Wine glass and bottle holder system

A wine bottle holder which includes an upper support structure including an upper opening, a lower support structure including a lower opening, wherein the lower opening and the upper opening are substantially concentric and including at least one support member connecting the upper support structure to the lower support structure, wherein the support member includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an upper distal portion extending outwardly from the upper support structure and the lower end includes a lower distal portion extending outwardly from the lower support structure.

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to merchandise holders and more specifically it relates to a wine glass and bottle holder system for efficiently displaying, holding and transporting a wine bottle and a plurality of wine glasses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Drinking wine requires a user to transport both a bottle and a plurality of wine glasses to a desired location. It can be difficult to transport the wine bottle along with the wine glasses which requires the user to use both hands. In addition, the user can accidentally drop a wine glass during transportation. Further, the displaying a wine bottle and wine glasses can be difficult wherein both the wine bottle and the wine glasses are displayed together.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved wine glass and bottle holder system for efficiently displaying, holding and transporting a wine bottle and a plurality of wine glasses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a wine glass and bottle holder system that has many of the advantages of conventional wine bottle racks mentioned heretofore. The invention generally relates to a wine bottle holder which includes an upper support structure including an upper opening, a lower support structure including a lower opening, wherein the lower opening and the upper opening are substantially concentric and including at least one support member connecting the upper support structure to the lower support structure, wherein the support member includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an upper distal portion extending outwardly from the upper support structure and the lower end includes a lower distal portion extending outwardly from the lower support structure.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

An object is to provide a wine glass and bottle holder system for holding at least one wine bottle and a plurality of wine glasses.

Another object is to provide a wine glass and bottle holder system that securely retains a wine bottle and a plurality of wine glasses.

A further object is to provide a wine glass and bottle holder system that is capable of receiving various sizes and shapes of wine bottles.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 through 7illustrate a wine glass and bottle holder system10, which comprises an upper support structure20including an upper opening23,25, a lower support structure30including a lower opening36, wherein the lower opening36and the upper opening23,25are substantially concentric and including at least one support member40connecting the upper support structure20to the lower support structure30, wherein the support member40includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an upper distal portion44extending outwardly from the upper support structure20and the lower end includes a lower distal portion48extending outwardly from the lower support structure30.

The distal portions44,48are preferably comprised of substantially circular configurations, wherein at least one of the distal portions44,48preferably receives the stem of a wine glass14, wherein the wine glass14is suspended upside down from the distal portion44,48. The opposing distal portion44,48may serves as a base for the present invention or to suspend another wine glass14. In the below description of the present invention a wine glass14is described as being supported by the present invention; however it is appreciated that the distal portions44,48may be utilized to suspend or support various other merchandise rather than a wine glass14.

The upper opening23,25and the lower opening36of the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30respectively preferably receive a wine bottle12to accommodate the wine glasses14. The wine bottle12may be positioned within the upper opening23,25and the lower opening36either right side up or upside down as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

In the below description of the present invention a wine bottle12is described as being supported by the present invention; however it is appreciated that the upper opening23,25and the lower opening36may collectively receive various other merchandise rather than a wine bottle12, such as but not limited to flower vases16and various other types of bottles12. It is also appreciated that the present invention may be constructed in various configurations, wherein various displayed configurations may be combined and wherein additional configurations may be utilized to hold more or less bottles12and/or glasses14. It is further appreciated that the present invention may be constructed in various configurations, wherein the present invention may be comprised of a free-standing as shown inFIG. 1, a wall mounted configuration as shown inFIG. 5or a combination of a free-standing configuration and a wall mounted configuration as shown inFIG. 6.

B. Upper Support Structure

The upper support structure20may be comprised of various shapes, all which adequately receive a bottle12and/or a vase16as illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and7. In some configurations of the upper support structure20it is appreciated that the upper support structure20may receive two or even a plurality of bottles12. The upper support structure20may be comprised of various materials, such as but not limited to metal, wood or plastic. The upper support structure20is also preferably positioned substantially above the lower support structure30to efficiently stabilize the bottle12. In the free standing configuration of the present invention the upper support structure20is further substantially parallel with the supporting surface (i.e. table top, shelf, etc.) and the lower support structure30as illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and7.

The upper support structure20includes an upper ring22. The upper ring22is preferably comprised of a substantially circular shaped configuration. It is appreciated that the upper support structure20may include a plurality of upper rings22when securing more than one bottle12within the present invention. The upper rings22include a first upper opening23. The first upper opening23is preferably substantially similar in diameter as the diameter of the bottle12. The upper ring22is further preferably concentric with a majority of the support members40as illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 3.

The upper support structure20may also include a spacer member25. The spacer member25is preferably removably positioned upon an upper end of the upper ring22as illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and5. The spacer member25is further preferably concentrically positioned upon the upper ring22. The spacer member25includes a second upper opening26, wherein the second upper opening26is concentric with the first upper opening23. The second upper opening26is preferably comprised of a lesser diameter than the first upper opening23.

The spacer member25is preferably utilized when the diameter of the bottle12is substantially less than the diameter of the first upper opening23. The spacer member25serves to further stabilize the bottle12within the upper support structure20as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The spacer member25and the upper ring22are preferably comprised of separate structures; however it is appreciated that the spacer member25and the upper ring22may be comprised of an integrally formed structure.

C. Lower Support Structure

The lower support structure30may be comprised of various shapes, all which adequately receive a bottle12and/or a vase16as illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and7. In some configurations of the lower support structure30it is appreciated that the lower support structure30may receive two or even a plurality of bottles12. The lower support structure30may be comprised of various materials, such as but not limited to metal, wood or plastic. The lower support structure30is further preferably substantially concentric with the upper support structure20. The outer diameter of the lower support structure30is also preferably substantially similar to the outer diameter of the upper support structure20.

The lower support structure30is also preferably positioned substantially below the upper support structure20to efficiently stabilize the bottle12. In the free standing configuration of the present invention, the lower support structure30is also preferably positioned substantially close to the supporting surface. In the free standing configuration of the present invention the lower support structure30is further substantially parallel with the supporting surface and the upper support structure20as illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and7.

The lower support structure30includes a lower ring32. The lower ring32serves to stabilize the lower end of the present invention. The lower ring32is also preferably comprised of a substantially circular shaped configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 3,5and6. The lower support structure30also includes the lower support member35. The lower support member35is preferably attached to the lower ring32. The lower support member35is further preferably concentrically positioned upon the lower ring32. The lower support member35includes a lower opening36, wherein the lower opening36is concentric with the first upper opening23and the second upper opening26as illustrated inFIG. 3. The lower opening36is preferably comprised of a lesser diameter than the lower ring32.

The lower support member35serves to support the base of the bottle12when the bottle12is oriented upwards. The lower opening36of the lower support subsequently serves to receive the neck or cap of the bottle12when the bottle12is oriented upside down as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The lower support structure30also includes a bracket38as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4. The bracket38is attached to a lower end of the lower support structure30and is preferably concentric with the lower opening36. The bracket38is preferably comprised of a U-shaped configuration. The bracket38is further positioned between the lower opening36and the supporting surface, wherein the bracket38supports the cap of the bottle12when the neck or cap extends through the lower opening36.

D. Support Member

The present invention preferably includes a plurality of support members40extending between the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4. The support members40are also preferably radially spaced around the outer edges of the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30; however it is appreciated that the support members40may be positioned about the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30in various configurations. It is appreciated that in the wall mount configuration of the present invention the support members40do not extend toward the rear of the present invention adjacent the wall as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6.

The support members40serve to both suspend the wine glasses14and to support the present invention upon the supporting surface as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The support members40may also be utilized to extend decorations from. In the wall supported configuration of the present invention the support members40may suspend wine glasses14from both an upper end and a lower end of the support members40. The support members40are also preferably substantially perpendicular to the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30.

The support members40are preferably comprised of an elongated and cylindrical configuration as illustrated inFIG. 1. The support members40are also preferably comprised of a slender configuration. The support members40and the present invention are further preferably comprised of an aesthetically pleasing configuration.

The support members40may be comprised of various materials, such as but not limited to metal, plastic or wood. The support members40are also preferably comprised of a material that is durable and strong, wherein the support members40may efficiently support the upper support structure20and also stabilize the present invention upon the supporting surface.

The support members40include a connecting portion42. The connecting portion42preferably extends from the upper support structure20to the lower support structure30as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The connecting portion42is preferably comprised of a substantially straight structure. The support members40also preferably include an upper extending portion43. The upper extending portion43extends from the connecting portion42adjacent the upper support structure20is preferably an upper extending portion43. The upper extending portion43preferably extends perpendicularly outwardly from the connecting portion42and the upper support structure20.

The upper extending portion43is preferably comprised of a length substantially similar or slightly greater than the radius of the wine glass14to prevent the wine glass14from engaging the bottle12when suspended from the support members40as illustrated inFIG. 2. The upper extending portion43also preferably includes an upper distal portion44. The upper distal portion44extends from the upper extending portion43and forms a substantially circular configuration. The stem of the wine glass14is preferably positioned within a first outer opening45formed by the upper distal portion44as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The upper distal portion44and the first outer opening45are preferably substantially parallel to the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30.

In the wall attachment configuration of the present invention, a lower extending portion47may also extend from the connecting portion42of the support member40adjacent the lower support structure30. The lower extending portion47preferably extends perpendicularly outwardly from the connecting portion42and the lower support structure30as illustrated inFIG. 5. The lower extending portion47is preferably comprised of a length substantially similar or slightly greater than the radius of the wine glass14.

The lower extending portion47also preferably includes a lower distal portion48. The lower distal portion48extends from the lower extending portion47and forms a substantially circular configuration as illustrated inFIG. 5. The stem of the wine glass14is preferably positioned within a second outer opening49formed by the lower distal portion48. The lower distal portion48and the lower outer opening are preferably substantially parallel to the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30.

In the free standing configuration of the present invention, the lower extending portion47may be omitted and the lower distal portion48preferably extends directly from the connecting portion42as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The lower distal portion48subsequently forms the base for the present invention. The lower distal portion48and the second outer opening49are further preferably perpendicular to the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. It is appreciated that the support members40may be comprised of various configurations all which adequately suspend or hold a wine glass14.

The present invention may also include a handle50to allow for easier mobility of the present invention. The handle50may be comprised of various materials, such as but not limited to plastic, metal or wood. The handle50is further preferably comprised of a similar material as the support members40. The handle50preferably removably attaches to the upper extending portions43of the support members40as shown inFIG. 1.

The handle50is preferably comprised of an arc-shaped configuration as shown inFIG. 1. The handle50also includes a first end52and a second end54, wherein the second end54is opposite the first end52. The first end52and the second end54are preferably comprised of a U-shaped configuration. The U-shape of the first end52of the handle50preferably extends in an opposing direction as the U-shape of the second end54of the handle50to provide a more secure attachment between the handle50and the support member40.

F. Attachment Structure

The attachment structure60is utilized when the attaching the present invention to a wall in the wall mount configuration of the present invention. The attachment structure60is preferably comprised of a rigid structure. The attachment structure60also preferably extends outwardly from the rear of the present invention as illustrated inFIGS. 4 through 6. The attachment structure60may be comprised of various materials, such as but not limited to plastic, metal or wood.

The attachment structure60includes an attachment member60and a connecting member67. The connecting member67extends outwardly from the rear of the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30. Attached to the connecting member67is the attachment member60. The attachment member60is preferably positioned adjacent the wall when attaching the present invention to the wall. The attachment member60preferably includes at least one aperture63extending through the attachment member60. The aperture63preferably receives a fastener, wherein the fastener extends within the wall and attaches the attachment member60and thus present invention to the wall.

It is appreciated that for various embodiments of the present invention the attachment structure60may include a cross member65as illustrated inFIGS. 4 through 6. The cross member65serves to further add support between the attachment structure60, the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30.

G. In Use

In use, with the free standing configuration of the present invention, the present invention is positioned upon a supporting surface. A wine bottle12is then positioned within the first upper opening23and against the lower support member35, wherein the wine bottle12is oriented upwards as illustrated inFIG. 1. The wine bottle12may also be oriented upside down, wherein the wine bottle12is again extended through the first upper opening23and the cap and neck are extended through the lower opening36, wherein the cap is subsequently positioned upon the bracket38as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The spacer member25may also be utilized if the wine bottle12is able to substantially wobble within the first upper opening23. To utilize the spacer member25the wine bottle12is temporarily removed from the present invention and the spacer member25is positioned upon the upper support structure20. The bottle12may now be replaced within the present invention through the second upper opening26of the spacer member25as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The wine glasses14may now be positioned within the upper distal portions44of the support member40by extending the neck of the wine glasses14within the first outer openings45as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The base of the wine glass14is rested upon the upper distal portion44, wherein the wine glass14is suspended upside down from the upper distal portion44. Additional wine glasses14may also be positioned within additional upper distal portions44.

During use with the wall mount configuration of the present invention, the attachment structure60is positioned against the desired wall, wherein the upper support structure20and the lower support structure30are ensured to be perpendicular with the wall and oriented parallel with the below surface (i.e. floor, table top, etc.). At least one fastener is then preferably extended through the aperture63of the support structure and extended within the wall. The wine glasses14and bottle12may now be positioned within the present invention in a similar manner as with the free standing configuration of the present invention.