Container support device

An adjustable support device particularly adapted for use in a vehicle for removably securing therein an open container to prevent the spillage of the contents thereof. The support device includes a pair of adjacent ring members secured together so as to prevent separation thereof while allowing for relative rotation about a common central axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the lower ring member is defined by the upper portion of a base member which also defines a horizontal beverage container support surface and a non-skid lower bottom surface adapted to rest on a horizontal surface in a vehicle. A plurality of equidistantly spaced gripping members comprised of a pair of arcuate portions joined at their inwardly projecting ends by one or more hinges are carried by and disposed about and between the ring members, such that upon imparting relative rotation to the ring members, the gripping members are caused to pivot about their centrally disposed hinges and project radially inwardly of the ring members to abut and secure a beverage container within the ring members opposite relative rotation of the ring members causes the gripping members to pivot about their hinges in an opposite direction and retract radially outwardly to release the beverage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is related to a support/holding device particularly 
adapted for use in automobiles, boats and other vehicles for holding 
differently sized and shaped drinking cups, open bottles, and beverage 
cans in an upright position to prevent spillage. The problem of spilling a 
cup of coffee or other beverage from a free standing container while 
travelling in a vehicle is well known and widely experienced. While 
drinking cups which are tapered downwardly and outwardly to define an 
enlarged base surface have been designed to provide an inherently stable 
free standing vessel for vehicular use, such cups are still subject to 
spillage when the vehicle undergoes rapid changes in motion. In addition, 
such cups are used in place of the original container in which the 
beverage is marketed, thus creating a potential for spillage when the 
volume of the tapered cup is insufficient to hold the entire contents of 
the beverage's original container. As such tapered cups generally have a 
low profile to reduce their center of gravity when full, their capacity is 
generally quite limited, greatly limiting their utility. 
Attempts to provide support in a vehicle for the drinking cup, bottle or 
beverage can in which the beverage is sold typically employ some form of 
recess or aperture in a horizontally disposed surface, or a hanging wire 
basket type container which is pivotally secured to some form of back 
mounting plate. Such devices, however, are not portable and are limited to 
holding beverage containers within a very limited size range whereas 
various types of beverages are merchandised in cups, cans or other 
containers of various sizes and shapes. 
In addition to being able to provide a stable device for accommodating 
different shapes and sizes of beverage cups or other containers, it is 
important that such a holding device be capable of firmly gripping the 
beverage container to prevent slippage or tilting of the container within 
the device upon directional or velocity changes in the vehicle as such 
movement of the container within the device would also likely result in 
spillage. While various types of holding devices have heretofore been 
developed for securely gripping and supporting differently sized and 
shaped beverage containers, they are very limited in their use as they 
require fixed installation and, if not designed into the vehicle as 
original equipment, are also obtrusive. In boats when such devices may not 
be so obtrusive, they are nevertheless limited to holding the beverage 
container in a fixed location. Examples of such devices are found in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 4,645,157 and 4,828,211. 
It would be highly desirable to provide a beverage container holding device 
which not only is readily adjustable to securely hold therein differently 
sized and shaped beverage containers but which also retains the 
portability advantage of the large based tapered drinking cups. 
Accordingly, such a device should also be free standing and portable, yet 
highly stable so that the user can drink directly from the container with 
the device secured thereto and rest the holding device and open container 
on a flat surface in a moving vehicle without fear of spillage. The device 
should also allow for the beverage container to be readily removable so 
that the user can drink directly from the container should he or she so 
desire without any encumbrance of the holding mechanism and with minimal 
risk of spillage during removal. It would also be highly desirable if the 
holding mechanism of such a device were adaptable for use in a fixed 
mounting where desired. Such a mechanism would then not only retain the 
adjustability advantages of the fixed devices disclosed in the above-cited 
patents, but additionally be useable either as a fixed holder or as a 
portable free standing adjustable support and thus provide a distinct 
improvement over the beverage holders currently in use. Such a device and 
mechanism is disclosed and claimed herein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly, the present invention comprises an adjustable support device 
particularly adapted for use in an automobile, boat, or other mode of 
transportation for releasably securing therein differently sized and 
configured beverage cups, cans, bottles or other beverage containers to 
prevent spillage of the contents thereof when the vehicle undergoes a 
change in motion. The support device of the present invention includes a 
pair of adjacent ring members which are secured together so as to prevent 
separation thereof while allowing for relative rotation thereof about a 
central common axis. A plurality of radial gripping flanges are carried by 
and project outwardly from the ring members which are adapted to be 
grasped by the user to facilitate relative rotation of the ring members. A 
plurality of equidistantly spaced gripping members are carried by and 
disposed about and between the ring members such that upon imparting 
relative rotation to the ring members, the gripping members are caused to 
project radially inwardly of the ring members to abut and secure a 
beverage container within the ring members. Opposite relative rotation of 
the ring members causes the flexible gripping members to retract radially 
outwardly and release the beverage container. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the lower ring member is defined by the 
upper portion of a frustoconically shaped base member. The base member 
defines an interior horizontal beverage container support surface therein 
and a nonskid enlarged lower bottom surface such that upon disposing the 
beverage container on the support surface and tightening the gripping 
members about the beverage container, the support device is secured to the 
beverage container. This securement and the weight and configuration of 
the base member provide a portable and free standing yet highly stable 
support for the beverage container for use in vehicles. Such a device is 
also useful in the home, as for example to support a drinking glass used 
by a physically handicapped person or a baby bottle or to provide a 
portable coaster on the underside of a glass or cup. 
In a second embodiment of the invention, the lower ring member is separable 
from the base member such that the interconnected ring members and the 
flexible gripping members carried thereby can be raised upwardly with 
respect to the interior container support surface in the base member and 
fixed in such a raised position, allowing the gripping members to abut and 
secure the holding device to the beverage container at a higher location 
on the beverage container. When using the beverage container holding 
device with conventional tapered drinking cups, raising the elevation of 
the points of gripping contact with the cup allows the cup to be held 
about a portion of larger diameter, thereby enabling the holding device to 
be used with smaller sized cups than could otherwise be secured therein. 
In a modification of the second embodiment, the base is not employed and 
one of the connected ring members is provided with an external mounting 
bracket for securing the interconnected rings to a fixed surface by means 
of a gimbaled mounting. In such a modification, a plurality of collapsible 
support straps are preferably provided which, upon deployment, project 
downwardly from and across the inner connected rings to form a bottom 
support for a beverage container disposed therein. In yet another 
modification of the second embodiment of the invention, the interconnected 
ring members are employed without the gimbaled mounting and support 
straps, and are mounted in an aperture or recess in vehicle console to 
releasably secure therein a wide variety of differently sized and shaped 
beverage cups, cans, bottles and other containers to prevent spillage of 
the contents thereof when the vehicle undergoes rapid changes in motion. 
In all of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the gripping 
members which are carried by the ring members are each comprised of a pair 
of arcuate portions joined at their inwardly projecting adjacent ends 
either in a single hinge located at the midpoint of the gripping member, 
or in multiple hinges disposed in the central portion of the gripping 
member. Enlarged container gripping surfaces are defined by the gripping 
members adjacent the centrally disposed hinges for engaging the beverage 
container. A vertically disposed stud is defined by and projects upwardly 
and downwardly from the extended ends of each arcuate portion. The 
upwardly projecting portion of the stud on one arcuate portion of each 
gripping member is held in a slot in one of the ring members while the 
downwardly projecting portion of the stud is disposed within an arcuate 
guide channel on the other ring member. Conversely, the upwardly 
projecting portion of the stud on the other arcuate portion of each 
gripping member is disposed within an arcuate guide channel on said one 
ring member and the downwardly projecting portion of said stud is held 
within a slot in said other ring member. 
As a result of the aforesaid configuration, when one ring member is rotated 
in a first direction with respect to the other ring member, the extended 
ends of the gripping members are caused to move along the arcuate guide 
channels toward one another, causing the gripping members to pivot at 
their centrally disposed hinges as the hinges and adjacent gripping 
surfaces move radially inwardly with respect to the ring members to effect 
gripping contact with the beverage container axially disposed within the 
secured ring members. A plurality of raised radial ridges are preferably 
defined by adjacent surfaces of the connected ring members so as to create 
resistance to such relative movement and thus maintain the position of the 
ring members upon relative rotation thereof to maintain the gripping 
surfaces in continual gripping contact with the beverage container. When 
in such gripping contact, the arcuate portions of the gripping members are 
flexed so as to provide a spring action, urging the gripping surfaces of 
the gripping members against the outer surface of the beverage container, 
thereby creating an adjustable flexure pressure against the container and 
further enhancing the securement of the holding device to the beverage 
container. When opposite relative rotation is imparted to the ring 
members, the extended ends of each of the flexible members are pulled 
apart along the arcuate guide channels, causing the gripping members to 
again pivot at their respective hinges, but in an opposite direction, so 
as to effect a radial retraction of the gripping surfaces defined by the 
hinge members, thereby releasing the beverage container. 
Such a mechanism thus allows the beverage container gripping surfaces 
defined by the flexible gripping members to be collectively moved between 
an inwardly extended container securement position and an outer position 
substantially flush with the interior surfaces of the ring members thereby 
providing secure gripping contact for a wide range of differently sized 
and shaped beverage containers regardless of the material of which the 
container is constructed. 
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved 
support device for open beverage containers for use in all types of 
transportation vehicles to prevent spillage when the vehicle undergoes 
changes in motion. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable and 
highly versatile support device particularly adapted for use in vehicles 
for releasably securing therein differently sized and shaped beverage 
cups, cans, bottles, and other containers to prevent spillage of the 
contents thereof during travel. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable 
device for releasably securing therein differently sized and shaped 
beverage cups, cans, bottles, and other containers which can be used in 
the home to prevent spillage of the contents thereof and to provide the 
beverage container with a portable coaster to prevent furniture damage. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable 
mechanism for releasably securing therein differently sized and shaped 
beverage cups, cans, bottles and other containers which is adaptable for 
use in vehicles to prevent spillage during travel in either a free 
standing, portable, and highly stable beverage container support device or 
in a fixed beverage container support device. 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the portable support device 10 
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 comprises an upper ring member 12, a lower 
frustoconical base 14 and a plurality of equidistantly spaced beverage 
container gripping members 16 carried by and disposed between ring members 
12 and base 14. In the preferred embodiment of device 10 illustrated in 
the drawings, three such gripping members are employed. Base 14 is 
preferably molded from a high density polymer material such as ABS plastic 
and defines a circular beverage container support plate 18, an outer wall 
20 having a tapered outer surface 22, a cylindrical inner wall 24 
extending upwardly from the perimeter of the support plate 18 and defining 
a beverage container receiving area 26, and a plurality of inner 
structural support ribs 27 extending between the outer wall 20 and inner 
wall 24. Outer wall 20 defines a upper annular horizontal bearing surface 
28 adjacent the upper end of the outer tapered surface 22, an interior 
horizontal bearing surface 30 extending radially between the upper end of 
inner wall 24 and an outwardly disposed cylindrical wall 32 extending 
between the upper bearing surface 28 and interior bearing surface 30. As 
seen in FIGS. 3 and 3A, interior bearing surface 30 defines three 
equidistantly spaced vertical cylindrical slots 34 and three equidistantly 
spaced arcuate guide channels 36 which are disposed between slots 34. A 
pair of spaced exterior gripping flanges 38 and 39 are formed with and 
project radially outwardly from the tapered outer surface 22 of base wall 
20. A circular non-skid pad 41 made of a rubber or other material having a 
high coefficient of friction is secured to the underside of base 14 by an 
adhesive or other suitable fastening means. 
Cylindrical wall 32 of base 14 defines a plurality of arcuate recesses 40 
therein for use in securing the upper ring member 12 to the base 14 as 
will be later described. Cylindrical inner wall 24 of base 14 defines 
three recessed areas 42 in the upper surface thereof inwardly adjacent 
common end portions 44 of the arcuate glide channels 36. The portion 46 of 
upper bearing surface 28 disposed between exterior gripping flanges 38 and 
39 preferably defines a series of radial ridges 48 therein to provide 
increased frictional contact between the base 14 and upper ring member 12 
for reasons which will also be described later herein. 
Upper ring member 12 is preferably molded from a similar material as base 
member 14 and is disposed in base 14 on interior bearing surface 30 such 
that ring member 12 is rotatable on bearing surface 30 about the beverage 
receiving area 26. Ring member 12 defines an upper surface 50, a tapered 
outer surface 52, an annular outer bearing surface 54, an annular interior 
surface 56, and an outer cylindrical depending wall 58 disposed between 
surfaces 54 and 56. As seen in FIG. 3, ring member 12 also includes three 
equidistantly spaced arcuate wall portions 60 depending from the inner 
edge of upper surface 50 extending parallel to wall 58 and defining 
arcuate openings 61 therebetween for the passage of the gripping members 
16 therethrough. Three equally spaced vertical cylindrical slots 62 are 
provided in annular surface 56, each being spaced inwardly from the common 
ends 60' of wall portions 60 as seen in FIG. 3C. Three equidistantly 
spaced arcuate guide channels 64 are also provided in surface 56 which 
define the same radius of curvature as guide channels 36 in base 14. 
Recessed areas 66 are provided in surface 56 inwardly adjacent common end 
portions 68 of the arcuate guide slots 64. An exterior gripping flange 70 
is provided on ring member 12 which extends outwardly therefrom between 
gripping flanges 38 and 39 on base 14, with the interior depending surface 
72 of flange 70 extending parallel to the tapered outer surface 22 of base 
14. A plurality of radial raised ridges 75 are provided in outer annular 
bearing surface 54 inwardly adjacent gripping flange 70 which abut the 
ridges 48 on surface 28 of base 14 to increase the frictional contact 
between ring member 12 and base 14 and prevent inadvertent relative 
rotation between the ring member and base. 
A plurality of upwardly and outwardly tapered locking tabs 74 are provided 
in the outer wall portion 58 of ring member 12 which project into the 
arcuate recessed portions 40 in the cylindrical wall 32 of base 14 to 
secure ring member 12 to base 14 in a snap fitment so as to prevent 
separation thereof while allowing for rotation of ring member 12 and 
within base 14 or, alternatively, relative rotation thereof about their 
common central axis in response to manual movement of the radial gripping 
flange 70 on ring member 12 between the two gripping flanges 38 and 39 on 
base 14. The degree of such relative rotation is limited by the travel of 
locking tabs 74 back and forth within arcuate recesses 40 in base 14 which 
acts to prevent gripping flange 70 from abutting either of gripping 
flanges 38 or 39 whereupon it would then be difficult to separate the 
adjacent gripping flanges to effect further relative rotation of ring 
member and base. 
The gripping members 16 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6A and 6B are 
preferably of single piece construction and molded of a flexible material 
such as polypropylene. Each gripping member defines a pair of arm portions 
76 and 78 which are preferably arcuate in configuration and are joined at 
their adjacent inwardly directed ends in a centrally disposed 
polypropylene type living hinge 80, formed by a substantial reduction in 
the thickness of members 16 at hinges 80. A typical configuration of a 
living hinge 80 is shown in detail in FIG. 6B. Arcuate portions 76 and 78 
are preferably rectangular in cross section and further define upper flat 
surfaces 76' and 78', lower flat surfaces 76" and 78", vertically extended 
gripping portions 82 immediately adjacent hinges 80, and upwardly and 
downwardly projecting cylindrical studs 84 and 86 at their extended ends. 
The upper ends 82' of gripping portions 82 are preferably tapered to 
facilitate entry of a beverage container therebetween in the event the 
gripping members 16 are not adequately retracted, and the container 
abutment surfaces 83 of gripping portions 82 are preferably curvilinear to 
increase the area contact of surfaces 83 with the curved outer surface of 
the beverage container 90 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The radius of 
curvature R defined by surfaces 83 is preferably equal to that of a 
conventional soft drink or beer can which is approximately 1.25 inches. 
Studs 84 and 86 are sized so as to be received in the manner to be 
described within the vertical slots 34 and 62 and in guide channels 36 and 
64 in base 14 and ring member 12. 
The gripping members 16 are carried by and disposed between surfaces 56 and 
30 of the upper ring member 12 and base 14 with each of studs 84 extending 
downwardly into a slot 34 in annular surface 30 and upwardly into a guide 
channel 64 on annular surface 56. Conversely, studs 86 on each gripping 
member 16 extend downwardly into a guide channel 36 in surface 30 and 
upwardly into a slot 62 in surface 56. The lower flat surfaces 76" and 78" 
of gripping members 16 are disposed against the annular surface 30 of base 
14 and the upper flat in surfaces 76' and 78' of the respective arcuate 
portions 76 and 78 of the gripping members 16 are disposed against the 
annular surface 56 of the ring member 12. 
In the retracted position, the gripping members 16 are extended with the 
enlarged gripping portions 82 thereof being disposed within the aligned 
superimposed recesses 42 and 66 in the base 14 and ring member 12 so as to 
be substantially flush with the inner surfaces of the inner wall 24 of 
base 14 and arcuate wall portions 60 of ring member 12. The inner vertical 
surface 79 of each of arcuate portions 76 bears against a curvalinear end 
60" of one of wall portions 60. In the retracted position, the outwardly 
projecting gripping flange 70 on ring member 12 is in close proximity to 
radial gripping flange 38 on base 14 and the holding device 10 is ready to 
receive and secure therein a cup or other beverage container 90 such that 
the bottom surface of the container rests on the upper surface of 
container support plate 18. 
Upon placing one's fingers on gripping flange 70 of ring member 12 and 
thumb on the gripping flange 39 of base 14 and drawing the two flanges 
toward one another, either the upper ring member 12 rotates within base 14 
or the ring member and base are caused to counter rotate with respect to 
each other. In either case, upper ring member 12 and base member 14 are 
caused to undergo relative rotation about their central common axis. As 
this occurs, the extended end of arcuate portion 78 of each gripping 
member 16 is caused to move with the ring member 12 and with respect to 
base 14 by virtue of the stud 8 thereon being disposed within one of slots 
62 in the ring member 12. Concurrently, the other end of each gripping 
member is moving with base member 14 and with respect to ring member 12 by 
virtue of the stud 84 thereon being disposed in one of the slots 34 in 
base 14. The opposite ends of each gripping member are thus drawn together 
along the arcuate paths defined by the guide channels 36 and 64. 
Concurrently, each of the arcuate portions 76 and 78 of the gripping 
members 16 pivot in opposite directions about centrally disposed hinges 80 
as the hinges and the adjacent extended enlarged gripping portions 82 move 
in a substantially radial direction inwardly of the superimposed base 14 
and ring member 12 until the abutment surfaces 83 defined by gripping 
portions 82 abut the outer surface of cup 90 as seen in FIG. 3B. Upon 
releasing the radial gripping flanges 39 and 70 on the base and ring 
member, the frictional contact between the raised ridges 48 and 75 on the 
base and ring member will maintain the relative positioning between the 
base and ring member and thus maintain the gripping portions 82 of the 
gripping members 16 in continual abutment with beverage container 90 to 
secure the container within the support device 10. As the gripping members 
are constructed of a flexible material, when urged against the beverage 
container, they will flex and the natural spring action therein will cause 
the abutment surfaces 83 thereon to bear against the container, securing 
the beverage container firmly within the holding device 10 
The tight securement of the cup or other beverage container to the support 
device 10 together with the weight of the support device and the anti-skid 
pad 41 on the underside of the enlarged base 14 will prevent spillage of 
the contents of the cup when the cup and support device 10 are resting on 
a surface in a vehicle and the vehicle undergoes changes in motion. With 
the support device 10 so secured to the cup or other beverage container 
90, the user can easily drink from the container without having to remove 
the support device therefrom. However, to remove the beverage container 
from the support device, it is only necessary to grasp the radial flanges 
on the base 14 and ring member 12 and counter-rotate the ring member with 
respect to the base so as to effect retraction of the gripping members 16 
from the beverage container. As the gripping members are retracted, the 
inner vertical surfaces 79 of arcuate portions 76 bear against the ends 
60" of wall portions 60 which are preferably tapered inwardly as seen in 
FIG. 3C to accommodate the curvature of arcuate portions 76. By extending 
wall portions 60 such that surfaces 79 of the gripping members 16 are 
drawn into contact with the ends 60" of the wall portions, the arcuate 
portions 76 of the flexible gripping members are caused to deform slightly 
during retraction of the gripping members, resulting in a further 
retraction of the centrally disposed gripping portions 82 such that 
portions 82 can be withdrawn to a position substantially flush with the 
aligned inner surfaces of inner wall 24 of base 14 and wall portion 60 of 
ring member 12. As can be readily appreciated, a wide variety of sizes and 
shapes of containers can be held within device 10 due to the variable 
radial extension in the gripping surfaces of the flexible gripping members 
which can be achieved by virtue of the aforesaid construction. 
The support device 10 can be constructed over a wide range of sizes and, if 
desired for particular applications, either fewer or more than three 
gripping members 16 could be employed. Three gripping members is 
preferred, however, as three equidistantly spaced gripping members 
provides excellent securement of the beverage container to the support 
device 10 and automatically positions the beverage container in the center 
of the support device for maximum stability while providing a wide range 
of adjustability to accommodate differently sized and shaped containers. 
Less than three gripping members would not provide as secure a containment 
for the beverage container while more than three would decrease the range 
of adjustability for the device while not significantly improving the 
securement of the device, at least not for cylindrically shaped beverage 
containers. It is to be understood, however, that for particular 
applications the above gripping mechanism could be employed for the 
securement of irregularly shaped containers or devices other than beverage 
containers wherein a different number of gripping members could be 
employed. For example, the internal surface of the support device could 
provide a gripping surface for a particular application other than a 
beverage container such that only one or two extensible gripping members 
16 need be employed. 
An alternate embodiment of the gripping members is illustrated in FIGS. 6C 
and 6D. The gripping member 16' illustrated herein differs from the prior 
embodiment in that gripping members 16' each define a pair of living 
hinges 80' adjacent a centrally disposed arcuate gripping portion 85. 
Gripping portions 85 like portions 83 of gripping members 16 preferably 
define a radius of curvature equal to that of a conventional soft drink or 
beer can. This curvature can be provided on the inner surface of the 
gripping portions 85 or, as seen in FIGS. 6C and 6D, on the inner surface 
89' of the flexible arcuate foot member 89 secured to the centrally 
disposed gripping portions 85 of gripping members 16' by a pair of studs 
95 and receiving apertures 93. Foot members 89 have a low shore hardness 
and high coefficient of friction for improving the gripping contact of the 
gripping members with slick container surfaces such as those made of 
glass. By providing a pair of hinges 80' in lieu of a single hinge the 
arcuate length of the gripping portions can be increased for improved 
gripping contact with the container. For particular applications, more 
than two hinges could also be utilized in the gripping members to provide 
improved gripping contact on irregular surfaces. 
The gripping members 16 could also be formed in a straight lined "V-shaped" 
configuration wherein the leg portions of the "V" are straight and not 
arcuate as described above. However, while such a configuration would be 
operable so long as the angle between the two hinged straight leg portions 
were prevented from reaching 180.degree., it would either reduce the 
radial extension of the gripping members or prevent the gripping portions 
thereof from being retracted to a position flush with the inner surface of 
the ring member and thus be less desireable than the arcuate 
configuration. 
It should also be noted that the support device 10 could be constructed 
without arcuate guide channels 36 and 64 in the base 14 and ring member 12 
respectively as the extended ends of the gripping members could be secured 
and controlled solely by the studs 84 and 86 being held within their 
respective slots 34 and 62. In such a configuration, studs 84 would only 
project downwardly into slots 34 and studs 86 would only project upwardly 
into slots 62. The arcuate guide channels, however, will prevent any 
twisting of the guide members within the support device which could 
adversely affect the smooth operation of the support device. 
As an example of a beverage container support device constructed in 
accordance with the above teachings, the base 14 is about 5.5 inches in 
diameter across the underside thereof, about one inch high and defines an 
inner diameter of about 4.1 inches across cylindrical wall 38. The 
apertures 34 and 62 in both base 14 and ring member 12 are disposed 120 
degrees apart, and the centers of guide slots 36 and 64 in base 14 and 
ring member 12 are also disposed 120 degrees apart so as to provide equal 
spacings of the apertures and guide slots about both base 14 and ring 
member 12. Apertures 34 in base 14 are displaced approximately 35 degrees 
clockwise from the end 44' of guide slots 16, and apertures 64 in ring 
member 12 are similarly disposed about 35 degrees clockwise from the ends 
68' of guide slots 64. The exterior radial grip flanges 38 and 39 on base 
14 are spaced approximately 55 degrees apart with flange 38' being 
disposed substantially adjacent one of the ends 44' of a guide slot 36. 
The gripping members 16 are approximately 2.25 inches in length in an 
unstressed state with the cords defined by arcuate portions 76 and 78 
defining an angle of 180 degrees therebetween. The arcuate portions 76 and 
78 of gripping members 16 each define arcs of about sixty degrees over a 
radius of about one inch in an unflexed state and are about 0.18 inches in 
height and 0.09 inches in thickness. The preferred configuration and for 
living hinges 80 are illustrated in FIG. 6. It is to be understood that 
these dimensions are by way of example only. 
FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a second embodiment of a support device 100 
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The second 
embodiment differs from the prior embodiment in that in the prior 
embodiment, frustoconical base 14 defined a lower ring structure in the 
open upper end thereof which cooperated with the upper ring member 12 and 
gripping members 16 to secure the beverage container. In the second 
embodiment, a second lower ring member is employed which is separate from 
the base member and secured to the upper ring member and with the upper 
ring member can be raised upwardly with respect to the interior beverage 
container support plate in the base and secured in the raised position to 
elevate the gripping members with respect to the beverage container 
thereby allowing even smaller tapered beverage containers to be tightly 
secured therein than would be possible with the flexible gripping members 
fixed at a lower position as in the prior embodiment. 
The second embodiment of the support device 100 comprises an upper ring 
member 112, a lower ring member 113, a frustoconical base 114 and a 
plurality of gripping members 116. The component parts of the second 
embodiment of the invention are preferably constructed of the same 
materials as the component of the prior embodiment and, as will be seen, 
operate in substantially the same manner as the prior embodiment. 
Base 114 includes an interior circular beverage container supporting base 
plate 118, an inclined outer wall 120, a cylindrical inner wall portion 
122, and a plurality of arcuate wall portions 124 extending upwardly from 
the perimeter of base plate 118 about the beverage receiving area 126. 
Arcuate wall portions 124 are disposed below and define the same radius of 
curvature as inner wall portion 122 to define aligned upper and lower 
arcuate support surfaces for the interconnected upper and lower ring 
members 112 and 113. A plurality of interior structural support ribs 127 
extend between wall 120 the arcuate wall portions 124. A rubber or other 
suitable non-skid pad 141 having a high coefficient of friction is 
preferably secured to the underside of base 114 as in base 14 of the prior 
embodiment. Further, while not believed necessary, additional weights (not 
shown) could be provided in either bases 14 or 114 to provide additional 
weight and stability to the device. 
Upper ring member 112 defines an upper surface 150, a tapered outer surface 
152, a flat horizontal annular interior surface 156 on the underside 
thereof, and a outer depending perimeter wall portion 158 having a 
plurality of areas 159 therein which receive the upstanding arcuate wall 
portions 124 of base 114 so as to be flush therewith. An annular flat lip 
157 is provided between the upper end of wall portion 158 and the lower 
edge of tapered surface 152 which is adapted to abut the upper surface of 
base wall 120. 
As seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B, annular interior surface 156 defines therein 
three equidistantly spaced vertical slots 162, three equidistantly spaced 
arcuate guide channels 164, and three recessed areas 166 which are 
arranged and function in the same manner as the corresponding elements 62, 
64 and 66 in the prior embodiment. Upper ring member 112 also defines a 
pair of radially extending gripping flanges 170 which protrude from the 
exterior surface thereof and serve the same function as gripping flanges 
70 on the base member 14 of the prior embodiment. A cut-out are 171 is 
provided in the depending perimeter wall portion 158 of the upper ring 
member 112 between the spaced gripping flanges 170 thereon and a pair of 
inwardly directed ribbed surfaces 173 are disposed defined by the interior 
of wall portions 158 adjacent gripping flanges 170. 
The lower ring member 113 is disposed within the upper ring member 112 
adjacent annular surface 156 and the upper end of the interior surface of 
wall portion 158. Lower ring member 113 defines an annular body portion 
200 having three equidistantly spaced recessed areas 202 therein. Each of 
the recessed areas 202 defines a flat horizontal arcuate support surface 
204 therein. Surfaces 204 each define therein a vertical slot 206 adjacent 
common end walls 206' of the recessed areas 202, an arcuate glide channel 
208 and a recess 210 in surface 204. Each of the recesses 210 cooperates 
with one of the recessed areas 166 in the upper ring member 112 to receive 
the enlarged gripping portions 180 of gripping members 116 in the same 
manner as recessed 42 and 66 in the prior embodiment. Lower ring member 
113 also includes a gripping flange 138 which projects radially outwardly 
from the body portion 200 through the cut-out area 171 in the upper ring 
member 112 and upwardly over the depending wall portion 158 of the upper 
ring member between radial flanges 170 thereon. The outer surface of body 
portion 200 also defines outwardly projecting ribbed surfaces 21 thereon 
which abut ribbed surfaces 173 on the upper ring member to increase the 
frictional contact between the upper and lower ring members. The annular 
depending wall 158 of the upper ring member 112 is provided with an 
annular channel 214 therein which receives an outwardly directed annular 
rib 216 formed on the lower end of body portion 200 of the lower ring 
member to secure the upper and lower ring members together to prevent 
separation thereof but allow relative rotation therebetween. 
The flexible gripping members 116 of the second embodiment are of the same 
configuration as gripping members 16 of the prior embodiment, although 
gripping members having the configuration of members 16' illustrated in 
FIGS. 6C and 6D could be employed. The gripping members 116 are disposed 
between and mounted between the upper and lower ring members 112 and 113 
within recessed areas 202 of the lower ring member 113 in the same manner 
in which gripping member 16 are disposed between and mounted in the upper 
ring member 12 and base 14 of the prior embodiment. Accordingly, by 
relative rotation of the upper and lower ring member 112 and 113 by means 
of radial gripping flanges 170 and 138, the gripping members 116 are 
caused to move substantially radially inwardly and outwardly of the rings 
to abut and secure a beverage container disposed therewithin. 
When the upper and lower ring members 112 and 113 are disposed within base 
114 in the lower position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom surface 
158' of the depending outer wall portion 158 of the upper ring member 112 
is disposed adjacent base plate 118 and the upstanding arcuate wall 
portions 124 of base 114 are disposed in the cut out areas 159 of wall 
portion 158. In this position, the beverage container holding device 100 
operates in the same manner as device 10. However, as the lower ring 
member 113 is a separate element secured by the upper ring member 112 and 
not defined by the base 14 as in the prior embodiment, the second 
embodiment allows the interconnected ring members 112 and 113 to be raised 
upwardly within base 114 to an elevated position illustrated in FIGS. 9 
and 10, whereupon the upper end surface 124' of the upstanding arcuate 
wall portions 124 in base 114 are disposed below the bottom surfaces 158' 
of the depending perimeter wall portion 158 of the upper ring member 112. 
To secure the ring members in the elevated position, one need only rotate 
the ring members together with respect to the base member such that the 
bottom surfaces 158' of depending wall portion 158 will rest on the upper 
end surfaces 124' of wall portions 124 in base 114 and the outer surface 
of depending wall portion 158 abuts and bears against the adjacently 
disposed cylindrical wall portion 122 of base 114. To facilitate alignment 
of surfaces 158' and 124' upon rotation of the ring members, an upstanding 
stop 125 defined by a portion end of one of the arcuate wall portions 124 
can be provided. Stop 125 limits the relative rotation of the ring members 
with respect to the base member by means of the abutment of an end of wall 
portion 158 in the upper ring member adjacent the cut out area 159 therein 
as seen in FIG. 9. In addition, a radially extending rib 190 can be 
provided adjacent the lower end of depending perimeter wall portion 158 
which is adapted to abut a shoulder 192 defined by the outer wall 120 of 
base 114 to prevent the separation of the interconnected ring members from 
the base. Through their configuration, the adjustability of the support 
device is further enhanced. 
A modified form of the second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in 
FIG. 11. The beverage container support device 300 shown therein differs 
from the second embodiment in that it does not include a base member and 
the upper ring member 312 employs a shortened depending annular perimeter 
wall portion 358 which extends about the lower ring member 313, but does 
not project downwardly therefrom as did wall portion 158 of the second 
embodiment. Otherwise the interconnected ring members 312 and 313 ar 
identical to ring members 112 and 113 with the exception that device 300 
includes a gimbal mounting 316 secured to the perimeter wall portion 358 
of the upper ring member 312 by bracket 314. A plurality of collapsible 
support straps 361 are also preferably secured to the ring members so as 
to extend downwardly therefrom and radially across the interior 
cylindrical area defined by the rings to provide a bottom support for a 
beverage container disposed therein. The operation of device 300 is 
otherwise the same as that described with respect to the second 
embodiment. 
Various other changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the 
present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 
Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the 
appended claims, they are to be considered as part of the present 
invention.