MUG

BACKGROUND

Cup holders on lawn tractors (and most vehicles) are found in a wide variety of sizes. This makes it very difficult on a lawn tractor, ATV, golf cart, etc. to keep a drink container in place over rough terrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example mug with a closed lid.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 1 with an opened lid

FIGS. 4-8 are sectional views illustrating opening of the lid of the mug of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another example mug.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the mug of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another example mug.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another example mug.

FIG. 14 is a side view of another example mug.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of another example mug.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the mug of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example mug 20. FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views of mug 20 illustrating mug 20 in a closed state and an open state, respectively. As shown by FIG. 1 or 2, mug 20 comprises a cup portion 24, a handle 28, a lid 30 and a trigger mechanism 34. Cup portion 24 comprises a liquid vessel having a bottom 36 and an interior to contain a liquid. Cup portion 24 has a mouth 38 through which the interior of cup portion 24 is accessed.

In the example illustrated, cup portion 24 has a rigid inner shell 42 and a compressible outer wall 46 having a compressible outer surface or outer surfaces. Rigid inner shell 42 comprises one or more walls that define the interior of cup portion 24. In the example illustrated, shell 42 comprises an inner shell wall 50 an outer shell wall 52 radially spaced from the inner shell wall 50. In one implementation, walls 50 and 52 are spaced or separated by a gap filled with air. In another implementation, walls 50 and 52 are spaced or separated by a gap filled with a foam or other thermal insulative material. In yet other implementations, rigid inner shell 42 may comprise a single wall or more than two walls.

Compressible outer wall 46 extends about shell 42 adjacent bottom 36. In one implementation, the layer of material forming wall 46 is bendable or resiliently flexible, formed from a rubber, rubber-like or elastomeric material. Compressible outer wall 46 is configured to change shape and be compressed in response to being manually inserted into a cup holder so as to increase surface area contact of wall 46 with the interior of the cupholder. The increased surface area contact between wall 46 and the interior surfaces of cupholder 46 provide enhanced frictional retention of mug 20 within the cupholder. As a result, mug 20 is more securely retained within a cupholder despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement that may typically occur in a cupholder of the vehicle traversing rough or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor or other such vehicles.

In the example illustrated, outer wall 46 is spaced from the outermost radial or circumferential surface of shell 42 by a gap facilitating resilient compression of wall 46 radially inward to allow the shape of outer wall 46 to change it conform to different configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the gap separating outer wall 46 and the outermost circumferential surface of shell 42 is air. In one implementation, outer wall 46 forms an air chamber with changes shape to best match the interior configuration of a cup holder. In one implementation, the gap separating outer wall 46 and the outer most circumferential surface of shell 42 is filled with air at atmospheric pressure such that air within the chamber may flow as outer wall 46 changes shape in response to being contacting interior surfaces of the cup holder and being pressed inwards by the interior surfaces of the cup holder, wherein displaced air may flow to other portions of the chamber to equalize pressure within the chamber and deform such other portions of outer wall 46 further outwards into engagement with the interior surfaces of the cup holder that might otherwise be spaced from outer wall 46. For example, the air chamber may change shape to match cup holders having tapering interiors and cup holders having stepped interiors. The air chamber of mug 20 may automatically adapt to different papers as well as different step heights or shapes of different cup holders. As a result, mug 20 may dynamically adapt to different shaped interiors of different cup holders on different vehicles.

In another implementation, the gap separating outer wall 46 and the outermost circumferential surface of shell 42 is filled with a resiliently compressible material such as a polyurethane or EVA foam. In still other embodiments, the gap separating outer wall 46 and the outermost circumferential surface of shell 42 is filled with a liquid or gel. In each of such embodiments, the chamber has a volume and a thickness such that outer wall 46 is manually compressible (under manual force applied by a person inserting mug 20 into a cup holder) at any one location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 20 by at least 0.125 inches. In one implementation, outer wall 46 is manually compressible at any one location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 20 by at least 0.25 inches.

As further shown by FIG. 1, in the example illustrated, the outermost surface of wall 46 is uneven to facilitate gripping of the interior surface of the cup holder in which mug 20 is placed. Although illustrated as having a grid or array of chevrons, similar to a tractor tire tread, in other implementations, the outermost surface wall 46 may have other gripping configurations such as dimples, ribs, waves, bumps or other shapes. In other implementations, the outermost surface of wall 46 may be smooth or even.

In the example illustrated, wall 46 has a height H extending above bottom 36. In one implementation, height H is at least 4.2″, facilitating accommodation of a wide range of cup holders.

