Therapeutic hand-held drinking apparatus

A hand-held drinking apparatus including a vessel having an open end and a closed end, a handle associated with the vessel and extending outwardly therefrom, and an object, such as a bead, mounted for rotation on the vessel or the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of Invention 
The present invention relates generally to a hand-held drinking apparatus 
and, more particularly, to a hand-held drinking apparatus having both 
therapeutic and amusement capabilities. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
A number of presently available therapeutic devices are designed to occupy 
a user's hands. The devices are manipulated by hand while the user works 
or day dreams in order to obtain therapeutic, stress-relieving effects. 
Many years ago, it was somewhat common for people to casually squeeze a 
piece of hard wax or putty. More recently, similar benefits have been 
obtained by squeezing small rubber balls and small bags filled with 
resilient granular material. However, as squeezing an object involves the 
use of most of the muscles in the hand, such prior art therapeutic devices 
can be quite fatiguing. 
Meditation balls and "worry" beads are two other examples of hand-occupying 
therapeutic devices. A pair of meditation balls, which are normally made 
of steel or another metal, are held in one hand by the user and passed 
back and forth over one another through finger manipulations. "Worry" 
beads are simply a string of beads that the user manipulates with one or 
both hands. 
Because the aforementioned therapeutic devices generally serve no other 
useful purpose, they tend to add to the clutter that accumulates on desks 
and in cars when not in use. Also, because they are not associated with a 
common utilitarian purpose, people tend to forget where they put them. 
Similarly, everyday implements are often combined with amusement devices in 
order to increase the enjoyment of the user. Unfortunately, the vast 
majority of such devices are intended to amuse children, whose lives are 
considerably less stressful than those of adults. For example, infant 
high-chairs are often provided with toys, horns, etc. Another example is 
pencil erasers and drinking straws, which have been shaped in the form of 
cartoon characters. Still another example is disclosed in British Patent 
Specification No. 970,657, published in 1964, which is directed to a mug 
having a whistle built into the handle. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The general object of the present invention is to obviate, for practical 
purposes, the aforementioned problems in the art. In particular, one 
object of the present invention is to provide a device having a common 
utilitarian function that is capable of providing both therapeutic effects 
and an amusing diversion. Another object of the present invention is to 
provide a drinking apparatus that is capable of producing therapeutic 
effects during use. Still another object of the present invention is to 
provide a drinking apparatus having features that are amusing to both 
children and adults. 
In order to accomplish these and other objectives, one embodiment of the 
present invention may include a liquid holding vessel, a handle extending 
outwardly from the vessel, and one or more objects mounted for rotation on 
the handle and defining an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation may be 
oriented in a variety of ways. For example, the axis of rotation may lie 
in a plane extending radially from the vessel or in a plane defined by the 
handle. Another preferred embodiment includes a rotating object that is 
associated with the vessel itself, as opposed to the handle. 
The object may be mounted on the handle or vessel in such a manner that it 
is free to rotate about the axis of rotation. An axial member, upon which 
the object rotates, may be provided along the axis of rotation. The axial 
member may be secured to a drinking apparatus in a variety of ways. For 
example, the axial member may be permanently attached to the handle or 
vessel. The axial member may also be part of a sub-assembly that is 
permanently attached to the handle or vessel. Conversely, the axial member 
and rotating object may be part of a device that is adapted to be 
removably attached to the handle or vessel, thereby allowing the user to 
enjoy the advantageous aspects of the invention with a plurality of cups, 
mugs, glasses, other drinking apparatus, and other devices, such as 
telephones, which include handles. The axial member may also be eliminated 
altogether when an object adapted to rotate about a portion of the handle 
is used. 
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
the rotating object may be secured in such a manner that it is free to 
rotate in any direction. In particular, this preferred embodiment includes 
a rotating object that may be secured to a handle in a nesting fashion 
that allows multi-direction rotation. 
Rotating objects in accordance with the present invention may, for example, 
be oval or spherically-shaped beads, corporate symbols, small toys, disks 
or other small items that a person may find tactilely or visually 
stimulating and/or amusing. The bead could also be shaped, textured and/or 
colored so as to resemble a football, baseball, basketball, hockey puck, 
tennis ball, soccer ball, dice or the like. 
The present invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. 
For example, the present invention does not require fatiguing squeezing to 
obtain the desired relaxing, therapeutic effects. The present invention 
also provides the therapeutic benefits of the prior art in conjunction 
with a device that performs an additional useful function, namely, holding 
water, coffee and other beverages. The fact that users will associate the 
present invention with a common utilitarian function will also make it 
less likely that they place it somewhere and forget about it. Moreover, 
because cups and mugs are commonly found on desks and in cars (with 
special provisions to prevent spills), the present invention will not add 
to desk or car clutter when not in use. 
Turning to the present invention's amusement capabilities, the rotating 
object may be any object that a person would find stimulating or amusing. 
As any number of slogans, faces, corporate logos and other interesting 
designs may be printed on the object, the present invention may be 
specifically adapted to have amusement capabilities directed to a variety 
of different intended users. For example, a rotating disk may be provided 
in the form of a "decision wheel" which is divided into a plurality of 
segments. Each segment includes the answer to a question. As such, the 
user can ask the wheel a question, spin the wheel and receive an answer. 
The answers may be of a general nature, such as "yes, "no," "maybe," 
"probably," "always" and "never." They may also be of a more specific 
nature. If, for example, the wheel was intended to be used by a 
stockbroker, then the answers could be "buy" and "sell." In addition to 
the aforementioned therapeutic effects associated with the manual 
manipulation a rotating object while working or day dreaming, the 
question/answer feature provides an amusing diversion which may be taken 
advantage of as desired. 
The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the 
present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better 
understood by reference to the following detailed description when 
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following is a detailed description of a number of preferred 
embodiments of the present invention. This description is not to be taken 
in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating 
the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is 
defined by the appended claims. 
Referring to FIG. 1, a drinking apparatus in accordance with a first 
preferred embodiment of the present invention may be a mug, such as that 
generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The mug includes a liquid 
holding vessel 12 having an open end 14, a closed end 16 and a handle 18. 
The handle includes a pair of support members 19a and 19b and a grip 
member 19c. A groove is formed between a pair of tabs 20a and 20b on 
handle support member 19a. The groove may also be a vertically facing 
groove formed in the top, outer portion of a support member as shown in 
FIGS. 4a and 4b. The groove may be oriented in a variety of ways and 
formed in any portion of the handle. As illustrated for example in FIG. 
2a, a groove 24 may be formed-in the inner, grip portion of a handle 26 
and, as illustrated for example in FIG. 3, a groove 28 may be oriented 
approximately 45.degree. from the orientation of the groove in FIG. 1. 
The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes an axial 
member (or shaft) 30 which rotatably supports an object 32. The axial 
member shown in FIG. 1 extends completely through the object and is 
permanently affixed to tabs 20a and 20b. As illustrated in FIG. 3, an 
axial member may be provided in the form of a bolt 34 which extends 
through an aperture 36 formed in a portion 38 of a handle 40. A nut 42 
holds bolt 34 in place. The bolt extend partially into a rotating object 
44. The object is prevented from coming off of the bolt by a portion 46 of 
the handle and a small space 48 may formed between portion 46 and the 
object. 
As illustrated for example in FIGS. 2a and 2b, an axial member is not 
necessarily required. As shown in FIG. 2a, an axial member 25 passes 
through a rotating object 27 and secures the object within groove 24. 
Conversely, in FIG. 2b, an object 27' is rotatably secured by a pair of 
detents 29a and 29b formed in a handle 26' having a groove 24'. 
Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, an axial member may also be provided in the 
form of a pair of axial members (or shafts) 50a and 50b that are part of 
an insert 52 which is shaped in such a manner that it fits into a groove 
54 in a handle. The insert may be secured to the groove with an adhesive 
or by other appropriate means. Axial members 50a and 50b may be replaced 
by a single axial member that passes completely through the object. The 
axial members may also be eliminated and replaced by a pair of detents, 
such as those shown in FIG. 2b, which rotatably secure the rotating 
object. 
As shown by way of example in FIG. 5, an axial member 56, itself supported 
by a pair of tabs 57a and 57b, supports a rotating device 58. The tabs are 
attached a vessel 60, as opposed to a handle 62. However, the axial member 
may eliminated and replaced by a pair of detents formed in the tabs which 
rotatably secure the object. Obviously, this aspect of the invention could 
be employed in conjunction with drinking apparatus lacking a handle. Also, 
the axial member may be placed in a variety of locations on the vessel. 
Referring to the preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, the axial 
member and rotating object may be removably attached to the drinking 
apparatus. The exemplary device generally indicated by reference numeral 
64 in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a main body portion 66 which supports an 
axial member 68 that, in turn, supports a rotating object 70. 
Alternatively, the axial member may be eliminated and replaced by a pair 
of detents formed in the main body portion which rotatably secure the 
object. The main body portion may be secured to a handle 72 by a flexible 
clamp 74 that is adapted to be secured to the handle. Clamp 74 may be a 
resilient member attached to, or integrally formed with, main body portion 
66 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The clamp may also be a device with a 
threaded member that operates in a manner similar to a C-clamp. However, 
the clamp may be eliminated and replaced by an adhesive, such as a 
pressure sensitive adhesive, permanent or not, which coats the side of the 
main body portion in contact with the handle. Of course, the shape of the 
main body portion may be altered as needed to provide sufficient contact 
area. The adhesive may be applied at the time of assembly or may be 
pre-applied to the main body portion and covered with a removable backing 
sheet. 
The exemplary device illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is adapted to be secured 
to a Vessel 76. The device, which is generally indicated by reference 
numeral 78, includes a main body portion 80 which supports an axial member 
82 that, in turn, supports a rotating object 84. Alternatively, the axial 
member may eliminated and replaced by a pair of detents formed in the main 
body portion which rotatably secure the object. The main body portion may 
be secured to a rim 86 of the vessel by a flexible clamp 88 that is 
adapted to be secured to the rim. Clamp 88 may be a resilient member 
attached to, or integrally formed with, main body portion 80 as shown in 
FIGS. 8 and 9. The clamp may also be a device with a threaded member that 
operates in a manner similar to a C-clamp. Clamp 88 may be preferably 
curved so that it conforms to the curved shape of the vessel and somewhat 
flexible so that it can conform to vessels of slightly different diameter. 
However, as noted above, the clamp may be replaced by adhesive which coats 
the side of the main body portion in contact with the handle and, if 
necessary, the shape of the main body portion may be altered to provide 
sufficient contact area. The adhesive may be applied at the time of 
assembly or may be pre-applied to the main body portion and covered with a 
removable backing sheet. 
Referring now to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, a 
rotating object may be provided in the form of a decision wheel or disk 90 
which rotates with an axial member 92 that is rotatably mounted in a base 
94. The axial member and wheel may be alternatively configured such that 
the axial member remains fixed and the wheel rotates about the axial 
member. The base is mounted in an aperture 96 formed in a handle 96. 
Decision wheel 90 may be divided into any number of segments, each segment 
corresponding to an answer to a question. As shown by way of example in 
FIG. 12, the decision wheel may be divided into four sections which 
indicate the answers "yes," "no," "probably" and "maybe." In order to have 
a question answered, the user spins the wheel and waits to see which 
section aligns with an indicia 98 that may be formed on the handle, as 
shown in FIG. 10, or on the vessel. 
As illustrated for example in FIG. 13, the decision wheel may be removably 
attached to the drinking apparatus. The exemplary device generally 
indicated by reference numeral 100 includes a main body portion 102 which 
supports an axial member 104 that, in turn, supports a decision wheel 106. 
The main body portion may be secured to a handle 108 by a flexible clamp 
110 that is adapted to be secured to the handle. As discussed above with 
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, clamp 110 may be a resilient member attached 
to, or integrally formed with, main body portion 102 or rigid device with 
a threaded member that operates in a manner similar to a C-clamp. Decision 
wheel device 100 may also be configured in a manner similar to the device 
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 so that the decision wheel can be secured to the 
rim of a vessel. Also, the clamp may be replaced by adhesive in the manner 
described above with respect to FIGS. 6-9. 
Referring to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, a rotating 
object may be provided in the form of a hollow cylinder 112 that is 
arranged on a handle 114. The cylinder may be held in place by a pair of 
stops 116a and 116b. Alternatively, the handle may be provided with a 
reduced diameter portion and the cylinder be provided on the reduced 
diameter portion. Cylinder 112 may be arranged on the top portion of 
handle 114, as shown, or side or bottom portions. 
Turning to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, 
rotating objects may be provided in the form of a pair of dice 118a and 
118b. The dice rotate about an axial member 120 that is secured to a 
handle 122 by a plug 124. The plug is adapted to be placed in an aperture 
formed in handle 122. The plug arrangement may be replaced by a resilient 
clamp such as that illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 or a C-clamp device. The 
dice may also be secured to the rim of a vessel, either permanently in a 
manner similar to that shown in FIG. 5, or removably through the use of a 
resilient clamp similar to that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 or a C-clamp 
device. 
Finally, an axis-less configuration is illustrated for example in FIGS. 
17-19. Referring to the numbered elements in FIGS. 17 and 18, a rotating 
object 126 may be placed in an indentation 128 formed a handle 130. The 
indentation has a shape corresponding to that of the rotating object. A 
cap 132, the inner portion of which is also shaped to correspond to the 
shape of rotating object 126, may be secured to the handle to hold the 
object in place. The rotating object is in slidable contact with the 
surface of the indentation and is free to rotate in any direction within 
the space defined by the indentation and cap. The indentation may be 
formed in any portion of the handle including, but not limited to, the 
top, outer portion of the handle, as shown in FIG. 17, and the inner, grip 
portion in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 6. It may also be formed 
at an angle in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 4 or on the rim of 
the vessel itself. 
Turning to FIG. 19, the freely rotating object shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 may 
be removably attached to the drinking apparatus. The exemplary device 
generally indicated by reference numeral 134 includes a main body portion 
136 having an indentation 138 that supports a rotating object 140. A cap 
142 is provided to hold the rotating object in place. The main body 
portion may be secured to a handle 144 by a flexible clamp 146. The clamp 
may be of the resilient or C-clamp varieties discussed above with respect 
to FIGS. 6-9 and 13, or replaced by adhesive in the manner described above 
with respect to FIGS. 6-9. 
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred 
embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the 
above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one 
skilled in the art. 
For example, the present invention is not limited to cylindrically-shaped 
mugs. Cups without handles may also be used, as may vessels of various 
sizes and shapes. The rotating object could be associated with the side of 
the vessel as well as its rim. Additionally, a plurality of rotating 
objects may be included on a single drinking apparatus and/or a single 
axial member. With respect to the various axis of rotation, the object may 
either rotate about a generally fixed axial member or be secured to an 
axial member which itself rotates. The devices shown in FIGS. 6-9, 13 and 
19 are not limited to used with drinking apparatus. Rather, they may be 
used in conjunction with any apparatus that includes a hand-held handle, 
such as a telephone. 
It is intended that the scope of the present invention extends to all such 
modifications and/or additions and that the scope of the present invention 
is limited solely by the claims set forth below.