station for a smart phone such that the smart phone can be held in position and charged at the same time.

In some embodiments, the device may include one or more heating elements and a cord to plug the device into an electrical outlet. In such embodiments, the heating elements can be used to keep the contents of a beverage container warm.

In some embodiments, especially embodiments that include a cup affixed below the seat aperture, the device can be used for functions such as a nut holder, a candy holder, a dip holder, etc.

In other embodiments, a pocket or second holder can be affixed to the device such that in addition to holding a beverage container, it can hold other items such as nuts, candy, dip, etc.

Thus, in some embodiments, the device may be utilized on a desk in an office setting while in other embodiments the device may be used as a serving type dish.

In some embodiments, the device may come in a kit form and require assembly. In such embodiments, the kit may include one or more of the following items, glue, fasteners, paint, decals or stickers, tools, and instructions.

In some embodiments, the device can be fabricated out of wood. In other embodiments the device can be fabricated from plastic, silicone, aluminum as well as any of a variety of other rigid or semi-rigid materials.

Although the illustrated embodiment is in the form of an Adirondack chair, it should be appreciated that other forms may also be implemented in the various embodiments. For instance, a love seat to receive two beverage containers, a couch to receive multiple beverage containers, a stool, a lawn chair, an old fashion soda style chair, a porch swing, etc.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the device may be configured to be inserted into a vehicle cup holder and thus, provide a more decorative alternative. In other embodiments, the device may be configured to attach to the side door of a vehicle to provide additional cup holders for the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the device may include an interface to a standard cigarette lighter or 12-volt interface and thus be attached to the vehicle using that mechanism. Further, such embodiments may also include a heating element and/or a cooling element to allow the device to not only be attached to the vehicle but also to utilize the 12-volt power source to charge the heating or cooling elements. Some embodiments may only include heating element, some embodiments may include only cooling elements and some embodiments may include both. Further, the combined embodiments may include a switch to change from powering the heating elements to the cooling elements. Further, the device may include one or more LEDs or other light sources that can be illuminated to assist in placement of the beverage container.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a folding embodiment of a beverage holding device that can be folded to an erected or deployed operational state and then unfolded to a broken down or stored state. In the operational state, the device 600 is a chair shape and can receive the beverage container. In the folded down state, the hinged back 602 is laid flat and the arm rest 606 and legs 612 and 614 pivot to a position for storing.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the beverage holder may include hinged connections to allow the beverage holder to be broken down to a flat state for storing and/or shipping. For example, the chair back 602 of the chair may include a first hinge 640 that enables chair back 602 to be hingedly attached to the seat 604 and held in place by one or more latches 642. When the device is being stored, the latches 642 can be undone and the chair back 602 folded down. Further, in addition to the chair back 602 being hinged, the front legs 612 may be pivotally attached to the back brace or legs 614 extending from the front of the seat 604 to the rear. Thus, pivot pins 644 may be used to pivot the front legs 612. Further, the arm rests 606 and the front legs 612 may also be pivotally attached with pivot pins 646 and the arm rests 606 can be pivotally connected to the chair back 602 with pivot pins 648. In such embodiments, as the chair back 602 is folded backwards and down, the foot of the front legs 612 can pivot forward while the top of the front legs 612 pivot backwards following the arm rests 606. Thus, in such embodiments the device can be laid out substantially flat for storage. FIG. 7 illustrates the beverage container holder of FIG. 6 is a flattened state.

The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the invention is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A device for holding beverage containers comprising: a chair shaped structure comprising: a chair back;a chair seat adjoined to the chair back along one edge;a set of front legs adjoined approximate to a front edge of the chair seat;a set of rear legs adjoined to the chair seat and extending behind the chair back;a set of arm rests adjoined proximate to the front edge of the chair seat on one end and to the chair back on an opposing end; andthe chair seat defining an aperture for receiving a beverage container;a surface positioned below the aperture and the chair seat for providing a resting area for the bottom of the beverage container.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is substantially shaped like an Adirondack chair.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device includes heating elements.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the device includes cooling elements.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the device includes heating and cooling elements and an interface to a 12-volt receptacle in a vehicle and a switch for selecting the heating elements or the cooling elements to be active.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the back of the chair includes a solid substantially flat surface for receiving a decoration.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the aperture can be adjusted to different sizes.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the aperture includes an adjustment mechanism that allows beverage containers of different sizes to be inserted and secured within the aperture.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is configured such that multiple devices can be stacked on top of each other.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface positioned below the aperture is substantially cup shaped including a side wall and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom of the beverage container rests on the bottom surface.

11. A device for holding beverage containers comprising: a chair shaped structure comprising: a chair back that is substantially flat and suitable for receiving a decorative element;a chair seat adjoined to the chair back along one edge;a set of front legs adjoined approximate to a front edge of the chair seat;a set of rear legs adjoined to the chair seat and extending behind the chair back;a set of arm rests adjoined proximate to the front edge of the chair seat on one end and to the chair back on an opposing end; andthe chair seat defining an aperture for receiving a beverage container;a surface positioned below the aperture and the chair seat for providing a resting area for the bottom of the beverage container.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is substantially shaped like an Adirondack chair.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the aperture can be adjusted to different sizes.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the aperture includes an adjustment mechanism that allows beverage containers of different sizes to be inserted and secured within the aperture.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is configured such that multiple devices can be stacked on top of each other.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the surface positioned below the aperture is substantially cup shaped including a side wall and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom of the beverage container rests on the bottom surface.

17. The device of claim 11 further comprising a power interface to a power source.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device includes a heating element that is coupled to the power interface.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the device includes a heating element that is coupled to the power interface.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the device includes one or more lighting elements that are coupled to the power interface.