Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/161,810, filed May 14, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The instant disclosure relates to a stemware caddy. In particular, the disclosure pertains to a caddy for stowing stemware. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Stemware organizers generally include mountable racks wherein the stemware is suspended upside down on its base with its stem positioned within a narrow slot defined by spaced-apart parallel supports. The racks are designed for storing the stemware upside down in an out-of-the-way area, keeping the bowl clean and the glasses themselves free of incidental contact. Currently available racks are configured for being installed underneath a horizontal surface, e.g., a cabinet, and/or on a vertical surface and/or suspended from an overhead structure such as a ceiling. Generally, the racks are installed in a kitchen and/or a bar where space is readily available and is typically not an issue. However, there are certain locations and/or applications where the currently available racks cannot be installed because a mounting surface is not available and/or space is limited and/or at a premium. For example, on a watercraft, a mounting surface is not available on the deck, and the galley has limited space. Accordingly, there exists a need for a device for storing stemware in such locations and/or applications. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a device includes an elongated compartment having at least one longitudinally extending aperture through at least a portion of a wall of the compartment, cap attached to a first end of the compartment, and one or more shelves within the compartment, wherein each of the one or more shelves includes at least one slot extending between an outer edge and an approximate center of the shelf At least a portion of an interior wall of the compartment and at least a portion of the outer edge of the one or more shelves include an interlocking configuration for attaching the one or more shelves to the interior wall of the compartment in a manner providing access to the at least one slot of each attached shelf through the at least one aperture in the wall of the compartment. The at least one aperture is configured for passage therethrough of the stemware and the one or more shelves. The at least one slot is configured for sliding passage therethrough of at least a portion of a stem of a stemware through the at least one aperture. An exterior of the compartment is configured for sliding passage through an opening of a cavity in a manner such that a portion of the compartment retracted into the cavity is concealed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a stemware caddy; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  includes perspective views of the stemware caddy of  FIG. 1A  in various states of concealment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A-2C  are elevation views of the stemware caddy of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a compartment of the stemware caddy; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional plan view of the compartment of the stemware caddy; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a shelf of the stemware caddy; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the shelf of the stemware caddy. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    One or more non-limiting embodiments are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are designated by like numerals. It should be clearly understood that there is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the disclosure in any way, shape or form to the illustrated and described embodiments. While multiple exemplary embodiments are described, variations thereof will become apparent or obvious. Accordingly, any and all variants for providing functionalities similar to those of the described embodiments are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a device  10  configured for storing stemware  12 ;  FIG. 1B  includes perspective views of the device  10  in various stages of concealment; and  FIGS. 2A-2C  are elevational views of the device  10 . In some embodiments, the device  10  includes a substantially hollow elongated compartment  14  having at least one longitudinally extending aperture  16  through at least a portion of a wall  18  of the compartment  14 . The device  10  further includes one or more shelves  20 , each configured for holding or suspending therefrom at least one stemware  12  when the shelf is removably affixed to the compartment  14 . 
         [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B , respectively, illustrate a perspective view and a plan view of a cross-section of the compartment  14 ; and  FIGS. 4A and 4B , respectively, illustrate a perspective view a plan view of one of the one or more shelves  20 . In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the device  10 , at least a portion of an interior wall  22  of the compartment  14  and at least a portion of an outer edge  24  of each shelf  20  are configured for removably attaching or mounting the shelf  20  within the compartment  14 . In some embodiments, the outer edge  24  and the interior wall  22  have a tongue-and-groove configuration wherein one or more “tongue”  26  is on at least a portion of the outer edge  24  and a corresponding complementary one or more “groove”  28  is on at least a portion of a surface of the interior wall  22 . In certain embodiments, the one or more grooves  28  extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the interior wall  22 . Of course, a reversed tongue-and-groove configuration is also contemplated wherein the one or more groove  28  is on at least a portion of the outer edge  24  and the corresponding complementary one or more tongue  26  is on the surface of the interior wall  22 . As such, the one or more tongue  26  may extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the interior wall  22 . However, such arrangements of the tongue and the groove should not be construed as limiting. For instance, an embodiment is contemplated wherein the interior wall  22  has both a tongue and a groove extending longitudinally along different locations on its surface, and the corresponding complementary groove and tongue are on the outer edge  24 . In some embodiments, the tongue-and-groove configuration may provide a means for a snap-fit connection for removably attaching or mounting the shelf  20  on the interior wall  22 . In certain embodiments, the tongue-and-groove configuration may provide a means for slidingly and removably attaching the shelf  20  to the interior wall  22  wherein the shelf  20  is slid in or out through an opening at an end of the compartment  14 . It should be apparent that removably affixing the shelf  20  to the interior wall  22  provides flexibility in locating, and relocating, the one or more shelves  20  anywhere along the longitudinal extent of the compartment  14 . This is particularly the case when one or more groove  28  and/or one or more tongue  26  extend longitudinally along the surface of a substantial portion of the interior wall  22 . 
         [0016]    It should be further apparent that the tongue-and-groove configuration is only one of many means or mechanisms available for removably affixing one or more relocatable shelves  20  within the compartment  14 . For instance, some embodiments of the compartment  14  may include a ledge extending or protruding inwardly away from the surface of the interior wall  22  on which at least a portion of the shelf  20 , e.g., the portion proximate the outer edge  24 , may rest. Certain embodiments may include a snap-fit connections between the shelf  20  and the interior wall  22 . In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the surface of the interior wall  22  may include a circumferentially extending groove configured for receiving and holding or retaining at least a portion of the shelf  20  proximate the outer edge  24 . In some embodiments, a circumferential tongue-and-groove configuration may be provided wherein the tongue/groove extends along at least a portion of the interior wall  22  at several locations along the longitudinal extent of the compartment  14  and the groove/tongue extends along at least a portion of the outer edge  24 . Certain embodiments may include a hole-and-peg configuration at different locations along the surface of the interior wall  22  such as can be found in a kitchen cabinet or other storage units. Some embodiments may include one or more railings extending longitudinally along the surface of at least a portion of the interior wall  22 . In view thereof, any and all variants of the disclosed embodiments configured for proving the functionalities similar to those described herein are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. 
         [0017]    Each of the one or more shelves  20  includes at least one slot  30  extending inwardly from the outer edge  24  and configured for sliding passage therethrough of at least a portion of a stem  32  of the stemware  12 . In some embodiments, the slot  30  extends to an approximate center  34  of the shelf  20 . In certain embodiments, a width  36  of each slot  30  is larger (or wider) than a cross-sectional dimension, e.g., a diameter, of the stem  32  such that the stemware  12  can be placed “on” (e.g., suspended from) or “removed from” the shelf  20  by sliding the stem  32  along the slot  30 . In some embodiments, the width  36  may be slightly smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the stem  32  so as to impute a sliding friction and/or provide a snug fit between the slot  30  and the stem  32 . In certain embodiments, one or more of the slots  30  extend substantially linearly between the outer edge  24  and the approximate center  34 . In some embodiments, one or more of the slots  30  may be curvilinear. In certain embodiments, two or more slots  30  may extend inwardly on the shelf  20  from distinctly different locations on the outer edge  24 . In some embodiments, the two or more slots may be contiguous or continuous, for example at an innermost end  38  of the slot  30 . In certain embodiments, the innermost end  38  of the one or more slot  30  may be at or proximate the approximate center  34  of the shelf  20 . 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, opposing walls (or edges or sides)  40  and  42  of each slot  30  may or may not be linear or parallel to each other. For instance, portions of the opposing walls  40  and  42  may form substantially circular cross-sections having diameters that are smaller and larger relative to each other with a passage therebetween for sliding the stem  34  therethrough. In some embodiments, one or both opposing walls  40  and  42  may be resilient and/or include a resilient material for easing the passage of the stem  32  along the slot  30  and/or for retaining the stem  32 , and the stemware  12 , in position along the slot  30 . In certain embodiments, each slot  30  may include one or more depressions on either one or both of the substantially circular surfaces of the one or more shelves  20 . In some embodiments, at least one such depression is provided at the innermost end  38  of the slot  30 , which may or may not be proximate the approximate center  34  of the shelf  20 . In certain embodiments, the one or more depressions may have a shape and/or a size that substantially complements a typical contour of the stemware  12  at either one or both ends of the stem  32 . It should be evident that such depressions may be useful in providing a more stable suspension or resting or holding location for the stemware  12  when suspended from the shelf  20  at either of the two ends of the stem  32 . 
