Patent Description:
Numerous cup holders for vehicles are known in the art.

<CIT>, for example, discloses a container holder assembly which includes an inner section with a top wall having an aperture formed downwardly therein and a lower wall between which there is compressibly held four arcuate shaped resilient discs spaced at equal intervals around the periphery of aperture and made of a flexible foam polymeric material for urging against the side walls of a container such as a can to snugly hold a container to the holder.

Other cup holders comprise two, three or four small supports (or similar) for the cup, as disclosed for example in <CIT>, <CIT>), and <CIT>. -> Insert page 1a.

With the currently used small cup holder supports, good forces are hard to achieve due to small surfaces in contact with different cup sizes. Also, the aesthetics or design of such cup holders may be unpleasing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cup holder, which overcomes or at least alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cup holder for a vehicle according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention is based on the understanding that by providing two relatively large opposed spring-loaded side walls to support the cup rather than (several) smaller supports, a larger area may be in contact with the cup, <CIT> discloses a cup holder for a vehicle. which reduces forces from support (i.e. the spring-loaded side walls) on the cup. Also, the cup holder can have reduced moving parts, which provides for a larger storage volume. Also, the design of the cup holder may be more pleasant.

'Cup' should here be construed as any receptacle or container for food or beverages, such as a real cup, a can, a bottle, etc..

Each of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls has a concave surface intended to face the cup when the cup is received in the generally cylindrical receptacle. The concave surfaces of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls can snugly support a cylindrical cup.

Each of said surfaces may have an arc length of at least <NUM>. For optimal contact with the cup, the arc length may be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>.

Each of said surfaces may extend along at least <NUM>% of the circumference of the generally cylindrical receptacle (the circumference being in level with the top of said surfaces). For optimal contact with the cup, the extent of each surface relative to the circumference of the generally cylindrical receptacle may be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>%, such as <NUM>%.

Each of said surfaces may extend, and be exposed to the cup, from the bottom of the generally cylindrical receptacle up to a height in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>.

The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls may be movable between inner and outer positions, wherein the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls are biased towards the inner position by spring loading means of the cup holder. The spring loading means may for example be at least one torsion spring.

The surfaces of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls may in the inner position form parts of a right open cylinder of the generally cylindrical receptacle. This is suitable for a smaller cup.

The surfaces of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls may in the outer position be flush with the two opposing, fixed side walls, wherein the surfaces of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls in the outer position together with the two opposing, fixed side walls form a tapered open cylinder of the generally cylindrical receptacle. This is suitable for a larger cup or for general storage. Also, a uniform and nice-looking inside of the generally cylindrical receptacle may be provided.

The cup holder may further comprise locking means adapted to lock the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls in the outer position. In this way, a larger storage volume may be provided. The locking means may for example be a snap-fit mechanism including a push-button for undoing or releasing the snap-fit, i.e. undoing or releasing the locking. The push-button may protrude into the generally cylindrical receptacle through an opening in one of the two opposing, fixed side walls when the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls are locked in the outer position, for easy access by a user or for automatic release by a large cup.

The spring loading means may include a first spring connected to the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls and a second spring connected to the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls, wherein the first spring is arranged opposite the second spring. The first and second springs can have the same stiffness. This provides for uniform forces on the cup when it is received in the generally cylindrical receptacle of the cup holder. Alternatively, the first and second springs can have the different stiffnesses. In this way, different parts of the cup holder can have different resilience, which may facilitate placing the cup in the generally cylindrical receptacle of the cup holder. The first and second springs can be torsion springs, for example.

The spring loading means may be arranged above the bottom of the generally cylindrical receptacle.

The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls are pivotally attached to the bottom of the generally cylindrical receptacle.

The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls may be pivotable about a respective horizontal axis.

At least one of the two opposing, fixed side walls may have an upper recess adapted to accommodate a handle of the cup. In this way, also cups with handles can be properly received.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising at least one cup holder according claims <NUM>-<NUM>. The vehicle may for example be a car (automobile) or a truck.

The skilled addressee realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, on which:.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee.

A cup holder <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown in drawings.

The cup holder <NUM> comprises two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b and two opposing, spring-loaded (movable) side walls 14a-b. The side walls 12a-b and 14a-b together define a generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> adapted to receive a cup <NUM> (see <FIG>). That is, circumferentially, every other side wall is fixed and every other side wall is spring-loaded. The cup <NUM> should here be construed as any receptacle or container for food or beverages, such as a real cup, a can, a bottle, etc..

The cup holder <NUM> may further comprise a top surface <NUM> with a circular opening, which top surface <NUM> connects to the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b. The cup holder <NUM> may further comprise two opposing rims 22a-b arranged between the top surface <NUM> and the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b. The cup holder <NUM> may further comprise a bottom <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>, which bottom <NUM> is arranged opposite the circular opening of the top surface <NUM>. The bottom <NUM> may be covered by a rubber mat (not shown).

The two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b and the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b of the cup holder <NUM> can be made of a plastic material, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). Also the top surface <NUM>, the two opposing rims 22a-b, and the bottom <NUM> can be made of a plastic material, such as ABS or PC/ABS. The two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b, the top surface <NUM>, the two opposing rims 22a-b, and the bottom <NUM> can be made in one piece. The aforementioned parts or portions of the cup holder <NUM> can for example be manufactured by injection molding or 3D printing.

The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b are adapted to support the cup <NUM>, so that the cup <NUM> does not fall when received in the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>. The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may be adapted to support the cup <NUM> by clamping or holding the cup <NUM>, or by serving as delimitations preventing the cup <NUM> from moving too much, depending on the size and/or shape of the cup <NUM>.

Each of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may have a concave surface 26a-b intended to face the cup <NUM>, when the cup <NUM> is received in the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> of the cup holder <NUM>. The illustrated concave surfaces 26a-b are curving in about a longitudinal axis of each spring-loaded side walls 14a-b, preferably throughout the entire height of the surfaces 26a-b. Each of the concave surfaces 26a-b may have an arc length <NUM> of at least <NUM> or at least <NUM>. The arc length <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>. Furthermore, each of the concave surfaces 26a-b may extend along at least <NUM>% of the circumference <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>. The extent of each surface 26a-b relative to the circumference <NUM> may for example be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>%, such as <NUM>%. Furthermore, each of the concave surfaces 26a-b may extend, and be exposed to the cup <NUM>, from the bottom <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> up to a height <NUM> in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>. In addition to the concave surface 26a-b, each of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may have one or more of a top chamfer 34a-b, side portions 36a-b, and a lower angled tab 38a-b. The top chamfers 34a-b may lean down towards the centre of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>, to facilitate insertion of the cup <NUM> into the cup holder <NUM>. The side portions 36a-b may be oriented at an angle <NUM> in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees relative to the chord <NUM> of the arc (length) <NUM>, see <FIG>. The tabs 38a-b may improve the stiffness of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b.

Preferably, the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b are movable between inner and outer positions. The inner position is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, whereas the outer position is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The inner and outer positions may be extreme positions. Furthermore, the cup holder <NUM> may comprise spring loading means 40a-b adapted to bias (i.e. force) the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b towards the inner position. It is appreciated that the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may be moved to one or more intermediate positions between the inner and outer positions, depending on the size and/or shape of the cup <NUM>.

In the inner position, the concave surfaces 26a-b of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may form parts of a (substantially) right open cylinder <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> (see <FIG>). In the outer position, the concave surfaces 26a-b of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may be flush with the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b. Also in the outer position, the concave surfaces 26a-b of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may together with the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b form a tapered open cylinder <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> (see <FIG>). That is, in this position the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> may have the shape of a tapered open cylinder (as designated by reference sign <NUM>). The tapered open cylinder <NUM> is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, like an upside down frustum of a right cone.

The spring loading means 40a-b may include a first spring 40a connected to the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b and a second spring 40b connected to the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b. The first spring 40a is arranged opposite the second spring 40b. The first and second springs 40a-b can have the same stiffness or different stiffnesses. The first and second springs 40a-b can be torsion springs, for example. The spring loading means 40a-b may be arranged above the bottom <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may be pivotally attached to the bottom <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>, so as to be pivotable about a respective horizontal axis 46a-b (in order to move between the inner and outer positions). To this end, each lower angled tab 38a-b of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may comprise one or more (here two) hooks 48a-b adapted to engage corresponding openings 50a-b in the bottom <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM>, see also <FIG>. In <FIG>, the horizontal axes 46a-b are parallel, and the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b are not shown.

The bottom <NUM> of the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> may further comprise two auxiliary spring elements 52a-b adapted to bias the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b towards the aforementioned inner position. Each auxiliary spring element 52a-b may be formed by a cut-out in the bottom <NUM> between each two openings 50a-b, and the remote end of each auxiliary spring element 52a-b may have an upper ridge 54a-b adapted to engage the underside of the respective lower angled tab 38a-b of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b. The auxiliary spring elements 52a-b may be advantageous when assembling the cup holder <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG>, the cup holder <NUM> may further comprise locking means <NUM> adapted to lock the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b in the aforementioned outer position. Here, the locking means <NUM> is a snap-fit mechanism including a push-button <NUM> arranged midway on a bar <NUM> (which bar <NUM> has a recess 60a-b at each of its ends), a spring <NUM>, and a protrusion 64a-b on each of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b. The locking means <NUM> may be arranged (just) under the top surface <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is adapted to urge the bar <NUM> towards the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b. As the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b reach the outer position, the recesses 60a-b engage the protrusions 64a-b in snap-fit fashion, to thereby lock the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b in the outer position. By pushing the push-button <NUM> against the spring <NUM>, the locking may be released, whereby the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may return to the inner position. The push-button <NUM> may protrude into the generally cylindrical receptacle <NUM> through an opening <NUM> in one of the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b when the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b are locked in the outer position. The opening <NUM> could be extended to the top surface <NUM>, for a better looking design of the push-button <NUM>.

Furthermore, one or both of the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b may have an upper recess <NUM> adapted to accommodate a handle (not shown) of the cup <NUM>. If the cup holder <NUM> has locking means <NUM> as described above, the opening <NUM> for the push-button <NUM> may be arranged in one of the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b, and the upper recess <NUM> is arranged in the other one of the two opposing, fixed side walls 12a-b. The upper recess <NUM> is typically extended to the top surface <NUM>, as shown in for example <FIG>.

In use, the cup holder <NUM> may alternately receive cups <NUM> of different size and/or shape. The two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may as a default be in the inner position to support a smaller cup <NUM>, e.g. a <NUM> cl can, but may move to the outer position or any intermediate position to support a larger cup <NUM>, e.g. a <NUM> paper cup. When the larger cup <NUM> is removed, the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b may automatically return to the inner position, due to the spring loading means 40a-b. By means of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls 14a-b, a larger area may be in contact with the cup <NUM> in comparison to a cup holder having (several) smaller supports, which reduces forces from support (i.e. the spring-loaded side walls 14a-b) on the cup <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the present cup holder <NUM> may be arranged in a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may be a car (automobile). The cup holder <NUM>, or two such cup holders <NUM>, may for example be arranged in a center console <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Alternatively or complimentary, at least one cup holder <NUM> could be arranged in, or in conjunction with, an armrest or an interior side panel of the vehicle <NUM>, for example.

Claim 1:
A cup holder (<NUM>) for a vehicle (<NUM>), wherein the cup holder comprises:
two opposing, fixed side walls (12a-b); and
two opposing, spring-loaded side walls (14a-b) adapted to support a cup (<NUM>),
the two opposing, fixed side walls and the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls define a generally cylindrical receptacle (<NUM>) adapted to receive the cup,
wherein
each of the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls has a concave surface (26a-b) intended to face the cup when the cup is received in the generally cylindrical receptacle,
wherein the two opposing, spring-loaded side walls are pivotally attached to the bottom (<NUM>) of the generally cylindrical receptacle.