Watercraft drinking vessel holder and method for retaining a drinking vessel on a watercraft

A watercraft drinking vessel holder and method for retaining a drinking vessel on a watercraft is configured to contain a can, cup, or water bottle for easy access during paddle boarding. The vessel holder attaches to a flat watercraft through multiple crisscrossing stretch cords that pass through elongated slots forming through the longitudinal of the vessel holder. The crisscrossing stretches cords retain the vessel holder substantially upright on the watercraft. The vessel holder has a flat base designed to sit flush against the surface of watercraft. A sidewall projects upwardly from the base. The sidewall receives drinking vessel, and substantially encapsulates drinking vessel. The sidewall defines multiple slots extending along the longitudinal in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship. The slots enable passage of elastic cords that crisscross therethrough. The cords are pulled down towards the base end of the sidewalls to firmly secure the vessel holder to the watercraft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a watercraft drinking vessel holder and method for retaining a drinking vessel on a watercraft. More so, the present invention relates to a watercraft drinking vessel holder configured to contain a can, cup, water bottle or other beverage container for easy access during paddle boarding or other water activities; and that attaches to a flat watercraft, such as a paddle board, through use of multiple crisscrossing or intersecting stretch cords that pass through elongated slots extending along the longitudinal axis of the vessel holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A watercraft drinking vessel holder100and method for retaining a drinking vessel106on a watercraft is referenced inFIGS.1-6. The watercraft drinking vessel holder100, hereafter “vessel holder100”, is configured to contain a can, cup, water bottle or other beverage container or drinking vessel106for easy access during paddle boarding or other water activities. As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the vessel holder100may be configured for attachment to a deck or other flat surface110on a watercraft108, such as a paddleboard, for example and without limitation, through use of multiple cord strands204a-dof one or more holder cords204(FIG.2). The cord strands204a-dmay extend in a crisscrossing or intersecting pattern through elongated sidewall slots202a-dwhich extend longitudinally through a holder sidewall104of the vessel holder100and seat in at least one linear depression400a, bin a holder base102of the vessel holder100. In some embodiments, a plurality of linear depressions400a, bmay intersect at a cord intersection210(FIG.6) in the holder base102. Thus, the cord strands204a-dof the holder cord204retain the vessel holder100in a substantially upright position on the flat surface110of the watercraft108as the vessel holder100receives and retains the drinking vessel106in a substantially upright position.

In some embodiments, the vessel holder100has a flat holder base102designed to sit flush against the flat surface110of the watercraft108. The holder base102provides lateral stability to the vessel holder100and the drinking vessel106contained therein. A holder sidewall104projects upwardly from the holder base102. In some embodiments, the holder sidewall104may be cylindrical, as illustrated. In other embodiments, the holder sidewall may have an oval, square, rectangular, elliptical, or polygonal cross-section.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the holder sidewall104has a sidewall base end200bat the holder base102and a sidewall free end200aopposite the sidewall base end200b. The holder base102and the holder sidewall104define a holder interior212. The holder interior212is suitably sized and configured to receive the drinking vessel106. In some embodiments, the holder interior212may be suitably sized and configured such that the holder sidewall104substantially engages and surrounds or encapsulates the drinking vessel106.

The holder base102has a flat or planar base top face300and a base bottom face304. The base bottom face304may be operable to rest flush or flat against the flat surface110on the watercraft108. As particularly illustrated inFIGS.4and5, at least one, and typically, a plurality of intersecting linear depressions400a,400bextend or recess into the base top face300of the holder base102. Each linear depression400a,400bis sized and dimensioned to receive at least one, and typically, the crisscrossing or intersecting cord strands204a,204b(FIG.6) of the holder cord204in securement of the vessel holder100on the flat surface110of the watercraft108.

Multiple sidewall slots202a-dextend through the holder sidewall104in spaced-apart, parallel relationship to each other. The sidewall slots202a-dcorrespond in position to and register and communicate with the respective linear depressions400a,400bin the base top face300of the holder base102. The sidewall slots202a-dmay extend from the sidewall free end200ato the sidewall base end200bof the holder sidewall104. As illustrated inFIG.3, each sidewall slot202a-dmay have an open slot end206at the sidewall free end200aof the holder sidewall104. A closed slot end214of each sidewall slot202a-dmay terminate near but not extend fully to the base102at the sidewall base end200b. The closed slot end214of each sidewall slot202a-dmay align or register and communicate with a corresponding one of the linear depressions400a,400bin the holder base102.

The sidewall slots202a-dare sized and dimensioned to enable passage of the typically crisscrossing or intersecting cord strands204a,204b(FIG.6) of the holder cord204as the cord strands204a-bare deployed in the linear depressions400a,400bin the holder base102. The cord strands204a-dare initially pulled down through the sidewall slots202a-dtowards the base end200bof the sidewall104and then into the respective linear depressions204a,204bto firmly secure the vessel holder100to the flat surface110on the watercraft108.

In one aspect, shown inFIGS.1-6, the vessel holder100comprises:

a holder base102having a base top face300and a base bottom face304, the base bottom face304operable to rest flush against a flat surface110on a watercraft108; and

a holder sidewall104projecting up from the base top face300of the holder base102, the holder sidewall104defining a sidewall base end200band a sidewall free end200a, the sidewall base end200bjoined with the base top face300of the holder base102, the holder sidewall104further defining multiple spaced-apart, parallel sidewall slots202a-dextending from the sidewall free end200ato approximately the terminus of the sidewall base end200b, the sidewall slots202a-dbeing sized and dimensioned to receive at least one cord strand204a-dof at least one holder cord204,
whereby the cord strands204a-dof the holder cord204crisscross or intersect each other through the sidewall slots202a-dfor securing the vessel holder100to the watercraft108.

In another aspect, the base top face300of the holder base102forms multiple linear depressions400a,400baligned and communicating with the sidewall slots202a-d.

In another aspect, the holder base102has a circular shape.

In another aspect, the holder sidewall104has a cylindrical shape.

In another aspect, the at least one holder cord204comprises an elastic cord.

In another aspect, the vessel holder100is fabricated from rubber-like such as silicone.

In another aspect, the vessel holder100further comprises a tethering ring302joined to the holder or holder base102.

One objective of the present invention is to contain a can, cup, water bottle or other drinking vessel106for easy access during paddleboarding or other water activities.

Another objective is to allow for flexibility on placement of a drinking vessel106in case there is a cooler or other items on or under the holder cord204.

Another objective is to restrict beverages from falling over on a paddleboard, and easily share drinks with friends during a paddle.

Yet another objective is to enable easy portability of the vessel holder100between multiple paddleboards.

Yet another objective is to provide a method of attaching the vessel holder100to a watercraft108that has anchored thereto cords, such as bungee cords.

Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture watercraft drinking vessel holder100.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a paddleboard has a substantially flat surface that makes retaining drinking vessels in an upright position difficult during operation of the watercraft. Prior art cup holders often leave residue on a board, or they have a suction cup that only works on smooth surfaces and does not work on the padded portion of the board. Thus, if it is necessary to suction the cup holder to a smooth surface, the cup holder is too far away to easily access while on the board. The present disclosure utilizes the unique sidewall slots202a-dthat allow for flexibility for placement of the drinking vessel106, even when there is a cooler or other items on or under the holder cord204.

AsFIG.1references, the vessel holder100comprises a holder base102that serves as the supportive foundation for the vessel holder100. As illustrated inFIGS.3-6, the holder base102has a base top face300oriented upwardly and a base bottom face304oriented towards the watercraft108. The base bottom face304is designed to rest flush against the flat surface110of a watercraft108. The watercraft108may include, without limitation, a paddleboard, a propeller boat, a kayak, a canoe, a motorboat, or a flat boat. The holder base102may have a circular, triangular, rectangular, elliptical, or oval shape. In other embodiments, the holder base102can be square, rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal shape. The holder base102may be fabricated from rubber-like materials such as silicone to enhance durability and restrict sliding across the flat surface110on the watercraft108because of increased friction. As illustrated inFIG.3, in alternative embodiments, a tethering ring302attaches to the holder base102. The tethering ring302can be used for tethering to one of the holder cords204, or for carrying the vessel holder100when not in operation.

Turning now toFIG.2, the vessel holder100provides a holder sidewall104that projects up from the base top face300of the holder base102. The holder sidewall104may have a cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the holder sidewall104has a square, rectangular, or irregular shape. In any case, the holder sidewall104is substantially continuous and designed to receive and hold upright a drinking vessel106, such as a cup, glass, can, or bottle, for example and without limitation. AsFIG.3shows, the holder sidewall104has a sidewall base end200band an opposing sidewall free end200a. The sidewall base end200bforms anexuswith the holder base102, fixedly joining to the base top face300of the holder base102.

AsFIG.4illustrates, the holder sidewall104forms multiple spaced-apart, parallel sidewall slots202a-dthat extend from the sidewall free end200a, to approximately the terminus of the sidewall base end200b.FIG.3illustrates an upper perspective view of the watercraft drinking vessel holder100, showing the sidewall slots202a-dextending almost to the holder base102. In alternative embodiments, the sidewall slots202a-dmay extend all the way down to the holder base102. The depth of the sidewall slots202a-dmay enable the cord strands204a-dof the holder cord or cords204(regardless of size on standard boards) to firmly rest below or flush with the base top face300on which the drinking vessel106typically sits in deployment of the drinking vessel106in the watercraft drinking vessel holder100.

In some embodiments, the base top face300of the holder base102forms multiple linear depressions400a,400bwhich are aligned or register and communicate with the respective sidewall slots202a-d. The linear depressions400a-benable the cord strands204a-dof the holder cord or cords204to rest or seat snugly into the holder base102after being passed through the sidewall slots202a-dand slid down to the holder base102.FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of the watercraft drinking vessel100, showing the base top face300of the holder base102with the linear depressions400a-baligned and communicating with the sidewall slots202a-d.

The sidewall slots202a-dalso allow for flexibility on placement of the drinking vessel106on the watercraft108in case there is a cooler or other items (not illustrated) on or under the holder cord204. Such a crossing slot arrangement allows the drinking vessel106to sit at the cord intersection210of the cord strands204a-dof the holder cord204to provide more stability to the drinking vessel106. In some embodiments, the sidewall slots202a-dmay be sized and dimensioned to receive at least one holder cord204. The holder cord204may include a bungee cord, an elastic cable known in the art of watercraft or other element which is suitable for the purpose.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the holder cord204crisscrosses or intersects through the sidewall slots202a-dfor securing the vessel holder100to the flat surface110of the watercraft108. The ends of the holder cord204can be tethered to the sides of the watercraft108for anchoring thereto according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The holder cord204may be easily adjusted in this manner. The holder cord204can affix permanently to the watercraft108or be removed from their tether which allows for easy switching between multiple watercrafts108. A single holder cord204, or multiple holder cords204or cord strands204a-dof one or more holder cords204that crisscross or intersect the sidewall slots202a-dcan be used. It is significant to note that the cord strands204a-dcan be used for retaining the vessel holder100, even if other items such as coolers, shoes, etc. are on or under the holder cords204or cord strands204a-d.

The present invention also teaches a method of attaching the vessel holder100to a watercraft108that has anchored thereto cords such as bungee cords. In a first Step of installation, the holder base102may be placed on a flat surface110at a desired location on the watercraft108. The cord segments204a-dof the holder cord or cords204may be pulled from the sides of the watercraft108and strategically inserted in the sidewall slots202a-dat the respective open slot ends206thereof in a crisscrossed or intersecting orientation and then lowered through the respective sidewall slots202a-din the holder sidewalls104until the cord segments204a-dinsert and seat in the respective linear depressions400a-din the base top face300of the holder base102. The drinking vessel106may then be placed in the holder interior212, with the holder cord204allowing for a stable place for the drinking vessel106to sit while attaching the vessel holder100securely to the watercraft108.

In this manner, the drinking vessel106may be deployed in the holder interior212in an upright manner, either before or after deployment of the holder cord204or cord segments204a-d. Introducing the drinking vessel106into the holder interior212before deployment of the holder cord204or cord segments204a-dmay, however, be effective in preventing the drinking vessel106from resting on the holder cord204in an awkward disposition. Further, such a slotted attachment system is useful for holders/containers, other than cup shaped.