CUP HOLDER ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A cup holder adjustment system is provided, which can be placed in the arm of a folding chair. The cup holder adjustment system preferably includes two forms of adjustment. The first form of adjustment includes a. cord locking mechanism for raising and lowering the base of the cup holder on which the beverage vessel is seated. The depth of the cup holder is adjustable to account for the height of the beverage vessel. The second form of adjustment includes various flexible tab members that project inwardly within the cup holder to hold a beverage vessel in place. The tab members preferably include an inward biasing force causing the tab members to spring inwardly and flex downwardly. This tensioning force pushes the beverage vessel inwardly to help keep the beverage vessel in place when it is retained, within the cup holder.

Claims

1. A cup holder adjustment system, comprising: a cup holder in which a drinking vessel may be secured; one or more cord members coupled to the cup holder; and a cord locking mechanism configured to adjust a depth of the cup holder via the one or more cord members.

2. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more cord members extend vertically along a walled portion of the cup holder.

3. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the cord locking mechanism is configured to contain a portion of each of the one or more cord members.

4. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the cord locking mechanism is configured to move in a vertical direction about the one or more cord members.

5. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 1, wherein when the cord locking mechanism is moved in an upward direction, the depth of the cup holder is decreased.

6. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 1, wherein when the cord locking mechanism is moved in a downward direction, the depth of the cup holder is increased.

7. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 1, further comprising one or more tab members.

8. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 7, wherein the one or more tab members are configured to extend inwardly and downwardly into the cup holder.

9. A cup holder adjustment system, comprising: a cup holder; a plurality of cord members configured to adjust a depth of the cup holder; and a plurality of tab members projecting inwardly from the cup holder.

10. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of cord members extend vertically along a walled portion of the cup holder.

11. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 9, wherein a cord locking mechanism is configured to releasably secure a depth of the cup holder via the plurality of cord members.

12. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 11, wherein the cord locking mechanism is configured to contain a portion of each of the plurality of cord members.

13. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 11, wherein the cord locking mechanism is configured to move in a vertical direction about the plurality of cord members.

14. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 11, wherein when the cord locking mechanism is moved in an upward direction, a depth of the cup holder is decreased.

15. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 11, wherein when the cord locking mechanism is moved in a downward direction, a depth of the cup holder is increased.

16. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of tab members flex downwardly depending on a diameter of a vessel contained in the cup holder.

17. A cup holder adjustment system, comprising: a cup holder; a cord locking mechanism; and a plurality of tab members projecting inwardly from the cup holder; wherein: when the cord locking mechanism is in a first position, the cup holder has a first depth; when the cord locking mechanism is in a second position, the cup holder has a second depth; and the second depth is less than the first depth.

18. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 17, wherein when the cord locking mechanism is moved in an upward direction about a plurality of cord members, a depth of the cup holder is decreased.

19. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 17, wherein when the cord locking mechanism is moved in a downward direction about a plurality of cord members, a depth of the cup holder is increased.

20. The cup holder adjustment system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of tab members flex downwardly depending on a diameter of a vessel contained in the cup holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a cup holder adjustment system with a bottle contained within a cup holder of the cup holder adjustment system constructed according to the teachings of the present application:

[0013] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the cup holder adjustment system with a tumbler contained within the cup holder of the cup holder adjustment system; and

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cup holder adjustment system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a cup holder adjustment system 1 that may be included in a folding chair (not illustrated) to hold beverages, like a bottle 5. The cup holder adjustment system 1 is preferably located on an arm 10 of the folding chair but could be located elsewhere in alternative embodiments. The cup holder adjustment system 1 may include a cup holder 15 located at the end of the arm 10 of the folding chair. In one embodiment, the cup holder 15 is generally cylindrical so that it may receive and secure beverages in vessels of various sizes and shapes. While the cup holder 15 uses the word cup, any form of container, vessel, or the like may be positioned and subsequently secured in the cup holder 15.

[0018] The cup holder 15 may have an opening 20 and a base 25, which in at least one embodiment are both circular, though they may take on other shapes in alternative embodiments. The base 25 preferably prevents a beverage from falling through the cup holder 15. In addition to the base 25, the cup holder adjustment system 1 may have two adjustment mechanisms to hold a beverage in place; a cord locking mechanism 30 (as discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3) and a plurality of tab members 35. Generally, the tab members 35 may adjust the diameter of the opening 20, while the cord locking mechanism 30 may adjust the base 25 by raising or lowering the base 25.

[0019] In one embodiment, the plurality of tab members 35 extend inwardly into the opening 20 and downwardly into the cup holder 15. FIG. 1 illustrates five tab members 35, but this should not be construed as limiting, as there can be more or fewer than five tab members 35 extending into the opening 20. In one embodiment, the plurality of tab members 35 include an inward biasing force causing the tab members 35 to spring inwardly and flex downwardly. This force may push a beverage vessel, like the bottle 5, inwardly to help keep the vessel in place when it is retained within the cup holder 15. The degree of flex may be dependent on the diameter of the vessel. When a vessel has a greater diameter, the tab members 35 may have a higher degree of flex; when a vessel has a smaller diameter, the tab members 35 may have a lower degree of flex.

[0020] The bottle 5 may have a diameter 40 and a height 45. The plurality of tab members 35 may adjust their degrees of flex in order to hold the bottle 5 in place. However, they may be configured so as not to apply too much force, which would prevent the bottle 5 from being able to be removed from the cup holder 15.

[0021] To prevent the bottle 5 (or other vessel) from sitting too low in the cup holder 15, one may adjust the depth of the cup holder 15 with the cord locking mechanism 30, as described with respect to FIG. 3, to raise the base 25 of the cup holder 15. This may make it easier for her to get the bottle 5 out of the cup holder 15.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the cup holder adjustment system 1 with a tumbler 50 being held in the cup holder 15. The tumbler 50 may have a diameter 55 and a height 60. In one embodiment, the diameter 55 is nearly as wide as the opening 20 of the cup holder 15. Because of this, the plurality of tab members 35 may bend inwardly and downwardly. The plurality of tab members 35 may flex inwardly and downwardly to allow for the tumbler 50 to be placed into the cup holder 15. Additionally, in one embodiment, the plurality of tab members 35 may influence the tumbler 50 inwardly to help keep the tumbler 50 upright and sturdy in the cup holder 15.

[0023] In one embodiment, the height 60 is such that the tumbler 50 may be sitting too high in the cup holder 15. This increases the likelihood that the tumbler 50 may tip over. An individual can adjust the depth of the cup holder 15 with the cord locking mechanism 30, as described below, to account for this issue. Using the cup holder adjustment system 1, one can easily make an adjustment to lower the base 25 of the cup holder 15 and help prevent the tumbler 50 from tipping.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 3, the cup holder 15 may include a walled portion 65 configured to contain a vessel. In one embodiment, the walled portion 65 is cylindrical. According to at least one embodiment, the walled portion 65 is mesh. The cord members 70 may be attached to the walled portion 65, and in one embodiment, the cord members 70 are formed integrally with the walled portion 65. There may be any number of cord members 70, and the three cord members 70 illustrated in FIG. 3 should not be construed as limiting.

[0025] According to various embodiments, the cord members 70 may extend upwardly and may attach to a top housing 75, which may also maintain the tab member portion 80 in place therebetween. The cord members 70 may also extend downwardly toward the base 25. The walled portion 65 may be attached to the base 25 on one end and the top housing 75 on the other. According to various embodiments, the walled portion 65 is formed within an inner portion of the base 25.

[0026] The base 25 may include a plurality of sleeve-like openings 85 configured to receive and retain the cord members 70. The openings 85 may extend through the base 25, such that the cord members exit through an underside 90 of the base 25. Each of the cord members 70 may be received within the cord locking mechanism 30. The cord members 70 may be connected at one end via a cord connector 95 that is configured to retain each of the end portions of the cord members 70.

[0027] The cord locking mechanism 30 may be a cord lock such as those known in the art that is used to adjust the length of cord members 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the cord members 70 may be lengthened or shortened by adjusting the cord locking mechanism 30 to adjust the length of the cord members 70. The cord locking mechanism 30 may for example, be spring loaded.

[0028] By adjusting the length of the cord members 70, the depth of the walled portion 65 of the cup holder 15 may also be adjusted. More particularly, the cord locking mechanism 30 can be moved farther up or down the cord members 70 to lengthen or shorten, respectively, the cord members 70 and thus adjust the depth of the walled portion 65 of the cup holder 15. When the cord locking mechanism 30 is moved downward on the cord members 70, the base 25 of the cup holder 15 may be lowered. When the cord locking mechanism 30 is moved upward on the cord members 70, the base 25 of the cup holder 15 may be raised.

[0029] To shorten the cord members 70, a user may adjust the cord locking mechanism 30 in an upward direction. In turn, this may raise the base 25 of the cup holder 15. When the cord locking mechanism 30 is adjusted in an upward direction, the base 25 may move in an upward direction about the cord members 70, and the cord members 70 may move in a downward direction through the openings 85 in the base 25. To lengthen the cord members 70, a user may adjust the cord locking mechanism 30 in a downward direction in order to lower the base 25 of the cup holder 15. When the cord locking mechanism 30 is adjusted in a downward direction, the base 25 may move in a downward direction about the cord members 70, and the cord members 70 may move in an upward direction through the openings 85 in the base 25.

[0030] As a non-illustrative example, if an individual were to have a short aluminum can she is drinking out of, and the cup holder 15 is too deep to allow for her to easily get the can out, she may squeeze the cord locking mechanism 30 and push in an upward motion to tighten the cord members 70. Tightening the cord members 70 will preferably raise the base 25 of the cup holder 15. This adjustment decreases the depth of the cup holder 15. Ultimately, this leads to easier access of the can from the cup holder 15 and a more enjoyable experience.

[0031] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications, applications, variations, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. All such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present inventions are deemed to be covered by the inventions which are limited only by the claims which follow.