Cup holder

Abstract

A cup holder mechanism mountable to an armrest of stadium or theater seating operable between a compacted position and an expanded position. The cup holder mechanism comprises a base substantially contoured similar to a portion of the armrest, and provides support for a base of a container when placed thereon. A top member is coupled to the base and has an aperture for receiving the container therein. The top member is movable between the compacted and expanded positions. An intermediate member is coupled between the top member and the base member to provide support for the top member when placed in the expanded position. Also included is a lock for inhibiting displacement of the top member once placed in at least one of the positions. The cup holder mechanism provides support for a spectator's arm on the armrest when placed in the compacted position, while at the same time: providing support for the container when the mechanism is placed in the expanded position.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed as defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A cup holder mechanism mountable to an armrest and operable between a collapsed position and a deployed position, the mechanism comprising: a base member engageable with a portion of said armrest to be supported thereby; a top member coupled to said base member and having an aperture for receiving said container therein, said top member movable between said collapsed position and said deployed position; an intermediate member coupled between said top member and said base member, said intermediate member for supporting said top member when placed in said deployed position; and a control mechanism for inhibiting displacement of said top member once placed in at least one of said positions; wherein said deployed position provides support for a side wail of said container when placed in said aperture  
     
     
         2 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein said armrest, said intermediate member, and said top member form an approximate triangular shape when said cup holder mechanism is placed in said deployed position.  
     
     
         3 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 2   , wherein said intermediate member is hingedly attached to said top member.  
     
     
         4 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 2   , wherein said intermediate member is hingedly attached to said base member.  
     
     
         5 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein said top member is contoured to a similar form of said base member.  
     
     
         6 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 5    further including a least one reinforcement member connected to said top member for providing rigidity.  
     
     
         7 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 5   , wherein said similar form is substantially planar to provide support for an arm of a spectator when said mechanism is placed in said deployed position.  
     
     
         8 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 7   , wherein said portion of said armrest in substantially planar.  
     
     
         9 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein at least a portion of said top member is flexible for facilitating operation between said collapsed and said deployed positions.  
     
     
         10 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein said aperture is to be positioned somewhat centrally on said armrest.  
     
     
         11 . A cup holder according to    claim 1   , wherein said aperture is positioned at one end of said top member.  
     
     
         12 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein said aperture further comprising a plurality of inwardly depending resilient fingers for accommodating various sized containers.  
     
     
         13 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein an end of said base member is arcuate.  
     
     
         14 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein a portion of said intermediate member is arcuate.  
     
     
         15 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1   , wherein said control mechanism further comprises a locking member for inhibiting operation of said top member and said intermediate member once placed in said at least one of said positions.  
     
     
         16 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 15   , wherein said locking member is resiliently biased.  
     
     
         17 . A cup mechanism according to    claim 15   , wherein said control mechanism further comprises a housing coupled to said armrest for receiving a portion of said top member.  
     
     
         18 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 17   , wherein said housing is positioned at one end of said base member.  
     
     
         19 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 15   , wherein a portion of said top sol member is operable within said housing.  
     
     
         20 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 19   , wherein said control mechanism controls a position of a portion of said top member operable within said housing.  
     
     
         21 . A cup holder mechanism according to    claim 1    further comprising indicia located on said top member for conveying predetermined information to surrounding spectators.  
     
     
         22 . A cup mechanism according to    claim 1    further comprising indicia located on said intermediate member for conveying predetermined information to surrounding spectators.