Patent Publication Number: US-2023158936-A1

Title: Integrated cupholder

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to cup holders for vehicles and other environments, and more particularly to a low-profile, selectively extendable cupholder located in a center console. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many people like to drink a beverage, such as water, soda or coffee while traveling in a vehicle. Many vehicles, including automobiles, feature cup holders that are integrated within the vehicle&#39;s interior to hold in place a beverage container, such as a cup, mug or bottle. Built-in cup holders can be placed near the driver or passengers to provide a convenient place to hold a beverage container securely in place when not in use. Built-in cup holders inhibit beverage containers from tipping over and spilling their contents onto the driver, passengers, and portions of the interior of the vehicle. 
     Although, numerous vehicle cupholder designs have been developed, because the interior trim space is often limited, there are a number of constraints in the positioning of a cupholder. For example,  FIGS.  1 A-B  depict a thin, cantilevered center console  50  of a vehicle, as disclosed in US Design Pat. App. Ser. No. 29/746,622, filed Aug. 14, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In such a thin, cantilevered center console, the depth of the center console may not be sufficient to provide a depth to secure a beverage container in place, particularly when the vehicle is accelerating, breaking, or traveling over uneven road surfaces. Moreover, conventional cupholder designs, which typically define an open recess in which the beverage container is placed, often detract from the clean lines and neat appearance of the interior. 
     The present disclosure addresses these concerns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an a low-profile, selectively extendable cupholder located within an interior of a motor vehicle configured to transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of the interior of the motor vehicle, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container. 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a cupholder including a body portion defining one or more recesses, a lid portion configured to at least one of pivot or slide relative to the body portion between an closed position and an open position, and one or more floor portions configured to pivot relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein transitioning between the collapsed position and the extended position one or more beverage container supporting surfaces defined by the one or more floor portions rotate downwardly at an acute angle with respect to a gravitational frame of reference to be substantially horizontally oriented with respect to the gravitational frame of reference in the extended position. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more recesses defined by the body portion are concealable beneath the lid portion in the closed position. In one embodiment, the lid portion is biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism. In one embodiment, the lid portion is configured to both pivot and slide relative to the body portion, thereby reducing the overall profile of the cupholder in the extended position. In one embodiment, the cupholder further includes one or more resilient supports positioned within the one or more recesses, the one or more resilient supports configured to compress as a beverage containers positioned within the one or more recesses, and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against the beverage container positioned within the one or more recesses. In one embodiment, a pivoting of the floor portion is mechanically tied to an opening and closing of the lid portion. In one embodiment, the beverage container supporting surfaces of the one or more floor portions are oriented at an angle with respect to respective bottom surfaces of the one or more floor portions. In one embodiment, the angle between the beverage container supporting surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the one or more floor portions is between about 10° and about 45°. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a low-profile, selectively extendable cupholder configured to transition between a collapsed position, and an extended position to receive a beverage container, including a body portion defining one or more recesses, a lid portion configured to at least one of pivot or slide relative to the body portion between an closed position and an open position, and one or more floor portions configured to telescopically extend relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position the body portion and the one or more floor portions collectively define a cavity configured to receive a beverage container. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more recesses defined by the body portion are concealable beneath the lid portion in the closed position. In one embodiment, the lid portion is biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism. In one embodiment, the lid portion configured to both pivot and slide relative to the body portion, thereby reducing the overall profile of the cupholder in the extended position. In one embodiment, the cupholder further includes one or more resilient supports positioned within the one or more recesses, the one or more resilient supports configured to compress as a beverage containers positioned within the one or more recesses, and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against the beverage container positioned within the one or more recesses. In one embodiment, the cupholder further includes one or more biasing members configured to bias the floor portion into the collapsed position. 
     Another embodiments of the present disclosure provides a cupholder including a body portion defining one or more recesses, a lid portion configured to both pivot or slide relative to the body portion between an closed position and an open position, and one or more floor portions operably coupled to both the body portion and a lid portion and configured to both pivot and telescopically extend relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position the body portion, the lid portion and the one or more floor portions collectively define a cavity configured to receive a beverage container. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more recesses defined by the body portion are concealable beneath the lid portion in the closed position. In one embodiment, the lid portion is biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism. In one embodiment, the lid portion configured to both pivot and slide relative to the body portion, thereby reducing the overall profile of the cupholder in the extended position. In one embodiment, the cupholder further includes one or more resilient supports positioned within the one or more recesses, the one or more resilient supports configured to compress as a beverage containers positioned within the one or more recesses, and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against the beverage container positioned within the one or more recesses. In one embodiment, the cupholder further includes a first set of linkages operably coupling the lid portion to the body portion, and a second set of linkages operably coupling the lid portion to the floor portion. 
     The summary above is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view depicting a cantilevered center console, in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a profile view depicting a cantilevered center console, in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view depicting a cupholder configured to selectively transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of a center console, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a top perspective view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  2    in the extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a partial, cross-sectional profile view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  2   , in the extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  2   , in which a pair of beverage containers are positioned within the cupholder, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view depicting a cupholder configured to selectively transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of a center console, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a partial, cross-sectional profile view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  6   , in the extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  6   , in the collapsed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view depicting a cupholder configured to selectively transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of a center console, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  9    in an extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a partial, cross-sectional profile view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  9   , in the extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view depicting the cupholder of  FIG.  9    without the lid portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof shown by way of example in the drawings will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a cupholder  100  configured to selectively transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of a center console, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, is depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  3   , a top, perspective view of the cupholder  100  in the extended position is depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the cupholder  100  can include a body portion  102  defining one or more recesses  104 A/B into which a beverage container can be selectively positioned. For example, the body portion  102  can include a top surface  106  configured to be slightly countersunk into the top surface  52  of a center console  50 , thereby enabling be one or more recesses  104  to be selectively concealed beneath a lid portion  108 . 
     In embodiments, the lid portion  108  can be configured to transition between an open position (as depicted in  FIGS.  2 - 5   ), and a closed position in which the one or more recesses  104  are concealed beneath a top surface  52  of the center console  50 . In some embodiments, the lid portion  108  can be biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism, such as a spring or other elastic member. When a transition to the closed position is desired, a user can manually force the lid portion  108  against the bias to the closed position. In some embodiments, the lid portion  108  can be retained in the closed position via a locking mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the lid portion  108  can be configured to pivot along a distal edge relative to the body portion  102 . In other embodiments, the lid portion  108  can take on both a pivoting and sliding motion relative to the body portion  102 , thereby reducing the overall profile of the cupholder  100  in the extended position. Various hinge mechanisms can be used to produce the pivoting and sliding motion, at least one embodiment of which is disclosed in further detail below. 
     As an aid in securing the beverage containers within the one or more recesses  104 , in some embodiments, one or more resilient supports  110  can be positioned within the one or more recesses  104 . For example, in some embodiments, three resilient supports  110 A-C can be positioned on an inner diameter of each of the recesses  104 . The resilient supports  110 A-C can be configured to compress as a beverage container is positioned within the recess  104 , and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against the beverage container positioned within the recess, thereby serving as an aid in securing the beverage container within the cupholder  100 . 
     As a further aid in securing the beverage container within the recess  104 , in some embodiments, the cupholder  100  can include one or more floor portions  112  configured to support a bottom surface of the beverage container. To reduce the overall profile of the cupholder  100  in the collapsed position, in some embodiments, the floor portions  112 A/B can be configured to pivot relative to the body portion  102 . For example, as depicted in  FIG.  5   , in some embodiments, the floor portions  112 A-B can be coupled to the body portion  102  via a pivot  114 , thereby enabling the floor portions  112 A-B to pivot in a generally downward motion relative to the body portion  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the floor portions  112 A-B can include a top, beverage container supporting surface  116  and a bottom surface  118 . In embodiments, the top, beverage container supporting surface  116  can be angled relative to the bottom surface  118 , such that in the extended position, the top, beverage container supporting surface  116  is generally horizontally orientated with respect to a gravitational frame of reference to support the bottom surface of a beverage container, while in the collapsed position, the bottom surface  118  can be substantially flush with a bottom surface  54  of the console  50  (as depicted in  FIG.  2   ). For example, in some embodiments, the angle between the beverage container supporting surface  116  and a bottom surface  118  can be between about 10° and about 45°, with the floor portion  112  configured to pivot relative to the body portion  102  by the same angle. Other configurations of the floor portions  112 A-B are also contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, a pivoting of the floor portions  112 A-B can be mechanically tied to an opening and closing of the lid portion  108 , such that as the lid portion  108  moves from the closed position to the open position, the floor portions  112 A-B pivot relative to the body portion  102  from a position in which the bottom surface  118  of the floor portions  112 A-B are substantially flush with the bottom surface  54  of the console  50 , to a position in which the beverage container supporting surface  116  is substantially horizontally oriented. In other embodiments, the floor portions  112 A-B and the lid portion  108  can move independently. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a cupholder  200  configured to selectively transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of a center console, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, is depicted in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the cupholder  200  can include a body portion  202  defining one or more recesses  204 A/B into which a beverage container can be selectively positioned. For example, like the embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , the body portion  202  can include a top surface  206  configured to be slightly countersunk into the top surface of a center console, thereby enabling the one or more recesses  204  to be selectively concealed beneath a lid portion  208 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  7   , the lid portion  208  can be configured to transition between an open position in which the one or more recesses  204  are exposed, and a closed position in which the one or more recesses  204  concealed beneath the lid portion  208 . In some embodiments, the lid portion  208  can be naturally biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism, such as a spring or other elastic member. When a transition to the closed position is desired, a user can manually force the lid portion  208  into the closed position against the bias of the biasing mechanism. Thereafter, the lid portion  208  can be retained in the closed position, for example via a locking mechanism. Like the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  2 - 5   , in some embodiments, various hinge mechanisms can be used to produce both a pivoting and sliding motion of the lid portion  208  relative to the body portion  202 . In other embodiments, a simple pivot or hinge can be used. 
