Abstract:
A glass holder for glasses having a narrow neck and a wider base has a vertically movable stand element formed so that a base of a glass is placeable on the stand element, at least two movable holding-down devices which are spaced from one another and in a holding position engage over the base of a glass standing on the stand element, and in a removal position are moved outwards, and a locking mechanism which, when the stand element has been moved downwards locks the holding-down devices against movement from the holding position into the removal position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a glass holder intended, in particular for glasses provided with a narrow neck and a wider base, for installation in a means for locomotion, for example a motor vehicle, aeroplane or ship. 
   It is believed to be advisable to further improve the existing holders for installation in the above mentioned locomotion means. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a glass holder which is an improvement of existing holders. 
   More particularly, it is an object of the invention to propose a glass holder that, in the event of acceleration in any direction (acceleration, braking, cornering) or of jolting, holds a glass having a narrow neck and a wider base in an upright position securely against tipping over. 
   The glass holder according to the invention has a vertically movable stand element, on which a base, usually of circular and plate-like shape, of a glass can be placed. The stand element is especially a circular disc, although it can also be in form of an annulus or of a three-point support for the base of the glass. The vertical direction, in which the stand element of the glass holder is movable, relates to the intended installation position of the glass holder, wherein the latter holds a glass placed on the stand element in an upright position and with the base of the glass oriented in a horizontal plane. Slight differences, that is to say a glass that is held tilting slightly to the side, are not of any significance and are to be included in the scope of protection. 
   The glass holder further has at least two holding-down devices, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the stand element or of a glass base placed thereon. When the glass holder has two holding-down devices, they are preferably arranged opposite one another. In the case of three of more holding-down devices, they can be arranged spaced apart from one another evenly or unevenly. The holding-down devices are so arranged that they hold the base of a glass placed on the stand element securely, preventing the glass from tipping over in any direction. The holding-down devices are so mounted that they are movable between a holding position and a removal position. In the holding position, the holding-down devices engage over the base of the glass standing on the stand element and hold the base on the stand element, thereby preventing the glass from tipping over. In order to remove the glass, the holding-down devices are moved out into a removal position until the base of the glass can be lifted out from between the holding-down devices. 
   In order to prevent a held glass from tipping over, the glass holder according to the invention has a locking mechanism, which locks the holding-down devices against movement from the holding position to the removal position once the stand element has been moved down. The reason for that is the following: in the event of acceleration, in any direction, of a locomotion means in which the glass holder is subjected, in a horizontal direction, to a force which it is possible to think of as being applied at the centre of gravity of the glass, including any liquid contained therein. That force in a horizontal or lateral direction applies a moment to the stem and the base of the glass. That moment presses down the base of the glass at part of its circumference and lifts up the base at a part of the base of the glass, the stand element of the glass holder is pressed down and the locking mechanism locks all the holding-down devices against movement from the holding position to the removal position. As a result, the base of the glass is, even at that part of the circumference where the moment acting on the glass is trying to lift up the base, held down by the holding-down device 
   In order to prevent a held glass from tipping over, the glass holder according to the invention has a locking mechanism, which locks the holding-down devices against movement foom the holding position to the removal position once the stand element has been moved down. The reason for that is nthe following: in the event of acceleration, in any direction, of a locomotion means in which the glass holder is subject, in a horizontal direction, to a force which it is possible to think of as being applied at the centre of gravity of the glass, including any liquid contained therein. That force in a horizontal or lateral direction applies a moment to the stem and the base of the glass. That moment pressed down the base of the glass at part of its circumference and lifts up the base at a part of the base of the glass, the stand element of the glass holder is pressed down and the locking mechanism locks all the holding-down devices against movement from the holding position to the removal position. As a result, the base of the glass is, even at that part of that part of the circumference where the moment acting on the glass is trying to lift up the base, held down by the holding-down device or devices arranged near that part of the circumference, as a result of which the glass is held securely and does not tip over. 
   The glass holder according to the invention has the advantage that it is in principle suitable for holding any glasses in means of locomotion, provided that the glasses have a narrow neck and a wider base which can be at least approximately circular, over which the holding-down devices of the glass holder can engage. The locking mechanism functions automatically; no manual actuation of the locking mechanism is required. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, a pivotal mounting for the holding-down devices is provided, by means of which the holding-down devices are so mounted that they can pivot about notional axes extending tangentially to the stand element. The holding-down devices can be pivoted, upwards and outwards, from the holding position, in which they are located towards the inside, into the removal position. This embodiment of the invention enables the holding-down devices to be guided and mounted simply. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, a drive element is provided at the holding-down devices, which is acted upon by the base of a glass when the glass is placed on the stand element, moving the holding-down devices from the removal position into the holding position. The base of the glass can act upon the drive elements of the holding-down devices directly or indirectly, for example by way of the stand element. In this embodiment of the invention, the holding-down devices are automatically moved into the holding position when the glass is placed on the stand element. That has the advantage that a glass can be set down on the glass holder by hand and removed again and is held in the holding position securely against tipping over without any further manipulation of the glass holder. 
   In an embodiment of The invention, an over-center spring mechanism is provided for the holding-down devices. An over-center spring mechanism is understood to be a spring mechanism which holds the holding-down elements under spring bias both in the removal position and in the holding position. The over-center spring mechanism moves the holding-down devices, under spring force, in the direction of the removal position or of the holding position when the holding-down devices have passed a dead point in the direction of the position in question. A dead point is accordingly understood to mean a particular position of the holding-down devices between the removal and holding positions, in which position the over-center spring mechanism moves the holding-down devices neither in the one nor in the other direction. The over-center spring mechanism can act on the holding-down devices or on the stand element; an over-center spring mechanism can also be provided for The holding-down devices and for the stand element. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a push-push interlock mechanism is provided, which holds the holding-down devices in the holding position. The push-push interlock mechanism acts preferably on the stand element and, by way thereof, indirectly on those holding-down devices. It is locked by pressing the stand element down and holds the stand element in the lowered position. By pressing down a little on the stand element beyond the interlock, the push-push interlock mechanism is unlocked again so that a glass held by the glass holder can be removed. Push-push interlock mechanisms are known per se to the person skilled in the art and in some cases are known as a cardioid interlock or cardioid control means. 
   The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     This invention is described below in greater detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an axial section through a glass holder in a removal position; 
       FIG. 2  shows an enlarged detail according to circle II in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  shows the glass holder of  FIG. 1  in a holding position: 
       FIG. 4  shows an enlarged detail according to circle IV in  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 5  shows a spring element of the glass holder of  FIG. 1  as an isolated part. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The glass holder  10  according to the invention shown in  FIG. 1  has a circular, horizontally arranged stand element  12 , which is movable vertically, the positional references “horizontal” and “vertical” relating to an intended position of installation of the glass holder  10 . In the middle, a hook  14 , which is arranged between two rib-shaped counter-supports  16 , projects from the underside of the stand element  12 . Between the hook  14  and the counter-supports  16  there is fixed a bent spring element  18  made from spring wire (shown in top view in  FIG. 5 ). The spring element  18  extends transversely beneath the stand element  12 ; in its centre it has a crank  20 , which is produced by its being bent twice at right angles in opposite directions. The crank  20  is held between the hook  14  and the two counter-supports  16 . The two ends  22  of the glass holder  10  are likewise bent at right angles and are fixed in a frame  24  of the glass holder  10 . The spring element  18  ought to have been shown in section in  FIG. 1  but for clarity of representation has been shown in a side view. 
   The spacing at which the two ends  22  of the spring element  18  are held in the frame  24  is slightly shorter than the spring element  18  in its relaxed state. As a result, the spring element  18  can, by means of its crank  20 , snap upwards as shown in  FIG. 1  or downwards as shown in  FIG. 3 . The stand element  12  correspondingly moves together with the spring element  18  and is held by the spring element  18  in its respective end position. This is an over-centre spring mechanism, which moves the stand element  12  upwards or downwards into the end position, after a middle or neutral position (referred to as the dead point) has been passed, and holds it there. 
   Holding-down devices  26  are pivotally mounted at three locations on the circumference of the stand element  12 . The holding-down devices  26  are in the form of a kind of flap; in a removal position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , they are located at an upwards slant point inwards and, in a holding position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , they are located approximately horizontal, pointing inwards over the stand element  12 . In the holding position, the holding-down devices  26  are located above the stand element  12 , spaced slightly away therefrom. The holding-down devices  26  can pivot about notional horizontal axes, which are tangential to the stand element  12 . For the purpose of pivotally mounting the holding-down devices  26 , two tongues  28 , for each holding-down device  26 , project out from the stand element  12 , as indicated by the broken line in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The tongues  28  are integral with the stand element  12 , a tongue  28  being arranged at each side of each holding-down device  26 . The tongues  28  have a hole, in which pivot pins  30  are rotatably located, which pins  30  project out from the holding-down devices  26  on both sides. The holding-down devices  26  can, as a result, pivot upwards into the removal position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and downwards into the holding position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   Each holding-down device  26  has an over-centre spring mechanism: for provision of the over-centre spring mechanism, for each holding-down device  26 , a bent spring wire  32  is fixed to an underside of the and element  12 . Each spring element  32  extends beneath the stand element  12  approximately radially outwards and, after bending through 90° in a radially outer region of the holding-down devices  26 , upwards. An end  34  of each spring element  32  is bent over at a right angle horizontally and tangentially to the stand element  12  and is snapped into a hole in the holding-down device  26 , which hole is keyhole-shaped in side view and open to the outside. The spring element  32  subjects the holding-down device  26  to a spring force directed radially inwards toward the stand element  12 . When the holding-down devices  26  are in the pivoted-up, removal position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the point of action of the spring element  32  is located beneath their pivot axis, defined by the pivot pins  30 , so that the spring element  32  holds the holding-down device  26  in the removal position with spring resilience. In the pivoted-down, holding position of the holding-down devices  26  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the point of action of the spring elements  32  is located above the pivot axis, defined by the pivot pins  30 , of the holding-down device  26  so that the spring element  32  exerts a downwardly directed moment on the holding-down device  26  and holds it in the holding position with spring resilience. In an intermediate position (not shown) between the holding position and the removal position, the spring element  32  acts at the same level as the pivot axis of the holding-down device  26  and consequently exerts no moment on the holding-down device  26 . That intermediate position is designated the dead point if the holding-down device  26  is moved up beyond the dead point, the spring element  32  pivots the holding-down device  26  up into the removal position; if the dead point is passed in a downwards direction, the spring element  32  pivots the holding-down device  26  down into the holding position. The spring element  32 , in co-operation with the pivotal mounting of the holding-down devices  26 , consequently forms an over-center spring mechanism. 
   A hook-shaped driving and locking element  36 , which is integral with the holding-down device  26 , projects down from each holding-down device  26 . In the removal position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hook-shaped driving and locking element  36  engages under the stand element  12 ; in the holding position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the driving and locking element  36  is located out to the side of the stand element  12  and also out to the side of a stop  38 , which is fixed in the frame. When the stand element  12  is pushed down, it pushes the hook-shaped driving and locking element  36  down and out and, as a result, pivots the holding-down devices  26  from the removal position into the holding position. When, with the stand element  12  in the lowered, holding position, a holding-down device  26  is pivoted up, the driving and locking element  36  hits the stop  38  fixed in the frame, which prevents the holding-down device  26  from pivoting into the removal position. Pivoting of the holding-down devices  26  from the holding position into the removal position is only possible when the holding-down devices  26  are lifted together with the stand element  12  so far that the driving and locking elements  36  are located above the stops  38  and can pivot inwards above the stops  38 . 
   The glass holder  12  according to the invention functions as follows: for holding a glass (not shown) having a plate-like base, the base of the glass is set down on the stand element  12  in the removal position and is pressed down together with the stand element  12 . After the dead point of the spring element  18  fixed to the stand has been passed, the spring element  18  snaps down together with the stand element  12 . The stand element  12  acts on the driving and locking elements  36  of the holding-down devices  26  and, in the manner described above, pivots the holding-down devices  26  down into the holding position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The holding-down devices  26  engage over the base of the glass and, as a result, hold the glass on the stand element  12 . 
   If the glass is subjected to a horizontally acting force in any direction, for example as a result of acceleration, braking or cornering of a motor vehicle (not shown) in which the glass holder  10  is installed, which force can be thought of as acting at a centre of gravity of the glass, where applicable together with its contents, that force applies a moment to the stem and the base of the glass, which moment presses down the base of the glass at part of its circumference and lifts it up at opposite part. As a result of the fact that the base of the glass is pressed down at part of its circumference, the stand element  12  of the glass holder is held down in the holding position. As a result, all the holding-down devices  26  are locked against pivoting up into the removal position because the driving and locking elements  36  are, in the case of a stand element  12  that is in the lower, holding position, lowered so far that they hit against the stops  38  when there is an attempt to pivot up the holding-down devices  26 . As a result, the holding-down devices  26  hold the base of the glass down on the stand element  16  even at that part of the circumference where the force exerted by the glass in a horizontal or lateral direction is attempting to lift up the base of the glass. The glass is, as a result, held on the glass holder  10  securely against tipping over. 
   The only possibility for removal of the glass is for the glass to be lifted up. The glass base, over which the holding-down devices  26  engage in the holding position, lifts the stand element  12  uniformly at all the holding-down devices  26  until the driving and locking elements  36  are located above the stops  38  and can pivot inwards. On lifting the glass further, its base pivots the holding-down devices  26  beyond their dead points so that the spring element  32  pivots the holding-down devices  26  into the removal position. The base of the glass comes free as a result and the glass can be removed. When the stand element  12  is raised together with the glass, the spring element  18  of the stand element  12  snaps the stand element  12  up into the removal position. 
   Instead of the over-centre spring mechanism formed with the spring element  18 , the stand element  12  can also be held in the lower, holding position by means of a push-push interlock mechanism, known per se, which is not shown in the drawing. Such a push-push interlock mechanism locks the stand element  12  in the holding position and is unlocked as a result of being pressed down a little, so that the stand element  12  can be lifted up for removal of the glass. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in glass holder, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.