Abstract:
A beverage carriage if provided for wear around a user&#39;s waist area. The apparatus includes an accessory that attaches to a user&#39;s waist area. A hanger depends from the accessory, the hanger having an upwardly positioned socket. A mounted sleeve has a top opening having an opening that enables a contained beverage to be housed within the sleeve interior. A curved panel/plate fits inside the sleeve. A projecting member is attached to the curved panel/plate and extends through the insulated sleeve to a position spaced externally of the sleeve. A detachable connector joins the projecting member to the hanger when the detachable connector is lowered into the socket via the open top. A locking member moves between locking and release positions, the locking member automatically interlocking with the connector when the connector is lowered into the socket, the locking member having a manually operated release portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/468,919, filed Mar. 29, 2011. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/468,919, filed Mar. 29, 2011, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a carrier that enables a user to support a drink product (canned, bottled, etc.) at a position next to the user&#39;s waist or hip area such as upon a belt. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved beverage carrier for wear at a user&#39;s hip or waist area or on an accessory (e.g., backpack, belt, shirt, jacket, vest, purse) wherein a spring loaded locking arrangement secures a specially configured insulated sleeve to a housing or receiver that is mounted on the user&#39;s belt or to the user&#39;s garment at the waist area, the sleeve supporting a selected beverage container and wherein a user can finger or thumb actuate a release mechanism that frees the sleeve and container from the receiver. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Drink products are often carried by individuals over long distances. Hikers, athletes, sports fans, parade attendees, hunters, fishermen, and outdoor workers all carry drink products which must be hand held if another provision is not made for carriage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a beverage carrier for wear around a user&#39;s torso. This carriage apparatus enables a user to support a selected beverage container upon a user&#39;s torso, hip or at the waist area, thus freeing the user&#39;s hands when the beverage is not being consumed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6-11  are sectional elevational views illustrating the receiver and connection thereto of the disk or projecting portion of the insulated sleeve; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the sleeve portion when the sleeve is a zippered insulated sleeve; 
         FIGS. 13-14  are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an insulated drawstring closure for a sleeve or bag; 
         FIGS. 15-18  are sectional fragmentary views of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an alternate locking arrangement; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded partial perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a partial sectional view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 26-28  are sectional views illustrating operation of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 29 and 30  are partial perspective views of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  is an elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  is a fragmentary perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 34  is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  is a partial plan view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 36  is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  is a view that has multiple views of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the receiver portion; 
         FIGS. 38-39  are fragmentary top ( FIG. 38 ) and side ( FIG. 39 ) views of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the receiver/holder/hanger wherein the receiver is attached to the sleeve and the projection or disk is attached to a wearer&#39;s belt, clothing item, or accessory; and 
         FIG. 40  contains fragmentary view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-14  show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Beverage carrier  10  employs a generally cylindrically shaped sleeve  11  which can be insulated. Sleeve  11  can be made of closed cell foam. The insulated sleeve  11  can have a cylindrical wall  12  and a circular bottom or end panel  13 . Sleeve  11  could be substituted with another sleeve, using a sleeve  29  or  45  as examples. 
     Sleeve  11  has an open top  14  for enabling the placement of a selected drink product (such as a canned drink product or a bottled drink product) into the interior  15  of the insulated sleeve  11  via the open top  14 . 
     In the drawings, a beverage container in the form of a can  16  is shown. However, in any embodiment of  FIGS. 1-27 , the container can be a can, bottle or other container. A beverage container in the form of a disposable bottle is also shown, designated by the number  17 . Beverage container  18  shows another type of beverage container in the form of a metal bottle that is a reusable container. In  FIGS. 12-14 , alternate sleeves  29 ,  45  are shown holding containers  17 ,  18 . Zippered sleeve  29  can be opened and closed to insert or remove a container  17  or  18  using zipper  44 . Sleeve  45  can be opened or closed to insert or remove a container  17  or  18  using drawstring  46 . 
     The parts described herein can be made from injection molded plastic. In  FIGS. 1-5 , the sleeve  11  provides an inner curved panel  19  and outer curved panel  20 . Inner curved panel  19  can be a full cylinder that extends completely around the container  16 ,  17 , and  18 . Alternatively, the inner curved panel  19  can extend partially around the container  16 ,  17 ,  18  such as about 40-180 degrees around container  16 ,  17 ,  18 . A thickened section  21  is provided on the outer curve panel  20 . This thickened section  21  can provide a flat surface  22  to which is supported a projecting portion or disk  23 . Connecting portion  24  joins disk  23  to flat surface  22 . 
     An annular recess  25  is provided around connecting portion  24  and in between disk  23  and flat surface  22 . This annular recess  25  is receptive of a receiver  30  as will be described more fully hereinafter. Fasteners  26  (e.g., pins, screws, rivets, bolts or the like) join panel/plate  19  to panel/plate  20  as shown. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , arrow  27  illustrates the placement of disk  23  into the receiver, holder, or receptacle  30 . This action is seen more clearly in  FIGS. 6-11 . Receiver  30  provides a housing  31  having a locking member  32  that is mounted to the housing  31  with a pivotal connection or pivot  33 . Locking member  32  has an upper end portion  34  with a projection  35 . The locking member  32  has a lower end portion  36  with a cam  37 . A spring  38  is provided for urging the locking member  32  into the locking position of  FIGS. 6 and 9  (see arrow  41 ). Spring  38  can be attached to housing  31  using spring attachment  39  which can be a pair of fasteners as shown. 
     The locking member  32  is mounted to travel within a recess or slot  40  of housing  31 . In  FIGS. 6-8 , arrows  28  illustrate the insertion of disk or projecting member  23  into recess  47  via its open top  48 . While the disk or projecting member  23  and the connecting portion or shaft  24  are the only portions of insulated sleeve  11  shown in  FIGS. 6-11 , it will be understood that the connection portion  24  is joined to curve panel/plate  20  and thus to sleeve  11  and the contained beverage or can  16 . 
     Receiver  30  housing  31  has a flange  50  with edges  51  that travel in annular recess  25  as see in  FIGS. 1-11 . In order to release the beverage can or other container  16  and sleeve  11  from recess  47 , a user simply uses his or her finger or thumb  42  to press inwardly on the lower end portion  36  of locking member  32  in the direction of arrow  43  as shown in  FIG. 11 . This action rotates the lower end portion  36  of the locking member  32  inwardly toward spring  38 , thus overcoming spring pressure of spring  38 . Locking member  32  rotates about pivot  33 , withdrawing projecting portion  35  of locking member  32  from recess  47  as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . A user can then lift the container  16 , sleeve  11  and disk  23  upwardly as illustrated by arrow  49  in  FIG. 11 . Receiver  30  housing  31  can have a clasp  80  for enabling attachment to a belt, accessory, backpack or item of clothing. 
       FIGS. 15-18  show a different locking arrangement for the receiver, designated as numeral  52 . In  FIGS. 15-18 , receiver  52  supports arm  53  which is pivotally attached to receiver body  54  at pivotal or rotary connection  55 . When connecting portion  24  and disk  23  enter socket  58 , spring  56  is pushed which frees arm  53  to rotate to the locking position of  FIG. 16 . Arm  53  is rotated in the direction of arrow  57 A until arm  53  partially enters recess or socket  58  thus preventing removal of disk  23  (see  FIG. 16 ). In order to release disk  23  and the attached sleeve  11 , a user uses his or her thumb or finger  42  to rotate the arm  53  in the direction of arrow  57 B to compress spring  56  (see  FIGS. 15 ,  17 ). Locking pin  59  can be compressed by connecting portion  24  or disk  23  to enable rotation of arm  53 . Until pin  59  is depressed, arm  53  remains in the unlocked position of  FIG. 15 . Pin  59  can be spring loaded to remain in the extended position of  FIG. 15 . Once connecting portion  24  or disk  23  pushes pin  59  downwardly, arm  53  is free to rotate in the direction of arrow  57 A. 
       FIGS. 19-30  show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  90 . 
     Beverage carrier assembly  90  provides an insulated receptacle  91  which can be for example of a closed cell phone construction. Insulated receptacle  91  provides a cylindrical wall  92 , circular bottom  93  and open top  94 . An interior  95  is provided that is receptive of a beverage container such as a can or a bottle, designated by the numeral  96  in  FIGS. 19-21 . 
     An inner curved plate  97  is placed inside interior  95 , engaging the inner surface of cylindrical wall  92  as shown in  FIGS. 22-24 . The inner curved plate  97  carries a projecting member  98  which is used to form a locking connection with a clothing or belt mounted receptacle or holder  112  as will be discussed more fully hereinafter. Projecting member  98  extends from plate  97  through opening  99  in the cylindrical wall  92  of insulated receptacle  91 . The projecting member  98  then forms a connection with outer curved plate  103  at opening  104 . Opening  104  can include a circular portion  105  and an elongated slot  106 . In  FIG. 22 , arrows  100  schematically illustrate the assembly of inner curved plate  97 , insulated receptacle  91 , and outer curved plate  103 . 
     Projecting member  98  includes an outer annular flange  101 , outer annular recess  102 , inner annular flange  107 , and inner annular recess  108 . The inner annular flange  107  and inner annular recess  108  enable a connection to be formed with plate  103  as the opening  104  circular portion  105  is of a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of inner annular flange  107 . Thus, the inner annular flange  107  captures the plate  103  behind it and in between inner annular flange  107  and cylindrical wall  92  of insulated receptacle  91 . This arrangement is best seen in  FIGS. 22-24 . 
     The plates  97  and  103  can be provided with teeth or projecting portions or projections  109  that are positioned to engage cylindrical wall  92 . Projecting member  98  has a cylindrical portion  110  that occupies opening  99  as shown in  FIG. 24  when the inner curved plate  97  and its projection  98  are inserted connect with plate  103  after the projecting member  98  is placed through opening  99 . 
     A receptacle or holder  112  can be mounted on a user or wearers  114  belt  113 . Arrow  111  in  FIG. 25  illustrates an attachment of insulated receptacle  91  holding a beverage container or can  96  to receptacle or holder  112 . Arrow  115  in  FIG. 21  illustrates a removal of insulated receptacle  91  from receptacle of holder  112 . 
       FIGS. 26 ,  27  and  28  illustrate a connecting of insulated receptacle,  91  to receptacle or holder  112 . In  FIGS. 29 and 30 , receptacle, receiver, or holder  112  includes inner part  116  and an outer part  117 . Inner part  116  carries a spring  118 . Spring  118  is attached with hinge  119  to plate  123 . Spring  118  enables connection to a user&#39;s clothing or belt  113  by depressing push button  120  which moves hook  121  away from opening  122 , thus separating hook  121  from plate  123  as shown in  FIG. 28 . By releasing the push button  120 , the hook  121  returns to the position shown in hard lines in  FIG. 28 , thus capturing the article of clothing, strap or belt  113  in between the spring  118  and plate  123 . 
     Inner part  116  is attached to outer part  117  using a plurality of pins and openings. Pins  125  on inner part  116  engage the bore  131  of each sleeve  130  on outer part  117 . Pins  129  on outer part  117  engage openings  124  on inner part  116 . The connections of the pins  125 ,  129  to the openings  124 ,  131  can be interference fits. 
     The inner part  116  provides a ramp  126  defined by a plurality of triangular members  127 . Spaced below ramp  126  is stop  128 . A gap in between the stop  128  and the ramp  126  is occupied by upper end  139  of locking arm  138  as shown in  FIGS. 26-30 . Ramp  126  is engaged by outer annular flange  101  of projecting member  98  when insulated receptacle  91  moves downwardly toward slot  135  of cover  132  and more particularly its curved wall  134 . 
     Cover  132  provides curved front wall  134 . An opening  133  and slot  135  are provided to cover  132  front wall  134  having open top  136  and bottom or stop  137 . When the projecting member  98  moves to the bottom or stop  137 , locking arm  138  upper end  139  moves in the direction of arrow  141  to trap projecting member  98  below upper end  139  as shown in  FIG. 28 . In this fashion, a user can walk about briskly without fear that his or her beverage container  96  will be inadvertently dislodged and dropped or lost. Arrow  140  in  FIG. 27  illustrates that upper end  139  moves away from projecting member  98  as the projecting member  98  moves downwardly in the direction of arrow  142  as seen in  FIG. 27 . In order to release projecting member  98 , a user depresses actuator button  144  which is a part of cover  132  as shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . A slot  143  is provided in cover  132  as shown in  FIG. 29  for enhancing the ability of actuator button  144  to move forward and rearward as illustrated by arrow  145  in  FIG. 29 . 
       FIGS. 31-40  show another fourth alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  60 . In  FIGS. 31-40 , beverage carrier  60  provides an insulated sleeve  61  that can include a cylindrical wall  62  in a circular bottom  63  with an open top  64 . The open top  64  enables insertion of a can or container  66  into interior  65  of insulated sleeve  61 . Similarly, a bottle  72  could be placed via open top  64  into interior  65  of insulated sleeve  61 . 
     A curved plate  67  is positioned within interior  65  of insulated sleeve  61  as shown in  FIG. 34 . Projecting member  69  is attached to curve plate  67  using a fastener  68  such as a screw or bolt. Projecting member  69  is attached to circular disk  70  which is spaced away from plate  67  as shown in  FIG. 34 . An annular recess or groove  71  is provided around projecting member  69  and generally in between disk  70  and plate  67 . This annular recess  71  is receptive of a locking plate  73  for holding the projecting member  69 , disk  70  and thus, the attached sleeve  61  and its container  66  or  72  on the hip area of a user. The apparatus  60  can thus be carried on the torso, hip or waist area, clothing item, accessory, of a user by threading a belt or strap or other structure through recess  83  which is in between housing sections  79 ,  80 . Parts  79 ,  80  can be hingedly attached at pivot  89  and spring loaded (e.g. spring  88 ) to easily open and close around a belt, strap, accessory. Spring  88  is shown in  FIG. 36 . 
     In  FIG. 36 , locking plate  73  provides a cam  74 , upwardly facing slot  77  and a spring carrier  82 . When a user attempts to insert the combination of container or can  66 , insulated sleeve  61  and projecting member  69  into socket  84  of receiver  75 , the projecting member  69  strikes the cam  74  and overcomes the pressure of spring  78 . The spring carrier  82  compresses the spring  78  as the connecting member  69  and disk  70  are forced downwardly in socket  84  and into slot  77 . Eventually, the connecting portion  69  registers in horizontally extending slot  87  and cam  74  extends over the top of projecting member  69  in a locking position that is shown in  FIG. 35 . 
     In order to release the beverage container  66 , insulated sleeve  61  and connecting portion  69  and disk  70 , a user presses the release button  76  provided on locking plate  73  in order to compress spring  78  so that the cam  74  moves laterally away from the projecting member  69  allowing its release upwardly from socket  84  and receiver  75 . Locking plate  73  travels laterally within housing section  79 . Release button  76  extends through opening  81  and housing section  79 . 
     Shoulders  85 ,  86  in  FIG. 35  engage disk  70  as shown to prevent removable of disk  70  and projecting member  69  from receiver  75  unless release button  76  has been depressed. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     PARTS LIST 
     Number Description
           10  beverage carrier assembly     11  sleeve/insulated receptacle     12  cylindrical wall     13  circular bottom/panel     14  open top     15  interior     16  beverage container/can     17  beverage container/disposable bottle     18  beverage container/reusable bottle     19  inner curved panel/plate     20  outer curved panel/plate/hanger/connector     21  thickened section     22  flat surface     23  disk/projecting member     24  connecting portion/shaft     25  annular recess     26  fastener/screw/rivet/bolt/pin     27  arrow     28  arrow     29  zippered sleeve     30  receiver/holder/receptacle     31  housing     32  locking member/latch     33  pivot     34  upper end portion     35  projection     36  lower end portion     37  cam     38  spring     39  spring attachment     40  recess/slot     41  arrow     42  user&#39;s finger/thumb     43  arrow     44  zipper     45  sleeve/bag     46  drawstring     47  recess     48  open top     49  arrow     50  flange     51  edge     52  housing/receiver     53  arm     54  receiver body     55  rotary connection/pivot     56  spring     57 A arrow     57 B arrow     58  socket     59  locking pin     60  beverage carrier     61  insulated sleeve     62  cylindrical wall     63  circular bottom     64  open top     65  interior     66  can/container     67  curved plate     68  fastener     69  projecting member/connecting portion     70  circular disk/projecting membrane     71  annular recess/groove     72  bottle     73  locking plate     74  cam     75  receiver     76  release button     77  slot     78  spring     79  housing section     80  housing section/clasp     81  opening     82  spring carrier     83  belt/clothing/accessory/recess     84  socket     85  shoulder     86  shoulder     87  horizontally extending slot     88  spring     89  pivot     90  beverage carrier assembly     91  insulated receptacle     92  cylindrical wall     93  circular bottom     94  open top     95  interior     96  beverage container/can/bottle     97  inner curved plate     98  projecting member     99  opening     100  arrow     101  outer annular flange     102  outer annular recess     103  outer curved plate     104  opening     105  circular portion     106  elongated slot     107  inner annular flange     108  inner annular recess     109  tooth/projection     110  cylindrical portion     111  arrow     112  receptacle/holder/receiver     113  belt/clothing/strap     114  user/wearer     115  arrow     116  inner part     117  outer part     118  spring     119  hinge     120  push button     121  hook     122  opening     123  plate     124  opening     125  pin     126  ramp     127  triangular member     128  stop     129  pin     130  sleeve     131  bore/opening     132  cover     133  opening     134  curved front wall     135  slot     136  open top     137  bottom/stop     138  locking arm     139  upper end     140  arrow     141  arrow     142  arrow     143  slot     144  actuator button     145  arrow       

     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.