Supports – Brackets – Article holding means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2001-05-08
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Article holding means
C248S311300, C248S312000, C248S128000, C248S132000, C248S133000, C248S134000, C248S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227509
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a holder for a drinks container intended for installation in a motor vehicle, for example in a dashboard, having a holding arm which is movable from an initial position into a holding position, the holding arm in its holding position supporting a drinks container inserted in the holder around its circumference, and having a cover movable from a closed to an open position.
2. Prior Art
This type of holder for a drinks container, such as, for example, a cup, a beaker or a drinks can, is known per se. One known holder has, for example, a holding arm which supports a drinks container that is inserted in the holder around its circumference and thus secures it against falling over or falling out of the holder. When not in use, the holding arm can be moved, for example pushed or pivoted, into its initial position.
It is also known to provide the holder with a cover with which the holder, including the holding arm in the initial position, can be covered when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder of the above described kind which has a device for locking the holding arm in its initial position when the holder is not in use.
This object, and others which will be made more apparent hereinafter, are attained in a holder for a drinks container comprising a holding arm and a cover, wherein the holding arm is movable between an initial position and a holding position, the holding arm in the holding position supports a drinks container around its circumference when the drinks container is inserted in the holder and the cover is movable from a closed position to an open position.
According to the invention the holder has a locking device which locks the holding arm in its initial position and which is unlocked by opening the cover, so that the holding arm is movable into its holding position.
The invention has the advantage that the holding arm is locked in its initial position while the cover is closed, and in particular that rattling noises caused by vibration and jolts during travel are avoided.
In a preferred development of the invention, the cover in its open position provides a rest for supporting a drinks container inserted in the holder. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the cover in its open position assumes an approximately horizontal position and is located below the holding arm and spaced from it when the holding arm occupies its holding position. This ensures that an inserted drinks container is held securely. The cover may be constructed in the form of a dish to receive any liquid spilling out of the drinks container. In another embodiment of the invention, the cover is pivotally mounted on the holder. For the purpose of opening the cover, that is moving it from the closed position into the open position, the cover can be pivoted downwards into an approximately horizontal position below the holding arm.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding arm is constructed in the form of a holding ring which in its holding position surrounds a drinks container inserted in the holder. The holding arm may also be constructed in the form of an incomplete ring which does not surround the entire circumference of a drinks container inserted in the holder.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the holding arm is mounted on the holder so as to be pivotable upwards for the purpose of moving it from its initial position into the holding position. This has the advantage, especially when the cover is arranged to pivot downwards, that the cover in its closed position covers the holding arm in its initial position and that when the cover is pivoted downwards on opening and the holding arm is pivoted upwards into the holding position, the holding arm and the cover have the vertical spacing necessary for securely holding a drinks container inserted in the holder.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding arm is moved into the holding position by a spring element. This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that after the cover has been opened the holding arm pivots into the holding position automatically, since opening the cover unlocks the locking device and the holding arm is thus released. The locking device in this embodiment of the invention has the advantage that it locks the holding arm in the initial position when the holding arm is moved from the holding position into the initial position. While the cover is being closed, therefore, the holding arm need not be held against the force of the spring element that presses the holding arm into the holding position after the cover has been opened. Closing and opening the holder according to the invention are simplified as a result.
In various embodiments of the invention, a slider member is provided which locks the holding arm in its initial position. The slider member is displaced from a first position into a second position by opening the cover and in so doing releases the holding arm, so that after the cover has been opened the holding arm can be moved into the holding position and especially moves automatically into the holding position under the action of a spring.
In further embodiments of the invention, the holding arm has a detent lug that cooperates with the slider member. When the holding arm is in its initial position the detent lug engages behind an undercut on the slider member, so that the holding arm is locked in the initial position. Displacement of the slider member from the first position into the second position causes the detent lug to become disengaged from the slider member, with the result that the holding arm is released. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the slider member has an uncoupling surface which, on displacement of the slider member from the first position into the second position, slides along the detent lug of the holding arm and thus presses the detent lug out of engagement with the slider member, so that the holding arm is released.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4984722 (1991-01-01), Moore
patent: 5280870 (1994-01-01), Chick et al.
patent: 5318266 (1994-06-01), Liu
patent: 5601268 (1997-02-01), Dunchock
patent: 5603477 (1997-02-01), Deutsch
patent: 5671877 (1997-09-01), Yabuya
patent: 5997082 (1999-12-01), Vincent et aal.
patent: 6047937 (2000-04-01), Huang
Kuehn Stefan
Lemke Gerd
Plocher Bernd
Schanz Friedrich
Braun Leslie A.
Fischerwerke Arthur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
Wujciak A. Joseph
LandOfFree
Holder for a drinks container does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Holder for a drinks container, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Holder for a drinks container will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2489461