Abstract:
A cup holder comprising, a housing, a carrier member slidably engaged to the housing and movable between a condition where it is housed within the housing and condition where it at least partially extends from the housing, a cup receptacle that is slidably connected to the carrier member and carried thereby in a gimballed manner, wherein in an extended position the cup receptacle is presentable to be able to receive a cup, and wherein in a retracted position the cup receptacle is within the housing in a stowed condition.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a cup holder. More specifically, but not exclusively it relates to a cup holder for a seat of an aircraft. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many beverage containers such as a can, bottle or cup (herein after referred to as a “cup”) once open or filled with a beverage cannot be tipped over without spilling the contents. It is therefore convenient to have a place to locate a cup in a secure location such that the contents are not spilt when a consumer does not want to hold the cup. Passengers using cups on an aircraft require a place to locate their cups in a secure position. In the confined space of a passenger&#39;s seat there is limited space to locate a cup in a secure position. 
         [0003]    Traditionally cups and the like have been located on the surface of a tray table, deployable or otherwise. Whilst a tray table does provide a surface on which to place a cup they are still prone to the cups slipping, sliding or tipping on the surface of the tray table. Placing a cup on a tray table also relies on some tray tables being deployed which may not be convenient for all situations such as when a passenger wants to get up from their seat. Some tray tables have been adapted to include indents to help prevent the cups from sliding on the surface of the tray table. However, they can still be knocked over when bumped or in the event of turbulence. 
         [0004]    An alternative method for securing a cup includes the use of a specialised cup holder for receiving and retaining a cup or equivalent beverage container within. There are known cup holders that are configured to hold a cup or container in a fixed relationship to a seat or a fixed surface. These fixed cup holders do not accommodate for the movement of a vehicle and can often take up a significant amount of space. Space on an aircraft and especially in a passenger seating area is very limited. 
         [0005]    There are known deployable cup holders, although these are often bulky and cannot be easily incorporated in the limited space on the back of a seat. The back of a seat in an aircraft is often crowded with other utilities such as tray tables, IFE screens and detachable controllers, all of which compete for space with the internal structure of the seat itself. 
         [0006]    Due to the structural requirements of an aircraft seat and the extensive safety tests they must undergo it is normally commercially more efficient and cheaper, when designing a new configuration of components on a seat back, to configure the components around the existing seat structure rather than changing the seat structure around the components. 
         [0007]    All components on aircraft are designed to minimise their weight and manufacturing costs. As such cup holders are made from minimal amounts of material which inherently reduces their strength and durability. As a result it is not uncommon for cup holders to be damaged or broken, in which case they must be replaced. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in or relating to cup holders which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice. 
         [0009]    In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a cup holder comprising, 
         [0011]    a housing, 
         [0012]    a carrier member slidably engaged to the housing and movable between a condition where it is housed within the housing and condition where it at least partially extends from said housing, 
         [0013]    a cup receptacle that is slidably connected to the carrier member and carried thereby in a gimballed manner, 
         [0014]    wherein in an extended position the cup receptacle is presentable to be able to receive a cup, 
         [0015]    and wherein in a retracted position the cup receptacle is within the housing in a stowed condition. 
         [0016]    Preferably the cup holder is to be mounted at the seatback at the back of a seat. 
         [0017]    Preferably the housing is mounted to the back of a seat, and projects into the seat back. 
         [0018]    Preferably the housing and carrier member are configured such that the carrier member slides along an axis that is not perpendicular to the surface of the seat back. 
         [0019]    Preferably the housing and carrier member are configured such that the carrier member slides along an axis that is perpendicular to the surface of the seat back. 
         [0020]    Preferably the housing has a retaining arrangement for retaining the housing in the seat. 
         [0021]    Preferably the retaining arrangement is a snap fit retaining arrangement. 
         [0022]    Preferably the retaining arrangement is a positive lock retaining arrangement. 
         [0023]    Preferably the carrier member is retained within the housing by a snap fit auxiliary retaining mechanism. 
         [0024]    Preferably the carrier member is retained within the housing by a positive lock auxiliary retaining mechanism. 
         [0025]    Preferably the cup holder is configured and mounted so that the cup holder is accessible to a person located to the rear of the seat. 
         [0026]    Preferably the cup receptacle can receive and retain a cup, bottle, can or any similarly shaped article (herein after referred to as a “Cup”). 
         [0027]    Preferably the cup receptacle comprises a girdle member and a pair of pivot lugs. 
         [0028]    Preferably each pivot lug extends from opposing sides of the girdle member. 
         [0029]    Preferably the pair of pivot lugs are on the same axis. 
         [0030]    Preferably the carrier member comprises a pair of guide tracks each track configured to receive one of each of the pivot lugs. 
         [0031]    Preferably the pair of guide tracks are configured to allow the pivot lugs to slide along the guide tracks. 
         [0032]    Preferably the guide tracks and/or the pivot lugs are configured to allow the cup receptacle to pivot around the axis of the slide lugs. 
         [0033]    In a second aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a cup holder comprising, 
         [0034]    a guide member, 
         [0035]    a sliding member guided by and slidably engaged to the guide member, 
         [0036]    the sliding member movable relative to the guide member between an extended position and a retracted position along a curved path, 
         [0037]    a cup receptacle presentable by the sliding member, wherein in the extended position of the sliding member the cup receptacle is presented to be able to receive a cup, 
         [0038]    and wherein in the retracted position of the sliding member the cup receptacle is more proximate the guide member. 
         [0039]    Preferably the cup holder is to be mounted to the back of a seat. 
         [0040]    Preferably the guide member is mounted to the back of the seat. 
         [0041]    Preferably the guide member has a retaining arrangement for retaining the guide member in the seat. 
         [0042]    Preferably the retaining arrangement is a snap fit retaining arrangement. 
         [0043]    Preferably the retaining arrangement is a positive lock retaining arrangement. 
         [0044]    Preferably the cup holder is configured and mounted so that the cup holder is accessible to a person located to the rear of the seat. 
         [0045]    Preferably the cup receptacle can receive and retain a cup, bottle, can or any similarly shaped article (herein after referred to as a “Cup”). 
         [0046]    Preferably the cup receptacle comprises a girdle member and a pair of lugs. 
         [0047]    Preferably each lug extends from opposing sides of the girdle member. 
         [0048]    Preferably the pair of lugs are on the same axis. 
         [0049]    Preferably the guide tracks are configured to allow the pivot lugs to slide along the guide tracks. 
         [0050]    Preferably the slide member is configured to support the cup receptacle by the lugs so as to allow the cup receptacle to pivot. 
         [0051]    Preferably the guide tracks and/or the lugs are configured to allow the cup receptacle to pivot around the axis of the lugs. 
         [0052]    In an alternative aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a cup holder as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 
         [0053]    Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0054]    As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both. 
         [0055]    As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun. 
         [0056]    The term “comprising” as used in this specification [and claims] means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification [and claims] which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner. 
         [0057]    The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0058]    This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.) 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0059]    The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings in which: 
           [0060]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cup holder in the extended position, 
           [0061]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cup holder in the retracted position, 
           [0062]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cup receptacle in the extended position, 
           [0063]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cup holder mounted to the back of a seat, 
           [0064]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cup holder mounted to the back of a seat, 
           [0065]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the housing and the carrier member detailing the guide tracks and the retaining assembly, 
           [0066]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cup receptacle in the extended position and including a cup, 
           [0067]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the housing and the cup receptacle in the retracted position, 
           [0068]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cup holder mounted in a seat, 
           [0069]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cup holder mounted in a seat and including a cup, 
           [0070]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the cup holder mounted in a seat and including a cup, 
           [0071]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an extended position with the housing shown in broken lines, 
           [0072]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an extended position with the housing shown in broken lines, 
           [0073]      FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an extended position with the housing shown in broken lines, 
           [0074]      FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an extended position with the housing shown in broken lines, 
           [0075]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a partially retracted position with the housing shown in broken lines, and 
           [0076]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a fully retracted position with the housing shown in broken lines, and 
           [0077]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a row of seats with one embodiment of a cup holder mounted on each seat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0078]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the cup holder  5000 . In the preferred embodiment the cup holder comprises a housing  5010 , a carrier member  5020  and a cup receptacle  5030 . In the preferred embodiment the carrier member  5020  is slidably engaged to the housing  5010 . The carrier member  5020  can be slid between a position where the carrier member is substantially enclosed within the housing and an extended position where it extends at least in part out of the housing. In the preferred embodiment the carrier member  5020  extends completely from the housing member  5010  to present the cup receptacle  5030 . 
         [0079]    The carrier member  5020  in the preferred embodiment forms a telescoping arrangement with the housing  5010  in which the housing  5010  forms the external sheath  5011  and the carrier member  5020  slides into and out of the external sheath  5011 . Alternatively the carrier member  5020  could form the external sheath of the telescoping engagement. 
         [0080]    In an alternative embodiment the carrier member  5020  is slidably engaged to the housing  5010  by any other sliding connection means such as a rail and coupling, a lug and groove or track system. 
         [0081]    In the preferred embodiment the cup holder  5000  is mounted to the back of a seat  5040 . In the preferred embodiment the cup holder  5000  is mounted to the back of the seat by inserting the housing member  5010  into the back of the seat. The housing member  5010  is inserted such that the carrier member slides in a substantially perpendicular direction to the surface of the seat back  5041 . Alternatively the housing  5010  is at an angle to the seat back and the carrier member extends from the seat back  5041  at a non perpendicular angle. 
         [0082]    In the preferred embodiment the housing  5010  comprises a retaining assembly  5070 . The retaining assembly  5070  secures the housing in the back of the seat  5040 . In the preferred embodiment the retaining assembly  5070  creates a snap fit between the housing  5010  and the seat  5040 . In the preferred embodiment the snap fit is created by at least one retaining clips  5013  that engages with an equivalent bracket on the back of the seat thereby preventing the cup holder  5000  from falling out of the back of the seat  5040 . In an alternative embodiment the retaining assembly creates a positive lock between the housing  5010  and the seat  5040 . 
