Method of manufacturing and using an apparatus capable of holding an object
AssigneeBelkin International, Inc.
InventorsOliver Duncan Seil, Ernesto Quinteros, Vijendra Nalwad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle comprises a support (110), a post (120) coupled to the support, and a base (130). The post has a first end (221) and a second end (222), and the base is capable of receiving the first end of the post. The base is sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle. A distance between the support and the base may be adjusted, and an angle between the support and the post may also be adjusted.
Claims24
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a base sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle;
- providing a post having a first threaded end and a second end and configured such that the first threaded end can be coupled to the base;
- providing a support to comprise:
- a surface configured to hold the object;
- a first sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a second sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a lip coupled to the surface, and separated from the first and second sidewalls;
- and
- coupling the second end of the post to the support;
- and
- providing an adapter cup sized to receive the base and sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle.
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a base sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle;
- providing a post having a first threaded end and a second end and configured such that the first threaded end can be coupled to the base;
- providing a support configured to hold the object, and to comprise:
- a surface;
- and
- a pivot mechanism coupled to and extending away from the surface;
- providing the pivot mechanism to comprise:
- a body having a receiving slot separating the body into a first arm and a second arm;
- and
- a tooth protruding from the first arm such that the tooth protrudes into the receiving slot;
- providing a wave spring in the receiving slot adjacent to the second end of the post;
- providing the second end of the post to comprise a grooved face comprising a plurality of grooves;
- and
- coupling the second end of the post to the support,
- wherein:
- the wave spring cooperates with the grooved face and the tooth to allow an angle between the surface and the post to be adjusted in discrete increments.
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a base;
- providing a post having a first end and a second end;
- providing a cradle having a surface and configured to cradle the object;
- coupling the first end of the post to the base such that a distance separating the cradle and the base can be adjusted;
- coupling the second end of the post to the cradle such that an angle between the surface and the post can be adjusted;
- and
- providing an adapter cup sized to receive and configured to couple to the base.
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing the apparatus to comprise:
- a support;
- a post coupled to the support, the post having a first threaded end;
- and
- a base configured to receive the first threaded end of the post, the base comprising:
- a threaded column configured to receive the first threaded end of the post;
- attaching an object to the support;
- and
- pivoting the support,
- wherein:
- the apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of the base can be placed in the cup holder of the vehicle.
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a base sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle;
- providing a post having a first threaded end and a second end and configured such that the first threaded end can be coupled to the base;
- providing a support to comprise:
- a surface configured to hold the object;
- a first sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a second sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a lip coupled to the surface and separated from the first and second sidewalls;
- and
- coupling the second end of the post to the support;
- and
- adjusting an angle between the surface and the post.
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a base sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle;
- providing a post having a first threaded end and a second end and configured such that the first threaded end can be coupled to the base;
- providing a support to comprise:
- a surface configured to hold the object;
- a first sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a second sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a lip coupled to the surface, and separated from the first and second sidewalls;
- and
- coupling the second end of the post to the support;
- and
- coupling a clip to the support at the surface.
A method of providing an apparatus capable of holding an object in cooperation with a cup holder of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a base sized to fit within the cup holder of the vehicle;
- providing a post having a first threaded end and a second end and configured such that the first threaded end can be coupled to the base;
- providing a support to comprise:
- a surface configured to hold the object;
- a first sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a second sidewall coupled to the surface;
- a lip coupled to the surface, and separated from the first and second sidewalls;
- and
- coupling the second end of the post to the support;
- and
- coupling a suction cup to the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.