US5007610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Armrest compartment with cupholder
Assignee: Lear Corp
•
Filing: 1990-01-22
•
Granted: 1991-04-16
•
Expires: 2010-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular armrest (20) includes an interior compartment (40) which receives a beverage container holding assembly. The holding assembly is pivotally secured to the armrest (20) for rotation between a stored position inside the compartment (40) and an operational position outside the armrest compartment (40). The holding assembly includes two semi-circular arms (54,54') which are operatively connected to an actuating mechanism (52) which automatically expands the semi-circular members (54,54') upon rotation toward the operational position. In the operational position, the two semi-circular members (54,54') form two distinct beverage container receptacles in the holding assembly. The actuating mechanism also automatically collapses the semi-circular arms (54,54') as the holding assembly is rotated toward the storage position to compactly store the holding assembly within the compartment (40) of the armrest (20). A T-shaped bar (92) is pivotally attached to the holding assembly to support the bottom of a beverage container (C) when the arms (54,54') are in the expanded operational position.
Inventors
- 👤 Ned Christiansen
- 👤 David Kellogg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/10; B60N3/102; B60N2/00; B60N2/75; B60N2/79; B60N2/793; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A beverage container holding assembly for recessed storage in a vehicular armrest (20), said assembly comprising: girth support means (46) having a predetermined support width for surrounding and supporting the side wall of a beverage container (C) said girth support means (46) including a first articulated arm (54) moveable in a curvilinear path in response to actuation of said collapsing means (50); hinge means (48) defining a hinge axis (A) extending parallel to said support width for rotatably connecting said girth support means (46) to an armrest (20); and characterized by collapsing means (50) operatively connected to said girth support means (46) for automatically collapsing said support width to a smaller storage width in response to arcuate movement of said girth support means (46) about said hinge axis (A) to allow compact storage of said assembly in the armrest (20).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A beverage container holding assembly for recessed storage in a vehicular armrest (20), said assembly comprising: girth support means (46) having a predetermined support width for surrounding and supporting the side wall of a beverage container (C) said girth support means (46) including a first articulated arm (54) moveable in a curvilinear path in response to actuation of said collapsing means (50); hinge means (48) defining a hinge axis (A) extending parallel to said support width for rotatably connecting said girth support means (46) to an armrest (20); and characterized by collapsing means (50) operatively connected to said girth support means (46) for automatically collapsing said support width to a smaller storage width in response to arcuate movement of said girth support means (46) about said hinge axis (A) to allow compact storage of said assembly in the armrest (20).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including actuator means (52) for coacting with a portion of the armrest (20) to actuate said collapsing means (50).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said first arm (54) including a fixed pivot member (56) for establishing arcuate movement of said first arm (54) within a plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A) of said hinge means (48).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including biasing means (64) operatively connected to said girth support means (46) for urging said girth support means (46) toward said storage width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said girth support means (46) including a stationary first wall (58) disposed opposite said first arm (54) and fixed relative to said pivot member (56).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said first arm (54) and said first wall (58) each having generally semi-circular shaped inner peripheries for forming a generally circular shaped beverage container support area when said girth support means (46) is expanded to said support width.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by including bottom support means (90) for supporting the bottom of the beverage container (C).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said bottom support means including a bar (92) moveable between an operational position when said girth support means (46) is expanded to said support width and a recessed position when said girth support means (46)is collapsed to said storage width.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by including gravity centering means (94), associated with said bottom support means (90) for centering said bar (92) along a diameter of said circular inner periphery of said first arm (54) and said first wall (58) in response to the gravitational force when in said operational position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said gravity centering means (94) including a generally T-shaped tooth (96) extending from said bar (92) and a matingly shaped coacting pocket (98) disposed in said first wall (58).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including a slider element (66) disposed for linear reciprocating movement and operatively connected to said actuator means (52) for linear movement in response to actuation of said actuator means (52).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said biasing means (64) including a compression spring extending between said slider element (66) and said first wall (58).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including a drag link (70) extending between a first end (72) and a second end (74) thereof with said first end (72) pivotally connected to said slider element (66) and said second end (74) pivotally connected to said first arm (54).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 further characterized by said actuator means (52) including a bell crank (78) having a driver end (80) disposed for engaging the armrest (20) and a driven end (82) opposite said driver end (80).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said actuator means (52) including a connecting rod (84) extending between opposite ends with one of said ends being pivotally connected to said slider element (66) and the other of said ends being pivotally connected to said driven end (82) of said bell crank (78).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first arm (54) includes a distal tip (60) spaced from said pivot member (56), further characterized by said first wall (58) including a tab portion (62) for interlocking with said distal tip (60) of first arm (54) when said girth support means (46) is expanded to said support width.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 16 further characterized by said first wall (54) including a radially extending opening (100) adapted to receive the handle of the beverage container (C).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as set forth in either one of claims 6 or 18 further characterized by including a second articulated arm (54,) adjacent said first arm (54) and moveable in unison therewith in an opposite arcuate direction relative to said first arm (54) within a plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
186 words
A beverage container holding assembly for use in a vehicular armrest (20), said assembly comprising: receptacle means (38) having a predetermined receptacle width for inclusion in a vehicular armrest (20); girth support means (46) having a predetermined support width parallel to said receptacle width and larger than said receptacle width for surrounding and supporting the side wall of a beverage container (C) said girth support means (46) including a first articulated arm (54) moveable in a curvilinear path in response to actuation of said collapsing means (50); hinge means (48) defining a hinge axis (A) parallel to said receptacle width and said support width for rotatably connecting said girth support means (46) to said receptacle means (38) for arcuate movement between a storage condition disposed in said receptacle means (38) and an operational position outside said receptacle means (38); and characterized by collapsing means (50) for automatically collapsing said support width smaller than said receptacle width in response to arcuate movement of said girth support means (46) toward said storage condition to allow compact storage of said girth support means (46) in said receptacle means (38).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
