Drinking container holder having means for attachment to an object

Oct 6, 1970 a. τ. lloyd 3,532,318

DRINKING CONTAINER HOLDER HAVING MEANS FOR

ATTACHMENT TO AN OBJECT

Filed Sept. 20, 1968

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A.T TQRNEYS

3,532,318

Patented Oct. 6, 1970

United States Patent

3,532,318 DRINKING CONTAINER HOLDER HAVING MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO AN OBJECT Ambrose T. Lloyd, 1355 Buchanan Place, Minneapolis, Minn. 55421 g

Filed Sept. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 761,039 Int. Cl. A47g 23/02

U.S. Cl. 248—311 3 Claims

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A drinking container holder including a horizontal open arcuate top member having side leg means depending from the top member with bottom means formed on the lower ends of the leg means together with a pair of ex- ¹⁵tension members. Each of the extension members is formed with offset means for engagement with an opening in an object to which the holder is connected.

The invention relates to an improvement in a drinking container holder. With the great increase in outdoor entertaining and eating where table space on which to place drinking glasses and cups is at a premium and con- 25 tainers tend to fall over, there is a need for a device to adequately hold a glass or cup. The invention herein includes an open top member having side leg members each formed with a bottom portion. The top member includes extension members having offset portions where- 30 by the same may have hooking engagement with open means formed in an object such as a table, chair arm or the like. With a glass in the holder, the same will not tip unless the object on which it is held is tipped.

It is a further object of the invention to provide shoulder 35 means intermediate the ends of the side legs and upon which a cup may be positioned in lieu of a glass positioned on the bottom portions of the side legs. The invention further includes resilient extension members which may be deflected or sprung whereby the same may ac- 40 commodate different size openings in the object on which the holder is attached.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container holder embodying the invention in engagement with opening means of a table top; 45

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the holder shown in FIG. 1 with the extension members shown in a different position in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the holder in engagement with a table top, only a portion of the top 50 being shown with the same in section;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the holder; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the holder A in- 55 eludes an open top member that is arcuate in outline in the form of the partial ring 10 formed of wire and which extends approximately 300°. Extending from one point of termination of the ring 10 and as part thereof is the extension 12, and extending from the other point of 60 termination of the ring is the companion extension 14. The extensions 12 and 14 are resilient and substantially parallel to a diameter of the partial ring 10 and substantially parallel to each other. The resilient extension 15 may be deflected for placement in receiving openings 65 formed in an object.

Each extension 12 and 14 includes a main portion 15 and depending therefrom a right angular portion 16 which terminates at its lower end in the right angular offset portion 18 parallelly disposed to the main portion 70 15. Secured to and depending from the partial ring 10 are four side legs 20, 22, 24 and 26. Each side leg includes an upper portion 28 which terminates at its lower end in a right angle portion 30 forming a shoulder which terminates in a depending lower portion 32 formed at a right angle to the portion 30. Each lower leg portion 32 terminates at its lower end in a right angular horizontal portion 34 which forms a shoulder. Each of the legs is spaced equidistant on the partial ring 10, and each of the portions 34 is of a length whereby the same abut at the inner end where the same are welded as at x to collectively form a bottom. The partial ring 10 has formed therein the depressed arcuate portion 36.

In use, the holder A is held in the hand and the offset portion 18 of each extension is inserted downwardly through the opening 38 of the top 40 of the table T. The holder is then pivoted to a horizontal position whereby the offset portion 18 of each leg engages under the top portion 42. The main portion 15 of each extension bears on the table top portion 44. As a result the holder A is supported at the edge of the table top with the longitudinal axis of the holder at a right angle to the table top.

A drinking glass G illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 3 is positioned within the side leg portions 32 and upon the horizontal portions 34. A cup illustrated as C in broken lines in FIG. 3 may be held in the holder placing the bottom of the cup upon the shoulders 30 of the side legs 20-26 with the handle of the cup accommodated by the arcuate depressed portion 36 of the partial ring 10, FIG. 3. Thus, with the above holder A a cup or glass may be supported in an upright position at the edge of a table or any object having openings substantially in the nature of openings 38. Such opening means can be formed in the arm of a chair, as an example of use.

The members making up the holder may be formed of wire and covered with a coating of plastic, rubber or the like to protect the object on which the holder is mounted, improve engagement of the extensions 12 and 14 with the object and protect the container positioned in the holder. The holder A may also be molded as a one piece plastic unit.

In FIG. 5 is shown a further embodiment of holder B wherein is formed the top member 46 which includes the partial ring 48 extending about 300°. Extending from one point of termination of the ring 48 and as part thereof is the extension 50, and extend-from the other point of termination of the ring is the companion extension 52. The extensions 50 and 52 are substantially parallel to a diameter of the partial ring 48 and substantially parallel to each other. Each extension 50 and 52 includes a main portion 54 and depending therefrom a right angular portion 56 which terminates at its lower end in the right angular offset portion 58 parallelly disposed to the main portion 54. In use, the holder B is held in the hand, and the offset portion 58 of each extension is inserted downwardly through an opening formed in an object such as table T or another object. The holder B is then pivoted to a horizontal position whereby the offset portion 58 of each extension engages under and in contact with the object. With the holder B in the position above described, a glass may be placed in the partial ring 48 or an article placed upon the partial ring 48 for support thereof.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.