     As an aid in securing a beverage container within the one or more recesses  204 , in some embodiments, one or more resilient supports  210  can be positioned within the one or more recesses  204 . For example, in some embodiments, three resilient supports  210 A-C can be positioned on an inner diameter of the recesses  204 . The resilient supports  210 A-C can be configured to compress so as to enable a beverage container to be positioned within the recess  204 , and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against a beverage container positioned within the recess  204 , thereby serving as an aid in securing the beverage container within the cupholder  200 . 
     As a further aid in securing a beverage container within the recess  204 , in some embodiments, the cupholder  200  can include one or more floor portions  212  configured to support a bottom surface of the beverage container. To reduce an overall profile of the cupholder  200  in the collapsed position, in some embodiments, the floor portion  212  can be configured to telescope in length relative to the body portion  202  between an extended position (as depicted in  FIGS.  6 - 7   ) and a collapsed position (as depicted in  FIG.  8   ). For example, in some embodiments, the one or more floor portions  212 A-B can each define a recess  220  configured to generally provide support for the bottom portion of a beverage container. In some embodiments, the recess  220  can be shaped and sized to accommodate a portion of the recess  204  defined by the body portion  202 , such that the recess portion  204  of the body  202  fits within the recess  220  defined by the floor portion  212 , particularly when the floor portion  212  is in the collapsed position. 
     One or more biasing members  222  can be positioned between the floor portion  212  and the body portion  202 , as well as potentially a bottom portion  56  of the center console  50 , configured to naturally biased the floor portion  212  into the collapsed position. For example, in one embodiment, at least two biasing members  222 A-B can be positioned around each recess  204 / 220 ; although the use of a greater or fewer number of biasing members  222  is also contemplated. In some embodiments, a telescoping motion of the floor portions  212 A-B can be mechanically tied to an opening and closing of the lid portion  208 , such that as the lid portion  208  moves from the closed position to the open position, the floor portions  212 A-B telescopically extend relative to the body portion  202  to accommodate the full depth of a beverage container. Likewise, as the lid portion  208  transitions to the closed position, the floor portions  212 A-B can retract relative to the body portion  202  into a collapsed, storage configuration. In other embodiments, the floor portions  212 A-B and the lid portion  208  can move independently. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , a cupholder  300  configured to selectively transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of a center console, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, is depicted in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the cupholder  300  can include a body portion  302  defining one or more recesses  304  into which a beverage container can be selectively positioned. For example, like the previous embodiments, the body portion  302  can include a top surface  306  configured to be slightly countersunk into the top surface of a center console, thereby enabling the one or more recesses  304  to be selectively concealed beneath a pivotable lid portion  308 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  9 - 10   , the lid portion  308  can be configured to transition between a closed position (as depicted in  FIG.  9   ) in which the one or more recesses  304  are concealed beneath the lid portion  308 , and an open position (as depicted in  FIG.  10   ) in which the one or more recesses  304  are exposed. In some embodiments, the lid portion  308  can be biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism  309 , such as a spring or other elastic member. When a transition to the closed position is desired, a user can manually force the lid portion  308  into the closed position against the bias of the biasing mechanism  309 . Thereafter, the lid portion  308  can be retained in the closed position, for example via a locking mechanism. 
     As an aid in securing a beverage container within the one or more recesses  304 , in some embodiments, one or more resilient supports  310  can be positioned within the one or more recesses  304 . As depicted in  FIG.  11   , in some embodiments, a plurality of resilient supports  310 A-B can be positioned on an inner diameter of the recesses  304 . For example, in one embodiment, at least one resilient support  310 B can be operably coupled to the body portion  302 , while another resilient support  310 A can be operably coupled to a bottom surface  307  of the lid portion  308 . The resilient supports  310 A-B can be configured to compress so as to enable a beverage container to be positioned within the recess  304 , and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against a beverage container positioned within the recess  304 , thereby serving as an aid in securing the beverage container within the cupholder  300 . 