In the example illustrated, wall 46 has a lower portion 60 having an uncompressed diameter DL and an upper portion 62 having an uncompressed diameter DU which is greater than diameter DL. In one implementation, diameter DL is between 3.1″ and 2.4″, and nominally 2.7″. Diameter DU is between 3.9″ and 3.1″, and nominally 3.5″. In the example illustrated, lower portion 60 is compressible to a first radial extent while upper portion 62 is compressible to a second radial extent greater than the first extent. In one implementation, lower portion 60 is compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the lower portion 60 by at least 0.25″. Upper portion 62 is compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the upper portion by at least 0.5″. As a result, wall 46 better accommodates differently configured cup holders of different dimensions and configurations. In one implementation, each point along wall 46 is compressible by at least 0.125 inches, measured at a single point under manually applied force, wherein the single point is movable by a distance of at least 0.125 inches towards a centerline of mug 20. In other implementations, wall 46 may have other sizes, shapes and configurations.

Handle 32 extends from cup portion 24. In the example illustrated handle 28 extends from shell 42. In the example illustrated, panel 20 comprises an inverted L-shaped handle. In other implementations, handle 28 may comprise a loop, connected to cup portion 24 at both upper and lower end portions. In still other implementations, handle 28 may have other shapes.

Lid 30 comprises a structure to cover and close mouth 38 of cup portion 24. In the example illustrated lid 30 seals with mouth 38. Lid 30 is actuatable between an open state and a closed state through the use of trigger mechanism 34.

Trigger mechanism 34 actuates lid 30 between the opening and closed states. Trigger mechanism 34 comprises trigger 60, link 62 and bias 64. Trigger 60 extends along an upper and rear surface of handle 28. Trigger 60 is pivotably coupled to panel 28 and/or cup portion 24 for pivotal movement about axis 66. Although illustrated as being located along a top rear surface of handle 28, in other implementations, trigger 60 may be provided in other locations.

Link 62 has a first end portion pivotally connected to trigger 60 for pivotal movement about axis 66 and a second end portion pivotably coupled to lid 30 about axis 70. Lid 30 pivots about axis 70 as well as axis 66. Axis 70 pivots with trigger 60 as trigger 60 pivots about axis 66. Link 62 and trigger 60 cooperate with lid 30 to form over-center cam-mechanism. As a result, actuation a trigger 60 not only actuates lid 30 between opening and closed states, but may be further actuated to lock lid 30 in the closed state using the over-center cam mechanism. In the example illustrated, locking the lid in a closed state using over center mechanism is facilitated by pivoting are pushing the trigger upwards and forward. Unlocking the lid from the closed state is achieved by pushing or pulling the trigger downward and rearward. Continued pulling of the trigger powered and rearward raises and lifts lid 30 to the open state. Thus, trigger 60 is actuatable between three different positions: a lid opening state (shown in FIG. 3), an unlocked lid closing state (similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but wherein trigger 60 is rearward and downward from that shown such that axis 68 is rearward of axis 70 (to the left of axis 70 and FIG. 2)) and a locked lid closing state (shown in FIG. 2, wherein trigger 60 is pivoted to a forward most position such that axis 68 is forward of axis 70 (to the right of axis 70 in FIG. 2)). FIGS. 4-8 illustrate actuation of trigger mechanism 34 to actuate lid 30 from a locked closed state to a fully open state.

Bias 64 comprise a mechanism that is operably coupled between cup portion 24 and/or handle 28 and lid 30. Bias 64 resiliently biases lid 30 towards the closed state. In one implementation, bias 64 comprises an elastic band having a first end 74 secured to cup portion 24 and a second portion 76 secured to lid 30 at a location spaced from axes 66 and 70. In yet another implementation, bias 64 comprises a tension spring.

Overall, the handle, lid and trigger mechanism of mug 20, in one implementation, may be defined by the following definitions:

Definition 1. A mug comprising:

- a cup portion to contain a liquid, the cup portion having a mouth;
- a handle extending from the cup portion;
- a lid to cover the mouth; and
- a trigger carried by the handle, the triggering actuatable to pivot the lid between an open state and a closed state.

Definition 2. The mug of definition 1, wherein the trigger is operably coupled to the lid to lock the lid in the closed state.

Definition 3. The mug of definition 2, wherein the trigger locks the lid in the closed state with an over-center cam mechanism.

Definition 4. The mug of definition 1 comprising a bias to resiliently biased to the closed state and wherein movement of the trigger was a lid against the bias.

Definition 5. The mug of definition 4, wherein the bias comprises an elastic band.

Definition 6. The mug of definition 4, the bias comprises a tension spring.

Definition 7. The mug of definition 1, wherein the trigger is pivotably coupled to the cup portion about a first axis and wherein the mug further comprises a link pivotably coupled to the trigger about a second axis and pivotably coupled to the lid about a third axis, wherein the lid pivots about the third axis which moves in response movement of the trigger.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another example mug 120, another implementation of mug 20. Mug 120 is similar to mug 20 in all respects except that mug 120 comprises cup holder grippers 146 in place of compressible wall 46. Those remaining components or structures of mug 120 which correspond to components of mug 20 are numbered similarly.

Cup holder grippers 146 comprise compressible structures that are spaced from one another along shell 42 adjacent to bottom 36. Grippers 146 are each formed from a layer of material that is bendable or resiliently flexible, such as a rubber, rubber-like or elastomeric material. At least a portion of each gripper 146 is inwardly compressible towards the centerline 147 of mug 120 by at least 0.125 inches. Each of grippers 146 is configured to change shape and be compressed in response to being manually inserted into a cup holder so as to increase surface area contact of grippers 146 with the interior of the cup holder. The increased surface area contact between wall 46 and the interior surfaces of cup holder provide enhanced frictional retention of mug 120 within the cup holder. As a result, mug 120 is more securely retained within a cup holder despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement that may typically occur in a cup holder of the vehicle traversing rough or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor or other such vehicles. The spacing of grippers 146 facilitate intended removal of mug 120 from the cup holder.

In the example illustrated, mug 120 comprises at least three spaced grippers 146. In the example illustrated, mug 120 comprises four equidistantly spaced grippers 146 in the form of elongated strips or elongated panels. The centerline of each of the strips serving as grippers 146 are spaced 90 degrees from adjacent strips serving as grippers 146. In other implementations, the strips serving as grippers 146 may be greater or fewer in number and may have other angular spacings. For example, in another implementation, mug 120 may alternatively comprise three strips serving as grippers 146, wherein each of strips 146 is angularly spaced from adjacent strips by 120 degrees. In still other implementations, mug 120 may include greater than four strips, uniformly or non-uniformly positioned about centerline 147 of mug 120.

In the example illustrated, wall 46 has a height H extending above bottom 36. In one implementation, each of grippers 146 has a height of at least 4.2″, facilitating accommodation of a wide range of cup holders. In one implementation, each of grippers 146 has a height of no greater than 4.5 inches. In one implementation, wall 46 at least partially covers those portions of shell 42 between 2.5 inches and 4.2 inches above the bottom of mug 120.

As further shown by FIG. 9, in the example illustrated, the outermost surface of each of grippers 146 is uneven to facilitate gripping of the interior surface of the cup holder in which mug 120 is placed. Although illustrated as having a grid or array of chevrons, similar to a tractor tire tread, in other implementations, the outermost surface of each of grippers 146 may have other gripping configurations such as dimples, ribs, waves, bumps or other shapes. In other implementations, the outermost surface of each of grippers 146 may be smooth or even.

In the example illustrated, opposing grippers 146 provide a lower portion 60 with an uncompressed diameter DL and an upper portion 62 having an uncompressed diameter DU which is greater than diameter DL. In one implementation, each each of the grippers 146 come in the form of strips, is compressible by at least 0.125 inches, measured at a single point under manually applied force, wherein the single point is movable by a distance of at least 0.125 inches towards a centerline of mug 20. In one implementation, diameter DL is between 3.1″ and 2.4″, and nominally 2.7″. Diameter DU is between 3.9″ and 3.1″, and nominally 3.5″. In the example illustrated, lower portion 60 is compressible to a first radial extent while upper portion 62 is compressible to a second radial extent greater than the first extent. In one implementation, two opposing grippers 146 (grippers angularly spaced from one another by 180 degrees) are compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the lower portion 60 by at least 0.25″. Upper portion 62 is compressible so as to reduce an outer diameter of the upper portion by at least 0.5″. As a result, grippers 146 better accommodate differently configured cup holders of different dimensions and configurations.

As shown by FIG. 11, the outer walls or panels 149 of grippers 146 are spaced from the outermost radial or circumferential surface of shell 42 to form a gap, volume or chamber 151 facilitating resilient compression of grippers 146 radially inward to allow the shape of grippers 146 to change so as to conform to different configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the chamber 151 is filled with a fluid 153, a gas, such as air, or a liquid/gel, such as water. In another implementation, chamber 151 may be filled with another gas or liquid. In one implementation, liquid may comprise a liquid with a hike heat capacity (greater than water) such as a saline solution or ethanol.

Because chamber 151 of each of grippers 146 is filled with fluid 153, each gripper 146 may change shape to match cup holders having tapering interiors and cup holders having stepped interiors. Each of the chambers 151 of mug 120 may automatically adapt to different tapers as well as different step heights or shapes of different cup holders. As a result, mug 120 may dynamically adapt to different shaped interiors of different cup holders on different vehicles.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating another example mug 220. Mug 220 is similar to mug 120 except that chamber 151 of mug 220 is at least partially occupied by a solid material or materials that allow wall 149 and the associated gripper 146 to change shape. In one implementation, material 253 comprises particulate material, such as particles or beads, wherein the particles or beads may flow from one portion of chamber 151 to another portion of chamber 151. Once the particular beads have moved to different portion chamber 151, the particular beads remain in place with no force biasing such beads back to their prior location within chamber 151. As a result, the relocated particles or beads resulting from insertion of mug 120 into a cup holder are not resiliently repositioned and do not exert a force that would tend to urge mug 20 in directions out of the cup holder. In one implementation, each of the particles are each resiliently compressible. For example, in one implementation, each of the particles or beads may comprise a resiliently compressible rubber or foam, allowing resilient compression once the particular beads have moved to a different location within chamber 151. In another implementation, each of the particles or beads may be on compressible, such as beads formed from a solid and on compressible polymer. In one implementation, such beads may contain a material having a high heat capacity such as a saline solution or ethanol. In another implementation, such beads may be formed from copper.

In yet another implementation, chamber 151 may be filled with a solid material 153 comprising a compressible material such as a polyurethane or EVA foam. In one implementation, chamber 153 may be filled with a liquid foam which subsequently solidifies. In each of such embodiments, the chamber has a volume and a thickness such that outer wall 149 of each chamber 151 is manually compressible (under manual force applied by a person inserting mug 220 into a cup holder) at any one location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 120 by at least 0.125 inches.

In other implementations, each of grippers 146 may omit outer wall 149 and may be solid throughout, formed from a single material or composition, wherein the single material or composition is a rubber or foam like material that allows each of grippers 146 to be manually compressed inwardly, by manual insertion of mug 120 into a cup holder, by at least 0.125 inches.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another example mug 320. Mug 320 is similar to mug 20 except that mug 320 comprises rigid inner shell 342 and wall 346 in place of shell 42 and wall 46, respectively. Those remaining portions of mug 320 which correspond to portions of mug 20 are numbered similarly.

Rigid inner shell 142 is similar to shell 42 except that shell 142 is stepped, rather than being tapered, and forms a shoulder 343 comprises one or more walls that define the interior of cup portion 24. In the example illustrated, shell 342 comprises an inner shell wall 50 an outer shell wall 52 radially spaced from the inner shell wall 50. In the illustrated example, walls 50 and 52 are spaced or separated by a gap filled with a fluid, such as a liquid or air. In another implementation, walls 50 and 52 are spaced or separated by a gap filled with a foam or other thermal insulative material. In yet other implementations, rigid inner shell 342 may comprise a single wall or more than two walls.

Compressible outer wall 346 extends about shell 342 adjacent bottom 36. In the example illustrated, wall 346 extends outward from bottom 36 of shell 342 and vertically extends upwards to the outer perimeter of shoulder 343. In one implementation, the layer of material forming wall 346 is bendable or resiliently flexible, formed from a rubber, rubber-like or elastomeric material. Compressible outer wall 346 is configured to change shape and be compressed in response to being manually inserted into a cup holder so as to increase surface area contact of wall 346 with the interior of the cupholder. The increased surface area contact between wall 346 and the interior surfaces of cupholder 346 provide enhanced frictional retention of mug 320 within the cupholder. As a result, mug 320 is more securely retained within a cupholder despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement that may typically occur in a cupholder of the vehicle traversing rough or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor or other such vehicles.

In the example illustrated, outer wall 346 is spaced from the outermost radial or circumferential surface of shell 342 by a gap facilitating resilient compression of wall 346 radially inward to allow the shape of outer wall 346 to change to conform to different configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the gap separating outer wall 46 and the outermost circumferential surface of shell 342 forms chamber 351 which may be filled with a fluid 153 (described above), such as a gas or liquid or a solid material, such as material 253 (described above).

In one implementation, chamber 351 is filled with air at atmospheric pressure such that air within the chamber may flow as outer wall 46 changes shape in response to being contacting interior surfaces of the cup holder and being pressed inwards by the interior surfaces of the cup holder, wherein displaced air may flow to other portions of the chamber to equalize pressure within the chamber and deform such other portions of outer wall 346 further outwards into engagement with the interior surfaces of the cup holder that might otherwise be spaced from outer wall 46. For example, the air chamber may change shape to match cup holders having tapering interiors and cup holders having stepped interiors. The air chamber of mug 320 may automatically adapt to different papers as well as different step heights or shapes of different cup holders. As a result, mug 320 may dynamically adapt to different shaped interiors of different cup holders on different vehicles.

In another implementation, chamber 351 is filled with a resiliently compressible material such as a polyurethane or EVA foam. In each of such embodiments, the chamber 351 has a volume and a thickness such that outer wall 346 is manually compressible (under manual force applied by a person inserting mug 320 into a cup holder) at any one location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 320 by at least 0.125 inches. In one implementation, outer wall 346 is manually compressible at any one location, in a direction towards the centerline of mug 20 by at least 0.25 inches.

As with wall 46, in the example illustrated, the outermost surface of wall 346 is uneven to facilitate gripping of the interior surface of the cup holder in which mug 320 is placed. In one implementation, wall 346 has the same exterior surface is wall 46 described above. In other implementations, the outermost surface wall 346 may have other gripping configurations such as dimples, ribs, waves, bumps or other shapes. In other implementations, the outermost surface of wall 346 may be smooth or even.

In the example illustrated, wall 346 has a height H extending above bottom 36. In one implementation, height H is at least 4.2″, facilitating accommodation of a wide range of cup holders. In one implementation, each point along wall 346 is compressible by at least 0.125 inches, measured at a single point under manually applied force, wherein the single point is movable by a distance of at least 0.125 inches towards a centerline of mug 320. In other implementations, wall 346 may have other sizes, shapes and configurations.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another example mug 420, another example of mug 20 described above. Mug 420 is similar to mug 20 in all respects except that mug 420 comprises a horizontal strip or ring 446 extending about shell 42. Ring 446 is similar to gripper 146 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 except that ring 446 horizontally extends about shell or the two. Ring 446 at least partially covers those portions of shell 42 that extend between 2.5 inches and 4.2 inches above the bottom 36 of mug 420. As with each of grippers 146, ring 446 comprises a compressible layer of material that is bendable or resiliently flexible, such as a rubber, rubber-like or elastomeric material. At least a portion of each ring 446 is inwardly compressible towards the centerline 147 of mug 420 by at least 0.125 inches. Ring 446 is configured to change shape and be compressed in response to being manually inserted into a cup holder so as to increase surface area contact of ring 446 with the interior of the cup holder. The increased surface area contact between wall 46 and the interior surfaces of cup holder provide enhanced frictional retention of mug 420 within the cup holder. As a result, mug 420 is more securely retained within a cup holder despite vibrations and abrupt upwards and downwards movement that may typically occur in a cup holder of the vehicle traversing rough or uneven terrain, such as a lawnmower, a garden tractor, a tractor or other such vehicles.

As shown by FIG. 15, the outer walls or panels 449 of ring 446 are spaced from the outermost radial or circumferential surface of shell 42 to form a gap, volume or chamber 451 facilitating resilient compression of ring 446 radially inward to allow the shape of ring 446 to change so as to conform to different configurations of cup holders. In one implementation, the chamber 451 is filled with a fluid 153 (described above), a gas, such as air, or a liquid/gel, such as water. In another implementation, chamber 451 may be filled with another gas or liquid. In one implementation, liquid may comprise a liquid with a hike heat capacity (greater than water) such as a saline solution or ethanol.

In yet another implementation, ring 446 may be filled with a solid material or solid materials, such as materials 253 described above, so as to be manually compressible towards centerline 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. In yet other implementations, ring 446 may be solid throughout, wherein the material, such as rubber or a foam, has a sufficient amount of compressibility such that the center of each dome is compressible towards the centerline 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. Although mug 420 is illustrated as comprising a single ring, in other implementations, mug 420 may comprise multiple vertically spaced rings, each ring being similar to ring 446.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate mug 520, another example of mug 20. Mug 520 comprises cup holder grippers 546 arranged in an array of spaced semi-spherical domes extending or projecting from the outer surface of shell 42 about centerline 147. In one implementation, each of the domes, serving as cup holder grippers 546, have an interior chamber 551 may be filled with a fluid, such as fluid 153 described above, so as to be manually compressible towards center line 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. In yet another implementation, each of the domes, serving as grippers 546, may be filled with a solid material or solid materials, such as materials 253 described above, so as to be manually compressible towards centerline 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches. In yet other implementations, each of the domes, serving as grippers 546, may be solid throughout, wherein the material, such as rubber or a foam, has a sufficient amount of compressibility such that the center of each dome is compressible towards the centerline 147 of the mug by at least 0.125 inches.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)