Container holder that utilizes moldline structures
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Zachary Glovatsky, Robert Edward Belke, Jay DeAvis Baker, Joseph Mario Giachino, Lakhi Nandlal Goenka, Myron Lemecha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A container holder for receiving and securing a container is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the container holder comprises a base surface, at least one moldline structure unit, and a sensor. The sensor detects the presence of the container in the holder and induces deformation in the moldline structure unit such that the container is secured in the holder.
Claims20
A container holder for receiving and temporarily securing a container, said container holder comprising:
- a base surface for supporting said container;
- a moldline structure unit, comprising at least one flexible rod, having first and second ends, a base member, and a guide member having first and second opposing faces and defining a passageway extending between the first and second opposing faces, the first end of the rod being fixedly attached to the base member and the second end of the rod being disposed in the passageway and being capable of slideable movement within the passageway, a flexible panel disposed around the rod and between the base and guide members, and an actuator adapted to induce deformation of the rod and flexible panel by causing the second end of the rod to move with respect to the passageway;
- and
- a sensor adapted to detect the presence of said container on the base surface and operably connected to the actuator such that the sensor is able to activate the actuator to induce deformation of the rod and flexible panel to a point at which said container is secured in said container holder.
A vehicle console adapted to receive and temporarily secure a container, said console comprising:
- a main surface defining a recess having a base surface and a side wall, the base surface adapted to support said container;
- and
- a moldline structure unit disposed adjacent the side wall, the unit comprising at least one flexible rod having first and second ends, a base member, and a guide member having first and second opposing faces and defining a passageway extending between the first and second opposing faces, the first end of the rod being fixedly attached to the base member and the second end of the rod being disposed in the passageway and being capable of slideable movement within the passageway, a flexible panel disposed around the rod and between the base and guide members, and an actuator adapted to induce deformation of the rod and flexible panel to a point at which said container is secured in the recess.
A container holder for receiving and temporarily securing a container, comprising:
- a base surface for supporting said container;
- a moldline structure unit, comprising at least one flexible rod having first and second ends, a base member, and a guide member having first and second opposing faces and defining a passageway extending between the first and second opposing faces, the first end of the rod being fixedly attached to the base member and the second end of the rod being disposed in the passageway and being capable of slideable movement within the passageway;
- and
- means for inducing deformation of the flexible rod to a point at which said container is secured in said container holder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.