186 words
A beverage container holding assembly for use in a vehicular armrest (20), said assembly comprising: receptacle means (38) having a predetermined receptacle width for inclusion in a vehicular armrest (20); girth support means (46) having a predetermined support width parallel to said receptacle width and larger than said receptacle width for surrounding and supporting the side wall of a beverage container (C) said girth support means (46) including a first articulated arm (54) moveable in a curvilinear path in response to actuation of said collapsing means (50); hinge means (48) defining a hinge axis (A) parallel to said receptacle width and said support width for rotatably connecting said girth support means (46) to said receptacle means (38) for arcuate movement between a storage condition disposed in said receptacle means (38) and an operational position outside said receptacle means (38); and characterized by collapsing means (50) for automatically collapsing said support width smaller than said receptacle width in response to arcuate movement of said girth support means (46) toward said storage condition to allow compact storage of said girth support means (46) in said receptacle means (38).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further characterized by said receptacle means (38) including a lower compartment (40), an upper lid (42) and a receptacle hinge (44) interconnecting said lower compartment (40) and said lid (42).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 20 further characterized by said hinge means (48) being connected to said lower compartment (40).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 21 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including actuator means (52) for coacting with a portion of said lower compartment (40) adjacent said hinge means to actuate said collapsing means (50).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 22 further characterized by said first arm (54) including a pivot member (56) for establishing arcuate movement of said first arm (54) within a plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A) of said hinge means (48).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 23 further characterized by said girth support means (46) including a stationary first wall (58) disposed opposite said first arm (54) and fixed relative to said pivot member (56).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 24 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including biasing means (64) operatively connected to said girth support means (46) for urging said girth support means (46) toward said storage width.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 25 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including a slider element (66) disposed for linear reciprocating movement and operatively connected to said actuator means (52) for linear movement in response to actuation of said actuator means (52).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 26 further characterized by said biasing means (64) including a compression spring extending between said slider element (66) and said first wall (58).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 26 further characterized by said collapsing means (50) including a drag link (70) extending between a first end (72) and a second end (74) thereof with said first end (72) pivotally connected to said slider element (66) and said second end (74) pivotally connected to said first arm (54).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 28 further characterized by said actuator means (52) including a bell crank (78) having a driver end (80) disposed for engaging said portion of said lower compartment (40) and a driven end (82) opposite said driver end (80).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein said actuator means (52) including a connecting rod (84) extending between opposite ends with one of said ends being pivotally connected to said slider element (66) and the other of said ends being pivotally connected to said driven end (82) of said bell crank (78).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
60 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said first arm (54) includes a distal tip (60) spaced from said pivot member (56), further characterized by said first wall (58) including a tab portion (62) for interlocking with said distal tip (60) of said first arm (54) when said girth support means (46) is expanded to said support width.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 31 further characterized by said first arm (54) and said first wall (58) each having generally semi-circular shaped inner peripheries for forming a generally circular shaped beverage container support area when said girth support means (46) is expanded to said support width.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 32 further characterized by including bottom support means (90) for supporting the bottom of the beverage container (C).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 32 further characterized by said bottom support means (90) including a bar (92) moveable between an operational position when said girth support means (46) is expanded to said support width and a storage position when said girth support means (46) is collapsed to said storage width.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 34 further characterized including gravity centering means (94) for centering said bar (92) along a diameter of said circular inner periphery of said first arm (54) and said first wall (58) in response to the gravitational force when in said operational position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 35 further characterized by said gravity centering means(94) including a T-shaped tooth (96) extending from said bar (92) and a matingly shaped coacting pocket (98) disposed in said first wall (58).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 33 further characterized by said first wall (58) including a radially extending opening (100) adapted to receive a handle of the beverage container (C).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 34 further characterized by said receptacle hinge (44) including a plurality of lid fingers (120) extending outwardly from and integrally connected to said lid (42) and a plurality of lower compartment fingers (122) disposed adjacent said lid fingers (120) and integrally connected to said lower compartment (40).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 38 further characterized by said receptacle means (38) including latch means (106) for releasably latching said lid (42) to said lower compartment (40).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 39 further characterized by said receptacle means including adjustment means for adjusting the angle of said receptacle means (38) relative to a vehicular seating assembly (22) between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 40 further characterized by said latch means (106) including automatic locking means (108) for automatically locking said lid (42) and said lower compartment (40) in a fastened condition when said receptacle means (38) is in said vertical position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
An assembly as set forth in either of claims 24 or 40, further characterized by including a second articulated arm (54') adjacent said first arm (54) and moveable in unison therewith in a opposite arcuate direction relative to said first arm (54) within a plane continuously parallel to said hinge axis (A).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 42 further characterized by said hinge axis (A) and the axis of said receptacle hinge (44) being parallel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |