US4813582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicular mounted food receptacle
Assignee: Enginuity Inc
•
Filing: 1987-07-07
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Granted: 1989-03-21
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Expires: 2007-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A food receptacle attaches to either a left or right-hand door of an automobile and provides the occupants with convenient storage for food and change. A reversible drawer slides between two rails suspended below the body of the receptacle with the front of the drawer facing in either direction. To prevent the drawer from being pulled out of the rails, a projection is positioned to one side of the drawer and contacts one of two diametrically opposed protuberances on the receptacle body. When the drawer is reversed, the drawer projection contacts the other protuberance. A coin holder is attached to the front of the drawer and includes an aperture to receive coins. Any coins placed in the holder are trapped therein when the holder is positioned under the receptacle body. These coins will strike a projection on the body to prevent the drawer from being pushed out of the rails. Snap-off tabs are attached to the bottom of the receptacle and rest against the automobile door. Leveling of the receptacle is accomplished by snapping-off selected tabs, or sections of tabs. A flexible strap has an "L" shaped bracket at one end that can be inserted into the window pocket of an automobile door. The strap has two rows of slots. Hooks, attached to the receptacle, are inserted into selected slots.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Henricksen
- 👤 Joseph R. Clemente
- 👤 Thomas P. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/10; B60N3/103; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A food receptacle, comprising in combination: means for containing food; receptacle attaching means, connected to said food containing means, for attaching said food receptacle to the door of an automobile; a reversible drawer having a first projection asymmetrically positioned towards one side of said drawer; means for slidably attaching said drawer to said food containing means; and second and third projections connected to opposite sides of said food containing means, said second projection contacting said first projection to prevent said drawer from being pulled out of said drawer attaching means when said drawer is installed in said drawer attaching means in a first direction, and said third projection contacting said first projection to prevent said drawer from being pulled out of said drawer attaching means when said drawer is installed in said drawer attaching means in a second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A food receptacle, comprising in combination: means for containing food; receptacle attaching means, connected to said food containing means, for attaching said food receptacle to the door of an automobile; a reversible drawer having a first projection asymmetrically positioned towards one side of said drawer; means for slidably attaching said drawer to said food containing means; and second and third projections connected to opposite sides of said food containing means, said second projection contacting said first projection to prevent said drawer from being pulled out of said drawer attaching means when said drawer is installed in said drawer attaching means in a first direction, and said third projection contacting said first projection to prevent said drawer from being pulled out of said drawer attaching means when said drawer is installed in said drawer attaching means in a second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The food receptacle of claim 1, further comprising: a coin holder connected to said drawer and having an aperture for receiving coins, wherein coins placed in said aperture are trapped between said coin holder and said food containing means when said drawer is pushed into said drawer attaching means a predetermined distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The food receptacle of claim 2, further comprising: a fourth projection connected to said food containing means, wherein said fourth projection contacts coins placed in said aperture of said coin holder to prevent said drawer from being pushed out of said drawer attaching means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The food receptacle of claim 1, further comprising: a leveling tab having first and second sections separated by a detent whereat said second section can be snapped-off, said first section being connected to said food containing means, said tab being positioned between said door and said food containing means when said food receptacle is attached to said door, said second section contacting said door when said second section is attached to said tab and said first section contacting said door when said second section has been snapped-off, said tab thereby providing a means to level said food receptacle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The food receptacle of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of leveling tabs attached to said food containing means, each of said tabs having a unique length and each including a detent adjacent said food containing means whereat said tabs can be selectively snapped-off, said tabs being positioned between said door and said food containing means when said food receptacle is attached to said door, the longest of said tabs still attached to said food containing means contacting said door, said tabs thereby providing a means to level said food receptacle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The food receptacle of claim 1, wherein said attaching means includes: strap attaching means for attaching a strap to the door of an automobile; a flexible strap attached to said strap attaching means, said strap including a plurality of slots, each of said slots being spaced a unique distance from said strap attaching means; hook means, attached to said food containing means, for connecting said food containing means to said flexible strap by engaging said hook means in a selected one of said slots of said strap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The food receptacle of claim 6, wherein: said strap attaching means includes an "L" shaped bracket including first and second substantially perpendicular sections, said first section including an irregular surface, said first section for insertion into the window pocket of said automobile door.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |