US20040238706A1

US20040238706A1 - Pressure sensitive self adhering pendulous cup holder

Info

Publication number: US20040238706A1
Application number: US10/444,644
Authority: US
Inventors: Salvatore Mancuso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-27
Filing date: 2003-05-27
Publication date: 2004-12-02

Abstract

A beverage holder for adhering to planar surfaces. The beverage holder assembly pivotally attaches to planar surfaces utilizing a pressure sensitive adhesive, whereby the beverage holder assembly maintains an open top beverage container, placed therein, in an upright position despite changes in the orientation of the planar surface.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a beverage holder and more, particularly, to a self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly that maintains a beverage therein in an upright position despite changes in orientation of the object in which the beverage holder assembly is attached.

There are numerous beverage holders currently available for a wide variety of applications. Some of these beverage holders include mechanisms that allow the beverage holder to pendulate whereas other cup holders are stationary. Many of these beverage holders are adjustable, require a great number of parts, require complicated installation, or may be poorly manufactured whereas the construction or design does not offer a strong long lasting device. Current beverage holders may be cost prohibitive to manufacture, do not provide the requisite stability, or fail to prevent the beverage from spilling while being transported. Attachment of the beverage holders to the object of interest generally requires a mechanical fastener system such as a nut and bolt assembly. As such, the attachment mechanism generally requires the object to which the beverage holder is fastened to be permanently altered to provide the attachments means. For example, a beverage holder attached to a toolbox requires throughholes in a lid portion to secure attachment by a bolt and nut. However, the throughhole renders the interior of the toolbox susceptible to the environment. For example, tradesmen generally carry the toolbox to and from a worksite, which potentially exposes the toolbox to rain, dust, dirt, and the like. Exposure of the environment can readily cause damage to the tools contained in the toolbox.

Therefore, a need exist for an inexpensive beverage holder apparatus that is relatively simple, easily installed, and can be used on a variety of applications without the need for altering the object to which it is to be fastened.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a self-adhering pivotal beverage holder for attachment to planar surfaces, wherein the planar surface is free from alterations. The self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly for attachment to an object comprises a stationary member comprising a planar surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the planar surface, and a threaded aperture; a beverage holder portion including a cylindrical body having an open top portion and a rigid arm extending tangentially and perpendicularly from the cylindrical body, wherein the rigid arm includes an aperture at an arm end; and a shoulder bolt adapted to pivotally attach the beverage holder portion to the stationary arm, wherein the shoulder bolt includes a head portion, a smooth shaft portion extending from the head portion, and a threaded portion extending from the smooth shaft, whereby the beverage holder assembly maintains open top liquid containers in an upright position despite changes in the orientation of the object.

In another embodiment, a toolbox comprises a hinged lid portion including a plurality of vertically extending sidewalls; a self adhering beverage holder assembly affixed to a selected one of the plurality of vertically extending sidewalls, wherein the selected one is free of alterations to receive the beverage holder assembly, and wherein the beverage holder assembly comprises a stationary member comprising a planar surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the planar surface, and a threaded aperture; a beverage holder portion including a cylindrical body having an open top portion and a rigid arm extending tangentially and perpendicularly from the cylindrical body, wherein the rigid arm includes an aperture at an arm end; and a shoulder bolt adapted to pivotally attach the beverage holder portion to the stationary arm, wherein the shoulder bolt includes a head portion, a smooth shaft portion extending from the head portion, and a threaded portion extending from the smooth shaft, whereby the beverage holder assembly maintains open top liquid containers in an upright position despite changes in the orientation of the object.

The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments and wherein the like elements are numbered alike: [0007]
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a self-adhering pivotable beverage holder assembly for adhering to a planar surface; [0008]
FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the self-adhering pivotable beverage holder assembly; [0009]
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the self-adhering pivotable beverage holder assembly; [0010]
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the pressure sensitive self-adhering pivotable beverage holder; [0011]
FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a self-adhering pivotable beverage holder assembly in accordance with another embodiment; and [0012]
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the self-adhering pivotable beverage holder assembly shown in FIG. 5.[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly for attachment to planar surfaces, wherein the planar surface is free from alterations. Advantageously, the pivotal beverage holder assembly includes a pressure sensitive adhesive material for attachment to planar surfaces without the need to alter the planar surface. Moreover, the pivotal beverage holder includes a pivot mechanism that maintains a vertical orientation of the beverage once attached to prevent spillage of a liquid contained therein. Thus, the pivotal beverage holder assembly is designed to maintain and transport open top containers such as cups, travel mugs, water bottles, and cans containing liquids. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage holder assembly is affixed to a non-stationary planar surface with an adhesive, thereby enabling the user the ability to change the orientation of the planar surface without tipping the container or spilling the beverage. For example, the beverage holder assembly can be attached to a lid of a toolbox to permit the user to open and close the toolbox without spilling the beverage and without having to alter the toolbox to accept the beverage holder assembly. Other embodiments contemplated include, but are not intended to be limited to, attachment to stationary surfaces such as tabletops and bench tops. [0014]
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown in accordance with one embodiment an exemplary pivotal beverage holder assembly generally designated by [0015] reference numeral 10. The illustrated beverage holder is shown affixed to a vertically oriented planar surface 12, e.g., the side of a toolbox hinged lid portion. The assembly 10 generally includes a stationary member 14, a beverage holder 16, and a pivotable arm 18. As will be discussed in greater detail, an adhesive layer is applied to the stationary member 14 for securely adhering the beverage holder assembly 10 to the vertical surface 12 without the need for altering the vertical surface 12. The beverage holder assembly 10 is preferably fabricated from a plastic material, although other materials can be used, e.g., metal, wood, and the like.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the [0016] beverage holder 16 is an open top cylindrically shaped container that includes a cup-receiving portion 20, a generally concave interior bottom surface 22, and an aperture 24 that is centrally located in the concave interior bottom surface 22 for permitting liquid to exit the cylindrical body 16, e.g., condensation, spillage, rainwater, and the like. The pivotable arm 18 extends from the cup-receiving portion 20 and can be integral with the cup-receiving portion 20 or attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body 16 and the pivotable arm 18 are jointly machined or molded from a plastic material. Thus, the pivotable arm 18 extends tangentially and substantially perpendicularly from the cylindrical body 16 or is integrated therewith extending perpendicularly from the beverage holder 16. The pivotable arm 18 includes at least one aperture 26 distally spaced from the cup-receiving portion 20.
As shown, the [0017] stationary member 14 comprises a substantially rectangular planar shape. Many other shapes and configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. The stationary member 14 includes a threaded aperture 28 preferably adapted for receiving a bolt 30 for attaching the pivotable arm to the stationary member 14. In the preferred embodiment, the pivotable arm 18 is attached to the stationary member 14 by means of a shoulder bolt. The shoulder bolt 30 includes an engageable head 36, a smooth shaft portion 34 extending from the head 36, and a threaded shaft portion 38 extending from the smooth shaft portion 34. The smooth shaft portion 34 and a threaded shaft portion 38 of the shoulder bolt 30 is inserted through aperture 24 of the pivotable arm 18 and subsequently threaded into the threaded aperture 28 of the stationary member 14 for pivotally attaching the pivotable arm 18 (and beverage holder 16) to the first stationary member 14. The shoulder bolt 30 as described herein permits the pivotable arm 18 and beverage holder 16 to pivot as shown in FIG. 2.
The [0018] stationary arm 14 also includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 32 disposed on a surface thereof. During use, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 32 of the stationary arm 14 is pressed into adhesive contact with object surface 12 to which attachment is desired. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 32 may be protected with a removable protective layer 40 that is preferably removed prior to use. In this manner, once the stationary member 14 is adhesively attached to the surface 12, the beverage holder 16 can freely pivot to allow for changes in the orientation of the surface 12.
In another embodiment, the means for attaching the [0019] pivot arm 16 to a planar surface 12 includes an L shaped bracket 42, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The L shaped bracket 42 includes two portions 44 and 46 perpendicularly oriented with respect to each other. Portion 44 includes the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 32 disposed on a planar surface that is adapted to adhesively contact the surface 12. Portion 46 includes an aperture 48 for securing the pivotable arm 18 to the object once the bracket 40 is adhesively attached to the surface 12 thereof. Aperture 48 may be threaded as previously described, or shoulder bolt 30 could extend its smooth shaft portion through the aperture and be secured with a threaded nut 50 as shown in FIG. 5.
Once the [0020] beverage holder assembly 10 is adhesively secured to a planar surface of the object, the pivotable arm 18 provides a pendulous mechanism to the assembly, which can be used to maintain a beverage contained in the cup-receiving portion 20 in an upright position despite a change in orientation of the planar surface 12 to which it is adhesively attached. For example, if secured to a vertical sidewall of a toolbox having a hinged lid, lifting the lid will cause the pivot arm to pivot with respect to the stationary member. As a result, the beverage will remain in the upright position thereby minimizing spillage.
According to the foregoing, the advantages of the disclosure include at least the following: [0021]
1. provides a convenient way for a user to affix a beverage holder apparatus to a plurality of applications; [0022]
2. provides a way for a user of toolboxes to transport beverage containers without carrying the container; [0023]
3. provides an inherent place to put the beverage container and insure the physical security of the container during transport; [0024]
4. provides a beverage holder apparatus that is collapsible along with the lid of the tool box allowing an inherent place to put a beverage container while working with tools and allowing the container to pendulate out of the way when opening the lid; [0025]
5. provides a beverage holder apparatus that may be pivotally adhered to a plurality of applications utilizing an L shaped bracket; [0026]
6. provides a beverage holder apparatus that may be pivotally adhered to a plurality of applications utilizing a stationary arm; [0027]
7. provides a beverage holder apparatus that may be mounted on the right or left side of an application; and [0028]
8. provides a beverage holder apparatus that may be adhered on the right or left side on the hood of a lawn tractor and allow the cup holder to pendulate while the user is cutting the lawn or raising the hood and checking the oil or adding fuel. [0029]
While the disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. [0030]

Claims

1. A self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly for attachment to an object, comprising:

a stationary member comprising a planar surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the planar surface, and a threaded aperture;

a beverage holder portion including a cylindrical body having an open top portion and a rigid arm extending tangentially and perpendicularly from the cylindrical body, wherein the rigid arm includes an aperture at an arm end; and

a shoulder bolt adapted to pivotally attach the beverage holder portion to the stationary member, wherein the shoulder bolt includes a head portion, a smooth shaft portion extending from the head portion, and a threaded portion extending from the smooth shaft, wherein the threaded portion is threadingly engaged with the threaded aperture of the stationary member, whereby the beverage holder assembly maintains open top liquid containers in an upright position despite changes in the orientation of the object.

2. The self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body comprises a plastic material.

3. The self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer includes a removable protective layer.

4. The self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the stationary member comprises an L-shaped bracket.

5. The self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the stationary member comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

6. The self-adhering pivotal beverage holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the rigid arm is integrally formed with the cylindrical body.

7. A toolbox comprising:

a hinged lid portion including a plurality of vertically extending sidewalls;

a self adhering beverage holder assembly affixed to a selected one of the plurality of vertically extending sidewalls, wherein the selected one is free of alterations to receive the beverage holder assembly, and wherein the beverage holder assembly comprises:

a shoulder bolt adapted to pivotally attach the beverage holder portion to the stationary arm, wherein the shoulder bolt includes a head portion, a smooth shaft portion extending from the head portion, and a threaded portion extending from the smooth shaft, wherein the threaded portion is threadingly engaged with the threaded aperture of the stationary member, whereby the beverage holder assembly maintains open top liquid containers in an upright position despite changes in the orientation of the object.

8. The toolbox according to claim 7, wherein the beverage holder assembly comprises a plastic material.

9. The toolbox according to claim 7, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer includes a removable protective layer.

10. The toolbox according to claim 7, wherein the stationary member comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

11. The toolbox according to claim 7, wherein the rigid arm is integrally formed with the cylindrical body.