Abstract:
A helmet shaped drink holder has a facemask ( 30 ), first and second helmet side pieces ( 10, 20 ) and a cup insert ( 40 ) and is assembled by the two helmet side pieces being snapped together. The facemask is held in place by a tab on the facemask restrained within a slot in the assembled side pieces. Cup insert ( 40 ) is placed within an aperture in the top of assembled side pieces ( 10, 20 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0001]    Cup holders shaped like helmets are known. However, conventional products have been manufactured using a welded seam to join two halves or alternatively forming a unitary piece with various injection or extrusion molds. These processes add unnecessary cost to the manufacturing process. It is therefore desirable to incorporate a system that overcomes these disadvantages by using two snap together pieces. 
         [0002]    Conventional systems have used a facemask portion that is screwed or adhered to the helmet portion. This too is costly. The present system overcomes this disadvantage by incorporating a facemask tab that fits in a slot. The slot is formed when the two helmet pieces are joined. The helmet pieces are assembled around the tab so as to enclose it. When assembled, the facemask is held in place. Although simulated screws are utilized in the facemask to add authenticity to the overall appearance, they are non functional and unnecessary because of the tab. Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those of skill in the art. 
         [0003]    As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the helmet can be sized to accommodate various beverage containers (e.g. 12 oz can, 12 oz bottle). The various pieces are preferably made of plastic or any other material having similar properties. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded perspective view of the invention from a different angle. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross sectional perspective view of the invention. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0008]    The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral.
     10  first helmet side piece  10       11  first facemask slot  11       12  first frontal recess  12  of first helmet side piece     13  first mating tab  13  of first helmet side piece     14  second mating tab  14  of first helmet side piece     15  third mating tab  15  of first helmet side piece     16  fourth mating tab  16  of first helmet side piece     17  first base portion  17  of first helmet side piece     18  first flat upper surface  18  of first helmet side piece     20  second helmet side piece  20       21  second facemask slot  21       22  second frontal recess  22  of second helmet side piece     23  first mating slot  23  of second helmet side piece     24  second mating slot  24  of second helmet side piece     25  third mating slot  25  of second helmet side piece     26  fourth mating slot  26  of second helmet side piece     27  second base portion  27  of second helmet side piece     28  second flat upper surface  28  of second helmet side piece     30  facemask  30       31  facemask tab  31       32  lower facemask male connectors  32       33  lower facemask female connectors  33       40  cup insert  40       41  cup insert flange  41     
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    One embodiment of a helmet shaped drink holder comprises facemask  30 , first and second helmet side pieces  10 , 20  and cup insert  40 . Facemask  30  has facemask tab  31  and male/female connectors  32 , 33  which are used to restrain it to the assembled side pieces  10 , 20 . 
         [0034]    The facemask  30  serves a dual purpose. It serves as a gripping handle for the user as well as adding authenticity to the overall helmet appearance. It is preferred that the facemask be shaped like an actual facemask of a helmet (e.g. a football helmet). Those of skill in the art would appreciate that football helmets have different types of facemasks and that any of them can be used provided they can also be used as a gripping handle. 
         [0035]    First helmet side piece  10  has a first slot  11  for receiving a portion of the facemask tab  31 , a first frontal recess  12 , a first mating tab  13 , a second mating tab  14 , a third mating tab  15 , a fourth mating tab  16 , a first base portion  17 , and a first flat upper surface  18 . 
         [0036]    Second helmet side piece  20  has a second slot  21  for receiving a portion of the facemask tab  31 , a second frontal recess  22 , a first mating slot  23  for receiving the first mating tab  13 , a second mating slot  24  for receiving the second mating tab  14 , a third mating slot  25  for receiving the third mating tab  15 , a fourth mating slot  26  for receiving the fourth mating tab  16 , a second base portion  27 , and a second flat upper surface  28 . 
         [0037]    The helmet side pieces  10 ,  20  can be made of relatively thin material. It is necessary that the material be durable enough to withstand use as a drink holder. The cup insert  40  serves as the primary means of stabilizing the beverage container. The side pieces provide additional support, including the base portion (first and second base portions  17 ,  27 ). 
         [0038]    Cup insert  40  has a flange  41  disposed about the upper portion thereof. In one embodiment, the cup insert  40  is made of plastic and does not have any particular insulating properties. However, the cup insert can have insulating properties to facilitate beverages maintaining desired temperatures (e.g. Styrofoam). As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the overall size of the helmet side pieces will be proportional to the size of beverage container held and the thickness of the cup insert. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the cup insert serves as a receptacle within which is placed a beverage container. In another embodiment, the cup insert itself serves as the beverage container (i.e. a beverage is poured directly into the cup insert). 
         [0040]    Facemask  30  and first and second helmet side pieces  10 ,  20  are joined together to form a helmet shape. First and second helmet side pieces  10 ,  20  are snapped together with complementary male-female fastening members. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that there are a variety of such complementary fastening members such as tab/slot, magnets, Velcro (trademark), and frictional fittings. 
         [0041]    First and second facemask slots  11 ,  21  form a unitary slot for receiving facemask tab  31 . First frontal recess  12  of first helmet side piece  10  and second frontal recess  22  of second helmet side piece  20  form a unitary recess when assembled. The frontal recessed portion is adapted to fit the shape of facemask  30 . 
         [0042]    As the first and second side pieces  10 ,  20  are joined together, facemask tab  31  is positioned so as to be enclosed by first and second facemask slots  11 ,  21  thereby securing facemask  30  to first and second side pieces  10  &amp;  20 . Lower facemask male connectors  32  snap into lower facemask female connectors  33  to further secure the facemask to the helmet side pieces. 
         [0043]    First and second base portions  17 ,  27  form a unitary base portion. As depicted, when assembled, the base portion extends from the bottom of the side pieces. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the base portion is not essential. the bottom surface of the assembled side pieces could be adapted as a resting surface. 
         [0044]    First and second flat upper surfaces  18 ,  28  form an aperture. Cup insert  40  is placed within the aperture. Flange  41  rests flush against upper surfaces  18 ,  20 .