         [0083]    In the preferred embodiment the cup holder  5000  is configured to be a cartridge type design such that the cup holder  5000  can be inserted into an aperture in the back of a seat  5040  designed for receiving the cup holder  5000 . The cup holder  5000  in the preferred embodiment clips into place via the retaining assembly  5070  and can subsequently be used as a cup holder. In the preferred embodiment, in the event that the cup holder  5000  requires replacing the retaining assembly  5070  is readily releasable to allow the cup holder  5000  to be easily removed and replaced. 
         [0084]    In the preferred embodiment the cup receptacle  5030  has a receiving aperture  5033  suitable for receiving a cup, can, bottle or any equivalent article of a similar shape and size. In a preferred embodiment the aperture is circular. Alternatively the aperture is a square, oval or any other shape suitable for receiving a cup. 
         [0085]    In the preferred embodiment the cup receptacle  5030  has a pair of pivot lugs  5031  each lug located on opposite sides of the cup receptacle  5030  to one another. The pivot lugs  5031  are each engaged with a corresponding lug guide track  5021  in the carrier member  5020 . The pivot lugs  5031  support the cup receptacle  5030  from the carrier member  5020  in a gimballed manner such that the cup receptacle  5030  can pivot and slide relative to the carrier member  5020 . In the preferred embodiment the axis  5032  of the pivot lugs  5031  extends through the centre of gravity of the cup receptacle such that the cup receptacle is balanced and not biased in a particular direction, thus keeping the cup in an upright orientation. In the preferred embodiment the cup receptacle is pivoted such that when a cup or equivalent article is placed in the aperture the vessel is retained within the cup receptacle  5030 . 
         [0086]    In a preferred embodiment the aperture  5033  is configured to allow the narrow portion of the base of a cup to pass there through but is narrow enough to prevent the upper lip of the cup from passing. The prevention of the upper lip from passing supports the cup in the cup receptacle  5030 . In a preferred embodiment the cup will pass substantially through the aperture  5033  such that the centre of gravity of the cup is substantially below the axis  5032  of the pivot lugs  5031 . The centre of gravity of the cup being located below the axis of rotation causes the cup to always orientate itself in the vertical direction. If the vehicle moves then the cup and the cup receptacle will pivot to accommodate the change and ensure the cup stays up right and thus helps keep the contents of the cup, in the cup. 
         [0087]    Alternatively the cup receptacle  5030  has a cup support that prevents a cup form passing completely through. 
         [0088]    In the preferred embodiment the cup receptacle also comprises a facing member  5034 . In the preferred embodiment the facing member  5034  is configured such that when the carrier member is in the retracted position the facing member is the only part of the cup receptacle  5030  and the carrier member  5020  that is visible from the back of the seat  5040 . The facing member  5034  is configured such that a user can easily pull the cup receptacle  5030  and the carrier member  5020  out of the housing  5010 . In a preferred embodiment the carrier member  5020  is retained within the housing  5010  when in the retracted position by a snap fit auxiliary retaining mechanism. Alternatively the carrier member  5020  is retained within the housing  5010  when in the retracted position by a positive lock auxiliary retaining mechanism. In the preferred embodiment the auxiliary retaining mechanism is a small protrusion that matches a small protrusion on the opposite component such that additional force is required to overcome their separation other than gravity. 
         [0089]    In a preferred embodiment the carrier member is configured such that it is detachable from the housing  5010  but such that the carrier member  5020  will not fall out of the housing when it is moved into and extended position. 
         [0090]    The housing  5010  in a preferred embodiment has at least one housing guide track  5012 . The at least one housing guide track is configured to receive and guide an associated guiding lug  5022  located on the carrier member. The guide lugs  5022  and the housing guide track facilitate the sliding and guiding of the carrier member  5020  in and out of the housing  5010 . 
         [0091]    In an alternative embodiment the cup holder comprises a guide member  5050  mounted in the back of a seat  5040 . The cup holder  5000  also includes a sliding member  5060  that slides into and out of the guide member  5050  along a curved path between a stowed and a deployed position. In the deployed position the slide member  5060  is configured to present the cup receptacle  5030  such that it can receive and support a cup  6000 . In the stowed position the slide member is substantially concealed within the guide member and not extending from the back of the seat  5040 . In this alternative embodiment the guide member  5050  is mounted to the back  5041  of a seat  5040  and the guide member and the sliding member  5060  are configured such that in the stowed position substantially all of the slide member is contained within the seat  5050 . When the slide member  5060  moves between the stowed and the deployed position the slide member travels through a curved path. The seat is configured to accommodate the curved path of the slide member  5060  when in the stowed position. The cup receptacle  5030  is configured and mounted to the slide member  5060  in the same fashion that it is mounted to the carrier member  5020  of the preferred embodiment.