         [0019]    The illustrated cylindrical shape of the compartment  14  having a substantially circular cross-section and the substantially circular shape of the one or more shelves  20  should not be construed as limitations. In certain embodiments, the compartment  14  may have a substantially elliptical or polygonal cross-section in which case each of the one or more shelves  20  will have a substantially complementary elliptical or polygonal shape configured for removably, and relocatably, affixing or mounting each shelf  20  to the interior wall  22  of the compartment  14 . 
         [0020]    Generally, the one or more shelves  20  will be installed on the interior wall  22  in a manner whereby the stemware  12  can be suspended within and/or removed from the compartment  14 . For instance, in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the one or more shelves  20  may be removably attached such that an opening  44  of the slot  30  at the outer edge  24  is accessible from the at least one aperture  16  of the compartment  14 . In some embodiments, the one or more shelves  20  may be removably attached to the interior wall  22  by inserting the one or shelves  20  into the compartment  14  through the aperture  16 . In certain embodiments, the one or more shelves  20  may be removably attached to the interior wall  22  by inserting the one or shelves  20  into the compartment  14  through an opening at a first end  52 . The stem  32  of the stemware  12  may then be slid into the slot  30  from the opening  44  for suspending the stemware  12  within the compartment  14  or the stemware  12  can be removed from within the compartment by sliding the stem  32  out of the slot  30  through the opening  44 . In some embodiments, the one or more shelves  20  may be rotatable while installed on the interior wall  22  such that after the stemware  12  has been suspended within the compartment  14 , the shelf  20  may be rotated to block the opening  44  with the wall  18  of the compartment  18 . In certain embodiments, the one or more shelves  20  may be removably attached at an incline relative to the interior wall  22  (see  FIG. 2B  for example). For instance, the shelf  20  may be affixed such that the opening  44  of the slot  30  is above a horizontal plane extending through any other location on the shelf  20 . In some embodiments, the one or more shelves  20  may be curved or curvilinear, i.e., not flat, such that the opening  44  will be higher or above than other portions of the shelf  20 . In certain embodiments, the one or more shelves may include a lip at least proximate the opening  44 , the lip configured to prevent any slippage of the stemware  12  off the shelf  20 . It should be obvious that features such rotatable and/or inclined shelves  20  would be desirable for preventing the stemware  12  suspended within the compartment  14  from being accidently removed or dislodged. It should be further obvious that in order to extract or remove the suspending stemware  12  from within the compartment  14 , it would be necessary to expose the opening  44  through the aperture  16  by first rotating the shelf  20  installed on the interior wall  22 . It should be apparent that the aperture  16  should be sufficiently wide for unhindered passage therethrough of the stemware  12 . It should also be apparent that the aperture  16  should be sufficiently wide for unhindered passage therethrough of the one or more shelves  20 . 
         [0021]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the device  10 , at least a portion of the interior wall  22  may include a padding, for example foam, or a resilient or soft material or lining for preventing the stemware  12  from breaking if and when it collides with the interior wall  22 . For instance, if the device  10  having stemware  12  stored therein is shaken, then the bowl of the stemware  12 , for example, might shatter when it contacts the interior wall  22 . 
         [0022]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device  10  is configured for concealing a substantial portion of the compartment  14 . For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , substantial portions of one or more devices  10  can be retracted or extracted through their respective openings  46  in a countertop  48 . In certain embodiments, the one or more openings  46  may be openings of corresponding cavities, for example tubes, under the countertop  48 . In some embodiments, the retracted devices  10  may be retained in the retracted position by gravitational forces. In certain embodiments, the devices  10  may be retained in the retracted position by a retaining mechanism which may or may not also include a release mechanism. For instance, the retaining mechanism may be a spring-loaded mechanism. In certain embodiments, a latching mechanism may be provided for retaining the devices  10  in the retracted position when the mechanism is engaged. As described elsewhere, the compartment  14  is not limited to being cylindrical having a substantially circular cross-section, and that the compartment  14  may have a substantially elliptical or polygonal cross-section. Accordingly, a contour of the opening  46  should be substantially similar to that of the compartment  14  so that it may be retracted through the opening  46  for concealment. 
         [0023]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, each device  10  may include a “cap”  50  fixedly attached to a first end  52  of the compartment  14 . In some embodiments, the device  10  may be configured such that the exposed (or top) surface  54  of the cap  50  is flush with a top surface of the countertop  48  while the device  10  is in a fully retracted or concealed position. In certain embodiments, the cap  50  may include a knob  56  or a glass/cup holder  58  fixedly attached to the surface  50  or a finger-hole that can be used for extracting the device  10 , i.e., the compartment  14 , through the opening  46 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, one or more protrusions extending a short distance inwardly from at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening  46  may operate as a stop when an underside of the cap  50  abuts the one or more protrusions and inhibit the device  10  from falling into the opening  46 . Accordingly, the effective diameter of the opening at the location of the one or more protrusions may be less than a diameter of both the cap  50  and the opening  46 , but greater than a diameter of the compartment  14 . It will be apparent that the one or more protrusions may be recessed below the top surface of the countertop  48  by a distance substantially equal to a thickness of the cap  50  such that the top surface of the cap  50  may be flush with the top surface of the countertop  14  when the compartment  14  is retracted through the opening  46 . In certain embodiments, the one or more protrusions may be one or more ledges circumscribing at least a portion of a perimeter of the opening  14 . In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions may be one or more fins. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the device  10  may be configured with a retaining mechanism for retaining or holding the device  10  in a partially extracted/retracted or a fully extracted position without being held in place by an external source. For instance, in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the retaining mechanism may be a ratcheting system which may or may not include a spring-loaded component. In some embodiments, the retaining mechanism may be a friction-inducing or a frictional-system whereby the device  10  is held in place by frictional forces between an outer surface of the compartment  14  and the circumferential surface of the opening  46 . For instance, the retaining mechanism may include a resistor, for example a bushing or an o-ring or a resilient material, for imparting frictional resistance to the movement of the compartment  14  through the opening  46 . The compartment  14  may then be retracted under the influence of an external force acting in the direction towards the opening  46 . Of course, the friction inducing resistor will operate to decrease a magnitude of the external force being applied in the direction of the opening  46 . In some embodiments, the friction inducing resistor may be adjustable for increasing or decreasing the frictional forces. For instance, it may be necessary to increase the frictional forces when the device  10  is fully-loaded with stemware  12 ; and it may be necessary to decrease the frictional forces when the device  10  is empty and/or is partially loaded with stemware  12 . 
         [0026]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device  10  and the opening  46  are configured such that a vacuum is generated in the corresponding cavity of the opening  46  when the device  10  is extracted through the opening  46 . In some embodiments, the vacuum may then retract the device  10  when released or not held by an external force. 
         [0027]    In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, one or more of the devices  10  may be configured for inhibiting the removal, dislodgment or complete extraction of the compartment  14 , i.e., the device  10 , from the opening  46 . For instance, a second end of the compartment  14  opposite the first end  52  may be wider than the opening  46 . In some embodiments, one or more protrusions extending a short distance outwardly from an external surface of the compartment  14  proximate the second end thereof such that an effective diameter of the compartment  14  at the location of the one or more protrusions may be greater than a diameter of the opening  46 . 
         [0028]    Accordingly, when the compartment  14  is extracted through the opening  46 , the one or more protrusions may operate as a stop when abutting an underside of the countertop  48  and thus inhibit removal of the compartment  14 . In certain embodiments, the one or more protrusions may be one or more ledges circumscribing at least a portion of an exterior surface of the compartment  14 . In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions may be one or more fins. In certain embodiments, the second end of the compartment  14  may be include a cap or a plate having a diameter wider than the diameter of the opening  46 . In certain embodiments, the one or more devices  10  may include a removal mechanism for completely removing or extracting the devices  10  for cleaning and/or replacement purposes. 
         [0029]    None of the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein are meant to be and nor should they be construed to be limiting in any way conceivable. Any and all of the various embodiments configured for proving the functionalities substantially similar to those described herein are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. 
         [0030]    In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of the device  10  and/or methods for using the device  10  may become apparent or obvious. All such variations are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. For instance, while reference may have been made to particular features and/or functions, the disclosure is considered to also include embodiments configured for functioning and/or providing functions substantially similar to those disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope and intent of the disclosure is to embrace all such variations. The metes and bounds of the disclosure is solely defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: 1