The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 15, 1994
David J Spykerman, Zeeland, MI (US);
Scott S Bainbridge, Byron Center, MI (US);
John K Barlow, Holland, MI (US);
Russell P Shafer, Jr, Holland, MI (US);
Prince Corporation, Holland, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for holding containers in a vehicle includes a base attachable to a vehicle, and a container holder member movably attached to the base for forming a container holder aperture over the base. An ashtray receptacle and an ashtray cover are integrated into the base, and one or two container holder members are movably mounted to the base on either side of the ashtray receptacle. The container holder members are extendable to form a container holder aperture over tile ashtray receptacle with the ashtray cover supporting the bottom of a container placed in the container holder aperture. The container holder members are also retractable to a storage position in the base for aesthetics. The base can be modular and retrofittably installed into a storage compartment in an existing vehicle armrest or console, or can be installed as original equipment. The container holder members are pivotally mounted on the ashtray cover, and are pivotable about a 90.degree. arc for movement between a storage position and a storage arm supporting position on the base. In another embodiment, a double container holder that extends longitudinally along the upper surface of an armrest or console. The double container holder pivots about an axis that extends through the container holder apertures defined by the container holder so that the container holder remains positioned over the armrest/console at all times.