US4896858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible mug holder
Assignee: Whirley Ind Inc
•
Filing: 1988-05-27
•
Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2008-05-27
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a removable flexible holder for an open-top liquid container which is especially designed to be used in an automobile or other type of vehicle. The holder uses a flexible hinge for its base which enables the holder to expand or contract to accommodate various sizes of containers. The holder also has an attachment means which adjusts to almost any size of car door due to a bendable hinge which resiliently urges the holder against the car door. Additionally, the holder has a slot which will accommodate a container having a handle such as a mug.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Sokolski
- 👤 John Downey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/10; B60N3/103; B60N3/105; B60N3/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An expandable hinge comprising: a plurality of curved arms lying in a plane, each arm comprising a flexible first portion and a rigid second portion, and a hub connected to one end of each of the arms, the arms extending outwardly from the hub and being attached to a plurality of members which define a periphery of the hinge such that an outwardly radial force on the members causes the hinge to expand, increasing its periphery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An expandable hinge comprising: a plurality of curved arms lying in a plane, each arm comprising a flexible first portion and a rigid second portion, and a hub connected to one end of each of the arms, the arms extending outwardly from the hub and being attached to a plurality of members which define a periphery of the hinge such that an outwardly radial force on the members causes the hinge to expand, increasing its periphery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The expandable hinge as described in claim 1 wherein a plurality of connections between the arms and the hub are evenly spaced about the hub.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The expandable hinge as described in claim 2 wherein the number of members equals the number of arms such that each arm is attached to only one member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The expandable hinge as described in claim 2 wherein the number of members exceeds the number of arms such that at least one arm is attached to more than one member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The expandable hinge as described in claim 2 wherein each arm is attached to a projection from the hub.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The expandable hinge as described in claim 1 wherein the flexible first portion of the arm is attached to the hub.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A flexible holder for a container comprising: an expandable hinge as described in claim 1 for a base; a ring defining an upper periphery of the holder such that the plurality of members extend upwardly from the base to the ring to form sides of the holder; and an attachment means connected to the ring for removably mounting the holder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 7 wherein the plurality of members form a cage-like, cylindrical holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 7 wherein there the ring has a gap therein to accommodate a protrusion from the container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 9 wherein the protrusion is a handle of the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 9 wherein the attachment means is connected to the ring opposite from the gap therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 7 wherein the attachment means comprises a first flange, a bendable hinge attached to the first flange, and a second flange attached to the bendable hinge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The expendable holder as described in claim 12 wherein the bendable hinge resiliently urges the second flange toward the holder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 13 wherein the second flange further comprises two spaced-apart protruding tongs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 14 wherein the attachment means further comprises a second bendable hinge located between a first portion of the first flange and a second portion of the first flange.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 14 wherein the protruding tongs are narrower at a downward-most end than at an upward-most end and wherein the first flange is L-shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 16 wherein the connections between the arms and the hub are evenly spaced about the hub.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 17 wherein the curved arms comprise a flexible first portion and a rigid second portion, the flexible first portion being attached to the hub.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The expandable holder as described in claim 18 wherein the number of members exceeds the number of arms such that at least one arm is attached to more than one member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1902608A
Cited
US2215411A
Cited
US2628054A
Cited
US3269683A
Cited
US3532318A
Cited
US3814367A
Cited
US3908952A
Cited
DE2738735A1
Cited
US4191350A
Cited
US4655425A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |