Patent Application
20190387906
The present invention generally relates to cup holders. More specifically, the present invention is beverage cup that is mountable and collapsible.
Drinking cups are a staple at any social event. However, it is difficult to maneuver throughout a social event while holding both food and beverage and maintaining conversation or participating in activities. The best solution to this problem is to rest the drinking cup on a table or flat surface. This however allows an individual to easily forget about his or her beverage and does not protect the drinking cup from being toppled.
The present invention allows a user to safely mount and easily retrieve his or her beverage. The present invention is a modular beverage holder that is easy to wash and store. The present invention requires the least amount of space as the collapsible cup may be fully retracted.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a standing telescopic beverage cup that both effectively contains a beverage and is portable. The present invention also mounts the beverage into the ground in order for the beverage to be easily accessible while not being consumed or held by the user. In order for the present invention to effectively contain a beverage while being, to be easily transported, and to be easily mounted, the present invention comprises a collapsible cup 1, a base plate 5, a main slot 7, a telescopic post 8, and a stake 19. The collapsible cup 1 contains the beverage. The base plate 5 upholds and positions the beverage. The main slot 7 receives and secures the telescopic post 8 to the base plate 5. The telescopic post 8 uplifts the base plate 5, and consequently the collapsible cup 1, above the ground. The stake 19 fastens the telescopic post 8 into the ground.
The overall configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to effectively contain a beverage and be securely mounted into the ground. The collapsible cup 1 is connected adjacent to the base plate 5 and is concentrically positioned with the base plate 5, allowing the base plate 5 to support and balance the collapsible cup 1. More specifically, an opening of the collapsible cup 1 is positioned opposite the base plate 5, wherein the opening is defined by a rim of the collapsible cup 1. This arrangement not only allows the user to drink from the collapsible cup 1 but allows the collapsible cup 1 to be refilled. In order for the telescopic post 8 to uphold the base plate 5 without traversing through the opening of the collapsible cup 1, the main slot 7 traverses into the base plate 5, opposite the collapsible cup 1. The telescopic post 8 is threadedly engaged with the main slot 7 so that the telescopic post 8 is removable from the base plate 5. Moreover, the telescopic post 8 is concentrically positioned with the collapsible cup 1, further balancing the collapsible cup 1 and the beverage within the collapsible cup 1. In order to fix the collapsible cup 1 with the ground, the stake 19 is terminally fixed to the telescopic post 8, positioned opposite the base plate 5. The stake 19 tapers from a proximal end 20 to a distal end 21, thereby facilitating the insertion of the stake 19 into the ground. More specifically, the distal end 21 is positioned opposite the proximal end 20 about the stake 19.
In order to store the collapsible cup 1 and prevent the cup from expanding, the present invention further comprises a cover 30. A second rim 31 of the cover 30 is removably attached to a first rim 6 of the base plate 5 over the collapsible cup 1 so that the collapsible cup 1 is contained between the cover 30 and the base plate 5 while in a collapsed configuration. The cover 30 is therefore able to store and protect the collapsible cup 1 from the surrounding environment.
The collapsible cup 1 is able to transform from the collapsed configuration into an expanded configuration as the collapsible cup 1 comprises a proximal cylindrical member 2, a distal cylindrical member 3, and a plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4. The proximal cylindrical member 2, the distal cylindrical member 3, and the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 contains a beverage with the base plate 5. More specifically, the distal cylindrical member 3 allows a user to drink the beverage from the collapsible cup 1. The plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 defines the height of the collapsible cup 1 and allows the collapsible cup 1 to contain a volume of the beverage. The proximal cylindrical member 2 mounts the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 to the base plate 5. In order for the proximal cylindrical member 2 to mount the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4, the proximal cylindrical member 2 is connected adjacent to the base plate 5. The plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 is positioned in between the proximal cylindrical member 2 and the distal cylindrical member 3, thereby allowing the collapsible cup 1 to contain a beverage while in the expanded configuration. Moreover, the proximal cylindrical member 2, the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4, and the distal cylindrical member 3 are positioned in series with each other.
The collapsible cup 1 is able to be effectively stored and is able to contain a beverage as the proximal cylindrical member 2, the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4, and the distal cylindrical member 3 are telescopically engaged with each other. While in the collapsed configuration, the distal cylindrical member 3 is positioned adjacent the base plate 5. While in the expanded configuration, the distal cylindrical member 3 is positioned opposite the base plate 5, across the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 and the proximal cylindrical member 2. Moreover, each of the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 are positioned adjacent to each other.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a friction-inducing layer 32. The friction-inducing layer 32 secures the position of the distal cylindrical member 3 adjacent the base plate 5. The friction-inducing layer 32 traverses along the first rim 6 of the base plate 5 and is positioned in between the collapsible cup 1 and the first rim 6. This arrangement allows the friction-inducing layer 32 to frictionally engage with the distal cylindrical member 3 while in the collapsed configuration, thereby preventing the plurality of intermediate cylindrical members 4 from sliding.
This alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises at least one hook 33 in order to secure the friction-inducing layer 32. The at least one hook 33 holds the friction-inducing layer 32 against the base plate 5. The at least one hook 33 comprises a fixed end 34 and a free end 35. The fixed end 34 connects the at least one hook 33 to the first rim 6, and the free end 35 presses the friction-inducing layer 32 against the base plate 5. Moreover, the fixed end 34 is fixed to the first rim 6, and the free end 35 is positioned adjacent the friction-inducing layer 32.
In order to ensure the present invention is balanced, especially while mounted into the ground, the present invention further comprises a bubble leveler 36. The bubble leveler 36 is mounted onto the base plate 5 as the base plate 5 upholds the collapsible cup 1, and the base plate 5 is positioned in between the collapsible cup 1 and the telescopic post 8. The bubble leveler 36 is positioned adjacent the collapsible cup 1 in order for the user to be able to easily see, and thereby use, bubble leveler 36. More specifically, the bubble leveler 36 is concentrically positioned with the collapsible cup 1, ensuring the balance of the beverage within the collapsible cup 1.
The stake 19 of present invention is able to mount and stabilize the base plate 5 and the collapsible cup 1 as the stake 19 comprises a shaft 22, a plurality of blades 23, and a pointed base 26. The shaft 22 connects the stake 19 to the telescopic post 8. The plurality of blades 23 latches the stake 19 into the ground, and the pointed base 26 facilitates the insertion of the stake 19 into the ground. The shaft 22 is terminally fixed to the telescopic post 8, opposite the base plate 5, in order for the telescopic post 8 to be mounted and the beverage to be contained within the collapsible cup 1. The telescopic post 8 is oriented perpendicular to the ground as the shaft 22 is preferably concentrically positioned with the telescopic post 8. The plurality of blades 23 traverse along the shaft 22 and is radially distributed around the shaft 22. This arrangement stabilizes the telescopic post 8 with the ground, and consequently the base plate 5 and the collapsible cup 1 above the ground. The pointed base 26 is fixed to the shaft 22, opposite the telescopic post 8, thereby reducing the amount of force required by the user to push the stake 19 into the ground. More specifically, the distal end 21 is terminally positioned with the pointed base 26, opposite the shaft 22, and the plurality of blades 23 tapers from the proximal end 20 to the pointed base 26. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of blades 23 comprises a first blade 24 and a second blade 25. The first blade 24 is positioned opposite the second blade 25 about the shaft 22.
In order for the height of the apparatus to be adjustable and secure, the telescopic post 8 comprises a connecting rod 9, a first slideable tube 10, a second slideable tube 11, and a locking mechanism 12. The connecting rod 9 connects the base plate 5 to the first slideable tube 10. The first slideable tube 10 and the second slideable tube 11 vary the height of the telescopic post 8, and consequently the height of the present invention. The locking mechanism 12 fixes a desired height of the telescopic post 8 and the position of the first slideable tube 10 and the second slideable tube 11. The overall configuration for the aforementioned components of the telescopic post 8 allows the height of the telescopic post 8 to vary while being able to effectively support the base plate 5 and the collapsible cup 1. The telescopic post 8 is attached to the base plate 5 as the connecting rod 9 is fixed to the base plate 5, opposite the collapsible cup 1. The first slideable tube 10 is positioned in between the connecting rod 9 and the second slideable tube 11, and the stake 19 is fixed to the second slideable tube 11, opposite the first slideable tube 10.
More specifically, the connecting rod 9, the first slideable tube 10, and the second slideable tube 11 is positioned in series with each other. The height of the telescopic tube is adjustable as the connecting rod 9, the first slideable tube 10, and the second slideable tube 11 are telescopically engaged with each other. In order to fix the desired positions of the first slideable tube 10 along the connecting rod 9 and the position of the second slideable tube 11 along the first slideable rod, the locking mechanism 12 is operatively integrated into the connecting rod 9, the first slideable tube 10, and the second slideable tube 11. The locking mechanism 12 is used to adjust and fix a total length for the telescopic post 8.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 12 comprises a first spring-loaded button 13, a second spring-loaded button 14, a plurality of first holes 15, and a plurality of second holes 16. The first spring-loaded button 13 fixes the first slideable tube 10 along the connecting rod 9 with the plurality of first holes 15. Similarly, the second spring-loaded button 14 fixes the second slideable tube 11 along the first slideable tube 10 with the plurality of second holes 16. The fixed desired positions of the first slideable tube 10 and the second slideable tube 11 are released upon the retraction of the first spring-loaded button 13 and the second spring-loaded button 14, respectively. The user presses the first spring-loaded button 13 and the second spring-loaded button 14 in order for the first spring-loaded button 13 and the second spring-loaded button 14 to be in a retracted configuration, respectively. While in a retracted configuration, the first slideable tube 10 and the second slideable tube 11 are free. In order for the first spring-loaded button 13 to fix the position of the first slideable tube 10 along the connecting rod 9, the first spring-loaded button 13 is laterally mounted into the connecting rod 9. The slideable distance of the first slideable tube 10 is maximized as the first spring-loaded button 13 is terminally positioned along the connecting rod 9, opposite the base plate 5. The plurality of first holes 15 readily receives the first spring-loaded button 13 as the plurality of first holes 15 traverses along and through the first slideable tube 10. Similarly, in order for the second spring-loaded button 14 to fix the position of the second slideable tube 11 along the first slideable tube 10, the second spring-loaded button 14 is terminally positioned along the first slideable tube 10, adjacent the second slideable tube 11. The slideable distance of the second slideable tube 11 is maximized as the second spring-loaded button 14 is terminally positioned along the first slideable tube 10, adjacent the second slideable tube 11. The plurality of second holes 16 readily receives the second spring-loaded button 14 as the plurality of second holes 16 traverses along and through the second slideable tube 11.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the pressing of the first spring-loaded button 13 and the second spring-loaded button 14 is facilitated as the alternate embodiment further comprises a set of first notches 17 and a set of second notches 18. The set of first notches 17 traverses into the first slideable tube 10 and is distributed along the first slideable tube 10. More specifically, each of the set of first notches 17 is positioned adjacent a corresponding hole of the plurality of first holes 15. Similarly, the set of second notches 18 traverses into the second slideable tube 11 and is distributed along the second slideable tube 11. More specifically, each of the second set of notches is positioned adjacent a corresponding hole of the plurality of second holes 16.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
