Abstract:
The disclosed embodiment provides a beverage container holder for a vehicle that utilizes a bin-like member having a floor and generally vertical walls defining a compartment with an opening at its top. A partition member extends across the opening of the bin-like member to divide the compartment into two parts, wherein the partition member is manually adjustable to a plurality of locations within the bin-like member to provide for the retention of beverage containers of various sizes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of beverage container holders for vehicles, and in particular to beverage container holders which are manually adjustable to hold beverage containers of different sizes. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is well known that beverage containers such as cans, bottles, foam cups and juice boxes come in various sizes, and that they may vary substantially in diameter and area. Therefore, it is desirable that beverage container holders for vehicles have means to make them easily adjustable so as to suitably receive and support such beverage containers of various sizes. 
     In this technology field, there have been several variations in adjustable beverage container holders, popularly known as “cup holders”. Many involve a slidable or ratcheting device that is spring loaded to be moved to various positions within the bin. In other configurations, spring loaded arms are used to grip the container and accommodate various sizes. However, there is a need for simpler and lower cost devices that can accomplish the traditional purpose of adjusting a beverage container size to accommodate a wide range of container sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container holder for a vehicle which can receive and support beverage containers of different sizes with an easy to use adjustment device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable cup holder in which the adjustment device is a unitary element without moving parts. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide such a unitary adjustment device for a beverage container holder as a molded element at a reasonable cost. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable cup holder with vertical guides that locate the adjustment device in a plurality of positions within the cup holder. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container holder for a vehicle which can receive and support beverage containers of different sizes with a low cost and unitary adjustment device without additional moving components. 
     To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a beverage container holder for a vehicle that comprises a bin-like member having a floor and generally vertical walls defining a compartment with an opening at its top; a divider or partition member which extends across the opening of the bin-like member to divide the compartment into two parts; wherein the partition member is manually adjustable to a plurality of locations within the bin-like member. 
     A more complete description of an embodiment of the inventive concept is presented below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the unitary partition member embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the same unitary partition member embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , rotated to reveal the detail of a first side with a locating channel. 
         FIG. 2A  is a close-up view of the locating channel shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the same unitary partition member embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , rotated to reveal the detail of a second side with sets of locating tabs. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the open top of a beverage container containing the adjustable partition element embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the open top of a beverage container in which the adjustable partition element has been removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the open top of a beverage container in which the adjustable partition element is located in a first position. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the open top of a beverage container in which the adjustable partition element is located in a second position. 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed view of a portion of the beverage container showing elongated ribs that engage the locating channel of the adjustable partition element shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed view of another portion of the beverage container showing stops engaging a set of locating tabs on the second side of the adjustable partition element. 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed bottom view from that portion of the beverage container shown in  FIG. 9  that further shows several sets of stops engaging the locating tabs on the second side of the adjustable partition element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiment of the adjustable partition element  100  is shown in detail with the various views of  FIGS. 1-3 . The plan and perspective views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrate the one piece unitary molded element  100  with opposite ends  104  and  106  and that are joined to a saddle  112  by curved walls  108  and  109  from end  104  and curved walls  110  and  111  from end  106 . Saddle  112  is low cut to define a “mug relief” through which coffee mug handles can extend when inserted into the cup holder. In cross-section, saddle  112  has a “T” shape that provides added strength to the partition structure. Below, saddle  112  is a support web  114  that functions to provide added strength and, along with the “T” shape cross-section of saddle  112  provides a finger hold when the element  100  is lifted to be removed or lowered to be inserted into cup holder bin  200 . A curved base  102  extends from lower contact points  105  and  107  on one side and  101  and  103  on the other side and provides an arcuate clearance below the saddle  112  and above the floor  202  of the cup holder bin  200  to minimize the footprint contact of partition element  110  with a rubberized mat that is commonly placed on the floor of cup holder bins. Minimizing contact with a rubberized bin floor mat, eliminates unwanted upward pressure that may otherwise work against the friction retention of adjustable partition element  100  in each of its set locations within cup holder bin  200 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 2A  illustrate the alignment channel  126  in end wall  104  of adjustable partition element  100  that is configured to mate with any of a plurality of elongated ribs inside cup holder bin  200 . Alignment channel  126  contains a lower set of friction tabs  130  and a higher set of friction tabs  132 . Each set of tabs  130  and  132  extend into the channel  126  to provide an interference grip with an elongated rib inside cup holder bin  200  when adjustable partition element  100  is inserted into cup holder bin  200 . A pair of “V” shaped leading ramp surfaces  128  provide a guiding function to assist one in properly locating the alignment channel  126  of the adjustable element  100  onto an elongated rib inside cup holder bin  200  when adjustable partition element  100  is inserted into cup holder bin  200 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the locating tabs  116 ,  188 ,  120  and  122  extending from side wall  106  of adjustable partition element  100 . The spacing of the locating tabs across the side wall  106  is such that the tabs will interfere with and be held in place by friction against a pair of stops located at predetermined positions within cup holder bin  200 . 