     As a further aid in securing a beverage container within the recess  304 , in some embodiments, the cupholder  300  can include one or more floor portions  312  configured to support a bottom surface of the beverage container. To reduce an overall profile of the cupholder  300  in the collapsed position, in some embodiments, the floor portion  312  can be configured to both pivot and telescopically extend in length relative to the body portion  302  between an extended position (as depicted in  FIG.  10   ) and a collapsed position (as depicted in  FIG.  9   ). For example, in some embodiments, the floor portion  312  can each define a one or more recesses  320 A-B configured to generally provide support for the bottom portion of beverage containers. In some embodiments, the recess  320 A-B can be shaped and sized to fit within the recess  304  defined by the body portion  302 , such that the one or more recesses  320 A-B of the floor portion  312  fits within the recess  304  defined by the body portion  302 , particularly when the floor portion  312  is in the collapsed position. 
     In some embodiments, the lid portion  308  and the floor portion  312  can be tied together via one or more linkages  322 A-B,  324 A-B, thereby producing both a pivoting and sliding motion of the lid portion  308  relative to the body portion  302 , as well as a pivoting and a telescopically extending motion of the floor portion  312  relative to the body portion  302 , as the cupholder transitions between the collapsed position and the extended position, and vice versa. For example, in one embodiment, a first set of linkages  322 A-B can operably couple the lid portion  308  to the body portion  302 , and a second set of linkages  324 A-B can operably couple the lid portion  308  to the floor portion  312 . In some embodiments, the floor portion  312  can further be pivotably coupled to the body portion  302  at pivots  326 A-B. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments, the pivoting and telescoping motion of the floor portion  312  can be mechanically tied to an opening and closing of the lid portion  308 , such that as the lid portion  308  moves from the closed position to the open position, the floor portion  312  pivots and telescopically extend relative to the body portion  302  to accommodate the full depth of a beverage container. Likewise, as the lid portion  308  transitions to the closed position, the floor portion  312  can retract relative to the body portion  302  into a collapsed, storage configuration. In other embodiments, the floor portion  312  and the lid portion  308  can operate independently from one another. 
     The invention is further illustrated by the following embodiments: 
     A low-profile, selectively extendable cupholder configured to transition between a collapsed position, and an extended position to receive a beverage container, the cupholder comprising: a body portion defining one or more recesses; a lid portion configured to at least one of pivot or slide relative to the body portion between an closed position and an open position; and one or more floor portions configured to at least one of pivot or telescopically extend relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the one or more floor portions are configured to pivot relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein transitioning between the collapsed position and the extended position one or more beverage container supporting surfaces defined by the one or more floor portions rotate downwardly at an acute angle with respect to a gravitational frame of reference to be substantially horizontally oriented with respect to the gravitational frame of reference in the extended position. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the beverage container supporting surfaces of the one or more floor portions are oriented at an angle with respect to respective bottom surfaces of the one or more floor portions. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the angle between the beverage container supporting surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the one or more floor portions is between about 10° and about 45°. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the one or more floor portions are configured to telescopically extend relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position the body portion and the one or more floor portions collectively define a cavity configured to receive a beverage container. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, further comprising one or more biasing members configured to bias the floor portion into the collapsed position. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the one or more floor portions are operably coupled to both the body portion and a lid portion and configured to both pivot and telescopically extend relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position the body portion, the lid portion and the one or more floor portions collectively define a cavity configured to receive a beverage container. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, further comprising a first set of linkages operably coupling the lid portion to the body portion, and a second set of linkages operably coupling the lid portion to the floor portion. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the lid portion is biased to the open position via a biasing mechanism. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the one or more recesses defined by the body portion are concealable beneath the lid portion in the closed position. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein the lid portion configured to both pivot and slide relative to the body portion, thereby reducing the overall profile of the cupholder in the extended position. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, further comprising one or more resilient supports positioned within the one or more recesses, the one or more resilient supports configured to compress as a beverage containers positioned within the one or more recesses, and to recoil or spring back into shape, so as to apply a contact force against the beverage container positioned within the one or more recesses. 
     A system or method according to any embodiment, wherein a pivoting of the floor portion is mechanically tied to an opening and closing of the lid portion. 
     An electric vehicle comprising the low-profile, selectively extendable cupholder according to any embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. 
     Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. 
     Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 
     For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.