Patent ID: 7140660
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: B60N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A cup holder assembly comprising: a housing at least partially defined by a pair of opposing side walls and configured to at least partially enclose an interior space, said housing including a cam surface; at least one support ring pivotably movable between a use position, in which said support ring is substantially outside of said interior space substantially perpendicular to said opposing side walls and operable for at least partially supporting a container, and a stored position in which said support ring is substantially inside of said interior space substantially parallel to and substantially adjacent to one of said walls, said at least one support ring contactable with said cam surface sufficiently to cause said at least one support ring to pivot between said positions; at least one rail slideably connected with respect to said housing and configured to cooperate with said at least one support ring to further support said container; a cover connected to said at least one rail and configured to cooperate with said opposing side walls to further enclose said interior space; said at least one support ring being pivotably connected between said at least one rail and said cover; said cover being movable toward and away from said housing for moving said at least one support ring between said stored position and said use position, respectively; a locking element operable for locking said at least one support ring in said use position when said cover is moved away from said housing and unlocking said at least one support ring as said cover is moved toward said housing to permit pivoting of said at least one support ring to said support position; and a spring connected between said cover and said at least one support ring, said spring being operable for biasing said at least one support ring toward said use position and toward said locking element.