Patent Grant
11358853
The present invention relates generally to holster assemblies and, more particularly, relates to holster assemblies operably configured to hold and retain a soda or other liquid dispensing gun.
Whether it is a busy restaurant or bar or for personal use, many users desire to dispense liquid in a fast and effective manner. Dispensing from a “bar gun” or “soda gun,” instead of directly from a container, results in a liquid drink being freshly carbonated at the same temperature and pressure when it will be consumed. In most instances this is done by mixing a syrup with a water at the last possible stage, thereby saving energy and overall costs associated with transporting the syrup. The main benefit for commercial drink establishments is the time it takes to dispense drinks because drinks do not need to be retrieved and they can be poured faster than from a drink housed in a container. The soda gun is a device used by many users to serve various types of carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. A soda gun has the ability to serve any beverage that is some combination of syrup, water, and/or carbon dioxide. This includes soft drinks, iced tea, carbonated water, and plain water. When served from a soda gun, these are often known as fountain drinks.
While dispensing with a soda gun is desired by many users, it does come with some drawbacks. The cost of a soda gun can be relatively expensive, so preventing inadvertent dislodging and damage to the soda gun is desired. In an attempt to solve this problem, some devices utilize an annular shaped socket that protrudes from underneath a countertop and that is lined with a deformably resilient material, such as rubber. In practice, the user will insert the nozzle portion of the soda gun into a socket aperture and the soda gun will be retained by the rubber-lined sidewall of the socket. Problematically, however, the soda gun still prone to being inadvertently hit, dislodged, and/or damaged by users. Further, the soda gun is prone to leaking after use, thereby causing floors to be slippery and posing a safety risk to users. Additionally, those known holsters for a soda gun also do not effectively prevent damage to the soda gun when it is inserted, retained, and/or removed, thereby causing users loss profits and reduced productivity when the soda gun is damaged.
Additionally, liquid dispensing guns are also accessed numerous times a day by many users. Since these dispensing guns are plumbed back to a manifold body via a multi-conductor loomed/sheathed connection, the positioning of the dispenser is limited and somewhat controlled by the flexibility of this connection and weight of this tethered connection. This alone can be responsible for unintentionally removing the dispenser from a holstered position since the combination results in the bar gun resting at odd angles and can literally pry the bar gun loose from its retaining grommet. Also, normal use of dispensing gun will invariably foul the rubber-lined sidewall with fluid residue, producing a slippery and less reliable surface for gripping the nozzle end. The resulting effect from either will cause the dispenser to fall free from the holster and either become damaged from impact of surrounding equipment and/or the floor or biologically contaminated from contact with surfaces. Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
The invention provides a soda gun holster assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that safely, effectively, and efficiently retains and houses a soda gun.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a soda gun holster assembly that includes a holster mounting bracket with an upper face and a lower face opposing the upper face of the mounting bracket and a holster housing coupled to the lower face of the holster mounting bracket. The holster housing has a sidewall surrounding and defining a soda gun storage zone and at least two opposing side terminal ends defining a first end of the holster housing and a housing opening spatially coupled to the soda gun storage zone, wherein the first end of the holster housing opposes a second end of the holster housing and the holster housing defines a housing length separating the first and second ends of the holster housing. The soda gun holster assembly also includes an upper end and a lower end, the holster housing defining a nozzle translation channel disposed along the housing length and at the lower end of the holster housing and a flexible U-shaped clip coupled to the sidewall and having a continuous sidewall with at least two opposing terminal ends defining a single clip opening spatially coupled to the nozzle translation channel and a nozzle receiving channel defined by an inner surface of the continuous sidewall. The U-shaped clip has two opposing portions thereon with a rounded outer surface separating and defining a clip entrance width less than a diameter of the nozzle receiving channel, wherein the two opposing portions interpose the nozzle receiving channel and the at least two opposing terminal ends of the flexible U-shaped clip.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the upper face of the holster mounting bracket is substantially planar and the holster mounting bracket is selectively removably couplable to the holster housing with at least one fastener.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the nozzle receiving channel is disposed proximal to the second end of the holster housing and is of an annular shape.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower guide member disposed proximal and coupled to the first end of the holster housing, wherein the lower guide member has an upper concave surface at least partially facing the nozzle translation channel. In one embodiment, the upper concave surface of the lower guide member is disposed in an upwardly sloped configuration toward the first end of the holster housing.
In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes an upper guide member disposed proximal and coupled to the lower face of the mounting bracket, wherein the upper guide member has a side guide member and a top guide member both partially defining the soda gun storage zone. The top guide member may be of a plurality of cascading wall portions extending downwardly away from the lower face of the mounting bracket and into the soda gun storage zone and in a direction toward the flexible U-shaped clip.
In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a liquid capturing basin having a sidewall with an upper edge directly coupled to the lower end of the holster housing, a bottom wall coupled to the sidewall of the liquid capturing basin, and a spout with a spout opening, wherein the sidewall of the liquid capturing basin surrounds and defines, with the bottom wall of the liquid capturing basin, a liquid capturing cavity.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the nozzle receiving channel of the U-shaped clip is disposed in an overlapping configuration with respect to the spout opening.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the liquid capturing basin having a first end and a second end opposing the first end of the liquid capturing basin, wherein the spout opening is disposed proximal to the second end of the liquid capturing basin and the bottom wall of the liquid capturing basin is disposed in a downwardly sloped configuration in a direction away from the first end of the liquid capturing basin and toward the first end of the liquid capturing basin.
In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the liquid capturing basin having at least two flexible locking tab members each coupled to the liquid capturing basin and extending outwardly away from and passed the upper edge of the sidewall of the liquid capturing basin, the liquid capturing basin selectively removably coupled to the holster housing through the least two flexible locking tab members.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a soda gun holster assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user's perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the housing spanning from the first end to the second end of the housing.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient soda gun holster assembly that effectively, safely, and efficiently retains a soda gun in an orientation desired by many users. Embodiments of the invention provide a part of the soda gun holster assembly that effectively and efficiently retains and directs errant, dripped, or other liquid from the soda gun to an area where it can be evacuated to an open drain system and/or serviced by when desired by the users.
Referring now to
While the term “soda gun” is used for conveying the principal application of the assembly 100, those of skill in the art will appreciate that any type of liquid may be dispensed therefrom and the soda gun 208 may take other shapes or forms that still enable the assembly 100 to be effectively, safely, and efficiently used therewith.
In one embodiment, the bracket 102 and holster housing 104 may be formed of a single piece of substantially rigid material, such as 13% glass-filled PA66 Nylon or polypropylene with a hardness of approximately 30-60 Shore D. In other embodiments, the bracket 102 and holster housing 104 may be formed separately and directly coupled to together using one or more fasteners 500a-n, wherein “n” represents any number greater than one. As seen best in
Still referring to
To permit quick and effective removal and storage of the soda gun 208, in addition to repeated proper positioning and orientation of the soda gun 208, the sidewall 108 of the holster housing 104 has at least two opposing side terminal ends 802, 804 defining a first end 400 of the holster housing 104 and a housing opening 806 spatially coupled to the soda gun storage zone 700. The first end 400 of the holster housing 104 opposes a second end 402 of the holster housing 104 and the holster housing defines a housing length 1000 separating the first and second ends 400, 402 of the holster housing 104. In one embodiment, the housing opening 806 is approximately 2-3 inches spanning from the two opposing side terminal ends 802, 804 and the housing length is approximately 4-5 inches. The height of the housing 104 spanning from a lower end 900 of the housing 104 to the upper end 506 of the housing may be approximately 3-4 inches. Other dimensional magnitudes, however, are contemplated based on the design application of the assembly 100.
The holster housing 104 also defines a nozzle translation channel 700 disposed along the housing length 1000 and at the lower end 900 of the holster housing 104. The nozzle translation channel 700 provides an opening where the nozzle end 412 of the soda gun 208 and move linearly back-and-forth within the housing 104 without damaging the soda gun 208. The width 1002 of the nozzle translation channel 700 and the width 1004 of the holster housing 104 may be approximately 1-2 inches. Said another way, the nozzle translation channel 700 also provides a channel for moving the soda gun 208 to and from the flexible U-shaped clip 110 for attachment thereto. Said another way, the internal sidewall configuration and channel 700 of the holster housing 104 effectively guides the sides of the soda gun 208 to the U-shaped clip 110 with minimizing the contact of the nozzle with any surface or structure (thereby reducing the likelihood of damaging the nozzle).
The flexible U-shaped clip 110 may be coupled to the sidewall 108 and preferably has a continuous sidewall 112 with at least two opposing terminal ends 902, 904 unattached from the holster housing 104 and defining a single clip opening 906 spatially coupled to the nozzle translation channel 700 and a nozzle receiving channel 908 defined by an inner surface 808 of the continuous sidewall 112. As best seen in
To facilitate in the attachment of the U-shaped clip 110 with the soda gun 208, the U-shaped clip 110 has two opposing portions 910, 912 thereon with a rounded outer surface 914, 916 separating and defining an clip entrance width 918 less than a diameter 920 of the nozzle receiving channel 908. The two opposing portions 910 interpose the nozzle receiving channel 908 and the at least two opposing terminal ends 902, 904 of the flexible U-shaped clip 110. In one embodiment, the clip entrance width 918 and the diameter 920 of the nozzle receiving channel 908 are approximately 1.2 inches and 1.5 inches, respectively. Said dimensions may vary, however, depending on the nozzle diameter of the soda gun 208. In one embodiment, the two opposing portions of the flexible U-shaped clip are disposed in a symmetrically arcuate configuration with respect to one another, but in other embodiments said configuration may vary.
The rounded outer surface 914, 916 of the U-shaped clip 110 facilitates in enabling the nozzle of the soda gun 208 to quickly and safely move the soda gun 208 in and out of the U-shaped clip 110. In one embodiment, the flexible U-shaped clip 110, namely the nozzle receiving channel 808, is disposed proximal to the second end 402 of the holster housing 104, i.e., at or within 5-10% of the housing length 1000 of the second end 402, to safely displace the soda gun 208 away from inadvertent user contact when stored in the holster assembly 100. Additionally, the nozzle receiving channel 808 is also preferably of an annular shape to provide continuous support and contact with the nozzle of the soda gun 208. In some embodiments, the U-shaped clip 110 may also have a locking member coupled thereto that is operably configured to selectively removably lock into place with respect to the clip 110 to lock the soda gun 208 when retained by the clip 110. Said another way, the locking member will be able to prevent bi-directional longitudinal movement of the soda gun 208 when retained by the clip 110.
With reference to
With reference to
In one embodiment, the nozzle receiving channel 908 of the U-shaped clip 110 is disposed in an overlapping configuration with respect to the spout opening 300 to ensure the nozzle opening 414 is directly above the spout opening 416 defined by the inner surface of the bottom wall 404. The liquid capturing basin 200 may also include a first end 408 and a second end 410, opposing the first end 408 of the liquid capturing basin 200, wherein the spout opening 300 is disposed proximal to the second end 410 of the liquid capturing basin 200 and the bottom wall 404 of the liquid capturing basin 200 is disposed in a downwardly sloped configuration in a direction away from the first end 408 of the liquid capturing basin 200 and toward the first end 408 of the liquid capturing basin 200. The internal sidewalls of the basin 200 may also be sloped toward the spout 204. As such, any pooling liquid will be effectively directed toward the spout 204. As best shown in
In one embodiment, the liquid capturing basin 200 is formed as one piece with the housing 104. In other embodiments, the liquid capturing basin 200 is selectively removably couplable to the housing 104. To effectuate the same, the liquid capturing basin 200 may include at least two flexible locking tab members 602a-b each coupled to the liquid capturing basin 200 and extending outwardly away from and passed the upper edge 502 of the sidewall 202 of the liquid capturing basin 200. As such, the liquid capturing basin 200 may be selectively removably coupled to the holster housing 104 through the least two flexible locking tab members 602a-b. This connection enables quick and effective coupling and removal of the liquid capturing basin 200 for disposal of any liquid housed within the liquid capturing basin 200. More specifically, the flexible locking tab members 602a-b are shaped and sized to be received within corresponding apertures defined on the housing 104, wherein the flexible locking tab members 602a-b also have one or more flanges thereon that are operably configured to prevent upward and downward movement of the basin 200 when coupled to the housing 104. The liquid capturing basin 200 may also include one or more alignment tabs 1200a-n operably configured to ensure the liquid capturing basin 200 is effectively and quickly coupled with the housing 104.
Although a specific order of carrying out a process of making and using the soda gun holster assembly has been described, the order of executing steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps described or shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps can be combined into a single process.
Additionally, various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure for the soda gun holster assembly. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2019/041732 | 7/12/2019 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2021/010950 | 1/21/2021 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210354973 A1 | Nov 2021 | US |