     This embodiment of the adjustable partition element  100  was formed as a unitary structure without any additional moving parts or components. Such a unitary structure is ideal for rapid injection molding techniques from currently available plastic materials. Its rigidity and longevity over several years of frequent use over a wide range of temperatures will dictate the material selected for its manufacture. 
     The cup holder bin  200  shown in  FIG. 4  is a perspective view with the adjustable partition element  100  located in one of a plurality of predetermined locations. In the illustrated position, adjustable partition element  100 , along with vertical bin walls  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  as well as floor  202  define separate areas  A  and  B  for receiving and retaining beverage containers. In this embodiment, two beverage containers of can be accommodated in the same cup holder bin  200 . 
     In  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , the cup holder bin  200  is shown as a top view, but reversed as compared to  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 5 , the cup holder bin  200  is shown without adjustable partition element  100  installed. Additional detail is provided as compared to  FIG. 4  in that elongated ribs  222  and  224  are shown running vertical along side wall  208 . Also, stops  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238  are shown located at the junction of bin floor  202  and side wall  204 . Elongated ribs  222  and  224  are shown in greater detail in  FIG. 8 . Stops  232 ,  234 ,  236  and  238  are shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the disclosed embodiment of the present invention with adjustable partition element  100  located with its alignment channel  126  positioned on elongated rib  222  and its tabs  116  and  118  respectively abutting stops  232  and  234 . This places adjustable partition element  100  in a location that allows two areas A and B to be approximately equal for retaining beverage containers. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the disclosed embodiment of the present invention with adjustable partition element  100  located with its alignment channel  126  positioned on elongated rib  224  and its tabs  116  and  118  respectively abutting stops  236  and  238 . This places adjustable partition element  100  in a location that allows two areas A′ and B′ to be differently sized in order to retain beverage containers of different sizes. The dashed lines represent the area for a rectangular container in area A′ and a circular container in area B′. 
     To manually adjust adjustable partition member  100  within cup holder bin  200 , one merely grabs member  100  at support web  114  and pulls it upward to release it from its current position. Be moving partition to the next position, a downward force will cause the next elongated rib to be guided into channel  126  by leading ramp surfaces  128  and both sets of friction tabs  130  and  132  provide frictional engagement of the rib and hold partition member  100  in place. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  provide detail of the disclosed embodiment&#39;s frictional retention against stops  232  and  234 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 . In those illustrations the locating tabs  116  and  118  extending sideways from partition  100  are frictionally compressed against corresponding stops  232  and  234  extending from bin side wall  204 . In addition, locating tabs  118  and  120  extending lengthwise from partition  100  are each frictionally compressed against bin side wall  204 . When moved from one position to another, an unused stop such as  236  needs to be accommodated to prevent interference. End  106  contains an opening  113  ( FIG. 3 ) that provides such an accommodation. 
     It can be seen from the drawings and accompanying explanation, that the present inventive concept is a unique improvement over conventional adjustable cup holders. And while the embodiment described here is a preferred embodiment, it shall not be considered to be a restriction on the scope of the claims set forth below.