US 6,581,888 B1 · Irregular-surface glass holder

Abstract

An apparatus for the stabilization of a drinking vessel such as a glass, coffee mug, or a piece of stemware that is placed on a flat or irregular or sloping surface includes a base portion having a flexible outer covering that surrounds a flexible weighted mass. An elastomeric member that includes an opening is attached to the base portion. The elastomeric member is urged into an open position which requires expanding the opening a sufficient amount to permit the bottom portion of the drinking vessel to pass through the opening and rest on top of the base portion. The elastomeric member is then allowed to retract into a closed position in which elastomeric tension secures the bottom portion of the drinking vessel to the top of the base portion. The apparatus is then placed on the desired surface where the drinking vessel is supported and thereby prevented from tilting or tipping. If the surface is irregularly shaped, the bottom surface of the base portion flexes and adapts to the irregular shape thereby permitting use of the apparatus on irregular surfaces. A modified elastomeric member, according to a modification, is not attached to a modified base portion but surrounds it concentrically and secures the vessel thereto as the vessel passes through an opening that is provided in the modified elastomeric member.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An irregular-surface glass holder that is adapted to secure a glass, comprising:

(a) a flexible base that contains a mass and including at least one vertical divider in said flexible base, said at least one divider separating said mass into at least two portions;
and
(b) flexible means adapted to cooperate with said base wherein said flexible means is adapted to receive a substantially planar and circular base portion of said glass through an opening provided in said flexible means and to retain said glass in an upright position and said substantially planar and circular base portion of said glass proximate said base and wherein said flexible means includes an elastomer and wherein said flexible means is attached to said base and wherein said elastomer is adapted to contact a portion of said substantially planar and circular base portion of said glass when said elastomer is disposed in a closed position sufficient to retain said substantially planar and circular base portion of said glass proximate said base.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Irregular-surface glass holder

Life of this patent

Irregular-surface glass holder

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17