Abstract:
A container holder adapted for use with a structure has a pneumatically operated bladder member for selectively adjusting the size of a container holder depression or opening. The bladder member is positioned on the periphery of the container holder and is inflated or deflated using a pump mechanism in order to vary the size of a container receiving aperture.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to holders for containers in general, and more specifically to a container holder which will securely hold containers of a variety of sizes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous approaches have been taken for holding beverage containers of various sizes. Some of these approaches include depressions in the molded plastic of an instrument panel or center console and trays or drawers that slide out from an armrest or under the dash with openings for beverage containers. 
     One problem with existing container holders is the inability to accommodate containers of various sizes. Containers which are smaller than the depression or opening are not held securely and may tip easily. Containers which are larger than the depression or opening do not fit into the holder. 
     Recently, some container holders have included flexible inserts to allow for a greater variety of container sizes. However, such holders may not hold a smaller container securely. Also, larger containers may be difficult to insert and remove from the container holder. Therefore, a container holder which can adjust to the size of the container is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the related art by providing a pneumatically operated means for selectively adjusting the size of the container holder depression or opening. An air bladder positioned on the periphery, or a portion thereof, of the container holder is inflated or deflated using a pump mechanism in order to change the size of the container receiving aperture. The container holder is adapted to be attached to, or integral with, a surrounding structure, such as a vehicle panel, console, or seat armrest. 
     An advantage of the present invention is a container holder which is capable of securely holding containers of varying sizes. 
     Another advantage is a container holder in which the container holder opening or depression size can be selectively varied to fit the size of a container. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is a container holder which is easily operated. 
     A feature of the present invention is a pneumatically inflatable bladder member positioned around a periphery, or portion thereof, of the container holder. 
     Another feature is a pump attached to the bladder member for selectively inflating or deflating the bladder member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pneumatic container holder according to the present invention showing an inflatable bladder around the center of a container holder; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, shown in an inflated state gripping a container; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but shown in a deflated state; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention similar to FIG. 2 but having an inflatable bladder along the upper rim of the container holder; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention similar to FIG. 2 having a generally cylindrical container receiving member; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a pneumatic cup holder according to the present invention showing an inflatable bladder spirally positioned around an inner surface of a container holder; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a pneumatic container holder of the present invention showing an inflatable bladder sleeve which fits along an inner surface of a container holder; 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are side sectional views of an inflatable bellows bladder placed in a channel along an interior surface of a container holder shown in deflated and inflated states, respectively; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container holder of the present invention and controls therefor shown in an automotive center console; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view taken, partially cut away, in the direction of line  11  of FIG. 10 of a fifth embodiment of a pneumatic container holder according to the present invention showing an inflatable bladder having vertically extending fingers along an inner surface of a container holder; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10 showing the pneumatic container holder in a deflated state; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12 but shown in an inflated state gripping a container; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention showing an inflatable container holder bladder with circumferentially spaced bladder members; 
     FIGS. 15-17 show perspective views of a seventh embodiment of the pneumatic container holder according to the present invention showing inflatable bladders on an underside of concealment flaps movable between a closed position (FIG. 15) and an open position (FIGS. 16 and 17) to cover and uncover a container well, the flaps having inflatable bladders movable between inflated and deflated states (FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively); 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  18 — 18  of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention showing a tray container holder having an inflatable bladder in a deflated state; 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 19 but showing the inflatable bladder in an inflated state; 
     FIGS. 21-23 are perspective views of a ninth embodiment of the present invention showing a concealable flap in a vehicle&#39;s surface in a closed position (FIG. 21) and in an open position (FIGS. 22 and 23) allowing a set of container arms to deploy, the container arms having an inflatable bladder on an inner surface thereof movable between a deflated state (FIG. 22) and an inflated state (FIG.  23 ); 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention showing a container holder having a pair of overlapping inflatable bladder members; and 
     FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but in a fully inflated state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a pneumatic container holder, generally shown at reference number  10 , is shown positioned in a structure  12 . The structure  12  can be, for example, a table, tray, console, or any other structure in which a container holder is desired. The structure  12  has an upper surface  14 . The pneumatic container holder  10  is comprised of a container receiving member  16  having a generally vertical axis V and side walls  30  thereabout, a pneumatically operated bladder member  18  disposed along a portion of a periphery of the container receiving member for pneumatically varying a gripping width of the container receiving member, and a pump member  20  operatively connected with the bladder member  18  to adjust air pressure therein so as to selectively vary a contact surface  22  (FIGS. 2-5) of the container receiving member with a container  24  when placed therein. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bladder  18  may be located in a channel  26  circumferentially traversing the container holder  16 . Preferably, the container receiving member  16  has a flexible membrane  28 , or skin, along the generally vertical sides  30  to prevent dirt and other contamination from contacting the bladder member  18 , to increase the durability of the bladder member  18  and to generally improve the appearance of the container holder  10 . The container receiving member  16  can be formed in the structure  12  by creating an opening  32  in the surface  14  (FIGS. 1 and 2) and forming a depression in the structure. The depression is typically formed in a cylindrical shape with a side  30  and a bottom  34  (FIGS.  2 - 4 ). The side  30  may be slightly angled as seen in FIG. 4 or may be substantially vertical, as seen in FIG. 5, to form a generally cylindrical depression. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, a container  24  having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the container receiving member  16  can be accommodated by the pneumatic container holder  10  of the present invention to retain it in a secure fashion. This is accomplished by placing the container  24  into the container receiving member  16  and inflating the bladder  18  with the pump  20  until the bladder  18 , or skin  28 , securedly contacts or grips an outer surface  36  of the container  24 . When the bladder  18  is in a deflated state (FIG.  3 ), the container  24  may be inserted into the container receiving member  16  without interference. Once therein, the bladder  18  may be moved to an inflated state (FIG. 2) by using the pump  20 . When release of the container  24  from the container holder  10  is desired, a relief valve  38  may be depressed (FIG. 1) which allows air to escape from the bladder member, returning it to a deflated state (FIG.  3 ). 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the pneumatic container holder  10  is shown having an inflatable bladder member  18   a  positioned in a channel  26   a  near an upper rim  40  of the container receiving member  16   a . The location of channel  26   a  and the inflatable bladder  18   a  located therein may be dictated by the size of containers to be held within the container holder, the space available for the container holder relative to the surrounding structure, and other design considerations. 
     The bladder  18   a  may be made of a durable, flexible material, and the container receiving member  16   a  can be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to a hard plastic, such as polypropylene. 
     Connecting the pump  20  and the bladder member  18  is a hose or tube  21  (FIG. 1) for communicating air therebetween. Preferably, the pump  20  and relief valve  38  are placed in a flange  23  and the assembly is mounted in a convenient location on surface  14 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, an embodiment of an alternate bladder member  18   b  is shown in inflated and deflated states, respectively. The bladder member  18   b  is comprised of a bellows section  42  mounted toward a closed end  44  of the channel  26  with the tube  21  extending therefrom and a contact portion  46  mounted in an open end  48  of the channel  26  for movement thereunto when the bladder member  18   b  is in a deflated state (FIG. 8) and for movement thereoutof when the bladder member  18   b  is in an inflated state (FIG.  9 ). The bladder member  18   b , with the bellows feature as described, may permit more compact packaging, better control, and a greater range of container gripping diameter variation within the container holder since the bellows portion  42  directs the contact portion  46  in a radial direction with respect to a center vertical axis through the container (not shown). 
     As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, other variations of a pneumatic container holder employing an inflatable bladder member for effectively varying a gripping width of the container holder with respect to a container therein are shown. In FIG. 6, a bladder member  118  is shown spirally mounted around an inner surface  122  of a container bolder  116 . The bladder member  118  may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including but not limited to, circular, elliptic, oval, square, rectangular, in addition to the bellows shape described above. Preferably, the bladder member  118  is mounted in a channel (not shown) similar to those previously described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. 
     A sleeve-type bladder  218  (FIG. 7) comprises a generally cylindrically shaped member which fits within a container receiving member and expands or contracts under air pressure from the tube  21  to vary the effective gripping width of the container holder. For purposes of this disclosure, effective gripping width indicates that diameter or other opening through which a container passes within the container holder. Preferably, the bladder member  218  has a vertical slot  220  defined by opposite ends  222 ,  224  to permit expansion of the bladder member  218  when moved between the deflated and inflated states. 
     Turning now to FIG. 10, a pneumatic container holder  310 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is shown mounted in an automotive vehicle center console  311 . The pump  320  and relief valve  338  are preferably mounted in the console  311 , and as seen in FIG. 10, both a driver and a front passenger container holder may be mounted within the console  311 . It should be understood that any of the embodiments of the pneumatic container holder of the present invention may be mounted as shown in FIG. 10 or may be mounted in other suitable locations within an automotive vehicle, within any other mobile vehicle, or within any structure in which a container holder is desired. 
     Another embodiment of pneumatic container holder according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 11. A container holder  410  comprises a container receiving member  416  having a bladder member  418  disposed along an inner surface  422  thereof. The bladder member  418  is comprised of circumferentially spaced bladder appendages which, in this embodiment, take the form of vertically extending fingers  419 , the fingers  419  each comprised of a pair of parallel layers connected along the periphery  417  to form an inflatable member, preferably connected at a base portion  425  along a base  427  of the container receiving member  416 . The base portion  425  has connected thereto an adapting nub  429  for receiving one end of the tube  421  therein, the other end of the tube  421  connected to the pump  420 . The pump  420  may have a flexible pump button  431  to permit finger or thumb operation thereof. The relief valve  438  is also operated by a finger for release of pressure from within the fingers  419  when it is desired to remove a container from within the container receiving member  416 . While the fingers  419  are seen connected parallel to the pump  420  through tube  21 , it should be understood that such fingers may also be connected in series. In operation, a container is placed into the container receiving member  416  with the bladder member  418  in a deflated state so that the fingers  419  retract toward the side wall  430  of the container receiving member, thus increasing the diameter, or opening through which the container  424  may fit. After the container  424  has been placed within the container receiving member  416 , the pump  420  is operated so that the bladder member  418  is inflated and the fingers  419  decrease the effective gripping width of the container holder and contact vertical sides of the container  424  so as to securely hold it in place (FIGS.  12  and  13 ). In FIG. 12, the fingers  419  are mounted in the container receiving member  416  and attached thereto with locking tabs  423 . Alternatively, the fingers  419  of bladder member  418  may be mounted outside the container receiving member  416  and expand inwardly through openings  433  to contact the container  424  (FIG.  13 ). 
     Turning now to FIG. 14, an alternative embodiment of a pneumatic container holder according to the present invention is shown having a plurality of substantially horizontal, circumferentially spaced bladder members  519  connected by tubes  523  and having tube  521  connected with the pump (not shown). The bladder members  519  may be connected in parallel with the pump, or alternatively may be connected in series (not shown). 
     The pneumatic container holder of the present invention may be used in various settings; for example, as in concealed a container holder as shown in FIGS. 15-18. A structure  612  has an upper surface  614  in which a pair of concealment flaps  615  are mounted for movement between a concealing position (FIG. 15) substantially planar with the surface  614 , and an open position (FIGS. 16,  17 ) substantially perpendicular to the surface  614  so as to cover and uncover a container well  617  formed in the structure  612  below the surface  614 . The flaps  615  each have an inflatable bladder member  618  mounted on an underside  619  thereof (FIGS.  16 - 18 ). The bladder members  618  are directly opposed when the flaps  615  are in the open position in a deflated state (FIG.  16 ), and have an attachment surface  621  attached to the concealment flap  615  and a gripping surface  623  which expands into a concave arcuate shape when the container holder is in an inflated state for securely gripping a side of a container  624  placed within the well  617  (FIGS.  17  and  18 ). 
     In operation, the concealment flap  615  may be opened using finger openings  625  formed in a center of opposing edges  627 , thus revealing well  617  (FIG.  16 ). The container  624  may then be placed within well  617  and the opposing bladder member  618  inflated using a pump (not shown) as described above, to securely grip the container  624  between the opposing bladder members (FIGS.  17  and  18 ). Release of pressure form within the bladder members is accomplished as heretofore described, the container  624  may be removed from the well  617 , and the concealment flaps closed to cover the well. 
     In FIGS. 19 and 20, yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a tray container holder  710  having an inflatable bladder. The tray container holder comprises a tray member  712  having a pair of container receiving openings  732  formed in a surface  714  thereof. The tray has a base  716  and an inflatable bladder  718  horizontally sandwiched between the upper surface  714  and the base member  716  (FIG.  19 ). The container receiving opening  732  extends through the surface  714 , the bladder member  718  and the base member  716 . The container receiving opening  732  are preferably formed of a larger diameter than most containers to be placed therein so that upon inflation of the bladder member  718 , the grip width or diameter of the container receiving opening  732  decreases so as to grip the containers  724  therein (FIG.  20 ). The tray  712  may be mounted to a suitable structure, for example, to a convenience console  725 , which may be, for example, a portion of an instrument panel in an automotive vehicle. The tray  712  may be movable into a concealed position within the automotive panel (not shown). 
     In operation, a container  724  is placed within a container receiving opening  732 , and the bladder member  718  is inflated form the deflated state (FIG. 19) to an inflated state (FIG. 20) so as to grip the container therein. The process is reversed to remove the container from the pneumatic container holder  710 . 
     Another concealable pneumatic container holder embodiment is shown in FIGS. 21-23. A concealment flap  815  mounted flush and substantially parallel to a surface  814  of a structure  812  is movable between a closed position (FIG. 21) and an open position (FIGS.  22  and  23 ). When the flap  815  is in the open position, a pair of container receptacles  823  are revealed partially bounded by arcuate container arms  816  having inflatable bladder members  818  mounted on an inner surface  819  thereof (FIGS.  22  and  23 ). The bladder members  818  are movable between a deflated state (FIG.  22 ), obstructing the container holder openings  823  to allow a container to be placed therein, and an inflated state (FIG. 23) in which the effective gripping width of the container arms is varied to contact the vertical side of the container to securely grip and hold it within the container holder. The bladder  818  are pneumatically operated between the deflated and inflated states, as previously described with respect to other embodiments disclosed herein. 
     In FIG. 24, a container holder  910  has a pair of semi-circular, tubular bladder members  918  which overlap at ends  923 . When inflated, the bladder members  918  expand radially inwardly and overlap each other to decrease the effective width of container receiving member. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.