Patent Publication Number: US-2009230065-A1

Title: Stemware holder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a holder assembly designed to hold one or more stemware articles in an upright or inverted position. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There are several stemware racks, bottle carriers, service trays and beverage carts known in the art. For example, both Brown U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,953 and Peretz U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,556 hold and store stemware. However, none of the prior art can easily hold and transport stemware that contains liquids, such as beverages. There is a current need for an apparatus that is light and easily transportable and that can hold one or more stemmed articles that contain liquid. 
     The present invention is a stemware holder that can hold one or more stemware articles, such as, for example, wine glasses in an upright position. The present invention can also easily transport stemware containing liquids and can be set on a solid surface. One embodiment of the present invention is stable enough to hold up to six filled stemware articles without the risk of spilling the contents of the stemware. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention comprises a holder for supporting and transporting stemware comprising a plurality of holders for securing one or more stemware articles; a vertical member comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said top portion of vertical member is connected to said plurality of holders; a base connected to the bottom portion of said vertical member wherein said base can be placed on a supporting surface; and a handle for transporting said stemware articles. 
     In a preferred embodiment the holder secure said stemware articles in an upright position, in an inverted position or a combination thereof. In a more preferred embodiment the holders comprise curved ends. In a more preferred embodiment the holders comprise stabilizers to prevent said stemware articles from slipping. In a more preferred embodiment said stabilizers comprise rubber, comprise plastic or a combination thereof. 
     In a more preferred embodiment said handle comprises a wooden grip. 
     Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of how the handle is attached to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention holding an upright wine glass; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention holding an inverted wine glass. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates to a stemware holder that can hold, transport, serve, and store stemware in an upright or inverted position. Preferably, the stemware holder comprises a base, a plurality of stemware holders and a handle. The stemware holder preferably holds one to six stemware articles, each of which can optionally contain liquid. The stemware holder can be easily carried, is stable, and does not become top heavy even when each stemware article is full of liquid. 
     The terms “stemware” or “stemware articles”, as used throughout the specification and claims, include glass, crystal, pewter, plastic, ceramic, metal, or wooden vessels, such as, for example, wine glasses, champagne glasses, goblets, liquor glasses and the like. 
     As illustrated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5 , stemware holder  10  preferably comprises handle  12 , which is connected to horizontal member  14 . Horizontal member  14  connects and secures holders  16  to stemware holder  10 . Holders  16  preferably comprise curved ends  18  to better secure stemware. However, holders  16  can also comprise straight ends. Curved ends  18  preferably curve outward forming an open ring shape for holding the stemware. Horizontal member  14  connects to the top portion of vertical member  20  and base  22  connects to the bottom portion of vertical member. Handle  12 , horizontal member  14 , holders  16 , vertical member  20 , and base  22  may be formed of any suitable materials and may be combined or divided to suit manufacturing. Handle  12  can optionally comprise wooden grip  24 . Curved ends  18  can optionally comprise stabilizers, preferably rubber or plastic, in order to better secure the stemware to stemware holder  10 . The optional stabilizers prevent the stemware from slipping or sliding out of place and also prevent the contents in the stemware from spilling during transport or service. The optional stabilizers are preferably removable. 
     As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , apparatus  10  can hold one or more stemware articles in an upright position. Stemware is easily secured and transported in an upright position. This enables a user to transport and serve stemware containing liquids, such as, for example, beverages. Apparatus  10  remains sturdy and steady and prevents the stemware from slipping or sliding out of place, thus preventing any liquids from being spilled during transport or service. Apparatus  10  is sturdy and not top heavy even when holding a plurality of stemware and can be easily set on a supporting surface without spilling any of the stemware contents. The stemware can also be easily removed from apparatus  10 , even when the stemware contains liquid. As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , apparatus  10  can optionally carry and/or store one or more stemware articles in an inverted position. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. All references disclosed are herein incorporated by reference. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. For example the carrier can accommodate fewer than 6 items of stemware or more without deviating from the scope of the claims.