US 8,757,572 B1Granted

Cupholder adapter

AssigneeJudd E. Starr

InventorsJudd E. Starr, Joseph L Gauntt, Robert Lee Biddlecome

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Abstract

An apparatus for adapting a cup holder to securely hold a variety of objects that may be of different configurations, sizes and shapes. The apparatus comprises a lower portion with extending members for positioning the base of the apparatus within the opening of a cup holder or other open space. An upper portion is adapted to securely hold objects including but not limited to stemware such as wine glasses, an ash tray, coffee mugs, other oversized or small beverage containers, a portable lamp, a portable music player such as an iPod or other MP3 player, a portable computing device including but not limited to an iPhone or other smart phone, an iPad or other tablet computer, a laptop computer, a Kindle or other electronic reader, as well as any other item which a user would like to hold securely and usually within arm's reach of a seating position.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus adapted to fit in a recessed opening comprising:

a base having a first side and a second side;
a rotatable plate positioned on the first side of the base and having a first side with a spiral-shaped ridge defining a continuous channel between inwardly spiraling portions of the ridge;
and
at least one extendable member having a first end and a second end, and positioned relative to the spiral-shaped ridge wherein at least one protrusion on a first side of the at least one extendable member engages the channel;
and
a housing having an open interior space within which the rotatable plate and the at least one extendable member are positioned, comprising:
a first housing end fitted over the rotatable plate and the at least one extendable member, and attached to the first side of the base,
a side having a gap aligned with each extendable member, and
a solid cover over a second housing end having an interior surface completely covering and contacting a second side of the at least one extendable member;
wherein as the plate is rotated in a first direction, the protrusion slides within the channel forcing the extendable member to move radially outward from a center of the plate while the interior surface of the solid cover maintains contact with the second side of the extendable member and extending through the gap in the side of the housing, and as the plate is rotated in a second direction, the protrusion slides within the channel forcing the extendable member to move radially inward from the center of the plate and retracting through the gap in the side of the housing while the interior surface of the solid cover maintains contact with the second side of the extendable member;
and
wherein upon the extendable member moving radially outward and passing through the gap in the side of the housing, the first end of the extendable member contacts an interior surface of the recessed opening maintaining the apparatus in position within the recessed opening.

9 more elements

An apparatus for securing an adapter in a recessed opening comprising:

a base having a first side and a second side;
a plate rotatably affixed to the first side of the base and having a first side with a spiral-shaped ridge defining a continuous channel between inwardly spiraling portions of the ridge;
and
at least one extending member having a first end and a second end, and with a protrusion on a first side of the at least one extendable member engaged in the channel;
a housing having an open interior space within which the rotatable plate and the at least one extendable member are positioned, comprising:
a first housing end fitted over the plate and the at least one extending member, and attached to the first side of the base,
having a gap aligned with each extending member, and
a solid cover over a second housing end having an interior surface completely covering and contacting a second side of the at least one extending member;
wherein as the plate is rotated in a first direction, the protrusion slides within the channel forcing the extending member to move in a radially outward direction from the center of the plate while the interior surface of the solid cover maintains contact with the second side of the extendable member and extending through the gap in the side of the housing, and further wherein, as the plate is rotated in a second direction, the protrusion slides within the channel forcing the extending member to move in a radially inward direction from the center of the plate and retracting through the gap in the side of the housing while the interior surface of the solid cover maintains contact with the second side of the extendable member;
and
wherein upon the extending member moving radially outward, the first end of the extending member extends beyond a peripheral edge of the housing and contacts an interior surface of the recessed opening maintaining the apparatus in position within the recessed opening.

8 more elements

A method for fitting an adapter to a recessed opening, comprising:

providing a base having a first side and a second side;
positioning a rotatable plate relative to the base, wherein the rotatable plate comprises a first side with a spiral-shaped ridge defining a continuous channel between inwardly spiraling portions of the ridge;
providing at least one extendable member having a first end, a second end and at least one protrusion on a first side of the at least one extendable member, wherein the at least one protrusion is positioned relative to the spiral-shaped ridge and slidably engaged in the channel;
fitting a housing with a first end over the rotatable plate and the at least one extendable member;
attaching a first side of the housing to the base, the housing having at least one gap in a side of the housing for each extendable member;
covering the second end of the housing with a solid cover wherein a second side of the at least one extendable member is completely covered and contacted by an interior surface of the solid cover;
rotating the plate in a first direction wherein the at least one protrusion slides within the channel forcing the extendable member to move radially outward from a center of the plate while the interior surface of the solid cover completely covers and maintains contact with the second side of the extendable member and extending through the gap in the side of the housing such that the first end of the extendable member extends beyond a peripheral edge of the housing and contacts an interior surface of the recessed opening maintaining the apparatus in position within the recessed opening;
and
rotating the plate in a second direction wherein the at least one protrusion slides within the channel forcing the extendable member to move radially inward from the center of the plate and retracting through the gap in the side of the housing while the interior surface of the solid cover completely covers and maintains contact with the second side of the extendable member.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/249,695Filed 30 Sep 2011 · us provisional application
Priority: 11 Oct 2010
Granted: 24 Jun 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A47G 23/02
Other table equipment: glass or bottle holders
A47G 23/0216
For drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like: for one glass or cup
A47G 23/0225
For one glass or cup: attachable to a plate, table, or the like
B60N 3/10
Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for: of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated