Abstract:
A collapsible cup holder is provided. The collapsible cup holder is adapted to be coupled to a shopping cart and is rotatable between a retracted and deployed configuration. The cup holder includes a back with a top portion and a bottom portion. A top ring is rotatably coupled to the top portion and a base is rotatably coupled to the bottom portion. A strut extends between the top ring and the base and is rotatably coupled to both such that rotation of either the top ring or the base causes corresponding rotation of the other.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119  
       [0001]    The present Application for Patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/038,024, titled “Cup Holder for Shopping Carts that Retracts into the Basket of the Shopping Cart, filed Mar. 19, 2008, and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120   
       [0002]    None. 
       REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR PATENT 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field 
         [0005]    The technology of the present application relates generally to a collapsible holder for a beverage, and more specifically, to a collapsible cup holder attachable to the basket of a shopping cart. 
         [0006]    2. Background 
         [0007]    A trend currently exists for retail shopping stores to provide beverage services, such as, for example, STARBUCKS®, or beverages dispensing machines, such as Coke-a-Cola®, Pepsi®, bottled water or the like, for shoppers. Retailers provide these beverage services in an attempt to facilitate the needs of a shopper or consumer to make shopping more convenient and pleasurable for the shopper. 
         [0008]    Most retailers also provide shopping carts for the convenience of the shoppers. Unfortunately, operating a shopping cart and consuming a beverage can be challenging. With conventional shopping carts, a customer must continuously hold the beverage or, in the alternative, rest the beverage on a portion of the shopping cart that is not designed to hold a beverage. Holding the beverage is an inconvenience at best. Moreover, the shopper may misplace the beverage, lose the beverage, or have the beverage spilled. Resting the beverage on a portion of the shopping cart that is not designed to hold a beverage is equally inconvenient. Often the beverage must be propped up by a article to be purchased or carried by the shopper. In many cases, the beverage tips causing a spill. This may cause damage to the shopper&#39;s goods and/or damage to items to be purchased, e.g., shrink. 
         [0009]    Prior attempts to provide a device to hold a beverage have not satisfactorily addressed the above problem. Often the prior devices attach a holder to a shopping cart in a location remote from where the shopper generally stands relative to the cart. This tends to result in shoppers not using the device. Alternatively, the devices extend into basket of the shopping cart or in the foldable child restraint section of the cart. This reduces the storage space in the shopping cart when the holder is unnecessary. 
         [0010]    Thus, against this background, it would be desirable to provide an improved device capable of holding a beverage configured for use with a shopping cart. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Embodiments disclosed herein address the above stated needs by providing a cup holder. The cup holder is adapted to be coupled to a shopping cart and is deployable and retractable. The cup holder having a back with a top portion and a bottom portion. At least one top axle is coupled to the top portion by a hook and at least one bottom axle is coupled to the bottom portion by at least one hook. The cup holder has a top ring with flanges attached to opposite terminal ends of the top ring. The flanges are rotatably coupled to the top axle such that the top ring can rotate with respect to the back from a deployed configuration to a retracted configuration. The cup holder also has a base. The base having a first end distal from the back and a second end proximate the back. The base includes a plank coupled to the second end and extending from the second end to rotatably couple to the bottom axle, such that the base can rotate with respect to the back from a deployed configuration to a retracted configuration. The top ring and base are connected by a strut extending between the top ring and the base and being rotatably coupled to both the top ring and the base, such that moving either of the top ring or the base between the deployed configuration and the retracted configuration causes the other to be rotated between the deployed configuration and the retracted configuration. 
         [0012]    Other embodiments of the present application include a shopping cart with a retractable and deployable cup holder. The shopping cart comprises an upper basket being formed by a plurality of horizontal and vertical wires. The shopping cart also has a retractable child seat that is rotatably coupled to the upper basket and being formed by a plurality of horizontal and vertical wires. A cup holder is coupled to the shopping cart and can be moved between a retracted and deployed state. The cup holder having a back with a top portion and a bottom portion. The back includes clasps to couple to corresponding horizontal or vertical wires. At least one top axle is coupled to the top portion by a hook and at least one bottom axle is coupled to the bottom portion by at least one hook. The cup holder has a top ring with flanges attached to opposite terminal ends of the top ring. The flanges are rotatably coupled to the top axle such that the top ring can rotate with respect to the back from a deployed configuration to a retracted configuration. The cup holder also has a base. The base having a first end distal from the back and a second end proximate the back. The base includes a plank coupled to the second end and extending from the second end to rotatably couple to the bottom axle, such that the base can rotate with respect to the back from a deployed configuration to a retracted configuration. The top ring and base are connected by a strut extending between the top ring and the base and being rotatably coupled to both the top ring and the base such that moving either of the top ring or the base between the deployed configuration and the retracted configuration causes the other to be rotated between the deployed configuration and the retracted configuration 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are referred to using the same reference number whenever possible. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a collapsible beverage holder in the deployed state with a cup; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of a hook  32  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of the connection between a top ring and an axle of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the connection of the strut to the top ring of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a collapsible beverage holder in the retracted state; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a conventional shopping cart. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    The cup holder or beverage holder of the present application will now be described with particular reference to the drawings. While the cup holder or beverage holder is described with reference to a cup containing a beverage, one of ordinary skill in the art will now recognize on reading the disclosure that the cup holder or beverage holder may similarly hold a bottle, a jar, or other container as a matter of design choice. Moreover, although described in relation to liquids, the cup holder may be used for containers of fluids (liquids or gases) or solids, such as, for example, candy, treats, or the like. Moreover, the technology of the present application will be described with reference to the Figures and certain exemplary embodiments thereof. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a cup holder  10  is shown in a perspective view in a deployed configuration  12 . The cup holder  10  is shown with a container  14  in a holding recess  16  formed by cup holder  10  as will be further explained below. In the deployed configuration  12 , cup holder  10  holds or retains the container  14  to inhibit spilling from tipping or the like and/or misplacement of the container  14 . The container  14  is shown as a cup, but could be any type of container including, for example, a bottle, a jar, a box, or the like. Moreover, while the holding recess  16  is shown to have a generally circular or, more broadly an elliptical configuration, the holding recess  16  will define a shape largely based on the type of container  14  that the holding recess  16  is designed to hold. Thus, as can be appreciated, the holding recess  16  may take several shapes including circular or elliptical as shown, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other polygonal or random shape. The cup holder  10  may be made out of numerous appropriate material, such as, for example, metals, metal alloys, composites, plastics, or the like. However, for manufacturing, it is envisioned that the cup holder  10  would be made from injection molded plastics or the like. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a rear elevation view of the cup holder  10  is provided. The container  14  also is shown. The cup holder  10  has a backing  20 . Backing  20  has a length L and a width W. Backing  20  is shown as rectangular in shape, but could have other polygonal shapes, elliptical shapes, or even random shapes. Also, backing  20  may taper from the top to the bottom such that the width at the top and or bottom is different. Backing  20  has a first side  22  and a second side  24  ( FIG. 3 ) opposite the first side  22 . First side  22  faces away from the container  14 . Backing  20  has a top portion  26  and a bottom portion  28  opposite top portion  26 . As shown in phantom, backing  20  may comprise a frame  30  instead of a solid material. 
         [0029]    The top portion  26  and the bottom portion  28  have attached thereto hooks  32  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The hooks  32 , one of which is shown in cross-section in  FIG. 3A , provide a recess along the top portion  26  and bottom portion  28  through which an axle  34  or pivot rod  34  extends (see  FIG. 34 ). The hooks  32 , which are shown as elongated recesses may be one, two, three or more discrete hooks as a matter of design choice. The hooks  32  have a top surface  36 , a bottom surface  38 , and a side wall  40 . Side wall  40  may be a continuous part of backing  20  or a separate piece coupled to backing  20 . While described as surfaces for purposes of orientation, it should be apparent that hooks  32  may form a continuous C shape channel or a complete O shape such as a through hole, instead of a channel. As shown in  FIG. 3C , the hooks  32  may have a C or sideways U shape. Moreover, the wall may be discrete straight walls, continuous curved walls, or a combination thereof.  FIG. 3C  shows a C shaped hook  32  in cross-section. As shown, C shaped hook  32  may have distal ends  42  that pinch towards each other to hold or form a recess  44  in which a pivot rod  46  or axle  46  may reside. In the case of a straight wall top surface  36  and bottom surface  38 , protrusions  48  may exist at the distal ends  42  as shown in  FIG. 3  to facilitate holding rod  46  in recess  44 . Notice, as will be explained below, configuring distal ends  42  to pinch or have protrusions  48  may be optional depending on other mechanisms to hold rod  46  in recess  44 . 
         [0030]    Rod  46  may be oriented in recess  44  by sliding rod  46  down recess  44 . Alternatively, rod  46  may slide into recess  44  by moving rod  46  into recess  44  in a sliding relation as shown by arrow A, in  FIG. 3 . When sliding rod  46  into recess  44 , the distal ends  42  and/or protrusions  48  may be resilient or elastic to allow flexing of the hooks  32  to snap around rod  46 . Once placed, rod  46  is in rotational and sliding relation to recess  44 . The fit between rod  46  and recess  44  should allow for rotational movement of the rod  46  about a longitudinal axis  50  of rod  46 . The fit between rod  46  and recess  44  may be sufficiently tight such that friction inhibits movement of rod  46  without application of some force, such as a person moving cup holder  10  from the retracted state to the deployed state. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  7 , extending from top portion  26  of backing  20  is a top ring  52 . The top ring  52  is described and shown as a ring, but a ring should not be construed in a limiting sense to mean circular. Ring  52  should be shaped to conform to the container  14  which cup holder  10  is designed to hold. As shown for a generally cylindrical cup as container  14 , top ring  52  is provided with a wall  54  having a continuously curved convex outer surface  56  and a continuously curved concave inner surface  58  forming a top recess  60  between top ring  52  and backing  20 . 
         [0032]    As shown best in  FIG. 7 , top ring  52  does not form a complete circle or ring, but terminates in fingers or flanges  62  extending from wall  54  to top portion  26  of backing  20 . Fingers or flanges  62  are separated by a gap G, that is approximately equal to width W of backing  20  at top portion  26 . Fingers  62  may be elastic such that in an un-stressed state, the distance between fingers  62  is less than gap G as shown such that the fingers  62  provide a compressive force to hold axle  46  as explained below. Fingers  62  have a proximate end  64  connected to wall  54  and a distal end  66  adjacent backing  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , distal end  66  has a cavity  68  into which axle  46  fits. The compressive force applies a frictional engagement between cavity  68  and axle  46 . Axle  46  is in rotational engagement with cavity  68 . 
         [0033]    As shown best in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  7 B, a strut  70  extends from top ring  52  as will be further explained below. The strut  70  has a top head  72  with a bore  74 . A fastener  76 , such as, for example, a snap fitting, a set screw, a rivet, a pin, or the like extends through bore  74  into a bore  78  in top ring  52  (See  FIG. 7B ). Bore  78  may extend through wall  54  or terminate in a chamber  80  as shown. The distal end  82  of the fastener  76  may have a flanged surface  84  or protrusions to hold fastener  76  in bore  78 . The fastener  76  acts as a pivot allowing strut  70  and top ring  52  to pivot relative to each other such that top ring  52  can be folded up relative to backing  20  into a retracted state or folded down relative to backing  20  into a deployed state. The strut  70  pivots relative to top ring  52 , but generally moves with top ring  52  from the retracted to deployed state. It should be appreciated that the retracted state could also be entered by folding top ring  52  down relative to backing  20 . The flanged surface  84  may be resilient to allow pushing fastener  76  through bores  74  and  78 . Alternatively, one or more slots  86  in fastener  76  may allow compression of the distal end  82  such that the flanged surface can fit through the bores  74  and  78 . Although only a single strut  70  is shown, it should be appreciated that additional pivoting struts  70  may be provided at additional locations as a matter of design choice. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cup holder  10  has a base  86 . The base  86  is generally configured to support container  14  and may be shaped accordingly. The base  86  has a length L B  and a width W B . Alternatively, the base  86  may, instead of having a length and width, have a diameter similar to the bottom of container  14  as shown. Still, alternatively, base  86  may have a petal-like arrangement, provide a number of separated planks in rows or columns, have a cross-hatched configuration or the like. Additionally, the base  86  may comprise a wire frame to support container  14 . The, base  86  has a proximate end  90  oriented towards backing  20  and a distal end  88  opposite proximate end  90 . The proximate end  90  may have fingers or flanges  62 , similar to top ring  52 , shown in  FIG. 7 , or planks  92  connected to proximate end  90  and extending toward backing  20 . The planks  92  have a proximate end  94  connected to the proximate end  90  of the base  86  and a distal end  96  connected to axle  98 . The axle  98  is similar to axle  46  described above. The axle  98  has a slot or groove  100  into which distal end  96  of the planks  92  fit. The planks  92  may be separated by a distance B. The planks  92  may be elastic such that the distance between planks  92  in an un-stressed state is less than the distance B such that the planks  92  place a compressive force on axle  100 . The base  86  may have tabs  102  along portions of the edge  103  of the base  86 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , two tabs  102  are provided to provide some cover to the connection between planks  92  and axle  100 . A tab  104  ( FIG. 2 ) is provide proximate strut  70 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the strut  70  extends from top ring  52  to base  86 . The strut  70  has a second head  72  proximate the base  86 . Head  72  is coupled to tab  104  similar to connecting head  72  to top ring  52  with a few differences that are explained herein. The head  72  has a bore  74  though which a fastener  76  extends. Tab  104  has a bore  106  extending through the tab  104 . Fastener  76  has a shaft that extends through both bores such that flanged surface  84  extends along tab  104  on a side of tab  104  opposite head  72 . 
         [0036]    The strut  70  provides multiple functions. First, strut  70  provides structural rigidity when cup holder  10  is holding a container  14 . Second, the strut  70  transmits force applied to either the top ring  52  or the base  86  to fold or unfold the top ring and base relative to the backing  20  such that when either top ring  52  or the base  86  is moved in relation to backing  20 , the force is transmitted through the strut  70  to cause the other of the base  86  or the top ring  52  to move in unison with the other. 
         [0037]    Referring how to  FIG. 8 , the cup holder  10  is shown in the retracted configuration  2 . As shown, the retracted configuration  2  is achieved by folding or rotating the top ring  52  and the base  86  towards the top portion  26  of backing  20 . To achieve the deployed configuration  12 , the top ring  52  and the base  86  are unfolded or away from the backing  20  to the deployed configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . As can be appreciated, the retracted configuration  2  may similarly be with the top ring  52  and the base  86  folded or rotated towards the bottom portion  28 . 
         [0038]    Depending on whether cup holder  10  is designed to be retracted by folding the top ring  52  and the base  86  towards the top portion  26  or the bottom portion  28 , a rotation inhibiter  77  may be provided in a number of locations to inhibit the rotation of the top ring  52  and the base  86 . As shown, the rotation inhibiter  77  limits the rotation of fastener  76  in head  72  such that when in the deployed configuration  12 , the cup holder will not fold or rotate towards the bottom portion  28  when a cup, bottle, or jar is placed in cup holder  10 . Instead of associating the rotation inhibiter  77  with heads  72 , the rotation inhibiter may be associated with hooks  32 , axle  46  or  100 , or the like, to limit rotation or folding of the top ring  52  and the base  86  towards the bottom portion  28  of backing  20 . Alternatively, the friction of the various rotating/pivotal parts may be sufficient to hold the cup holder in either the retracted or deployed configuration as necessary. In still another configuration, a brace  63  may be provided (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The brace  63  may inhibit further rotation in either direction. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a top perspective view of a conventional shopping cart  200  is provided. Shopping cart  200  includes an upper basket  202  and a lower cargo area  204 . Upper basket  202  is typically designed with a horizontal bottom  206  and multiple vertical walls  208 . The horizontal bottom  206  and vertical walls  208  may be constructed from vertical and horizontal wires  210 . The upper basket  202  also may comprise a retractable child seat  212 . The child seat  212  is typically pivotally connected to one of the vertical walls  208  of the upper based  202  to allow the retractable child seat  212  to have a deployed state as shown or a retracted state where the retractable child seat  212  is retracted to be substantially parallel with and adjacent the vertical wall  208  of the upper basket  202 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that backing  20  has arranged on it four clasps  110 . The clasps  110  are separated by a distance C such that the clasps are alignable with the vertical wires  210  to removably connect the cup holder to the shopping cart  200 . The clasps  110  have attached to backing  20  at connection  112 . Extending from connection  112  are at least two deformable or elastic prongs  114 . Elastic prongs  114  for each clasp  110  are separated by a distance in the un-stressed state that is less than a diameter of the vertical wires  210  such that clasps  110  can be snapped on to any of the vertical wires  210  of shopping cart  200  such that cup holder  10  can be positioned as desired by the shopper. Moreover, because the cup holder  10  is retractable, a shopper without a beverage, cup, bottle, jar, or the like, can retract the cup holder without removing it and not have the cup holder be in an inconvenient location that obstructs or hinders shopping. Alternative clasps also may be used to connect the cup holder to the shopping cart. Also, instead of being removably coupled using clasps or the like to retrofit existing shopping carts, it would be possible to make the cup holder  10  as an integrated part of the shopping cart  200 . Alternatively to having clasps  110  aligned to clasp with the vertical wires  210 , clasps  110  can be aligned to clasp with the horizontal wires  210  or a combination of vertical and horizontal wires  210 . 
         [0041]    Although it is envisioned that cup holder  10  will not be readily removable by a customer, the cup holder  10  may be provided in a store where shopping carts  200  are provided. Alternatively, a customer also may bring a cup holder  10  as a matter of choice. In any event, if a cup holder is not already on the shopping cart, the customer or store locates an appropriate position on the shopping cart for the cup holder  10 . The clasps  110  are aligned with the vertical wires  210  and the cup holder  10  is snapped onto the vertical wires  210 . The cup holder  10  is folded into the retracted or deployed configuration as a matter of choice by the customer to allow the cup holder  10  to hold a container  4 . At the conclusion of use, the cup holder  10  may be removed from the shopping cart  200 . 
         [0042]    Although it is envisioned that cup holder  10  will not be readily removable by a customer, the customer may reposition the cup holder  10  as desired in some embodiments of the invention. In other embodiments, the cup holder  10  may be removably coupled but the clasps  110  apply a sufficient force to grasp wires  210  so that it is difficult for the cup holder  10  to be removed by a customer. 
         [0043]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.